May 16, 2018

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INTERNATIONAL EXAMINER

Seattle’s Nonprofit Asian Pacific Islander News Source Since 1974

May 16 – June 5, 2018 — 1

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FREE EST. 1974—SEATTLE VOLUME 45, NUMBER 9 — May 16 - June 5, 2018 THE NEWSPAPER OF THE CHINATOWN INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT & ASIAN PACIFIC ISLANDER COMMUNITIES OF THE NORTHWEST

State Senate candidate would be first person of color representing 34th district By Kelsey Hamlin IE Contributor Some know Joe Nguyen as a familiar face because he’s operated in the background of Seattle’s community and politics for so long. Now, he’s deciding to emerge out front, running for a seat in the state Senate representing Washington’s 34th District. “It’s never really been about me,” Nguyen said of his decision to run. “There’s already great leaders, advocates and organizations in this community doing work. I don’t want to be arrogant and say I’m the one organizing all of these efforts.” Nguyen’s cohort of family and friends had been abuzz for a while, predicting his drift into the political arena. What ultimately pushed the decision: Sen. Sharon Nelson (D-Maury Island) deciding to retire. “Nobody actually thought Sharon Nelson was going to retire,” Nguyen said. “I was working with a group of folks to potentially gear up to run for office in the next two years. So it wasn’t a shock to folks. The shock was running this soon.” It’s been 23 years since this particular Senate seat was open. Usually, when representatives or senators retire, they do so midway through their term so the party can choose who fills the position without a district-wide election.

A dancer at the Celebrate Asia pre-concert performance at Benaroya Hall in 201.1 • Photo courtesy of the Thai Cultural Society

Photo courtesy of Joe Nguyen

Legislature, despite the district’s diversity. “It’s not that people at the table don’t care,” he said. “It’s just that if you don’t have representation, it’s hard to get an advocate.” When it comes to politics and leadership in official governmental roles, Nguyen felt strongly that it’s largely inaccessible to everyday working-class people, much less those in poverty. According to statistics from the U.S. Census, 40.6 million Americans, or 12.7 percent, lived in poverty in 2016.

“You’ve got to take your shot when it’s “People I’ve talked to said they’re open,” Nguyen said. pumped by this, not just because they’re exThe U.S. economy and Washington cited for me as a candidate, but it also gives state’s growing income inequality require them hope they can run as well,” Nguyen immediate action, Nguyen believes. He said. “So representation matters. To me, one feels an urgency to address them. “We need of the key aspects of leadership isn’t what people who are going to make bold deci- you yourself can achieve; it’s how you can sions that reflect the people,” Nguyen said. empower the people around you to succeed “Affordability isn’t just a talking point for as well. And I think making the sacrifice me. It was a lived experience growing up and running is part of that experience.” as refugees.” Now that he’s running for office, Nguyen barely sleeps. He wakes up at nearly 5 a.m. Nguyen’s parents are refugees from Vietevery day and tends to go to sleep around 1 nam. Growing up, his family relied on social services and welfare. Nguyen remem- a.m. Most of his energy is spent on making bered sleeping on a dirty mattress in the calls to close friends, family and communibasement when he was a kid because his ty members to gain their backing. Nguyen family had so many people in their house estimates he’ll need around $130,000 for an effective campaign, including paying staff. who they helped transition to America. Nguyen notes there’s never been a person of color representing the 34th District in the

NGUYEN: Continued on page 2 . . .

Thai Society contemplates future in preservation of Thai performing arts By Annie Kuo IE Fellow A cultural phenomenon is currently sweeping through Thailand due to the popularity of the Thai period TV drama, “Buppesannivas” (“Love Destiny”). The series, shot in places such as the ancient Thai capital of Ayutthaya, has led many Thais to don traditional attire to work, school – even the supermarket – and visit historical sites. This new interest in ancient Thai history has flipped the script on modern Thailand’s penchant for commercialism and Western culture. The late King Rama IX, Bhumibol Adulyadej, was Western-educated and played the saxophone, which led to many Thais’ interest in Western entertainment. However, his daughter, Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, loved playing Thai classical music, making it acceptable for people to appreciate the old styles – and for girls to play the instruments. The throwback interest is fresh encouragement for the Thai Cultural Society, which for four decades now has endeavored to preserve, promote and protect the Thai culture and heritage through the performing arts. “Our culture is good, priceless and

has value,” says Pilaivan Britton, Thai Cultural Society’s founder and director. She reminds other Thais, “Don’t forget our great heritage, even when you live here and your children grow up here.” The group fulfills an important mission among the Puget Sound Thai immigrant community by preserving and representing Thai culture – not only to Americans but to each other. It tries to bring master musicians, including the artists of Thailand, every year to inspire younger members with authentic Thai performing arts. The question remains, however, how the group will sustain its mission as members age and as second generation members grow up and move away.

Understanding the roots The Chao Phraya, “river of kings,” flows through the capital city of Bangkok, extends in every direction, and reaches the Gulf of Thailand. It is the namesake of the Chaopraya Ensemble, the Thai Cultural Society’s first performing group which started in 1976. Britton started the Chaopraya Ensemble after the departure of Jareanchai Chonpairoj, a UW doctoral PERFORMING ARTS: Continued on page 4 . . .


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May 16, 2018 by International Examiner - Issuu