VOL 39 NO 48 NOVEMBER 28 – DECEMBER 4, 2020 by Northwest Asian Weekly

PRSRT STD U.S. Postage Paid Permit No. 746 Seattle, WA

VOL 39 NO 48 NOVEMBER 28 – DECEMBER 4, 2020

FREE 38 YEARS YOUR VOICE

Photos provided by Uwajimaya

Uwajimaya remodel in the time of COVID-19

Newly remodeled seafood department

By Vivian Nguyen NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY For two decades, the Asian supermarket Uwajimaya has stood guard in its current location on 5th Avenue South and South Dearborn Street, which sits on the south border of the International District. With its prominent, blue entryway sign and intricate

Seattle store’s new southern-facing entry

flower logo, the flagship store drew out-oftown visitors and locals alike. Now, with its year-long renovation complete, patrons will see a new entryway sign above the store’s southern entrance— one that features a red, sans-serif font with wider kerning next to a new, six-sided floral-inspired logo with undulating curves. The new signage represents a shift in

how Uwajimaya, in existence since 1928, wants to modernize its brand. “We had an opportunity to look at our brand and how we’re talking to customers,” said Uwajimaya CEO Denise Moriguchi. “We want to make sure we’re staying relevant long-term, and the sign’s a small but visible piece of how we’re adapting to current times.”

Division over homelessness threatens new Keiro plan

■

WA school district apologizes for excluding Asians as POC

unhoused is inhumane.” Such a split is one potential obstacle to the ambitious plan, announced this month by King County Equity Now (KCEN), a Black-led consortium of businesses and advocacy groups, to ask the city government to buy the Keiro Rehabilitation and Care Center building from Shelter Holdings so that it can establish a homeless shelter. The Keiro building was sold for $11 million a year ago to the Bellevue-based real estate company after its parent company, Keiro Northwest, ran see KEIRO on 12

see THURSTON on 3

Photo courtesy of K. Wyking Garrett

An abandoned, empty syringe with the word “Safety” on it appears several times in a local newscast. But Matt Chan, a member of the Chinatown-International District (CID) Night Watch, sees them everywhere when he makes his rounds with the team. “There’s a real split in the CID about homelessness,” he told the Northwest Asian Weekly. “Business owners are concerned about the impact of the encampments on their sales, and a number of young people think sweeping the

see UWAJIMAYA on 10

A school district in Washington that has 16,000 students has apologized for lumping Asian American students with white people. The North Thurston Public Schools excluded Asian American students as people of color in its latest equity report, called “Monitoring Student Growth.” The “students of color” included “Black, Latinx, Native American, Pacific Islander, and Multi-Racial Students” and the study measured their “persistent opportunity gaps.” Many Asian Americans were upset and, consequently, the district issued an apology. The school district said the study was to help underperforming groups by “eliminating achievement and opportunity gaps.” “Upon reflection and response by members of the Asian American community, we will change how we look at achievement

A project that could serve as a model for Keiro as affordable housing: the Liberty Bank Building

By Mahlon Meyer NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY

THE PROJECT The store’s remodel started in November 2019 with an anticipated 11-month timeline. Led by Uwajimaya’s Development Manager Miye Moriguchi (Denise and Miye are cousins), the supermarket chain partnered with Hoshide Wanzer Architects

412 Maynard Ave. S., Seattle, WA 98104 • t. 206.223.5559 • f. 206.223.0626 • editor@nwasianweekly.com • ads@nwasianweekly.com • www.nwasianweekly.com

asianweekly northwest

38 YEARS

NOVEMBER 28 – DECEMBER 4, 2020

■ NAMES IN THE NEWS PNB’s Angelica Generosa promoted

Pacific Northwest Ballet (PNB) announced on Nov. 20, as part of its first-ever all-digital gala, that it promoted Angelica Generosa to principal. “Angelica was noticed from the start,” said PNB Artistic Director Peter Boal. “She can light up a room, her presence is both genuine and luminous.” A Filipino American, Generosa is from New Jersey. She studied at the School of American Ballet and Princeton Ballet, and joined PNB as an apprentice in 2011. Prior to the gala, PNB Angelica Generosa also hired Kuu Sakuragi as a member of the corps de ballet. The Bellevue native studied at Pacific Northwest Ballet School. 

Inslee appoints Shah as new secretary of health

On Nov. 17, Gov. Jay Inslee appointed Umair A. Shah as the new Washington state secretary of health. Shah currently serves as executive director and local health authority for Harris County Public Health in Texas. He will begin his new role on Dec. 21. An immigrant from Pakistan, Shah has a keen interest in global health, having spent time at World Health Organization during his training and later deploying in response to devastating earthquakes in Kashmir and Haiti Shah has a bachelor’s degree from Vanderbilt University and medical degree from the University of

Toledo Health Science Center. He earned his master’s in public health with an emphasis in management and policy sciences from The University of Texas Health Science Center. “This pandemic has highlighted the importance of public health and health care working together Umair A. Shah and I am confident my experience in both will serve the state of Washington well now during these difficult times, and into the future,” Shah said. “While I’m sad to leave Texas after so many years, all of us— my wife, our three kids, and our puppy (Koko)—are excited to move to the Pacific Northwest.” 

Kaur receives Advanced Certificate

Kent City Councilmember Satwinder Kaur recently received an Advanced Certificate of Municipal Leadership from the Association of Washington Cities (AWC). To earn this Advanced Certificate, Kaur completed more than 60 hours Satwinder Kaur of training credits and demonstrated community service. Kaur serves as the chair for Puget Sound Clean Air Advisory Council. She has served on the Statement of Policy committee and Equity Workgroup for AWC. She also represents Kent on the King County Domestic Violence regional task force and Growth Management Planning Council. During the pandemic, she volunteered with various nonprofit organizations in Kent to provide produce boxes for the community. 

Health Care Leadership Awards

Ming-Ming Tung-Edelman

Gurpreet (Sunny) Singh

Ming-Ming Tung-Edelman, executive director of Refugee Artisan Initiative, was selected to receive the Puget Sound Business Journal’s Community Champion award at this year’s Health Care Leadership Awards. And Gurpreet (Sunny) Singh, the CEO of Edifecs, is being honored as Dealmaker of the Year. The Health Care Leadership Awards will be a virtual celebration on Dec. 10, recognizing the outstanding leaders in health care around the Puget Sound area. 

EDI Transformed

Executive Development Institute (EDI) said its EDI Transformed fundraising events came to an end in November with its last Zoom session. It was two and a half months filled with lots of learning, leadership, and fun. Between the Zoom pop-ups, online auction, and Facebook Live event, EDI was able to raise over $50,000 for its programs. 

ANTHONY BOON PONG LEE (TONY) FEBRUARY 12, 1948 - NOVEMBER 12, 2020

Tony Lee, 72, passed away at his home in Seattle, WA, due to complications of ALS. Tony was born February 12, 1948, in Swatow, China. He was the ninth of ten children born to Chang Pei Yu Lee (mother) and Wai Lee (father). The family fled to Hong Kong in 1949 during the Communist takeover of China. His family scraped together enough money to emigrate to Sao Paolo, Brazil, in 1953-54. Tony and his family learned to speak Portuguese as the children attended public school and played with the children of their neighborhood in the streets of Sao Paolo. At that time, the US imposed quotas on Chinese immigrants so they were unable to emigrate directly to the United States. Tony came to Seattle in 1959 with his brother Joe and sister Cecilia. They lived with their big sister Anna and brother-in-law Mike Chen, who was an engineer at Boeing. Tony had studied English for only one year when he entered Hamilton Middle School. He loved to play basketball and tennis with his friends at Hamilton and Lincoln High School, friends he has to this day. Tony graduated Lincoln High in 1965 and was awarded a full scholarship to Harvard. He moved to the Harvard dorms in Boston and started freshman year as a math major but later changed to political science. At Harvard Tony met three of his dearest and life long friends Larry, Hsiung and Chris. The four roomed together in Lowell House and for many, many years thereafter, they shared stories of their time at Harvard. After graduation from Harvard in 1969, Tony returned home to Seattle and was accepted to the University of Washington School of Law. He had clerked for a legislative committee in

Tony Lee and wife Angela Bartels

Olympia and it is there he got his first taste of policy and advocacy. Upon graduation from law school, Tony went to work for Evergreen Legal Services representing people in their cases for state benefits against DSHS. Tony was asked by the director of ELS to do lobbying in Olympia on behalf of the clients he and other attorneys in his office were representing. Tony accepted this position and hit his stride. It wasn't long before Tony became a beloved and trusted champion and advocate of low-income people in the state legislature. He went on to work 40+ years as an advocate on policies and legislation related to social justice for all Washingtonians, particularly low-income residents on Medicaid, TANF, and ABD/HEN, Asian Pacific Islanders, immigrants, prisoners and previously incarcerated people, farmworkers, K-12

Tony Lee and son Chris

education equity, jobs initiatives, housing and many, many other issues in the City of Seattle, King County and State of Washington. Tony always devoted his time and attention to those most in need and he never tired of the work. He was brilliant, energetic, charismatic, fiercely loyal and devoted to those he worked for, and his family and friends. Tony has worked with and won the admiration of hundreds of young people developing their careers in the field of service to others. He worked with hundreds of colleagues and humbly took his place on boards and committees, always willing to share his knowledge and skills but never seeking attention for himself. Tony won numerous awards for his leadership on social justice and accepted them with great humility, always stating the team effort involved and how grateful he was to his coworkers and family.

Tony had a beautiful, roaring laugh that he used often and he will be forever remembered for that, as well as all of his good works. Tony enjoyed fine food and travel but also loved staying home with family. He loved large family gatherings and always accepted new people into the fold. Tony was a hero and a champion for social justice his entire life. The loss of his life to ALS was extremely difficult for him and the hundreds of thousands of people who love him. Many, many people, for generations to come, during their working day, will ask themselves before making a decision, "what would Tony do?" Although we no longer hear Tony's laugh, we encourage everyone from the halls of Olympia to the homes and communities in which he worked, to recall and remember. It will bring joy to your heart. Tony was preceded in death by his parents Chang Pei Yu Lee and Wai Lee, his sisters Anna Chen, Lucy Lee, Theresa Lee and Magdalene Lee, and his mother-in-law Pokow Chun. He is survived by his wife Angela Bartels, his son Christopher Lee (Sharon Lee), his step-daughter Anna Bartels of Seattle, WA, his siblings Joseph Lee of Bellevue, WA (Wei Lee), Mary Lee Stanzl and Cecilia Lee of Seattle, Bernadette Shih and Marie Pang of California. Tony is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews and extended family members. A celebration of Tony's life will be held virtually after the first of the year. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Statewide Poverty Action Network at povertyaction. org and Social Justice Fund Northwest at socialjusticefund.org.

NOVEMBER 28 – DECEMBER 4, 2020

YOUR VOICE

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■ NATIONAL NEWS Hawaii health department creates new contact tracing team HONOLULU (AP) — The Hawaii Department of Health has created a contact tracing team that will perform their duties in languages such as Samoan, Marshallese and Chuukese. The new Pacific Islanders Outreach Team will comprise of 10 people who, along with their contacttracing duties, will host online educational seminars about the coronavirus in a viewer’s native language, KITV-TV reported on Nov. 17. Pacific Islanders make up about 4% of the state’s population but have about 28% of the state’s coronavirus

infections, according to state Department of Health data. “I believe the more education the Pacific Islanders can get in a language and culture that speaks to them will help take down that number,’’ said Chantelle Matagi, the leader of the outreach team. Matagi said that some people learn about the coronavirus for the first time during presentations in their native language. “It’s taken away a lot of the fear, the misinformation, it’s addressed that,“ Matagi said. “It’s given them direct information on what to do if you’re positive, what to do

■ COMMUNITY CALENDAR NOV

DEC

SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY $6 FOOD WALK Seattle’s C-ID 10 a.m.-4 p.m. https://fb.me/e/3GA1QfSTA

CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL CEREMONY WITH SPEAKER NANCY PELOSI TO HONOR THE CHINESE AMERICAN WORLD WAR II VETERANS 3 p.m. RSVP by Dec. 3, at speakerRSVP@mail.house.gov

AAPI ARTS & CRAFTS FAIR Dynasty Room Parking Lot, 714 S. King St., Seattle 12-4 p.m.

SUNDAYS VIRTUAL BUNKA NO HI ON YOUTUBE CHANNEL Every Sunday, in November 12 p.m. youtube.com/user/JCCCWA CISC and GFCBW Seattle Chapter Presents: 2020 Giving Thanks Virtual Charity Concert on Sat, Nov 21 at 4 p.m.

KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON NOTICE TO PROPOSERS Proposals will be received for KC000009, Structural and Civil Engineering Work Order for Wastewater Treatment Division; by the King County Procurement and Payables Section, 3rd Floor, 401 Fifth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104, until 12:00 PM on December 11, 2020. There is a 10% minimum requirement for King County Certified Small Contractor and Supplier (SCS) firms on this contract. Total Estimated Price: $1,000,000 (each) King County intends to award two contracts from this RFP. All solicitation documents are published at: https://fa-epvh-saasfaprod1.fa.ocs. oraclecloud.com: 443/fscmUI/faces NegotiationAbstracts? prcBuId=300000001727151 Contact: John Kim, johkim@kingcounty.gov, 206-263-5825

12 KOLLABORATION’S 20TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION Livestream on Facebook and YouTube 3-5 p.m. RSVP at kollaboration.org

if you’re a contact of someone who’s tested positive.’’ The number of infections is thought to be far higher because many people have not been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected with the virus without feeling sick. For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some—especially older adults and people with existing health problems—it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death. 

THURSTON from 1 data and appreciate the feedback we received. We apologize for the negative impact we have caused and removed the monitoring report from our website. “We feel it is important to continue the practice of disaggregating data, so we make equity-based decisions. When

we reviewed our disaggregated data, it showed that our district is systemically meeting the instructional needs of both our Asian and white students and not meeting the instructional needs for our Black, Indigenous, Multi-racial, Pacific Islander, and Latinx students. The intent was never to ignore Asian students as “students of color.”’ 

It’s Storm Season. Are you Ready? Take a quiz to find out and be entered to win an emergency kit! Powerlines.seattle.gov/outage Take Action. Be Prepared.

asianweekly northwest

38 YEARS

NOVEMBER 28 – DECEMBER 4, 2020

■ NATIONAL NEWS

Hawaii requires negative COVID tests prior to arrival

White House Rose Garden adds Japanese American’s sculpture

By CALEB JONES ASSOCIATED PRESS

By DARLENE SUPERVILLE ASSOCIATED PRESS

HONOLULU (AP) — Anyone flying to Hawaii is required to have a negative COVID-19 test result prior to departure for the state, with the new rule going into effect two days before Thanksgiving, Gov. David Ige announced on Nov. 19. Until Nov. 24, passengers flying to the islands using a pre-travel testing program were permitted to arrive and then upload their negative test results to a state database, allowing them to skip two weeks of quarantine. However, some travelers who arrived in Hawaii without their test results wound up later testing positive. That, in part, prompted the rule change, Ige said at a news conference, The Centers for Disease Control has urged people not to travel this year because of a surge in coronavirus cases nationwide. To bypass the 14-day quarantine, travelers must have the correct type of COVID-19 negative test results from one of the state’s trusted testing partners, Ige said.

“If test results are not available before boarding the final leg of their trip, the traveller must quarantine for 14 days or the length of the stay, whichever runs shorter,” he said. Those who arrive without having their negative test results before departure will not be able to skip quarantine, even if their negative results become available shortly after they arrive. Passengers have always had the option to not get tested at all and quarantine in their hotel rooms or homes upon arrival. Travelers will continue to have that option. The rules apply to anyone flying to Hawaii from the U.S. mainland or Japan, both of which have pre-testing programs in place. Ige also said passengers from Canada will soon have the option to get pre-tested and come to Hawaii. For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms that clear up within weeks. But for others, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, the virus can cause severe symptoms and be fatal. The vast majority of people recover. 

WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House Rose Garden has a new addition, but it isn’t a floral variety. Melania Trump announced on Nov. 20 that artwork by Japanese American sculptor Isamu Noguchi has been installed on the east terrace of the famous garden, which she renovated earlier this year. Noguchi is the first Asian American artist to be featured in the White House collection, according to the first lady and the White House Historical Association. He died in 1988. Noguchi’s piece, titled “Floor Frame,’’ was a gift from the privately funded, nonprofit historical association. “This sculpture not only showcases diversity within our nation’s finest art but it also highlights the beautiful contributions of Asian American artists to the landscape of our country,’’ the first lady said in a

statement announcing the installation. Noguchi viewed “Floor Frame’’ as representing the intersection of a tree and the ground, taking on the qualities of both an implied root system and the canopy of a tree, Mrs. Trump’s office said. He envisioned the sculpture placed directly on the ground in order to reconnect viewers to the planet. Noguchi’s work was installed on the east terrace of the Rose Garden to complement the power symbolized by the Oval Office at the west end of the expanse, the White House said. Born in Los Angeles, Noguchi spent most of his childhood in his father’s homeland of Japan. After graduating from high school, Noguchi apprenticed with Gutzon Borglum, who created Mount Rushmore in South Dakota. He later dropped out of Columbia University’s premedical program to pursue a career as a sculptor. 

KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON NOTICE TO BIDDERS Sealed bids will be received by the King County Procurement Services Section, electronically, through the County’s E-Procurement system, until 2:00 PM of bid opening date for the following listed bids. Instructions on how to submit a bid electronically are provided on the County’s website or by following this link: https://www. kingcounty.gov/~/media/depts/finance/procurement/Documents/EProcurement_Supplier_Solicitation_User_Guide_Rev1_2020_ Final_11062020.ashx?la=en King County registered Suppliers interested in bidding on current solicitations must log in to their Supplier Portal to view any current

bid opportunities, express interest, communicate with the Buyer via Message app and/or successfully submit a bid through the E-Procurement system prior to the Close date and time indicated in the solicitation. 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. KC000014 OPENS: 12/08/2020 Mailing Services

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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

YOUR VOICE

■ AT THE MOVIES

NOVEMBER 28 – DECEMBER 4, 2020

asianweekly northwest

“Vanguard”

Sad Jackie Chan slips a few gears the absence of any strong elements of character development, nuance, or memorable dialogue past a few curt, comedic catchphrases. Jackie Chan’s best movies, say, “Rumble in the Bronx,” or “The Legend of Drunken Master,” raised the bar. Those top-notch outings boast action to spare, but alongside character sensibility, memorable villains, meticulous choreography mixing action with comedy (Chan’s explained that he wants his fights to look like dances), and a morality which, while hardly complex, stressed heartening values. Respect others. Respect your elders. Treat others with courtesy. View yourself as part of the whole, not the main By Andrew Hamlin NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY My old cinematic friends called it “whupass.” You spell that either “whupass” or “whoopass.” A twosyllable brand for action films. They are often brainless action films, films that pushed the whupass, or the whoopass, in

I’m thankful for ...

Elizabeth Liu and her fiancé Dr. Melroy D’souza

“I’m grateful for safe and healthy family members and friends. I’m thankful for my colleagues, especially those on the frontline fighting COVID. I’m also grateful for a nation, believing in science, ready to turn the corner to celebrate the beauty of nature and respect the worth of every human life. And I am also blessed to have a soon-to-be life partner in Dr. Melroy D’souza.” —Elizabeth Liu see THANKFUL on 11

event. Acknowledge, no matter how hard it may be, that your enemies today, just might be your friends tomorrow. “Vanguard,” released on Nov. 20, marks Jackie Chan's seventh film with his friend Stanley Tong directing. Tong, also a highlyregarded fight choreographer, boasts a knack for keeping things moving. Sadly, this time out, such motion barely obscures the scarcity of things to actually move. The movie goes all around the world, but it never escapes the shadow of the James Bond franchise, the specter of super-trained agents forever ready to right wrongs. Standard issue whupass, in short. The train’s running, but few new

thrills emerge down the line. This time around, the mission revolves around an endangered Chinese accountant (Jackson Lou), who's crossed the wrong people— or at least the wrong people think he’s crossed them—and needs protection. Given that the film moves between London, Dubai, Zambia, India, and China itself, we must conclude that the poor fellow isn’t safe anywhere and would be better off shot into space. It doesn’t help that his daughter Fareeda (Xu Ruohan) protects endangered species, a passion that’s landed her on the blacklist for black market animal traders. see VANGUARD on 9

asianweekly northwest

NOVEMBER 28 – DECEMBER 4, 2020

■ ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT On dogs, public-shaming, accidental racism, and true love!

38 YEARS

A-pop! A column of API-thangs in popular culture

By Stacy Nguyen NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY What’s up! Hope you are doing well and not spreading a deadly virus to all of your family members this holiday week! In this column, there is honestly a lot of controversy. You are welcome. JAPANESE CELEB LOSES JOB DUE TO EXTRAMARITAL AFFAIR—AS AN AMERICAN, I’M LIKE, WHAAAT? Masahiko Kondo, 56, is a Japanese singer, former J-pop idol during the 1980s, semi-pro racing driver, and owner of Kondo Racing. He seems like a busy dude. But evidently not too busy to step out on his wife. Earlier this month, Japanese gossip magazine Shukan Bunshun reported that he’s been cheating on his wife with a 31-yearold woman. Kondo totally Masahiko Kondo confirmed this in a kind of honesty that I frankly find bizarre coming from a public figure. Furthermore, his employer—Johnny & Associates Inc., one of Japan’s

most powerful talent agencies—publicly shamed the dude and said he was “thoughtless” and “lacked an awareness and sense of responsibility” before the powers that be suspected him indefinitely so that Kondo can think about what he has done. They straight up called it the “right” punishment for “the oldest” talent. Guys, I’m not going to even focus on how oddly puritanical Japan apparently is with its public figures. I’m just so charmed because I live in a country that has been totally okay with our president being a menace to women. How novel! Getting condemned publicly for cheating on your wife! Wow! SACRAMENTO COUNTY DECLARES RACISM A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS—THEN IN A CRUEL TWIST OF FATE, ITS HEALTH DIRECTOR ACTS ALL RACIST! Applause for Sacramento County, California, which is among the latest local governments across the country declaring racism a public health crisis. (That’s right! And it is!) You know what’s unfortunate though? During the passage of the resolution—which was a unanimous decision— Sacramento County Health Director Dr. Peter Beilenson expressed his support by saying, “It’s a crucial thing we need to be doing to address the issues of the African American and brown and yellow folks in our country as well as the white folks.” I know what you’re thinking. Yes, he totally forgot to include red folks.

Actually, the dude has been getting so much earned backlash for calling us Asians yellow. He says he feels really bad about it. He says, “In my 30-year career in public health, I’ve never had an issue like this before.” For the record, social media hasn’t been around for 30 years. So technically, he could have called people by colors before, and he just wasn’t caught. But I get the sentiment of what he was saying. He’s saying: “I very much apologize for that and will certainly use Asian Pacific Islander in the future.” You know what is kind of weird about this whole thing? That he is kind of getting off scot-free over the whole brown thing. Like, I don’t think this dude should be calling people brown, either, man. CARDI B IS SORRY FOR APPROPRIATING HINDU CULTURE ON SHOE MAGAZINE Rapper Cardi B made headlines in a bad way in November when she posed on the cover of Footwear News holding a shoe. On the cover, she is shown with multiple arms, which, according to Footwear News, was meant to be an homage to the Hindu goddess Durga. Clearly no one Hindu was consulted on this idea because a number of violations occurred in the photo: Shoes are banned in temples, Durga is not supposed to be depicted bare-bodied, and she is also not a device used to sell freaking Reeboks, of all things. see A-POP on 9

YOUR VOICE

NOVEMBER 28 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; DECEMBER 4, 2020

asianweekly northwest

38 YEARS

NOVEMBER 28 – DECEMBER 4, 2020

■ PUBLISHER’S BLOG

Giving thanks in the midst of darkness By Assunta Ng NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY

What a year! Nobody saw a pandemic coming. We have endured some impossible times— days that felt like years, and months like a century. Yet, we’ll survive even without family and friends to dine with us during Thanksgiving. Only recently, I said OK to my son for a Zoom dinner, much to his relief. With my daughterin-law’s fabulous cooking, our unity in spirit (yet separated physically), it could be one of the best Thanksgiving feasts for us! I am grateful that our family can adapt and Northwest Asian Weekly is still here... When our newspapers were bleeding financially, from last March to May, like a broken pipe without any chance of repair, a friend said, “It’s time (to quit). You have done enough for the community.” Another friend said, “This is not the way to continue...it’s not worth it.” I did ponder whether we should close down. Our office was empty. The phone stopped ringing. Most people would agree COVID gives us a perfect excuse to end, as newspapers are in decline with or without the virus. Yet, picking the easy path has never been in my nature. My attitude is, wait

and see how things play out. Shutting down during the pandemic is the worst time for a community to lose its voice. It’s also the worst time for my employees to lose their jobs. In retrospect, I am grateful for our struggles and hardships. Our painful experience enables me to see possibilities that I would have never seen. It enlightens me and my team to work harder and smarter in multiple ways. “Take this time to rest and take care of yourself,” I told some of my staff working at home, not realizing that I was the one who needed rest. HIGH DRAMA I am grateful that we have elected Joe Biden, even though President Trump didn’t want to concede. Who could have predicted that even staying at home, watching television news could be just as thrilling as spy movies? This was the most exciting and unusual election I have witnessed in U.S. history since I came to America more than four decades ago. From the Demoractic primary to the presidential election, every episode was a real-life drama of U.S. history. The twists and turns unfolding each week before the election made me hold my breath. We didn’t know the final results until two weeks ago with states flex-

ing their muscles to show their might. Which state determined Biden’s win? Was it Georgia, Arizona, Pennsylvania or all of three? Had we shut down in May, we would have lost the opportunity to cover historical moments. It’s nail-biting to watch even the number of votes in key battleground states. And the presidential debates were equally exciting, a little messy, but entertaining. It gave me hope and bliss to see Joe Biden and Kamala Harris win. The most powerful and historical moment was when Harris, the first Asian, Black, and female Vice President of the United States, joined President-elect Biden on stage on victory night, Nov. 7, in Delaware. What spectacular fireworks afterwards! ELECTION BROUGHT US LUCK With sheltering in, how could we connect with candidates and convince them to support ethnic media by buying political advertisements? All candidate forums were Zoomed. I thought we lost opportunities to bring in much-needed income to help us survive. I was wrong. About 20 candidates and groups advertised in both Asian Weekly and see BLOG on next page

NOVEMBER 28 – DECEMBER 4, 2020

YOUR VOICE BLOG from previous page Chinese Post. The unexpected recordbreaking number of political ads for both publications, print and online thanks to my crew, gave us much hope to celebrate. We are grateful to all the candidates and organizations. Thank you, thank you. OUR RECORD-BREAKING JOURNALISM AWARDS At our Lunar New Year dinner in January, I announced to our amazing writers that we would increase the rates for every article they wrote. They deserved it. Then COVID struck... We had to cut back on everything, from publishing the number of pages to staff hours. I felt miserable when I had to call each staff member personally. Surprisingly, everyone understood and one even consoled me not to worry. It was especially hard for me to withdraw my offer from the freelancers, as they were already getting so little pay. However, none of our writers quit. Instead, they poured their heart and soul in their stories and they won 24 journalism awards on Oct. 9 from the Washington Newspapers Publishers Association. About 58 community newspapers participated. Mahlon Meyer received eight awards from covering business to community stories. No one in our 38 years of existence has ever won that many awards. Their loyalty moved me to tears. A couple even said they wanted to volunteer. “I almost had a heart attack,” wrote reporter Kai Curry. “I thought this email (not increasing rates) was going to be a lot worse. I know this is a terrible time for small businesses and I understand and support your decisions. I am willing to help keep the Weekly going. Please do not pay me for April...I hope it will be a small donation in this tough time. Also, please do not be silent if the Weekly's situation deteriorates further. I have a little bit set aside, and I

would be able to make a donation if things were dire. “The Weekly—you, Ruth, John, your husband—have been there for me through what were some very tough times in my life...The Weekly has given me so many things that do not have a price tag... and my own 15 minutes of fame at the top of the Space Needle interviewing the cast of Crazy Rich Asians.” Our writers’ commitment to Asian Weekly was never about money. We are so grateful for the journalism recognitions and our writers’ contribution. Thank you writers for your devotion and support. LIFE-SAVING SUPPORTERS During the early days of the pandemic, a tsunami of advertisers emailed and called to cancel their advertisements. I really believed we were done. But miracles happened repeatedly. Call them supporters, readers, and community advocates. They reached out to lift up the Asian Weekly when we were in crisis. Community leader Bettie Luke was the first one to send us a check and card to encourage us, followed by attorney Charles Herrmann. “I’d like to increase our advertisements,” said Herrmann. That message sounded surreal. It was a generous offer. A few days later, Markham McIntyre of the Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce emailed me, “How can I help?” And then, Elaine Ishihara, of Asian Pacific Islander Coalition Advocating Together, emailed that she liked to advertise in both papers. Tim Otani of Union Bank, an event sponsor, knew that we couldn’t have an event due to the pandemic. But he checked with us to see how he could offer support. A few days later, Pradeepta Upadhyay of InterIm emailed us to advertise. I was grateful for their gesture. These people came to help us at a critical juncture, even if they didn’t know it. But they have rescued us from falling, and we are grateful.

VANGUARD from 5 Enter “Vanguard,” a super-secret organization designed to protect anyone good and right. A long look inside their super-secret (but somehow huge and sprawling) headquarters turns up, eventually, Jackie Chan himself as the leader, Tang Huanting. He’s sitting behind a desk. He’s wearing glasses. This doesn’t bode well for the action/comedy master we know and love. And indeed Chan doesn’t take the lead for the early action sequences. Tong, who also wrote the script, rolls out some newcomers to take the heat: Lei Zhenyu (Yang Yang), Zhang Haixuan (Ai Lun), and Miya (Mu Qimiya). They’re all young. They’re all pretty. They’re all remarkably fit. They all seem to be doing at least a

A-POP from 6 In response to getting called out for this, Cardi said, “If people think I’m offending their culture or their religion, I want to say I’m sorry. That was not my intent. I do not like disrespecting nobody’s religion. … Maybe I should have done my research. I’m sorry, I can’t change the past, but I will do more research for the future.” Cardi really shouldn’t have trusted Footwear News to do the Googling. WHO DAT API?! Hey, guys. Here’s my very sporadic and random roundup of cool APIs that I have accidentally seen on TV. This list is never comprehensive, just circumstantial! Linh Iacona, Vania Zuniga, and Kioni “Kentucky” Russell Gallahue, seen on Amazon Prime Video’s “The Pack” “The Pack” is a reality show featuring dogs and their owners (or as I like to say, their human mommies and daddies). Each team goes around the world competing in athletic challenges for a chance to win $500,000. The show is def super duper American (every contestant is beautiful-looking and TV-ready, there’s

We lost so many long-time advertisers during this period that we couldn’t even keep track. But we understand they are hurting, too. The whole community has been hurting. What we have lost came back in another form. COVID presents a health crisis, it also creates opportunities. Several health ads from government and private corporations knocked on our door. We are grateful for their series of ads and attractive contracts. A BETTER BODY Early this year, I was reading a book, “How to Do Nothing,” by Jenny Odell. Ironically, it prepared me to define productivity in a meaningful way. Looking busy at your desk and a full schedule don’t necessarily mean you are productive. The author taught us to find joy in doing simple things, such as walking in nature, finding ducks in a lake, and bird-watching. How fortunate I was to stumble upon the book in the library before shutdown. The lockdown forced me to slow down and focus on self-care. I thought my health was great as my body was often full of energy. A few years ago, an acupuncturist told me when you don’t feel tired, it doesn’t necessarily mean you have good health. “You are stressed out because your body does not feel tired after long hours of work. It’s not a good sign when your body resists fatigue and rest.” Now, I understand what he meant. I used to have poor sleep, cold hands and feet during winter. Not only has my sleep improved the past months, my hands, feet, nose, and ears are warm at bedtime without needing a hot pad. Sheltering-in has given me a completely new body. I can feel the difference of my body then and now. ORIGINAL THANKSGIVING STILL APPLIES TODAY The history of Thanksgiving began in

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1621 when the Pilgrims celebrated their safety, food, and support from Native Americans. They witnessed the deaths of loved ones during their journey from England to America and even after they arrived, just like our pandemic. This Thanksgiving, we celebrated our survival. No matter what happens, we still have food on our table, and the support of family and friends. Being alive is an immense gift. If you and your family are doing OK, you should thank God and/or the people who help you. If you have loved ones who suffered from COVID, you still should. Things could be worse. This mental exercise will spare you from mental agony, at least for a short while. It’s enough to shift our mindset to a relaxed state of being. Pause a while and write down the good things that happen in your life. Like us, our struggles are part of our journey. We are more resilient after challenges. A Zoom dinner with your family is not ideal, but it’s still good. I am looking forward to Thanksgiving. As long as we have some activities and celebrations in our lives, it’s better than nothing. Finding options are survival strategies. Being happy about small things will keep us going. For those who complain that you have nothing to be thankful for, think again! Reflect hard and deep. Go years back. In times of crisis, such as dealing with COVID and our election, gratitude saves the day. Please don’t take life for granted. Many people long for your blessings and what you have! Give thanks to what you have, and don’t focus on what you don’t have—message of the Pilgrims. So whatever gifts you receive in 2020, cherish them, as they may vanish next year.  Assunta can be reached at assunta@nwasianweekly.com.

reasonable amount of their own fight work (bolstered by Tong again, who collaborated with several others on the fight sequences). But they don’t carry a movie, or a fight, the way Jackie Chan could in his prime. A rundown in a kitchen leads to all kinds of cookware and implements thrown around. It moves, but it reminds longtime fans of how many times Chan’s used a kitchen as a battleground. They run all over the planet, running down the bad guys. But that reminds us of how Chan used to do it faster, smarter, and sweeter. With a smile. And Jackie Chan himself? When he finally comes out from behind the desk, he manages okay. Even with the glasses. But only okay. Sad to see him in the twilight of his physical prime. He looks back on a lifetime of

filmmaking (he started out in front of a camera at age 8), a lifetime of broken bones, and the inevitable toll of aging. He’s still lovable and he will always be loveable. The time’s come, though, for him to concentrate on straight dramatic roles, and/or singing (he manages one of the soundtrack tunes quite ably). Chan just about drowned doing one of the stunts shown here. The obligatory set of outtakes, played over the credits, seems to show the actual footage. He laughs it off, just as he’s always laughed off danger. But why all these unnecessary risks, at his age, with so shallow a gain? 

a lot of slow-motion PG-porn of cute dogs running in water, and the suspenseful editing will drive you mad as it entertains you). I loved it. I was super glad to see APIs rep with their pooches. (FYI, I am guessing Kentucky is API from looks alone. I actually am not 100 percent sure. Do you happen to know?)

to get together because there’s a narrative arc they have to follow. The maternal side of Lily’s family is Japanese! Her dad is white! She sometimes doesn’t feel pretty because she’s Asian. What girl can’t relate? It was cool to see Jodi Long and James Saito on screen together. Saito played Oroku Saki—aka the original Shredder—don’t even pretend like you didn’t know. 

VIEN HONG, SEEN ON ABC’S “THIS IS US” Vien Hong plays a new mysterious character named Hai on “This is Us,” but I prefer to call him ‘Hot Viet Grandpa.’ Not much is known so far about Hot Viet Grandpa, just that he likes to fish and was in an interracial relationship with a woman who seems to be the love of his life. I can’t say anymore. I don’t want to spoil it for you.

Stacy Nguyen can be reached at stacy@nwasianweekly.com.

MIDORI FRANCIS, TROY IWATA, JODI LONG, JAMES SAITO, JENNIFER IKEDA, AND AGNEET THACKER, SEEN ON NETFLIX’S “DASH & LILY” “Dash & Lily” is a cute rom-com series for the Gen-Z crowd, about a boy and a girl who are probably meant for each other, but they take the entirety of 12 episodes

Andrew can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.

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38 YEARS

NOVEMBER 28 – DECEMBER 4, 2020

CLASSIFIED noTiCE

noTiCE

Plaintiffs: Arun nagarajan and indhu Sivaramakrishnan Defendants: Lian and Susan Chen Summons is for Susan Chen Cause number 19-2-23880-1 SEA Summons Language: TO: SUSAN CHEN You are hereby summoned to appear within sixty days after the date of the first publication of this summons, to wit, within sixty days after the 22st day of October, 2020, and defend the above entitled action in the above entitled court, and answer the complaint of the Plaintiffs, Arun Nagarajan and Indhu Sivaramakrishnan, and serve a copy of your answer upon the undersigned attorney for the plaintiffs, Douglas Wilson at his office below stated: and in case of your failure so to do, judgment will be rendered against you according to the demand of the complaint, which has been filed with the clerk of said court. The action involved damages to the Plaintiff’s trees and outrageous conduct of the defendants. Plaintiff Attorney: Douglas Wilson, Law office of Douglas Wilson, P.o. Box 15631, Seattle WA 98115. DATED this ___4th_ day of october, 2020.

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and Cushing Terrell, two firms with expertise in brand architecture and grocery store design, respectively. Together, they performed research to identify the store’s different customer types: the “loyalist” who’s familiar with Uwajimaya, its offerings, and where to quickly find them in the store, and the “explorer” who might be a first-time visitor and needs extra information to navigate the space. With this intel, the team created a customer journey that bridged yet served these specific needs. This began with improving the store’s overall flow—how a customer moves through the space, from beginning to end. Previously, the check stands were in the middle of the store, which made it confusing to identify exit points. The remodel positions the cashiers by the store entrance, making it clear which direction to move in when transactions are complete. Another noticeable difference is the store’s new shelf rotation. With the shelves turned away from the entrance, customers can now walk in and see to the other end of the store. This helps guests quickly scan the layout and find key departments like produce, deli, and the sashimi island. From lighting fixtures to the paint selection, the interior design focuses on a clean aesthetic while colors are used to emphasize more fun and exploratory areas, like the snack section. “Whether it was merchandising, design, or our offerings, we wanted the store to have continuity as customers moved throughout the space, but

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recognized the importance of crafting distinct experiences for key areas,” said Miye. “Each expression of food, whatever it was, came out in the interior design while we had [design] ‘constants’ to tie the store together as a whole.” Different natural materials like metal and steel keep the overall look neutral, said Miye, while warmer elements, like the yakisugi-inspired wood paneling that appears at the sashimi island, give it a refined, restaurant-quality feel. The result is a modern design fused with traditional woodwork that pays homage to Uwajimaya’s Japanese roots. “It’s a blend of our history and future,” said Denise of the interior design. “We want to honor our past and Asian roots, but move forward with new thinking. It’s the balance of old and new worlds, Asia and the Pacific Northwest—just embracing the duality of our company’s identity.” CHALLENGES AND COVID-19 The remodel also presented unique challenges. As the anchor retailer in Uwajimaya Village—a cluster of businesses that include Kinokuniya Bookstore, several restaurants in Uwajimaya’s food hall, the Uwajimaya Apartments atop the supermarket, and more—Uwajimaya had to consider not only the least disruptive remodel for customers, but also their fellow businesses. Since Uwajimaya was considered an essential business, it remained open during the first lockdown, which kept their renovation on schedule. However, other retailers had to temporarily close,

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like Kinokuniya, who shut its doors for three months. Although the bookstore has since reopened, the closure was a difficult set-back for the retailer. And even though Uwajimaya stayed open, it didn’t have an ideal atmosphere with ongoing construction underway. Because the Uwajimaya team pursued an “occupied remodel,” which means construction is done in systematic phases, the store never had to close because of the renovation. However, the year-long construction meant that departments were regularly shuffled or blocked off, which made for a poor shopping experience. The flagship’s location also has a broad customer base. Given its proximity to Pioneer Square, SoDo, and the waterfront, it’s historically relied on office workers, sports fans, and tourists for sales. But with many companies going remote, and with the cancellation of sports games and incoming cruise ships, the International District has seen a significant decline in business. Meanwhile, Uwajimaya’s other locations in Bellevue, Renton, and Beaverton, Ore., have continued to cultivate strong sales. Denise attributes this to store locations in more residential, suburban neighborhoods where people are more likely to eat in and stay home, while the flagship relies on city workers and visitors. Before the coronavirus, the store had already started to see a slowdown, and with people refraining from in-person shopping once the lockdown went into effect, there were fewer customers to contend with during construction. “I go back and forth,” said Denise.

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“Did the remodel’s timing work out? It’s almost like it was fortuitous for the remodel to happen during that time.” Despite newly announced lockdown measures as well as winter on the horizon, Denise remains optimistic about the store’s outlook, especially with new tech modifications in place. Uwajimaya partnered with the grocery delivery app Instacart for local deliveries, and all locations have curbside pickup for shoppers who’d like to avoid crowds and get groceries without leaving their car. Like their remodel, the Uwajimaya team’s looking into additional delivery channels to continue modernizing their shopping experience. “We need to think of new ways to serve our customers,” said Denise. “But at the end of the day, they still need to eat.”  Vivian Nguyen can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.

SOLUTION from SUDOKU on page 4.

NOVEMBER 28 – DECEMBER 4, 2020

YOUR VOICE

■ ASTROLOGY

asianweekly northwest

Predictions and advice for the week of November 28–December 4, 2020 By Sun Lee Chang Rat—Are you not getting enough for what you put in? Consider redirecting your energy.

Dragon—What started out as a low stakes game could actually yield much more than you expected.

Monkey—Making a space your own is worth the effort. A few personal touches will make you feel right at home.

Ox—Your image has gone through some changes, but it is how you feel about yourself that matters most.

Snake—Are you feeling a tad sluggish today? Perhaps a short walk outside will help you to get in gear.

Rooster—Concerned that you are getting only part of the story? Ask questions to fill in the blanks.

Tiger—Even the best laid plans can’t account for everything. Just be flexible when necessary.

Horse—Tread carefully in the area of money and family. Baggage from one could easily weigh heavily on the other.

Dog—Staying connected is becoming more difficult lately. Consider using technology to reach out if you can’t do so in person.

Rabbit—Stay attuned to new developments. It will allow you to hit the ground running if called upon.

Goat—Excitement can be overrated. Something as simple as a good movie at home could be quite satisfying.

Pig—A rapidly changing situation shouldn’t be ignored. By paying attention, you should be able to stay ahead of the pack.

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.

THANKFUL from 5

Nina Huang (center) with husband and daughter

“I’m extremely thankful for my family this year because I became a mom in August! Watching her grow has been so much fun, and I am especially grateful that when I return to work in January, I won’t be too far from her because I’ll be working remotely.” —Nina Huang

“I would have to say that I am grateful for all of my family. But particularly, my immediate family—Galen, Aaron, and Maya.” —Jon Kawaguchi

The Kawaguchi family on a trip to Mexico two years ago (L to R): Galen, Aaron, Maya and Jon Photo courtesy of Jon Kawaguchi

“There are so many blessings… yes! Even in 2020! I am especially thankful for my good health and getting more fit during the pandemic, for the people in my life, and getting to do work that I love.” Ruth Bayang

—Ruth Bayang

The Northwest Asian Weekly & Seattle Chinese Post would like to thank the following persons and organizations for advertising their political campaigns before the election. We appreciate your business and support during this economic crisis. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family! • Congressman Adam Smith • Superintendent of Education Chris Reykdal • Rep. Tina Orwall • Rep.-elect Jamila Taylor • Rep. Cindy Ryu • Rep.-elect Davina Duerr • Rep. Mia Gregerson • King County Superior Court Judge-elect Hillary Madsen • Attorney General Bob Ferguson • Gov. Jay Inslee • Justice Raquel Montoya-Lewis • State Sen.-elect T'wina Nobles • Rep.-elect Kirsten Harris-Talley • Judge Doug North • Congress member-elect Marilyn Strickland • Rep. Zach Hudgins • Candidate Chukundi Salisbury • Sharon Tomiko Santos

Organizations: • APACE • King County Democrats • AARP Washington • 37th LD Democrats • King County Office of Elections • Asian Pacific Islander Coalition of Washington State • ACRS • Ref. 90 Yes campaign • Seattle Prop 1

asianweekly northwest

38 YEARS

NOVEMBER 28 – DECEMBER 4, 2020

KEIRO from 1 into financial problems. Shelter Holdings initially announced it would use the property to allow Mary’s Place to house homeless families before the building was torn down and a mixed-use building with apartments and street-front stores was built. Chan, a former board member of Keiro, said his understanding was “the deal never came to fruition because a short-term lease wasn’t good for Mary’s Place.” Mary’s Place was not available for comment as of press time. The next bidder was Africatown Community Land Trust, which a few months ago said it was interested in purchasing the property to develop affordable housing on the model of some of its other properties. However, the more recent plan, announced by KCEN (of which Africatown is a member), garnered the support of City Councilmember Kshama Sawant last month, who proposed the city use funds earmarked for the police or a tax on Amazon and other corporations to raise the money and purchase the building. However, Africatown is also considering other approaches to raise funds. “Africatown Community Land Trust is currently working through details of assembling institutional financing,” said K. Wyking Garrett, CEO of Africatown Community Land Trust (ACLT) and a member of King County Equity Now Coalition, in an email. He said Africatown is holding a capital campaign, which is accepting contributions. The price Shelter Holding is asking, $13.8 million, is 25% higher than its purchase price one year ago. KCEN has already asked the real estate company if it would donate the property and take a tax write-off, said Garrett. If it is able to acquire the Keiro building, KCEN hopes to further its mission of empowering the Black community and other communities of color that have been marginalized in manifold ways throughout history. “The mayor and many other elected officials have articulated on many occasions that systemic racism expressed in policies and practices have harmed the Black community in Seattle for decades,” said Garrett. House Bill 1918 from 2019 also speaks to such harms, he said. The bill addresses “community preservation.”

“Where damages have been done to deny and marginalize, there should definitely be remedies enacted to remediate, restore, and repair,” he added. A statement in support of the effort, from the CID Coalition, squarely linked the oppression of Asians, Asian Americans, and other marginalized groups with that experienced by Blacks, although emphasizing that Black communities have suffered more severely. “Decades of defunding housing, education, and healthcare for Black, brown, immigrant, and refugee families and communities, while steadily increasing the City’s policing budget, has only widened racial and economic disparities—especially for our Black neighbors who have been most directly impacted by police violence and gentrification,” it said. At the same time, it tied the plan to purchase Keiro with city funds and donate it to KECN to the Black Lives Matter-inspired movement to defund the police. “It’s time to break this cycle of disinvestment and inequity by reallocating the City’s budget away from criminalizing Black, Indigenous, and POC communities and instead towards supporting community selfdetermination, safety, and health,” the statement said. However, when asked in a follow-up email to comment on the division within the CID over policies toward the homeless, the Coalition demurred. Blacks are disproportionately overrepresented in the homeless population, between 40-50% while only representing 8-10% of the population, according to Garrett. “The community has solutions and should be in control of the resources that are allocated to impact our lives,” he said. Moreover, homelessness is a magnet for many groups with vulnerabilities. According to government statistics, 11% of people experiencing homelessness are veterans. And at least 80% of those that use drugs became addicted by first becoming hooked to opioids that were given to them by friends, family, or medical personnel. The figure rises to 85% for younger users. The figures also show that almost half of all veterans experiencing homelessness are Black or Latino, even though their proportion among veterans overall is only 10% and 3%, respectively. The city, meanwhile, has been inconsistent in its

policies. Former Mayor Ed Murray established a Navigation Center and team to provide services to the homeless. While under Mayor Jenny Durkan, sweeps of encampments have begun, then halted as some council members argued they would contribute to spreading the coronavirus, citing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Meanwhile, homelessness remains a problem for everyone, said Chan. Business owners face loss of business and harassment of customers. And people experiencing homelessness face a variety of challenges. “The complexity of just living can be daunting,” he said. “They shouldn’t be criminalized, being poor isn’t a crime.” The plan is so recent, however, it is not clear how the differing attitudes toward homelessness in the CID might affect its implementation. Some details are clear about KCEN’s plan, though. “In the short-term, the existing Keiro building will be used to provide emergency housing supported by culturally responsive services and resources on site,” said Garrett. “Long-term, it will be redeveloped as affordable housing which is critical to addressing homelessness caused by the high cost of housing.” Garrett also said that the facility would not have to be torn down to provide emergency relief for those experiencing homelessness. “The Keiro site can facilitate housing for up to 200 people as it is currently configured,” he said. One idea to contribute to the plan would involve bringing in an established local agency to provide substance abuse treatment for those needing it among the homeless population. Fred Kiga, another former Keiro board member, suggested involving the International Community Health Service (ICHS), opening up all sorts of possibilities for serving all marginalized communities with roots in the area. “ICHS might be able to do this as a project that serves the homeless and seniors providing affordable health care, that would help all people of color, too,” he said.  To support Africatown’s capital campaign, go to: africatownlandtrust.org. Mahlon can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.

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