PRSRT STD U.S. Postage Paid Permit No. 746 Seattle, WA
VOL 38 NO 10 MARCH 2 – MARCH 8, 2019
FREE
37 YEARS YOUR VOICE
Hung eyes Superior Court judge seat
Amazon adds former PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi to board
By Ruth Bayang NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY
Photo provided by Jimmy Hung
His name is Jimmy Hung and he’s seeking an appointment to the King County Superior Court bench. The youngest of four children to James and Yueh-Chin Hung, the family immigrated to the United States from Taiwan in 1977 when Hung was 3 years old. Now at 45 years old, and after more than 20 years with the King County Prosecutor Attorney’s Office (PAO), Hung is ready for a new challenge. “I think I’d be really good at it,” Hung told the Northwest Asian Weekly, despite how he initially stumbled into the legal profession. “I didn’t have a good reason for wanting to become a lawyer,” Hung said. “It was just the anti-
By JOSEPH PISANI
I became a judge, I could reach
NEW YORK (AP) — Amazon has named former PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi to its board. The Indian American Tamil business executive is the second woman of color to be added to the online retailer’s board of directors in a month.
see HUNG on 15
see NOOYI on 11
Jimmy Hung with wife, Heather Jensen, and daughter, Coco.
doctor.” His brother and one of his sisters are doctors, the other
sister in corporate technology. “I’m the black sheep of the family,” Hung joked. “Maybe if
Indra Nooyi
Patriots owner caught soliciting sex from Asian massage parlor By TERRY SPENCER
Photo from Yelp
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft visited a Florida massage parlor for sex acts the night before and the morning of January’s AFC championship game, authorities said on Feb. 25 in documents charging him with two misdemeanor counts of soliciting prostitution. Kraft is one of hundreds of men charged in recent days as part of a crackdown on prostitution allegedly occurring in massage parlors between
Palm Beach and Orlando. Ten spas have been closed and several people, most of them women originally from China, have been charged with running the operation. The 77-year-old Kraft was chauffeured to the Orchids of Asia Day Spa in a 2014 white Bentley on the evening of Jan. 19, where police say they videotaped him engaging in a sex act and then handing over an undetermined amount of cash, Jupiter, Florida, police said in
SIKH CAPTAIN AMERICA Fighting stereotypes, one talk at a time
»7
see ORCHIDS on 13
Orchids of Asia Day Spa storefront
Dr. Lee testifies for bill to prohibit eye tattoos in Washington state By Madeline Coats WNPA OLYMPIA NEWS BUREAU
Dr. Aaron Lee
■
OLYMPIA — Lawmakers aim to prohibit scleral tattooing, otherwise known as the practice of scarring or inserting pigment onto the human eye. House Bill 1856 is co-sponsored by 17
representatives and introduced by Rep. Steve Tharinger. “This is odd, but it’s not a joke,” said Tharinger at a public hearing on Feb. 20. “In a moment of irrationality, someone might choose to get their sclera tattooed.” According to the bill, the sclera is the white outer coating of the eye. The tough,
fibrous tissue extends from the cornea to the optic nerve at the back of the eye. Dr. Aaron Lee, a retina surgeon and assistant professor at the University of Washington Department of Ophthalmology, testified in support of the bill see EYE TATTOOS on 13
PUBLISHER’S BLOG Stay fit during winter
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OSCARS! API winners and highlights
» 12
412 Maynard Ave. S., Seattle, WA 98104 • t. 206.223.5559 • f. 206.223.0626 • info@nwasianweekly.com • ads@nwasianweekly.com • www.nwasianweekly.com
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37 YEARS
MARCH 2 – MARCH 8, 2019
■ NAMES IN THE NEWS Ladies in red
USA Gymnastics names Leung new CEO, president
Photo by Ken Grant
Li Li Leung was named as the new president and CEO of U.S.A. Gymnastics in February. The organization has struggled since revelations that its long-time team doctor, Larry Nassar, had sexually abused hundreds of girls and young women for decades. Leung says her first priority will be to reach an equitable resolution Li Li Leung of the lawsuits filed by Nassar's victims and to address U.S.A. Gymnastics' relationship with the United States Olympic Committee. Leung is a former gymnast — she competed in the Junior Pan Am Games and for the University of Michigan in the NCAA Championships.
Female Rotations dressed in red for Lunar New Year
theme was “Gardens of the World” and five exhibitors were awarded gold medals, including Filipino Anthony Fajarillo of Redwood Builders LLC, Landscaping for his creation, “The Isles of the Blest: Tao Myth.” Two other gardens, “Mystic Gardens” and “Orchids in Balance,” featured Asianinspired designs.
Lunar New Year dinner
Anthony Fajarillo
Photo by Assunta Ng
Photo by George Liu
2019 Northwest Flower & Garden Festival
Chamber president Dennis Su receiving lucky blessings from the lions. From left: Paul Ishii, Lillian Sherman, Cindy Runger, president, and Felicity Wang
The female members of the Rotary Club of Seattle wore red in celebration of the Lunar New Year. The event was held on Feb. 6 at the Hyatt Olive 8, and lucky candy and fortune cookies were distributed to each table, along with the Northwest Asian Weekly’s special Lunar New Year issue. The guests were offered good wishes, and the spirit and energy of the dragon and horse.
Dragon carved by Jeffro Uitto for the Mystic Garden exhibit
This year’s Northwest Flower & Garden Festival, held Feb. 20-24, showcased over 20 display gardens. This year’s
The Greater Seattle Chinese Chamber of Commerce held its annual Lunar New Year dinner on Feb. 21. Three-hundred-sixty people attended the event at Seattle’s China Harbor Restaurant, including Seattle Deputy Mayor Mike Fong and Assistant Police Chief Adrian Diaz. The International Lion Dance Team performed a lion dance.
DUE TO SNOW, THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED TO MARCH 2! NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY & NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY FOUNDATION PRESENTS 10TH ANNUAL
win $$$ in the year of the pig
no age limit!
SATURDAY, MARCH 2, 2019 MAKE A PIG MASK — Size (an adult or child can wear it) — It can cover the entire face — Be creative with all types of colorful materials — It can show happy, sad, or funny emotions — Must be displayed or worn by a model at the contest PRIZES First ($300), Second ($200), Third ($100) + prizes for honorable mentions
Please submit completed application through one of the following methods: Mail: Northwest Asian Weekly Lunar New Year Costume Contest 412 Maynard Ave. S. Seattle, WA 98104 Name:
________________________________________________________
School Name: ___________________________________________Age: ________ Profession: ________________________________________________________ Phone:
__________________________________________________________
E-mail:
___________________________________________________________
I am entering contest for:
Pig Mask
Costume
Costume Parade Schedule: • 11 AM — Registration • 12:30 PM — Line up • 1 PM — Parade begins • 1:30 PM — Parade winners announced • Start from Northwest Asian Weekly’s front door, march to main stage • Contestants must be present at the announcement of finalists (1:30 PM). • Finalists will be lined up in numerical order. • The first 20 registered will get a gift.
Both Contests
Please send your photo of entry by February 1, 2019 to rsvp@nwasianweekly.com. Contestants must adhere to all rules and regulations. Contest officials will remove any contestant failing to cooperate with officials or failing to comply with the rules and regulations. If you have any questions, please contact Northwest Asian Weekly at 206.223.5559 or via email at rsvp@nwasianweekly.com. FOR MORE INFO, GO TO CIDBIA.ORG, NWASIANWEEKLY.COM/EVENTS
Registration/Sign-Up: • You may pre-register for the contest by filling out this application and sending it in or sign-up on the day of the contest (Saturday, March 2) beginning at
SPONSORS
Make a Pig Mask or be a part of the Costume Contest or enter both contests! LUNAR NEW YEAR COSTUME CONTEST — Contestants’ attire should be culturally relevant to the Lunar New Year Celebration PRIZES First ($100), Second ($75), Third ($50)
11 a.m. at the registration table. Registration table will be located in front of Seattle Chinese Post/Northwest Asian Weekly – 412 Maynard Ave S. • Contestants must sign-in at the registration table 30 minutes prior to parade. Rules/Guidelines: • You are welcome to participate in both contests: pig mask and costume contest. The costume contest will begin first, followed by the pig mask contest. • Adults & children are welcome to participate • Parents are welcome to accompany their children during the Parade • All contestants will be given a contestant number for order of Parade lineup • Contestants must be present to win
community SPONSORs JIM DOANE
asianweekly northwest
YOUR VOICE
■ COMMUNITY NEWS
MARCH 2 – MARCH 8, 2019
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Rep. Cindy Ryu tackles ethical issues with facial recognition By Emma Scher WNPA OLYMPIA NEWS BUREAU Washington state may impose restrictions on law enforcement’s use of facial recognition technology. House Bill 1654 would require state and local government agencies to have a warrant if they are monitoring public footage, and states that agencies cannot use facial recognition to analyze footage obtained from a policeworn body camera. Any facial recognition data obtained by agencies could not be used as evidence in court. It also requires the Legislature to conduct a report on the accuracy of facial recognition systems with variation in race, skin tone, ethnicity, gender, and age. Rep. Cindy Ryu is the bill’s prime sponsor, alongside seven other Democrats and one Republican. She said that official use of facial recognition needs regulation due to inaccuracies in the technology. She said that her photos on social media usually get tagged with somebody else’s name who looks similar to her.
“She happens to be one of my friends, but she does happen to have curly hair or permed hair like I do, similar age and there she is,” she said. “I do experience that inaccuracy and I can only imagine how bad it could become if it’s a person who is being rounded up or Rep. Cindy Ryu arrested or somehow involved in law enforcement.” According to documents obtained by the American Civil Liberties Union, Amazon’s Rekognition technology is already being sold to law enforcement. In October, The Washington Post reported that Amazon also met with ICE officials to pitch its facial recognition system. Facebook, Google, IBM, Microsoft, and Amazon all have developed their own facial recognition software. Last year, a study by MIT and Microsoft researchers found that facial recognition technologies decreased in identification accuracy if the face was female or dark-
Senate passes bill prohibiting citizenship- or immigrationbased discrimination By Staff NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY OLYMPIA — The Washington Senate voted 29-20 on Feb. 26, passing a bill to prohibit discrimination based on citizenship or immigration status. Senate Bill 5165, sponsored by Sen. Rebecca Saldaña, adds citizenship or immigration status to the list of characteristics protected by Washington’s law against discrimination. The law currently prohibits discrimination against individuals based on race, creed, color, national origin, families with children, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, or disability. This bill protects anyone perceived to be a
noncitizen, regardless of their actual immigration status, and would help prevent discrimination in various settings such as education, housing, public accommodations, and employment. “We’re hearing from communities that people are not at ease. They live in fear and sometimes are even afraid to bring their kids to school,” said Saldaña. “By clarifying our law against discrimination, we hope people will feel more secure participating fully in their communities.” The bill will now be considered in the House of Representatives. Staff can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.
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skinned. Jevan Hutson, president of the Student Bar Association at the University of Washington School of Law, warned about the importance of having ethical conversations about the technology’s ability to discriminate against communities which have historically been under more surveillance by law enforcement. “Face surveillance is a far more powerful technology with the potential to amplify existing biases,” Hutson said in a public hearing.. In a blog post earlier this month, an Amazon spokesperson defended its Rekognition technology by arguing that facial recognition is a valuable tool for removing bias when compared to manual human processes, and said that its inaccuracies were due to incorrect use of the program. Opponents of the bill argued that since the Department of Licensing needs facial recognition technology to be in compliance with federal Real ID Act requirements, the department would need to be exempted under the bill.
New Ruth Woo internship By Staff NORTHWEST WEEKLY
ASIAN
SEATTLE — Mayor Jenny Durkan announced on Feb. 27 the creation of a new Office of the Mayor internship to honor Seattle civil rights hero and leader Ruth Woo. The Ruth Woo Intern will work with the Mayor’s Policy Team to continue Durkan’s commitment to the Race and Social Justice Initiative, and will apply an equity lens to policy issues in the spirit of “Auntie Ruth.” “With this internship, we
are honoring Ruth’s legacy by creating opportunity for people that Ruth always believed in so much, our young leaders,” Durkan said. Dolores Sibonga, the first Filipina American lawyer in Washington state, and the first woman of color to serve on the Seattle City Council, said, “If you're a young person who believes in Ruth’s commitment to equality for all, I urge you to apply for this internship.” To apply, go to http://bit.ly/2tCwaab.
www.buckleylaw.net d
Northwest Asian Weekly is accepting applications for freelance writers. Arts, entertainment and food features are great, but you must also be able to write about government, courts, crime, business, education, health, and social justice issues affecting the Asian-Pacific Islander (API) community. Even better if you can cover breaking news under tight deadlines (same-day turns), with minimal supervision. Flexible hours. Journalism degree preferred but not required. Send resume and writing samples to: Ruth Bayang at editor@nwasianweekly.com.
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MARCH 2 – MARCH 8, 2019
37 YEARS
■ NATIONAL NEWS
Worker visas in doubt as Trump immigration crackdown widens By MATT SEDENSKY AP NATIONAL WRITER NEW YORK (AP) — Immigrants with specialized skills are being denied work visas or seeing applications get caught up in lengthy bureaucratic tangles under federal changes that some consider a contradiction to President Donald Trump’s promise of a continued pathway to the U.S. for the most talented foreigners. Though getting what’s known as an H-1B visa has never been a sure thing, immigration attorneys and employers who hire such workers say they’ve seen unprecedented disruptions in the approval process since Trump took office in 2017. “You see all these arguments that we want the best and the brightest coming here,’’ said John Goslow, an immigration attorney in Ann Arbor, Michigan. “Yet we’re seeing a fullfrontal assault on just all aspects of immigration.’’ For American businesses, it has a bottom-line impact. Link Wilson, an architect who co-founded a firm in Bloomington, Minnesota, said finding enough qualified workers within the U.S. has been a problem for years, in part due to a shortage of architects. He said employers who turn to international applicants do so as a last resort, putting up with legal fees and ever-expanding visa approval times because they have no other choice. “We’re just at the point where there’s no one else to hire,’’ said Wilson, who estimates his firm turned away about $1 million in projects last year because it didn’t have enough staff to handle them. Three months after taking office, Trump issued his “Buy American and Hire American’’ executive order , calling for H-1B changes to promote the hiring of Americans for jobs
that might otherwise go to immigrants. Subsequent memos have allowed for greater discretion in denying applications without first requesting additional information from an applicant, tossed the deference given to people seeking to renew their H-1Bs, and raised concern that the government would revoke work permits for the spouses of H-1B holders. One order restricted companies’ ability to use H-1B workers off-site at a customer’s place of business, while another temporarily rescinded the option of paying for faster application processing. Attorneys who handle these applications say one of the biggest shifts is an increase in “requests for evidence,’’ or RFEs, from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. An RFE can delay a visa for months or longer as applicants and employers are forced to submit additional documentation over things such as the applicability of a college degree to a prospective job or whether the wage being offered is appropriate. If the responses are unsatisfactory, a visa may be denied.
“They’re just blocking the avenues so that employers will get frustrated and they won’t employ foreign nationals,’’ said Dakshini Sen, an immigration lawyer in Houston whose caseload is mostly H-1B applications. “We have to write and write and write and explain and explain and explain each and every point.’’ USCIS data released on Feb. 22 shows an increase in the number of completed H-1B applications receiving an RFE, from about 21 percent in the 2016 fiscal year to 38 percent last fiscal year. The number continued to rise in the first quarter of this fiscal year, to 60 percent. A growing number of applications with such requests were ultimately denied, while the approval rate among all applicants has fallen. Approvals also dipped in two see H1-B on 13
GRAND OPENING MARCH 23rd, 2019 12—7pm A New Arts and Cultural Hub The Seattle Office of Arts & Culture is honored to open its new cultural space with yәhaw̓, an inaugural exhibition featuring the work of Indigenous creatives. March 23 - August 3, 2019. 303 South Jackson Street, Top Floor Seattle, WA 98104 | seattle.gov/arts Image: Shaun Peterson, Kaka, Oil on Panel, 2018
at King Street Station
asianweekly northwest
YOUR VOICE
MARCH 2 – MARCH 8, 2019
■ WORLD NEWS
5
Okinawa votes in referendum on US military base relocation By YURI KAGEYAMA AP BUSINESS WRITER TOKYO (AP) — The people of Okinawa voted on Feb. 24 on a plan for a U.S. military base relocation in a referendum that will send a message on how they feel about housing American troops in Japan, who many see as a burden on the group of tiny southwestern islands. The referendum is technically not binding but interest is high for testing the public sentiment about the plan to relocate Futenma air base, which is pushed by the national government of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. The plan has its beginnings in 1995, when outrage erupted against U.S. service members over the rape Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of a 12-year-old girl. Futenma was long criticized as dangerous, being in a residential area. Washington also agreed to transfer some personnel to the U.S. Pacific territory of Guam. A replacement base is on a coastal landfill in an area
called Henoko. Critics say wildlife such as coral reefs and the dugong will be hurt. “There are so many American troops here. Of course, 99 percent of them are good people, but then there is that 1 percent who do evil things. It’s hard for us,’’ said Tomomichi Shimabukuro, who runs a seaside inn called Churaumi-kun. “I feel most people of Okinawa are going to vote in protest of the plan,’’ he said in a phone interview. Japanese media surveys have shown voters are likely to reject the Henoko plan. Nearly 1.16 million residents were eligible to vote. Interest has been strong, not only in the rest of Japan but among pacifists internationally. The referendum asked: “On the landfill for the construction of the U.S. military base planned by the government in Henoko, Nago city, to replace Futenma air base,’’ with the answers being: “I agree,’’ “I oppose,’’ or “Neither.’’ Although Okinawa makes up less than 1 percent of Japan’s land space, it houses about half of the 54,000 American troops stationed in Japan, and makes for 64 percent of the land used by the U.S. bases, under a bilateral
China bars millions from travel for ‘social credit’ offenses By JOE McDONALD ASSOCIATED PRESS BEIJING (AP) — Skipped paying a fine in China? Then forget about buying an airline ticket. Would-be air travelers were blocked from buying tickets 17.5 million times last year for “social credit’’ offenses including unpaid taxes and fines under a controversial system the ruling Communist Party says will improve public behavior. Others were barred 5.5 million times from buying train tickets, according to the National Public Credit Information Center. In an annual report, it said 128 people were blocked from leaving China due to unpaid taxes. The ruling party says “social credit’’ penalties and rewards will improve order in a fast-changing society after three decades of economic reform have shaken up social structures. Markets are rife with counterfeit goods and fraud. The system is part of efforts by President Xi Jinping’s government to use technology ranging from data processing to genetic sequencing and facial recognition to tighten control. Authorities have experimented with “social credit’’ since 2014 in areas across China. Points are deducted for breaking the law or, in some areas, offenses as minor as walking a dog without a leash. Human rights activists say “social credit’’ is too rigid and might unfairly label people as untrustworthy without telling them they have lost status or how to restore it. U.S. Vice President Mike Pence criticized it in October as “an Orwellian system premised on controlling virtually every
“Once you lose trust, you will face restrictions everywhere.’’ facet of human life.’’ The ruling party wants a nationwide system by 2020 but has yet to say how it will operate. Possible penalties include restrictions on travel, business and access to education. A slogan repeated in state media says, “Once you lose trust, you will face restrictions everywhere.’’ Companies on the blacklist can lose government contracts or access to bank loans or be barred from issuing bonds or importing goods. Offenses penalized under “social credit’’ last year included false advertising or violating drug safety rules, the government information center said. Individuals were blocked 290,000 times from taking senior management jobs or acting as a company’s legal representative. Since the launch of such “joint punishment,’’ the system has caused 3.5 million people to “voluntarily fulfill their legal obligations,’’ the Information Center said. It said that included 37 people who paid a total of $22 million in overdue fines or confiscations. see SOCIAL CREDIT on 14
security treaty. Japan relies heavily on the U.S. for its defense, and the government has said it will not abide by the referendum, even if the Henoko plan is rejected. Over the years, Henoko has drawn countless protests and sit-ins. The election last year of Okinawa Gov. Denny Tamaki, the son of a Japanese woman and a U.S. Marine he has never met, has injected renewed energy to the movement. Skeptics are worried the costs for a landfill base like Henoko may keep growing, the runway may end up being too short and the government may not close Futenma, after all. Some in Okinawa are wondering why U.S. military operations can’t be moved to other parts of Japan. Such plans have been repeatedly brought up with little progress, making some in Okinawa feel they are getting secondclass treatment. Col. John Hutcheson, spokesman for U.S. Forces Japan, said the Henoko agreement is a bilateral deal aimed at see OKINAWA on 14
Kim, Trump impersonators draw ire of Vietnam’s authorities HANOI, Vietnam (AP) — Vietnamese authorities are not amused by the antics of two impersonators of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and President Donald Trump. The duo made rounds of Hanoi, taking pictures with curious onlookers ahead of the summit of the two leaders. However, on Feb. 22, a Kim lookalike, the Hong Kong-based impersonator who uses the name Howard X, posted on Facebook that about 15 police or immigration officers demanded a mandatory “interview’’ with them following a talk they gave at the state-run VTC station. “They then said that this was a very sen-
sitive time in the city due to the Trump/ Kim summit and that our impersonation was causing a ‘disturbance’ and ... suggested that we do not do the impersonation in public for the duration of our stay as these presidents have many enemies and that it was for our own safety.’’ According to Howard X, there was a back-and-forth with an unnamed Vietnamese officer who “did not seem pleased with my answer’’ and threatened the impersonators with deportation, saying they were breaking immigration rules. Finally, he said they were driven back to their hotel see IMPERSONATORS on 14
KING COUNTY REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS ADVERTISEMENT Proposals will be received for P00245P19, Work Order Construction Management Services for Metro Transit Department; by the King County Procurement and Payables Section, 3rd Floor, 401 Fifth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104, until 12:00 PM on March 13, 2019. Total Estimated Price: $1,000,000 All solicitation documents are published at: https:// procurement.kingcounty.gov/procurement_ovr/login. aspx?ReturnUrl=%2fprocurement_ovr%2fdefault.aspx Contact: Alice Phoenix, alice.phoenix@kingcounty.gov, 206-2639311
asianweekly northwest
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MARCH 2 – MARCH 8, 2019
■ COMMUNITY CALENDAR FEB 28
CACA’S MONTHLY MEETING Horizon House Sky Lounge, 900 University St., Seattle 7-9 p.m. More info, contact MingMing at littlebugmte@ hotmail.com
MAR THRU
2
IRENE KUBOTA’S “MY CORNER OF THE WORLD” ARTIST RECEPTION Bryan Ohno Gallery, Seattle 6-8 p.m.
2
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NWAW & SCP PRESENTS 10TH ANNUAL LUNAR NEW YEAR COSTUME CONTEST Two contests to enter: Pig Mask and Costume Contest Northwest Asian Weekly office, 412 Maynard Ave. S., Seattle 11 a.m. Contests for everyone. No age limit. Register online: nwasianweekly.com/ events
206-223-5559
P
CIDBIA LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATION AND FOOD WALK Seattle’s Chinatown/ International District 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Free admission
P
LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATION Bellevue Square 11 a.m.-6 p.m. bellevuecollection.com/ lunarnewyear NATIONAL CACA ESSAY CONTEST Mercer Island Library, 4400 88th Ave. SE, Mercer Island 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Registration deadline is March 1 Prizes: Seattle $100$500, National $100$1,000 Register at cacaseattle. org
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AAJA SEATTLE LUNAR NEW YEAR BANQUET 2019 House of Hong Restaurant, 409 8th Ave. S., Seattle 6:30 p.m. $30-$50
3 3RD ANNUAL DUMPLING FEST Tom Douglas Restaurant, 2030 5th Ave., Seattle
1-3:30 p.m. tomdouglas.securetree. com
5 RAISING MIXED KIDS: MULTIRACIAL IDENTITY & DEVELOPMENT WITH SHARON H. CHANG Madrona K-8, 1121 33rd Ave., Seattle 6:30-8:30 p.m.
6 H-1B WORKSHOP WITH THE IMMIGRATION LAWYER Startup Hall, 1100 NE Campus Pkwy, Seattle 4-5 p.m.
7 MARCH FORUM: IMPACTFUL WOMEN OF KING COUNTY WITH ANEELAH AFZALI, TERESA MOSQUEDA, AND CLAUDIA BALDUCCI Atlas Workbase, 500 Mercer St., Seattle 7-9 p.m.
37 YEARS
“SERVICE AND COMMUNITY,” THE DAY OF REMEMBRANCE ANNIVERSARY WHEN PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT SIGNED EXECUTIVE ORDER 9066 Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial, 4192 Eagle Harbor Dr. N.E., Brainbridge Island 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
RETURN TO THE STREET Dynasty Room, 714 S. King St., Seattle 5 p.m.
AAPI PERSPECTIVES ON THE AMP: AIDS MEMORIAL PATHWAY Wing Luke Museum, 719 S. King St., Seattle 1-3 p.m.
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10 JAPANESE FOLK TALES PERFORMED BY LORI WHALEY Kinokuniya, 525 S. Weller St., Seattle 2 p.m. & 4 p.m.
emeraldcitycomiccon. com 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
ENTER NOW: API’S CAN SING COMPETITION HOSTED BY API HERITAGE CELEBRATION $500 Top Prize Register at http://bit.ly/ api19
APDC HAPPY HOUR Bush Garden 5-7 p.m.
16
THRU
FREE CLASS TO HELP PREPARE FOR THE U.S. CITIZENSHIP TEST Central Library, 1000 Fourth Ave. Level 4, Seattle 2-4 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays 10:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. on Saturdays spl.org
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14-17 EMERALD CITY COMIC CON 2019 Emerald City Comic Con, 800 Convention Place, Seattle
HISTORY CAFE: UNTOLD STORIES FROM THE CHINESE EXCLUSION ACT Museum of History and Industry, 860 Terry Ave. N., Seattle 6:30-8 p.m.
9 CELEBRATE THE RELEASE OF “RISING SON,” A US SOLDIER’S SECRET AND HEROIC ROLE IN WORLD WAR II Kinokuniya, 525 S. Weller St., Seattle 1 p.m. 206-587-2477
View the solution on page 14
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The only weekly English-language newspaper serving Washington’s Asian community. The NW Asian Weekly has one simple goal: “To empower the Asian community.” The Editorial Board reserves the right to reject any advertisement, letter or article. Subscriptions cost $40 for 52 weeks of the NW Asian Weekly and $30 for 52 weeks of the Seattle Chinese Post. The NW Asian Weekly owns the copyright for all its content. All rights reserved. No part of this paper may be reprinted without permission. 412 Maynard Ave. S., Seattle, WA 98104 • t. 206.223.5559 info@nwasianweekly.com • ads@nwasianweekly.com • www.nwasianweekly.com
asianweekly northwest
YOUR VOICE
MARCH 2 – MARCH 8, 2019
■ ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
7
Sikh Captain America empowers Seattle students to tell their own stories
Illustration from sikhtoons.com
Photo by Maya Leshikar
Vishavjit Singh thinks America needs a reimagined superhero. His museum exhibit displays sketches, photos, and imagery of Captain America — if he were a Sikh man with a turban and beard. His mission is to challenge traditional narratives about what a hero looks like, and this sort of representational storytelling is something that Singh encourages in others. His talks, given in Captain America attire and a turban, which includes comiccreating workshops, have drawn the eye of schools nationwide, including some in Seattle. The cartoonist gets invited to local schools regularly, not just because of his flashy get-up, but because of his powerful content about what makes a real superhero and American. Singh’s art installation at the Wing Luke Museum, “Wham! Bam! Pow!,” has garnered attention, but the message he brings to schools is also creating conversations about diversity and people’s differences. He got his start 17 years ago, after seeing the surge in attacks against Sikhs post-9/11. An engineer by trade, he was inspired to take up drawing as a way to express his frustrations on the reality of being Sikh in America. “It affected everybody’s lives,” Singh said. “People just projected their venerability.”
Photo by Maya Leshikar. Illustration by Vishavjit Singh.
By Maya Leshikar NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY
The costume Singh first wore on the streets of NYC is displayed next to a sign that explains the origin of each piece of clothing.
This American Gothic parody is a response to what Singh calls “Turbanphobia”- the fear of turbans and people who wear them.
Singh’s American Gothic parody challenges assumptions based on appearance by using a recognizable image.
So, Singh taught himself cartooning and created his site sikhtoons.com in 2002. Some of the most popular drawings are ripped from the headlines, like The Scream parody of Indian officials’ reaction to the arrest of a diplomat. He injects humor into current events because comedy can break down walls of fear and anxiety, he says. Much of Singh’s work features “Sikh Captain America,” his bearded and turbaned alter ego that fights injustice on paper and walks the streets in a Marvel
costume in real-life. His decision to use superhero imagery stemmed from a desire to subvert expectations on what it means to look “American.” Though his initial artwork was a response to 9/11-related hate crimes, Singh feels a new sense of urgency under the Trump administration. “Just about every group feels like they’re getting targeted,” Singh said. “We need this more than ever.” Singh is based in New York, but he
chose Seattle to house his artwork after forming a relationship with the Wing Luke Museum in the International District. He thinks most of the issues facing Seattle’s Sikh population are the same issues shared everywhere in the country, which is the public’s unfamiliarity with the religion. Tripat Singh is a community organizer who works actively within the local Sikh community, putting on events like the
Gerber’s 2019 spokesbaby is a Hmong girl in North Carolina C
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Show” that she’s part of an extended family that emigrated from southeast Asia. Kairi will play a key role in Gerber’s social media campaign as the face of the year. Her family will also receive $50,000. Gerber’s contest made headlines last year when 2-year-old Lucas Warren became the first spokesbaby with Down syndrome. This year’s contest attracted a record 544,000 entries.
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asianweekly northwest
8
37 YEARS
MARCH 2 – MARCH 8, 2019
■ WAYNE’S WORLDS
Dramatic reading of an uneventful life
My mom, Lillian Chan and dad, Shu-Yun Chan
Another year in the books. It’s my 21st year of being a parent. Still not sure how good I am at this whole “Dad” thing. The problem is, I know how I feel about my parents. I miss them every single day. I miss my Dad’s goofy jokes. I miss how my Mom reminds me to wear a jacket when it’s 83 degrees outside. I miss how
they make me feel…no matter what was happening in our lives, I always felt safe. My parents were always there. They always kept me safe. I had, I must admit, an idyllic childhood. I had the same kind of problems any other middle-class teenager would have, which was really peanuts compared to what both my parents endured growing up. Individually, both Mom and Dad had to escape from China when the Japanese invaded during World War II. As a boy, Dad was a witness to countless tragedies during the war — killings, betrayals, you name it. He endured through it and became a decent and honorable man, and a successful businessman to boot. Same with Mom — she escaped to Taiwan with her family, came to the United States, and ended up managing the library for a major university. I didn’t really get to hear too many stories of my parents’ struggles — I know my Dad was hesitant to talk about it. And when he did talk about it, he didn’t have
set an example for my kids. I really think I need to do more than just set an example for my kids. I’d love to share some incredibly traumatic life story with my kids that keeps them on the straight and narrow. And if I don’t have some ready-made story to do that, I’ll just have to overhype some of the problems that I have faced. Let’s see.
to make his memories seem larger than life either. When your story starts out with, “I could see some of the Japanese soldiers carrying bayonets…,” that’s about as much drama as you’ll really need. Having grown up hearing some of these stories, it taught me the value of perseverance. If my parents could make it through such a chaotic childhood, what excuse do I have? The least I can do is do my best, work hard, and
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Son, I remember it like it was yesterday. It was dark, rainy, and cold. It seemed far more frigid than the 67 degrees shown on the weather app of my iPhone. The thought kept running through my mind — get home, you just need to make it home. I longed for the warmth and security of my wife’s tender embrace. Would I make it
Photos provided by Wayne Chan
By Wayne Chan NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY
My dad and my son Tyler
asianweekly northwest
YOUR VOICE
MARCH 2 – MARCH 8, 2019
■ PICTORIAL
Port of Seattle’s 10th anniversary Champions of Diversity & Inclusion
The Office of Social Responsibility OSR of the Port of Seattle celebrated its 10th anniversary at its headquarter on Feb. 19. Port Commissioners Stephanie Bowman, Peter Steinbrueck, Fred Felleman and Executive Director Stephen Mentruck were present. Over 60 guests attended. Founded by former Port CEO Tay Yoshitani, OSR works to promote social impact, recommend policy, develop internal and external socially responsible strategies, and ensure that Port activities are conducted within a framework of equity, inclusion, and equal access for all. The Port will also create a new position, Senior Director of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, to oversee the Port’s overall diversity program. More than 140 people applied. PHOTOS BY ASSUNTA NG
From left: Port executive director Stephen Metruck, Commissioner Fred Felleman and Commissioner Board President Stephanie Bowman, Luis Navarro and Tay Yoshitani
Former Port CEO Tay Yoshitani
Luis Navarro, director of the Office of Social Responsibility
Luis Navarro, Charlene Jones and Peter Steinbrueck
Port manager Maria Kurose and director Mian Rice
Elaine Ko, Luis Navarro, and Eddie Rye
Charlene Jones and Felicity Wang
9
asianweekly northwest
10
37 YEARS
MARCH 2 – MARCH 8, 2019
■ PUBLISHER’S BLOG
How to keep fit during chilly weather By Assunta Ng NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY
equipment at home,” or “I don’t have space in my home to exercise.”
I feel cold. When you move, you warm up your body. Exercise is a great mechanism to fight the cold, not inactivity.
and part of my torso touch the ground. A real push-up requires that no part of your body touches the floor except your hands and feet. Give me another chance in a few more months, I am sure, I would conquer the real push-up! Just kidding. Even though I can’t do the hard push-ups, I am getting there. By the end of this year, I will have had enough practice to accomplish it. I confess that without my outdoor walking routine, I reduced my exercise time by 20 minutes each day, compared to our warmer days.
No equipment necessary
Photo by Assunta Ng
Some assume that you need the help of equipment to exercise. Not true. In fact, many exercise machines are not suitable for me such as an exercise bike, which I once owned. I rarely used it as it hurt my buttocks after riding for half an hour. Finally, we got rid of it. I do have a treadmill for walking, and never for jogging. It’s handy to have it not only during rainy and freezing days. To tell you the truth, you don’t need the treadmill. I use it because I have one. You can walk or jog in a small space without moving too far. Search Youtube for “Walk at home” and you can see that you don’t need too much room. Just keep moving your body.
When exercising, a little music can lift you up. The more joyful you are, the more likely you will stick with exercising longer. Lately, I have been listening to Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, and Michael Jackson. Once the music is on, you enjoy flowing with the music and its rhythm. You can select different pop or dance music every day.
Push-ups
Hula hoop and paper ball
In this cold weather, the last thing you should do is stay glued to your phone, and being a couch potato. Sure, you have plenty of excuses. “It’s too cold to walk outside or go to the gymnasium,” “I have no exercise
Music is key
It’s all crap, and you know it. At first, I was upset during freezing temperatures when I couldn’t walk outside. A big part of my daily exercise program involves walking. But I also realized that the more I sit, the more
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My biggest gain during the snowstorms was that I managed to do 10 push-ups. Before that, I couldn’t. When I told my son how I achieved it, he said, “Mom, that’s a fake push-up.” What? I tried so hard and he said it was fake. The reason is, I have to let my knees
Dancing
You don’t have to be a good dancer to dance. Dancing can be a rigorous form of see BLOG on next page
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asianweekly northwest
YOUR VOICE
MARCH 2 – MARCH 8, 2019
■ EDITORIAL
11
Trump-Kim Nobel Prize?
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un
President Donald Trump
one, too. “Authorities are putting out propaganda that idolizes Kim
Jong Un, saying there’s a global ‘praise fever for the world’s greatest man,’” a North Korean
Yoga
BLOG from previous page
All you need is a mat for yoga, which doesn’t take up much room. A friend of mine loves yoga because she can practice by lying down. Yoga is the best way to relax or calm you down. I like yoga as it increases blood circulation. I practice it every day at home to enhance my balance, strength, and energy. It would be wise to take some classes first before you do it at home.
exercise. You can dance alone or with a partner. My son and daughter-in-law like to dance for exercise. If you have kids, you can organize them in a group dance. One of my most memorable moments involving dancing was when my mother and I visited my brother’s family in Austin, Texas. One morning, my 10-year-old niece practiced aerobic dancing with me and mom. Three generations danced in unity of spirit and steps without missing a beat. I was proud of my mom then, being so athletic and energetic, and keeping up with us. Too bad we didn’t take a photo of that precious moment. There are several inexpensive props you can use to exercise. Instead of dumbbells, you can hold canned food in each hand to add weight during your exercise. I have a small paper balloon, which I throw high and run to catch it. Sometimes, I play it with my husband. Don’t underestimate a small ball, it gets my heart rate up fast. I also have a hula hoop and jump rope. It
showered more praise on Trump since then. “If President Trump succeeds in dissolving the last remaining Cold War rivalry, it will become yet another great feat that will be indelibly recorded in world history,” he said in a statement. It seem implausible that either Trump or Kim will win the Nobel Peace Prize. Many security officials in the United States and abroad worry that in his quest for the prize, Trump might make some rash pledge, such as to withdraw American forces from South Korea. But delusions can be helpful if they make each side more willing to make concessions and pursue an arduous peace process.
around it for about five to 10 minutes every day. The result is immense, I sweat quite a bit. Assunta can be reached at assunta@nwasianweekly.com.
Make good use of your room Photo by JB
Simple props
government official told Radio Free Asia’s Korean Service. “The propaganda even mentions that Western and Japanese media sources are lavishing praise upon the Supreme Leader, saying he’s a potential winner of the Peace Prize.” In February, Trump said Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe had personally given him “the most beautiful copy” of a letter nominating him for the prize for opening talks with Kim. Abe refused to confirm or deny the story, although unnamed Japanese government officials told domestic media that the prime minister had indeed submitted a nomination last year. South Korean President Moon Jae-in believes Trump “fully deserves” the prize, his office said last month, and Moon himself has
Han Bui demonstrates an exercise using canned food instead of dumbbells.
cost less than $10 for the hoop. I don’t use it much. However, I did use it recently during snow days to reduce belly fat. The jump rope is my least favorite. I keep it just in case I want to have variety in my exercise routine — it’s part of my motivation to keep fit.
NOOYI from 1 Amazon and other big companies have been under pressure to diversify their boards. In February, Starbucks executive Rosalind Brewer joined Amazon’s board, the second Black woman to ever sit on its board
My husband pushes against a wall every morning to build up his resistance and strength. I push a heavy dining table to build up my arm muscles and endurance. Look around your room and see what you can use as exercise equipment. If you have stairs, climb it during bad weather. It burns calories quickly. My friend likes to walk in his basement as there is more room to move around and it doesn’t bother other family members. When you are alone, you can also meditate while you exercise. My home furniture arrangement of two sofas and a coffee table forms a square. I jog
of directors. With Nooyi’s addition, Seattle-based Amazon’s 11-person board now has five women members. Nooyi stepped down as CEO of soda and snack company PepsiCo in October.
Photo by JB
President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un ended the first day of a twoday summit on Feb. 27 in Hanoi, Vietnam, and both men expressed optimism about achieving peace and moving toward the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. Despite the optimism voiced by the leaders, many experts are still skeptical that the summit would yield significant progress toward “complete denuclearization,” which was what Trump and Kim promised to deliver at their Singapore summit last June. That was the first time that the leaders from both countries had met. Trump thinks he deserves a Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to make peace with North Korea. Now, it appears North Korean leader Kim Jong Un might want
Han Bui demonstrates yoga in her room.
Have a story idea that you think would fit perfectly in Northwest Asian Weekly? We want to know about it. Send it to us at info@nwasianweekly.com.
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asianweekly northwest
12
MARCH 2 – MARCH 8, 2019
37 YEARS
■ ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
And the Oscar goes to…
Awkwafina
“Period. End of Sentence.,” a documentary that tackles the stigma around menstruation in rural India, won the Best Documentary Short Subject at the 91st Academy Awards on Feb 24. The film was co-produced by Guneet Monga and directed by 25-year-old Rayka Zehtabchi.
Disney-Pixar’s “Bao” took home the Oscar for Best Animated Short. It is Chinese Canadian animator Domee Shi’s directorial debut, paying homage to the endearing relationship between an aging and lonely Chinese woman and a sentient baby dumpling. And “Free Solo” won the
Constance Wu
Michelle Yeoh
Oscar for Best Documentary Feature. The nonfiction film was directed by Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin. This year’s ceremony had no official emcee, but various celebrities presented awards, including Crazy Rich Asians stars Constance Wu, Michelle Yeoh, and Awkwafina.
■ NATIONAL NEWS Ichiro back in M’s camp at 45 with chance to play at home By STEPHEN HAWKINS AP BASEBALL WRITER
Penn spreads Ivy roots to China with Mandarin broadcasts
By DAN GELSTON AP SPORTS WRITER PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Michael Wang’s parents live in the northern China city of Taiyuan and had to listen to Englishspeaking broadcasts when their son led Penn to an upset over national champion Villanova and scored 23 points against Miami. “They can’t really understand what people are talking about,’’ Wang said. His highlight reel does the talking for the Penn freshman forward. That changed in late February when Penn started to broadcast its home men’s basketball games live in Mandarin on ESPN-plus (in the United States) and Stretch Internet (internationally). Tencent, a gaming company, also simulcasts the Penn broadcast to its millions
of viewers in China. Penn has more than 1,700 Chinese students enrolled at the Ivy League university and more than 15,000 alumni living in China. The biggest — truly — Chinese standout on campus is the 6-foot-10, 215-pound Wang. Wang, son of Juan and Bing Wang, was considered the top recruit in this year’s freshman class and has battled injuries to average 9.7 points and 3.8 rebounds for the Quakers. “Those first couple of games, we saw the following that he had,’’ Penn associate athletic director Kevin Bonner said. “There was a large student-body contingent, even at our first game at George Mason. The administrators who were on that trip said he had almost see PENN on 15
2019 Washington State Chinese Language and Talent Competition and the 12th annual “Chinese Bridge Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign High School Students” SUNDAY, MARCH 24, 2019 / 8:30 AM - 2:30 PM Chief Sealth International High School 2600 SW Thistle Street, Seattle, WA 98126
*Award ceremony immediately after at the Chief Sealth International High School auditorium The competition is divided into the 4 divisions 1. Lower Elementary (Grades K-2) 2. Upper Elementary (Grades 3-5) 3. Middle School (Grades 6-8) 4. High School (Grades 9-12)
PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) — Ichiro Suzuki fluidly went through a variety of stretches on the floor in the Seattle Mariners clubhouse even before going onto the field. Once outside, he smoothly went through fielding, hitting and baserunning drills. At 45 and in spring training again, Suzuki is working toward the chance to play for his original major league team in his home country. “Being able to put on the Seattle Mariners uniform as a player, being here the first day, see ICHIRO on 15
Competing Activities include Poetry Recitation, Talent Show, Chinese Singing, Chinese Language Arts, Drawing, Story Telling, China Knowledge Bowl, Chinese Chess, Public Speaking and “Chinese Bridge” All About China written test REGISTRATION DEADLINE: MARCH 4, 2019 Registration fee: $5 per person per competition event For more information, please visit www.culturalexploration.org or email ce2019competition@littlemastersclub.org SPONSORS Cultural Exploration of Greater China Foundation (CE), Confucius Institute of the State of Washington (CIWA), Chinese Language Teachers Association Washington State (CLTA-WA), Little Masters Club (LMC), Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction World Languages Program (OSPI-WL), Chief Sealth International High School (CSIHS)
YOUR VOICE
■ ASTROLOGY
asianweekly northwest
MARCH 2 – MARCH 8, 2019
13
Predictions and advice for the week of March 2–8, 2019 By Sun Lee Chang Rat — The prize you seek is coveted by others as well. As such, be ready for competition from many sectors.
Dragon — You are no stranger to being in the middle of the action. Your experience in this regard will help you to take charge at a crucial time.
Monkey — It can be difficult to avoid getting caught up in the drama, but you do have the option of leaving the scene if necessary.
Ox — Acting primarily out of guilt could skew your results. Shift your focus to the desired goal and concentrate on reaching it.
Snake — Too many things going on at once could cause a bit of confusion. Don’t try to juggle more than you can reasonably handle.
Tiger — Have your attempts at subtlety come up short? You are direct by nature, so play to your strength instead.
Horse — Does it seem as though your journey is starting to come full circle? If you decide to go again, you may notice that the view is different the second time around.
Rooster — Setting yourself up for success is more than just a motto. You are keenly aware that adequate preparation will give you a distinct advantage over your peers.
Rabbit — Don’t let a pending issue get too far ahead of you or it may become difficult to catch up. You can leave it on the backburner for only so long.
Goat — Rough terrain could intimidate most others, but for you it is not a great cause for concern. Trust your intuition as you pick your way through.
Dog — Is someone trying to convince you to stray from what you believe is the right way to go? Have confidence in yourself to override the doubts. Pig — The greatest challenge is to begin. Once you start, even the most daunting of barriers can be overcome.
WHAT’S YOUR ANIMAL SIGN? RAT 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008 OX 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009 TIGER 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010 RABBIT 1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011 DRAGON 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012 SNAKE 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013 HORSE 1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014 GOAT 1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015 MONKEY 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016 ROOSTER 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017 DOG 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018 PIG 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019
*The year ends on the first new moon of the following year. For those born in January and February, please take care when determining your sign.
EYE TATTOOS from 1 on behalf of the Washington Academy of Eye Physicians and Surgeons. He is a certified ophthalmologist and cares for patients with retinal detachment and infections. “Sclera tattooing is the procedure where somebody takes a needle or a knife and injects dye into the white part of the eye,” Lee said.
H1-B from 4 other visa programs for foreign workers, including one for individuals with extraordinary abilities in areas such as science, sports and the arts. Jessica Collins, a spokeswoman for USCIS, linked the changes to the president’s executive order, saying the goal was to reduce “frivolous’’ petitions and that “it is incumbent upon the petitioner, not the government’’ to prove eligibility. Some employers note traditional three-year renewable terms of H-1Bs have also been changing; one lawsuit by an organization representing information technology
ORCHIDS from 1 charging documents released by the Palm Beach State Attorney’s Office. Investigators said Kraft returned 17 hours later, arriving at the upper-middle class shopping center where the spa was located in a chauffeured 2015 blue Bentley, the documents said. Kraft, who is worth $6 billion, was videotaped engaging in sex acts before paying with a $100 bill and another bill, police said. He then flew to Kansas City to watch his Patriots defeat the Chiefs in overtime hours later. Kraft, whose team won the Super Bowl in Atlanta, denied wrongdoing on Feb. 22, shortly after Jupiter police announced he was being charged. The NFL said in a statement that its personal conduct policy “applies equally to everyone in the NFL” and it will handle “this allegation in the same way we would handle any issue under the policy.” Kraft’s wife, Myra Hiatt Kraft, died in 2011. He has been dating 39-year-old actress Ricki Noel Lander since 2012. Another high-profile businessman, former Citigroup President John Havens, 62, is also charged with paying for sex at the Orchids of Asia spa. He too has denied wrongdoing. He was Citigroup president in 2011 and 2012. He now runs a hedge fund that was spun off from Citigroup. Twenty-three other men are also charged in Palm Beach County, with others charged in a string of counties spanning more than 150 miles. Palm Beach State Attorney Dave Aronberg said Kraft
Someone without proper medical and surgical training or correct instruments could easily allow the needle to go inside the eye and damage the retina, he said. This procedure can cause retinal detachment or infection, which is a life altering blinding event and may result in removing an eye completely. Violators would be subject to a civil penalty determined by the court, the bill states. Complaints may be filed against individuals who perform scleral tattooing with the state Attorney
General to investigate and prosecute the allegations, as referenced in HB 1856. Canada has already banned this procedure, Lee said. “As it’s becoming more popular, we’re starting to see reports of the consequences of these things not only in the news media, but also in our medical literature,” he said. “I don’t think we should wait to see somebody go blind.”
companies claims some visas were valid for only a few days or had expired before they were even received. Trump has vacillated between criticizing H-1Bs as “substituting for American workers at lower pay’’ to expressing support, as he did in January, when he said he wanted to “encourage talented and highly skilled people to pursue career options in the U.S.’’ Caught in the crosshairs are workers like Leo Wang. Wang, 32, got into the University of Southern California, interned at a major venture capital firm and wasted no time after finishing his master’s before starting on another degree. His dream of a six-figure Silicon Valley job came true but disappeared quickly.
Wang was working at Seagate Technology under an immigration provision known as Optional Practical Training, which gives those on student visas permission to work. But that expired last year, and because his H-1B application was in flux, he was forced to take a leave from Seagate and withdraw from the master’s program he was pursuing at Berkeley. He says he and his company dutifully responded to an RFE, compiling examples of his work at Seagate. But on Jan. 11, Wang got a final answer: He was denied an H-1B. He returned to his native China in February. “I still believe in the American dream,’’ he says. “It’s just that I personally have to pursue it somewhere else.’’
will be issued a summons that is similar to a traffic ticket and assigned a day to appear in court. Most people charged for the first time with soliciting are eligible for a diversion program where they pay a fine, perform 100 hours of community service and attend a class where they learn about the dangers of prostitution and how it is often tied to human trafficking. Fines can be up to $5,000. Authorities investigated the parlors for months, gathering evidence through observation, interviews with men stopped leaving the spas, trash bin searches and surveillance of their owners. Judges then issued warrants allowing them to secretly install cameras inside the spas to record what transpired. Aronberg steered a news conference away from Kraft’s case to the larger issue of human trafficking. No human trafficking charges have been filed against Kraft, Haven or any of the other alleged customers, but at least one alleged operator is charged in Indian River County with trafficking. At least some alleged operators and workers were born in China and Chinese translators are being used to interview women connected with the businesses, according to court documents. The documents said many of the workers were forced to live at the spas and were not allowed to leave without an escort. “The larger picture, which we must all confront, is the cold reality that many prostitutes in cases like this are themselves victims, often lured to this country with promises of a better life, only to be forced to live and work in a sweat shop or a brothel performing sex acts for
strangers,” Aronberg said. He called such prostitution “modern-day slavery” fueled by customers “who aren’t aware or don’t want to be aware of those being exploited.” Kathy Chen, a researcher with the anti-human trafficking group Praesidium Partners, has helped Asian women rescued from sex rings. She said it’s often difficult to persuade them to testify against their captors, fearing for themselves and for their families back home. Chen said Chinese sex rings often prey on young women from lower economic classes. One told its workers that “in six months we guarantee you enough to buy a car and after three years you can buy this store and in five years you can buy a home ... and you can bring your family over and you will have everything.” Aronberg pointed out that Florida has severe punishments for human trafficking and allows the workers to be treated as victims if they cooperate. He also said the federal government offers visas to victims who are foreign nationals if they cooperate, allowing them to remain in the country indefinitely. Authorities have not said how many women worked at the parlors or where they are being housed since the spas’ closures. Aronberg said he was not shocked that Kraft and other wealthy men would be charged with soliciting sex in a massage parlor. “Defendants in these matters come from every socioeconomic group. It is just the reality of the times we live in,” he said.
asianweekly northwest
14
EMPLOYMENT
Outdoor Research is hiring experienced fulltime sewing operators and helpers, especially Flatseam, Coverstitch, and Single needle machine operators. This position will be eligible for medical insurance and paid vacation benefits. Please come apply in person at 2203 1st Ave S. Seattle, WA 98134 or fax resume to 206-4670374 or email jobs@orgear.com
MARCH 2 – MARCH 8, 2019
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Northwest Asian Weekly $40 for one year. Name__________________________ Address ________________________ City ___________________ State____ Zip Code ________________________ Phone __________________________ Mail to: NW Asian Weekly 412 Maynard Ave. S. Seattle, WA 98104
and told to stay put until authorities decide how to treat them. “Although I am not surprised that I got detained for doing my impersonation in Vietnam, it’s still pretty annoying. What it shows is that Vietnam has a long way to go before they will be a developed country and I wonder
EMPLOYMENT
METROPOLITAN KING COUNTY COUNCIL LEGISLATIVE CLERK
The Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) is requesting proposals from firms to provide Database Design Support Services
Closes: March 11, 2019 at 11:59 pm
Proposals are subject to PSRC’s review/selection process. PSRC promotes equal employment opportunity and complies with applicable laws, regulations, and procedures. Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) 1011 Western Ave Ste 500 Seattle, WA 98104 Phone: 206-464-7090, Fax: 206587-4825 www.psrc.org
The report gave no details of how many people live in areas with “social credit’’ systems. “Social credit’’ is one facet of efforts by the ruling party to take advantage of increased computing power, artificial intelligence and other technology to track and control the Chinese public. The police ministry launched an initiative dubbed “Golden Shield’’ in 2000 to build a nationwide digital network to track individuals. Human rights activists say people in Muslim and other ethnic minority areas have been compelled to give blood samples for
OKINAWA from 5 closing Futenma, while maintaining what he called vital capabilities for regional security. He declined to comment on the referendum, saying it was a domestic political issue.
EMPLOYMENT
Salary Range: $64,205 - $86,349 (DOQ) The Metropolitan King County Council is seeking a knowledgeable, results oriented and collaborative individual, with a passion for the legislative process to join the King County Council’s Clerk’s Office team. The Legislative Clerk provides support to a variety of administration, business, and legislative functions and ensures efficient and uniform flow of information though the legislative process. This is an exciting opportunity to join the King County Council staff and play a role in providing quality regional services to county residents and foster effective partnerships with council policy staff, the county executive and departments, other jurisdictions and stakeholders. The role of the Legislative Clerk requires a natural self-starter who is able to efficiently plan and prioritize deliverables and resources. The most competitive candidates will have a proven record of expertise with data management, problem solving and organizational skills, and a focus on customer service experience. The ideal candidate will exhibit the ability to exercise sound, independent judgment; remain neutral on issues where there are competing political agendas and to use a high degree of tact, discretion and diplomacy in dealing with sensitive situations and concerned or upset individuals. The Legislative Clerk is an hourly, at-will, overtime-eligible classification that reports directly to the Clerk of the Council. HOW TO APPLY: To apply and view a complete job announcement and apply, go to www.kingcounty.gov/jobs A King County application is required to be considered for this opportunity. Interested applicants must complete the supplemental questions and submit a resume and letter of interest with your application.
if they ever will under these conditions,’’ he wrote on his Facebook page. “If the Vietnamese authorities are willing to give this kind of harassment over something as trivial as an impersonation to a high profile foreigner, imagine what all the Vietnamese artists, musicians, film producers and all the political activists have to endure for simply wanting to release a controversial film, songs or for simply speaking up about real injustices in this country.’’
SOCIAL CREDIT from 5
Vietnam is a tightly controlled communist country that tolerates no dissent. Howard X was also questioned by Singaporean immigration authorities when he and his colleague appeared in the city-state for the first Kim-Trump summit last June. The impersonator’s real name is Lee Howard Ho Wun.
a genetic database. Those systems rely on foreign technology. That has prompted criticism that U.S. and European suppliers might be enabling human rights abuses. Last week, Waltham, Massachusetts-based Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. said it no longer would sell or service genetic sequencers in the Muslim-majority region of Xinjiang in the northwest following complaints they were used for surveillance. As many as 1 million Uighurs, Kazakhs and other Muslim minorities in Xinjiang are detained in political education camps, according to U.S. officials and United Nations experts. The government says those camps are vocational training centers designed to rid the region of extremism.
SOLUTION from SUDOKU on page 6.
“We are committed to maintaining good relations with local communities on Okinawa and do our best every day to balance their concerns with the necessity to maintain readiness in support of our treaty commitments,’’ he said.
SERVICE DIRECTORY CONTACT JOHN TO PLACE AN AD ON CLASSIFIED PAGE 206-223-5559 JOHN@NWASIANWEEKLY.COM
EMPLOYMENT
Request for Proposals for Database Design Support Services
Budget: Not to exceed $75,000. Due: All proposals must be received by 4:00pm March 19, 2019 More Info: http://www.psrc.org/ about/rfp/ or contact Patty Mosure at 206-971-3291 or pmosure@ psrc.org.
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IMPERSONATORS from 5
37 YEARS
The American Legion Cathay Post 186
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HUNG from 1 the level of doctor in my parents’ eyes.” All kidding aside, Hung said his parents have always been supportive of his career. Though he was a good student and did well in math and science, he said he wasn’t naturally gifted in those fields. He was always more drawn to language, argument, and writing. “As an immigrant, professional decisions are tied to making your parents proud. My parents came with almost nothing and didn’t speak the (English) language. To have a son in a profession where you have to master the language, and be a judge, I think they would be proud of that.” Hung received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington (UW) in 1995 and then graduated from the UW School of Law in 1999. He immediately joined the PAO, where he still serves today. Hung is the Chief Deputy Prosecutor of the Juvenile Division. During his time as a prosecutor, he has worked on all levels of criminal trial practice, including homicide, sexual assault, and domestic violence. “My whole professional life has been about community service.” Hung continued, “As prosecutors, I believe we’re the most powerful people in the criminal justice system. But as an individual prosecutor,
ICHIRO from 12 it is just amazing, it is great,’’ Suzuki said through a translator. “Very satisfied with today and how it went, and I’m just going to take it day by day.’’ The former MVP and 10-time All-Star outfielder is in camp on a minor league deal after serving in a special assistant’s role most of last year when he still worked out with the team. If he’s healthy, Suzuki will be part of the Mariners’ expanded 28-player roster in March for their season-opening two games in Tokyo against Oakland. “My body really hasn’t changed,’’ he said. Suzuki, who said he took off only two or three days from working out during the offseason, checked in at camp with only 7 percent body fat. “He looks unbelievable, like he’s prepared every minute of every day to get to this time, and it’s probably because he has,’’ general manager Jerry Dipoto said. “He’s so focused on his goals, and right now his goal is to make sure that he is on that plane when we leave for Tokyo.’’ Large groups of fans and Japanese media followed Suzuki everywhere he went during the first workout. When asked how much he looked forward to the Japan series, Suzuki insisted that he’s not yet thinking about that. The player with 4,367 career hits — 3,089 in the 18 big league seasons and 1,278 in nine seasons in Japan before that — is focused on his daily work. “I think a 45-year-old baseball player really shouldn’t be thinking about the future. It’s about today,’’ said Suzuki, who would be MLB’s active career hits leader if he’s on the big league roster, seven more than Albert Pujols since Adrian Beltre retired after last season with 3,166 hits. After the Japan series, it is unclear where or even if Suzuki would fit into a team that is in a rebuild mode with a focus on younger players, and 34 newcomers for the start of camp. And there will be three fewer roster spots after those first two games against the A’s. No matter what happens, Suzuki said the Mariners uniform would be the last he will wear in the big leagues. Dipoto said the team is set with its primary outfielders— Mitch Haniger, Domingo Santana and newcomer Mallex Smith — along with veteran newcomer Jay Bruce, who is expected to float between
asianweekly northwest
YOUR VOICE
Jimmy Hung
your voice can only be so amplified.” Which is why he wants to be a judge. “As a judge, your voice is amplified by your position — it’s a natural progression of what I want to do.” Hung is scheduled to meet with Gov. Jay Inslee’s general counsel on March 4 in Olympia. Possibly four bench seats will need to be filled by the end of 2019, due to retiring judges. “There’s a need for good people to step up,” Hung said, especially being a person of color. “There is a small pool of people of color who are lawyers. The pool gets even smaller when you’re talking about trial attorneys,” Hung said. “Asians who end up in the legal profession get pushed or typecast into the
the corner outfield spots, first base and designated hitter. While Smith is dealing with some right elbow discomfort, manager Scott Servais said the issue isn’t serious. “I was talking to Jay Bruce and found out that he’s 31,’’ Suzuki said. “He’s 14 years younger than me. I was pretty shocked about that.’’ The Mariners also have Yusei Kikuchi, a 27-year-old rookie from Japan who relishes the opportunity to play with the outfielder he watched growing up. “One of my goals when I turned pro as time went by was that one day that I would play with players that were kids when I was still playing,’’ Suzuki said. “And right now I’m at the point I’m playing with guys that were in grade school when I was playing here. That was more of a goal that I had,
academic, being researchers, brief writers but not the people who are in the courtroom being persuasive and being advocates. I’m in a unique position of being qualified to be a judge, wanting to be a judge, and being good at it.” Hung said he has the right temperament. “As a prosecutor, I’ve earned the reputation of being fair, and making decisions based on facts and good judgement. I know what works and doesn’t in managing a jury. I have learned from good judges on how to control and manage difficult litigants.” Washington Supreme Court Justice Mary Yu, who Hung considers a mentor, told the Northwest Asian Weekly that she is pleased that Hung submitted an application for appointment. “He is an excellent trial lawyer and would be able to hit the ground running and serve as a judge because of that experience and knowledge,” Yu said. “Jimmy has demonstrated some key skills necessary for being a good judge such as the ability to listen, to be compassionate, to be innovative, and to respect an individual’s right to due process.” When asked how many cases he has tried, Hung said, “90 to 100 cases, conservatively.” One of the most significant was a murder case in 2002, where a Microsoft programmer was stabbed more than 100 times in his
so I think through those years working hard and being able to be where I am today definitely gives me satisfaction.’’ Suzuki was both the 2001 AL Rookie of the Year and MVP with the Mariners, and won a pair of AL batting titles. After being traded to the Yankees midway through 2012 and playing parts of three seasons in New York, he had three seasons in Miami before 44 at-bats in limited action with the Mariners early last season. “He’ll have as much energy, if not more, than the rest of the guys. It’s just how he’s wired,’’ said Servais, the manager only six years older than Suzuki. “He’s always ready. Our young players are going to be blown away, like this guy is how old, how long has he been doing this. That’s why he’s the greatest. He’s awesome.’
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Belltown apartment by Ronald Lakey, who was high on meth. Lakey was found guilty of manslaughter when the jury couldn’t agree to call it murder. “[This case] taught me that achieving justice is complicated and that our current system can do a better job of meeting the needs of victims and those who have lost loved ones,” Hung wrote in his judicial evaluation questionnaire. He believes that as a judge, you can show empathy in the way you communicate from the bench — and that can have a big impact on whether a person feels like they are being heard, even if the outcome is not what they would have hoped. “During a trial, it’s the most important thing in that person’s life in that moment,” said Hung. When he’s not in a courtroom, Hung enjoys CrossFit, snowboarding, golfing, and rock climbing. He also loves to cook and prepares most of the family meals at home. Hung is married to Heather Jensen, who he met when they both worked together at the PAO. They live in West Seattle and have an 8-year-old daughter, Coco. Ruth can be reached at editor@nwasianweekly.com.
PENN from 12 a rock star following on a road game. We know how important basketball is in China and we think we’ve got a young man who’s going to be pretty good for us.’’ Bonner, a long-time fixture with stops at multiple schools on the Philly hoops scene, brainstormed with colleagues earlier this season about maximizing that exposure through Mandarin broadcasts. The Chinese Students & Scholars Association was able to get the ball rolling and assembled a broadcast team fluent in Mandarin and bright in basketball. The broadcasts are part of Penn’s mission to increase its brand in China. The Penn football team will spend a week in China in March. The Quakers will play the American Football League of China (AFLC) All-Stars in the Penn-China Global Ambassadors Bowl on March 9 in Shanghai. Wang, who attended middle school in Beijing before coming to America, was recruited by Penn coach Steve Donahue and blossomed into a key contributor for the Quakers (15-9). He played last summer for the China U18 National Team in the FIBA U18 Asian Championship in Thailand. The fans he made can now tune in and listen in their native language. Penn hoped to keep the broadcasts going beyond this season. “I just enjoy the feeling playing with my country’s name on my chest,’’ Wang said. “Especially after last year in the Asian championship, more people got to know me a little bit. They try to watch as many games as they can. I think it’s a great opportunity.’’
asianweekly northwest
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37 YEARS
MARCH 2 – MARCH 8, 2019
Photo provided by Wayne Chan
WAYNE from 8
Photo by Maya Leshikar
Bigotry, violence, and insecurity are on the menu for this placemat that states “you are what you eat.”
A line of pill bottles prescribe “humor,” which Singh says is something that allows people to let their guard down.
SINGH from 7 religious retreat where he first met Vishavjit Singh over 10 years ago. He says Seattle is an essentially passive-aggressive city, and in his experience, anti-Sikh prejudice is rarely out in the open. He also feels that using art as a means of expression in the community was somewhat stifled in the years following 9/11. But Vishavjit Singh’s artwork challenges people to see current events as they affect real people, not just as sensationalized news stories. Tripat Singh says he’s seen very positive responses to the exhibit, especially since it is accessible to people without much context on the issues. “He understands the popular perception of whatever he is talking about,” Tripat Singh said. “Then there’s also the Sikh perception that’s at an undercurrent or deeper level… and he’s able to articulate that in his artwork.” A large part of Vishavjit Singh’s job is public speaking, and he has visited at a number of Seattle schools, like Leschi Elementary and The Evergreen School. In his talks, he tries to connect with students about issues like bullying, labels, and the power of art, in a light-hearted way for kids. He says he gets the best questions from children because of their honesty and lack of filters.
Illustration from sikhtoons.com
Wayne can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.
Photo by Maya Leshikar
Mom and Dad on their vacation in 2001
home that night? I tried my best to steer clear of any negative thoughts. Stay strong. The problem was that I had left my keys in the car, and even though I had my phone, I didn’t want to call the Auto Club because I had forgotten to pay my membership dues the week before. I looked around, frantically, hoping to spot a police officer, anyone who could help. All I could see were the parking lot attendees, and they were all busy directing cars out of the parkade after the Neil Diamond concert. If I had just left the concert a few minutes early, maybe
before Neil finished singing his encore of “Forever in Blue Jeans,” maybe I could have caught someone’s attention to get help. Maybe. Right at that moment — maybe was a lonely word. What do you mean my story is ridiculous?!? Fine. I have a better story with boatloads of drama. I once spilled a bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken as I was handing it over to my Dad. You may not think that’s very dramatic either, but you don’t know how much my Dad loved KFC.
Sunder Khurana is the mother of a firstgrader whose school Singh visited, where there is a high population of students who cover their heads for religious reasons. They are currently the only Sikh family there, and she feels that because of Singh’s presentation, the school community was able to learn more about her spiritual tradition. “We all have something or other about ourselves that makes us at least feel like we stand out or makes us self-conscious when confronting the world,” Khurana said. “One of the things that stood out to me in the assembly was having superheroes that resemble us as individuals and what we aspire to be, and that those superheroes should look like you so that they’re attainable.” Anitha Pai, diversity director for Evergreen, shared how Singh’s presentation last May taught the fifth grade and kindergarten students to tell their own stories and represent themselves accurately in them. “He did a talk on his life and his story, and after that, he got into his costume, his superhero outfit, and then hosted a comic strip workshop,” Pai said. “Kids got to pick out their own story and how they would want to narrate it in comic strip form. It really was around how have you stood up against prejudice or discrimination, or how have you been an ally in this way, so making
that very personal for them.” When the students do the comic-making activity, they are encouraged to personalize their superhero to resemble them. When Singh draws himself, he’s not going to just draw a head with no turban on it, because that is not him. He talks about how he often gets comments based on his appearance, sometimes it’s insults, and sometimes it’s asking where he is really from. Instead of asking a person of a different race, religion, or ethnicity where they’re from,
Singh suggests asking, “What’s your story?” “He said that’s a great way to just open a conversation with everybody or anybody, because we all have stories,” Pai said. She says that soon after his presentation, he was approached by an Evergreen kindergartner who looked up at him with big, innocent eyes, and asked, “So… what’s your story?” Maya can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.