PRSRT STD U.S. Postage Paid Permit No. 746 Seattle, WA
VOL 40 NO 28 JULY 10 – JULY 16, 2021
FREE 39 YEARS YOUR VOICE
Boba cafe destroyed AAPI community
shows support for Bruce Harrell
Photo from Young Cho’s GoFundMe page
Owner: all my life savings
By Ruth Bayang NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY An early morning fire on July 5 destroyed multiple businesses in White Center, including a brand new boba tea cafe that was set to have a grand opening later this month. Sharon Lei, one of the owners of Nuggi Boba and Bingsu, told KIRO 7, “This is my first business… all my savings. I sold my car for this.” Lei and Young Cho have created a GoFundMe page to help them rebuild their cafe. Cho wrote, “We have been working tirelessly for months to bring the community of White Center something special to add to the multitude of other great locally owned businesses…. The shop is a complete loss,
and it is heartbreaking to see everything disappear into ash and rubble.” Cho added, “We wanted to create a safe space for all to come and be a part of, as our lives move forward from the pandemic. Hopefully, with your help we will be able to rebuild, count our blessings and move forward with a community space to share our laughs and enjoy each other.” The flames started in the basement of The Lumber Yard Bar and spread. Investigators believe it was accidental and not caused by fireworks. In addition to The Lumber Yard Bar, White Center’s first LGBTQ bar, other businesses impacted include La Típica Oaxaqueña, a Mexican grocery store; Rat City Tattoo; and see BOBA on 14
Photo by Assunta Ng
Rubble after fire ripped through Nuggi Boba Cafe on July 5.
Doug Baldwin (right) introduced Bruce Harrell at a June 30 fundraiser.
By Ruth Bayang NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY Changing the narrative on the Chinatown-International District so that it gets prioritized, not overlooked. That statement was met with resounding applause on July 1 at China Harbor Restaurant—where approximately 200 supporters of
CID murals: Past, present, and future in one By Andrew Hamlin NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY Cindy Wong has lived in Seattle almost her whole life. She’s a University of Washington graduate, a mother, a writer, and a businesswoman. The new project she’s spearheaded will stand visible to anyone passing through the Chinatown-International District (C-ID), and hopefully, inspire anyone who sees it, to feel and think. In collaboration with two Cindy Wong’s Starhug mural
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Seattle mayoral candidate Bruce Harrell gathered for a fundraiser organized by local Asian leaders. Harrell, who is Black and Japanese, was introduced by former Seattle Seahawk Doug Baldwin as a “get things done kind of person.” Attendees of the event, touted as “Building a Great Seattle Together,” were also treated to a martial arts see HARRELL on 15
THE INSIDE STORY SPORTS The Layup Drill 8
PUBLISHER’S BLOG Navigating postpandemic life 9
ON THE SHELF ‘Minor Feelings’: reckons with Asian American consciousness in a major way 10
see CID MURALS on 15
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
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39 YEARS
JULY 10 – JULY 16, 2021
■ NAMES IN THE NEWS Biden appoints Wong to Asian Development Bank’s board
President Joe Biden announced on July 2 that he is appointing Chantale Yokmin Wong to be the ambassador-level position of U.S. Director of the Asian Development Bank, a financial institution that works on the government level with over 60 member countries to provide fiscal services. If confirmed, Wong will become the first lesbian woman and the first openly LGBTQ person of color in history to serve in a role of that level. Wong has served within both the Clinton and Obama administrations and in government for at least 25 years. She also established the Conference on APA Leadership, where she has guided young AAPIs for 32 years to seek careers in public service.
Indian American Abhimanyu Mishra is the youngest chess grandmaster ever
Abhimanyu Mishra, 12 years and 4 months old, has become the youngest chess grandmaster ever, breaking a record that Sergey Karjakin held for 19 years by three months.
Karjakin was 12 years and 7 months old when he became grandmaster in 2002. “Finally checkmated the biggest opponent (ongoing pandemic) which stopped me for 14 months,” Mishra tweeted after his win. “Thanks everybody for all your love and support. Looking forward for World cup.” Abhimanyu Mishra Mishra grew up in New Jersey and has been playing chess since he was 7.
Debut author Arnée Flores
Arnée Flores of Seattle released her first ever book, “The Firebird Song,” last month. The story is a fantasy set in the kingdom of Lyrica, featuring Prewitt and the lost Princess Calliope. Flores, who identifies Arnée Flores as Vietnamese American, spent a few nomadic years exploring and working odd jobs before she realized that all she really wanted was to stay in one place and write the kinds of stories that had helped her feel safe during her chaotic childhood.
Biden names Kumar, Sung in fifth round of judicial nominees
President Joe Biden nominated Indian American circuit court chief judge Shalina D. Kumar as a federal judge for the Eastern District of Michigan, the White House announced on June 30.
Shalina has served on the Oakland County Sixth Circuit Court since 2007. She was appointed Chief Judge of the Circuit Court by the Michigan Supreme Court in January of 2018. Kumar would be the first federal judge of South Asian descent in Michigan, the White House said. Prior to taking the bench, Kumar Shalina D. Kumar was a civil litigator in private practice from 1997 to 2007. She graduated from the University of Michigan in 1993 and the University of Detroit-Mercy School of Law in 1996. Biden also nominated Jennifer Sung to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Sung is a member of the Oregon Employment Relations Board, a former union organizer, and labor lawyer. She would be the first AAPI judge from Oregon on the Ninth Circuit if confirmed. Sung worked in private practice in Portland and San Francisco. She received her J.D. from Yale Law School in 2004 and lives in Portland.
CID library branch reopening
The Seattle Public Library (SPL)’s International District / Chinatown branch will reopen on July 11 but they will have limited hours. SPL said it will be open on Sundays between noon and 6 p.m., and Mondays from 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Masks are still required in libraries.
Welcome Back Weeks
Weekly Specials Prices Valid July 7-13, 2021
July 12 – 26 | #welcomebackseattle We’re able to fully reopen and finally be together again as a community. That’s why the City of Seattle and Downtown Seattle Association welcome you back downtown to enjoy our beautiful Seattle summers!
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• Martial arts and cultural performances • Live music and performances from Hollis, Chong the Nomad, Evan Flory Barnes, Bleachbear, Daniel Pak, Massive Monkees, Chrysalis Circus, Totem Star, and more! Sweet!
When: Sat, July 17 Sun, July 18, 1 – 7 p.m.
When: Sat, July 24 10:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Where: Hing Hay Park 423 Maynard Ave S, 98104
When: Sun, July 25 12 – 8 p.m.
Scan this QR code or visit seattle.gov/COVIDrecovery for more information on all the events.
Tofu
Donut Peaches 3.99 lb
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Gyoza or Won Ton Wrappers 10 oz
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1.49
Sliced Pork Belly
Futomaki Sushi
Seasoned Vegetables and Rice Wrapped with Seaweed. 6 pc
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6.49
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Strawberry, Melon, Lemon or Blue Hawaii. 16.9 oz
4.99 lb
Nestle
Sweetened Condensed Milk 14 oz
4.59
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YOUR VOICE
JULY 10 – JULY 16, 2021
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■ COMMUNITY CALENDAR JUL
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WASHINGTON STATE CHINA RELATIONS COUNCIL, “SESSION 2: ANTI-ASIAN VIOLENCE AND HATE CRIMES: GOVERNMENT PERSPECTIVES” 5-6 p.m. Register at https://bit.ly/3w9mT7l
FILM PREMIERE, “WRITING ON THE WALL” Rainier Arts Center, 3515 S. Alaska St., Seattle 1-2 p.m. In-person and live streaming Register at https://ocaseattle.org “The Story of Seattle Chinatown International District Murals” produced by the Northwest Asian Weekly will be shown beforehand.
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45TH DISTRICT COMMUNITY MEET & GREET WITH STATE SEN. MANKA DHINGRA Farrel-McWhirter Park, 19545 NE Redmond Rd., Redmond 3 p.m. RSVP at http://bit.ly/MeetSenDhingra More info, contact ashley.jackson@leg.wa.gov
4-6 p.m. cidbia.org
DRAGON FESTIVAL FOOD WALK Seattle’s C-ID 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
AUG
28 DRAGON FESTIVAL FOOD WALK Seattle’s C-ID 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
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CID-NATIONAL NIGHT OUT Donnie Chin International Children’s Park
■ WORLD NEWS
Chinese astronauts make first spacewalk outside new station BEIJING (AP) — Two astronauts made the first spacewalk outside China’s new orbital station on July 4 to set up cameras and other equipment using a 50-foot-long robotic arm. Liu Boming and Tang Hongbo were shown by state TV climbing out of the airlock as Earth rolled past below them.
The third crew member, commander Nie Haisheng, stayed inside. Liu and Tang spent nearly seven hours outside the station, the Chinese space agency said. The astronauts arrived June 17 for a three-month mission aboard China’s third orbital station, part of an ambitious
Pandemic tourism: Thailand launches Phuket ‘sandbox’ plan By TASSANEE VEJPONGSA and DAVID RISING ASSOCIATED PRESS PHUKET, Thailand (AP) — Thailand embarked on an ambitious but risky plan on July 1 that it hopes will breathe new life into a tourism industry devastated by the pandemic, opening the popular resort island of Phuket to fully vaccinated foreigners from lowerrisk countries. As the first flight arrived, airport fire trucks blasted their water canons to form an arch over the Etihad jet from Abu Dhabi as it taxied to its gate. Leaving the airport, Frenchman Bruno Souillard said he had been dreaming for a year of returning to Thailand and jumped at the opportunity. “I am very, very happy,” the 60-yearold tourist said. The “Phuket sandbox” program comes as coronavirus infections are surging in Thailand, including a significant number of cases of the Delta variant, and many have questioned if it’s too early to woo tourists back, and whether they’ll come in significant numbers in any case due to the restrictions they’ll still face. But the number of new cases on the island itself is extremely low, in the single digits daily, and more than 70%
of its residents are fully vaccinated. The government is gambling that travelers will be willing to put up with coronavirus-related regulations for the opportunity for a beach holiday after being cooped up in their home countries for months. Before the pandemic, the tourism sector made up some 20% of Thailand’s economy, and 95% of Phuket’s income. The resort island off the southern coast saw fewer than a half million visitors in the first five months, and almost no foreigners, compared to more than 3 million during the same period last year including some 2 million foreigners. In a nod to the importance of the “sandbox” plan, Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha flew to Phuket to be on hand in person for the launch. He emphasized that the sandbox was just the first step toward his goal announced in June of having Thailand completely reopened within 120 days. “This reopening is related to not only Phuket but also the whole country,” he said. Last-minute hitches in some of the program details and cautions from authorities that if cases start to rise on the island more restrictions may be see SANDBOX on 15
space program that landed a robot rover on Mars in May. Their mission comes as the ruling Communist Party celebrates the 100th anniversary of its founding. The station’s first module, Tianhe, or Heavenly Harmony, was launched April 29. That was followed by an automated spacecraft with food and fuel. Liu,
Nie and Tang arrived June 17 aboard a Shenzhou capsule. Liu attached his feet to a platform at the end of a remote-controlled arm that held him in place while he used an electric drill and other tools to install equipment. see ASTRONAUTS on 14
YOUR VOICE
■ COMMUNITY HEALTH
JULY 10 – JULY 16, 2021
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WASHINGTON STATE COVID NEWS, UPDATES, RESOURCES AND SERVICES
Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine
In Pfizer-BioNTech Vaccine Trials (U.S. Trial Data) • 6% identified as Asian
Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine
This vaccine is authorized for emergency use in individuals aged 18 years and older. This is a two-dose vaccine, given 28 days apart. You are not considered fully protected until one to two weeks after you get the second dose. The clinical trials showed no major unanticipated adverse events. Washington received its first shipment of this vaccine the week of December 21.
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In Moderna Vaccine Clinical Trials (U.S. Trial Data) • 4% identified as Asian
Johnson & Johnson – Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine
This vaccine is authorized for emergency use in individuals aged 18 years and older. This is a single dose (one shot) vaccine. You are not considered fully protected until one to two weeks after you get the vaccine. The clinical trials showed no major unanticipated adverse events. Washington received its first shipment of this vaccine the week of March 1. In Johnson & Johnson Vaccine Clinical Trials (Global Trial Data) Approximately: • 3.5% identified as Asian • 0.25% identified as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander
If I get a COVID-19 vaccine, do I still need to take other precautions?
Yes, even if you get vaccinated, it is recommended that you continue to wear a mask, wash your hands often, stay six feet apart, and limit gatherings. Many people in our state will need to wait months to get the vaccine, and these prevention measures are recommended to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 to people who are not yet vaccinated. The COVID-19 vaccines work well, but they are not 100% effective. Some people may get COVID-19 even if they’ve been vaccinated. Vaccine studies have focused mainly on whether the vaccine keeps you from getting COVID-19; they haven’t looked as much into whether the vaccine prevents you from spreading it to others. Until we know more, please continue your prevention measures.
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The vaccine is authorized for emergency use in persons aged 12 years and older. This is a twodose vaccine, given 21 days apart. You will not be considered fully protected until one to two weeks after you receive the second dose. The clinical trials showed no major unanticipated adverse events. This vaccine arrived in Washington on December 14.
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■ COMMUNITY NEWS 12 people charged in connection with drug trafficking ring SEATTLE — Twelve people, including Viet Phi Nguyen, 34, of Seattle, are in custody following a second round of arrests in an investigation involving armed drug trafficking, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman on June 30. The indictments and arrests are a follow-up to the April 7, 2021 takedown involving 24 defendants. Seattle Police Chief Adrian Diaz said, “Not only are these dozens of suspects off the streets, but so are dangerous narcotics, including fentanyl tablets and the tools to manufacture them. Our communities have
been devastated by a recent rise in fentanyl deaths and continue to be devastated by on-going gun violence. The Seattle Police Department (SPD) is certain these joint efforts saved lives, and we’re gratified that the many months of hard work by our officers and partners paid off.” In the most recent arrest, officers seized 48 guns, 2 kilograms of cocaine, 2 pounds of methamphetamine, several thousand fentanyl pills, and two illegal marijuana grows. An additional $120,000 in cash was also seized. The June 30 arrests and searches involved teams from
FBI, DEA, SPD, Homeland Security Investigation, Pierce County Sheriff’s Office, King County Sheriff’s Office, Valley SWAT, Kent Police Department, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, and Narcotics/ Currency/Firearms K9 support from Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Centralia Police Department, Auburn Police Department, Renton Police Department, King County Sheriff’s Office, and Tacoma Police Department.
Africatown counts on city to help it acquire Keiro By Mahlon Meyer NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY The CEO of Africatown said his group was going to acquire Keiro, but it’s not clear what the details are. “Africatown Community Land Trust (CLT) is currently in the process of closing the acquisition of the property,” K. Wyking Garrett told the Northwest Asian Weekly. Garrett did not elaborate if the money for the purchase would come from the city or through a deal with a private lender. Still, he revealed that his hopes are still riding on the city. “Africatown CLT has put together an innovative financing strategy for Keiro acquisition and we are currently working through the institutional policies that have been mechanisms of systemic exclusion of Black developers,” he said. “This is a very unique opportunity for the City of Seattle to lead and make a bold step to make the rhetoric of social justice, equity, and shared prosperity a reality.”
Keiro was sold to Shelter Holdings for $11 million in 2019. Last year, in the wake of the Black Lives Matter movement, City Councilmember Kshama Sawant was part of a movement to try to get the city to purchase Keiro for Africatown. “Black community-led organizing and advocacy created this unprecedented opportunity to recover a block that would have been lost to the type of speculative development that is pushing Seattle to a one class city, rather than a world class city that is inclusive of the communities of the world that have been here and helped make the city,” said Garrett. The following month, Sawant proposed a budget amendment to fund Africatown’s proposal to develop affordable housing on the site. At the time, Sawant proposed $13.8 million for the project. Funding would come either by reducing the police budget, slightly increasing a new tax on Amazon and other major corporations, or by restoring a $30 million Strategic Investment Fund to Address Displacement, which Mayor Jenny Durkan eliminated from her proposed
budget, according to Sawant. “Unfortunately, the majority of the council did not agree,” she wrote. However, said Sawant, she was able to win a budget amendment that funds “pre-development costs” so that the project can have a chance to “win future grants.” Theoretically, it is still possible for public money to fund the purchase of Keiro. Rachel Fyall, an associate professor who teaches about affordable housing in the Daniel J. Evans School of Public Policy and Governance at the University of Washington, said the city can buy the land from Shelter Holdings and give it to Africatown. “State law allows leftover land to be in a land transfer.” As an example, she cited instances in which Sound Transit had surplus land that was transferred for other uses. For Africatown, the acquisition of Keiro would be “a key part of Africatown CLT’s work to create an inclusive see KEIRO on 12
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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
JULY 10 – JULY 16, 2021
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■ SPORTS
39 YEARS
JULY 10 – JULY 16, 2021
The Layup Drill
By Jason Cruz NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY Welcome to another month of The Layup Drill. Last month was a big one as the Olympics start in July. But before that, we take a look at some happenings this past June.
Kikuchi makes All-Star appearance Seattle Mariners pitcher Yusei Kikuchi was selected to be in Major League Baseball’s AllStar Game. It is the Japanese pitcher’s first appearance in the game. Kikuchi showed humility when it was announced that he made the team. Through an interpreter, the left-handed pitcher told the media that he was “really thankful for my teammates, coaches, and just everyone being there for me, and my family just always supporting me through the ups and downs.” Kikuchi was signed by the Mariners from the Nippon Professional Baseball league in Japan, where he played for the Saitama Seibu Lions. He was a three-time AllStar selection in Japan. After a rough first two years with Seattle, Kikuchi has settled in this season with a solid 6 wins and a 3.18 earned run average through 15 games—a personal best with the Mariners. He also has 93 strikeouts through July 5.
Kikuchi becomes the first starting pitcher for the Mariners to be selected to the All-Star Game since Felix Hernandez in 2015. The All-Star Game is on July 13 in Colorado.
Ohtani makes All-Star as pitcher/position player A teammate on the All-Star team will be Shohei Ohtani— he becomes the first player in modern day history to be selected to the All-Star Game as both a pitcher and designated hitter. The Japanese superstar is a oneof-a-kind as no one in the sport hits and pitches in the major leagues. Ohtani is batting .278 with a major league-leading 31 home runs and 67 RBIs. He also is 3-1 as a pitcher. The left-hander has a 3.60 ERA and 83 strikeouts over 60 innings in 12 starts. In just his third season with the Los Angeles Angels, Ohtani has proven that he is one of the top players in baseball. In addition to his duties as both a pitcher and hitter, he will be participating in the Home Run Derby. The All-Star Game will be a huge feature for Ohtani to display his all-around baseball talent. Certainly, Ohtani is a front-runner to be the Most Valuable Player in Major League Baseball.
The return of the King – Nonito Donaire turns back time At 38 years old, former boxer of the year Nonito Donaire was thought to be at the end of his career. His last fight was a disappointing defeat to Naoya Inoue in Japan 18 months ago. However, he pushed back time and defeated Nordine Oubaali to win the WBC bantamweight title on May 29. Donaire, an underdog in this fight, knocked down Oubaali twice in the third round before taking him out in the fourth round. With the win, Oubaali became the oldest fighter to win a world championship in the bantamweight division. “The King has returned,” Donaire said in his post-fight interview. Previously, the “Filipino Flash” won titles in four different weight divisions. He had a showdown with fellow Filipino fighter John Riel Casimero scheduled for this August, but that fight was canceled due to questions over drug testing. The fight was to unify the WBO championship, but questions quickly arose about drug testing for the upcoming bout. Donaire’s wife, Rachel, serves as his manager and sets up drug testing protocols with a Nevada-based organization. However, Casimero’s representatives did not respond to requests for their see SPORTS on 12
We want to help you get back on track. COVID Bill Payment Assistance We know this has been a year unlike any other, and right now paying bills can definitely be a challenge. So, PSE is designating $27.7 million in bill payment assistance. Here’s how we can help you: •
Up to $2,500 in additional utility bill payment assistance
•
Extended payment plans up to 18 months
•
Up to $2,500 to forgive past balances for customers who received energy assistance in the past
•
The option to change your energy bill’s due date to help with monthly budgeting
To see if you qualify, go to pse.com/covid
JULY 10 – JULY 16, 2021
YOUR VOICE
■ PUBLISHER’S BLOG
asianweekly northwest
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Navigating post-pandemic life Was the long, fourth of July weekend a blessing or a curse? Some were bored with nothing to do on Monday, while others who traveled for the first time since COVID-19 didn’t think the three-day weekend was long enough. Is this a post-pandemic disorder where we find ourselves unable to adapt to the new normal? Although I had plenty to do over the four-day holiday weekend (our office is closed every Friday), it was hard to adapt to the reopening. Last week, I attended three events within a week. What made it uncomfortable was that only a few people wore masks. The few who were wearing masks including me ended up not wearing it at all. People, have you forgotten that the delta variant is here and in almost every state? Do you realize that Covid is not yet over? If I said so at the event, my friends would respond, “What did you say?” as if they couldn’t hear a thing or I was crazy. Two events I attended said “vaccinated guests only.” Yet, no one was there to enforce the rule. But how do we know if everyone complies? Is the honor system the best way to do things? I wrote in my blog to put “hugs on hold.” Pointless! Every friend wanted to hug and I didn’t want to reject them. What I wrote was simply impractical. Forget about elbow bumps?
Photo by Assunta Ng
By Assunta Ng NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY
“I thought we were way over for this (elbow hug)?” a friend said when I extended my elbow. Never mind that my friend had worked in healthcare before. “Oh, shut up,” I rebutted. We have been isolated for so long, we need to get all the hugs we can get. Everyone
Hope. Care. Cure.™
in the room was so happy to see a room full of people. There was so much fun, joy, and smiles on our faces as if we were so fed up with Covid restrictions with masks see BLOG on 16
Ellia living cancer-free
Some said cancer would steal Ellia’s childhood. But tell that to this little rascal. For over 100 years, Seattle Children’s has been dedicated to compassionate care and groundbreaking research, so every kid can have the healthiest childhood possible. Because it’s not about beating the odds. It’s about changing them. For all kid-kind. SeattleChildrens.org
CHILD 15902 MissionBoost_Ellia_NWAW_9.75x7.25_eng_v2.indd 1
Pub/s: Northwest Asian Weekly
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Run Date: 7/5/21
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Author: TH
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■ ON THE SHELF
‘MINOR FEELINGS’
reckons with Asian American consciousness in a major way By May Huang ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN REAL CHANGE On the cover of Cathy Park Hong’s “Minor Feelings,” aptly subtitled “An Asian American Reckoning,” flames dance around the uppercase title of the book. An arresting design, the cover art suggests danger, drama and daring—three elements that are unapologetically present in this essential interrogation on race and writing. “Minor Feelings” is a collection of seven essays that explore a question of rising importance: What place do Asian Americans occupy in America? On the one hand, Asians are often called the model minority, considered “next in line to be white.” Asians as a whole are more economically privileged than other minority groups in the U.S. and are often high-achieving students and employees. But events in recent history, from the 1992 LA riots that took place in K-town to the 2017 incident where the Vietnamese doctor David Dao was forcibly dragged off a United Airlines flight, suggest that Asians are more likely in line to “disappear”—to assimilate to or be swallowed up by the very system of capitalism that exploits them. Asian Americans, who have even been told that they don’t “count” as minorities anymore, are still often made to feel inadequate—if not by others, then by themselves. “Not enough has been said about the self-hating Asian,” writes Hong. This self-hatred, which foments when Asians see themselves through the lens of white people, is among
the “minor feelings” discussed in the book, along with emotions such as ingratitude, hostility and jealousy. The term describes the “cognitive dissonance” that Asian Americans feel when they are gaslighted by American
optimism, as well as the negative emotions they are “accused of having” when they confront their racialized reality. Reading the book, I felt seen; I wouldn’t be surprised if many AAPI readers realized that “minor feelings” is a term we have been hoping to come across for a long time. “Minor Feelings” is a rigorously researched study of racism in America, and Hong writes about the Asian American experience holistically, showing how the struggles of all nonwhite people in America are connected. For example, even the term “Asian American” was inspired by the Black Power movement, coined at UC Berkeley in 1968 by activists. But as much as “Minor Feelings” is a book about racial consciousness, it is also a book about writing against racism. Educated as a poet in American institutions, Hong understands all too well the inequities built into further education and literary publishing. As a student of color in the MFA program at the University of Iowa, she experienced firsthand microaggressions from her white classmates during workshops; as a reader and writer, she has watched publishers repeatedly market the “ethnic story” as a “single story.” At the same time, “Minor Feelings” recognizes and is hopeful for a paradigm shift in the publishing world: one that overhauls the reduction of POC stories and urges writers of color to cease framing their trauma for a white imagination. This hope is palpable in “An Education,” Hong’s essay on the formative friendship she developed with two Asian American artists at Oberlin. The essay is a genuine page-turner, teeming with the drama and competition that occurs between close friends at college. More importantly, it is an ode to the “creative imagination” see HONG on 12
■ EDUCATION Diversity training on WA college campuses will soon be mandatory By Hannah Krieg / Crosscut.com REPRINTED WITH PERMISSION Susana Treviño left their first advising meeting at Walla Walla Community College in tears after being stereotyped by an administrator in 2008. They didn’t return to the college until a decade later, when they began working toward an associates transfer degree and became the senator for disability, diversity, equity and inclusion in the college’s student government. “It’s a struggle, right?” Treviño said. “It’s hard when you are a person of color and you are still having to fight for the basics. I just want to be educated, too. I just want a nice house one day, too.” Gov. Jay Inslee signed Senate Bill 5227 on May 12, which mandates that Washington’s 40 public colleges and universities conduct training sessions and assessments for both faculty and staff around diversity, equity, inclusion and anti-racism starting in the 2022-23 academic year. According to the bill’s prime sponsor, state Sen. Emily Randall, D-Bremerton, the first draft of this legislation did not include student input, but when the idea came up in her meetings with student
From left: Karina Tobar, the director of diversity for the Student Senate at Wenatchee College, Susana Treviño, the senator for disability, diversity, equity and inclusion at Walla Walla Community College, and Jiyeon Song, the executive officer of diversity in the student government at Edmonds College. (Courtesy photos)
lobbyists, they wanted in. The bill does not prescribe a specific curriculum or programs. Randall, who admits to attending her share of “bad” diversity training sessions, hopes administrators, staff and students will collaborate on an approach that works for their institution. Students from across Washingston state who work on diversity issues have some ideas.
Check your privilege
Karina Tobar, the Student Senate director of diversity at Wenatchee College, values transparency and accountability in this work. “Something that I would put in these trainings is to check your privilege,” said the second-year student studying sciences. “Privilege” refers to the advantages afforded to an individual by virtue of social identity. Privilege exists along every axis
of social classification: race, class, gender, sexuality, ability and others. According to Tobar, having light skin as a Latina gives her privilege over Latinas with dark skin—the result of colorism, a prejudice toward individuals with darker skin, particularly within ethnic or racial groups. Tobar recalls an instance where her biology class turned political. When a white professor had a different perspective than a student of color on an issue Tobar describes as “sensitive,” the professor (who Tobar says typically went by his first name) asked the student to address him by his formal title. Tobar says she thinks that situation would have gone differently if the professor had checked his privilege. Some lawmakers have had issues with the new law. “I think a lot of these programs try to make people feel guilty about the color of their skin,” state Sen. Doug Ericksen, R-Ferndale, said. Ericksen, founding member of the Senate Freedom Caucus, filed a series of three amendments to SB 5227. He also introduced similar amendments to Senate Bill 5044, which addresses equity, diversity, inclusion and anti-racism in the public school system. see DIVERSITY on 14
YOUR VOICE
■ WORLD NEWS
JULY 10 – JULY 16, 2021
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Malaysians suffering amid lockdown fly white flag for help By EILEEN NG ASSOCIATED PRESS KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — When Mohamad Nor Abdullah put a white flag outside his window late at night, he didn’t expect the swift outpouring of support. By morning, dozens of strangers knocked on his door, offering food, cash and encouragement. Malaysia’s nationwide lockdown to curb a coronavirus surge was tightened further on July 3, banning people in certain areas from leaving their homes except to buy food and necessities. It lurched Mohamad Nor into desperation. He ekes out a living by selling packed nasi lemak, a popular dish of coconut milk rice with condiments, at a roadside stall every morning, but that income has vanished and
government aid was insufficient. The white flag campaign that emerged on social media last week aims to help people like Mohamad Nor, who is 29 and was born without arms. By chance, he saw the campaign on Facebook and decided to try to seek help. “It was so unexpected. So many people reached out to help, support and also encouraged me,” Mohamad Nor said, sitting in his dingy room amid boxes of biscuits, rice, cooking oil and water that were swiftly donated to him. He said kind Samaritans offered to help pay his room rental and that the assistance should be enough to tide him through the next few months. The (hash)benderaputih campaign began as Malaysian society’s response to rising suicides believed linked to economic hardships caused by the pandemic. Police reported 468 suicides in the first five months this year,
an average of four a day and up sharply from 631 for the whole of 2020. Social media posts urged people to hoist a white flag or cloth to signal they needed immediate help “without having to beg or feel embarrassed.” Scores of food retailers and celebrities have responded with offers of help and many Malaysians have driven around their neighborhood to find white flags. Thousands of people have lost their jobs since Malaysia enacted various curbs on movement, including a coronavirus state of emergency that has suspended Parliament since January. The strict national lockdown imposed on June 1 is the second in more than a year. Coronavirus cases in Malaysia have jumped to more see MALAYSIA on 13
Older women are the fresh faces of South Korean influencers By JUWON PARK ASSOCIATED PRESS SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — The freshest faces among South Korean influencers are no longer the usual, 20-something celebrities. Instead, entertainment and
social media are focusing on a new generation: the elder generation. Older women were once invisible in South Korean entertainment as the industry stuck to rigidly conservative traditional female roles and cast them only as devoted mothers.
■ SPORTS
recent ad campaigns. The beer video highlights the novelty of its spokesperson, who says: “For someone like me to be on a beer ad, the world has gotten so much better.” With see INFLUENCERS on 13
King County’s Rent Assistance Program
Jin Young Ko wins on LPGA a week after losing No. 1 ranking THE COLONY, Texas (AP) — Jin Young Ko wanted a new trophy for her new house in Texas, and she even picked up something for the closet. She received a pair of cowboy boots for winning the Volunteers of America Classic on July 4. The South Korean star had to work hard for her one-shot victory. Her putting was not up to her standards. Her game didn’t feel quite as sharp as it was during Ko’s nearly two-year reign as No. 1 in the women’s world ranking. But it was enough for a 2-under 69, closing with seven straight pars for a one-shot victory over Matilda Castren of Finland at Old American Golf Club, about 30 minutes from Ko’s new house. “I was thinking these boots is good size for me,” Ko said. “So yeah, I just bought a house and then I want to get new trophy because my old trophies is in Korea. But this new one is special.” The timing couldn’t have been better. Ko won for the first time this year, and it was one week after she lost the No. 1 ranking to Nelly Korda, who supplanted Ko by winning the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. Ko had failed to finish in the top 10
But older women are front and center in recent advertising and entertainment series. A pioneer in the trend is Oscar winner Youn Yuh-jung, the 74-year-old “Minari” actor who promotes Oriental Brewery beer and the Zig Zag shopping app in two
If you are experiencing financial hardship and housing instability due to the COVID-19 pandemic, you may qualify for rent assistance. King County’s Eviction Prevention and Rental Assistance Program is helping eligible residents by paying past, current, and future rent. The program will pay back rent and as many as three months of future rent for a total of up to 12 months of assistance. Assistance with unpaid utilities is also a covered expense. Landlords must agree not to terminate or refuse to renew tenancy until after December 31, 2021, except for special circumstances such as sale of the property or health and safety issues.
Jin Young Ko
in four of her previous five starts on the LPGA Tour. But not far from her American home in the Dallas area, she thrived. She finished at 16-under 268 for her eighth career LPGA victory. She remains at No. 2 in the world. “I was thinking I had a lot of pressure with the No. 1 ranking,” Ko said. “But I made it this week. I’m very happy.” see KO on 13
Tenants facing financial hardship and housing instability due to the COVID-19 pandemic may submit applications at rent-help.kingcounty.gov. If you need language assistance, please contact 206-477-1331.
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SPORTS from 8 commitment but were upset when Rachel insinuated that Casimero was taking steroids. Casimero was linked with a strength coach known for supplying performance enhancing drugs to his clients. Casimero’s representatives made disparaging remarks to Rachel in a social media post, which caused Donaire to withdraw. Although the fight would have drawn interest from many Filipino fight fans, the bad blood over drug testing will make it difficult to put together the two down the road. Fortunately for Donaire, there is another option for his next fight, and that is a rematch against Japan’s Inoue. If that is the case, it would still provide a compelling matchup.
JULY 10 – JULY 16, 2021
The Montreal Canadiens returned to the NHL Stanley Cup for the first time since 1993. The Canadiens’ return was due in part to Nick Suzuki. The 21-year-old former number 1 draft pick of the Las Vegas Golden Knights has had a productive playoff. Suzuki, who plays center for the Canadiens, was an invaluable part of the run made by his team. He scored several goals, as well as setting up teammates with assists during the crucial Western Conference Finals series against his old team.
Other notable news
with a painting revamp.
Naomi Osaka
pitcher to have the surgery. Baek was born in Seoul, South Korea but grew up in Salisbury, Maryland, where he helped his high school team win a Maryland State Championship. Baek was involved in the Korean Presbyterian Church youth group, swam with the YMCA, and helped build houses on a Nicaragua mission trip in 2018.
Sang Ho Baek
Nick Suzuki
George Mason University pitcher Sang Ho Baek died from complications from Tommy John surgery on June 12, according to the university. He was just 20 years old. The surgery is a common procedure for pitchers to have on their elbow to reconstruct their ulnar collateral ligament. The procedure is named after the first baseball
Jordan Clarkson
Although the Utah Jazz’s Jordan Clarkson was eliminated
KEIRO from 6
HONG from 10
and equitable future for Seattle,” said Garrett. He said the “long-term development plan is to create approximately 300 units of longterm affordable housing and community serving commercial space.” In the meantime, according to the latest public records available through the King County Assessor’s Office, Keiro remains in the hands of Shelter Holdings. When Keiro was first sold in 2019, after financial troubles, some community members expressed frustration that an asset they said they and their families had built and sustained would be lost. Fyall said there was still an opportunity for solidarity. “If there is a particular building or property with cultural value to multiple communities, there may be an opportunity to partner across organizations,” she said. “For example, InterIm CDA and SCIDpda both have a track record of developing and providing affordable housing that meets the needs of low-income residents from Seattle’s Asian and Asian American communities.” Garrett expressed a similar vision. “Africatown CLT is excited to continue to work with the Japanese/ Pan-Asian community and First Nation indigenous communities to envision and create a development that honors our presence and journeys in the Central District/ Seattle,” said Garrett.
cultivated by friendship, a testament to the power of solidarity between artists who see themselves as outsiders. “Minor Feelings” is an essay collection with poetry at its center. In one of the most powerful moments in the book, Hong describes how the presence of “bad English” in her own work is her way of using “English as a weapon in a power struggle” to “chip away at the pillar of poetry.” Through craft, she others a language that once intended to mark her as the other. Readers of Hong’s poetry will understand what she means by this—her striking poems intentionally use unconventional syntax, nonstandard spellings and non-English languages. Poetry, which Hong describes as a “forgiving medium for anyone who’s had a strained relationship with English,” thus becomes a medium for rebellion. Indeed, as Hong argues, “writing about race is a polemic,” an attack on the infrastructure of white capitalism. It is also “a lyric, in that our inner consciousness is knotted with contradictions.” No
Mahlon can be reached at info@nwaweekly.com.
39 YEARS
from the playoffs, the reigning 6th Man of the Year in the NBA did some good this past spring after a Filipino food truck was vandalized. The World Famous Yum Yum Food Truck was vandalized with anti-Asian slurs and hateful messages across the black exterior. After posting on social media, the owners received an outpouring of support from the Salt Lake City community. Many offered donations, while others vowed to eat at their truck once they got up and running again. In a social media post, Clarkson, who is part Filipino, wrote, “It hurt me deeply to see that Salt Lake’s @ yumyumasian food truck was recently vandalized—I know the pain that hateful language and racism causes.” Clarkson helped connect the owners with someone that restored the truck
Naomi Osaka withdrew once again from another major tournament as she decided that she would not participate at Wimbledon. This is the second major tournament that she has pulled out of. In June, Osaka announced that she would not be doing media interviews at the French Open for the sake of her mental health. After some backlash, she decided to pull out of the French Open. In midJune, she announced through her team that she would not be at Wimbledon to take some personal time with friends and family. However, she did note that she would be ready for the Tokyo Olympics. Osaka, whose mother is Japanese, made it known that she was retaining her citizenship in Japan so that she could play in front of her home country at the Olympics. Jason can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.
essay better captures this sentiment than “Portrait of an Artist,” which conjoins polemic and lyric in a tribute to the late poet Theresa Hak Kyung Cha. Cha’s “Dictee” is a seminal text in feminist studies, but the brutal rape that led to her murder is often ignored by scholars. Hong writes about Cha’s death directly, however, counteracting America’s history of allowing the disappearance of Asian women to go unnoticed. She rewrites a narrative that originally sought to satisfy a white audience and Western literary canon. The essay is heartbreaking and difficult to read. As such, it is a crucial part of a book that encourages us to recognize these uncomfortable, minor feelings; to ignite the tinderbox of change. In “Minor Feelings,” Hong writes against disappearance, narrative and imperialism to carve out a space where Asian Americans can experience the reckoning they deserve. With every re-read, one sees more clearly how Hong explodes the myths of Asian American identity while exposing the racist underbelly of America. Persuasive, poetic and poignant with a sense of humor, “Minor Feelings” is a blazing triumph.
JULY 10 – JULY 16, 2021
YOUR VOICE
■ ASTROLOGY
asianweekly northwest
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Predictions and advice for the week of July 10–16, 2021 By Sun Lee Chang
Rat—Recycling something that has worked for you in the past? Be sure to update it to suit your current needs.
Dragon—Although it may feel as if you are going against the tide initially, it will soon flow in your favor.
Monkey—It can get tricky mixing friends or family with money. If you can, try to keep the two separate.
Ox—Worried about a new requirement? If you have lead time, use it to get an early start.
Snake—Don’t wait for someone else to do what you can do for yourself. Your success is in your hands.
Rooster—You are determined to follow your heart, but do not throw caution to the wind as you do so.
Tiger—Not too excited at the idea of a course correction? It could prove to be beneficial in the long run.
Horse—There is a lot coming at you at once, so it’s important to sift through and prioritize what is necessary.
Dog—Are you tempted by a promise that seems too good to be true? It’s likely that there is a catch.
Rabbit—You have figured out what to say. For optimal results, also pay attention to how and when you say it.
Goat—With the number of options available, it might be difficult to choose one. Avoid rushing your decision, if possible.
Pig—Someone has caught your attention, but beware that a lot of commotion doesn’t necessarily equal the same amount of substance.
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.
MALAYSIA from 11 than 778,000 cases, nearly seven-fold from the whole of last year, with over 5,400 deaths. Reports of families receiving speedy help after raising a white flag have warmed the hearts of Malaysians. A single mother and her teenage daughter who survived on biscuits for days were fed by neighbors, an indebted hawker on the verge of ending his life received cash help to start anew, a Myanmar refugee family who survive on just one meal a day were given instant food supplies. While many hail the white flag
INFLUENCERS from 11 a Cass beer in her hand, Youn says she makes friends by being her authentic self and alludes to the beer helping people to dissipate their social awkwardness. South Korean producer Kim Sehee said Youn’s Oscar win earlier this year inspired his entertainment series, “Wassup K-Grandma.“ He said South Korean young people have a new interest in their elders, birthing a new word “harmaenial”—a portmanteau of the South Korean word “harmoni,” or grandmother, and the English word “millennial.” The series broadcast in May was one of the first Korean shows to feature grandmothers as main characters, according to Kim. It brought international guests to live as temporary sons-in-law with Korean grandmothers. The color of the series came from the grandmothers’ attempts to communicate with their foreign inlaws and share homemade meals and decades-old ginseng alcohol. Park Makrye, a popular South Korean YouTuber, said the country’s attitude towards gender and age has been rapidly changing.
movement as a show of unity and solidarity, not all agree. A lawmaker from an Islamist party, which is part of the ruling coalition, attracted public anger when he told people to pray to God instead of waving a white flag in surrender. A state chief minister slammed the campaign as propaganda against Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin’s government. It has sparked copycats. An animal association encouraged financially strapped people who couldn’t afford to feed their pets to display a red flag. Anti-government protesters launched a black flag campaign over the weekend,
“Back in the days, people thought women were supposed to be only housewives cooking at home but that’s once upon a time. People must adapt to the current era,” she said. Park, 74, is one of the leading lights in the South Korean frenzy. Her YouTube channel “Korea Grandma” has over 1.32 million subscribers. In her videos, Park throws expletives while reviewing a Korean drama and screams her lungs out while paragliding for the first time. Park’s success has paved the way for others. Jang Myung-sook gives out fashion and lifestyles tips on her channel “ Milanonna,” a nonagenarian known as Grandma “Gganzi” raps and shares personal stories about living through the Japanese colonization, and a 76-year-old YouTuber flaunts her “single life” on “ G-gourmet. ” “I would like to tell grandmothers to try everything they want to do and not be concerned with their age,” Park told The Associated Press. “For young people...You’ll be OK as long as you are healthy,” she said. “Please fight on and best of luck.”
with opposition lawmakers and others putting up black flags on social media to demand the premier to resign, for an end to the emergency and for Parliament to reopen. Police however, reportedly said they are investigating the black flag campaign for sedition, public mischief and misuse of network facilities for offensive purposes. Muhyiddin, who took power in March 2020 after political maneuvers brought down the former reformist government, faces intense challenge from the opposition and within his own coalition. Support for his leadership cannot be tested with Parliament suspended.
KO from 11 Staked to a one-shot lead, Ko opened with three birdies in four holes to widen her lead. Castren, who won her first LPGA Tour title three weeks ago at Lake Merced, kept her in her sights with a pair of birdies before making the turn. “I was thinking I couldn’t win this week because like Matilda, she played really well today and yesterday, too,” Ko said. “It’s like I want to focus on my game on the course and then I tried to not think about Matilda, how she plays, hit driver or whatever. And it was tough. But yeah, she’s good player.” Castren was in danger of falling three shots behind on the par-5 13th when she was in trouble off the tee and had 20 feet left for par, with Ko about 12 feet for a birdie chance. Castren holed her par putt, Ko missed and the lead remained at one. The roles were switched on the next hole when Ko missed her tee shot well to the right and couldn’t reach the green, pitching to 6 feet. Castren had a wedge into the green, but she couldn’t convert for birdie and Ko saved par. The tournament swung on the 15th hole when Castren missed a 3-foot par putt that snapped hard to the left, falling two shots behind. She got up-and-down from just short of the par-5 17th for birdie, and stayed in the game when Ko missed her birdie putt from 6 feet.
Muhyiddin’s office announced that the lower house will resume July 26, just days before the emergency expires Aug. 1, caving into pressure from the king and ethnic Malay state rulers. James Chin, an Asian expert at Australia’s University of Tasmania, said the white flag movement could fuel public anger over a perceived inept in the government’s ability to manage the crisis. “The white flag campaign will no doubt be used as a major political weapon to show that the government is a massive failure,” he said.
Castren had a 25-foot birdie from off the back of the 18th green that missed to the right, setting up Ko’s winning par putt from just outside 3 feet. “I played with her the last two days and it was just really cool to watch her play,” Castren said. “She didn’t make many mistakes at all, recovered from her not-sogreat shots really well. I can definitely see why she was world No. 1 for so long.” Gaby Lopez of Mexico closed with a 65, making her only bogey on the final hole. She finished alone in third, two shots behind. Esther Henseleit of Germany was within two shots with five holes to play. But on the 14th, her drive went under a tree and she had to take a penalty drop. Then, she lipped out a 4-foot putt and made her second double bogey of the round, falling four shots behind. Henseleit closed with a 72 and tied for fourth with Ana Belac (68) and Emma Talley, who shot a 63 for her career low round on the LPGA Tour. Ko had plenty of support at Old American, with a large contingent of Koreans in the gallery. Ko is among several South Koreans who are based in the Dallas area. Her father’s birthday was on July 1, and Ko opened with a 63. Her parents were at Old American because it was a short drive from her new home. “It was a great week,” Ko said.
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JULY 10 – JULY 16, 2021
39 YEARS
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DIVERSITY from 10 Although that bill also doesn't prescribe a particular curriculum, one of Ericksen’s amendments asked that “the proposed curriculum may not, in any way, disparage a person of another race, color, or creed." “Some amendments didn’t come from a place of good intent, but from a place of obstructionism,” Randall said. “I think what [this amendment] was trying to say is that ‘talking about institutional racism is racist’—and I don’t believe in reverse racism.” Ericksen’s amendment was not adopted. Although she is not involved in diversity training sessions at her college, Tobar says she is excited to see this bill pass. “I think my college is great,” Tobar said. “We do a lot in terms of diversity, but we can be doing so much more.”
Implicit bias
Susana Treviño was offered the senator for disability, diversity, equity and inclusion position at Walla Walla Community College after the Student Goverment Association president saw them perform a poem about their experience as an undocumented student at an open mic. After they graduated from high school in 2008, Treviño went to Walla Walla Community College for an advising appointment. “[The administrator] didn’t ask me anything, not about what I wanted to study, not about my life, not about my interests,” Treviño said. “Right away, the only thing she asked me for was my Social Security card.” Treviño said that as an undocumented person, not only were they afraid that the administrator might call Immigration and Customs Enforcement, but they also felt stereotyped because of their ethnicity. Now, as a student doing diversity work on campus, Treviño calls for a “total reprogramming” in the diversity sessions required by SB
ASTRONAUTS from 4 China’s space agency plans a total of 11 launches through the end of next year to add two more modules to the 70-ton station. Liu is a veteran of the Shenzhou 7 mission in 2008, during which Zhai Zhigang made China’s first space walk. Nie is on his third trip into space while Liu is making his first. All are military pilots.
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5227 to unlearn implicit bias. “One of the main points that could help everyone would be to emphasize how some of those old ideas and biases play out without you even noticing,” Treviño said. “We can unknowingly be putting a specific group of people down without realizing it.” “Implicit bias” refers to the prejudicial association of traits to an individual based on a stereotypical understanding of social groups. Treviño uses their experience in 2008 as an example. “This woman probably thought she was doing the right thing,” Treviño said. The federal government and most states, including Washington, do not require students to be citizens or to show proof of citizenship to enroll in college. Treviño is the first person to hold the brand-new position of senator for disability, diversity, equity, and inclusion. They say “the whole ‘equity’ thing” has only recently gained prominence in rural areas like Walla Walla. Diversity and anti-racist work has become more widespread and visible even in more rural areas, but not without pushback. In May, Idaho’s Republican governor, Brad Little, signed a bill to ban critical race theory in classrooms. Randall says critical race theory, a decades-old academic concept of systemic racism, has become something of a “boogeyman” in the political arena. In Washington state, Ericksen proposed an amendment to keep critical race theory out of these training sessions. It was not adopted.
Cultural competency
When Jiyeon Song came to study computer science at Edmonds College, she was surprised that students from the United States assumed K-Pop, Korean popular music, was “nerdy.” Although the Korean international student is not a huge K-Pop fan herself, she remembers sympathizing with students who felt “ashamed” to enjoy music from their home country. In the fall of her second year at Edmonds College, Song
BOBA from 1 the Boxing Gym Westside. Nobody was injured. King County Executive Dow Constantine visited the scene of the fire near 16th Avenue Southwest and Roxbury Avenue on the afternoon of July 5. Calling the incident
took on the role of executive officer of diversity in the student government. “As an Asian student, I haven’t felt any explicit racism on campus,” Song said. “I’m really thankful for that, but still we need to understand other people’s cultures.” In her diversity work on campus, Song says she has hosted events with Native American guest speakers to further cultural competence. Tobar hosts at least two cultural events a quarter—remotely, of course. Some of her favorites centered on Dia de los Muertos, Pride month and Black History month. “I think racism starts from not understanding,” Song said. “I think we need to educate people on the lived experience of people of color to help anti-racism on campus.” Ericksen said he loves all people—especially when they are celebrating America. Another one of his proposed amendments asked that the curriculum “not include or suggest sentiments that may be considered anti-American or negative towards the United States of America.” Ericksen said he does not want the curriculum to be similar to the 1619 Project, a New York Times project that reframes the narrative of American history from a Black perspective. “Criticizing America is one of the most patriotic things we can do,” Randall said. “I love this country and I want it to be better. That’s part of the reason I serve my community as a legislator.” Colleges and universities will have until the 2022-23 academic year to figure out a program that works for them. After that, Randall intends for the bill’s required campus climate surveys to guide them. According to Treviño, who has seen unchecked bias first hand at their college, this student feedback will be invaluable because, as Treviño said “students' lived experience might be different than what they talk about at their staff meetings.”
“a blow to White Center,” Constantine said his office will work with business owners to identify grants and other assistance. If you’d like to donate to help the cafe rebuild, go to https://bit.ly/36jAMVX Ruth can be reached at editor@nwasianweekly.com.
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SOLUTION from SUDOKU on page 6.
JULY 10 – JULY 16, 2021
YOUR VOICE CID MURALS from 1
Photo by Evelyn Hou
artists, Vivian Mak and Patrick “Dozfy” Nguyen, Wong’s planned and executed three, new murals at the corner of Maynard Avenue South and South Lane Street, at and around the Bush Garden building. Dozfy’s segment, a gold dragon on a black wall, was completed on June 25. Mak’s segment, inspired by the Chinese custom of the lion dance, was scheduled for completion on July 9. The third segment, due for completion on July 23, features large-scale reproductions of pictures, by Shishi Nguyen, from Cindy Wong’s first children’s book, “Starhug,” which comes out in late August. Asked about inspirations for his segment, Dozfy gave a great deal of credit to Wong. “She had the initiative to bring art to the property, and had a wonderful story. I’m honored that she gave me the creative freedom to recreate a mural that links a traditional Chinese icon with my visual style.” Mak said she’s happy with how things turned out, but getting there took time and a few turns. “We went through a lot of iterations before we arrived at [her section’s] current design. It started with elements from an old Chinese board game, [and] people dancing on the walls.” From there, her design turned to “several dancing lions, [then] to the final design where we all felt it was right. Fairly simple and traditional, with a lion head in the center, and dancing lions behind the text.” As far as Wong’s own artistic development, she mused, “I don’t know about an artistic sensibility, but I have always loved to read. As a kid, I was always reading in the car, at the dinner table, waking up on Saturday morning, throwing a blanket on the floor and surrounding myself with books to read all
From left: Tony Au, Bruce Harrell, and Lena Hou. Hou performed the national anthem.
HARRELL from 1 demonstration by Tony Au, and a ukelele and song performance by 9-year-old Allison Wong. The event was organized by Wong’s father, developer James Wong, along with Au. Baldwin, of Filipino descent, said, “Seattle is in a transition phase, the whole country is in a transition phase and we need leadership to step up and lean into the humanity to drive us forward in the areas we want to go in, to fix the problems that we
Patrick “Dozfy” Nguyen’s Golden Dragon mural
Vivian Mak’s Happy Lion mural
day. Some books have the ability to grow our imagination, mind, and soul, while making us laugh and cry. It was a natural segue to want to be a storyteller, to create something meaningful to connect with people. “I didn’t study art, but at an early age, I had amazing teachers at Kimball Elementary School that encouraged kindness, empathy, and being part of a diverse community. When you have that support, it creates a positive environment to want to learn, create, and share. I am
still in touch with my 2nd grade teacher, Ms. Christine Hackett, who contributed so much to ‘Starhug’ from her insight as a teacher, mother, and grandmother.” The new project got started when Wong’s company, Vibrant Cities, built up a community network from its headquarters within the [C-ID]. When COVID hit, Vibrant Cities saw the community coming together to help each other, and felt moved to do something. Local senior citizens, walking the streets and the parking lot, confessed that
see when we look out into our city.” “We have an opportunity to redefine Seattle,” Harrell said. “I wanted Doug Baldwin to introduce me because he epitomizes what all of you epitomize… strength, intelligence, hard work, fairness, compassion… you epitomize the best of this city, the absolute best.” When asked how he would support the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) community, Harrell said he wants councilmember accountability. “Restructure the city’s existing budget and put $10 million in each councilmember’s budget district so they can do a ‘deep dive.’ I want councilmember accountability and resources.” He promised to increase public safety, and encourage business to business partnering. “Use Channel 21 (Seattle Channel) as a marketing tool to cross market small businesses and restaurants… make the CID active, vibrant, fun, and clean.” Harrell spoke on the importance of solidarity between AAPIs and Black, Indigenous, and other people of color—to look
for commonality while celebrating diversity. He pointed to his Race and Data Initiative to address how Seattle can address institutional and historic racism. His campaign website states, “Under this initiative, we will better understand who are denied jobs; what level of housing discrimination exists; who are treated unfairly in our court systems; who is most likely to be the victim of violence. We will not be afraid to examine our City’s frailties as this will be a first step in healing as a city.” Of defunding police, Harrell said, “I don’t believe in defunding the police. I do not believe in bad cops. I believe in good cops, effective cops.” “We all deserve safe streets and communities,” Harrell’s website states. “We know the difference between peaceful protest and criminal destruction of property… As Mayor, I’ll never lose sight of the goal: a Seattle police department that is responsive to community needs, that protects all people and neighborhoods without bias.” He adds that the “us” vs “them” conversation is not working.
SANDBOX from 4 needed—or it may have to be shut down entirely— meant some cancelations before it even began. Fewer than 250 international travelers were expected on the first day compared to the initial target of 1,500. But as the kinks are worked out and people report their first-hand experiences, authorities are hopeful for a steady increase in the numbers. From July 1 to 15, there are currently 1,101 hotel bookings for a total of 13,116 room overnights. Travelers to other parts of Thailand are subject to
a strict 14-day hotel room quarantine, but under the sandbox plan, visitors to Phuket will be allowed to roam the entire island—the country’s largest—where they can lounge on the white beaches, jet ski and enjoy evenings eating out in restaurants, although clubs and bars remain closed. Only visitors from countries considered no higher than “low” or “medium” risk—a list currently including most of Europe and the Mideast, the U.S., Canada, Britain, Australia and New Zealand—are permitted, and they must fly in directly to Phuket, though plans are in the works to allow carefully controlled transfers
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graffiti on the company building made them uncomfortable. Some of Vibrant Cities’ new hires felt the same way. The company noticed that local artists helped local businesses beautify storefronts, and the idea for the murals evolved from that. Networking brought Mak and Dozfy into the project. Asked about the other two local artists, Wong enthused, “Dozfy is such a cool dude. You meet him and instantly like him and his ideas. He is so established and still has such a big heart, to support and grow the artist community. “Vivian is a deep soul. You can talk to her for hours about so many different things. I love her enthusiasm and passion. We are fortunate to have them both represent their work on the mural project.” As Wong conceived the overall installation, each piece represents a different phase of a time in the neighborhood, bridging from a traditional past that still exists, to the changing present, and yet hopeful future of an inclusive, diverse community for all. “We hope that people from everywhere will be reminded that the C-ID has a vibrant future,” Wong concluded. “Everyone has had a tough year, whether it is a senior that lives in the community or someone visiting the area. “We will be happy to know one, or all the artworks, will bring a smile to someone’s face or heart, and a sense of safety as they walk around this part of the C-ID. The happy traditional lion represents courage, the golden dragon strength, and the Starhug pictures, that we are all connected. Together, we are a strong community that will continue to grow.” Andrew can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.
“We must start from the common baseline that every human being deserves respect and dignity.” Harrell said his mayoral run is about starting “a movement in Seattle to take it back.” The former city council president once served as mayor for four days after Ed Murray resigned. First elected to the city council in 2007, then re-elected in 2011 and 2015, Harrell was the first council president of Asian descent since Liem Tuai in the 1970s. After leaving the city council, Harrell returned to private practice to expand affordable housing for low-income Seattleites. As someone who is biracial, Harrell said he is no stranger to bias and hate. But he said the outpouring of support he gets from event attendees and others far outweigh the negative—and that he is energized at the prospect of becoming Seattle’s next mayor. Ruth can be reached at editor@nwasianweekly.com.
through Bangkok’s airport. Adult foreign visitors must provide proof of two vaccinations, a negative COVID-19 test no more than 72 hours before departure, and proof of an insurance policy that covers treatment for the virus of at least $100,000, among other things. Once on the island, they have to follow mask and distancing regulations and take three COVID-19 tests at their own expense—about $300 total—and show negative results. After 14 days, visitors can travel elsewhere in Thailand.
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asianweekly northwest
39 YEARS
JULY 10 – JULY 16, 2021
BLOG from 9 and social distancing. True... under that mask, all our emotions seem to be dead. Quickly, I adapted. If I didn’t want hugs, I had my elbow up before anyone stood close to me. It worked. But I wonder if I am doing the right thing socially. Have I upset anyone? Hug or no hug, I enjoy seeing people, talking and laughing in the spirit of being together. We each had much to catch up on. And so much has changed in our lives— sometimes, it is not easy to know what to ask or share. But do share the most special or important thing that had happened to you during the pandemic. That question reminds us to reflect on what we have accomplished for the past 16 months. If we haven’t done much, it’s OK. Be grateful that you are well now and it’s time to move toward meaningful ventures. One story that touched me most was a couple who had moved to the San Juan Islands. The move was drastic and tough. But the impact was unexpectedly great. The couple homeschooled their little grandson who has special needs. He adjusts well in a school with only four students, including him. He is now happy and has found his place. The pandemic has stolen one precious year of our lives. It makes us ponder what and how we should live our lives to the fullest. Not everyone has the opportunity to do so. Not everyone is creative enough to know how to use their time wisely. And if you are an immigrant with a language barrier, the options may be limited.
Bake. If you don’t know how to bake, it’s fun to learn.
to plan it especially during Covid. The night before, I plan tomorrow’s activities. Yes, I have a to-do list—everything I want to do is put on a schedule. For instance, I wouldn’t write—I walk at 10 a.m. What I put down is, “walk… morning.” I already know which park I choose to roam. If I want to eat seaweed that day, I remind myself on paper, buy seaweed. That means I have to go to the grocery store and pick out what I like to eat. That’s a good activity for me. If I want to talk to a friend, I write, “Call so and so.” Every day, I have a program for myself. It’s never too late for retirees to search for meaningful hobbies in this day and age, and never too late to rediscover your interests.
If you are young and reading this, please start developing interesting hobbies. If you love to sing, join a choir. Organize a karaoke group. I have seen people sing together on Zoom. The performers said it was amazing to be able to sing together during Covid.
If you can organize, organize clubs for books, movies, fishing, hiking, writing, painting, cooking, eating, knitting... There are all kinds of clubs you can start.
Plan for trips. This is the time to do so. Don’t stay cooped up at home. Take the ferry. Go to San Juan Islands to see orcas swimming in the ocean.
How to have an interesting day
Knowing how to entertain yourself is a skill and an asset. It is a lifelong education, requiring time, selfawareness, and patience to nurture. An essential skill, it’s rewarding to have. What the pandemic has taught me is selfknowledge. If you want to have a fun day, you have
Prof. Ya-Shu Chao wrote and published his own memoir in Chinese. Standing next to Chao ishis wife Nancy, who is now writing her own memoir. She is a former reporter for World Journal.
Anything is possible with the reopening, you just have to make up your mind to find your niche. Talk to friends and see what they do during their spare time. It can open your world and get you connected to people you have not seen for a while.
Finding a purpose
A friend of mine was restless during the long weekend. “Monday, the stock market is closed. I need to find something to do. A threeday holiday is too long. What am I going to do?” The sheltering at home has turned many retirees to the stock market. It has become a career for many, and a pastime for some. Yes, I know of people who spend their daytime trading stocks. It is exciting and fun for those who have found nothing better to do. It is also a way to make extra money. However, it also destroys and drains someone’s savings fast if they don’t know what they are doing. Even for those who are skilled, they have already paid a fair amount of tuition to learn the trade. Trading stocks is no different from highstakes gambling. I wouldn’t recommend it as a hobby. However, seniors who have retired have told me that this is often the thing they do. They can’t think of anything else to do. If they don’t play mahjong, stocks are their thing. The other thing is watching too many Asian soap operas.
Learn a language. Don’t laugh at me. I did learn a few Italian phrases last year from YouTube. Now I probably have forgotten them. But if I travel to Italy, I can relearn the language quickly. If you have something to teach, make a YouTube video. You can make new friends or even find sponsors if you get lots of viewers.
If you can’t think of anything to do, it’s okay. Don’t be too hard on yourself. Get out and walk in a park. It’s my favorite thing to do during the pandemic. Seattle is a park city. There are so many great parks and few visitors. We pay taxes so we should make use of our money.
Plant a garden. Plant trees in your yard. Offer to plant trees for your friends.
If you want to write a book, now is the time. If you can’t find a publisher, you can always self-publish through Amazon.
Assunta can be reached at assunta@nwasianweekly.com.