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Bruce Harrell announces diverse transition team Seattle Mayor-elect Bruce Harrell announced members of his transition team on Nov. 16—the nearly 150 members make up the most racially and ideologically diverse mayoral transition team in Seattle history. The transition effort, built around 12 topically-oriented committees, will be chaired by former United States Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell, Equal Opportunity Schools Interim CEO Eddie Lincoln, Uwajimaya President and CEO Denise Moriguchi, and Sea Mar founder and CEO Rogelio Riojas, along with
23 co-team leads. “With this transition team in place, we have the opportunity in front of us to thoughtfully develop the urgent and forward-looking agenda that will restore our City and propel Seattle forward,” said Harrell. The team of local civic, business, conservation, youth advocacy, philanthropy, labor, and community leaders will help shape and define Harrell’s agenda. “I’m excited Mayor-elect Harrell has made Seattle’s small businesses and working families core see TEAM on 12
Denise Moriguchi
Hyeok Kim
James Wong
Mike Fong
Sharon Santos
Dr. Shouan Pan
Want to feast without the stress of cooking on Thanksgiving? Here are the restaurants open on Thanksgiving Day in the Chinatown-International District. Taylor Hoang
Vivian Song Maritz
VIN
ON THE SHELF Grieving the loss of a parent 8
GUPTA
Photo by Jovelle Tamayo
By Mahlon Meyer NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY
PUBLISHER’S BLOG Justice Mary Yu’s portrait unveiled at SU 10
Dr. Vin Gupta
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT ‘Sesame Street’ debuts Ji-Young, first Asian American muppet 11
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Restaurants Open Thanksgiving 2021
Photo by Han Bui
VOL 40 NO 47 NOVEMBER 20 – NOVEMBER 26, 2021
Finally, the death threats have stopped. For most of 2020 and until a new administration came in, Vin Gupta regularly received not only threats but even unmarked packages to his home. Gupta, who is a leading health policy analyst for NBC and MSNBC, has always tried to remain apolitical. But when the networks made him fact checker for the
Sung Yang
see LIST on 3
UW professor, NBC contributor on communication Republican National Convention, it was very hard to be seen as anything but partisan. “Actually, the whole of 2020 was that way...It was hard not to be perceived as political,” he said. This was difficult because one of the keys to his success—besides his mentors—has been “staying in my own lane.” This does not apply to other subjects though. When it comes to medicine and policy, Gupta is outspoken. During an interview with Northwest Asian Weekly, Gupta offered several bold policy recommendations, including delicensing doctors who spread false information about Covid-19 and encouraging health authorities to come up with a unified definition of the purpose of vaccination. Even though he is a few months shy of turning 39, the journey has been much longer, and less straightforward. His parents were immigrants from India, his mother a neonatal intensive care doctor and his father a civil engineer. After she completed her training at several top medical schools, she found a job in Toledo, Ohio. But Gupta’s father was working in Long Island. So the family split up. The marriage remained intact, but Gupta spent much of
his early childhood raised by his mother. “She did everything for my brother and me, and given how young we were and the nature of her demanding career, to do it largely by herself for years— that’s a tribute to her selflessness and unconditional love,” he said. When his older brother went off to college, it was decided the father should quit his job and move to Ohio to help look after Gupta. Gupta was sent to Maumee Country Day School, a private school. But he was shy and introverted. “I didn’t develop those communication skills early on. I don’t think I innately had those skills, I had to really work at it. Even when he went to Princeton, he said he spent the first years simply putting one foot in front of the other to get the highest grades possible. He had chosen a hardcore science track, like his brother, who was shining at schools like Stanford. And although he did well, albeit not quite as well as his brother, something was missing. It was not until he spent his junior year abroad, in South Africa, that he learned to start taking risks, he said. The country was less than 10 years out of Apartheid, and everyone was taking about issues that would later come to see GUPTA on 13
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NOVEMBER 20 – NOVEMBER 26, 2021
■ NAMES IN THE NEWS Holly Yasui dies
Writer, editor, and documentary filmmaker Holly Yasui died on Oct. 31 in Mexico from complications of COVID-19. She was 68 years old and the youngest daughter of Minoru Yasui, the legendary Japanese American lawyer and civil rights activist. She is co-founder of the Minoru Yasui Legacy Project based in Holly Yasui Portland, Oregon and co-director and executive producer of the documentary film ‘Never Give Up! Minoru Yasui and the Fight for Justice.’ Her father was one of the three Japanese American litigants who challenged military orders in the U.S. Supreme Court during World War II, and she signed on to various amicus briefs since 9/11 on racial profiling, discriminatory surveillance, guilt by association, and the Muslim Ban.
Christine Brodie heads to Miss USA
Miss Washington USA Christine Brodie
Miss Washington USA Christine Brodie will head to Tulsa, Oklahoma to represent our state in the Miss USA pageant on Nov. 29. Currently an executive recruiter for Amazon, Brodie aspires to impact inclusivity efforts as a program manager in the corporate recruiting space. A graduate of Washington State University, Brodie is also passionate about raising awareness for local shelters that provide resources to underprivileged women.
Her interests include traveling, reading, and spending quality time with her family.
Chinese American veterans honored
Honoree Gene Moy is surrounded by his children Raymond Eng, Corey Moy and Jadina Terashita
Chinese American Citizens Alliance (C.A.C.A.) Seattle and the Seattle Regional Chinese American World War II Veterans Congressional Gold Medal Committee celebrated Chinese American WWII veterans on Nov. 13 at the Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue. Nearly 20,000 Chinese Americans served during World War II in every theater and every branch of the United States Armed Forces, despite barriers to citizenship and equality. At the event, each living veteran or veteran’s family representative received a bronze replica of the Congressional Gold Medal, a gift from the C.A.C.A. and American Legion Cathay Post #186.
Gloria Chien, Soovin Kim win Chamber Music award
Pianist Gloria Chien and violinist Soovin Kim are recipients of the 2021 Chamber Music Society (CMS) Award for Extraordinary Service to Chamber Music. The award was presented on Nov. 9 in New York City. Chien and Kim became the artistic directors of Chamber Music Northwest (CMNW) in 2020. The duo’s first season entailed a full set of nine concerts—all presented virtually due to the pandemic. In the summer of 2021, as restrictions began to ease, they reintroduced live performances, open rehearsals,
masterclasses, family concerts, and free performances. In a joint statement, the recipients, who are not only colleagues but also married to each other, said, “As artistic leaders, it is our responsibility to serve Soovin Kim and Gloria Chien our communities, especially during this time of uncertainty. Music elevates and connects, two things we urgently needed during the pandemic.”
Krav Maga classes
Drop-in guests at a Krav Maga class at Mother Yoga
Drop-in class slots are still available on Sundays at Mother Yoga (511 Maynard Alley South) in the Chinatown-International District. Jesse Robbins is the instructor and he is sharing his knowledge of this Israeli self-defense and fighting system with students of all ages from 2–4 p.m. There is no membership to join, just drop-in fees. To register, go to rsvpforkrav.as.me. Proof of vaccination is required and will be checked at the door.
International Community Health Services congratulates Viet-Wah Group on four decades of community service. Your generous support through the years and during the coronavirus pandemic has helped sustain us. We’re proud to be your partner in bringing pop-up vaccine clinics to our communities. Thank you.
Seattle Renton
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■ COMMUNITY NEWS
NOVEMBER 20 – NOVEMBER 26, 2021
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Judge Chung upholds Port of Seattle’s vaccine mandate
Judge Samuel Chung
SEATTLE (AP) — A King County Superior Court judge has upheld a requirement issued by the Port of Seattle for all Port employees to be vaccinated by Nov. 15 as a condition of employment. Judge Samuel Chung denied the motion for a preliminary injunction against the mandate sought by two unions representing Port employees in a lawsuit, The Seattle Times reported. In an email to Port employees on Nov. 12, Steve Metruck, the Port’s executive director, said, “I want everyone to stay safe, healthy, and remain here at the Port.”
A Port spokesperson said 90% of Port employees have been fully vaccinated. The other 10% had until 5 p.m. on Nov. 15 to show they are vaccinated. They can also submit an exemption request for medical or religious reasons, or request an extension demonstrating they are in the midst of becoming vaccinated, the spokesperson said. The International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 117 and 763 filed the lawsuit and represent about 225 employees, including police officers and bus drivers. “We are disappointed that the Port has put our members in a position of having to choose
between maintaining their careers or doing something that violates their conscience or risks their health,” the unions said. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, unvaccinated people are more than six times more likely to test positive for the coronavirus, and more than 11 times more likely to die from the disease. In October, a Thurston County Superior Court judge denied a motion for a primary injunction brought by state troopers, corrections officers, and ferry workers against Gov. Jay Inslee’s vaccine mandate for state workers.
Renton seeks applicants for Equity Commission The City of Renton is looking for candidates to serve on its newly-created Equity Commission. The Equity Commission’s primary goal will be to develop recommendations enabling community members to achieve equitable outcomes by removing racial, economic, and social barriers in city programs, services, and policies. The commission will consist of nine members, who
are either Renton residents or business owners. One member must be between 18-25 years old. Candidates must have a demonstrated commitment to equity and reflect the diversity of Renton including, but not limited to ethnicity, race, age, gender, faith, gender identity and expression, and profession. Members will be appointed by the mayor and subject to confirmation by the city council.
Brazen car thief
Someone walked into Modern Trading Company on 650 South Jackson Street on Nov. 10, stole a set of keys, and took off with the store owner’s car. Surveillance camera footage shows the man walking into the store around 11 a.m. The owner didn’t realize his car was gone until much later. Police have not yet recovered the car nor found the thief.
Surveillance photo of suspected car thief
LIST from 1 • Fortune Garden • Harbor City • Ho Ho Seafood • Honey Court • Hong Kong Bistro • Hong Kong Dim Sum • Jade Garden • King’s Seafood Restaurant • New Star Seafood Restaurant • Ocean Star • Purple Dot Cafe • Simply Thai • Tai Tung • T&T Seafood • 663 Bistro (To-go only for barbecue meat, fried rice, chow fun, and chow mein) • China Harbor LITTLE SAIGON • Loving Hut 11 a.m.–9 p.m. • Hue Ky Mi Gia 10 a.m.–4 p.m. To-go orders only
• Huong Binh Restaurant 9 a.m.–8 p.m. • Pho So 1 8 a.m.–5 p.m. • Sichuanese Cuisine 11 a.m.–9 p.m. • Thanh Vi 10 a.m.–8 p.m. • Vietnamese House 9:30 a.m.–3 or 4 p.m. • Tamarind Tree 11 a.m.–4 p.m. • Chuminh Tofu and Vegan Deli (also owns the buffet next to it) 10 a.m.–7 p.m. • Taqueria El Ranchero 10 a.m.–5 p.m. • One Pot Restaurant 11 a.m.–3 p.m. and 5–8 p.m. • Hello Em Viet Coffee & Roastery 7 a.m.–TBA • Mi La Cay 10 a.m.–4 or 5 p.m. • Pho Bac Sup Shop 10 a.m.–4 p.m. • Spring Roll House Deli 8 a.m.–4 p.m. (They make batches of fried Chinese spring rolls for events only, make sure to call 1–3 hours ahead to place order) * List compiled by Rosita Chen, Haoyi Xu, and Da Nguyen.
The application is on the city’s website at rentonwa.gov/ cms/One.aspx?portalId=7922741&pageId=11154288. Applicants can also call 425-430-7394 to have one mailed. The deadline to apply is Nov. 30, at 5 p.m.
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■ NATIONAL NEWS
Toddler killed on highway latest victim in shootings spike OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — A $10,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest of the shooter responsible for killing a toddler on a San Francisco Bay Area highway. Jasper Wu, was sleeping in his car seat when he was struck by a stray bullet on Interstate 880 in Oakland on Nov. 6. He would have turned 2 next month. The California Highway Patrol said the evidence suggests Wu’s mother got caught driving in the crossfire of a gunfight on the freeway. Jasper was asleep when the bullet flew through the windshield and struck him, according to Carl Chan, the president of Oakland’s Chinatown Chamber of Commerce, who has been helping the family with funeral arrangements and setting up online fundraising efforts. “How could you ever expect a bullet to fly in and hit your child while asleep? No one would expect that,” Chan told
Jasper Wu
the Mercury News. Chan said Jasper never had a chance to meet his father because his father went back to China and has not been able to return to the United States to be with his wife and witness Jasper’s birth because of the COVID travel restrictions. Jasper’s father was finally able to get permission to enter the country on Nov. 8, to make arrangements for his son’s funeral. “Jasper will never wake up again. This is horrible,” Chan said. Wu’s family said in a statement read at a news conference pleading for anyone with information to come forward “so a tragedy like this will never happen again to anyone.” “We are completely heartbroken and devastated over the loss of Jasper,” the statement said.
Slaying of Chinese student in Chicago spurs call for action CHICAGO (AP) — The University of Chicago’s president is urging city officials and police to treat Chicago’s rising violence as a “public health crisis” following the fatal shooting of a Chinese student during an armed robbery near campus. Shaoxiong “Dennis” Zheng, 24, was standing on a sidewalk in a residential area on Nov. 9 when witnesses said a gunman stepped from a car and Zheng appeared to struggle with the robber before a shot went off. The assailant returned to the car and fled, and Zheng was pronounced dead at the University of Chicago Medical Center. No arrests have been made in the killing in the Hyde Park neighborhood on the city’s South Side.
University of Chicago President Paul Alivisatos said in a statement expressing sadness over Zheng’s slaying that the university community and local residents “see a clear and urgent need to strengthen public safety.“ “The violence afflicting Chicago is on the same scale as a public health crisis and demands a commensurate response,“ he said in the statement that said the school has been in contact with the mayor’s office, Chicago police, local alderman and others. So far this year, there have been five slayings in Hyde Park, compared with none at the same time in 2020, as violence across Chicago has risen for two straight years, the Chicago Sun-Times reported. Chicago has had at least 698 homicides
this year, compared with 680 at the same time last year. That’s well above the 442 homicides that city had experienced by this point in 2019, the Sun-Times reported. Mayor Lori Lightfoot promised to meet with police and community leaders “to determine concrete, tangible measures (that) can be taken to prevent tragedies such as these in the future“ but no specifics have yet been announced Zheng, who graduated from the University of Hong Kong in 2019 and earned his master’s degree in statistics from the University of Chicago last summer, was the third University of Chicago student killed this year, WBBM-TV reported. In January, Yiran Fan, a 30-year-old Ph.D. student who was a native of Beijing,
MD governor announces steps to address anti-Asian hate crimes By BRIAN WITTE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan announced actions on Nov. 15 to address anti-Asian hate and bias crimes that have increased since 2019. The initiatives are the product of a workgroup the Republican governor formed in April. They include enhanced safety and enforcement measures, increased access to community resources and additional tools
for educators and students. “Our Asian American community is facing challenges worse than they have seen in decades,” Hogan said at a news conference. “The actions that we’re announcing here today are the beginning. We will use every tool at our disposal to help provide additional protection to those who are impacted by these crimes.”
Hogan made the announcement with first lady Yumi Hogan, who was born in South Korea, and former Maryland U.S. Attorney Robert Hur, who is Asian American and led the statewide workgroup. Jaymi Sterling, Hogan’s daughter who served on the workgroup, also attended the announcement. As part of the public safety and enforcement component, the state will update hate and bias training for law enforcement agencies to include reporting of hate and bias incidents and crimes. Hogan also said a Maryland State Police commander will be named to act as liaison for hate crimes and racially biased incidents. The governor said state and local law enforcement agencies will be directed to prioritize diversity in recruiting, and offer incentives for officers who are proficient in multiple languages. To increase local resources, Hogan said the state will increase funding aimed at battling against hate crimes from $3 million to $5 million. He said the Governor’s Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs will conduct outreach efforts regarding the availability of funding. The governor also is focusing on adding ways of reporting see HOGAN on 14
was randomly killed while sitting in a car in a parking garage—the first of seven people, from Chicago to Evanston, shot by a gunman, police said. Fan and four other people died. And in July, Max Lewis, 20, a third-year student who had just accepted an investment banking offer, was fatally shot by a stray bullet on the Chicago Transit Authority Green Line as he was riding home from his summer internship in downtown Chicago. At the site where Zheng was shot, mourners have added flowers to a growing memorial to him. During a vigil there, Xi Cheng, who had known Zheng for six months, remembered see ZHENG on 14
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NOVEMBER 20 – NOVEMBER 26, 2021
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■ WORLD NEWS
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Chinese shoppers spend $139 billion during Singles’ Day fest By ZEN SOO ASSOCIATED PRESS BEIJING (AP) — Chinese shoppers spent $139.1 billion during this year’s annual Singles’ Day shopping extravaganza, breaking last year’s record even though spending slowed during the coronavirus pandemic. Alibaba tallied $84.5 billion in spending over the festival that spanned Nov. 1 to Nov. 11, the company said, a growth of 14% compared to a nearly 93% increase last year. Rival JD.com reported $54.6 billion in transactions this year, from Oct. 31 to Nov. 11, about a 28% increase compared to 32% growth in
2020. The slowdown in growth for the world’s largest online shopping festival, which typically ends on Nov. 11, comes amid reduced marketing hype and a crackdown on the technology industry. Singles’ Day has been viewed as the largest online marketing event of the year. In previous years, the festival was heavily advertised for weeks ahead of time with brands and merchants offering deep discounts to attract consumers looking for bargains. But shoppers say deep discounts of what is also called “Double Eleven” are now a thing of the see SINGLES’ DAY on 12
Dalai Lama says China’s leaders ‘don’t understand’ diversity TOKYO (AP) — Tibet’s exiled spiritual leader the Dalai Lama says China’s leaders “don’t understand the variety of different cultures’’ and that the ruling Communist Party’s penchant for tight social control can be harmful. The 86-year-old Buddhist monk also said he wished to remain home in India, where he has lived since 1959 after a failed uprising against Chinese rule in Tibet, rather than get involved in the “complicated politics” between China, run by the officially atheist Communist Party, and strongly Buddhist Taiwan. Speaking at an online press conference on Nov. 10 hosted by the Tokyo Foreign Correspondents Club, the Dalai Lama said there were no particular plans to meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping and declined to comment on Xi’s plans to remain in office for a third five-year term.
“Chinese communist leaders, they do not understand the variety of different cultures,” he said. “In reality, too much control will harm people.” China exercises rigid control over all religions and in recent years has stepped up a campaign of cultural assimilation targeting Tibetans, Turkic Muslim Uyghurs and other minority groups. The Dalai Lama said he did not want to become involved in “local and political difficulties,” but was dedicated to making contributions to “brothers and sisters” in both Taiwan and mainland China. “This situation is quite complicated,” he said. “Sometimes I really feel this simple Buddhist monk (does) not want to (become involved) in complicated politics,” he said, chuckling. The Dalai Lama retired from politics in 2011 but
KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON NOTICE TO PROPOSERS Proposals will be received for KC000375, Engineering Services for the South Treatment Plant Dissolved Air Flotation Tanks (DAFT) Rehabilitation; by King County Procurement and Payables Section until 12:00 PM on 12/8/2021. This contract includes development and submittal of an Equity and Social Justice (ESJ) Innovation Plan. The ESJ Innovation Plan details the approach, strategies, and actionable steps that will be taken to maximize the participation of Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) and Women Business Enterprise (WBE) firms. Both MBE and WBE firms must be certified by the State of Washington Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises. Total Estimated Price for Phase 1: $589,000 Total Estimated Price for all Phases: $2,708,378 Prospective proposers can view more details at: https:// kingcounty.gov/procurement/solicitations Contact: John Kim, johkim@kingcounty.gov, 206-263-5825
remains a major force for the preservation of Tibetan traditions. China castigates him as an advocate for Tibetan independence and has not had direct contacts with his representatives in more than a decade. The Dalai Lama says he merely advocates for Tibet’s substantial autonomy and protection for its native Buddhist culture. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said the door to dialogue and engagement with the Dalai Lama “remains open,” but that Beijing would not discuss the status of Tibet. “What the Dalai Lama’s side should do is give up its position on splitting China, stop its secessionist activities and take concrete actions to win the trust of the central government and the Chinese people,” Wang said.
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■ COMMUNITY CALENDAR NOV 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
DANCE TANTRA IN COLLABORATION WITH SADHANA PRESENT DHRUPAD JHANKAAR 2021 Issaquah Village Theatre, 303 Front St. N., Issaquah 5-8 p.m. sumanasafoundation.org CAPAA NOVEMBER PUBLIC BOARD MEETING Zoom Meeting is TBA 10 a.m.-12 p.m. capaa.wa.gov
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26
CLASSICAL INDIAN DANCE SHOW, “DHRUPAD JHANKAAR 2021” Issaquah Village Theatre, 303 Front Street North, Issaquah 5-8 p.m.
SEATTLE ASIAN ART MUSEUM 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Seattle Asian Art Museum Advanced registration required volunteerparktrust.org/event/ saam-free-fridays/all
THROUGH NOV 20
BETWEEN AND WITHIN: NEW WORK BY JIYOUNG CHUNG ArtXchange Gallery, 512 First Ave. S., Seattle 5-8 p.m. artxchange.org
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
3 SEATAC’S ANNUAL TREE LIGHTING FESTIVAL Seatac Community Center, 13735 24th Ave. S., SeaTac 5:45-8:30 p.m.
4 CAPAA’S 2021 PEOPLE OF COLOR LEGISLATIVE SUMMIT Zoom Meeting is TBA 10 a.m.-12 p.m. capaa.wa.gov
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AAPI UNITY CELEBRATION FOR MAYOR-ELECT BRUCE HARRELL Joyale Seafood Restaurant, 900 S. Jackson, Seattle 5:30-8:30 p.m. $45 Register by Dec. 7, at https://bit.ly/30xLRTy
SEATTLE ASIAN ART MUSEUM FREE FIRST FRIDAY 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Seattle Asian Art Museum Free admission Advanced registration required volunteerparktrust.org/event/ saam-free-fridays/all
12 RONNY CHIENG, STAND UP COMEDY 7:30 p.m. The Neptune Theatre $28-$33.50 stgpresents.org
16 CLUB MEETING WITH WARREN ALLEN ON TOPIC “THE SENTENCING PROJECT” 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Free on Zoom For Zoom meeting link, contact at rotaryofseattleid@gmail.com
JAN 6
CLUB MEETING WITH RACHELL WONG, DISCUSS THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN HISTORICAL AND MODERN VIOLEN PERFORMANCE 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Free on Zoom For Zoom meeting link, contact at rotaryofseattleid@gmail.com
■ NATIONAL NEWS
WTA CEO calls for investigation of China assault allegation ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — The head of the women’s professional tennis tour called for a full investigation of sexual assault allegations made by a two-time Grand Slam doubles champion from China against a former top government official in that country.
Earlier this month, Peng Shuai, a former No. 1-ranked doubles player, wrote in a lengthy social media post that Zhang Gaoli, a former vice premier and member of the ruling Communist Party’s all-powerful Politburo Standing Committee, had forced her to have sex despite
repeated refusals following a round of tennis three years ago. Her post—which was removed from her verified see ASSAULT on 11
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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
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NOVEMBER 20 – NOVEMBER 26, 2021
■ ON THE SHELF
Grieving the loss of a parent BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS By Samantha Pak NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY
DONUT FALL IN LOVE By Jackie Lau Berkley, 2021 Things are not going well for actor Ryan Kwok. His latest film, a romantic comedy, just came out to mixed reviews. He’s still grieving his mother’s sudden death from a few months earlier. He’s back in Toronto trying to be there for his family, but is less than successful. He’s at a loss as to how to help his sister, a struggling new mother. And his father would rather (hilariously) troll him on Twitter than connect in person. Then he meets Lindsay McLeod—after knocking over two dozen specialty donuts at her bakery. Not the best way to meet someone, but the attraction between them is there. So when Ryan agrees to be on a celebrity episode of “Baking Fail,” he asks Lindsay to teach him how to bake, and she agrees. As the two spend time together, one of the things that brings them closer is their grief over losing a parent. Lindsay lost her father seven years earlier and the pain is still there. “Donut” is a cute romantic comedy and it’s fun to watch Ryan and Lindsay experience the ups and downs of falling in love. Sure, Ryan’s celebrity brings in a different element, but at the core, they’re two people who haven’t done the relationship thing in a while and are just trying to figure it out— something many people can relate to. One thing I really enjoyed was how Lau didn’t just focus on romance. She shows other parts of Ryan’s and Lindsay’s lives, especially how the deaths of their respective parents have impacted them. Ryan’s mother was the glue that held their family together and now he’s trying so hard to fill that void. Lindsay hasn’t made any new connections since her father’s death— not just romantically—and we see her work to change that as she tries to bond with her new roommate. I appreciated seeing these sides of the characters because they remind the reader how complicated life is and that romantic love isn’t the only kind of love.
SEEING GHOSTS: A MEMOIR By Kat Chow Grand Central Publishing, 2021
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Kat Chow has always been a bit obsessed with death. She worried about her parents all the time—especially her mother, who used to joke that when she died, she wanted to be stuffed and displayed in Chow’s apartment so she could always watch over (and/or haunt) her. When Chow’s mother dies unexpectedly from cancer when Chow was in high school, she, her sisters, and their father are overcome with grief. In “Seeing Ghosts,” Chow gives voice to that grief, sharing her extended family’s story as they emigrate from China and Hong Kong, first arriving in Cuba before settling in the United States. Throughout “Seeing Ghosts,” Chow switches between sharing her family’s see SHELF on 14
NOVEMBER 20 – NOVEMBER 26, 2021
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AAPI Unity Celebration for Mayor-Elect Bruce Harrell Friday, December 10, 2021, 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM Joyale Seafood Restaurant, 900 So. Jackson, Seattle, WA 98104 Tickets: $45 per person
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39 YEARS
NOVEMBER 20 – NOVEMBER 26, 2021
■ PUBLISHER’S BLOG
Justice Mary Yu’s portrait unveiled at SU By Assunta Ng NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY
Photos by George Liu
Justice Mary Yu (middle) with Seattle University President Eduardo M. Penalver (right) and Chief Justice Steven Gonzalez
Scholarship recipient Erin Lewis (left) with Justice Mary Yu
Justice Mary Yu with Judge Linda Coburn of the Washington State Court of Appeals, U.S. District Judge Tanya Lin, and Judge John Chun of the Washington State Court of Appeals.
Justice Mary Yu’s portrait speaks a thousand words. It illustrates that the Washington State Supreme Court system had been dominated by whites and males for close to a century. That’s changing. Now, the court is diverse with a female majority of seven women and two men. The portrait, recently unveiled at Seattle University (SU)’s Law School on Nov. 3, reflects Yu’s journey not only in justice,
but diversity, family history, and service. “It is strange to see this portrait of myself—a little embarrassing and yet every time I look at it, I see my ancestors,” said Yu, of Chinese and Mexican descent. “I see the dreams that led them to this country. Despite the strange feeling of seeing oneself in this portrait, I have forced myself to get past it because it represents something larger than me. It represents an immigrant story.”
Appointed in 2014 and reelected in 2016, Yu represents many firsts for the Washington Supreme Court—including being the first Asian, first Latina, first woman of color, and first LGBTQ justice. Yu’s service is extensive, powerful, and impactful. She served on the University of Washington School of Law’s Gates Public Service Program for four years, and is devoted to being a Seattle Girls’ School Mock Trial judge for the past 14 years.
On and off the bench, she mentors young attorneys, law clerks, and students. Over the course of 21 years, she has mentored 250 law graduates including several law clerks for her and other justices at the Supreme Court. Some of the attorneys are now elected officials, prosecutors, and prominent attorneys for major corporations. “[The portrait] represents opportunity for all, and it represents the importance of mentorship,” said Yu. “I could not have traveled the path that I have, without mentors. Mentors who invested in me as a person, a lawyer, and a judge. ”Mentors like Norm Maleng, Ruth Woo, Bobbe Bridge, and friends like see BLOG on 12
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NOVEMBER 20 – NOVEMBER 26, 2021
■ ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
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‘Sesame Street’ debuts Ji-Young, first Asian American muppet By TERRY TANG What’s in a name? Well, for Ji-Young, the newest muppet resident of “Sesame Street,” her name is a sign she was meant to live there. “So, in Korean traditionally the two syllables they each mean something different and Ji means, like, smart or wise. And Young means, like, brave or courageous and strong,” Ji-Young explained during a recent interview. “But we were looking it up and guess what? Ji also means sesame.” At only 7 years old, Ji-Young is making history as the first Asian American muppet in the “Sesame Street” canon. She is Korean American and has two passions: rocking out on her electric guitar and skateboarding. The children’s TV program, which first aired 52 years ago this month, gave The Associated Press a first look at its adorable new occupant. Ji-Young will formally be introduced in “See Us Coming Together: A Sesame Street Special.” Simu Liu, Padma Lakshmi and Naomi Osaka are among the celebrities appearing in the special, which will drop Thanksgiving Day on HBO Max, “Sesame Street” social media platforms and on local PBS stations. Some of Ji-Young’s personality comes from her puppeteer. Kathleen Kim, 41 and Korean American, got into puppetry in her 30s. In 2014, she was accepted into a “Sesame Street” workshop. That evolved into a mentorship and becoming part of the team the following year. Being a puppeteer on a show Kim watched growing up was a dream come true. But helping shape an original muppet
■ LETTER
Election reflection I completely agree with Assunta Ng’s Publisher’s Blog on “What we learned from the election.” From the elections in Virginia and New Jersey, to the appointment of Steve Hobbs, people have indicated they want moderates. People are tired of extremists on both sides. We just want to return to some kind of normalcy. I am a Fire Commissioner in Snohomish County and sit on the Board of Sno911, a countywide emergency call center. I work with all the police chiefs who are very dedicated to protecting the public. They are absolutely against police violence. Police need more resources and less focus on handling additional social issues. Calls to
“defund the police” absolutely make no sense at all. The voters of Seattle are tired of the boarded up shops and the anti-business attitude. I am lucky enough to have met many of the old timers in Chinatown who had endured all the discrimination and injustice. They did not go out to burn down the city. They quietly built up their business and got into politics and made effective changes. That has been the true immigrant story. Sincerely, — David Chan Everett, WA
is a whole other feat. “I feel like I have a lot of weight that maybe I’m putting on myself to teach these lessons and to be this representative that I did not have as a kid,” Kim said. But fellow puppeteer Leslie CarraraRudolph—who performs Abby Cadabby— reminded her, “It’s not about us ... It’s about this message.” Ji-Young’s existence is the culmination of a lot of discussions after the events of 2020—George Floyd’s death and anti-Asian hate incidents. Like a lot of companies, “Sesame Street” reflected on how it could “meet the moment,” said Kay Wilson Stallings, executive vice-president of Creative and Production for Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit organization behind “Sesame Street.” Sesame Workshop established two task forces— one to look at its content and another to look at its own diversity. What developed was Coming Together, a multi-year initiative addressing how to talk to children about race, ethnicity and culture. One result was 8-year-old Tamir. While not the show’s first Black muppet, he was one of the first used to talk about subjects like racism. “When we knew we were going to be doing this work that was going to focus on the Asian and Pacific Islanders experience, we of course knew we needed to create an Asian muppet as well,” Stallings said. These newer muppets—their personalities and their looks—were remarkably constructed in a matter of months. The process normally takes at see SESAME STREET on 14
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Traditional Side-by-Side Monument Properties ASSAULT from 6 account on Wiebo, a leading Chinese social media platform—also said they had sex once seven years ago and she had feelings for him after that. “Peng Shuai, and all women, deserve to be heard, not censored. Her accusation about the conduct of a former Chinese leader involving a sexual assault must be treated with the utmost seriousness. In all societies, the behavior she alleges that took place needs to be investigated, not condoned or ignored. We commend Peng Shuai for her remarkable courage and strength in coming forward. Women around the world are finding their voices so injustices can be corrected,” WTA Chairman and CEO Steve Simon said in a statement released by the tour on Nov. 14. “We expect this issue to be handled properly, meaning the
allegations must be investigated fully, fairly, transparently and without censorship,” Simon said. Peng has won 23 tour-level doubles titles, including at Wimbledon in 2013 and the French Open in 2014. She was a semifinalist in singles at the U.S Open in 2014. Her accusation was the first against a prominent government official since the (hash)MeToo movement took hold in China in 2018 before being largely tamped down by authorities the same year. In the post, Peng, 35, wrote that Zhang, now 75, and his wife arranged to play tennis in Beijing about three years ago and that he later brought her into a room at his home where the assault occurred. “I was so frightened that afternoon, never thinking that this thing could happen,” the post said. Zhang retired in 2018 and has largely disappeared from public life, as is usual with former Chinese officials.
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BLOG from 10 Anne Levinson, Lisa Brodoff, Sharon Sakamoto…who taught me to have confidence and courage and who boldly assert that people like me must have a voice and a place in this world.” Yu also acknowledged the support she received from law clerks and interns, and “students—who don’t realize how much they teach me about the law, relationships, and the world.” Annette Clark, dean of SU Law School, shared Yu’s story as the Distinguished Jurist in Residence. At an orientation for law students, Clark said she and many speakers could be replaced, but not Yu. She would go above and beyond to speak to students— in one instance, Yu disrupted her vacation to deliver a speech in a friend’s bathroom, where they had to set up proper lighting and a backdrop. Besides her portrait, SU has honored Yu with an endowed scholarship in her name and “acknowledges all that she represents to people who never dreamed that someone like them could become a state supreme court justice.” Clark said the scholarship recognizes Justice Yu’s devotion to encouraging the next generation of advocates for justice.
39 YEARS
NOVEMBER 20 – NOVEMBER 26, 2021 “Justice Yu’s commitment to building a better and more diverse system of justice in our state is unwavering,” Clark said The $100,000 endowed scholarship in Yu’s name is a result of the generosity of SU supporters. “I am humbled and honored to receive the Justice Mary Yu Scholarship,” said Erin Lewis, of Asian descent, the first recipient of Justice Yu’s scholarship. “Justice Yu’s service to the community fills me with optimism and motivates me to continue working towards creating a more just future. As a non-traditional, queer, first-generation advanced degree seeker of color, Justice Yu stands as a promise of what can be for those who live authentically.” “Women of color can only enrich our community and our thinking,” said Yu. “Because racism and sexism still exists, each one of us must do all that we can to support women of color as they make the choice to enter law school and to enter our profession. And support for these women starts in law school with mentoring. I can’t say it enough— mentoring means nurturing and walking with another in their journey to greatness.” Chief Justice Stephen Gonzalez is the brainchild behind Yu’s portrait. Gonzalez and Yu
TEAM from 1 to this transition effort,” said Moriguchi. “As we work to exit the pandemic, those local perspectives are integral to constructing a plan that ensures economic recovery and future growth.” The 12 groups are organized around the following focus areas: Arts, Culture, and Nightlife; Climate and Environment; Education and Youth; Government Operations; Housing and Homelessness; Labor and Workforce; Philanthropy; Public Health; Safety and Justice; Small and Local Business; Transportation and Land Use; and Sports and Mentorship.
are long-time friends. Their friendship began when they were colleagues serving at the King County Superior Court. Gonzalez credited his young son for inspiring him to showcase justices of color. When Gonzalez was sworn-in in 2011 as justice, he brought his family to visit the Temple of Justice, the official office for the nine Justices. After seeing all the portraits of white male justices, his son asked, “How come none of them look like us?” González told KNKX in a radio interview, “For me, I thought, well, that’s an important question. They don’t, but it’s changing.” That insight ignited Gonzalez to change things. Eight years ago, he connected the late Justice Charles Z. Smith to work with esteemed artist Alfredo Arreguin for Smith’s portrait. It has begun a new tradition at the Temple’s gallery by adding recent justices’ portraits on the walls. Yu’s portrait is also the work of Arreguin who lives in Seattle, now 86. He has won many local, national, and international awards including Mexico, France, and Spain. Funding for Yu’s portrait was provided by the minority bar associations, such as Asian Bar Association, Q-Law, Latina/ Latino Bar Association, and Loren Miller Bar. Yu’s portrait will be hanging
“After a very long—and, at times, very divisive—campaign season, the most important thing we can do to get off on the right foot is demonstrate our commitment to bringing our City together,” said Harrell. “By calling together this roster of leaders to help define our administration’s priorities, I am making clear my intention for everyone to have a seat at the table.” This is the current list of AAPI team members: Arts, Culture, and Nightlife Committee • Sung Yang, Former Deputy Executive, King County • Manny Cawaling, CEO, Inspire Washington
SINGLES’ DAY from 5 past and experts are predicting lower sales as the economy slows. This year, Alibaba, the e-commerce platform that pioneered the online shopping festival more than a decade ago, decided not to showcase a running tally of its realtime gross merchandise volume (GMV)—defined as the amount of transactions racked up across its platform—on its site for the shopping festival, taking on a more muted tone compared to previous years of glitzy marketing campaigns. Chinese regulators have cracked down on technology companies, investigating giants like Alibaba and food delivery firm Meituan over alleged anti-competitive practices. Earlier this year, Alibaba was fined a record $2.8 billion for violating antitrust rules. Ahead of Singles’ Day, Alibaba, rival JD.com and Meituan were among companies asked to curb excessive marketing text messages sent to consumers during the festival. Earlier this month, 16 e-commerce platform operators— some of which are linked to Alibaba and Meituan—were also summoned by regulators in the southern province of Guangdong and warned over “unfair competition.” Platforms are also reining in the marketing hype to align themselves with Chinese President Xi Jinping’s calls for “common prosperity,” which includes curbing excess and advocating for more equitable distribution of wealth and resources. “The decision not to publish a live GMV tally suggests
Raymond Reyes
Cynthia Johnson
Judge Camara Banfield
Judge Veronica Galvan
Justice Mary Yu’s mentees Justice Mary Yu’s mentees have flourished in many legal fields. Among them are Cynthia Delostrinos Johnson, Tukwila City Council member; Benjamin Santos, King County Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney; Raymond Delos Reyes, private criminal defense work and public defender; King County Superior Court Judge Veronica Galvan; Clark County Superior Court Judge Camara Banfield; Erika Evans, Assistant U.S. Attorney Western District; Nyoka Jeffrey, Assistant Solicitor General at DeKalb County, GA Solicitor-General’s Office; Aileen Tsao, WA Attorney General’s Office; Kellen Hade, T-Mobile litigation counsel, and several other law clerks.
inside the Temple when a remodel is completed in three years. The court has also commissioned a portrait of Gonzalez. Every time a justice retires, their photograph is added to the wall outside the clerk’s office next to the courtroom. But the public may not be able to see all the portraits as some parts of the Temple are closed to the public. Asked what Gonzalez’s son
Education and Youth Committee • Dr. Shouan Pan, Chancellor, Seattle Colleges • Vivian Song Maritz, School Board Member-elect, Seattle School Board • Sharon Tomiko Santos, State Representative Government Operations Committee • Hyeok Kim, Former Deputy Mayor, City of Seattle • Mike Fong, Former Deputy Mayor, City of Seattle Philanthropy Committee • Katherine Cheng, Sustainability, Social Impact, and Philanthropy Leader
China’s major e-commerce platforms believe this consumption display is incongruent with current ’common prosperity’ themes,” said Michael Norris, research strategy manager at the Shanghai-based consultancy AgencyChina. “While not publishing a live GMV tally may appease local sensibilities, without careful management, it may spook foreign investors who are already concerned about Alibaba’s growth prospects,” he said. Online retailer JD.com also did not publicly stream a running tally of sales this year. But it did hold a media event on Nov. 11, where a counter showed that as of 2 p.m. local time shoppers had spent over $48 billion. Although it was common to see consumers take advantage of deep discounts in past Singles’ Day festivals to stock up on daily necessities, consumption habits have changed. Demand is weaker amid the uncertainties brought on by the pandemic, and Singles Day is now competing with other e-commerce festivals throughout the year. “2021 is a year of troubled times. There is the pandemic and various disasters, economic growth is slow and the stock market is not performing well,” said Hua Wei, a Beijing resident. “These make people a little bit panicked. After all, you have a stronger sense of security if you hold onto your money,” she said. “I think people are also more rational now when it comes to consumption.” Another shopper, Jiang Chen, said that he held back on impulse shopping this year, buying only what he needed. “I don’t think it’s necessary to waste time and energy in
felt about his father’s work, “He says that I kept my promise that things will change for the better,” said Gonzalez. “I think with the new portraits, the Supreme Court is and feels like a more inclusive place where all children can dream of the future.” Assunta can be reached at assunta@nwasianweekly.com.
Safety and Justice Committee • Aleksa Manila, Drag Queen and Behavioral Health Counselor Small and Local Business Committee • Taylor Hoang, Amazon • Denise Moriguchi, President and CEO, Uwajimaya Transportation and Land Use Committee • James Wong, CEO, Vibrant Cities Ruth can be reached at editor@nwasianweekly.com.
order to save a little money, so the things I buy are what I need,” he said, such as snacks and fruit. Jiang seemed happy with a lower key approach to the festival. “I hope that there will be less exaggerated publicity and hype in future (Singles’ Day) sales, and that the discounts will be bigger,” he said. Meng Xiaolu, a sales manager who lives in the eastern province of Zhejiang, said she spent most of her shopping budget for this month on Singles Day sales of cosmetics and clothes. “Because of the pandemic, I’m not able to travel and take vacations, so all I can do is find some joy in online shopping,” she said. “I think shopping on Double Eleven has become a habit for young people.”
YOUR VOICE
■ ASTROLOGY
NOVEMBER 20 – NOVEMBER 26, 2021
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Predictions and advice for the week of November 20–26, 2021 By Sun Lee Chang Rat—Given the choice between excitement and calmness, you much prefer the steadiness of the latter.
Dragon—An unexpected reaction has caused you to press pause. Now is a good time to reevaluate your position.
Monkey—You have a promising plan set out, but you must follow through in order to see the desired results.
Ox—You have the ability to recognize things that often escape others. Your insight could prove quite valuable.
Snake—Let generosity guide you in your interactions today. Your kindness will have ripple effects down the line.
Rooster—Although you are generally content to go with the flow, you are not shy about raising a concern when necessary.
Tiger—Don’t assume that the stillness means there is nothing going on. There could be much brewing under the surface.
Horse—It’s not easy to listen to criticism. It may be helpful to view it as an opportunity for improvement.
Dog—Feeling a little out of sorts today? It is prudent to stick to the basics until you get some traction.
Rabbit —Knowing what and when to let go can be difficult to determine, but necessary if you want to move forward.
Goat—Are you highly ambitious or not? The best course is the one that most closely aligns with your goals.
Pig—Find the right tool for the job as it can make the work go a lot faster and smoother.
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.
GUPTA from 1 dominate discussion here. He was also exposed to issues of global policy. “The year away really helped provide perspective,” he said. Still, after he graduated, he enrolled in medical school at Columbia. He was back on his original track. Or at least it seemed so. For Indian immigrants like his parents, getting a stable paycheck, living in the suburbs, and keeping a low profile always seemed like the desired goal. And there was something about being a doctor that was almost sacred. “The profession of medicine is hallowed, almost mythical in value, and put on a pedestal, especially among older generations of the South Asian diaspora,” he said. But soon he was off in a new orbit again. Partway through medical school, he joined the Air Force, partially so he could be financially independent from his parents, but also for the experiences and new perspective. “At the time, I had become interested in global politics and global health security, and this was at the time of SARS1, and I wanted to better understand care delivery in that continuum of crisis.” He ended up spending a year in China at their Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Shanghai, on the heels of a prior year based in Uganda studying drug-resistant Malaria. After completing medical school and degrees in international relations at Cambridge and a master’s in public administration at Harvard, along with a half dozen other fellowships and appointments, he still has two years left out of his nine-year commitment as a reservist in the military. He became what he describes as “cross sectoral,” meaning he can traverse multiple spheres and disciplines.
On a recent Rachel Maddow show, he was shown discussing how the Air Force transports patients critically ill with Covid-19 using battlefield aircraft. But critics abound. For Gupta, however, the hardest thing is being mindful of all the groups he represents. This includes the medical community, the University of Washington, and a number of companies he guides through medical protocol. “You have to be mindful that when you’re overexposed to the media, any misstep can be a reputational disaster.” Other doctors, including Indian doctors such as Sanjay Gupta, have created huge media platforms long before him, making it possible for him to find his reach. “I’d like to think that those who have enabled whatever success I’ve had in this space, like Sanjay, have just really been responsible with the platform. It’s easy to lose sight of the fact that he’s been telling stories in an elegant and articulate way for so long that you come to implicitly trust him,” he said. “I have thought long and hard about what it is that makes for
persuasion, what are the ingredients, what is that soup, that is vital for communication.” That is why he becomes so frustrated with doctors that use their platforms to disseminate falsehoods. In fact, if he had his way, any doctor that is spreading misinformation about Covid-19 would be delicensed. “Right now, there’s all this happy talk that we need to hold doctors accountable that are promoting bullsh*t,” he said. “And yet we’re not. They’re still able to go on and say all kinds of ridiculous nonsense about Ivermectin without the fear of losing their medical licenses.” Ivermectin, the animal deworming agent that has been promoted falsely as a treatment for Covid-19, is not the only issue on Gupta’s radar. Even before the pandemic, he was challenging the Trump administration about its support for vaping. Now, he believes the debate about booster shots reveals a fundamental disassociation between health authorities. “Even this confusion around boosters has opened up this whole debate about frankly what is the purpose of vaccination,” he said.
“Should we expect vaccinations to eliminate the risk of transmission of the virus and create a sterile environment? I think that’s crazy.” A more traditional goal is for the vaccines “to keep you out of the hospital.” But even on this basic point, there is no agreement. “The fact that we don’t have clarity on that fundamental definition of why we get vaccinated is underpinning so much confusion.” Such confusion contributes to a perception of authorities such as the CDC and the WHO offering conflicting advice. “And this is really harmful because it suggests to the 35% to 40% of people who have yet to be vaccinated that we don’t have our act together or we’re hiding something or the vaccines don’t work,” he said. “And this is going to happen again,” he said, in regards to a pandemic. “And we can’t allow it to happen again.” Mahlon can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.
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ZHENG from 4
HOGAN from 4
him as a “really positive, nice person.” She said the two became friends after they connected online. Cheng, 22, choked up as she recalled Zheng and his love for sports, especially table tennis, and photography. “May he rest in peace,” she said. “I can feel he loves Chicago so much,” Cheng said. “I can feel he really enjoyed it here and loves this (city) so it’s really tragic to hear.” The Chinese American Association of Greater Chicago has started an online memorial fundraiser to help cover travel and legal expenses for Zheng’s family.
hate and bias incidents, including making 211 Maryland a resource for reporting incidents and providing information about services and resources in Asian languages. The state will develop alternative reporting channels, including community organizations, nonprofits and faith centers, Hogan said. The Maryland Center for School Safety has been directed to develop resources for educators, parents and students on how to identify and report hate and bias incidents. Hogan said nearly one-third of all Asian Americans say that they have experienced some type of discrimination since the
SESAME STREET from 11
They kind of want to lump us into this monolithic ‘Asian,’” Kim said. “So it was very important that she was specifically Korean American, not just like, generically Korean, but she was born here.” One thing Ji-Young will help teach children is how to be a good “upstander.” “Sesame Street” first used the term on its “The Power of We” TV special last year, which featured Tamir.
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least a couple of years. There are outside experts and a cross-section of employees known as the “culture trust” who weigh in on every aspect of a new muppet, Stallings said. For Kim, it was crucial that Ji-Young not be “generically pan-Asian.” “Because that’s something that all Asian Americans have experienced.
SHELF from 8 story to directly addressing her late mother. The latter serves as an ongoing conversation Chow has with her mother, giving readers the feeling that these are some of the things she never had the chance to say when her mother was alive. These moments had me thinking about my own parents and the things I’d want to talk to them about before it was too late. I appreciated that Chow showed how her mother and her family are not perfect. Everyone has their own flaws and when someone passes, we often want to put them on a pedestal. By sharing the not-so-great moments, Chow humanizes her relatives, making them relatable to readers. The traditions and rituals around death that her family performs may be unfamiliar to some readers, but many of us can relate to that feeling of loss and wanting to honor the ones we love. And while “Seeing Ghosts” is the story of Chow’s family grieving, she also includes a lot of humor
throughout—even in those darker moments, such as during her mother’s funeral (I chuckled at Chow imagining her mother springing from her casket, complaining about being buried alive, and being dressed in such a cheap outfit, at that). It reminds us that there’s no one way to feel at any given moment and that’s okay.
CRYING IN H MART By Michelle Zauner Knopf, 2021 Growing up, Michelle Zauner’s mother had very high expectations of her. From the things she could control, like her behavior and attitude, to the things she couldn’t, like her height. And as a half-Korean, half-white girl growing up in the predominantly white community of Eugene, Oregon, being one of the few mixed-race kids was not easy. When she was home, Zauner was seen as Asian and when she traveled with her mother to South Korea to visit family, she was seen as white. At 25, Zauner learned that her
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beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic last year. Since the coronavirus was first reported in China, people of Asian and Pacific Islander descent have been treated as scapegoats solely based on their race. Nationwide data from law enforcement and surveys in Asian communities have shown a significant increase in hate crimes and hate-based incidents since 2019, Hur said, adding that data so far for 2021 is still being compiled. “We look to be on a trajectory for a slight decrease for this year,” Hur said. “It depends on how the data for the rest of the year pan out, but the data from 2019 to 2020 show a significant increase within the state of Maryland.”
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“Being an upstander means you point out things that are wrong or something that someone does or says that is based on their negative attitude towards the person because of the color of their skin or the language they speak or where they’re from,” Stallings said. “We want our audience to understand they can be upstanders.” In “See Us Coming Together,” Sesame Street is preparing for Neighbor Day
mother had been diagnosed with terminal cancer. Now living on the East Coast, working in the restaurant industry while performing gigs with her fledgling band on the side, Zauner had found the kind of life she wanted to live. But she was starting to feel more and more distant from her Korean side. So when she moved back to Eugene to take care of her mother, she was forced to reckon with that side of her identity. As Zauner—who is known for her rock band, Japanese Breakfast— shares stories about her mother, one thing I really related to was how complicated their relationship is. As the Asian American daughter of an Asian mother myself, I understand exactly what it’s like to look up to your mother and aspire to be like her in some way, while at the same time trying your hardest—but never being able—to truly make your mother happy or proud. Mother-daughter relationships are rarely simple and I’ve always felt Asian mothers and daughters are a category unto themselves. Zauner did a great job of
where everyone shares food, music or dance from their culture. Ji-Young becomes upset after a kid, off screen, tells her “to go back home,” an insult commonly flung at Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. But she feels empowered after Sesame Street’s other Asian American residents, guest stars and friends like Elmo assure her that she belongs as much as anyone else.
capturing those complexities. In her writing, Zauner also excels at sharing intimate details. She brings readers in so we are there with her, experiencing everything right alongside her in moments that will stay with us even after we’re done reading. Samantha can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com. SOLUTION from SUDOKU on page 6.
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NOVEMBER 20 – NOVEMBER 26, 2021
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39 YEARS
NOVEMBER 20 – NOVEMBER 26, 2021
Asian Hall of Fame Seattle Reception
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eattle’s Robert Chinn Foundation celebrated 35 years in the community with one of its charities Asian Hall of Fame, whose mission is to overcome violence against Asians by raising awareness of Asian contributions. On Nov. 8, Asian Hall of Fame hosted a private reception at Ben Bridge Jeweler in Seattle.
From left: Seattle Mayor-elect Bruce Harrell, Karen Wong, President/Founder and Chairman of Robert Chinn Foundation, and King County Executive Dow Constantine (Photo by Eric Hwang)
Taylor Shimizu and Krist Novoselic, musician and activist, bassist and a founding member of the rock band, Nirvana (Photo by Elicia Greene)
Karen Wong, President/Founder and Chairman of Robert Chinn Foundation, and Indra Nooyi, former PepsiCo CEO and Asian Hall of Fame Inductee (Photo by Elecia Greene)
Maki Hsieh, Asian Hall of Fame President & CEO and KING 5 anchor Mimi Jung (Photo by Eric Hwang)
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.
Sonita Lontoh, Asian Hall of Fame Inductee and Council Member, and Sue Taylor, Asian Hall of Fame Global Council Member (Photo by Elecia Greene)
TOGETHER, we can go beyond net zero carbon. Learn more at pse.com/TOGETHER Mr & Mrs Hiro Yamamoto, bassist who was a founding member of grunge band Soundgarden (Photo by Paloma Renna)