VOL 40 NO 21 | MAY 22 – MAY 28, 2021

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

VOL 40 NO 21 MAY 22 – MAY 28, 2021

FREE 39 YEARS YOUR VOICE

Photo by Randy Wo-Eng

Rallies for JOHN HUYNH and an end to anti-Asian violence

A crowd marches through the Chinatown-International District on May 15 to demand justice for John Huynh and end anti-Asian violence.

Wing Luke’s executive director retiring The Board of Trustees of the Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience announced on May 14 that longtime executive director, Beth Takekawa, will retire.

Her last day will be July 31.

“I’ve loved getting up in the morning to work at a place that honors my community and ancestors, and is filled with the generations who followed, who won’t allow our stories to be forgotten,” Takekawa said. “When I became executive director 14 years ago, I was so afraid to fail. Over the years, I’ve come to understand that it is the community who truly owns the Wing Luke Museum, and who refused to let the Museum or me fail.”

Photo by Kim-Khanh Van

see TAKEKAWA on 15

Congress OKs bill to fight hate crimes vs. Asian Americans

Photo by George Liu

Community healing rally at Bothell City Hall on May 14.

Linda (right) and Binh Huynh spoke at a rally at Hing Hay Park on May 15.

Rallies were held across western Washington over the last weekend, to remember John Huynh, who was killed in a recent Bothell stabbing, and also in an effort to end anti-Asian hate.

Huynh’s sisters, Linda and Binh, flew in from the East Coast to attend the rallies in Bothell on May 14 and in the ChinatownInternational District (ID) on May 15.

At the ID rally, local artist Son Duong gifted the Huynh sisters with a portrait he painted of their brother.

“It was very emotional meeting them and to hear their stories about John,” he shared on Instagram.

The sisters spoke at the rally, along with the community and elected leaders. Together, they are pushing for a hate crime charge to be added to the second-degree murder charge that suspect Patrick Williams is facing. 

■

WASHINGTON (AP) — Congress approved legislation on May 18 intended to curtail a striking rise in hate crimes against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, sending President Joe Biden a bipartisan denunciation of the spate of brutal attacks that have proliferated during coronavirus pandemic.

The bill, which the House passed on a 364-62 vote, will expedite the review of hate crimes at the Justice Department and make grants available to help local law enforcement agencies improve their investigation, identification and reporting of incidents driven by bias, which often go underreported. It previ-

Photo provided by office of Rep. Marilyn Strickland

By BRIAN SLODYSKO

Reps. Judy Chu, Mark Takano, Marilyn Strickland, and Al Green at a press conference on the need to pass the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act.

ously passed the Senate 94-1 in April after lawmakers reached a

see BILL on 13

THE INSIDE STORY

COMMUNITY NEWS One year later: COVID-19 survivor Michael Flor recounts his close encounter  6

AAPI HERITAGE MONTH Leaders share their thoughts 8 COMMUNITY NEWS API Heritage Celebration  7

ON THE SHELF Parents, they’re far from perfect 9

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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asianweekly northwest

39 YEARS

MAY 22 – MAY 28, 2021

■ NAMES IN THE NEWS Ahn earns Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship

Kiseuk (Ki) Ahn, who will graduate this spring from Bellevue College (BC), was recently named a recipient of the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation’s Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship.

Ahn will get up to $40,000 a year to complete his bachelor’s degree at Stanford University.

He was one of 72 students Kiseuk (Ki) Ahn chosen from the more than 1,500 students who applied.

At BC, Ahn founded the STEM Student Association and is a member of the NASA-funded Rocketry club. He’s also a 2020 All-Washington Academic Team Scholar, NASA Space Grant Scholar, and a NASA Community College Aerospace Scholar.

He currently interns for the NASA Langley Research Center, and holds a High Level Rocketry Level 1 certification. 

Shin Yu Pai is Town Hall Seattle’s program director

Town Hall Seattle announced that local programs producer, curator, and author Shin Yu Pai will join the team as a fulltime program director, assuming the role on May 28.

“I’ve been deeply excited to see Town Hall’s evolution towards becoming an antiracist institution and can’t wait to work every day with Shin Yu Pai so many smart, committed, thoughtful peers and colleagues who have deeply supported my work for the

past three years,” said Pai. Pai was a Henry M. Jackson Foundation fellow from 2018 to 2019 and has also studied leadership with the Asian Pacific American Women’s Leadership Institute and Naropa University.

She has also published 10 books of poetry, and been published in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., China, and Taiwan.

She holds a master’s degree in museology from the University of Washington and received her MFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. 

Gowri Shankar named VCPA at UW Bothell

Dr. Gowri Shankar has been named the vice chancellor for Planning & Administration at the University of Washington (UW) Bothell after a university-wide search. Shankar had served as the interim vice chancellor since June 2019.

Shankar will oversee financial planning and accounting, campus facilities Dr. Gowri Shankar and space planning, governmental and community relations, information technology, and human resources.

Shankar has taught in the School of Business at UW Bothell since 2000, and received the UW Distinguished Teaching Award in 2008.

Before starting his academic career, Shankar worked in multinational companies in India and Nigeria. He holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in accounting and finance from Bangalore University and the Indian Institute of Management-Ahmedabad, and he received his doctorate from Syracuse University. 

#OSAYS core team. From left: Mari Horita, Mimi Gan, Maya Mendoza-Exstrom, Betti Fujikado, and Katherine Cheng.

Gupta, among others. Baldwin, a former Seahawks football player, shares fond memories of the aromas and flavors of the food his Filipina grandmother made. Other videos will take people on similarly personal journeys.

The campaign grew out of a conversation last month amongst Mimi Gan, Betti Fujikado, Maya Mendoza-Exstrom, Mari Horita, and Katherine Cheng—who now lead the project as its volunteer executive team.

You can create and share videos of yourself, your family, friends and employees and use #OSAYS, @OurStoriesAreYourStories, @WingLukeMuseum.org to share on your social channels. The #OSAYS team will cross promote it. 

Kim launches independent practice

#OSAYS campaign

The OurStoriesAreYourStories (#OSAYS) campaign launched in celebration of AAPI Heritage month to showcase AAPI voices in the greater Seattle area, is a video series including Doug Baldwin, Gary Locke, and Dr. Vin

Former Seattle Deputy Mayor Hyeok Kim

Former Seattle Deputy Mayor Hyeok Kim has launched an independent consulting practice called Insa Consulting.

“Insa,” the Korean word for “greeting,” reflects both Hyeok’s heritage and her approach to public affairs, community relations, and organizational development. 

Coronavirus and Travel: What You Should Know At the Airport

U.S. airports sanitize public interfaces multiple times a day and provide hand sanitizer throughout airline ticket and boarding areas.

Major airlines require passengers to wear masks onboard and throughout the airports. Non-compliance may result in a ban from future flights.

Enhanced precautions during airport screening required by the TSA: • putting personal items into carry-on bags • staying 6 feet from others

Changing/Canceling Trips

Providers are offering steep discounts on travel packages.

Temporary reprieves on change or cancellation penalties to allay travel concerns have been introduced—including allowing no-fee changes and cancellations on new bookings.

On the Plane

Airlines augmented disinfection procedures, including rear-plane boarding to reduce close contact. Passengers and crew must wear masks while boarding and disembarking and during the flight.

Passengers are advised to wipe down the sitting area: seats, armrests and tray table. Wipe down touch screen and controls before and after use.

If anybody around you is sick, get off the airplane.

The CDC’s No Sail order for cruise lines has been lifted, replaced with a Conditional Sailing Order.

Hotel chains have also loosened cancellation policies, waiving change and cancellation fees normally applied to nonrefundable rates.

Learn more about COVID-19 vaccination at aarp.org/vaccineinfo Scan here to download free COVID-19 vaccine handbook

MAY 22 – MAY 28, 2021

YOUR VOICE

asianweekly northwest

3

■ COMMUNITY HEALTH

Washington state COVID news, updates, resources, and services

Mental health & well-being

This can be a stressful time. It is normal that you or your loved ones might feel anxious, sad, scared or angry.

You are not alone. It is okay to seek out and ask for help.

The resources here are a good place to start.

If you are experiencing excess stress due to COVID-19, call Washington Listens (833-681-0211) for support and resources.

• Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255 • Crisis Text Line provides confidential text access from anywhere in the U.S. to a trained crisis counselor.

Text HOME to 741741 (24/7/365) • Crisis Connections is a 24-hour crisis line that connects people in physical, emotional and financial crisis to services. Call 866-4-CRISIS (866-427-4747) • Teen Link: call or text 866-833-6546

Self care

• If you need someone to talk to about stress due to COVID-19, call Washington Listens at 1-833-681-0211.

Someone is available to talk from Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and weekends from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. TTY and language access services are available.

• Warm Line for people living with emotional and mental health challenges: 877-500-WARM (877-5009276)

• Smartphone apps (Healthy Minds Program, HowRightNow.org, Calm, Happify, Headspace, COVID Coach from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs)

“Coping with COVID” podcast and blog series

Did you know that a pandemic is a type of natural disaster? Disasters have known impacts on our behavioral health. In this series of conversations, disaster psychologist Kira Mauseth, PhD and psychiatrist Doug Dicharry, MD discuss how the COVID-19 pandemic impacts us—what we’re feeling, why we’re feeling it, and what we can do about it.  Go to medium.com/wadepthealth.

■ COMMUNITY NEWS Fundraiser for Deng’s studio A fundraiser is underway to help a local Chinese artist recover and rebuild his damaged studio.

On April 27, someone set fire to the Gee How Oak Tin building on 515 7th Avenue South, which houses Deng’s Studio and Art Gallery.

Deng Duoli, the studio owner, told the Northwest Asian Weekly he had basic insurance coverage, but none for the estimated 1,000 paintings and other works of art.

And ever since the fire, there have been three break-ins.

A GoFundMe page, organized by Victor Ng, stated, “Due to social distancing, Mr. Deng has not been able to hold painting classes as normal and, like all other

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establishments in Chinatown, weathered through the tough economic year. As the pandemic continues to run its course, Deng's Studio has recently taken another significant hit.”

Ng wants to help Deng rebuild his art studio and replenish his art supplies.

“Due to the pandemic, the art supplies (traditional rice paper, pigm fireents, and brushes from China) will be harder to secure and more expensive to replace. Any donation, big or small, will greatly help,” wrote Ng. To donate, go to: bit.ly/3bAZX9y 

Deng’s Studio has suffered from three break-ins since the fire.

Officer Jing Wu recently dropped by to check in with the owner.

KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON NOTICE TO PROPOSERS Sealed bids will be received for KC000233, Dockton Moorage Renovation Phase 1B; by the King County Procurement and Payables Section, via the E-Procurement system, until 1:30:59pm on 6/8/21. Late bids will not be accepted. The public bid opening will only be conducted on-line following the Bid Close Date and Time; see Invitation to Bid for details.

There is a 15% minimum Apprentice Utilization Requirement on this contract.

There is a 10% minimum requirement for King County Certified Small Contractors and Suppliers (SCS) on this contract.

King County in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 78 Stat. 252, 42 USC 2000d to 2000d-4 and Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, Department of Transportation, Subtitle A, Office of the Secretary, Part 21, Nondiscrimination in Federally-Assisted Programs of the Department of Transportation issued pursuant to such Act, hereby notifies all bidders that it will affirmatively ensure that in any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, disadvantaged business enterprises

as defined at 49 CFR Part 26 will be afforded full opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, national origin, or sex in consideration for an award.

Synopsis: This project provides for the routine maintenance and repair on the Dockton Pier located in the Marina of Dockton Park, approximately 500 feet northwest from 9500 SW Dock Street.

The project includes in-water work, removing 15 timber piles, removing access float, gangway float, installation of 14 steel piles and other work, in accordance with the attached Plans, these Special Provisions, the Standard Specifications, the KCRDCS, and the APWA/WSDOT Standard Plans for Road, Bridge, and Municipal Construction.

Estimated contract price: $1,353,838.00 Prospective bidders can view more details at: https://kingcounty.gov/procurement/solicitations Complete Invitation to Bid Documents, including all project details, specifications, and contact information are available on our web page at: https:// kingcounty.gov/procurement/supplierportal

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asianweekly northwest

MAY 22 – MAY 28, 2021

■ COMMUNITY NEWS Police arrest man for selling drugs in ID

Officers working a narcotics operation in the ChinatownInternational District arrested a 47-year-old man on May 11 and recovered two firearms and narcotics, including fentanyl.

Around 6 p.m., officers spotted the man who they believed was selling narcotics in the 800 block of South King Street. Officers stopped him and found he was carrying two handguns, 4.1 grams of methamphetamines, 2.7 grams of crack cocaine, 28 fentanyl pills, and $2,678 in cash.

Officers booked the man into King County Jail for various narcotics charges. 

■ NATIONAL NEWS

Qinxuan Pan, UW grad, arrested in murder of Yale student

By DAVE COLLINS ASSOCIATED PRESS

Qinxuan Pan

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — A fugitive wanted in the killing of a Yale graduate student in Connecticut in February was arrested on May 14 in Alabama, U.S. marshals said.

An international arrest warrant had been issued

for Qinxuan Pan on murder and larceny charges in connection with the killing of Kevin Jiang on a New Haven street on Feb. 6. Marshals offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to Pan’s arrest.

U.S. marshals said Pan, 30, was taken into custody see PAN on 12

39 YEARS

Seattle man gives out whistles, personal alarms in CID Loi Madison is continuing his efforts to stop AAPI hate and violence in Seattle.

According to a GoFundMe page he created, he goes to the ChinatownInternational District every weekend and passes out whistles and personal alarms to people in the AAPI community. He also distributes fliers to educate everyone on how to “Stop the

Hate” and “Report Hate Crimes.”

“It saddens the team to hear the businesses are struggling due to the fear of attacks, break ins, and nuisance all over the International District.

These types of crimes are real and need to be stopped,” Madison wrote.  To donate, go to gofund.me/f54c85df.

AANHPI Mental Health Day Rep. Marilyn Strickland joined Reps.

Adam Smith, Judy Chu, Kai Kahele, and Doris Matsui in introducing the first congressional resolution to recognize May 10 as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Mental Health Day. This resolution calls upon members of Congress to promote national awareness of mental health issues unique to the AANHPI community and urges state and local health agencies across the nation to improve the quality and availability of mental health

services for this population.

Strickland said, “The sickening rise in anti-Asian hate crimes has stressed our community and we need to prioritize the mental health and wellbeing of our friends, loved ones, and elders.”

The resolution has been endorsed

by Richmond Area Multi-Services, Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations, National Council of Asian Pacific Americans, Asian American Psychological Association, and Empowering Pacific Islander Communities. 

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YOUR VOICE

■ COMMUNITY NEWS

MAY 22 – MAY 28, 2021

asianweekly northwest

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Serving and surviving COVID-19, Asian Pacific Cultural Center carries on

By Jason Cruz NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY As a hub of the community, the Asian Pacific Cultural Center (APCC) in Tacoma has been key to serving those in need during the pandemic. In addition to being a place where it provided food assistance and vaccines, it has aided small businesses affected by the pandemic.

Many in the community that the APCC serves speak English as their second language. Thus, the center relied on word of mouth of its assistance programs through church, community, and professional leaders within the community.

“The first thing we had,” explained Executive Director Faaluaina “Lua” Pritchard, “was food assistance, cash assistance, masking and delivering and distribution of

sanitation supplies.”

Its parking lot has become a COVID-19 testing site since last July.

“Testing became very important and that it was done here because people know where we are.” The center provided language assistance for those in need. Pritchard says that they have tested over 4,000 Executive Director people from their site.

Faaluaina “Lua” Pritchard In addition, once vaccinations became available, the center became a place to come in. As of late April, the site had vaccinated over 3,000 people.

The center also distributed over 5,000 masks and 5,000

sanitation supplies, along with gift cards to 700 families before and after Christmas.

APCC also provided assistance to 96 small AAPI businesses by helping to fill out grants for them. The center helped with computer filing and translation services.

Pritchard stated that without APCC’s support, some of the businesses would not have filled out the forms for assistance.

“We have to have lots of good partners including medical providers.” Pritchard identified the partnerships with MultiCare, Franciscan Health, Pierce County Department of Emergency Management, local AAPI churches, community leaders, and the Washington state Department of Health. see APCC on 12

■ NATIONAL NEWS

CNN’s Sanjay Gupta California lawmakers worries about a muddled seek $200 million to fight pandemic message hate crimes

By DAVID BAUDER AP MEDIA WRITER

to eat inside at a restaurant? (Not if it’s full, he believes.)

The veteran CNN chief medical corNEW YORK (AP) — At respondent—who produced this stage in the pandemic, and narrated a documentaCNN’s Dr. Sanjay Gupta is ry “Race for the Vaccine,’’ concerned that Americans that aired last weekend— are not getting clear enough said government medical messages about what they experts have sacrificed should or shouldn’t be doclarity in an attempt to be ing to keep themselves and comprehensive at a time others protected. vaccines are changing the Should people still be Dr. Sanjay Gupta outbreak’s picture. wearing a mask outside?

Right now you (He doesn’t.)

What have people on both can a vaccinated person do that an unvaccinated person shouldn’t? Is it safe see GUPTA on 12

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By DON THOMPSON ASSOCIATED PRESS SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California lawmakers said on May 12 that they are seeking $200 million over the next three years to fight hate crimes against Asian Americans that have increased since the coronavirus entered the U.S. after originating in China.

More than half of the money would go for grants to nonprofit and community groups that provide legal services, health care, mental health, victim compensation or counseling. Also eligible would be groups providing escorts for older residents who fear attacks and

organizations that provide education on systemic racism.

Funding of $10 million would be provided for a statewide hate crimes hotline to collect reports in victims' own languages and to direct them to police or legal, health or mental health services.

Another $20 million would help cultural enclaves including traditional Chinatowns, Japantowns, Koreatowns, and Little Manilas.

The proposal comes from the California Asian & Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus, which has 10 members in the 120-member state see HATE CRIMES on 12

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asianweekly northwest

MAY 22 – MAY 28, 2021

39 YEARS

■ COMMUNITY NEWS

One year later: COVID-19 survivor Michael Flor recounts his close encounter

By Gayle Gupit Mayor NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY

Photo by Gayle Mayor

May 20, 2020 was the day Michael Flor returned home after beating the coronavirus.

His whopping $1.1 million hospital bill made a splash in the news cycle following his then record-breaking 62-day stay.

A year later, while Flor does not feel that he has fully recovered physically and mentally, he feels reasonably well.

“I experience some shortness of breath, but have learned to relax, breath slowly and deeply, and my breathing returns to normal. I also experience some tiredness or heaviness in my legs but the more I exercise, the better my legs feel,” said Flor. “I have moments of anxiety, but generally am upbeat and look forward to living life fully.”

Despite his optimism and appreciation for his second chance at life, Flor continues to have moments where he loses his balance, forgets something, or stumbles over a word.

“I immediately think about COVID,” said Flor. “I think this will be what it’s like the rest of my life. There hasn’t been a day since I awoke that I haven’t thought about this.”

Flor feels that the past few months have been a constant reminder of the two and a half months that he spent at the hospital and at a skilled nursing facility.

“I’m reminded about the toll this disease takes on people as millions have been infected and countless numbers have died,” Flor said.

“With so many of the deaths, there’s limited closure as the families can’t have their see FLOR on 15

Michael Flor and wife, Elisa del Rosario

■ COMMUNITY CALENDAR MAY MONTH OF MAY VIRTUAL KODOMO NO HI jcccw.org CROSSINGS TV ANNOUNCES ITS, “ASIAN PACIFIC ISLANDER MONTH DOCUMENTARY SERIES” For schedule, go to crossingstv.com/ programming/programmingseattle

26-30 UW-TAIWAN STUDIES PROGRAM’S RAGE BY B. DANCE Register at https://bit. ly/3eSpgGc taiwanst@uw.edu

27 COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS: REFLECTIONS ON IDENTITY & THE AMERICAN EXPERIENCE, A CELEBRATION OF ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH &

1 p.m. pathwayus.org solidarityagainstaapihate.org

JEWISH AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH 4 p.m.

Via Zoom: https://bit. ly/3ftubwg

JUN

28-31 FROM HOME TO HOME: 50TH ANNUAL NORTHWEST FOLKLIFE FESTIVAL Virtually at nwfolklife.org

31 NATIONAL DAY OF SOLIDARITY AGAINST AAPI HATE RALLIES Bellevue Downtown Park

12 HAIKU CONTEST IS OPEN TO ANYONE ANYWHERE For details, go to japanfairus.org/haiku-contest Deadline is June 12, 11:59 p.m.

9

A BOOK TALK WITH AUTHORS DR. LISA HOFFMAN AND DR. MARY HANNEMAN, “BECOMING NISEI” Via Zoom 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Pre-registration required https://bit.ly/3eYYzQ612

17 VIRTUAL TOMODACHI GALA Online via youtube.com/user/JCCCWA 7-7:45 p.m.

View the solution on page 14

Assunta Ng

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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.

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YOUR VOICE

■ COMMUNITY NEWS

MAY 22 – MAY 28, 2021

asianweekly northwest

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API Heritage Celebration

By John Liu NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY The Seattle Center Festál has partnered with the Asian Pacific Directors Coalition (APDC) for the last 19 years to put on the Asian Pacific Islander (API) Heritage Celebration. This grand event has traditionally kicked off the Asian Pacific American Heritage Month of May in the Greater Seattle area.

Due to the ongoing pandemic, the celebration took place on Zoom again this year. Many committee members worked hard all year to make sure the show was packed with fun, culture, and entertainment. I have been on the committee for 13 years and each year, I am surprised at all the diverse local performances.

The Al Sugiyama Hum Bow Contest is an audience favorite.

Each contestant was given two Hum Bows from local Asian restaurants and bakeries. The first person to finish both Hum Bows wins. I participated last year and this year. It was no surprise to anyone I lost again, but at least I got to enjoy some delicious Hum Bows baked by my wife. Congratulations to Yoshi

Hum Bow eating contest

Kompany K-Pop dance performance

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Completion of a street mural installation was expected on May 21, across South King Street at Maynard Alleyway.

Crews pressure washed Maynard Alleyway on May 20 in preparation of the mural, “Slurp,” which was created by Akira Ohiso.

“The mural is inspired by noodles, stepping stones, the immigrant journey, and the diversity of intersecting cultures inhabiting the Chinatown-International District today,” according to information received from the Seattle Department of Transportation.

“Each noodle cluster alludes to geographic Akira Ohiso

see SLURP on 15

John can be reached at john@nwasianweekly.com.

Weekly Specials

Atlantic Salmon

Rendering of street murals from above

Hosaka on winning this year’s competition!

Some new additions to the program included community storytelling for the kids and food demonstrations. We gave politicians and local community organizations an opportunity to introduce themselves and talk about their impact. Although virtual performances do not match the experience of live performances, we got a chance to see some fancy video editing skills. The Kompany, the University of Washington’s first and only K-Pop dance company, had some fancy synchronized dance moves. It was really impressive! The celebration ended with a powerful performance by Singers of This Age, who sang “No More,” about how love can unite us.

To view our recorded event, go to https://bit.ly/3eVHhmQ We still have some API Heritage t-shirts if you would like to purchase one at apiheritage. com/t-shirt-sales.

Stay tuned next May for another celebration… hopefully a live celebration! 

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asianweekly northwest

39 YEARS

MAY 22 – MAY 28, 2021

■ COMMUNITY NEWS

AAPI Heritage Month

Local, state, and community leaders share their thoughts on the importance of celebrating AAPI Heritage Month, especially in this time of anti-Asian hate, bias, and violence.

“During Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we honor members of our community, both past and present, that continue to shape our nation and culture. At a time when anti-AAPI violence and hate crimes are at an all-time high, we need to underscore the importance of AAPI history so we may honor those who have made historic contributions to our country. Let us continue to find the strength and solidarity we need to end hatred against the AAPI community and build a stronger, more inclusive society for all.”

— Rep. Marilyn Strickland

“While we’ve experienced an upsetting rise in anti-Asian hate, violence, and discrimination over the last year, AAPI Heritage Month is a perfect opportunity for everyone in our local community to unite in committing to end these disgusting attacks once and for all. As the first South Asian American woman ever elected to the House of Representatives, I know that while we stand together against hate, we must also reflect on and proudly celebrate the beautiful culture, traditions, and everyday contributions of our incredible AAPI community in Seattle, throughout Washington, and across America.”

— Rep. Pramila Jayapal

“Now, more than ever, it is important to recognize our heritage and celebrate our many achievements. The past year was challenging enough with the global pandemic, but even further challenging for Asian Americans because of dangerous words and notions that spread to incite hate, fear, and lay blame for the pandemic on Asians. We all have a responsibility in this process to eradicate racism and bias, much like we all have a part to eradicate COVID-19. We are an amazing community and I truly believe we will move forward safely and prosper together.”

— Cheol Kang, Mukilteo Police Chief

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“AAPI Heritage Month is not just a celebration of our cultures and history, but a reminder of the hate that we endured to become Americans. We not only survived but we thrived!”

— Frank Irigon, Community leader

“As we celebrate AAPI Heritage Month in these trying times, let us reflect, remember, and cherish the numerous positive contributions and sacrifices made by Asian Americans throughout history and continuing forward to help, heal, and unite our communities.”

— Peter Kwon, SeaTac Deputy Mayor

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YOUR VOICE

■ AT THE SHELF

MAY 22 – MAY 28, 2021

asianweekly northwest

9

Parents, they’re far from perfect

By Samantha Pak NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY

Aru Shah and the City of Gold

By Roshani Chokshi Rick Riordan Presents, 2021

Aru Shah has just made a wish on the tree of wishes, but she can’t remember what it was. And she can’t remember how she acquired a new sister. Not a soul sister, but an actual sister who claims to be the Sleeper’s daughter, like Aru. But before she has time to really figure out what’s going on—or how she’s been missing for months—she has to get back to the rest of her fellow Potatoes. They need to find their mentors, Hanuman and Urvashi, in Lanka, the city of gold, before war breaks out between the devas and asuras.

While they’re still determined to fight, it’s becoming clear that Aru and the Potatoes aren’t sure about fighting the Sleeper and his demon army on behalf of the devas. The gods have been too devious. This is a definite shift from their previous quests, during which the teens trusted the gods to have their best interests at heart. As a long-time lover of this series, I really appreciated seeing this in Aru and the rest of the gang. Like all young people their age (14-15), they’re growing up and figuring out what’s truly important to them, and not just because the adults tell them something’s an important cause.

In addition to the continued mission to save the world, “City of Gold” is a story about realizing that adults— especially your parents—aren’t perfect.

While Aru knew this about her father (he is the Sleeper, after all), seeing her come to this conclusion about her mother, who she loves, is heartbreaking.

But as Aru realizes what drives her mother’s actions, she learns to accept her mother’s flaws. And that’s a true sign of maturity. I love the adventures in this series, but what I really love is how Chokshi grounds them in stories about growing up and becoming your own person and figuring out where you fit in the world—something so many of us can relate to.

From Little Tokyo, with Love

reigning queen of Asian American romcoms actually her mother? Joining her on said quest is actor Hank Chen, one of Grace’s most recent co-stars. And as the two explore Los Angeles and Little Tokyo, Rika begins feeling like a happy ending for herself might be possible. But for someone who’s never felt like she belonged, Rika still has a feeling she’s just setting herself up for disappointment.

“From Little Tokyo” is loosely based on “Cinderella,” with a few appreciated modernizations. For one, Rika’s relatives are not horrible. Bossy, yes.

But they love her and treat (and worry about) her no differently from anyone else. Rika may feel like an outsider, but her family doesn’t see her that way and that journey of her realizing this is so lovely and heartwarming.

Another difference from the fairy tale is that Rika doesn’t need rescuing, thank you very much—a little help every now and then maybe, but so can everyone.

She’s strong (physically, thanks to the judo) and stubborn. Rika’s also pretty angry and short tempered. I cannot stress how much I loved her anger.

Thanks to racist and sexist stereotypes, most of society has a very narrow view of how Asian females should act. I can’t be the only one who’s tamped down her feelings as to not stand out or make waves. So seeing Rika get mad and actually stand up for herself and others really spoke to me.

By Sarah Kuhn Viking Books for Young Readers, 2021

The Forest of Stolen Girls

High schooler Rika Rakuyama’s life may have the makings of a fairy tale— an orphan living with her two cousins, working at her aunts’ restaurant. But she’ll be the first to let you know that a happily ever after is not in the cards for her. After all, being biracial with a hot temper and awesome judo skills, she’s the furthest thing from a princess.

All this changes during the Nikkei Week Festival when she locks eyes with the festival’s grand marshal, actress Grace Kimura. From there, Rika embarks on a quest for the truth: Is the

Korea, 1426. Ever since she and her sister Maewol were found unconscious in the forest at the scene of a crime, Hwani’s family has never been the same.

Four years later, her police detective father discovers 13 girls have recently gone missing in that same forest. So he travels to their hometown on the island of Jeju to investigate—only to disappear as well.

A year later, at 18, Hwani makes her own journey back home to find out what

By June Hur Feiwel & Friends, 2021

happened to her father. Her investigation also brings her face to face with Maewol, who stayed behind to train as a shaman when Hwani and their father moved to the mainland, for the first time in five years. Despite being sisters, the two young

women don’t know how to be around each other, having been estranged for so long. But as Hwani digs deeper into their father’s disappearance and uncovers the see SHELF on 13

10

asianweekly northwest

39 YEARS

MAY 22 – MAY 28, 2021

■ PUBLISHER’S BLOG

Is the mask an Asian thing or American, too?

By Assunta Ng NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY Since COVID-19, masks have been a contentious subject between the East and West, and the left and right.

However, masks have done more for me than I could have ever imagined, despite the fact that I dislike wearing one.

People made jokes about masks for a while. “If you see people not wearing masks, they are more likely to be Republicans.”

Here is another stereotype. “Asians are more likely to wear masks.” Not true. In February last year, my Asian American friend tried to argue that masks could not prevent the virus from spreading. She has a different opinion now.

President Joe Biden was in a celebratory mood on May 14 when he announced that Americans don’t have to wear masks if they are fully vaccinated.

His motive was to encourage more people to get the vaccine. But the news literally handed me a topic to blog about, because it instantly sparked confusion and disagreement. We columnists welcome controversy.

Since then, more inoculated Americans have chosen to continue to wear masks, even though they have a choice not to. They believe masks will protect them from people who refuse to vaccinate, and are dishonest and selfish by not disclosing that they haven’t.

That’s reversing the trend of so many Americans being hard-line resistors and skeptics toward masks last year. It could be because the majority of Americans had never lived through a pandemic before. It could be because the masks’ origin had its roots from Asia.

The White House and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) gave conflicting messages on mask-wearing during the first few months of the pandemic.

Trump’s Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams posted on Instagram, “Seriously people- STOP BUYING MASKS!” on Feb. 29, 2020, according to USA Today.

He reversed it later.

Dr. Anthony Fauci echoed the same sentiments and reversed it later, too. Fauci explained that he didn’t recommend masks because he was afraid supplies would run out for health care workers if the general public bought up all the masks.

The biggest naysayer is, of course, former President Trump. He’s not only a disbeliever, his words and actions discouraged Americans to mask up. During the last week of his campaigning, fundraising rallies, and events at the White House, no masks were required. It is no surprise that more than 130 members of his security team were infected with COVID,

WEAR YOUR MASK, SAVE LIVES. Dash said a Bellevue man, Prem Lal Bahoth, who was an IT professional and an employee of Quadrant Resources, contracted COVID and died during his visit to India in April. He got the Johnson & Johnson vaccine before his trip to India.

The man had a wife and an 18-month-old baby girl.

I know masks work even though I am not crazy about wearing them. I learned the lesson from Hong Kong, where I was raised. So far, my family and I have benefitted from keeping the virus away, thanks to masks and other safety precautions.

For the week of May 11, there were zero COVID cases among its residents even though it’s the 4th most densely-populated region in the world. That’s a milestone. But Hong Kong has achieved that milestone a few times this year. The only cases were from travelers flying into the city.

Masks are people’s only weapon in

Prem Lal Banoth of Bellevue contracted COVID and died during his visit to India in April, even though he got the Johnson & Johnson vaccine before his trip. A fundraiser is underway to help his surviving wife and baby girl.

according to the Washington Post.

And 48 staff members connected to the White House tested positive, according to Wikipedia. Of course, he himself, along with First Lady Melania Trump and their son Baron, got COVID. His reckless behavior and words angered many, including my relatives.

“Trump has killed many people,” one said. Newspaper editorials, such as one by the Boston Globe, accused him of having blood on his hands.

Masks are the only weapon

Debadutta Dash, who had just returned from India before a travel ban was imposed, couldn’t agree more that masks help stop the virus from spreading. India has one of the highest COVID deaths and infections in the world. In one day, India reported over 4,500 deaths this week.

When Dash was there, he was shocked that no one wore masks at a wedding of 450 people at his hotel. He was so uncomfortable, he left and went to another hotel. Again, there was a big wedding in the second hotel, and no one masked up.

After India was doing well fighting COVID, people started to take it easy, Dash said. Now all kinds of virus variants are turning up in India.

“When the virus got into someone’s body, it restructured and became deadly,” he said.

Even vaccines are not 100% effective.

Hong Kong. Unlike some Americans who resist masks, no one needs to force Hong Kongers to wear them. Everyone wears one, even during the hot summer with temperatures in the 90s.

Other strategies like social distancing and getting vaccinated haven’t been implemented effectively in Hong Kong.

Social distancing is impossible with packed modes of transportation, such as the subways, buses, and minibuses. And certainly not elevators. Hong Kong has the highest number of tall buildings in the world with 9,000—exceeding New York and any other Chinese city.

What do Hong Kong people do when riding an elevator? My relative said, “If I can wait for a less crowded elevator, I will wait for the next one. If there are four to six people in there, each of us will stand facing the elevator wall.” see BLOG on 13

YOUR VOICE

■ NATIONAL NEWS

MAY 22 – MAY 28, 2021

Racist attacks revive Asian American studies program demand

By TERRY TANG ASSOCIATED PRESS As Dartmouth College sophomore Nicholas Sugiarto flipped through the course catalog last semester, two words caught his eye: “Asian American.”

The 19-year-old Chinese Indonesian American didn’t know Asian American-focused classes were even an option at the Hanover, New Hampshire, campus. The biomedicalengineering major ended up enrolling in “Gender and Sexuality in Asian American Literature“ and now wishes he could minor in Asian American studies.

“I never realized how long and storied the history of Asians in America has been,” Sugiarto said. “You also hear about stories that just never made the news or never made it into the standard AP U.S. history textbooks.”

That feeling of being seen resonates now more than ever for Asian American and Pacific Islander students and faculty at college campuses around the country. For all the “Stop AAPI Hate” hashtagging, accounts keep emerging of new incidents of Asian Americans being coronavirus scapegoats or made to feel like foreigners in their own country.

Ongoing anti-Asian attacks along with the March massage business shootings in Georgia

that left six Asian women dead have provoked national conversations about visibility.

The debate has renewed an appetite at some colleges for Asian American studies programs.

As student diversity grows, so does the desire for representation in the syllabus. But qualified professors of color say such programs won’t last if they aren’t being offered permanent decisionmaking power.

Inspired by his literature class, Sugiarto added his signature to the nearly 1,000 on a petition calling on Dartmouth to establish an Asian American studies major, a challenge that’s been brought to the Ivy League school on and off for four decades.

Sugiarto and his classmates hope this time will be different given recent events.

Eng-Beng Lim, the Dartmouth professor who taught Sugiarto’s class, said the petition gained momentum after the massage business killings, and even fueled discussions with administrators.

Those talks recently stalled, though Lim still described it as a “promising and critical impasse.”

“When U.S. universities refuse to support Asian American studies that are framed in a way that we have framed it, it’s really a missed opportunity to think about how we might have see ASIAN AMERICAN STUDIES on 14

asianweekly northwest

11

New California attorney general pledges focus on hate crimes

By DON THOMPSON ASSOCIATED PRESS SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California’s new attorney general on May 11 promised an increased focus on hate crimes, saying there is “a state of crisis” because of increases in attacks on Asian Americans since the coronavirus entered the U.S. after originating in China.

Rob Bonta announced a new Racial Justice Bureau within his California Department of Justice and said he will hold a virtual meeting with the mayors of the state’s 13 largest cities this month to discuss hate crime.

About half of hate crimes go unreported, they are difficult to prosecute because the law requires something to show they are driven by racial or other discrimination, and they affect many races, religions and sexual orientations, he said.

But “make no mistake, right

now we’re in a full on state of crisis, a full on state of emergency, when it comes to hate violence against the AsianPacific Islander community,” he said.

Bonta, a Democrat, is the first Filipino American to hold the state’s top law enforcement post, and used his first news conference since taking office April 23 to highlight the problem.

He said the new bureau will initially include six attorneys and a supervising deputy attorney general within the department’s Civil Rights Enforcement Section.

Aside from addressing hate crimes, the bureau will focus on other existing racial and social justice issues before his agency, including white supremacy, racial bias in policing, encouraging diverse college campuses, and the state’s new task force to study reparations for African Americans. 

■ WORLD NEWS

China cancels Everest climbs over fears of virus from Nepal

BEIJING (AP) — China has canceled attempts to climb Mount Everest from its side of the world’s highest peak because of fears of importing COVID-19 cases from neighboring Nepal, state media reported.

The closure was confirmed in a May 14 notice from China’s General Administration of Sport, the official Xinhua News Agency said.

The move reflects the abundance of caution China has taken in dealing with the pandemic. While China has mostly curbed domestic transmission of the coronavirus, Nepal is experiencing

a surge with record numbers of new infections and deaths.

China had issued permits to 38 people, all Chinese citizens, to climb the 29,032-foot-high mountain this spring. Nepal has given permission to 408 people. Climbing was not allowed from either side last year because of the pandemic.

In Nepal, several climbers have reported testing positive for COVID-19 after they were brought down from the Everest base camp.

The month of May usually has the best weather for climbing Everest. Scores

have reached the summit and more are expected to make attempts this month once the weather improves. Two climbers have died on the Nepalese side, one Swiss and one American.

China earlier said it would set up a separation line at the peak and prohibit people on its side from coming into contact with anyone on the Nepalese side.

It was unclear how that would be done.

An expert climbing guide, Lukas Furtenbach of Austria, said he was calling off his current Everest attempt with a team of over a dozen climbers from the Nepalese side because of virus fears.

“We ended our expedition today because of safety concerns with the given COVID outbreak,” Furtenbach said in a message from base camp. “We don’t want (to) send people or Sherpas up, they (could) get sick high up there and die.”

Before leaving for the mountain, he had warned that the virus could spread among the hundreds of other climbers, guides and helpers who are now camped on the base of Everest if all of them are not checked immediately and safety measures aren’t taken. 

KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON NOTICE TO PROPOSERS Proposals will be received for KC000180, Project Management Services for Harborview 2020 Capital Bond Program; by King County Procurement and Payables Section until 12:00 PM on June 24, 2021.

This contract includes development and submittal of an Equity and Social Justice (ESJ) Innovation Plan. The ESJ Innovation Plan details the approach, strategies, and actionable steps that will be taken to maximize the participation of Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE), Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), and Women Business

Enterprise (WBE) firms. DBE, MBE, and WBE firms must be certified by a Unified Certification Program as a DBE, MBE, or WBE. Total Estimated Price for Phase 1: $4,000,000 Total Estimated Price for all Phases: $45,000,000 Prospective proposers can view more details at: https://kingcounty. gov/procurement/solicitations Contact: Regina Sparano, rsparano@kingcounty.gov, 206-4774807

12

asianweekly northwest

MAY 22 – MAY 28, 2021

■ LETTER TO THE EDITOR Stop perpetuating the negative challenges of Asian Americans Dear Editor,

David Chan

Many Asian community leaders have been telling the media focusing on the main challenges of Asian Americans that language barriers and cultural differences cause the discrimination.

This reminds me of the most insulting Bill O’Reilly report done about Asian Americans.

GUPTA from 5 extremes: those who won’t let down their guard, or masks, despite 115 million Americans now fully vaccinated, and those who say “you guys don’t know what you’re talking about, so I’m not going to abide by any of these guidelines,’’ he said.

“I’ve been for 20 years now trying to communicate complicated health messages,’’ he said. “It’s not easy, by any means, but it has to be understandable.

At the end of the day, you can have a beautiful message, but if people aren’t going to understand it, you have to go back to the drawing board.’’

O’Reilly sent a reporter to New York’s Chinatown and interviewed senior citizens who did not speak English. Of course, the report portrayed Asian Americans as a group of “foreigners” living in the U.S. that is completely out of touch with the main society.

As we know, the majority of Asian Americans do not live in Chinatown. I am begging all the

Kenneth Resnicow, a professor at the University of Michigan’s School of Public Health, said he has noticed something similar. Continued discoveries in how the virus is transmitted, along with the societal changes brought on by vaccination, is most responsible for the uncertainty.

He said the attention now should be placed on people who are firmly antivax because simple education won’t be enough.

“I don’t think we have a good plan nationally for reaching them,’’ Resnicow said.

Gupta said he’s concerned about people

PAN from 4 without incident in Montgomery and brought to the county detention center. Authorities did not release details of how they found him, or when Pan would be brought before a judge. Law enforcement officials are expected to seek his extradition back to Connecticut.

Pan is accused of shooting Jiang, 26, multiple times in Kevin Jiang New Haven, home to Yale.

Jiang was found wounded and lying outside his car at about 8:30 a.m. that day.

Police have not disclosed a motive in the shooting. An arrest warrant obtained by Connecticut officials for Pan is sealed from public view until next month.

Jiang, who grew up in Chicago, was a graduate student at Yale’s School of the Environment who had recently become engaged to be married. He was an Army veteran who graduated from the University of Washington in Seattle in 2016 with a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies, according to an obituary prepared by his family.

Pan is a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and was working as a researcher

APCC from 5 One of its biggest events of the year—the annual Lunar New Year celebration—went virtual this year. Pritchard noted the additional challenge of doing the event during the snowstorm this past February. The weeklong celebration was hampered by snow.

“The key people were here [at the APCC where some of the recording took place] to finish the live Facebook performances.” Other performances were recorded and they worked electronically to make the full presentation.

“It was really a learning curve,” Pritchard added about learning the nuances of computer recording, setting up meetups, and communicating over Zoom. “It was really crazy as we were afraid of doing things virtually.” Pritchard

Asian community leaders to stop talking about language barriers and cultural differences.

Otherwise, we will never be recognized as “mainstream” citizens. 

tuning out doctors they see on TV and view as arrogant. So he’s concentrating on letting people in on the process he uses to reach conclusions and offer advice.

Gupta said he feels optimistic about the coronavirus fight in the U.S. heading into the summer, even as he’s watched the tragedy unfold in India, where his uncle died of COVID-19. He doesn’t like the phrase “herd immunity’’ but predicted that the U.S. will be close to a threshold for getting the virus under control, counting everyone who is vaccinated and those with natural immunity from having had it. He still advises people who’ve had the virus to get vaccinated, since it has a

in MIT’s computer science and artificial intelligence laboratory, according to his Facebook page. He is a U.S. citizen who was born in Shanghai, China. His last known address was in Malden, Massachusetts.

Jiang’s fiancee, Zion Perry, graduated from MIT last year.

Law enforcement officials have not disclosed any connections between Pan, Perry and the killing of Jiang.

U.S. marshals allege Pan stole an SUV from a dealership in Mansfield, Massachusetts, the day of the killing before driving to Connecticut.

In the days after the killing, authorities said Pan was seen in the Atlanta suburbs driving with relatives and acting strange.

Interpol last month issued a “red notice” about Pan asking member countries to arrest him on murder and larceny charges.

“The successful apprehension of Qinxuan Pan...marks the culmination of countless hours of investigation and is a testament to the dedication of all the investigators involved,” Lawrence Bobnick, acting U.S. marshal for Connecticut, said in a statement. 

39 YEARS

Thanks, David Chan Everett, WA

higher level of protection.

But Gupta said there’s no magic figure of protected people that will stop the spread, and that it’s even a moving target as new variants emerge and people head back indoors in the fall.

“I say everything with humility, because going into the fall and winter months the virus will become more contagious at that point,’’ he said. “If we don’t have enough immunity, we could have some more resurgences going into the fall and winter. I don’t think they will be as bad as we’ve seen, but that threat still lurks out there.’’ 

HATE CRIMES from 5 Legislature. The caucus includes Phil Ting, a Democrat from San Francisco who heads the Assembly Budget Committee, and members said they've had early support from other budgeting and Democratic leaders who control the Legislature.

“We want to address not only, of course, the recent events of hate directed toward our community, but also to recognize long standing issues in terms of access for our community to public services, government services,” said the caucus chairman, Democratic Sen. Richard Pan of Sacramento.

The caucus is seeking the money as Gov. Gavin Newsom and lawmakers stake out their positions this week on spending what the governor said will be a $76 billion budget surplus. Lawmakers have until June 15 to approve a budget for

stated that they had to help elders within the community on how to use Zoom. They relied on younger family members to help, especially with the video camera and mute buttons on the computer. She noted that some had to wait for their children to “come and unmute them so they could speak.”

Like many organizations, APCC received financial relief and grants from the Group Health Foundation, the All in Washington Fund, and the Greater Tacoma Community Foundation to name a few.

She highlighted that the nonbelief in COVID-19 and the reluctance to get the vaccine are prevalent within the community and “it’s going to continue.”

She indicated, “Lots of people don’t believe in COVID and lots of religious people believe that God will protect them.” Pritchard stressed that the community continues

Phil Ting

the fiscal year that starts July 1.

The caucus’ plan includes funding to help children of Asian and Pacific Islander descent in schools, including combating school bullying; for the organization Stop AAPI Hate, which the lawmakers said is the first to collect data on hate crimes in victims' own languages; and to create a California Interpreters Corps of state workers who can help residents in their own languages. 

to educate those people in science. “There are people who believe in side effects,” she added, “there are those that are afraid of the needle. The one thing that we tell them is that they will be safe.”

At this time, APCC has limited groups using their space, but it hopes to have in-person events this summer.

At this point, they are planning both in-person and virtual gatherings. Pritchard indicated that they are starting to have socially distanced events and long-term planning for the end of the year, which includes the center’s 25th anniversary.  For more information, visit asiapacificculturalcenter.org.

Jason can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.

MAY 22 – MAY 28, 2021

YOUR VOICE

■ ASTROLOGY

asianweekly northwest

13

Predictions and advice for the week of May 22–28, 2021

By Sun Lee Chang

Rat—Are you inspired to do something a little different today? Sweeten the day with a dash of fun and spontaneity.

Dragon—You have much to be proud of lately, but don’t let complacency stop you from pushing to even greater heights.

Monkey—It is important for you to set boundaries, so no one encroaches where you don’t want them to.

Ox—Release your inner potential by trusting yourself and putting in the effort to make your dream come true.

Snake—Did you uncover a problem recently?

Once you acknowledge it, the real work can begin.

Rooster—Not all advice is worth taking. Consider the source and if they have anything to gain by your decision.

Tiger—If the situation is starting to feel a bit too complicated, simplify it by getting back to the basics.

Horse—As darkness turns to light, you will start to notice things that were previously not on your radar.

Dog—Even with a proven track record, the current conditions will require you to pay close attention.

Rabbit—A bold move has changed the landscape for you. Luckily, the change in scenery is what you had in mind.

Goat—Do you have the pieces, but don’t know how to put it together? Seek the advice of someone in the know.

Pig—Did you take an existing idea and make it better? Be sure to give credit where it is actually due.

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, 2021 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.

SHELF from 9 secrets of the small village, she and Maewol find their way back to each other.

“Forest of Stolen Girls” is a story about a young woman searching for her father—literally and figuratively. As her and Maewol’s bond grows stronger and the other girl shares what she remembers from the Forest Incident,

BILL from 1 compromise. Biden has said he will sign it.

“Asian Americans have been screaming out for help, and the House and Senate and President Biden have clearly heard our pleas,” said Rep. Grace Meng, D-N.Y., who helped lead efforts to pass the bill in the House.

To many Asian Americans, the pandemic has invigorated deep-seated biases that in some cases date back to the Chinese Exclusion Act of more than a century ago. President Donald Trump repeatedly referred to the virus, which emerged in Wuhan, China, as the “China Virus” or the “Kung Flu.” And as cases of

the illness began to rise in the U.S., so too did the attacks, with thousands of violent incidents reported in the past year.

Rep. Judy Chu, D-Calif., said it’s painful for many to “open up the newspaper everyday and see that yet another Asian American has been assaulted, attacked and even killed.”

Yet to some activists, including organizations representing gay and transgender Asian Americans, the legislation is misguided. More than 100 groups have signed onto a statement opposing the bill for relying too heavily on law enforcement while providing too little funding to address the underlying issues driving a rise

BLOG from 10 Most of my Hong Kong relatives have not been vaccinated. They are hesitant because each of the vaccines— Sinovac, Johnson & Johnson, and Pfizer— has its share of problems. So vaccination has not been fully embraced there. For the time being, many of my friends and relatives are still enforcing their own lockdown at home. Can you imagine how depressing it must be, to be living in your self-made prison?

Masks inspire

Hwani begins to question whether she knew her father at all. She has to reconcile her sister’s truth with the beloved hero who raised her. It’s devastating to see Hwani begin to realize her father is not perfect and that he’s made mistakes—with his own daughter, nonetheless.

A lot has been written about the relationship between Asian mothers and daughters, but not as many about Asian fathers and daughters. So I appreciated that this

When COVID deaths and infection rates spiked last year, our business was devastated. Last May, Outdoor Research (OR) called us to place classified ads, while most businesses were shutting down and laying off people. OR was hiring, expanding, and had over 100 openings for manufacturing masks, not just sportswear.

in hate crimes.

“We have had hate crimes laws since 1968, it’s been expanded over and over again, and this new legislation is more of the same,” said Jason Wu, who is co-chair of GAPIMNYEmpowering Queer & Trans Asian Pacific Islanders. “These issues are about bias, but also rooted in inequality, and lack of investment and resources for our communities. Not a shortage of police and jails.”

Meng acknowledged some of the concerns raised by the groups, but countered that the widespread underreporting of hate crimes needs to be addressed.

“Law enforcement is currently

Samantha can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.

underreporting these kinds of incidents and it makes it easy to ignore hate crimes all together,” she said.

Rep. Jim Jordan, an Ohio Republican, suggested that the surge in Asian American violence was tied to efforts backed by some Democrats and other progressives to decrease funding for the police.

“This violence, by and large, is happening in Democratcontrolled cities,” said Jordan.

If “money wasn’t taken from police and they were allowed to do their jobs, we would probably be in an entirely different position.”

Yet the bill also represented a rare moment of bipartisanship

That was a breath of fresh air. So I interviewed them and wrote about OR. The mask idea inspired OR, which in turn, inspired me to write about their innovation and job creation in the spirit of “Made in America.” I love that it gave us both story ideas and business for the Northwest Asian Weekly.

It is even more exhilarating to learn that a ChineseMalaysian epidemiologist, Dr. Wu Lien-teh, invented the surgical face mask, leading to the development of N95 masks, during the Manchurian Plague in 1910, in northwestern China. Wu used surgical tape and gauze tied together to cover his face. His French colleague, who didn’t believe in Wu’s pioneering concept and refused to wear the mask, died later.

You still need masks

story is filled with examples of fathers and the lengths they would go in the name of love and protecting their daughters—even if some of the results are less than ideal. 

Seattle - King County Public Health officer Dr. Jeff Duchin urged people to wear masks on his Twitter

in a Congress that has struggled to overcome partisan gridlock, while underscoring an evolution in Republican thought on hate crimes legislation.

Many conservatives have historically dismissed hate crimes laws, arguing they create special protected classes so that victims of similar crimes are treated differently.

“I’m glad Congress is coming together in a bipartisan way,” said Rep. Young Kim, a California Republican who is Korean American. “Let’s also recognize that we cannot legislate hate out of our people’s hearts and minds.” 

account, even though CDC has said you don’t have to if you are fully vaccinated. He agreed with a statement saying that it was unwise for the CDC “to lift the mask mandate for vaccinated people so early,” according to the Seattle Times. Only 37.5% of the U.S. population is vaccinated as of May 18, not even half.

So many of us are thinking about trips these days.

Bring your masks along because you need them on the plane. The CDC guideline towards masks is to wear them when visiting hospitals, nursing homes, prisons, and homeless shelters, in addition to flying on a plane.

Don’t leave home without a mask. Stick one in your pocket or purse, just in case you might run into someone that you suspect has not been vaccinated. It is now a modern savior before the pandemic is really over.  Assunta can be reached at assunta@nwasianweekly.com.

14

asianweekly northwest

MAY 22 – MAY 28, 2021

39 YEARS

CLASSIFIEDS

DONE RITE

CARPET CLEANING

206-487-8236

ASIAN AMERICAN STUDIES from 11 a more nuanced understanding of American racism beyond binary terms of Black and white,” Lim said.

Pawan Dhingra, a professor at Amherst College, said he is aware of a few other East Coast schools either considering Asian American studies or renewing their commitment to it.

“A lot of ethnic studies programs grew out of student demand during key inflection points in American history,” Dhingra said. “This is an inflection point. The push for ethnic studies—in this case Asian American studies—fits the tradition of how these programs come to be. It’s rarely the brainchild of administrators or faculty.”

The concept of ethnic studies is believed to have started in California, where it became state law in August that California State University students take one ethnic studies course to graduate.

In 1968, students of color at San Francisco State University, which was named San Francisco State College at the time, joined Black classmates demanding a curriculum that wasn’t just Euro-centric. What followed was five months of protests—the longest student strike in U.S. history—and hundreds of arrests.

In March 1969, after intense negotiations, the university officially launched a College of Ethnic Studies. Other schools also devised similar programs.

Alumni who were on strike 53 years ago see parallels with today’s “Stop Asian Hate” rallies, said Mai-Nhung Le, chair of San Francisco State University’s Asian American studies program. Young Asian Americans are again demanding classes relevant to them—not just history but everything from popular culture to environmental justice.

But while the backdrop in the 1960s was the Vietnam War, today it’s “two concurrent pandemics”: COVID-19 and structural racism, Le said.

Establishing an Asian American studies department is one thing—nurturing it is another. Ethnic studies

programs are on shaky ground if schools don’t recruit instructors who can plan courses and mentor students.

Of more than 428,000 faculty who were tenured or on tenure-track at degree-granting institutions nationwide in 2019, 70% were white, 11% were Asian or Pacific Islander, 5% were Black, and 5% were Latino. Native Americans and Alaska Natives comprised just 0.4%, according to data gathered by the National Center for Education Statistics.

A furor erupted at Dartmouth in 2016 when Aimee Bahng, an assistant English professor, was denied tenure. She had unanimous support from a departmental committee but not with higher-ranking campus officials.

The rejection came as students were making another push for Asian American studies. Bahng had even started planning potential classes.

She recalls receiving hundreds of sympathetic messages from female academics in the U.S. and abroad.

“I had an electronic folder of just women or women of color who had been denied tenure,” said Bahng, who now teaches at Pomona College. “It was amazing but also depressing. ... I always know when it’s tenure-denial season because I still get a handful of emails.”

Dartmouth freshman Anais Zhang, 18, never gave Asian American studies much thought until she was assigned to write about it for the school newspaper after the Atlanta-area massage business shootings. In her research, Zhang learned of all the attempts to start a program that ultimately went nowhere. It left her frustrated.

“I talked to a lot of my friends about the article and my shock at how we really don’t have an institutionalized program and just my reaction learning about how previous students had put so much effort in petitioning ... only to have this support trickle away and have all this progress undone in the subsequent years,” Zhang said.

A lot of times fledgling ethnic studies programs decline because junior professors who aren’t full time or permanent have to carry them, according to Dhingra.

“It’s just creating extra labor for faculty that burns

people out and it isn’t able to grow because it wasn’t created with enough infrastructure in the first place,” Dhingra said.

At the University of Arizona in Tucson, an Asian Pacific American studies minor launched last month.

While it is an “example of the way the university is combating anti-Asian hate and ignorance,” it was a culmination of efforts that started several years before the pandemic, said Brett Esaki, an assistant professor who helped come up with the coursework.

“The short- and long-term goals are definitely about stability,” said Esaki, who is not tenured. “We can’t just hope for another disaster to get people to say, ‘You’re important.”’ 

SOLUTION from SUDOKU on page 6.

MAY 22 – MAY 28, 2021

YOUR VOICE

asianweekly northwest

15

Noodle cluster for the street mural.

SLURP from 7 locations, the circuitous route of immigration, and safe passage through the space. Landing on each cluster promotes this journey. Viewers are invited to appreciate the diversity of the neighborhood through vibrant colors, movement, and a memorable experience.”

TAKEKAWA from 1

Board co-president, Ellen Ferguson

“Beth’s reputation in the greater museum world is unmatched, said board copresident, Ellen Ferguson.

“She inspires all with her humility and passion for

making arts and culture accessible to all. We will truly miss Beth.”

In 2008, the Wing Luke Museum completed a successful $23.2 million capital campaign to design, build, and open a new museum home within the historic East Kong Yick Building. Since then, under Takekawa’s leadership, the 54-yearold institution has grown exponentially to a budget of $3.2 million and more than 75,000 visitors in 2019. In 2013, the Museum was recognized as one of two-dozen affiliated areas of the National Park Service. This past

FLOR from 6 normal services to mourn their loss. It’s still difficult to fathom why so many people think this is a hoax, or, under the flag of freedom, think they’re giving up something by wearing a mask. And now, with vaccines available, so many refuse to get vaccinated because of some misguided belief.”

Flor’s wife, Elisa del Rosario, has been trying to cope with the psychological impact of nearly losing her husband.

She is the deputy director for the Asian Counseling and Referral Service, and wanted to point out that May is Mental Awareness Month, as well as Health Awareness Month—and that there is still a lot of stigma around seeking help for mental health issues.

Del Rosario has had a few sessions with a therapist.

“Michael kept relying on my memory of what happened, but after a while, I kept reliving it and it was just getting too traumatic for me,” said Del Rosario.

Although she had supportive friends and family, Del Rosario still yearned for an outside person to talk to.

“With trauma or with the isolation that people are feeling, I want people to know that it’s okay to ask for help and seek counseling when you need it,” said Del Rosario.

According to Flor, life is slowly returning to normal—short of being able to travel and see friends with the ease like he could pre-COVID. Ever since Michael and Elisa got fully vaccinated against COVID-19, their apprehension of flying has lessened.

“I do as much as I can around home, and my wife and I have returned to that

Ohiso, the artist, is also a frontline social worker whose art “is informed by my work with vulnerable communities… My imagery is often informed by memory, my mixed-race identity, and the hypervigilant space between my Asian and white selves...

When visiting the Chinatown-International District, my identity is instantly legitimized as I walk through

Nihonmachi. The smell of fresh fish reminds me of my childhood. Still, I crave renewal and yearn for an Asian American experience in the C-ID that survives and flourishes in the 21st century; a community that is open to change while respecting tradition.” 

year, the Ford Foundation named the Museum as one of America’s Cultural Treasures—a recognition bestowed on 20 cultural organizations for ‘contributions to the diversity of expression and excellence in America.’

“For nearly 25 years, Beth has contributed to the remarkable growth and impact of the museum.

The Wing Luke Museum’s steadfast community and national support over the years would not be possible without Beth’s remarkable vision and leadership,” said Jill Nishi, board president.

In addition to her role

Center, and as a member of the Community Development Round Table.

She was appointed by the governor as a Washington State Arts Commissioner (2009-2015). She is a 2011 Salzburg Global Seminars Fellow, one of 56 leaders worldwide discussing museums and libraries in the era of participatory culture, and a 2014 Puget Sound Business Journal Woman of Influence.

Cassie Chinn, deputy executive director, has agreed to serve as interim executive director, and a national search for a new executive director will be launched.

easy going relationship we’ve always had,” Flor said. “While she’s still cautious about me overdoing things, I like to push myself to try and be better than I was before I was hospitalized.”

Flor has returned to work full-time as the associate director at Southeast Seattle Education Coalition, but goes into the office only twice a week.

“I continue to work and find that the more that I use my brain, the better my concentration gets,” Flor said. “I look forward to when we return to more regular office hours and we can redevelop the camaraderie that I enjoy in the workplace.”

Flor sees his neighbors on his regular walks with the family dog, but he longs for the social interaction that was normal before the pandemic.

“I miss seeing so many friends who, while we all don’t live far from one another, still aren’t getting together as we once did,” Flor said.

In the past year, Flor has been thrilled with the growth of his relationships with his wife Elisa and their kids.

“While we’ve always had a close, solid, caring, and loving relationship, this experience has brought us all much closer. Similarly, our relationships with family and friends have also deepened,” Flor said.

Further reflecting, he also recognizes how much he looks at life differently now.

“I appreciate and enjoy little things much more now than I did before. My experience with COVID has enabled me to help other COVID survivors and their families through their own challenges and I feel great about that.”

Flor lost 40 pounds after being hospitalized for 62 days. He experienced

Board president, Jill Nishi

at the museum, Takekawa serves as a board member of the National Museum and Library Services Board, Washington Courts Historical Society, Downtown Seattle Association, and International District Emergency

acute kidney failure in the 35 days that he was in a coma, and he had to undergo intensive dialysis.

“My physical therapists said that for every day I was in bed, I lost 1% of my muscle mass. But slowly, with a lot of determination, I took a few steps which, with the help of my therapists, family, and friends, led to longer and longer walks,” Flor said.

Flor tries to go to the gym three times a week.

“I find that if I don’t exercise regularly, I feel a little wobbly. … I’m also eating healthier with fewer carbs and more salads and smaller portions,” he said.

Flor was taken off of dialysis last year in June, and he described it as one of the happiest moments of his life.

“My daughter and I immediately began planning a camping trip to the Dungeness Spit. … It has a beach hike from the trailhead to the Dungeness Lighthouse— the entire hike is about 12 miles. I had to stop pretty frequently, but I was determined to make it there.”

He recalls the difficulty of being separated from his wife and family, and feels that the love and caring he received was invaluable throughout the time that he was hospitalized and in the nursing home.

“My family is my rock. Our kids were great—they helped in every way possible.

I can’t imagine what it might have been like without their love and support,” Flor said.

He communicates with individuals in COVID support groups, and is surprised that so many have experienced backlash from their friends and families.

“It’s very depressing to think that there are so many people who dismiss

Deputy executive director, Cassie Chinn

A community celebration to honor Takekawa’s service will be held this summer on a date to be announced. 

the impact of this virus,” Flor said.

“They even hear stuff from the medical providers that it’s all in your head.” Flor feels lucky that he has not experienced any social stigmas as a result of having COVID-19. People in his neighborhood and people who recognize him from the media coverage have been supportive.

“I’ve gotten messages of support from strangers from around the world who are also dealing with COVID, either personally or with a family member.”

Flor said.

“I’ve been blessed.”

Having been through it all, Flor finds it very depressing that so many refuse to take the smallest precautions to protect others from the virus.

“While there’s no guarantee that you or someone won’t get sick, the simplest thing like wearing a mask and social distancing have proven to mitigate the spread. And while we all would like to get together in large crowds, whether that’s at a sporting event, a concert, family gatherings, or even going out to restaurants, when the chances of being infected are high, it’s best to avoid those types of things.

Flor believes that he is a better person after being on the brink of death and surviving. Armed with the knowledge he gained from battling the effects of COVID-19, as well as an understanding of the toll it has taken on the world, Flor has since dedicated his life to his wife, family, and friends.

“I promised myself to live as good a life as possible in honor of those who died of this disease.”  Gayle can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.

16

asianweekly northwest

39 YEARS

MAY 22 – MAY 28, 2021

WASHINGTON IS INVESTING IN CLEAN AIR AND LOCAL JOBS. Thanks to the leadership of Governor Inslee, Senator Carlyle, and Representative Fitzgibbon, Washington can breathe a little easier. In the face of rising greenhouse gas emissions in our state, elected officials responded this session by passing two historic bills that benefit both our environment and the economy.

By passing the Climate Commitment Act and the Clean Fuel Standard, these leaders put Washington on a path to meeting its low carbon goals, greener infrastructure, cleaner air, and more sustainable jobs. And the progress won’t stop there – those of us who supported the Acts will keep encouraging our legislators to do what’s right for Washington, our planet, and the next generation.

Quinault Indian Nation

Republic Services

Snoqualmie Indian Tribe

Scoville Public Relations SEIU 775

AMPLY Power

SEIU 925

Appropriate Technology Group

SEIU Healthcare 1199NW

Audubon Washington

Sheet Metal Workers Local 66

Biotechnology Innovation Organization

Shell

bp

Sphere Solar Energy

Cascadia Climate Action

SRECTrade

Cascadia Policy Solutions

Stemtac Foundation

Cedar Grove

Strategic Harmony Partners

Certified Electrical Workers of Washington (IBEW)

Sustainable Business Consulting

ChargePoint

Tabor 100

Clean & Prosperous Washington

Tacoma Pierce County Black Collective

Clean Fuel Washington

Taylor Shellfish Farms

Climate Solutions

The Breakfast Group

Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas

The Caspian Group LLC

Cyan Strategies

The Climate Reality Project - Washington State Coalition

Environmental Defense Fund

The Jia Group, LLC

Evergreen Carbon

The Keller Group

EVgo

The Nature Conservancy in Washington

Fieldwork Communications

UMC, Inc.

FLO

WA Build Back Black Alliance

Forterra

WA Federation of State Employees/AFSCME

Fuse Washington

Washington Conservation Voters

Gen Tech Global

Washington Environmental Council

Global Ocean Health/NFCC

Water Street Public Affairs

Indivisible Bainbridge Island

Working Group on Seafood and Energy

MacDonald-Miller Facility Solutions Madrona Institute

Fawn Sharp, President, National Congress of American Indians

Mahoney Environmental

Leonard Forsman, President, Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians

McKinstry

Howard Behar, Co-founder, Washington Business Alliance

Mithun

Jabe Blumenthal, Co-founder, Washington Progress Alliance

Neste

David Giuliani, Founder, Clean & Prosperous Washington

Northwest Energy Efficiency Council

Denis Hayes, CEO, Bullitt Foundation

Pacific Mobility Group

Sally Jewell, 2013-17 US Secretary of the Interior

Pearl Jam

Chris Stolte, Stolte Family Foundation

Puget Sound Energy

Menno van Wyk, Founder & CEO Emeritus, Montrail

Puget Sound Solar

Organizations listed for identification purposes only.

REI Co-op Renewable Energy Group Renewable Hydrogen Alliance

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