PRSRT STD U.S. Postage Paid Permit No. 746 Seattle, WA
VOL 39 NO 34 AUGUST 22 – AUGUST 28, 2020 FREE 38 YEARS YOUR VOICE
Riot breaks out near ID COMMUNITY CONVINCES PROTESTERS TO RELOCATE
Sugiyama daughters’ journeys show broader meanings of school name change
Protestors gather at the ID rail station.
15 members of Night Watch, a community organization, stood at different points of the ID, and guided protesters to leave. From left: Susan Lee, Brian Nguyen, and Tanya Woo
see PROTEST on 3
Democrats make it official, nominate Biden to take on Trump Asian DNC speakers: Harris, Yang, Duckworth By STEVE PEOPLES and MICHELLE L. PRICE NEW YORK (AP) — Democrats formally nominated Joe Biden as their candidate for president on Aug. 18, with party elders, a new generation of politicians and voters in every state joining together in an extraordinary, pandemicsee DEMOCRATS on 12
Keynote speakers at the DNC on Aug. 18
The winners are?
Photo courtesy of Alysa Sugiyama
Photos by George Liu
SEATTLE — Six Seattle police officers were hurt in a riot that broke out on Aug. 16 in SoDo. One officer was hospitalized and released, but has not returned to duty. Officers arrested 18 people when the riot was declared during an anti-police union demonstration. The march began in the Chinatown-International District (CID) around 7:00 p.m. This time, the CID was prepared. A few CID organizations reached out to protestors to move their demonstration from Hing Hay Park to the rail station.
Alysa Sugiyama at her graduation from the ABA program at the UW, holding photos of her parents
By Mahlon Meyer NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY To the city leaders, school officials, and state representatives that advocated for the name change, it meant the resurrection of a sacred trust. South Lake High School was tentatively confirmed last week to have its name changed to the Alan T. Sugiyama High School at South Lake. Final approval awaits a vote by the board on Sept. 9. The school is for students facing challenges, such as substance abuse and teen pregnancy, that might make it more dif-
ficult for them to complete their education. It is being renamed after a Japanese American civil rights and education leader who devoted his life to giving people “second chances” as citizens, in school and in their careers, according to his daughters. Former Seattle Deputy Mayor Bob Watt and state Rep. Sharon Tomiko Santos spearheaded efforts to have the name changed. Watt, who visited Sugiyama every day while he was in the hospital with cancer, initiated the effort. Santos grew up in the aura of activism that Sugiyama see SUGIYAMA on 12
Chinatown-International District Community Mural Art Contest
This is our way of acknowledging and honoring what has happened recently with the Black Lives Matter movement, and the show of community force after looters destroyed or vandalized parts of the Chinatown-International District (CID). Artists of all ages, races, and creed came together to transform a blighted CID filled with storefronts covered with plywood, to beautiful and colorful murals with creative themes of unity, love, and AsianBlack multiculturalism. The community and our judges have spoken and here are the results of the CID Community Mural Art Contest: see WINNERS on 11
■
First place: Wing Luke Museum
412 Maynard Ave. S., Seattle, WA 98104 • t. 206.223.5559 • f. 206.223.0626 • editor@nwasianweekly.com • ads@nwasianweekly.com • www.nwasianweekly.com
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38 YEARS
AUGUST 22 – AUGUST 28, 2020
■ NAMES IN THE NEWS
Lori Matsukawa
Seattle JACL nominated Lori Matsukawa as one of two Japanese Americans of the Biennium. The retired KING 5 anchor was presented the title by the National JACL. Normally, this award is presented at the Sayonara Banquet at the JACL National Convention. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the announcement was made during the Aug. 15 online JACL National Council Meeting. The Seattle JACL nominated Matsukawa for her lifetime achievement of community dedication and engagement. A journalist for more than 40 years, Matsukawa’s award winning series, “Prisoners in their Own Land,” told of the Japanese American WWII experience. Matsukawa was instrumental in establishing both the Japanese Cultural and Committee Center of Washington and the Seattle chapter of the Asian American Journalists Association.
Dr. Zhongping Chen receives prestigious recognition
The Washington State Historical Society recognized Dr. Zhongping Chen with its Charles Gates Memorial Award. This longstanding award recognizes the most significant achievement among all articles published
in the Pacific Northwest Quarterly during the previous year. Chen was honored for his 2019 article, Chinese Labor Contractors and Laborers of the Canadian Pacific Railway, 2880-2885, published in the winter 2018/2019 issue of Pacific Northwest Quarterly. The annual History Awards celebrate the women and men Dr. Zhongping Chen who have promoted state history. Because of COVID-19, the Society’s annual meeting and recognition of the awards will be shared on social media in a prerecorded message from Director Jennifer Kilmer on Sept. 19.
Ruth Asawa stamps
camp. Even after her artistic talent was nurtured by Josef Albers following the war, it wasn’t until the 2000s that Asawa’s woven metal structures were acknowledged as masterpieces. Asawa died in 2013.
Morikawa wins PGA
Collin Morikawa, 23, won the PGA Championship on Aug. 9, in just his second appearance in a major. The California native and Berkeley graduate joined Rory McIlroy, Tiger Woods, and Jack Nicklaus as 23-year-olds to win the PGA. Morikawa has three vicCollin Morikawa tories in 29 career starts on the PGA Tour. He is the first player to win the PGA in his debut since Keegan Bradley in 2011.
CID murals dismantled
Photo by John Liu
Lori Matsukawa is Japanese American of the Biennium
Photo from USPS
On Aug. 13, the United States Postal Service released postage stamps showcasing 10 sculptures of Ruth Asawa. “To have our mother’s art featured on stamps is the highest honor,” says Addie Lanier, Asawa’s daughter. Born in 1926, the Japanese American sculptor spent much of World War II with her family in an internment
Crews with Seattle Public Utilities have begun dismantling plywood over boarded up businesses in the Chinatown-International District. They will be recycled but the ones with murals painted on them following the protests over George Floyd’s murder, will either be kept by business owners, or stored at King Street Station.
YOUR VOICE
■ COMMUNITY NEWS
AUGUST 22 – AUGUST 28, 2020
asianweekly northwest
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CISC, SCIDpda join coalition against hate and bias Chinese Information and Service Center (CISC) and the Seattle Chinatown International District Preservation and Development Authority (SCIDpda) recently joined the newly formed Coalition Against Hate & Bias (Coalition), which is supported by the King County Office of Equity and Social Justice (OESJ). The Coalition is a community-led initiative to address hate and bias incidents by strengthening and networking communities who experience racist and bigoted treatment and all forms of oppression. Additional partners include the COVID-19 Community Response Fund Alliance, Somali Community Service of Seattle, and United Indians of All Tribes Foundation. Anti-Asian racism and physical assaults have been rising since the emergence of the coronavirus. To provide culturally and linguistically appropriate support for the community, CISC, SCIDpda, and the other Coalition partners are administrators of the Hate and Bias Incident Response Survey to collect data from communities affected by hate and bias. No personal or identifying information is shared with OESJ or any governing body, nor collected in the administration of the Coalition’s survey. “The Coalition was formed to remove barriers for communities that have not historically reported hate and bias incidents to the police,” said Christopher Bhang, Civil Rights Program Manager at OESJ. “Coalition partners, like CISC and SCIDpda, are trusted by their communities to provide support, opportunities, and to be an advocate in spaces where government and law enforcement cannot.” “We as a Coalition partner wanted this to not only be an opportunity to educate our community about hate and
important to offer a safe way to report such incidents with cultural competence and compassion, and be able to connect folks to resources they need.” “When community members report hate and bias incidents, we are able to provide information, resources, and support,” said Michael Itti, Executive Director of CISC. “We encourage community members to report incidents so CISC and our Coalition partners can advocate for ways to strengthen community safety.” The Coalition Against Hate & Bias is not an emergency service. If community members are in danger, call 911. To report hate and bias incidents, community members can contact: CISC staff: • Cantonese/English: (206) 468-5981 • Mandarin/English: (206) 393-2110 • Spanish/English: (425) 598-5436 • Email: antihb@cisc-seattle.org SCIDpda staff (Cantonese, Mandarin, Vietnamese, and English): • Miran Kim at mirank@hhcoworks.org • Jamie Lee at 206-838-8713 or jamiel@scidpda.org
bias and how they can manifest, but also to be a trusted community member to come to when people recognize a hate and bias incident for what it is,” said Jamie Lee, Director of Community Initiatives at SCIDpda. “It’s
For more information on the Coalition Against Hate and Bias, go to https://www.kingcounty.gov/elected/executive/equitysocial-justice/Coalition-Against-Hate-And-Bias.aspx
Photo by George Liu
Photo provided by SPD
PROTEST from 1
Protesters arriving in the ID
■ NATIONAL NYPD creates Asian Hate Crime Task Force NEW YORK—The New York Police Department (NYPD) announced the formation of a new, 25-member Asian American Hate Crime Task Force. Chief of Detectives Rodney Harrison introduced the new task force and its commander, Deputy Inspector Hisao “Stewart” Loo from Manhattan South Detectives, at a news conference on Aug. 18. The NYPD tallied no fewer than 21 hate crimes against Asian New see NYPD on 9
SPD officer injured
About 15 members of the Night Watch stood at various points in the CID to make sure the demonstrators didn’t return after the rail station rally. Some community members emailed police to stick around, just in case. The group moved toward the Seattle Police Officer Guild building in the
2900 block of 4th Avenue South. Shortly after 10 p.m., someone in the crowd set off a large explosive and attempted to break the window of a police cruiser. Others began throwing rocks and bottles at officers, as well as multiple explosives as seen in body cam footage and open source video. The Seattle Fire Department responded to treat the injured officers.
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asianweekly northwest
AUGUST 22 – AUGUST 28, 2020
38 YEARS
■ COMMUNITY CALENDAR AUG 19 Exhibition runs from now through Oct. 10, 2021
WORLD WAR BONSAI: REMEMBRANCE & RESILIENCE VIRTUAL, LIVE EVENT, “BRANCH OUT” 6 p.m. pacificbonsaimuseum.org
20 ARTIST TALK WITH MICHELLE KUMATA Wing Luke Museum 6 p.m. Register for Zoom program: https://bit.ly/3gz9Qov
20-27 ANNUAL BAMBOO CIRCLE CELEBRATION Free admission online seattlechinesegarden.org
22 HENGDANCE VIRTUAL FUNDRAISER 2 p.m. Virtual event link: shorturl.at/fmBCD
25 TRIVIA NIGHT RETURNS 5 p.m. Tickets at https://bit.ly/33v14UR Trivia Night will be hosted on Zoom and Crowdpurr
27 GSCCC VIRTUAL REAL ESTATE SEMINAR 7:30-9 p.m. Register at https://conta.cc/3g425G5
29 VIRTUAL CELEBRATION TO PRESENT AWARDS AND PLAQUES TO ARTISTS AND SPONSORS, “CID COMMUNITY ART MURAL CONTEST” 2 p.m. facebook.com/ NorthwestAsianWeekly
31 FREE ONLINE LEGAL CLINIC FOR UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS AND DACA RECIPIENTS
■ COMMUNITY NEWS
Gastrointestinal illness outbreak associated with Saigon Vietnam Deli Officials with Public Health—Seattle & King County are investigating an outbreak of gastrointestinal illness with diarrhea, vomiting, body aches, headaches, and fevers associated with a takeout meal from Saigon Vietnam Deli on July 25. In all, eight people have gotten sick. A specific food or drink item that might have caused the illnesses has not been identified. Environmental health investigators held a teleconference with restaurant management on Aug. 5. An investigator also visited the
4-7 p.m. forms.gle/6AjGXqvZfqbncDHe7
restaurant on 1200 South Jackson Street on Aug. 6, to review food handling practices and conduct an onsite inspection. The investigator’s inspection identified potential risk factors, including inadequate hand washing, improper cleaning and sanitizing of food contact surfaces, inadequate cold holding of foods, and food handling practices that could lead to cross contamination of bacteria. Corrective actions were discussed with restaurant management.
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9 WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT SUMMIT 8:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Register for a virtual spot womensempowermentmarketplace. com 206-949-4297
■ NATIONAL NEWS
Feds: Yale discriminates against Asian, white applicants By MICHAEL BALSAMO WASHINGTON (AP) — A Justice Department investigation has found Yale University is illegally discriminating against Asian American and white applicants, in violation of federal civil rights law, officials said on Aug. 13. Yale denied the allegation, calling it “meritless” and “hasty.” The findings detailed in a letter to
the college’s attorneys mark the latest action by the Trump administration aimed at rooting out discrimination in the college application process, following complaints from students about the application process at some Ivy League colleges. The Justice Department had previously filed court papers siding with Asian American groups who had levied see YALE on 10
View the solution on page 10
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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 editor@nwasianweekly.com • ads@nwasianweekly.com • www.nwasianweekly.com
AUGUST 22 – AUGUST 28, 2020
YOUR VOICE
asianweekly northwest
■ COMMUNITY NEWS Kin On helps its elderly population through troubled times
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Serving the elderly members of the Asian community during the COVID-19 pandemic has proven to be a challenge for Kin On. In caring for a population that is susceptible to the coronavirus, the organization has made strides to persevere through this difficult time. “It is disheartening to see our elderly community disproportionately impacted by this pandemic,” said Kin On spokesperson Lillian Young. The costs associated with providing health and safety for staff and residents rose dramatically. “Personal protective equipment costs skyrocketed and were hard to come by.” Young added, “Other related expenses, such as increased staffing and disinfecting, also stressed our budget.” As a result of the pandemic, admissions of new residents to its Chinatown building were suspended in March. This included its residential care programs that consists of skilled nursing, assisted living, and adult family home units. “Occupancy has been much lower than usual,” said Young. This has caused an impact on revenue. Despite the need, and the home care business down 50% in April, Kin On staff were concerned of outbreaks and determined not to admit new residents at the time. Not only did Kin On deal with the pandemic, it was in a mode of transition as
Photo from Kin On
By Jason Cruz NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY
it is searching for a new CEO. “We seek a qualified and passionate leader to continue the strong legacy Kin On has built over the last 35 years,” said Young. Nigel Lo, Kin On’s current CEO, announced this past July that he would be retiring effective January 1, 2021. Fortunately for Kin On, it did receive federal assistance under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The program granted forgivable loans to organizations if all employees are kept on the payroll for eight weeks and the money is used for payroll,
rent, mortgage interest, or utilities. It also received a “temporary emergency add-on through the state.” In addition, Young notes it has received funding through several charitable organizations as well as private donations. However, the business suffered a blow when the Home Care and Social Services office at the Eng Suey Family Plaza burned down by fire on June 25. The loss will mean that the organization will incur expenses in order to rebuild. As a result of the shelter-in-place order, Kin On closed its community centers
in Columbia City and Bellevue in early March. As with most organizations, it has used online platforms to reach out to its audience. “Social isolation and loneliness are serious, yet underappreciated health risks that really affect the older adult population.” One of the ways to address this was the creation of the Healthy Living Program. The program serves older adults in a variety of social programs. including crafts, dancing, and staying sharp on the see KIN ON on 10
10 minutes today supports 10 years of change.
THAT’S POWER. When we count in the census, we are using our power to impact the next 10 years. From bringing money and resources into our community to increasing political representation that looks like our community. Complete the 2020 Census. Do it for your family and neighbors. Do it, today.
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38 YEARS
AUGUST 22 – AUGUST 28, 2020
■ PUBLISHER’S BLOG
Slow your body’s internal clock during the pandemic Part I By Assunta Ng NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY COVID not only kills, it can also age us. No one has said, “I look younger recently.” In fact, many have discovered more wrinkles erupting on their faces, their skin looks terrible, and they feel much older in the last six months than in 2019 and other years. But the more serious concern is, the pandemic can age our brain. The stress of being locked down and in isolation, job and business losses, our inability to pay our bills, uncertainty, the anguish parents and students face about attending schools, and the threat of being infected by COVID, ourselves and loved ones, have taken a toll on us. The CDC released a report that said 11% of Americans seriously considered suicide in June. So many have suffered from anxiety and depression during the pandemic, according to CBS. “Last year at this time, about one in 12 American adults reported symptoms of an anxiety disorder. That has risen to more than one in three today.” A 2018 study by Amsterdam University Medical Center in the Netherlands found that the DNA of people with major depression is older than people who didn’t have depression, by eight months. Other studies have also found that emotional distress can speed up cellular aging. “The cells not only shrink, but lose their ability to divide further,” stated an article in Psychology Today by Christopher Bergland.
Our biological vs. chronological clock
There is an epigenetic or biological clock in our body, according to scientists. Doctors call it an aging clock. Biological clock is different from your chronological clock, which is your chronological age. Your biological clock reveals how you treat your body and how you live your life. It might not be your actual chronological age. It can be younger or older. Some of my friends said they have great genes from their parents so they assume they will have a long life. “My dad lived until 90-something. My mom was in that realm, too.” Yes, you might be lucky to have inherited some of your family’s longevity. However, if you have a reckless lifestyle, including drinking and smoking, overweight with an inactive body, your bad habits are likely to outdo those good genes. Epigenetic researchers have found that “our own genes react to our behavior,” wrote Catherine Shanahan, M.D., author of “Deep Nutrition. Some think that biological age has to do with your looks. If you have a youthful face with fewer wrinkles and age spots, you would score high on your biological
Biological Age
Chronological Age
The definition of health is not confined to just physical, it is mental as well as your emotional wellbeing. Maintaining all three aspects of our wellbeing require effort, patience, and willpower. If you are overweight and have been for a while, it takes time and discipline to lose those pounds. You cannot expect to lose 10 pounds in a week. If you don’t feel like getting up every morning, is there something you can plan the day(s) before so you look forward to the next day? Talk to someone who is willing to listen so you can unload your burden. Remember, you don’t have to suffer alone. I always feel better after I discuss my problems with my family and friends. First, they offer different perspectives. My husband often laughs my problems away. I feel so much lighter afterwards.
Enduring the pandemic
clock. Not true. Does it occur to you that some people might be fighting their wrinkles with regular botox injections and applying anti-wrinkle creams? As we age, our brain is far more significant than our face. Questions about our lifestyle, nutrition, genetics, and what kind of long-term diseases we have, affect our health, mind, and appearance.
The biological clock test
A former high school classmate messaged us on WhatsApp with a test on our biological age. Some of my former classmates were thrilled that they were at least more than a decade younger than their chronological age. They have done a good job taking care of themselves. In general, we assume that women more than men yearn to have a youthful look when they get older. Not quite. Men are vain creatures, too. Try this flattery on men and you’ll see their smiling faces. Is the biological test thorough? The test is more for fun. It includes questions such as how you view stress. How much do you sleep and exercise? How often do you poop? How many times do you eat during the day? Do you smoke or drink alcohol? Do you put on sunscreen or avoid the sun, or if you drink coffee? I question its accuracy because it doesn’t ask questions about our blood pressure, our strength, weight and height, and the kind of exercises we do. It certainly overlooks the brain factor. While physical workout is beneficial for both our mind and body, we should also practice mental activities. Many of my friends like to do crossword puzzles. And my Chinese and Jewish friends like to play mahjong. Those games challenge our brain to be fit and sharp. What keeps me
young is my love for learning. Everyday, I am committed to learn new things to challenge my brain. The test did inspire me to take action on my environment. One question asked if I live in a place with little or lots of pollution. Well, I live and work in Chinatown-International District (CID). Being next to the freeway and also full of restaurants, the CID is one of the two worst polluted spots in Seattle. I cannot change my current environment, but the reckoning is, I can do something about it. To compensate for the lack of fresh air, I stroll around Lake Washington Boulevard near Seward Park on weekday mornings whenever possible. When I did the biological test, I wasn’t sure how to respond to one of the questions. “How long can I stand on one foot?” In yoga terms, it’s called vrikshasana or tree pose. My initial response was 30 seconds. Later, I tested myself by standing with one foot in front and one near the back, facing forward. Wow! I couldn’t believe it. I held that pose for more than one minute. Full disclosure: I took yoga classes for about three years a decade ago. But I haven’t practiced since I quit the class. And I am in my late 60s.
Aging clock
A long life is meaningless if you have dementia and are inflicted with other illnesses, and thus, unable to live a full life. So attaining longevity might not be the right goal. The right goal is to pursue health, financial independence, and balance so you have the freedom to enjoy what you want even when you live to an old age.
It’s not easy to survive a pandemic, especially since I still have an organization to run and newspapers to publish. And business has been tumbling since March. The trouble is, there is no crystal ball to show us how long the pandemic will last. More than 30 (parttime and full-time) employees rely on me. That’s a heavy duty. Thousands of readers look forward to reading our news online and in print every week. And that’s our reward to motivate us, no matter how big the hurdle. I did well on the biological clock test. My score said that I am two decades younger than my chronological age. Does it mean I have handled the pandemic crisis well? I don’t know. However, this is what I can share with you. In April, I thought we had to shut down. Just as we felt that we were on the edge of a cliff, miracles happened in May and June. Some good Samaritans called, “What do you need?” “What can we do to help?” “We are interested in placing ad(s) in both the Northwest Asian Weekly and Seattle Chinese Post.” While I never expected them to care, these people came to us at a critical juncture. They didn’t know they saved us from drowning while we fought for our last breath. They have no idea how they made us feel. More than grateful and amazing. The lesson is, you can never predict what’s going to happen. And just when you think the horrible is emerging, hope smashes right in, not only once, but many times. The reality is: The pandemic will not vanish soon. The worst is not over. Brace for more misfortune. So what are you going to do to make yourself feel better in hard times? Is there anything you can prepare or not? Assunta can be reached at assunta@nwasinaweekly.com.
YOUR VOICE
■ ON THE SHELF
AUGUST 22 – AUGUST 28, 2020
asianweekly northwest
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Book recommendations Overcoming self doubt and standing up for yourself
By Samantha Pak NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY
Haunted Heroine By Sarah Kuhn DAW, 2020
Team Tanaka/Jupiter is back and their membership is growing. Evie, the Tanaka half of the superheroine duo, has just found out she’s pregnant and everyone is thrilled about the group’s newest addition. And Evie is too. Really. But she also can’t help harboring feelings of doubts. However, before she really dwells on things, her alma mater (does it count if she actually dropped out?) has been experiencing a string of mysterious “hauntings” and she and her best friend and fellow superheroine, Aveda Jupiter, go undercover at the school, posing as graduate students to figure out what or who is behind these hauntings that are hurting students. “Haunted Heroine” is the fourth novel in Kuhn’s Heroine Complex series. For longtime fans of the series (including yours truly), it’s fun to revisit our favorite team of Asian American superheroines and see what they’ve been up to—not only in terms of protecting San Francisco from demons, but also personally. In the earlier installations, readers saw how dysfunctional, codependent, and, frankly, unhealthy some of the characters’ relationships were. Kuhn does a great job of realistically portraying the issues and growing pains they have experienced to get to where they are now—which is not perfect, but definitely more stable. Things don’t get fixed just because you want them to. You have to work at them and that is exactly what Evie and her loved ones do. Kuhn also touches on some of the anxieties that new parents-to-be experience as Evie and her half-demon husband Nate navigate a new stage in their relationship. While her life on the surface may seem perfect, Evie feels woefully unprepared for parenthood, but doesn’t know how to express her doubts. And it doesn’t help to be back at school, an environment that holds a lot of painful memories for her. As the more introverted and previously “mousy” member of the team, it is great to see Evie really come into her own and learn how to let others know what she needs from them. “Haunted Heroine” is my favorite installation of the series. I’ve loved seeing the team grow on different levels and can’t wait to see what new adventures unfold in future books.
This Time Will Be Different By Misa Sugiura HarperTeen, 2020
While the Katsuyama family motto may be that they never quit, 17-year-old CJ doesn’t even know where to start. As the daughter of a very type A mother, who has great ambitions for her, CJ is perfectly fine helping her aunt Hannah at their family flower shop. She may not believe her aunt’s romantic ideas about flowers and their secret meanings, but the teen realizes she has a knack for arranging the perfect bouquet and might even be proud of this skill. So when her mother decides to sell the long-struggling shop to the family who
swindled CJ’s grandparents when they and thousands of Japanese Americans were sent to internment camps during World War II, CJ finds herself standing up for something she believes in for the first time. As someone who sees herself as somewhat of a failure, CJ is about the furthest thing away from the model minority stereotype thrust upon Asian Americans. She may feel some pressure to be successful at something (anything, really) to make her mother proud, but she is content just coasting along in life, thank you very much. It’s refreshing to find a character who is not perfect and does not try to be, but does try to be better. CJ is full of flaws. Her emotions can get the best of her and she can hold a grudge like you wouldn’t believe. But she is also loyal and will be there for the ones she loves. And that’s what makes her so relatable. In addition, Sugiura introduces readers to a whole cast of multifaceted characters, who all have their own complicated relationships with CJ and each other. While they might start as common archetypes— the overly demanding mother, the overachieving popular girl at school, the nerdy boy in class—we get to know them through CJ’s eyes and see that there is more to them.
Sex and Vanity By Kevin Kwan Doubleday, 2020
On her first day on the island of Capri in Italy, Lucie Churchill meets George Zao and immediately doesn’t like him. But she can’t deny her attraction to him and finds herself kissing him in the dark among ancient ruins of a Roman villa. Unfortunately, her snobby, disapproving cousin Charlotte catches them, teasing her that she would be attracted to “someone like him” since Lucie’s mother is Chinese. As the daughter of an American-born Chinese mother and blue-blooded New York father, Lucie has always favored her white side and denies her feelings for George. But years later, while weekending in East Hampton with her new WASP-y, family-approved fiancé, she bumps into George again and soon finds herself in a web of lies and deceit as she fights her feelings for George. “Sex and Vanity” is Kwan’s first novel following the “Crazy Rich Asians” trilogy and once again invites readers into the world of the privileged. From the locations
doing what others think she should be doing. And not often is this what she wants to be doing. But even from the beginning, there are things she does that show readers she is also a fighter and her own person. Lucie is also a young woman caught between two cultures. This is something many Asian Americans (whether or not they’re mixed race) can relate to and no amount of wealth or lack thereof can make that easier.
and food to the fashion, we get to once again see how differently the top 1% live compared to the rest of us. It’s a world in which everyone is constantly trying to one up each other, while not being too showy or crass. But as fancy and sparkly as their lives may be, they are definitely not without problems and issues—even some us common folk encounter in our lives, such as trying to please our families while doing what’s right for ourselves. Lucie starts out as very naive and sheltered. She’s a bit of a people pleaser,
Samantha can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.
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asianweekly northwest
38 YEARS
AUGUST 22 – AUGUST 28, 2020
■ NATIONAL NEWS
Newsweek apologizes for op-ed questioning Harris eligibility By MARK KENNEDY ASSOCIATED PRESS
Sen. Kamala Harris
NEW YORK (AP) — Newsweek has apologized for an op-ed that questioned Sen. Kamala Harris’ U.S. citizenship and her eligibility to be Joe Biden’s running mate, a false and racist conspiracy theory which President Donald Trump has not
dismissed. “This op-ed is being used by some as a tool to perpetuate racism and xenophobia. We apologize,’’ read Newsweek’s editor’s note on Aug. 14, which replaced the magazine’s earlier detailed defense of the op-ed. “We entirely failed to anticipate the ways in which the essay would be interpreted, distorted and weaponized,’’ read the apology, signed by Josh Hammer, opinion editor, and Nancy Cooper, global editor in chief. But they ended the note by saying that the op-ed would remain on the site, with their note attached. The op-ed was written by John Eastman, a conservative attorney who argues that the U.S. Constitution doesn’t grant birthright citizenship. Eastman sowed doubt about Harris’ eligibility based on her parents’ immigration status. Harris’ mother was born in India and her father was born in Jamaica.
“We entirely failed to anticipate the ways in which the essay would be interpreted, distorted and weaponized.’’
Read the apology, signed by Josh Hammer, opinion editor, and Nancy Cooper, global editor in chief
Newsweek earlier defended the piece, arguing that Eastman “was focusing on a longstanding, somewhat arcane legal debate’’ about the 14th Amendment and not trying to “ignite a racist conspiracy theory around Kamala Harris’ candidacy.’’ But the theory is false. Harris, who was tapped by Joe Biden to serve as his running mate on the Democratic ticket, was born in Oakland, California, and is eligible for both the vice presidency and presidency under
the constitutional requirements. The question is not even considered complex, according to constitutional lawyers. Trump built his political career on questioning a political opponent’s legitimacy. He was a high-profile force behind the “birther movement’’—the lie that questioned whether President Barack Obama, the nation’s first Black president, was eligible to serve. Only after mounting pressure during his 2016 campaign did Trump disavow the claims.
winners of CID Community Art Mural Contest PRESENTED BY First place: Wing Luke Museum Artist Moses Sun and Wing Luke staff and volunteers
Second place: Vital T Leaf Artist David Teichner
Third place: Jade Garden Restaurant Artist Carlos Ruiz
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Asked about the matter at the White House on Aug. 13, Trump told reporters he had “heard’’ rumors that Harris does not meet the requirement to serve in the White House. The president said he considered the rumors “very serious.’’ Trump was asked to revisit the topic during a news conference on Aug. 15. He refused to say whether he believes the California-born senator does or doesn’t meet the constitutional requirements of the office he holds. “I have nothing to do with it. I read something about it,’’ Trump said. He added: “It’s not something that bothers me. ... It’s not something that we will be pursuing.’’ Asked point blank if Harris is eligible, Trump replied: “I just told you. I have not got into it in great detail.’’
The art murals are located in different parts of Chinatown International District’s storefronts. Winners and finalists of the CID Community Art Mural Contest are announced in this issue. See P. 1 and P. 11. You can also go online www. nwasianweekly.com. A special issue will be published, including many of the art murals on Aug. 27. A virtual celebration will be held to present awards and plaques to the artists with sponsors and partners, livestreamed on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ NorthwestAsianWeekly, Aug. 29 at 2 p.m.
YOUR VOICE
■ WORLD NEWS
AUGUST 22 – AUGUST 28, 2020
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Israeli jeweler makes $1.5m gold coronavirus mask By ISAAC SCHARF ASSOCIATED PRESS MOTZA, Israel (AP) — An Israeli jewelry company is working on what it says will be the world’s most expensive coronavirus mask, a gold, diamond-encrusted face covering with a price tag of $1.5 million. The 18-karat white gold mask will be decorated with 3,600 white and black diamonds and fitted with toprated N99 filters at the request of the buyer, said designer Isaac Levy. Levy, owner of the Yvel company, said the buyer had two other demands: that it be completed by the end of
NYPD from 3 Yorkers since the pandemic began in the spring. The task force’s job will be to solve these cases, better communicate with victims, and bring the perpetrators to justice. Harrison said it was important to have detectives who understand the language, including several versions of the Chinese language to help victims trust detectives. In the past, police would call in interpreters, making it more difficult for detectives to earn the trust of Chinese Americans who were sometimes reluctant to prosecute suspects in hate crimes. Harrison said many victims were afraid
the year, and that it would be the priciest in the world. That last condition, he said, “was the easiest to fulfill.” He declined to identify the buyer, but said he was a Chinese businessman living in the United States. The glitzed-up face mask may lend some pizzazz to the protective gear now mandatory in public spaces in many countries. But at 270 grams (over half a pound)— nearly 100 times that of a typical surgical mask—it is not likely to be a practical accessory to wear. In an interview at his factory near Jerusalem, Levy showed off several pieces of the mask, covered in diamonds. One gold plate had a hole for the filter. “Money maybe doesn’t buy everything, but if it can
to testify and needed the support of the Asian American detectives who spoke their language and understood their concerns. “We had people afraid to go outside because of fear for their safety,” Harrison said. “These detectives have the resources and the language skills that are important in these investigations.” Deputy Inspector Loo said many in the Asian community accused the NYPD of not caring about them. He said this proves something different. “Everyone was saying the police don’t care—we are showing we do care,” Loo said. “We would previously respond with a translator, but the problem with a translator is that you need to build a rapport with
KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON NOTICE TO BIDDERS Sealed bids will be received by the King County Procurement Services Section, electronically, at procurement.submittals@ kingcounty.gov, until 2:00 PM of bid opening date for the following listed bids. To download a document, go to our web page at: http://www. kingcounty.gov/procurement. King County encourages minority business enterprise participation. King County does not discriminate on the basis of disability in its programs, services, and employment opportunities for persons with disabilities. 1193-20-VLN OPENS: 08/27/2020 Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) Compliance and Audit Support Consulting Services 1180-20-JAS OPENS: 09/24/2020 Carbon Inserts or Approved Equal 1101-20-TED OPENS: 09/07/2020 WTD Mitigation & Monitoring Program Ecological Restoration Services Pre-bid Meeting: August 24th, 2020 at 10:00 AM via Skype or Telephone only Conference Call: 1-206-263-8114 Conference ID: 5340161 1161-20-GMK OPENS: 09/29/2020 Cloud Management Tool Pre-bid Meeting: August 28th, 2020 at 11:00 AM via Skype or Telephone only Conference Call: 1-206-263-8114 Conference ID: 798695 1095-20-LCP OPENS: 09/08/2020 TPSS Electrical Testing, Calibration, Parts, and Repair Services Pre-bid Conference: August 27th, 2020 at 2:00 PM via Skype or Teleconference only Conference Call: 1-206-263-8114 Conference ID: 9926705
buy a very expensive COVID-19 mask and the guy wants to wear it and walk around and get the attention, he should be happy with that,” Levy said. Such an ostentatious mask might also rub some the wrong way at a time when millions of people around the world are out of work or suffering economically. Levy said that while he would not wear it himself, he was thankful for the opportunity. “I am happy that this mask gave us enough work for our employees to be able to provide their jobs in very challenging times like these times right now,” he said.
victims and it was difficult to do using translators because they could only pass along the message. These detectives can break the barriers.” Acting Queens Borough President Sharon Lee applauded the creation of the task force, saying many of these cases were in Queens. “The rise in hate and bias incidents during the ongoing pandemic was further illuminated when, earlier this year, the NYPD Hate Crime Task Force had to create an entirely new motivation category of crimes called ‘Other Corona,’ and a substantial portion of those targeted were of Asian descent,” said Lee. “Words matter and have consequences, especially when
misnomers like ‘Chinese Virus’ and ‘Kung Flu’ are promulgated. Hate and bias crimes, however, are oftentimes extremely tough to prove and require assets to allow for serious investigation.” The task force will be permanent, Harrison said, and other culture-based task forces may be considered in the future. When asked about why there wasn’t a dedicated task force for anti-Semitic crimes, Harrison said that this task force was put together because of Asian Americans’ lack of reporting and cooperation with the police. Victims of anti-Semitic crimes work with the police in most cases, he said.
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KIN ON from 5
YALE from 4
latest health information. It now has pivoted to online programs which serve over 100 seniors each month. Since this past August, it has at least one class per day for over 20 hours of virtual programs weekly. In order to maintain a connection with its Chinesespeaking community, it has been doing check-in calls in Cantonese and Mandarin to ensure that those that may not have technical fluency can access services, food, and be connected. One of the silver linings during this pandemic is that more people are brushing up on their tech skills. “Some said they are becoming more comfortable doing video calls, scheduling their appointments online, or ordering grocery and take-out.” Also, the community is using their sewing skills to make homemade cloth masks a part of a donation drive. In this unprecedented time, Kin On is doing its best to ensure safety for all it serves. “Many of us experienced SARs 17 years ago in some way,” explained Young of the disease which ravaged parts of southeast Asia. “So, our care team members have been extra cautious and proactive, keeping track of the development of the virus in Asia. From early on, we followed the guidance from the CDC and local health agencies, and there were times we did more than the recommendations.” In addition to training, Kin On has surprised staff with small gifts, meals, and snacks “to keep folks in high spirits during this challenging time.” Kin On provides residential living assistance, home care health, and social service programs for over 1,200 people, according to its latest annual report. Young added that she was thankful for the flexibility of the staff and the help it has received during the pandemic. “We are just grateful for our team’s ingenuity and resilience, and the support from the community and the government that helps us handle the increased financial burdens and operational challenges.” “What we know is that it takes a village to care for our elders.”
similar allegations against Harvard University. The two-year investigation concluded that Yale “rejects scores of Asian American and white applicants each year based on their race, whom it otherwise would admit,” the Justice Department said. The investigation stemmed from a 2016 complaint against Yale, Brown, and Dartmouth. “Yale’s race discrimination imposes undue and unlawful penalties on racially-disfavored applicants, including in particular Asian American and White applicants,” Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband, who heads the department’s civil rights division, wrote in a letter to the college’s attorneys. Prosecutors found that Yale has been discriminating against applicants to its undergraduate program based on their race and national origin and “that race is the determinative factor in hundreds of admissions decisions each year.” The investigation concluded that Asian American and white students have “only one-tenth to one-fourth of the likelihood of admission as African American applicants with comparable academic credentials,” the Justice Department said. “Unlawfully dividing Americans into racial and ethnic blocs fosters stereotypes, bitterness, and division,” Dreiband said in a statement. “It is past time for American institutions to recognize that all people should be treated with decency and respect and without unlawful regard to the color of their skin.”
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The investigation also found that Yale uses race as a factor in multiple steps of the admissions process and that Yale “racially balances its classes.” The Supreme Court has ruled colleges and universities may consider race in admissions decisions but has said that must be done in a narrowly tailored way to promote diversity and should be limited in time. Schools also bear the burden of showing why their consideration of race is appropriate. In a statement, Yale said it “categorically denies this allegation,” has cooperated fully with the investigation and has been continually turning over “a substantial amount of information and data.” The university said it considers a multitude of factors and looks at “the whole person when selecting whom to admit among the many thousands of highly qualified applicants.” “We are proud of Yale’s admissions practices, and we will not change them on the basis of such a meritless, hasty accusation,” the statement said. The Justice Department has demanded that Yale immediately stop and agree not to use race or national origin for upcoming admissions. The government also says that if Yale proposes that it will continue to use race or national origin as a factor in future admission cycles, the college must first submit a plan to the Justice Department “demonstrating its proposal is narrowly tailored as required by law, including by identifying a date for the end of race discrimination.” SOLUTION from SUDOKU on page 4.
YOUR VOICE
■ ASTROLOGY
AUGUST 22 – AUGUST 28, 2020
asianweekly northwest
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Predictions and advice for the week of August 22–28, 2020 By Sun Lee Chang Rat — Don’t let the unexpected throw you off your game. Observe the changes before taking any immediate action.
Dragon — Instead of trying to recover what was lost, focus your efforts on what needs to be done to move forward.
Monkey — Speaking from your heart can be hard to do sometimes, but your audience will appreciate candor and sincerity.
Ox — Although you have a general idea of where to go, leave some room for spontaneity.
Snake — While it won’t go exactly as you planned it, you should still be able to reach your goal.
Rooster — There is pleasure in making something from scratch, especially if you have a tangible product to enjoy at completion.
Tiger — Do you have more of something than you wanted? Consider sharing the wealth.
Horse — Are you craving the comfort of something familiar? A close match should suffice, if you can’t find the original.
Dog — Does unfinished business have you on edge? A brief respite could give you a helpful boost.
Rabbit — An idea has captured your fancy recently. Luckily, you have the means and ability to pursue it.
Goat — Tempted to skip some interim steps? Even though you are excited, it would be best to exercise patience.
Pig — Rather than guessing what is going on behind the scenes, make the effort to check in once in a while.
WHAT’S YOUR ANIMAL SIGN? RAT 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020 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.
WINNERS from 1
First place: Wing Luke Museum
This mural was the result of a collaboration between artist Moses Sun and the Wing Luke Museum. Credit: Moses Sun, lead artist Sami Hilario, mural placeholder Staff design team: Alexis L. Silva, Bailee Hiatt, Ellison Shieh, Jessica Rubenacker, Kelly Ou, Ling Chun, Mikala Woodward, Sami Hilario, and Vivian Chan Staff mural crew: Alexis L. Silva, Jose & Seymore, Bailee Hiatt, Blake Nakatsu, Charlene Mano-Shen, Ellison Shieh, Em Halladay, Emma Sullivan, Jana Nishi Yuen and family, Jessica Rubenacker & Chris Brummel, Jintana Lityouvong, Julie Salathe & the Salathe family, Kelly Ou, Ling Chun, Max Chan, Maya Hayashi, Meilani Mandery, Mikala Woodward & Josie Kidde, Rahul Gupta, Sami Hilario, Shaun Mejia, Vivian Chan & Audrey Chu Mural project documentation: Max Chan and Shaun Mejia Staff admin support: Alex Plemitscher, Cassie Chinn, Chrissy Shimizu, Gary Yamamoto, and Wren Wheeler Board member support: Ellen Ferguson, Jill Nishi, Judy Tobin, Nanette Fok, and Pat Norikane Logerwell
Second place: Vital T Leaf Artist: David Teichner
Third place: Jade Garden Restaurant Artist: Carlos Ruiz
Honorable mentions:
Most Colorful—Phnom Penh Noodle House Best Multiracial Mural—United States Postal Office Artist: Tracy Tran Most Inspiring—United States Postal Office Artist: L.M. Freebird Most Empowering—Woodburn Company Artist: Tori Kirihara Most Creative—Saeteun’s Garage Artist: Sandy Best Unity Theme—Tai Tung Restaurant Artist: Joseph and Shara Lee, and Patrick Nguyen Most Interesting—Pho Bac Artist: Patrick Nguyen
Second place: Vital T Leaf
Third place: Jade Garden Restaurant
HONORABLE MENTIONS Judges
Albert Chun—Branch Manager of Washington Federal Bank Ann Bergman—Seattle’s Child Publisher Becky Chan—Freelance Photographer/Writer Cedric Davis—Senior Philanthropic Advisor, Seattle Foundation Ellen Ferguson—Philanthropist and Community Leader Henry Wong—President of ID Rotary Club, Jim Doane—Corporate Attorney Sarah Baker—Former President of JACL Sarah Sidman—Vice President of ArtsFund Tim Otani—Director of Corporate Social Responsibility of Union Bank Victoria Moreland—Artist, Consultant
Phnom Penh Noodle House—Most Colorful
USPS—Best Multiracial Mural
Woodburn Company— Most Empowering USPS (Maya Angelou)—Most Inspiring
People’s Choice Award:
First Place—Woodburn Company Artist: Tori Kirihara Second Place—Wing Luke Museum Third Place—Tai Tung Restaurant Artist: Joseph and Shara Lee, and Patrick Nguyen A virtual celebration will be held to present awards and plaques to the artists with sponsors and partners, live-streamed on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/NorthwestAsianWeekly, Aug. 29 at 2 p.m.
Saeteun’s Garage—Most Creative
Tai Tung Restaurant—Best Unity Theme
Pho Bac—Most Interesting
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asianweekly northwest
38 YEARS
AUGUST 22 – AUGUST 28, 2020
SUGIYAMA from 1
A Japanese American community without a tangible symbol For Mari Sugiyama, 37, perhaps the closest thing she had to a physical structure representing the Japanese American community was a hotel her family visited in Hawaii every year. During a teleconference interview, a large painting of the Manago Hotel hung behind her on the wall. Run by a Japanese American family on the island of Hawaii, it was where her grandparents and parents visited and now her family goes to eat. The hotel was significant because it was a place her grandparents visited on a vacation after they were incarcerated. But it was also something the Japanese American community seemed to lack in Seattle—a physical location to gather and find community. After the mass incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II, Seattle’s Nihonmachi was fragmented. In her undergraduate thesis at the University of Washington (UW), where she majored partly in ethnic studies, Mari argued that an ongoing beauty pageant for Japanese American women was a way for the community to remain cohesive. The pageant involved a year and a half program of training and culminated in
Photos courtesy of Mari Sugiyama
helped nurture. Now chair of the House Education committee, she used her expertise in the workings of the Seattle school district to find a school that fit with his life-long mission. “Al really had a heart for the students that were so poorly served by our traditional educational system,” she said in an interview. But the lives of the two daughters, who helped advocate for the change, reveal hidden meanings behind the pairing of their father’s name with the school. The Sugiyamas in Hawaii
From left: Mari, Alan, his granddaughter Kaia, and Alysa
a musical performance (Mari played the piano), a personal statement, impromptu responses to questions about current events, and a year of community service. Mari also studied Japanese in college. She placed second, earning the title of “first princess,” which meant she would serve as cultural ambassador to Seattle’s sister cities, among other things. When telling her father the news, he said, “It was never yours to win.” She took that to mean there is never any predetermined outcome in life, part of what she described as his lifelong belief that you have to choose your battles. “Is this the sword you want to die on,” she said, describing her father’s philosophy. But when asked if he might have been referring to the fact that the winner was the daughter of a highly influential family on the board of the UW, she said, “Now that’s something I never thought of.” She served on the board of the pageant for years and recently was the narrator of a documentary about it.
ing to return to school for a master’s degree in a type of educational science that explains student behavior. Working with kids with learning and behavioral challenges, she routinely handled being punched, spat on, and other reactive behavior. With the teacher, she tried to help the students learn more effective ways of communicating their needs. But her father’s life inspired her to focus on the accomplishments of her students in terms of what they meant to the individual student. This meant being “proud of the small things you can get through,” she said. “My student was able to walk across the classroom by himself,” she gave as an example. “My student was able to feed himself today,” she said. “Be proud of the smallest things in life.” A turning point came when one of her students stabbed her in the back with a ballpoint pen (the details of the incident have been changed to protect the student’s identity). “I said, ‘I’ve got to learn to understand better why this is happening,’” she said. She asked her teacher, who told her about a program at the UW called Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), which
A place of second chances
Sugiyama’s younger daughter, Alysa, 33, spent six years as a paraprofessional at a local elementary school before decid-
DEMOCRATS from 1 cramped virtual convention to send him into the general election campaign to oust President Donald Trump. For Biden, who has spent more than three decades eyeing the presidency, the moment was the realization of a long-sought personal goal. But it played out in a way that the 77-year-old Biden couldn’t have imagined just months ago as the coronavirus prompted profound change across the country and the presidential campaign. Instead of a Milwaukee convention hall as initially planned, the roll call of convention delegates played out in a combination of live and recorded video feeds from American landmarks packed with meaning: Alabama’s Edmund Pettus Bridge, the headwaters of the Mississippi River, a Puerto Rican community still recovering from a hurricane. Biden’s team did not give the night’s coveted keynote address to a single fresh face, preferring instead to pack the slot with more than a dozen Democrats in their 20s, 30s, and 40s. The younger leaders included former Georgia lawmaker Stacey Abrams, Rep. Conor Lamb., D-Pa., the president of the Navajo Nation Jonathan Nez, and Georgia state Rep. Sam Park. Park, who became the first Asian American Democrat and first openly-gay man elected to the Georgia state legislature in 2016, unseated a three-term Republican with his victory four years ago. “This year all of us are onstage,” 16 of the participants said, introducing the segment in a Hollywood Squareslike grid. Biden celebrated his new place in history alongside his wife and grandchildren in a Delaware school library in the midst of the mostly online convention. His wife of more than 40 years, Jill Biden, later spoke in her primetime appearance in deeply personal terms, reintroducing the lifelong politician as a man of deep empathy, faith and resilience to American voters just 77 days before votes are counted.
“There are times when I couldn’t imagine how he did it—how he put one foot in front of the other and kept going,” she said. “But I’ve always understood why he did it. He does it for you.” Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State John Kerry—and former Republican Secretary of State Colin Powell—were among the heavy hitters on a schedule that emphasized a simple theme: Leadership matters. Former President Jimmy Carter also made a brief appearance. “Donald Trump says we’re leading the world. Well, we are the only major industrial economy to have its unemployment rate triple,” Clinton said. “At a time like this, the Oval Office should be a command center. Instead, it’s a storm center. There’s only chaos.” For a second night, the Democrats featured Republicans. Powell, who served as secretary of state under George W. Bush and appeared at multiple Republican conventions in years past, was endorsing the Democratic candidate. Powell joins the widow of the late Arizona Sen. John McCain, Cindy McCain, who was expected to stop short of a formal endorsement but talk about the mutual respect and friendship her husband and Biden shared. The Democrats’ party elders played a prominent role throughout the night. Clinton, 74, hasn’t held office in two decades. Kerry, 76, was the Democratic presidential nominee back in 2004 when the youngest voters this fall were still in diapers. And Carter is 95 years old. Clinton, a fixture of Democratic conventions for nearly three decades, addressed voters for roughly five minutes in a speech recorded at his home in Chappaqua, New York. In addition to railing against Trump’s leadership, Clinton calls Biden “a go-to-work president.” Biden, Clinton continued, is “a man with a mission: to take responsibility, not shift the blame; concentrate, not
focuses on student behavior. After three years working full-time and attending the program simultaneously, she has just graduated and is preparing for a licensing test.
Remembering their father
Their accomplishments and their life paths reflect themes and visions of their father’s, who died from cancer in 2017. Sugiyama led a long series of civil rights movements at the UW and later in Seattle. As part of a coalition, he demanded the UW to begin teaching Asian American studies and hire Asian American faculty, which meant that decades later, his daughters could take courses in the area. He later founded a center for marginalized youth in the southend of Seattle for career development and training, called the Center for Career Alternatives. He also was elected to the Seattle School Board and was instrumental in getting the first school named after a Japanese American educator, Aki Kurose. “That’s another reason this would mean so much to him—to have a school named after him,” said Mari. The newly-renamed school is also in the southern region, which their father represented when he was on the school board, said Alysa. With her father, Alysa visited struggling schools and handed out cookies to all the staff and students. “Always root for the underdog,” her father said. “You can achieve a lot more than you think you can,” he would always say. She described the newly-named school as “a school that gives second chances to kids.” “But to us, besides all his constant community work, he was always devoted to his family,” Mari added. Mahlon can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.
distract; unite, not divide.” California Sen. Kamala Harris was originally supposed to speak on the last day of the convention, before Biden and his family. This was changed after she was announced as Biden’s running mate and her speaking slot was moved to the third day, Aug. 19. This freed up a spot on Aug. 20, which was filled by entrepreneur Andrew Yang. But the switch did not come without controversy. When the initial list was released last week of who would address the convention, Yang was not assigned as a keynote speaker and he showcased his disappointment on Twitter. Illinois Sen. Tammy Duckworth was also expected to speak on the final day of the convention.