The Badger Herald University of Wisconsin 5.5.99 "Cultural performance spices up UW" By Erin Di Joseph Features Reporter		-Paulina Sahagun (far left) performs a self-written monologue for the Latino portion of the show.

Although today's highly politically correct society might perceive that question to be just another bad ethnic joke, the show "A Slice of Rice, Frijoles and Greens" attempted to address that theme during a Tuesday night performance at the Memorial Union Theatre.

Sponsored by the Asian American Studies Program, the show was the last of over 30 events showcased as part of the tenth annual celebration of Asian American Month on campus.

Actors presented monologues highlighting Asian, Latino, African American and deaf experiences. In a clever twist of original song, dance and comedy, performers poked fun at cultural stereotypes while addressing controversial issues facing these groups in modern America.

According to UW junior Akiko Ikeno, the public relations coordinator for Asian American Month, the show's multicultural perspective was an ideal end to the month's festivities.

"Asian American Month is designed not only to reach the Asian American community on campus, but also to reach out to the rest of the campus community," Ikeno said. "Our goal is to emphasize Asian America as part of a greater America made up of many different cultures and ethnicities besides our own."

According to Ikeno, festivities throughout the month have targeted issues concerning a wide spectrum of groups that comprise the Asian American community. Events such as Indian Night and Southeast Asian Night, she said, enjoyed great popularity among students. A lantern festival last Friday on Lake Mendota drew hundreds of students and community members from all cultural backgrounds in celebration of ethnic heritage.

"The lantern festival was one of the most culturally bridging experiences during the month," Ikeno said. "Everyone from young to old to community groups to the disabled came to the lantern festival. It was really amazing."

In fact, the popularity of events during the month seems to have skyrocketed during the past few years, according to freshman Hanako Ikeno, a member of the Asian American Union Council.

"We had three survivors from a Japanese internment camp come in earlier this month to discuss their experiences," Ikeno said. "One of the men told me afterwards, 'This is probably one of the biggest turnouts I've seen for Asian American month.' So far we've been very pleased with the turnout at all the events."

Ikeno pointed to the fact that, in order to develop greater respect and understanding among differing cultural groups, old stigmas and stereotypes must be broken.

According to Sharon Lee, program assistant of the Asian American Studies Program on campus, the performance of "A Slice of Rice, Frijoles and Greens" was also a vehicle for adressing stereotypes in a less controversial setting than typically faced by people in daily life.

"There's still a tendency to stereotype Asian Americans as being recent immigrants who are successful and excel in math," Lee said. "What is very important is to talk about the diversity of the Asian American culture in order to broad understanding on campus of the Asian American experience."

Audience members agreed with Lee, saying the performance both entertained and enlightened them about issues concering the Asian American community.

"The show was good because it had the comedic aspect, but it also made you aware of the stereotypes," senior Stephanie Temblay said.

Following the performance, a question-answer period was held between the cast and audience.

Senior Beckie Amador said she enjoyed participating in the discussion.

"It was nice for people who aren't comfortable discussing stereotypes in a normal setting to be able to ask questions about it after the show," Amador said. "People got the chance to learn something without feeling embarrassed."