Not only did we survive countless natural disasters (earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanoes, hurricanes) this year, several individuals also gained prominence in the global arena. Mohammad Yunus became the first businessman to win the coveted Nobel Prize for Peace for his pioneering efforts with Grameen Bank in microcredit. Ban Ki-Moon was sworn in as the next United Nations Secretary General (apparently with a healthy dose of humour) at a critical time when the UN needs to restore trust, rebuild its image and regain some semblance of authority. Upon successfully combating the SARS and bird flu epidemic, Margaret Chan was elected as the next Director-General of the World Health Organization with a renewed focus on health in Africa and women's health.
Coincidentally, TIME just published a special feature on 60 Years of Asian Heroes (see below). Check it out for familiar and maybe new Asians who've made their mark as nation builders, artists and thinkers, business leaders, artists and explorers, and overall inspirations. Is there anyone not on the list who should be?
Asians are making waves in Hollywood as well. Ang Lee became the first Asian to win a Best Director Academy Award for Brokeback Mountain, a film which transcended myriad cultural and social boundaries. Don't forget the outstanding quintet of Asian actresses - Sandra Oh, Lucy Liu, Gong Li, Zhang Ziyi and Michelle Yeoh. Then there's Yul Kwon (click L photo below for Entertainment Weekly's interview), the Stanford/Yale/McKinsey alum, who won over viewers, critics and the castaways of Survivor: Cook Island - and rising star Masi Oka (click on R photo below for New York Times feature), a TIME Asian American whiz kid, who secured a Best Supporting Actor Golden Globe nomination for his work in the hit new TV series Heroes. See these LJ tags for more of my thoughts on Survivor and Heroes.
We've heard about Yao Ming, Tiger Woods, Se Ri Pak and Fu Mingxia - all leaders in their respective sports fields. This year, younger athletes have emerged as their proteges such as Grace Park who drove the Asian golfers to victory (see below) over the International Team led by Annika Sorenstam at Singapore's recent 2006 Lexus Cup. And lastly, there's my personal heroine from my hometown and favourite sport: Nicol David, the world #1 women's squash player who together with compatriot Ong Beng Hee (also a Penangite) swept the squash gold medals at the 15th Doha Asian Games.
1 comment:
So true! I thought the same too, but figure she's an honorary Indian or generally, a "global citizen." Wiki does say she was born in Turkey, so they could've stretched things a little I guess. After all, if I include Asian Americans in the list, why not?
Do you know that George Takei plays Masi Oka (Hiro)'s father in subsequent episodes of Heroes next year? Are you watching that series? You should! I think you'd love it.
Have a blessed Christmas, Jeff!
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