PRSRT STD U.S. Postage Paid Permit No. 746 Seattle, WA
VOL 40 NO 43 OCTOBER 23 – OCTOBER 29, 2021
FREE 39 YEARS YOUR VOICE
Mayoral candidates split over style
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Comedian Kiki Yeung is one crazy woke Asian 7
ON THE SHELF Beautiful Country bravely shows the human side of illegal immigration 8
PUBLISHER’S BLOG 5 mistakes to avoid in this election 10 Bruce Harrell
Mark Wright, moderator
Lorena Gonzalez
By Mahlon Meyer NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY
the pandemic, squared off last week by presenting policies that were, in many ways, similar but with communication styles that were stunningly different. Bruce Harrell and Lorena Gonzalez, at a Rotary virtual luncheon on Oct. 13,
promised to create additional positions for officers within the police force that would focus on social needs. They also both called for more affordable housing to
Two candidates for mayor, each emphasizing an ability to lead a heavilytroubled city and police force out of
see DEBATES on 15
NWAW ENDORSEMENTS 11
Umair Shah fights Conrad Lee vs. Dexter Borbe personal and public and the future of Bellevue health calamities Here is a man who has taken on the burdens of many. And despite the chaos around him manages to remain composed and on task. Umair Shah tells the story of his life despite repeated interruptions, and he models the kind of calm intensity that Washingtonians have become familiar with since he took over as secretary of the department of health in December 2020. His mother had a stroke 30 years ago, which changed his life. He was on his way to law school, after having been inspired by a popular Hungarian philosophy professor at Vanderbilt University. He had dumped his original major of Molecular Biology, and while his friends were already getting responses to their applications to medical school, he was preparing for a life of legal or policy work.
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Courtesy of WA Department of Health
By Mahlon Meyer NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY
Dr. Umair Shah, secretary of health
But he reversed course immediately. “My sister and I often talk about the fact that our parents absolutely took care of us when we had needs as kids, and we feel and felt very strongly that it was our responsibility to take care of them when see HEALTH on 11
Dexter Borbe
Conrad Lee
By Mahlon Meyer NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY
2 election for position 2 on the Bellevue City Council.
One has been in politics for 27 years and points to the growth of Bellevue as proof of his accomplishments. The other is a relative newcomer but describes a long career in business, which he says can transform into successful policies. Bellevue City Councilmember Conrad Lee and local business-owner Dexter Borbe are facing off for a seat in the Nov.
CONRAD LEE “I came to this country and found freedom, and liberty and justice for all,” said Conrad Lee. “That,” he added, “is why I want to serve, and the best way to serve the community is through being a member of the Bellevue City Council, see LEE VS. BORBE on 4
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39 YEARS
OCTOBER 23 – OCTOBER 29, 2021
■ POLITICS Hasegawa ready to take the Port of Seattle into the future She is the same firecracker who took the helm of the Washington State Commission of Asian and Pacific American Affairs (CAPAA) in 2018. The same daughter of union activists. The same proud woman of color. Now aiming her sights at the Commissioner Position 4 seat at the Port of Seattle election in November, Toshiko Grace Hasegawa has a vision of what the future of the Port can and should be. It’s a vision she thinks is overdue and has been overlooked by Port officials, so far. According to Hasegawa, this position with the Port “touches everybody in their daily lives, from consumers to businesses to workers to commuters to passengers. It is the fourth largest container port in the nation and equidistant between Asia and Europe, so it’s a point of entry for goods and people around the world.” The Port is “considered to be the economic engine of our region” and it is one of the “largest polluters of carbon emissions in our state.” All of these are reasons why Hasegawa wishes to take on the job, with the fact that she grew up on Beacon Hill, a Port-side neighborhood, and has a close, historical connection to this hub of industry and transportation. “My family’s American story begins at the Port of Seattle when my great grandparents immigrated by boat in search of economic opportunity,” Hasegawa told the Weekly. “They put down roots in Beacon Hill because it was one of the only neighborhoods they were allowed to live in, due to the exclusionary redlining laws.” It is this type of inequity, lived by people of color, immigrants, blue collar laborers, that has been rife, too, in some Port of Seattle operations—and in industries still run primarily by white males—which Hasegawa intends to combat and change.
Photo from hasegawaforport.com
By Kai Curry NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY
Toshiko Hasegawa (middle) with Port workers
People who live near the Port of Seattle, which includes Sea-Tac Airport, have been victims of “higher incidence of infant mortality, lower life expectancy, higher incidence of asthma and cancer, and even disparate educational outcomes,” Hasegawa said. “All of these things are directly connected to increased exposure to pollution. I’m running because the Port of Seattle has a tremendous role to play in answering to the environmental and public health challenges of our time.” These concerns, along with growing infrastructure problems, have not been approached properly by Port officials, in Hasegawa’s view. She cited specific examples, such as the recent re-designation of Terminal 46 for cruise ships instead of loading and unloading cargo ships, at a
time when supply chains are at a breaking point. “Ships are backlogged in the harbor waiting to unload… they are hanging out in the islands, destroying quality of life.” Hasegawa shared a story of a boba tea shop owner worried about going out of business due to not receiving her inventory. “Shipping had its best year on record due to COVID-19” and rather than blaming COVID-19 for the current backlog, Hasegawa said, “We should have known that this was a priority.” Hasegawa elaborated on plans to replace North Sea-Tac Park with a parking lot or warehouse, which she says her opponent, Peter Steinbrueck, supported—although she see HASEGAWA on 13
Columbia City in. m 8 2
Roosevelt
Northside views and Southside music festivals, now closer than ever.
Three new Link light rail stations are connecting neighborhoods like never before. northgatelink.com
ST 16096 Roosevelt-ColumbiaCity_NWAW_9.75x7.25_Open_eng_v2.indd 1
Pub/s: Northwest Asian Weekly
8/20/21 4:57 PM
Traffic: 10/11/21
Run Date: 10/21/21
Color: CMYK
Author: TH
OCTOBER 23 – OCTOBER 29, 2021
YOUR VOICE
■ POLITICS
asianweekly northwest
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AAPI candidates who want your vote
Amy Lam
Anh Vo
Bruce Harrell
Chiho Lai
Conrad Lee
Dexter Borbe
Faye Yang
Frank Irigon
Han Tran
Hassan Dhananjaya
Hoang Tran
Jane Aras
Jesse Tam
Joe Nguyen
Joe Van
Joyce Shui
Kim Muromoto
Kim-Khanh Van
Leah Choi
Leandra Craft
Parminder Bhatti
Pratima Lakhotia
Renae Seam
Russell Joe
Satwinder Kaur
Toshiko Hasegawa
Tracy Furutani
Tyann Nguyen
Vishal Misri
Vivian Song
Will Chen
Nov. 2 is General Election Day for all voters in Washington. Counties have already mailed ballots to registered voters. In order to make your voice heard, you must be registered to vote. Voter registration forms that are mailed or completed online must be received by Oct. 25. After Oct. 25, you must visit your local elections office or voting center during regular business hours and until 8 p.m. on Election
Day to register to vote or update your registration and receive a ballot. Send your ballot via U.S. mail— no postage needed. All ballots must be postmarked by Nov. 2 in order to be counted. The U.S. Postal Service recommends that you mail a week before Election Day. Here are the AAPI candidates on the ballot.
COUNTY King County, Executive
Metropolitan King County, Council District No. 9
Joe Nguyen The son of refugees from the Vietnam War, Joe Nguyen became the first Vietnamese American elected to the Washington State Senate in 2018.
Kim-Khanh Van Currently a Renton City Council member, Kim-Khanh Van is an attorney and public school mom who came to America as a refugee after leaving her native Vietnam at the age of 6. see CANDIDATES on 12
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■ POLITICS
39 YEARS
OCTOBER 23 – OCTOBER 29, 2021
Activist Frank Irigon eyes Newcastle City Council seat By Jason Cruz NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY Longtime Newcastle resident and Filipino civil rights activist Frank Irigon is running for Newcastle City Council. “I decided to run after having met with several people from within the community.” Irigon kicked off his campaign in April of this year for Position No. 6. With a history of activism and public service on his resume, Irigon is taking on the task of getting word out that he is running for city council to all of his neighbors in the city. Despite the pandemic, Irigon has safely gone door-to-door, wearing a mask to contact the people of Newcastle. He’s also had a fundraiser and online events in support of his campaign. “I have been using my community organizing skills,” said Irigon. The position is nonpartisan and he believes that he could work with opposing sides of issues in making the city sustainable. Although non-partisan,
Irigon has garnered the support of two sitting members of the Newcastle City Council, as well as three former city council members and state Sen. Bob Hasegawa Born in the Philippines in 1947, Irigon’s father joined the U.S. military and his family moved to the United States, where his father was stationed at Fort Lewis. Irigon followed in his father’s footsteps in joining the U.S. military. He eventually returned to the area and attended the University of Washington, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts and then a Masters in Social Work. While in college during the 1970s, Irigon attended antiwar rallies while serving in the ROTC. He was active in student government and participated in social justice activities. In 2017, Irigon was awarded the Martin Luther King, Jr. Medal of Distinguished Service by the King County Council, which honors those that have improved the lives of communities in King County. The Northwest Asian Weekly
LEE VS. BORBE from 1 and to do that, I have to run for the council position.” Lee says he is fiscally responsible. He was raised by a widowed mother and the family “had to learn to pinch every penny.” Lee has an undergraduate degree in electrical engineering from the University of Michigan and an MBA from the University of Washington (UW). In his 27 years on the city council, he has also served as mayor and deputy mayor. One example of his work came at a time when cities were automatically allowed to raise property taxes by 6%. But he and others analyzed the budget and found reserves. So he and three other council members stopped the automatic increases, he said. “For the next 10 years, we did not have an automatic 6% tax rate.” More recently, the city has chosen to increase the tax rate by 1%. Last year, as with years before, he voted against it. Lee said the city is well-run and able to take care of its finances without it. “I did not feel it was necessary for many reasons.” Last year, the city had a budget shortfall of $16 million due to the pandemic. Lee said because of the city’s financial policies, they were able to cover it. Looking forward, Lee said Bellevue will be “the technology center of the world.” But critics have raised questions about his stance toward affordable housing. Amazon is expected to bring 25,000 jobs to Bellevue by 2025. “In the last six months, we’ve done more for affordable housing than any jurisdiction in the state,” he said. “We need to accommodate people who work and live here. We wanted to do it right, we wanted to do it responsibly. Before we had a plan, before we knew what we were going to do, we didn’t want to just jump in. It’s not that we’re against affordable housing. The city of Bellevue has been working on affordable housing for 30 years.” Lee also approached the issue of a homeless shelter in a similar way. “We were against homeless shelters because people were doing it haphazardly. But if you look at what we have done, four years later, we have it in place. We are
“I am running on the belief of fiscal responsibility, accountability, transparency, and equal justice for all.” Frank Irigon
also honored Irigon with its Lifetime Achievement Award. “I am running on the belief of fiscal responsibility, accountability, transparency, and equal justice for all.” One of the issues that has sparked Irigon’s campaign is the addition to the city budget of a 3% utility tax posed on residents to assist in funding police and the fire department in 2020 during the pandemic. Irigon and many Newcastle residents he has spoken with felt
it was unfair and an adjustment of priorities by those in power that was not transparent to the greater population of residents. Also, Irigon is hearing concerns of development negatively impacting the city. “Too much density,” said Irigon of the continued projects of condos, townhomes, and other upbuildings in the city. “Instead of single family residences, development wants to rezone.” Irigon voiced concerns that the city was not doing a good
now a model.” Asked to share more of his accomplishments, Lee said he “planted the seed” for the UW’s Eastside campus by suggesting the idea to UW President Michael K. Young. Tsinghua University (China’s equivalent of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology) also contributed money. As for his politics, Lee said he doesn’t like labels. He calls himself “socially responsible.” Asked about criticism that he had been against Affirmative Action and LGBTQ policies, he said it was not accurate. “I don’t support discrimination because I was once discriminated against. I bring people together.” “Please look at what the city of Bellevue has accomplished, look at what Bellevue has become.” DEXTER BORBE While at MIT, where he received an MBA, Dexter Borbe met many classmates who gradually led him to a realization about the middle class. Both parents had worked their way up through entrepreneurship in the Philippines, shaping his beliefs. “I had very little sympathy for people whose plight was worse than mine because I was trying to make my own way in the world and I had worked hard to get to where I was,” he said. But then he saw the inequities starting with the Bush administration, such as the elimination of taxes on the rich, leaving the middle and lower classes to bear the tax burden. Borbe said he wants to promote the sustainable growth of Bellevue, and for that to happen, the city needs its middle class. “Think about it, as this company that did a lot of sales and marketing on the front end and it looks great, but you also have to invest in fulfillment and distribution and Human Resources and accounting to go alongside,” he said. “It’s not sexy, but it’s part of the company. You need it.” His support for affordable housing stems from this belief. Most Bellevue school teachers have commutes of an hour, he said. “It’s okay to be a little premium, but when we are this
enough job in making sure that residents knew of the plans of developers, which would build more multi-unit projects in the city. “We are running out of land for development.” He notes that the city garners revenues from property, sales, and development but with more projects occurring in the city, they are running out of this third resource. Irigon believes that there should be more resident involvement with the city’s planning commission. “People are too friendly with developers.” He added, “There are no checks and balances. The city needs to do a better job with community engagement.” Irigon is being challenged by Paul Charbonneau for the seat. Despite the two vying for the one seat, the race has been amicable. “I like my opponent,” said Irigon. “We just have differences on how to run the city.” Jason can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.
off in terms of housing costs, we are pushing away all middle class professionals that are essential to make a complete society—your teachers, your nurses, your firefighters,” he said. “The majority of the Bellevue city management staff don’t live in Bellevue, and a great percentage of our police officers don’t live in Bellevue.” He also believes the Eastside Homeless Shelter is necessary for sustainable growth. “I don’t know any other place in Bellevue, which could be as insulated as where the men’s shelter is,” he said. “We cannot stick our heads in the sand and say the problem will go away because it won’t.” Homelessness itself is an offshoot of an untenable housing market, he said. Home prices were up over 25% in one year this June, according to the latest data from the S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller Index, one of the leading trackers of the housing market. His father’s journey started in the lower echelons of society. As a teenager, his father found work at a hardware store in Manila’s Chinatown, where he slept and swept the floors and made tea in the morning. Now, half a lifetime later, his father is the second largest shareholder in the same company which has become a major wholesaler and distributor of electrical and mechanical construction products in the Philippines His parents’ stories inspired him to do what he is doing now. Three years ago, he bought a local franchise of a national health care company that provides caregivers for older people at home. His decision to run for office—when the Democratic Party reached out—was two-fold. He wants to use the skills he acquired in his corporate career, which included mergers and acquisitions and working for energy companies in Texas. “I’ve missed the intellectual challenge.” He also wants to look back when he’s older and be able to say he’s made a difference in the lives of his community. “This is basically a search for meaning.” Mahlon can be reached at info@nwaweekly.com.
OCTOBER 23 – OCTOBER 29, 2021
YOUR VOICE
■ POLITICS
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Can Kim-Khanh Van defeat Reagan Dunn? By Faith Noh NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY Kim-Khanh Van would be the first Asian American woman to be on the Metropolitan King County Council since 1973, if she beats Reagan Dunn on Nov. 2. As a refugee and immigrant from Vietnam, Van hopes to represent communities that are often neglected in policy-making, and she hopes to unseat Dunn, the incumbent for District 9. “It’s a privilege, an honor, and a responsibility to make sure that our policy reflects the Asian American lived experience and professional experience,” Van said. Some of her main priorities are building affordable housing and reducing homelessness, ensuring public safety by addressing gun violence and hate crimes, and investing in transit and transportation. Van has a long history of representing the Asian American
community in the Puget Sound. She is the co-founder of AAPI Against Hate, as well as the president of the Vietnamese American Community of Seattle and Sno-King Counties. Van also runs her own law office where she manages cases on immigration, personal injury, and family. Van was also a volunteer attorney for the Northwest Immigrants’ Rights Project. As a Renton City Councilmember, Van decided to run for the King County Council because she wants policies that reflect the various cultures and communities that are often missing from the conversation, such as the Asian American community. “If you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu,” Van said. “The policies that we’ve had really neglected Asian American communities. When we talk about racism, it’s either a Black or white issue, when in fact, there are issues happening to our community members.”
Kim-Khanh Van
Another motivation for Van was her dissatisfaction with Dunn. Last year, he was the only council member who voted against the resolution to declare racism as a public health crisis. “When our elders get slammed to the pavement across the nation, we need to come together to make sure that we have a voice,” Van said, referencing the rise in hate crimes against Asian Americans
during the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, Van emphasized the importance of standing in solidarity with all marginalized and underrepresented communities, including BIPOC, immigrants, seniors, and veterans. “Our lived experiences are within the greater context of King County, as we know from the Gang of Four,” Van said. On the other hand, this race has been an uphill climb for Van. Her opponent is not only a fourterm incumbent, but he has also received 55% of the votes during the primary election in August while Van was in second with 22%. “It was not an easy journey thus far, not that I was assuming it would be, but definitely the experience of my race and my gender really came into play in terms of barriers to overcome at times.” However, Van explained that these structural and cultural barriers actually became opportunities. Her lived experience as a
woman of color has empowered her to claim her seat at the table and to amplify the voices of the vulnerable and the underrepresented. Van is endorsed by many fellow Asian American politicians, such as state Rep. My-Linh Thai. “I believe in representation and elected leaders must represent the community they serve,” Thai stated. “Ms. Van is the candidate who will bring voice and representation to the council that reflects the growth and diversity from her community.” Despite the odds stacked against her, Van continues to march forward with strong support from many individuals and organizations. “It’s just too often that Asian Americans are left out and left behind,” Van said. “It’s time for us to have experience in leadership.” Faith can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.
■ COMMUNITY NEWS
Photo by Matt Chan
Two shot, suspects arrested in CID robbery
A shooting victim on a gurney, surround by Seattle police on Oct. 16
Police arrested the suspects in a robbery and shooting, which left two people injured in the Chinatown-International District on Oct. 16. At approximately 12:15 p.m., police responded to 12th Avenue South and South Jackson Street for reports of gunfire. Police arrived and found a woman and man, both with gunshot wounds to their legs. Medics transported the 28-year-old woman and 41-year-old man to Harborview Medical Center in stable condition. Matt Chan was riding his bike and came upon the scene about 10 minutes after the shooting. “The [crime scene] tape had been put up and there were officers with assault rifles searching the area so I assume the shooter had escaped into the neighborhood. I overheard a witness, who was being
questioned, mention a robbery and something about a cell phone.” Police said a man shot another man during a robbery. The female victim had not been involved, and had just been walking by when she was shot. The woman had been carrying her child, who was not injured. Witnesses provided officers with a description of the male suspect and a female accomplice who had accompanied him as he left the area. Officers soon located them in a vehicle at a gas station at Rainier Avenue South and South Charles Street. The 28-year-old man and 27-year-old woman were booked into King County Jail. The man had a warrant for escaping community custody related to a previous robbery conviction.
Mail-in voting only for ISRD Board election SEATTLE — There will be no in-person voting this year for the International Special Review District (ISRD) Board election, due to the continued impacts of COVID-19 and ongoing public health concerns. The election will occur by mail-in ballot only. The Seattle Department of Neighborhoods (DON)’s Historic Preservation Program annually hosts an election to facilitate the selection of ISRD Board members who have been nominated by the community. All residents, persons who operate businesses, their employees, and property owners of the ISRD, who
have registered to vote within 30 days of the ISRD election, are eligible to vote. To confirm registration status or request a voter registration form, contact ISRD Board Coordinator Rebecca Frestedt at rebecca.frestedt@seattle.gov or (206) 684-0226. There are five positions open this year. The Board has seven members, five elected by the community and two appointed by the mayor. Board members typically serve two-year terms. Due to the postponed 2020 election, two seats on this year’s ballot will be for one-year terms. Positions 3 and 5 would have been
on the 2020 ballot. — #1 Business Owner, Property Owner or Employee (term expires 11/30/23) — #2 Resident, Tenant or Community Participant (term expires 11/30/23) — #3 Business Owner, Property Owner or Employee (term expires 11/30/22) — #4 Resident, Tenant or Community Participant (term expires 11/30/23) — #5 At-Large (term expires 11/30/22) To nominate a candidate, submit a nomination form no later than Nov. 2. Mail it to: Department of Neighborhoods, PO Box 94649, Seattle, WA 98124-4649.
Ballots must be received by Nov. 30. The ISRD Board was created in 1973 to preserve, protect, and enhance the cultural, economic, and historical qualities of the Chinatown-International District and, in particular, its unique Asian character. To preserve this special character, the ISRD Board must review and approve all uses including use of the public sidewalks, new construction, and changes to building exteriors within the district, including signs or new paint colors or security gates, before installation or construction.
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39 YEARS
OCTOBER 23 – OCTOBER 29, 2021
■ COMMUNITY CALENDAR OCT THROUGH NOV 20
BETWEEN AND WITHIN: NEW WORK BY JIYOUNG CHUNG ArtXchange Gallery, 512 First Ave. S., Seattle 5-8 p.m. artxchange.org 5TH ANNUAL JAPAN WEEK 5-6 p.m. Pre-registration is required Register at https://bit.ly/JW2021WWII More info, JapanWeek@ bellevuecollege.edu
21 MINH-DUC NGUYEN AT SEATTLE INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT ROTARY 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. For Zoom meeting link email club at rotaryofseattleid@gmail.com
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TASVEER SOUTH ASIAN FILM FESTIVAL Northwest Film Forum tasveer.org
28 SEATTLE MAYORAL DEBATE Topic: Public health and safety Broadcast on local television and radio
29 SEATTLE ASIAN ART MUSEUM 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Seattle Asian Art Museum Advanced registration required volunteerparktrust.org/event/ saam-free-fridays/all IT’S A GREAT PUMPKIN NIGHT Seatac Community Center, 13735 24th Ave. S., SeaTac 6-9 p.m.
NOV
email club at rotaryofseattleid@gmail.com
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1-14
LIHI’S 30TH ANNIVERSARY VIRTUAL GALA & AUCTION TO RAISE FUNDS FOR TINY HOUSES & URBAN REST STOPS Preview and register at lihi2021.ggo.bid/bidding/ package-browse lihi.org
4-14 VANCOUVER ASIAN FILM FESTIVAL Vancouver, BC, Canada vaff.org
4 HARVEY HAWKS AT SEATTLE INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT ROTARY 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Free on Zoom For Zoom meeting link
APCC’S 25TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION 5:30 p.m. Greater Tacoma Convention Center asiapacificculturalcenter.org THE HOLIDAY BAZAAR Seatac Community Center, 13735 24th Ave. S., SeaTac 9 a.m.-3p.m.
18 AISAYA CORBRAY AT SEATLE INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT ROTARY 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Free on Zoom For Zoom meeting link email club at rotaryofseattleid@gmail.com
26 SEATTLE ASIAN ART MUSEUM 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Seattle Asian Art Museum Free admission Advanced registration required volunteerparktrust.org/event/ saam-free-fridays/all
DEC 2
ESTELA ORTEGA AT SEATTLE INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT ROTARY 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Free on Zoom For Zoom meeting link email club at rotaryofseattleid@gmail.com
KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON NOTICE TO PROPOSERS Proposals will be received for KC000366, Construction Management & Inspection Services for Eastlake Layover Facility; by King County Procurement and Payables Section until 12:00 PM on November 10, 2021. There is a 15% minimum requirement for King County Certified Small Contractor and Supplier (SCS) firms on this contract. Total Estimated Price: $600,000
This AGREEMENT is subject to the appropriations of the State of Washington. Prospective proposers can view more details at: https://kingcounty. gov/procurement/solicitations Contact: Alice Phoenix, alice.phoenix@kingcounty.gov, 206-2639311
View the solution on page 14
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The only weekly English-language newspaper serving Washington’s Asian community. The NW Asian Weekly has one simple goal: “To empower the Asian community.” The Editorial Board reserves the right to reject any advertisement, letter or article. Subscriptions cost $40 for 52 weeks of the NW Asian Weekly and $30 for 52 weeks of the Seattle Chinese Post. The NW Asian Weekly owns the copyright for all its content. All rights reserved. No part of this paper may be reprinted without permission. 412 Maynard Ave. S., Seattle, WA 98104 • t. 206.223.5559 editor@nwasianweekly.com • ads@nwasianweekly.com • www.nwasianweekly.com
YOUR VOICE
OCTOBER 23 – OCTOBER 29, 2021
■ ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
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Comedian Kiki Yeung is one crazy woke Asian
Photo by Becky Chan
By Becky Chan NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY
KiKi Yeung (2nd from right, front) is the force behind her all Asian stand-up comedy show, Crazy Woke Asians
Even her name sounds like laughter. Kiki Yeung is the force behind an all-Asian line up comedy show, Crazy Woke Asians (CWA). The energetic comedian, producer, actress, writer, and director throws 110% of herself into producing and working the show, taking it cross country. After the Oct. 14-16 tour in Seattle— two sold-out shows at Theatre on Jackson in the Chinatown-International District (CID) and one at Unexpected Production at Pike Place Market—the show headed back to San Diego at the Laugh Factory on Oct. 21, followed by a stop in New York City’s Carolines on Broadway on Nov. 8. Yeung, born in Hong Kong, immigrated with her family to the U.S. when she was 12. “My parents didn’t want me to hang around Chinese. They wanted me to assimilate, to speak English,” Yeung explained why her parents settled in Bothell, instead of, say, Beacon Hill, a more diverse neighborhood. Yeung
graduated from Bothell High School. The first years in Bothell were hard on the teenaged Yeung, being in a new country and speaking a new language. The once extrovert who attended Hong Kong’s all-girl Maryknoll Convent School, known for its academic excellence, became depressed. The happy child who was third in a school district solo voice competition, dreaming of being the next ‘Faye Wong,’ a popular Hong Kong singer in the 1990s, became ill. Yeung was diagnosed with hemolytic anemia, a type of autoimmune illness, requiring nine pints of blood transfusion. Her mom blamed it on Yeung’s ride on Disney World’s Splash Mountain. After the blood transfusion, “My mom asked the doctor, ‘She’s not Chinese anymore. Is she Vietnamese, Japanese, Black, white?”’ Yeung said. Sharing stories about one’s mother often brought nods and chuckles during the CWA show. Lying to the family about being a comedian was a common see CRAZY WOKE on 14
Elect the first Asian-American Mayor of Seattle:
BRUCE HARRELL Bruce’s family understands hardship and discrimination. During World War 2, Bruce’s mom and her family suffered internment, and their flower shop was seized by the government. They eventually recovered and reopened the flower shop.
BRUCE IS ENDORSED BY: • Congresswoman
Marilyn Strickland • Former Governor Gary Locke • State Representative Sharon Tomiko Santos
• Former Councilmember David Della • Frank Irigon • Elaine Ko • Tomio Moriguchi • Jill Nishi
BRUCE HAS EARNED OUR VOTE FOR MAYOR. NO CANDIDATE AUTHORIZED THIS AD. Paid for by Bruce Harrell for Seattle’s Future 603 Stewart St. Suite 819 Seattle, WA 98101. Top five contributors: George Petrie, John Goodman, Alyssa Petrie, Vulcan Inc. and John Meisenbach.
Vote BRUCE HARRELL by NOVEMBER 2ND!
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39 YEARS
OCTOBER 23 – OCTOBER 29, 2021
■ ON THE SHELF
Qian Julie Wang
By Kai Curry NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY Healing from trauma often comes from sharing, which is one of the hardest things to do. Beautiful Country, the autobiographical novel by Qian Julie Wang, details her experiences as a young Chinese girl, and illegal immigrant, in New York City. On Oct. 6, University Bookstore hosted Wang in an online chat moderated by Connie So, University of Washington (UW) professor and president of OCA Asian Pacific Advocates – Greater Seattle. Beautiful Country provides an almost never-beforeseen window into the life of an illegal immigrant—the sweatshops, the fear of going to a hospital or talking
Beautiful Country
bravely shows the human side of illegal immigration to anyone of authority, being preyed upon by fetishist white males—persecution and discrimination that is bad enough for legal residents and escalates when you cannot speak up because someone might report you. So, self-described as “a Chinese immigrant from Hong Kong,” liked how Wang’s book addresses “the stories of people who are oftentimes ignored” and who are “in the shadows in the United States.” She appreciated the Chinese culture represented in the book because “even though China has seen traumatic political changes… people still have a lot of pride about being Chinese.” So asked Wang about her process in deciding what to put down—a question that comes up due to the rare amount of revelatory material in Beautiful Country regarding the life of those with illegal statuses, but also because many
Asian families are encouraged to keep their private lives to themselves. “There are so many secrets,” So commented. “So many things that a lot of us have been taught not to share, about [which] you bravely share.” In the story, Wang covers the period of her uprooted childhood from when her nuclear family immigrated to the United States until they were given legal papers by Canada. “It took me a long time to find the courage to tell this story,” Wang admitted. “For most of my life…I kept everything that happened…a complete secret… There was so much messaging, from my parents, from see BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY on 14
YOUR VOICE ACRS General 2020 GOTV Ad_NW Asian Weekly.pdf
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“As Bellevue Mayor, I led our city’s effective COVID response, including dedicated support for minority- and immigrant-owned small businesses and embracing the ‘Hate Has No Home Here’ campaign to uplift our welcoming community. I am committed to preserving Bellevue’s incredible diversity and ensuring jobs, opportunity, and prosperity for all.”
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ENDORSED Seattle Times Bellevue Fire Fighters Eastside Business Alliance Congressman Smith Executive Constantine Senators Kuderer and Wellman Representatives Senn, Slatter, Thai, and Walen Bellevue Councilmembers Barksdale, Nieuwenhuis, Robertson, Stokes, Zahn Benjamin Lee, President, Greater China Hong Kong Business Association* Regional Mayors and Community Leaders And many more! *Organization listed for identification purposes only.
mistakes to avoid in this election By Assunta Ng NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY The November election is important and exciting for Asian Americans. Not only do we have more Asians running for office than I can remember, Asians are running for all levels of political offices, including high profile ones.
Bruce Harrell
Wild Horse Wind and Solar Facility in Ellensburg
We aspire to lower our carbon emissions to net zero by 2045 and help others do the same. TOGETHER, we can go beyond net zero carbon. Learn more at pse.com/TOGETHER
Joe Nguyen
In this election, former Seattle City Council President Bruce Harrell is a mayoral candidate, and state Sen. Joe Nguyen is a candidate for King County Executive. What has also changed is, the Asian community doesn’t have to nudge Asian Americans to run for office. They are determined to run themselves, even with little name recognition or knowledge on how to run a political campaign. Asian Americans have the confidence to compete alongside mainstream candidates as well as their own people. A case in point is, a Bellevue City Council race—newcomer and business owner Dexter Borbe is challenging 82-year-old incumbent Conrad Lee, who has held the seat for 27 years. Both are of Asian descent. Newcastle City Council has three seats open, and Pratima Lakhotia, Frank Irigon, and Jesse Tam are all running in those seats. DON’T VOTE FOR DIVISIVE CANDIDATES Our city is bleeding. It doesn’t help if we elect candidates who want to represent only one particular group of people and disregard everyone else. They don’t deserve your vote. We need leadership, not another Kshama Sawant—Lorena Gonzalez is a carbon copy of Sawant. We respect leaders like Harrell who want to bring people together and work with diverse groups with opposing views to solve problems together at the table. We support candidates who appeal to the see BLOG on 16
YOUR VOICE
■ ENDORSEMENTS
OCTOBER 23 – OCTOBER 29, 2021
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Northwest Asian Weekly endorsements KING COUNTY King County Executive: Dow Constantine COUNTY COUNCIL District 1: Rod Dembowski District 9: Kim-Khanh Van KING COUNTY CHARTER MEASURES Amendment 1 (preamble word change): Yes Amendment 2 (changing deadlines): Yes
HEALTH from 1 they had needs as seniors, as people with health issues,” he said. Since then, his mother, who is in a wheelchair and requires extensive care, has lived with him. In Texas, where Shah worked as an emergency department doctor, the family supplemented their care of her with multiple professional caregivers. His father, too, until he passed away several years ago, also lived with the family and required that level of care. Shah said it was “part of his Asian heritage.” When he first moved to the greater Seattle area, his mother stayed back in Texas, but recently moved into his home, and he and his wife are now again responsible for her care. His wife, who still has a dental practice in Houston, has had to commute in recent weeks. They have three young children to care for as well. The care provider that came with them from Texas abruptly left. So besides fighting a global pandemic in Washington state, Shah now bathes his mother, cleans her up, stretches her, feeds her, gives her medications, monitors her for dehydration, and watches for infection. He recently took her to the beach for some mental relief. “It is not easy. You have to be devoted to it.” Without his wife, of 17 years, who he describes as “incredible” and “amazing,” and friends and family, it would have been impossible. Behind his drive, however, is an earlier image. It again involved family. When Shah was 7, he saw his father suddenly grow violently ill. Although he did not know it at the time, his father had developed a severe bout of intestinal inflammation that required surgery. “All I saw was the writhing and what I remember as screaming in pain.” But after his father disappeared into surgery, he came out later calm and seemingly restored. “And you know what? He was healed. And I always equated that with the doctors and nurses who were caring for him,” he said. “And any time I thought of swaying from medicine, there was this thread that pulled me back. Shah was working two jobs the summer he took the tests for medical school. After work at a cancer research lab, he would rush home and put on a Pizza Hut uniform to deliver pizzas until two in the morning. In medical school, his yearning for something broader reasserted itself. He wrote letters to the World Health Organization and was accepted for study there.
PORT OF SEATTLE COMMISSION Position 1: Ryan Calkins Position 3: Stephanie Bowman Position 4: Toshiko Hasegawa CITY OF SEATTLE Mayor: Bruce Harrell City Attorney: Ann Davision Position 9, at large: Sara Nelson SEATTLE SCHOOL BOARD District 4: Vivian Song Maritz District 5: Michelle Sarju
“I’ve always had this interest, because of my immigrant background or because of having immigrant parents, in giving back to underserved areas.” After that, it was a tug of war between his desire to apply himself globally, or on a policy level, and the needs of a given community, or person, that he could tackle as a doctor. While in college, he had thought of joining the Peace Corps and traveling to sub-Saharan Africa to work in a village. But he realized he “had to take care of his family first.” As an emergency department doctor, however, he traveled to Kashmir and then later to Haiti to respond for earthquake relief—the first of many responses to global and domestic disasters. But even then, he was torn. “My daughter was born in September of 2009, and a few months later the earthquake happened. I was down there in the middle of Port-au-Prince with an NGO co-located with the 82nd Airborne, sleeping in a tent and I remember thinking, ‘I’ve been here almost onesixth of my daughter’s life.’” Even his childhood was a seesaw. His family had immigrated to Cincinnati, but his mother’s sister, who was still in Pakistan, developed breast cancer. So, his mother traveled back to see her, pregnant with Shah, and he was born there. After his aunt passed, they returned when he was six months. Later, however, he returned to Karachi for first and second grades, which advanced his understanding of living in other environments. Then he was in Cincinnati until college. After medical school, he spent the next 25 years as an emergency department physician at Houston’s VA medical center. During that same time, his interest grew in public health and he eventually transitioned on to become chief medical officer of the Galveston County Health District. He then moved on to lead 700 public health staff serving 4.7 million residents in the nation’s third largest county as the head of Harris County Public Health. It was there that he gained experience leading the county through countless hurricanes, chemical incidents, novel H1N1, Ebola, Zika and most recently on the frontlines of COVID-19. Since taking over in Washington, as of press time, over 78% of the state’s eligible population has received at least one dose of vaccine and 72% have been fully vaccinated. Shah has also responded to equity concerns, adjusting policy to meet the needs of marginalized communities. He ordered hours extended at mass vaccination sites held by the state in response to community feedback.
BELLEVUE CITY COUNCIL Position 2: Dexter Borbe Position 6: Lynne Robinson BELLEVUE SCHOOL BOARD District 3: Joyce Shui District 5: Jane Aras WASHINGTON STATE ADVISORY VOTES Advisory Vote No. 36 (behavioral health crisis response): Maintain
Ongoing adjustments to the state’s vaccine locator tool have made it quick and efficient. Using it, the Northwest Asian Weekly was able to find a vaccination site in seconds. The site has helped millions secure vaccine appointments, according to a press release. But in the end, the personal disasters have required more than the global ones. Shah was among the responders to one of the most catastrophic hurricanes in history, Hurricane Harvey in 2017 that destroyed parts of Texas and Louisiana. “But I don’t know if that was harder than the following year when my dad was hospitalized nine times in the ICU,” he said. For 32 days, Shah and his sister took turns sleeping in the hospital, caring for their father, who was on dialysis and became septic in the process. “I had to care for him as a primary
Advisory Vote No. 37 (capital-gains tax): Repeal Advisory Vote No. 38 (tax on captive insurers): Maintain NEWCASTLE CITY COUNCIL Position 5: Pratima Lakhotia Position 6: Frank Irigon Position 7: Jesse Tam EDMONDS CITY COUNCIL Position 2: Will Chen
care doctor and a son as our health care system is largely broken. It is even harder right now with COVID because so many families cannot even be with their family loved ones in the midst of this horrible, horrible challenging time when their loved one gets worse and has a respiratory issue and they’ve not been allowed to be in the room with them.” As for his father, Shah said, “He never came home.” This health series is made possible by funding from the Washington State Department of Health, which has no editorial input or oversight of this content. Mahlon can be contacted at info@nwaweekly.com
KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON NOTICE TO BIDDERS Sealed bids will be received for KC000253, Skyway Park Improvements; by the King County Procurement and Payables Section, via the E-Procurement system, until 1:30:59 PM on 11/9/2021. Late bids will not be accepted. The public bid opening will only be conducted on-line following the Bid Close Date and Time; see Section 00 10 00 for details. There is a 15% minimum Apprentice Utilization Requirement on this contract. There is a Voluntary Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) Goal: 10% of the Contract Price. There is a Voluntary Women Business Enterprise (WBE) Goal: 6% of the Contract Price. This project is approximately 19% funded by the US Department of Interior. 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: Skyway Park Improvements project will implement enhancements to park facilities. The improvements include foundations for a new playground and a mini-turf soccer field, a new pathway and a stormwater detention system. Estimated contract price: $1,826,000 Pre-Bid: Please see Section 00 10 00 for details. 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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CANDIDATES from 3
in 1980 as a refugee from Vietnam.
Public Hospital District No. 1, Commissioner Position No. 4
City of Federal Way, Council Position No. 5
Parminder Bhatti Born and raised in India, Parminder Bhatti is a real estate broker at Skyline Properties, Inc. and started a Punjabi radio talk show that ran from 2003-2007.
Leandra Craft Leandra Craft is the daughter of Filipino immigrants and a deputy prosecuting attorney with the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
PORT Port of Seattle, Commissioner Position No. 4
City of Federal Way, Council Position No. 6
Toshiko Hasegawa A fourth-generation Japanese American and lifelong Seattle resident, Toshiko Hasegawa is the executive director of the Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs. CITY City of Bellevue, Council Position No. 2 Conrad Lee Conrad Lee has served on the Bellevue City Council since 1994, including as deputy mayor in 2010 and mayor in 2012. Lee is also a small business owner in real estate management. Dexter Borbe Born in the Philippines, Dexter Borbe speaks Tagalog, Mandarin, and Hokkien. Borbe runs a home care and nurse staffing company in Bellevue. East Bellevue Community Municipal Corporation, Council Position No. 3 Hassan Dhananjaya In addition to being an East Bellevue Community Council member, Hassan Dhananjaya’s career has been in the Information Technology space. East Bellevue Community Municipal Corporation, Council Position No. 5 Chiho Lai A corporate controller, Chiho Lai is also a former gubernatorial appointee and two-term Bellevue Library Board Member. City of Bothell, Council Position No. 1 Han Tran Han Tran is co-chair member of the Anti-Racist Communities: Bothell. She has a bachelor’s degree from Washington State University and is currently attending Harvard Business School. City of Clyde Hill, Council Position No. 3 Kim Muromoto A Clyde Hill City Council member for five years, Kim Muromoto works at Boeing Defense, Space & Security. He worked previously for IBM, Microsoft, and Hewlett-Packard. City of Edmonds, Council Position No. 2 Will Chen Will Chen served on Edmonds Citizens Housing Commission and runs his own CPA practice. He is also a board member of the Edmonds Chamber of Commerce. City of Federal Way, Council Position No. 4 Hoang Tran Hoang Tran works as an administrator in public assistance programs for the state Department of Social and Health Services. He arrived in the United States
Renae Seam The daughter of Indian American immigrants, Renae Seam is a risk analyst for Boeing Employee Credit Union and has a master’s degree from the University of Washington.
Anh Vo Anh Vo is a volunteer for the City of Sammamish, Sammamish Chamber of Commerce, 4th on the Plateau, as well as a board member for the SAMMI Awards. City of Seattle, Mayor Bruce Harrell Bruce Harrell served on the Seattle City Council for 12 years. He was raised in Seattle’s Central District by his Black father and Japanese mother. SCHOOL Bellevue School District No. 405, Director District No. 3
City of Issaquah, Council Position No. 5
Joyce Shui Joyce Shui is an attorney and founder of The Purple School. A Harvard graduate, Shui’s legal career includes representing Microsoft in mergers and acquisitions.
Russell Joe Russell Joe has served on the Issaquah City Council for eight years. He is also a former prosecutor, Pro Tem Judge for the Issaquah Municipal Court, and an attorney.
Faye Yang Known as the “School Lunch Mom,” Faye Yang’s efforts resulted in the introduction of school lunch bill HB1272. Yang has a master’s degree in nutrition and is a registered dietician.
City of Kent, Council Position No. 2
Bellevue School District No. 405, Director District No. 5
Satwinder Kaur Elected to the Kent City Council in 2017, Satwinder Kaur has an MBA in technology management from the University of Washington. She works in the tech industry.
Jane Aras Born in South Korea, Jane Aras has spent a year as a substitute teacher at schools across the Bellevue School District. She has a master’s degree in special education.
City of Lake Forest Park, Council Position No. 5
Highline School District No. 401, Director District No. 3
Tracy Furutani Tracy Furutani has taught at North Seattle College for the last 25 years as a science educator. He has a Ph.D. from the University of Washington and a master’s degree from Stanford.
Joe Van Joe Van is the current Highline School
City of Newcastle, Council Position No. 5 Pratima Lakhotia Pratima Lakhotia co-created TeensWhoCare, a nonprofit that engages over 1,900 high school volunteers. She also has 20 years of experience in financial management. City of Newcastle, Council Position No. 7 Jesse Tam Jesse Tam has spent 33 years in banking as an executive and company founder. He previously volunteered at the Greater Seattle Chinese Chamber of Commerce. City of Newcastle, Council Position No. 9 Frank Irigon Longtime community activist Francisco ‘Frank’ Irigon co-founded the International District Health Center and has served on the board of the OCA Asian Pacific American Advocates. City of Sammamish, Council Position No. 1 Amy Lam A Sammamish resident for 26 years, Amy Lam is the creative director of Seattle’s Museum of History & Industry. She has a master’s degree in Graphic Design from Yale. Sammamish Plateau Water & Sewer District, Commissioner Position No. 3
39 YEARS District Board vice president and holds a degree in Administration of Justice. He speaks fluent Vietnamese. Lake Washington School District No. 414, Director District No. 3 Leah Choi A financial planner, Leah Choi has a bachelor’s in Chemistry and Molecular Biology from the University of Denver. Lake Washington School District No. 414, Director District No. 4 Vishal Misri Vishal Misri works at Amazon Web Services and has previously founded a software business that employed hundreds of people in the Puget Sound area. Seattle School District No. 4, Director District No. 4 Vivian Song Maritz Vivian Song Maritz is a board director for the Washington State Leadership Board, and a member of the Seattle School District’s Superintendent’s Parent Advisory Council. Shoreline School District No. 412, Director District No. 2 Tyann Nguyen A special education paraeducator, Tyann Nguyen has been a tutor to students with learning disabilities and a high school Biology teacher. If there are any AAPI candidates we missed, please let us know at editor@nwasianweekly.com.
OCTOBER 23 – OCTOBER 29, 2021
YOUR VOICE
■ ASTROLOGY
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Predictions and advice for the week of October 23–October 29, 2021 By Sun Lee Chang Rat—It just takes a little extra effort to make an ordinary day special for someone you care about.
Dragon—With an eye for detail, not much escapes your attention. This is an especially important time to be on alert.
Monkey—Trying to keep certain things hidden from prying eyes? Discretion and modesty are key.
Ox—Transitions can be difficult, so give yourself some space and time to make the necessary adjustments.
Snake—Are you spending a lot of time on something that isn’t important to you? Perhaps it’s worth shifting your priorities.
Rooster—You are not afraid to go the distance. What awaits you at the other end will be well worth the effort.
Tiger—You know exactly what you are looking for, but consider a reasonable alternative if you are short on time.
Horse—If you are worried, speculation won’t help you to resolve your concern. Instead, search for actual answers.
Dog—Do you want a chance to spread your wings? Soon you will be able to do so on your own terms.
Rabbit—While you might initially be worried, a last-minute change of plans could actually be a blessing in disguise.
Goat—Preparing in advance is not only prudent, it could also help you to save money in the long run.
Pig—An opportunity to explore your roots could reveal much more than you were expecting.
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.
HASEGAWA from 2 says he has denied it. “He approved the sustainable airport master plan, which proposed clearing acres of forested land for a staff parking lot.” According to Hasegawa, “Even if they say they’re fighting against developing North Sea-Tac Park, they approved the real estate strategic plan…they don’t have the lens necessary to know that this… causes harm to community members [and] are not honoring the community’s cause of wanting to invest in and preserve our precious green spaces.” Hasegawa continued, “It is vital to have recreational green space, vital to our natural ecosystem. It neutralizes carbon emissions that are particularly impacting Port-adjacent communities and local wildlife.” She suggested that Port officials have rubber stamped, harmful proposals without taking into account greater environmental and quality of life issues. “Rebuilding our economy and reducing
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pollution are two goals that go hand in hand. Historically, these two interests have been pitted against each other, but if we do it right, we can have our cake and eat it, too.” If she wins, Hasegawa will be the first woman of color commissioner at the Port of Seattle. Her plans are both futuristic and feasible. She wants to expand electric rail to connect terminals, expedite flow of goods, and address poor working conditions of truck drivers sitting in “fourhour-long work lines” or taxi drivers stuck in traffic. She proposes offshore windmills “to sustain our future way of life, where we abandon the fossil fuel paradigm and step into sustainable renewable resources,” and more apprenticeship opportunities to teach workers the skills they will need in this greener economy. She intends to partner with all levels of government, as well as nonprofits, so that “all people have the opportunity to access opportunities at the Port.” Through CAPAA, and a life of activism,
Hasegawa believes she has “demonstrated history of doing systemic reviews at the state and county level, providing feedback in order to build systems of accountability to promote transparency and integrity in government operations.” She is a fighter. As a child, she attended union rallies with her parents, and now she takes her own 9-month-old daughter, Keiko Rose, to marches and protests with her. “The reason why I’m in a position to run for office is because someone before me spoke out and advocated for my rights and it’s my job to pay that forward for a better future,” Hasegawa said. “There are two things that can stand against the influence of big money: people power, the power of numbers united for a common cause; and your vote—democracy. It’s not just your right to do these things to fight for a better future, it’s your responsibility.” Kai can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.
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BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY from 8 society…that what we had been, or were, was bad, and dangerous…Coupled with Chinese culture and its resistance to airing dirty laundry…it was a huge battle for me to overcome the tides that told me to be quiet.” Then, Wang returned to the United States and became a citizen. The video during the naturalization ceremony where President Obama greets everyone in the room as a “fellow American” marked a pivotal moment for her. “As he said those words, something profoundly shifted in me. I didn’t realize until that moment how badly I had needed to be recognized as American.” Even though she was already working as a lawyer and had a green card, Wang had thought that being naturalized wouldn’t make a difference, but it gave her “a newfound sense of privilege and power” that included “a sense of duty and responsibility…I was profoundly empowered and entitled to speak up and yet, if I was still bullied into staying quiet, then what hope was there for anybody else?” Wang said she hoped to speak up for everyone who couldn’t, that Beautiful Country is “not really about my family or me…It’s not an autobiography. It’s about the immigrant experience.” She wanted the book to “give light to the beating heart behind the headlines”—the real people behind the “political talking points” about immigrants. She was clear that she cannot speak for everyone. “But I really wanted to show that the little girl out there who is still wandering the library feeling lost and lonely and scared, that she’s not alone, and that there is
CRAZY WOKE from 7 theme. So was tough love. “My mom was a tiger mom,” Yeung said. “She would buy 12 bamboo sticks, in case one breaks, at the wet market in Hong Kong, to use on us.” Yeung is determined to show her 6-year-old son physical and emotional love. No beating. No shaming. “I turned out okay, though,” Yeung added, as if still seeking approval. Yeung studied drama at the University of Washington, where she wrote, produced, and directed plays at the Ethnic Cultural Theatre. Yes, as with many assertive and ambitious Asian women, Yeung was called a dragon lady when she tried to get other student actors to commit to a demanding rehearsal schedule. One by one, they quit. Yeung later found that doing a one-woman show was easier, and not as frustrating. Yeung moved to San Diego in 2011, and, in pursuit of her acting dream, spent hours idling in Los Angeles traffic for auditions that lasted minutes. In 2013, her one-woman show, ‘Second Chances for Grace,’ premiered at the San Diego Fringe Festival. It was an autobiographical and emotional journey about a Hong Kong girl chasing her dream of being an actress in America. The award-winning show required Yeung to play 18 characters and brought out her comedic side. After seeing the show, the husband of Yeung’s agent urged her to try stand-up. I never thought I could do comedy. It’s so scary because…you have to be you,” Yeung said. “Acting, you can be somebody else.”
hope.” The second most prominent element of Beautiful Country is the reversal of the child-parent role. So commented on the “number of things” Wang had to do for her parents, and wondered, “When do people become an adult?” Children of immigrants often become “inexperienced adults,” the opposite of traditional families where parents are “all knowing.” Wang said she has been asked a lot about why she didn’t write about her adulthood, and yet, “I did write about my early adulthood…I became an adult long before I was aware of what adulthood was.” Child Wang realized at once that her extended family was gone, and she would need to take care of her mother. “I realized it was just the two of us…Before then…as long as my mother was there, everything was covered.” But when they came to the United States, this changed, and young Wang took on a tremendous duty. “I had taken on this role of being her little therapist and her best friend far too early because neither of us had anyone else.” Wang said that this dynamic lasted long into her (physical) adulthood and is a difficult habit to break. The experience gave Wang a deep empathy for the fallibility of all humans. She hopes that readers will view her parents the same way she does, as heroes. “Part of writing this book and healing those traumas and wounds helped me…because I was able to simultaneously see what little Qian was going through, and honor that, but also see what my mother had to carry.” When it came to her father, Wang said she had not appreciated the scope of the psychological damage
Subscribe to the Northwest Asian Weekly for just $40 a year! Name_________________________ Address _______________________ City _______________________ State____ Zip Code ______________________ Phone ________________________ Mail to: NW Asian Weekly 412 Maynard Ave. S. Seattle, WA 98104 or call 206-223-0623 he experienced due to the emasculation of Asian men in American culture, and his inability to support his family the way that he wished. She was determined to stop the generational trauma brought from the Cultural Revolution and the immigrant experience into the future with her own husband and children. So wanted to know if publishing the book had resolved the tension between Wang and her parents. Wang had worried that because her parents “blamed themselves” they would react to the book negatively. She had assured them that it was coming from a place of love. Nevertheless, she did not show them Beautiful Country until the day the book became public. In fact, Wang’s parents could not put the book down. “They were reading through their tears…they were shocked that they felt healed by every page…My wildest dream was for my parents to feel healed, on some level, and…for the three of us to be able to put this behind us, and to move forward and build a chapter that was untethered from everything we were not allowed to talk about…When the New York Times list was announced, my father said that there was nothing he was afraid of anymore. And in that moment, I realized that I was still very much that child looking for her father’s permission to feel safe, and I finally got it, at age 34.” The talk with Wang will be on the University Bookstore’s YouTube channel at youtube.com/user/ ubookstore. Beautiful Country will be available from University Bookstore with a signed bookplate; and is available at other booksellers. Kai can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.
After giving birth to her son, true to her Type A personality, Yeung needed a bigger challenge. The theatertrained Yeung left her comfort zone and participated in a popular female comedy workshop in LA. Once she did her first gig, Yeung never turned back. The instant feedback from the audience is “like air” that breathed life into her. If Yeung’s father was alive and was told she’s doing stand-up, her father would tell her to “sit down.” That thought didn’t stop Yeung from pursuing comedy. It was her constantly being booked as the token-Asian in a comedy show that got to her. She learned that producers of shows didn’t like to book more than one Asian per show, fearing they all tell the same jokes. It’s the same bias that typecast Asian actors in TV and films. “It’s a no brainer. I wanted to do something about it,” Yeung said. Instead of whining about the problem, she founded CWA and produced the all-Asian comedy show in 2018 in LA to rave reviews. The show also toured Seattle to sold-out crowds in 2019. Her Seattle shows included Asian Americans who also identify as Japanese, Vietnamese, Chinese, Mexican, Cambodian, and Black. They are dads, moms, sons, and daughters. Most came from LA, several with Seattle connections. They told stories from an Asian perspective but from different angles. “It’s fun! The spiritual connection with people is very healing,” said Yeung about doing stand-up and creating a community. She wants to erase the stigma that all Asians are alike. Based on her own experience, she encourages others interested in comedy to “take a class and find humor in life always. Don’t be afraid to bomb or fall. Embrace the silence.” A lesson in life itself.
Yeung is also producing a romantic comedy series ‘Sweet Sour Chicks” about several Asian American women friends exploring their sexuality and romantic relationships. That’ll be her goal if either her CWA show or the series is or are picked up by HBO or Netflix. The little Hong Kong girl still dreams big. For more information, visit crazywokeasians.com. Becky can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.
SOLUTION from SUDOKU on page 6.
OCTOBER 23 – OCTOBER 29, 2021
YOUR VOICE DEBATES from 1 combat homelessness. But while Harrell described himself as a “team player” and joked with the moderator and members of the public, Gonzalez said she had always been an advocate for the downtrodden facing oppression and challenged many of her questioners. Indeed, during the 30 minutes given to each candidate to answer questions from a moderator and then from the media and the public, more than anything else, it seemed, it was their diverging styles of responding to their interlocutors that came through most forcefully. And since both, in one way or another, emphasized the importance of their styles, how each one communicates may greatly impact how they govern. When asked what they were most proud of, both started with similar answers. Harrell said he was the only person of color on the Seattle City Council in 2010. “I was asked by many underrepresented groups to be their champion,” he said. Gonzalez said she was the first Latina elected to a city-wide role in 2015. “I worked on important policy issues, but there is so much more work needed,” she said. Harrell mentioned several specific accomplishments, including a $100 million rainy-day fund and policies he said forced employers to look at qualifications of job seekers rather than past criminal history. Gonzalez was less specific, mentioning advocacy for working families, helping survivors of sexual assault and abuse, and work for police accountability and reform.
Police reform
On police reform, both seemed to offer similar policies. Harrell was more specific about changes he wanted to put in place, while Gonzalez said she would implement broader social reforms that would forestall crime. Harrell navigated a fine line between calls for outright reform and numerous questions about ensuring Seattle is safe. At the core of his policies would be a commitment to public safety. “I don’t subscribe to ‘defund the police,’” he said. Rather, he would make sure the police had the budget to increase the number of officers, from the current 900 to 1,300, and bring down the response time to 911 calls. Harrell mentioned discussions he’s had with the NAACP about protecting all marginalized communities. “But I don’t believe in biased policing or overuse of force.” Instead, he would create a “new kind of officer” who would come from minority communities and would provide public services of the kind that often cause fatigue among the police. “They don’t want to walk around with
a gun and a badge.” As a team player, Harrell said he would be able to “pull out informal leaders” from the ranks who would “build trust with the community.” Asked about a police chief, he said he wants someone who is a “master communicator, is bold, and will change the culture.” He said former police chiefs from Seattle, as well as others from around the country, including those who may have been contacted by former chief Carmen Best, have already reached out. He said he was also looking at interim police chief Adrian Diaz to be the permanent chief. Gonzalez, as president of the council, defended its funding of the police department. The city council had discussed cuts of 50%, but in the end, the cuts were only 17% of its budget, she said. “The Seattle Police Department has been fully funded, they do have the resources to fill their staffing plan.” Gonzalez said she would provide social services early on to prevent eventual criminal activity, such as increased spending on education. But moderator and KING 5 anchor Mark Wright said every business he had talked to has had its tip jar stolen every day, and when the merchants called the police, they were told there were no officers available. “How are we going to handle this in the transition?” he asked. Gonzalez said, “The system that currently exists is designed to arrest people for that behavior and is very expensive and has not resulted in the outcomes we want.” The solution she offered was to encourage businesses to invest in downtown, build the environment to attract more visitors, and create “community service officers,” somewhat like Harrel’s proposal. “This will allow the Seattle Police Department to focus on more serious issues,” she said.
was lack of available shelters. Her approach would involve pairing community engagement through social workers and homelessness workers with increasing shelter space. “We have to identify the kinds of shelters that are needed. We need to rapidly scale up shelter space.”
An attack ad
Harrell strongly condemned a political ad aimed at him that a member of the media asked about. In a TV commercial, according to the questioner, Harrell was portrayed as having accepted a large sum of money from a Trump supporter. Harrell insisted he had never met the person and that the figure was only $550— much less than what it was reputed to be. And he said the tactic showed the traits of the different campaigns. “It’s offensive. I supported Biden. I canvassed for him. And to link me with the insurrection on January 6 is deplorable,” he said. “The truth will always prevail over falsehood. That’s one of my core beliefs.” When Gonzalez was asked to condemn the “misleading ad,” she demurred. She vaguely referred to thousands of workers who had chosen to oppose the “hundreds of thousands” of dollars Harrell received from big businesses. It was not clear if she was referring to the funders of the attack ad.
Communication styles
Harrell described himself as a team builder. He repeatedly talked about building a new narrative that would empower the troubled police department, help homelessness, and empower conversation in almost every aspect of the city’s future. At times, an offbeat sense of humor, or
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modesty, showed through. Asked about zoning in SODO, he told the moderator he understood only about 30% of the question. “You’re going to have to dummy that down for me,” he said. Gonzalez, in portraying herself as someone who holds the powerful accountable, sometimes challenged her questioners, which included members of the media and the public. She turned questions back at those asking. “I’m not going to apologize for being a staunch advocate for working families,” she said at one point, giving her history as the daughter of migrant farmers. Later, when asked why the “new normal” was drug users shooting up near the Pike Place Market, she denied the question. “It’s not the new normal,” she said, instead giving an explanation of systemic societal change. Asked how she would make Seattle safe, Gonzalez responded, “What does safe mean?” She then said that this would mean a city that “respects each other’s humanity,” and pledged to invest in children’s education and health care. She staunchly defended her work as president of the city council. When asked about its apparent dysfunction, she first said Harrell had been on much longer, then blamed several factors. For one, she said the turnover in mayors had contributed to the council’s problems. “Four mayors in six years created a lot of instability.” She also said the increasing demands of vulnerable groups in the city, the pandemic, and Black Lives Matter had rocked the council. Mahlon can be contacted at info@nwaweekly.com.
Homelessness
The candidates seemed further apart on homelessness. Harrell responded to pointed questions by saying he did believe housing should come before treatment. “Yes, don’t condition housing on whether they’ve remedied their addiction.” Harrell said he supports the newlycreated King County Regional Homelessness Authority, which consolidates funding and policies across Seattle and King County. He said he voted for it while Gonzalez did not. “The city government will never have enough resources” to deal with homelessness on its own, he said. In her opening remarks, Gonzalez said that “meaningful” progress for homelessness meant “exiting people who are stuck in the shelter system” and creating affordable housing. But later, when asked about the city’s Navigation Team, she said it had failed. And she attributed that failure to what she said was an approach that led with law enforcement. The major problem, she said,
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asianweekly
39 YEARS
OCTOBER 23 – OCTOBER 29, 2021
Graffiti on the House of Hong Restaurant building
Curtis Dong cleans up broken glass after someone fired a BB gun at this building on S. King St. and 6th Ave. S. last week.
BLOG from 10 common goal of making our city a better place to live and work by working together, and to bring out the best of the city instead of tearing people apart. We reject candidates who only want to demonize businesses, rather than opening up a dialogue and involving them to solve problems together. What good does it do for Seattle if Amazon keeps moving jobs to the Eastside? Candidates who are divisive would likely split one group against another. It’s called “divide and conquer.” Polarization is not leadership, it’s dirty politics and tunnel vision.
Don’t vote for candidates who don’t give a damn about the CID
The Chinatown-International District (CID) needs a lot of help and resources, especially since the pandemic. Crime, including robbery, theft, assault, and gun violence, is high in the area. Mayoral candidate Lorena Gonzalez has never visited CID nor met with community leaders to see first-hand how the pandemic has affected our community. She ignores our community, while Harrell has constantly said how he could and would help change the narrative of the CID if he gets elected as mayor of Seattle. Walk around and you see the grim reality of our community. The CID needs more police patrols, especially at night. We need more support for businesses. If these businesses don’t survive, it will affect our community’s vibrancy and livelihood. Many of the residents work in the CID. Our residents also depend on these small businesses, such as grocery stores, restaurants, pharmacies, banks, clinics, dental offices, other retails, and numerous nonprofit organizations. Public safety is a major concern. It is short-sighted to deny the CID’s existence and struggles. This community has contributed much to the rich history, economic growth, and diversity of the city.
Vote for candidates who are solutiondriven
President Thomas Jefferson demonstrated the art of compromise during the founding of our country in the late 18th century. He brought opposing parties together to work things out for the good of the country. So vote for candidates who are willing to find solutions together with opposing parties, and compromise for practical purposes. For candidates who are driven with political ideologies, they are harder to work with and less likely to compromise. For both Asian and non-Asian candidates, we support candidates who have hired AAPI in his/her office, and are responsive to the Asian community.
Don’t base your vote on party affiliation
If you vote for someone based on their political party affiliation, it would be a big mistake. Just because someone is a Democrat or Republican doesn’t mean s/he understands what works for the city. Candidates who adamantly believe that jails should be abolished in the name of justice, lack logic. They are inadequate and incompetent in managing our complex modern society. And those who believe the whole police system is wrong, and every cop is a bad cop, is unfair and biased. The police department needs retraining and reform, and not disbanding or weakening them so they can’t do their job. Even in Minneapolis, the city where George Floyd was killed in a case of police brutality, increased funding to hire new officers this year. Those candidates who want to defund police are not fit for office. If they get elected, it would encourage more crimes and endanger society. I hate to say it, there are Democrats, as well as Republicans who are “nuts.” You shouldn’t vote along party lines without considering other factors.
Photos by Assunta Ng
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northwest
Even with double locks, Jian He Hang at S. Jackson suffered two break-ins in August and September.
Don’t vote just because of their ethnic background
Use good judgement to select candidates based on the person, and not their political party label, gender, or ethnicity. While we applaud people of color running for office, we should also study their platforms. This election is too important to vote along ethnic lines. It is clear that progressive constituents are trying to push for a left-leaning agenda, including defunding the police at the expense of our personal and public safety. They are soft on crime and accountability. They don’t care about throwing the city or county into chaos. You might not agree with everything I say, but vote by all means. This election is too important not to make your voice heard. Don’t pick a candidate just because you have heard of his name. And if you can’t make up your mind on certain candidates, skip them rather than voting for the wrong ones. As author Eric Liu said, “Non-voting is a form of voting.” Keep in mind, if you vote for the wrong person, the price the city and the Asian community has to pay, will be high. You can’t take it back. Assunta can be reached at assunta@nwasianweekly.com.
Re-Elect Executive Dow Constantine! “As we work together to overcome this pandemic, my administration is focused on an inclusive recovery that restores our economy, moves neighbors out of homelessness, strengthens communities, and uproots racism and bigotry. King County seeks to provide culturally-relevant services and resources and support ethnic media. I would be honored to earn your vote to continue this important work.”
ENDORSED BY KING COUNTY’S AAPI LEADERS! Governor Gary Locke State Rep. Davina Duerr State Rep. Mia Gregerson State Rep. Cindy Ryu
DowConstantine.com |
@DowC |
State Rep. Sharon Tomiko Santos State Rep. Vandana Slatter State Rep. My-Linh Thai Auburn Councilmember James Jeyaraj /DowConstantineWA |
@DowCon
VOTE BY NOV. 2ND!
Bellevue Councilmember Janice Zahn Burien Councilmember Sofia Aragon Kent Councilmember Satwinder Kaur Paid for by Friends of Dow Constantine | P.O. Box 16285 | Seattle, WA 98116
