PRSRT STD U.S. Postage Paid Permit No. 746 Seattle, WA
VOL 41 NO 10 MARCH 5 – MARCH 11, 2022
FREE 40 YEARS YOUR VOICE
New ISRD board tackles Jasmine saga By Ruth Bayang NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY
Image from Otak Design Team
SEATTLE — The fifth International Special Review District (ISRD) board meeting—about the Jasmine project on 614 Maynard Avenue South—appeared to move the project forward. Though no formal action or final vote was made at the Feb. 22 Zoom meeting—which lasted nearly three hours—the majority of the board said they agree with the project vision and that they support the community room proposal on the first and second floors. Jasmine—a project by Vibrant Cities—is a proposed 17-story building at the site of the historic, and now vacated, Bush Garden Restaurant. Bush Garden will relocate to a new building within the Chinatown-International see ISRD on 16
Artist rendering of the proposed Jasmine tower (middle)
King County youth discuss various advocacy avenues at community event By Kimmy Li NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY Young Asian small business owners and creatives gathered in early February at Pass the Mic, an Asian Counseling and Referral Services (ACRS) youth forum event, to discuss with other youth in attendance how they have used their creative outlets to promote social justice in their communities. The event was organized by the Civic Engagement Youth Organizing Team as a space open
to all King County youth to voice their thoughts and deliberate important issues and changes they would like to see as a collective community. “Protesting and lobbying are super valid forms of civic engagement, but so is creating, right?” said Mimi To, a team member of the ACRS Youth Team. “The intention behind Pass the Mic was to show that activism doesn’t take one form.” Student speakers were invited see ACRS on 15 Tianna Andresen wears one of her bucket hats that she created for Barkada Baby.
Joël Barraquiel Tan
Social justice advocate and nonprofit executive Joël Barraquiel Tan has been hired as the new executive director of the Wing Luke Museum, capping a yearlong national search led by Wing Luke board of directors co-presidents Ellen Ferguson and Jill Nishi, who also co-chaired the search committee. The job was promoted with a salary range of $155,000 to $180,000. Barraquiel Tan becomes the first queer director, first foreign-born, and first director of Filipino descent to lead the museum in its 54-year history. Barraquiel Tan, who will be moving from Hawaii, will attend the Wing Luke’s gala on March 13 at the Sheraton Grand Seattle. His first day on the job will be April 15. “Why would I want to leave one of the most beautiful places on the planet for this job?” see WING LUKE on 16
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella’s son dies Microsoft Corp. told its executive staff in an email this week that Zain Nadella, son of Chief Executive Officer Satya, died on Feb. 28. He was 26 years old and had been born with cerebral palsy. Last year, Seattle’s Children’s Hospital, where Zain received much of his treatment, joined with Nadella and his wife Anu to establish the Zain Nadella Endowed Chair in
Pediatric Neurosciences, as part of Seattle Children’s Center for Integrative Brain Research. “Zain will be remembered for his eclectic taste in music, his bright sunny smile and the immense joy he brought to his family and all those who loved him,” Jeff Sperring, CEO of Children’s Hospital, wrote in a message to his Board, which was shared with Microsoft executives.
Seattle Children’s Hospital
By Chris S. Nishiwaki NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY
■
Photo from Tianna Andresen
Joël Barraquiel Tan joins Wing Luke as executive director
Zain Nadella with sister, Tara.
412 Maynard Ave. S., Seattle, WA 98104 • t. 206.223.5559 • f. 206.223.0626 • editor@nwasianweekly.com • ads@nwasianweekly.com • www.nwasianweekly.com
2
asianweekly northwest
40 YEARS
MARCH 5 – MARCH 11, 2022
■ NAMES IN THE NEWS
Waples appointed to VT Supreme Court
Judge Nancy Waples
Vermont Gov. Phil Scott announced on Feb. 25 his appointment of Superior Court Judge Nancy Waples to the Vermont Supreme Court. “Character, competence, commitment, and chemistry are the qualities I seek when deciding on an appointment,” Scott wrote in a statement. “There is no doubt Judge Waples possesses these attributes and will excel
Appreciation luncheon for Durkan administration
KWA celebrates Asian American small business owners
Graduates Nguyen Le of Nana’s Salon and Hung Tran of Yes Nails Enterprise LLC.
The Korean Women’s Association (KWA), along with the Pierce County Economic Development Council and the Pierce County Chamber of Commerce, held a celebration for 21 Asian American small business owners, who graduated from the Pierce County Small Business
Michael Chen, a community leader, presented a lucky bamboo to former Seattle Senior Deputy Mayor Mike Fong.
Photo by Tony Au
Harmony Palace Restaurant celebrated its grand opening on Feb. 26 with a ribbon cutting ceremony and lion dance. The site of the restaurant, located at 711 South King Street, used to house the Seattle chapter of Kuomintang, a Chinese nationalist party, whose headquarters is in Taiwan. Since the office closed, it has housed a couple of restaurants.
Accelerator program on Feb. 23. Michael Choe, owner of Choe’s Martial Arts School, said, “Many Asian American small businesses struggled during the pandemic… Three martial arts schools closed. It was hard, but we stayed open. I thought about retiring, but KWA and Pierce County stood up… I appreciate what you did and I tried hard to meet your character expectations. I thank you all.” KWA has a two-year contract with Pierce County Economic Development to facilitate the Business Accelerator program for small business owners in Korean, Vietnamese, Cambodian, and English. Graduates of this training can receive $500 monthly assistance towards commercial rent payment and up to $10,000 in matching grants.
Photo by Assunta Ng
Ribbon-cutting outside Harmony Palace Restaurant
on the Court.” Waples’ parents fled the communist revolution in China and because of ethnic quotas, only her father could immigrate to the United States at first, and the family was separated for four years. Later, the family earned a living working in their small Chinese restaurant outside of New York City. “My parents traveled halfway around the world with literally nothing more than the clothes on their backs to live in a place that didn’t speak their language, where they didn’t have any friends or family,” Waples said in a statement. “They came here seeking greater opportunities and longed for a life of dignity and decency. They share my pride in receiving this historic appointment.” After graduating from the St. John’s University School of Law, Waples worked as a prosecutor in the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office in New York City. In Vermont, she has served as an assistant U.S. attorney in the federal prosecutor’s office and worked in private firms before being appointed a superior court judge.
Photo from KWA
Photo by Assunta Ng
Harmony Palace grand opening
Elaine Ko presented a glass paperweight to former Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan with the inscription “Thank You, Jenny Durkan.”
About 30 people attended an appreciation lunch for former Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan and former Seattle Senior Deputy Mayor Mike Fong at the Joyale Restaurant on Feb. 27. Michael Chen presented a lucky bamboo to Fong for his support of the community, and Elaine Ko presented a plaque to Durkan for her contribution to the city.
Protect
your family, your wealth, and your health. COVID-19 can cost you more than your health. It can also cost financial security for you or your loved ones. The COVID-19 vaccines are effective at preventing illness and costly medical care. Get your free COVID-19 vaccine or booster shot today.
vaccinelocator.doh.wa.gov
YOUR VOICE
■ COMMUNITY NEWS
MARCH 5 – MARCH 11, 2022
asianweekly northwest
3
Keiro of fers exoneration of former CEO By Mahlon Meyer NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY
Former CEO Bridgette Takeuchi
An apology issued by Keiro Northwest to its former CEO Bridgette Takeuchi on March 1 included a statement that there
was a “false narrative” released about her, claiming she was responsible for the closure of the community nursing home. But some familiar with a lawsuit she brought against the organization dispute aspects of the statement. As of press time, her attorney had not responded to multiple emails and a phone message seeking clarification. The press release appeared intended to mark the end of a disastrous closing chapter of the nursing home, which was founded 60 years ago as a shelter for aging Japanese Americans, but more recently fell on significant financial hard times. Matt Chan, a former board member, said the closing of the nursing home and the disruptions to the lives of its residents—including the deaths of some, plus the loss of the cherished community asset—marked a “black spot” on the history of the Japanese American community. “Hindsight is 20-20 and you can always go back and try to say who did what or should have done what,” he said. “But in the end, this should provide closure to
some people.” The statement was issued by the current Keiro board, which does not have a single overlapping member from the time when Takeuchi was the CEO. Nevertheless, it states that she was against closing the Keiro nursing home and even sought “an alliance” to keep the place running. “In 2019, Keiro Rehabilitation & Care Center closed. This was a result of many years of operational losses and sweeping changes in the nursing home industry. The decision to close was made by Keiro’s Board of Directors in April 2019, which was against the recommendation of Bridgette Takeuchi, Keiro’s then-CEO, who was stunned and devastated by the decision,” said the statement. The press release included a statement that Takeuchi underwent emotional distress as a result. “This caused her great emotional harm and made her feel unwelcome in our community to which she had a lifelong commitment,” it said. It said the current board of directors hoped the acknowledgement “will start
the healing process.” Some, however, had reservations about the press release. Dale Kaku, a board member during the time Takeuchi was CEO, said there had never been any discussions about finding fault with her and that there were no activities to put forward such a narrative. “No one on the board ever blamed her during the board meetings I attended,” he said. Chan, who came on the board during one of the most chaotic periods, when Keiro was facing multiple offers, reiterated this. “I was not aware of any ‘false narratives’ while I was on the board,” he said. Yvonne Kinoshita Ward, an attorney who was involved in the lawsuit on the part of one of the deponents, whom she was not authorized to name, questioned the characterization of Takeuchi’s role in the final months. According to Ward, Takeuchi “torpedoed” an earlier deal that the board see KEIRO on 13
Photo provided by Bank of America
Wing Luke WA, OR, CA Museum gets to drop mask $1 million grant mandates on March 21
From left: Wing Luke Museum’s Director of Grants and Sponsorships, Julie Salathe, Interim Executive Director Cassie Chinn, Bank of America Seattle President Kerri Schroeder, and Market Executive Jeremey Williams.
The Wing Luke Museum received a $1 million grant from Bank of America to help with forthcoming capital building renovations and safety upgrades. “It’s been over a decade since we restored the East Kong Yick Building as the Wing Luke Museum’s new home,” said Interim Executive Director Cassie Chinn. “On top of basic building needs, the pandemic has changed reality for all of us. We’re grateful for this funding that helps assure our future going forward.” In addition to supporting museum projects, the grant will support tech platform enhancements and digital
investments to advance work with more than 100 artists and 170+ small businesses though food and heritage neighborhood tours, Japanese American Remembrance Trail tours, Redlining Heritage Trail tours, neighborhood music/arts festivals, and marketing campaigns. “It's great to have the Wing Luke Museum conducting the food tours because it brings in new guests into our restaurant and our part of CID. People usually don't know there is a Japantown in the CID and it is important that they provide exposure and history,” noted Mike Vu from the Itsumono restaurant in Seattle’s Japantown.
Screenshot from TVW of Gov. Jay Inslee’s Feb. 28 news conference.
By JOCELYN GECKER and ADAM BEAM SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Schoolchildren in California, Oregon and Washington will no longer be required to wear masks as part of new indoor mask policies the Democratic governors of all three states announced jointly on Feb. 28. “With declining case rates and
hospitalizations across the West, California, Oregon and Washington are moving together to update their masking guidance,” the governors said in a statement. There are more than 7.5 million school-age children across the three states, which have had some of the strictest coronavirus safety measures during the pandemic. see MASK MANDATES on 13
4
asianweekly northwest
40 YEARS
MARCH 5 – MARCH 11, 2022
■ COMMUNITY NEWS
“Empowering Women” webinar stresses mentorship and following your passion Just in time for International Women’s Day, the Japan-America Society of the State of Washington presented an online talk titled, “Empowering Women in Japan and the U.S.A.” on Feb 24. The event featured three prominent professional women who shared their experiences and views on work and life success. Panelists Misa Yamashita, HR consultant and advisor for Global HR, JERA Co., Ltd.; Paige CottinghamStreater, executive director of JapanU.S. Friendship Commission & Secretary-General, U.S. CULCON; and Kendee Yamaguchi, Seattle’s deputy mayor of External Affairs, answered questions related to the importance of mentorship, and how they faced challenges in their careers. They offered suggestions on how to navigate job sites where women have to work harder than men to be seen and heard. Yamaguchi summarized, it’s about “having a seat at the table.” The youngest Asian American to have worked at the White House, and previously the youngest AAPI cabinet member in Washington state, Yamaguchi now works for Bruce Harrell, the first Asian American mayor of Seattle. She acknowledged her good fortune that “personal history intersects” with “career and passion in helping the community,” and the privilege of adding her voice to Harrell’s #OneSeattle policy. Yamaguchi’s and Harrell’s families were sent to the same Japanese internment camp, and her grandfather was active in spreading the word about the camps after his release. She said this legacy represented “the core of what influenced my career path…It’s the reason why I chose public service, and I felt that if there were more people [of color] in government and decisionmaking roles, this piece of history may not have occurred.” She does her part to ensure there’s “a voice to prevent injustice in the future.” Cottingham-Streater corroborated the importance of “following your passion.” She attributed the curiosity of her parents, who took her to Japan when she was a child, for her “why
Screenshot by Kai Curry
By Kai Curry NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY
Clockwise from top left: Moderator Rita Brogan, Paige Cottingham-Streater, Kendee Yamaguchi, and Misa Yamashita.
not?” attitude which led to “a leap of faith” from working in law to a career building bridges. That trip lodged in her a desire to support the U.S.-Japan relationship, and so she has. In 2004, on the 150th anniversary of the Treaty of Peace and Amity between Japan and the United States, she received the Japan’s Foreign Minister’s Commendation in recognition of her long-standing work. For Cottingham-Streater, it was important to identify transferable skills, and seek alternative avenues to pursue her passion while still using her background. She pointed out that none of her initial steps in her career were planned. She just kept going in the direction of what she loved. As a Black woman, she did not know or see anybody who looked like her in any of these roles and responsibilities of leadership, but she said, “I was committed enough and passionate enough to be willing to develop a set of skills that could be transferable to a variety of different leadership opportunities.” Yamashita offered a glimpse into life in Japan, where “work-life balance” was not a thing that existed as she was coming up in the world, and still isn't
for many women who try to do everything. “My career history was not always easy,” Yamashita said. “One big challenge that I had was when I changed my career.” In moving from communications to human resources, Yamashita admitted that she overcame her doubts with “long hours” and “managers and the people who surrounded me that gave me a lot of good advice.” Networking was essential to all three panelists in their career trajectories. Yamashita offered five tips: 1) Know your strengths and your areas for improvement; 2) Seek feedback on an ongoing basis…from people you respect; 3) Surround yourself with multiple role models and mentors; 4) Use the PIE model: “Performance, Impression, and Exposure…You cannot only perform. You need to make a good impression…and you should expose yourself to others so you can build your support network”; and 5) Be confident in who you are. In the act of mentorship by way of this very webinar, each woman recognized the importance of support they received. Yamaguchi revealed what she called “the unknown secret”—that many top executives engage in professional leadership training. Yamaguchi herself
attended the Center for Asian Pacific Women for a year. She credited this experience with giving her the tools to face tough times, especially as a young, female, Asian American woman. “When anything becomes tough, I come back to my center, and know that I can control what I can control. I can control how I receive the information and I can control how I’m impacted by that information.” “It can be challenging when you face things that you can take personally, that you carry them,” Yamaguchi continued. When she was starting out, Yamaguchi was told, “You are not to rock the boat. You are not to stand out…That flies in the face of a lot of the things that you may need to do to be successful.” To combat this, she carried a piece of paper with “three or four lines that symbolized how many times I needed to speak in a meeting to have presence.” In response to an audience question about reduction of interest in cross-cultural exchange, Cottingham-Streater said while nothing could replace in-person meetings, she saw positives in the disruptions of COVID-19. see EMPOWERING WOMEN on 13
KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON NOTICE TO PROPOSERS Proposals will be received for KC000472, ISSAQUAH CREEK FLOOD STUDY; by King County Procurement and Payables Section until 12:00 PM on March 23, 2022. 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: $1,019,047 Prospective proposers can view more details at: https://kingcounty.gov/procurement/solicitations Contact: Samol Hefley, shefley@kingcounty.gov, 206-477-6195
YOUR VOICE
■ NATIONAL NEWS
MARCH 5 – MARCH 11, 2022
asianweekly northwest
5
3 ex-cops convicted of rights violations in Floyd killing By AMY FORLITI, STEVE KARNOWSKI and TAMMY WEBBER ASSOCIATED PRESS ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Three former Minneapolis police officers were convicted on Feb. 24 of violating George Floyd’s civil rights, as a federal jury rejected their arguments that inexperience, improper training or the distraction of shouting bystanders excused them from failing to prevent Floyd’s killing. Tou Thao, J. Alexander Kueng, and Thomas Lane were convicted of depriving Floyd of his right to medical care as the 46-year-old Black man was pinned under fellow Officer Derek Chauvin’s knee for 9 1/2 minutes while handcuffed, facedown on the street on May 25, 2020. Kueng knelt on Floyd’s back, Lane held his legs and Thao kept bystanders back. Thao and Kueng were also convicted of failing to intervene to stop Chauvin in the videotaped killing that sparked protests in Minneapolis and around the globe as part of a reckoning over racial injustice. Floyd’s brother, Philonise Floyd, called the verdicts “accountability,” but added: “There can never be justice because I can never get George back” And Floyd’s cousin, Brandon Williams said he hoped the verdicts would change laws and policies to “protect people from these situations.” He also said the outcome “sends a message that says, if you murder or use excessive or deadly force, there’s consequences that
follow.” Lane shook his head and looked at his attorney as his verdict was read, according to a pool report. Thao and Kueng showed no visible emotion. Their attorneys declined to comment immediately afterward. Acting United States Attorney Charles Kovats called the convictions a reminder that all sworn law enforcement officers have a duty to intervene. “These officers had a moral responsibility, a legal obligation and a duty to intervene, and by failing to do so, they committed a crime,” Kovats said. Chauvin and Thao went to the scene to help rookies Kueng and Lane after they responded to a call that Floyd used a counterfeit $20 bill at a corner store. Floyd struggled with officers as they tried to put him in a police SUV. During the month long federal trial, prosecutors
sought to show that the officers violated their training, including when they failed to move Floyd or give him CPR. Prosecutors argued that Floyd’s condition was so serious that even bystanders without basic medical training could see he needed help, but that the officers “chose to do nothing.” The defense said their training was inadequate. Kueng and Lane both said they deferred to Chauvin as the senior officer at the scene. Thao testified that he relied on the other officers to care for Floyd’s medical needs as his attention was elsewhere. A jury that appeared to be all-white reached the verdicts after about two days of deliberations. Lane is white, Kueng is Black, and Thao is Hmong American. The former officers remain free on bond pending sentencing, which has not yet been schedule. Conviction of a federal civil rights violation that results in death is punishable by life in prison or even death, but such sentences are extremely rare. Chauvin, who is white, was convicted of murder last year in state court and pleaded guilty in December in the federal case. He was sentenced to 22 1/2 years in the state case. Under the plea deal in the federal case, both sides agreed Chauvin should face a sentence ranging from 20 to 25 years. Lane, Kueng and Thao also face a separate trial in June on state charges alleging that they aided and abetted murder and manslaughter.
Texan pleads guilty to hate-crime attack on Asian family MIDLAND, Texas (AP) — A West Texas man pleaded guilty on Feb. 23 to hate-crime charges from his March 2020 knife attack on an Asian family at a warehouse store, officials said. Jose Gomez III, 21, of Midland, Texas, pleaded guilty to three hatecrime counts from his attack on Bawi Cung and his son at a Midland Sam’s Club, according to a Justice Department statement. He could be sentenced to life imprisonment and fined $250,000. In court documents, Gomez admitted following the family into the store, taking a knife from a store display and slashing Cung, his 6-year-old son and a store employee who tried to intervene. Gomez said he blamed China for the COVID-19 pandemic and mistook the Burmese family for Chinese. He said he perceived the family to be a “threat” as they were “from the country who started spreading that disease around.” Cung was slashed in the face, while his son was slashed millimeters from his right eye to the back of his head, splitting his right ear. Sam’s Club employee Zach Owen was stabbed in the leg and slashed in the right palm. While being held down on the ground, Gomez yelled at the Asian
family, “Get out of America!” In an interview last year, Cung told The Associated Press he could not walk through any store after the attack without constantly looking in all directions. His son, who now
can’t move one eyebrow, is afraid to sleep alone. He said he was not sure what would have happened had Owen not intervened. “Maybe I might kill him. Maybe he might kill all of my family. I don’t know,” Cung said.
“God protected my family. God sent Zach to protect my family right there at the right time.”
6
asianweekly northwest
■ LETTER
40 YEARS
MARCH 5 – MARCH 11, 2022
Letter to Seattle mayor about Little Saigon improvements
Dear Mayor Harrell, I’m writing to congratulate you on becoming the first Asian American mayor of the city of Seattle! We, at Helping Link, are eager to work with your administration on issues that face Little Saigon-CID. First off, I want to thank you for following up on your pledge to address the crime and related issues in the 12th and Jackson Street area. You have no idea how uplifting it feels to see the streets free of open petty crime, drug use, and litter. The presence of the police mobile unit makes the local residents and business owners feel so much safer. Two weeks out and things still look good on the streets. I also appreciated Senior Deputy Mayor Monisha Harrell and Deputy Mayor Kendee Yamaguchi’s attendance at the Feb. 16 meeting of the Asian Pacific Directors Coalition. That leads me to ask on behalf of Helping Link staff, youth, parents and elders “ What is your long-term plan for our community of Little Saigon-CID in terms of sustaining
the current level of sanitation and crime prevention to ensure that things don’t ever return to the state they were in over the past three years?" Second, there is one huge issue that looms for our community: gentrification. We at Helping Link have been given notice that the building we occupy will be torn down very soon and redeveloped as a market rate apartment complex. As far as I know, there are no affordable units included in the plan, much less affordable office space for a non-profit like Helping Link. Helping Link has served the Vietnamese youth, parents and elders for 28 years founded in 1993, located in Little Saigon-CID, is devoted to empowering Vietnamese Americans’ social adjustment, family stability, and selfsufficiency while nurturing community service and young professional leaders. English language proficiency and technology skills are basic requirements in today’s world. We work to empower our clients with these tools as well as helping them fulfill their civic responsibilities. Helping
Link is agile and flexes to meet the needs of our community. However, we are a small nonprofit and gentrification will ultimately displace us out of Little Saigon-CID. This puts us at risk of closing as we depend on long-standing partners in the area such as working professional & local universities. This is a race and social justice issue for us. What do you plan to do for Helping Link, other nonprofit organizations, small businesses, and residents who are being priced out, displaced, of the Little Saigon neighborhood due to gentrification? Again, congratulations and much gratitude for taking back the streets for our vulnerable populations. We hope to hear from you and/or your staff within two weeks. Hope and solidarity, Minh-Duc Nguyen Executive Director, Helping Link
■ COMMUNITY CALENDAR NOW THROUGH JULY 10
EMBODIED CHANGE: SOUTH ASIAN ART ACROSS TIME Seattle Asian Art Museum, South Gallery Fri-Sun, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. seattleartmuseum.org
MAR
5 LITTLE SAIGON MONTHLY COMMUNITY CLEAN UP 1227 S. Weller St. Ste. A, Seattle 9:30-11:30 a.m. https://bit.ly/ littlesaigoncleanup info@flsseattle.org 253-245-9341
3
7
CLUB MEETING ABOUT RURAL UGANDAN EDUCATION WITH HARNEET GREWAL 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. For Zoom link, contact rotaryofseattleid@gmail.com
SMALL BUSINESS FLEX FUND WEBINAR Via Zoom 2:30-3:30 p.m. Register at https://bit.ly/3 IN FOCUS: RUSSIA’S INVASION OF UKRAINE 4-6 p.m.
Online via Zoom Register at https://bit. ly/3HAIaws
To schedule an appointment, visit bit.ly/UTOPIAVaccine3-16 206-702-2648
13
17
2022 ANNUAL DINNER & AUCTION Sheraton Grand Seattle 5 p.m. digitalwingluke.org/ auction2022
A VACCINATION EVENT IN PARTNERSHIP WITH UTOPIA WASHINGTON AND THE DOH CARE-A-VAN 841 Central Ave. N. Ste. C-106, Kent 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
30
LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATION Seattle’s C-ID 11 a.m.-4 p.m. april 15-17 Sakura-Con 2022 Washington State Convention Center 8 a.m.-5 p.m. sakuracon.org/registration
CLUB MEETING WITH DOUG CHIN, ACTIVIST, JOURNALIST, HISTORIAN 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. For Zoom link, contact rotaryofseattleid@ gmail.com
16
APR
20 CELEBRATE ASIA CONCERT S. Mark Taper Foundation Auditorium 4 p.m. Tickets at seattlesymphony.org
View the solution on page 14
Assunta Ng
Account Executives
John Liu
kelly@nwasianweekly.com
Ruth Bayang
john@nwasianweekly.com
Publisher assunta@nwasianweekly.com Associate Publisher john@nwasianweekly.com Editor editor@nwasianweekly.com
Han Bui Layout & Web Editor han@nwasianweekly.com
Kelly Liao John Liu
George Hira
ghira@nwasianweekly.com
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
MARCH 5 – MARCH 11, 2022
asianweekly northwest
THREE TIPS TO FIND COVID TESTS 1) 2) 3)
Order from COVIDtests.gov to get a free test kit shipped to your home Check your local pharmacy or retailers Find a testing location near you at DOH.WA.gov/TestingLocations or by calling 1-800-525-0127 (language assistance available)
If you have health insurance, your insurer will now cover up to 8 at-home tests per month for every person on your plan. Check with your insurer for details.
Learn more about when and how to test at doh.wa.gov/testing
Help prevent opioid misuse. Take back your meds today. Find a participating pharmacy location near you at
MED-Project.org
Seattle has over 80 safe disposal kiosks.
7
8
asianweekly northwest
40 YEARS
MARCH 5 – MARCH 11, 2022
■ PUBLISHER’S BLOG
What China and Taiwan see in the war in Ukraine The Year of the Rat brought a pandemic in 2020. The Year of the Tiger has ushered in a war and a continued pandemic. Russia invaded Ukraine without provocation more than a week ago. On the surface, the Asian community does not appear to be connected with this war. On the contrary… The U.S. and Europe have been sanctioning Russia to make Vladmir Putin stop the war. Both China and Taiwan have been watching this war closely. Many Asian Americans’ heritage have been rooted in these two regions. China is interested in the world’s reaction as well as U.S. actions over Russia’s invasion in Ukraine because Russia’s actions could have implications for China if it plans to reclaim Taiwan back as part of its country, or possibly, attack. But that’s not all. China and Taiwan have a situation like the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Russia and Ukraine have close blood ties historically. Both were of Slavic origins. Before its independence in 1991, Ukraine was part of the Russian empire— the Soviet Union. The two countries’ citizens have many intermarriages and ties with immediate family members, as well as distant relatives living in both countries. You often find husbands from Russia and wives from Ukraine, and vice versa. To have a war between these two countries will create unnecessary tragedy, conflicts, and turmoil for these extended families. When Chiang Kai-shek escaped to Taiwan after his army’s loss to Communist China, he brought with him thousands of mainlanders to the island in 1949. And there are a good number of marriages between Taiwanese and Chinese mainlanders. To this day, China and Taiwan share a culture and language. Business and trade have been strong between the two. Although Taiwan insists that it has developed a different identity, the ties between the two cannot be separated. If a war occurs, it might produce a similar reaction among the soldiers. A CNN report said that a Russian soldier had a hard time fighting the Ukrianians because he was confused and didn’t know why he was fighting someone who looked like him. The biggest distinction between China and Taiwan is their form of government. Like despotic Russia, China is under Communist rule, and Taiwan and Ukraine are both democracies with free elections. SECRET WARFARE IS OUT China has probably learned from the war in Ukraine, that you can’t hide anything, at least not forever. Social media spreads the news like wildfire. Russia did not expect the world to watch its attack on Ukraine. Putin has repeatedly denied that Russia is the aggressor. However, Russia’s aggression
AP Photo/Bernat Armangue
By Assunta Ng NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY
Ukrainian families say goodbye as they prepare to board a bus to Poland at Lviv bus main station, western Ukraine, on March 1. Russian shelling pounded civilian targets in Ukraine’s second-largest city and a 40-mile convoy of tanks and other vehicles threatened the capital—tactics Ukraine’s embattled president said were designed to force him into concessions in Europe’s largest ground war in generations.
was fully displayed on Google and other social media channels. According to columnist Thomas Friedman of The New York Times, Russia’s tanks were unexpectedly exposed on the first day of its attack on Google Maps “because Google wanted to alert drivers that the Russian armor was causing traffic jams.” WAR REPLACES TALENT DEVELOPMENT Ironically, Sergey Brin, Google’s cofounder, is a Russian who immigrated to the U.S. when he was 6 years old. Lawrence O’Donnell of MSNBC interviewed Friedman, and said the lack of opportunity in Russia probably led Brin’s family to immigrate to the U.S. If Putin’s focus is to develop talent and not be involved in wars and destruction, Google might have been a Russian invention instead of the U.S. WORLD CONDEMNATION China may be surprised that the world is on Ukraine’s side. If China wants to invade Taiwan suddenly, it may face a similar reaction. Risking their lives, journalists from all over the world, including the U.S. and Europe, are in different parts of Ukraine covering the war. I have never seen so much coverage before. Global views are not favoring Russia as it is assaulting a country so much smaller. With a population of 44 million, Ukraine is one third the size of Russia. Even if Russia won, the journalists have continued to focus on Ukrainians’ bravery, resilience, and resistance. The West has reported few stories about Russian’s soldiers except when they die. see BLOG on 15
Weekly Specials Prices Valid March 2-8, 2022
Fresh!
Ocean Bomb
Satsuma Imo
Character Sparkling Water
1.98 lb
2.99
Japanese Sweet Potato
Seafood Chirashi
Assorted Variety. 330 ml
Fresh!
Seasoned Sushi Rice Topped with a Variety of Seafood and Tamago
Atlantic Salmon Fillets
Steaks
Painted Hills
New York Strip Steak USDA Prime
10.99 lb 12.99 lb
8.99
Otafuku
Kikkoman
Okonomiyaki or Takoyaki Flour
18.99 lb
Surasang
Soy Sauce
15.9 -16 oz
Smooth Aromatic or Double Fermented. 6.8 oz
Seafood Dumplings
3.79
2.49
5.99-8.99
Frozen. Assorted Variety. 600-630 g
Yamamotoyama
Lotte
Organic Green Tea Bags
Choco Pie
Assorted Flavors. 12 pc
Assorted Variety. 18 pk
3.59-5.59
3.99
To see all of our weekly specials, visit uwajimaya.com seattle
•
bellevue
•
renton
•
beaverton
•
uwajimaya.com
YOUR VOICE
MARCH 5 – MARCH 11, 2022
■ ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
asianweekly northwest
9
“Embodied Change”
Photo by Natali Wisema
By Kai Curry NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY
Natalia Di Pietrantonio
The Seattle Asian Art Museum (SAAM) has a vision of itself as a wellspring of diversity, inclusion, rich history, and contemporary lessons, and that vision is fully realized in its newest exhibition, “Embodied Change: South Asian Art Across Time,” running through July 10, 2022. The inaugural show by Natalia Di Pietrantonio—the new assistant curator and the first South Asian curator at SAAM—“Embodied Change” features works from the museum’s standing collection, as well as freshly displayed loans and impressive acquisitions. Built upon the themebased gallery concept unveiled in the SAAM’s re-opening in 2020, the show spotlights the female body, and all that it entails, with art from South Asia and the South Asian diaspora. “It focuses particularly on modern contemporary artists that are activist artists that are emboldened and trying to change norms within society,” Di Pietrantonio explained. “I decided upon the theme based on current events, and what I thought Seattle audiences would be drawn to during this particular time.” Showing change over time through the body, particularly the female form, is part of the diversity and equity work that drew Di Pietrantonio to SAAM in the first place. Previously a professor with a PhD from Cornell University, specializing in South Asian art, both historical and modern, Di Pietrantonio lists some of her research interests as Islamic art, Imperial histories; crosscultural dimensions of Southeast and South Asian art; and feminist, gender, and sexuality studies. She has done art historical work with Cornell and the Metropolitan Museum, among others, and reveled in this chance in Seattle to connect with the community, and work with SAAM’s other two curators, Xioajin Wu and Ping Foong. Many common threads run throughout the exhibit, such as the use of the garden, a symbol of paradise in Western tradition, where the Bible is the
primary religious text; while in South Asian tradition, an idyllic place, no doubt, yet also a place where change and liberation are possible. Rather than being cast out, we are encouraged to return, and to transform into something better. Gardens can be found throughout the museum, in historic and contemporary works. One notable example is a work of video art by Chitra Ganesh on one end of the “Embodied Change” exhibit, titled “Before the War,” which showcases violence, but also a possible utopia if we can make this transformation for the better. Highlighted in the video is another motif of the exhibition and South Asian life—the Earth Goddess, featured prominently in ancient South Asian art, and whom artists strive today to redefine and reconnect with. This idea of transformation is fully embodied in the goddess Kali, who, as Di Pietrantonio described, destroys us so that we can be liberated. The show starts with a dynamic neon work called “Kali (I’m a Mess)” by Chila Kumari Burman, which demonstrates contemporary efforts to seek out spiritual sustenance, as well as notions of what it means to be a woman under the influence of prominent female goddess traditions, that are also transformed by new societal needs. Di Pietrantonio dubbed Burman a “democratic artist” because she “wanted everyone to have access to her work.” When this piece was displayed in Great Britain, where Burman lives, it was set outside, so that the public could still appreciate it without having to purchase a ticket. Destruction, war, unpleasant rites of passage in our lives of ups and downs, and a world undergoing massive change are harrowing and yet can ultimately result in freedom from violence, prejudice, and self-doubt. Liberation is a primary topic of “Embodied Change,” liberation from expectations of gender, race, how we use our bodies, and what our bodies mean. In the works presented by Mithu Sen, the artist asked others to take photos of her and then embellished them with sequins and, in the case of “Miss Macho (Self Portrait),” a mustache. The idea that we can be free to use both natural and imaginary elements in art, and in life, runs throughout “Embodied Change,” as does this challenge to conservative tradition. Sen confronts what it means to be female, but also the injustice of colorism that many people around the world face, and which the artist dealt with in her own family, where she was considered “too dark.” Asking others to participate in the art is another current of “Embodied Change” and of the museum itself, that intends to involve the public, seeking subject matter to fill unfilled niches, while taking care also to provide smartphone talks and handicap accessible spaces. Careful attention is paid to the best way to angle an artwork for optimum viewing, and labels feature feedback from patrons unveiled during the museum’s 2020 re-opening. SAAM and its curators recognize the huge impact art can have on residents who
Provided by SAAM
South Asian art show redefines what it means to be female
Miss Macho (Self Portrait) by Mithu Sen
might have visited repeatedly throughout the years and retain fond memories of what they see and learn within its walls (and the camels outside!). “These objects are not just part of the museum, but part of the community,” said Rachel Eggers, Seattle Art Museum’s
associate director of public relations. During a visit to “Embodied Change,” guests are welcome to engage with the other galleries in the museum which, see EMBODIED CHANGE on 13
2021 /2022
SE A SON
S U N DAY, M A R C H 2 0
Celebrate Asia
Kahchun Wong conductor Kala Ramnath Indian violin Ko-ichiro Yamamoto trombone Seattle Symphony PRE-CONCERT | 3:30PM SAMUEL & ALTHEA STROUM GRAND LOBBY International Lion Dance Martial Arts Team CELEBRATE ASIA CONCERT | 4PM S. MARK TAPER FOUNDATION AUDITORIUM TOSHIO HOSOKAWA Meditation TAN DUN Trombone Concerto: Three Muses in Video Game (Seattle Symphony Co-commission & U.S. Premiere) REENA ESMAIL & KALA RAMNATH Violin Concerto (Seattle Symphony Commission & World Premiere) DEBUSSY La mer POST-CONCERT SAMUEL & ALTHEA STROUM GRAND LOBBY CHIKIRI and The School of TAIKO HERITAGE ATTIRE ENCOURAGED Celebrate Asia is generously sponsored by Naomi and Yoshi Minegishi. Reena Esmail’s residency is generously supported by Parul and Gary Houlahan.
FOR TICKETS: seattlesymphony.org
10
asianweekly northwest
40 YEARS
MARCH 5 – MARCH 11, 2022
■ ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Made-in-Japan manga goes global with Webtoon, Deadpool TOKYO (AP) — Deadpool, meet All Might. Perhaps nothing highlights how the world of manga, the comics and cartoons originating in Japan, has gone global better than that coming together of superheroes, American and Japanese. In “Deadpool: Samurai,” Marvel’s Deadpool gets help in his battle against evil from All Might, the muscular hero in “My Hero Academia,” a hit Japanese manga that’s sold 65 million copies worldwide. “Deadpool: Samurai,” published in Japanese last year, came out in English translation in February. The Japanese “Deadpool: Samurai” was the best-selling Marvel comic last year, surpassing more than 1 million views online. It marks the first partnership between Marvel and Japanese comics publisher Shonen Jump. Sanshiro Kasama, the author of “Deadpool: Samurai,” said he was thrilled to take on the
job because he has always loved Marvel heroes and wanted more Japanese people to love Deadpool. “I said, yes, yes, yes, yes! I really want to do it. It’s unbelievable the guy who always wanted to create a manga like Deadpool really gets to do Deadpool. I was so excited,” he told The Associated Press. One challenge was that Marvel was protective of its characters and would often insist what he had Deadpool doing was out of character. In one scene, where he had Deadpool shooting someone, a gun had to be changed to a paint gun, said Kasama. “Deadpool: Samurai” features drawings by Hikaru Uesugi, Kasama’s collaborator, but the scenes with All Might had drawings by its original manga artist Kohei Horikoshi. “Deadpool: Samurai” is the first collaboration between Marvel and U.S. manga publisher and anime distributor VIZ Media. Manga has quickly become the top adult fiction category in the U.S. Sales in the graphic novel category—which includes manga
and is exemplified by “My Hero Academia”—jumped 160% in 2021 on-year, growing 15 times faster than the total adult book market, according to The NPD Group, which tracks such trends. Japan still makes up for the world’s biggest manga market at 45% in 2020, but the rest of the global market combined is quickly catching up, according to Grand View Research, a researcher and consultant based in San Francisco. The global manga market, valued at $23.5 billion in 2020, is expected to balloon to $48 billion in 2028, it said. Julia Mechler, creator of the manga “Hymn of the Teada,” found that an American publisher was more interested in her work, which stars a woman from Okinawa, than were Japanese publishers, who saw it as niche and political. Mechler wants her works to give a voice to Okinawa, a southwestern Japanese island where a gruesome land battle was fought in the closing years of see MANGA on 14
DEADPOOL: SAMURAI © 2022 MARVEL, Story by Sanshiro Kasama, Art by Hikaru Uesugi, Translated by Amanda Haley, Lettered by Brandon Bovia via AP
By YURI KAGEYAMA ASSOCIATED PRESS
The image is from Sanshiro Kasama’s “Deadpool: Samurai,” published in Japanese in 2021, and in English in February 2022.
Water fluoridation benefits the whole family. Curious about how it works? Visit WashingtonWaterFluoridation.org
Sponsored by the Arcora Foundation
MARCH 5 – MARCH 11, 2022
YOUR VOICE
asianweekly northwest
11
■ WORLD NEWS In Buddhism, women blaze a path but strive for gender equity Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo, born in England, has devoted her life to attaining enlightenment in a female form—at one stage spending years isolated in a cave in the Himalayas to follow the rigorous path of the most devoted yogis. She later founded a nunnery in India focused on giving women in Tibetan Buddhism some of the same opportunities reserved for monks. Venerable Dhammananda renounced her family life and a prestigious academic career in Thailand to follow the path of the Buddha. She then defied her homeland’s unequal status of women in Buddhist practice by traveling to Sri Lanka to become Thailand’s first fully ordained nun in Theravada, one of the oldest forms of Buddhism. Born a world apart, they’re among a group of respected female monastics or “bhikkhunis,” lay persons and academics who have challenged longstanding patriarchal traditions. They have blazed a path of progress in recent decades for Buddhist women—from education through advanced degrees and the creation of nunneries to seeking full ordination. Across branches, though, many at the movement’s forefront say more needs to be accomplished so women can have equal opportunities. “It’s shifting because now there’s so much more interest in the feminine. Not just in Buddhism, but worldwide, why have women been so neglected and overlooked for millennia?“ said Palmo. About 100 nuns live and study at her Dongyu Gatsal Ling nunnery in India. Women were included in Buddhism since its earliest years, and their monastic ordination dates back more than 2,500 years, said Judith Simmer-Brown, emeritus professor of contemplative and religious studies at Colorado’s Naropa University, a liberal arts school associated with Buddhism. But as monasticism spread from India to other countries, there often were extra requirements to become ordained in those patriarchal societies. “Full ordination for women has been very difficult,“ Simmer-Brown said about some branches. “Even though Buddhist teachings always say that women have equal ability to become enlightened and may even be better suited for enlightenment than men.” In the past 25 years, as Buddhism has grown in the West and Asian Buddhist societies have been influenced by feminism, there’s more awareness of the importance of women’s leadership, she said. In Buddhism, women’s status varies across countries and branches that follow different traditions and practices. Women can be ordained as the equivalent of monks in China, South Korea, Taiwan and Vietnam, mostly
AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit
By LUIS ANDRES HENAO ASSOCIATED PRESS
Bhikkhuni pray at Songdhammakalyani monastery in Nakhon Pathom province.
dominated by the Mahayana school of Buddhism. Female ordination is not available in the Tibetan tradition nor in Cambodia, Laos or Myanmar. Women are also banned from becoming monks in Thailand, where over 90% of the population is Buddhist. Historically, women could only become white-cloaked nuns often treated as glorified temple housekeepers. But dozens have traveled to Sri Lanka to receive full ordination. Dhammananda, the pioneering Thai nun, was a respected Buddhist scholar and television personality before her ordination. One day she looked in a mirror and heard an inner voice asking: “How long must I do this?” She took vows of celibacy and decided to live apart from her three sons, traveling to Sri Lanka for her novice ordination in 2001. When she returned to Thailand with a shaved head and wearing the saffron robes reserved for men, she faced criticism for defying the Buddhist male-led hierarchy. They’d say: “Imagine a woman putting on the robe, she must be crazy,” said Dhammananda, who was fully ordained in 2003. Two decades later, she said, people on the street no longer “look at you with puzzled eyes” because Thailand now has over 280 fully ordained women nationwide, though they and their monasteries aren’t legally recognized and don’t receive state funding. Dhammananda contends that Buddha built the religion as a four-legged stool—monks, nuns, laymen and laywomen. “We are on the right side of history,” she said. The women live simple lifestyles and are governed by 311 precepts, including celibacy. Their ranks and those of hundreds of aspirants include a former Google executive, a Harvard graduate, journalists and doctors, as well as village noodle vendors. Buddhist Thai women have been playing more important roles, said Kritsana Raksachom, a nun and lecturer at Bangkok’s Maha Chulalongkorn Rajavidyalaya University. They increasingly lead meditation courses with both male
and female followers, teach Buddhism and Pali languages to monks and novices in public Buddhist universities, and run charities. In Sri Lanka, the bhikkhuni order was established in the 3rd century B.C. following Buddhism’s introduction from India but later disappeared due to foreign invasions and other factors. It wasn’t until the late ’80s and ’90s when the first Sri Lankan nuns in more than a millennium received their higher ordination. Peradeniye Dhammashanti, a nun at the Paramita International Buddhist Meditation Center in Sri Lanka, said lay women and bhikkhunis have made significant progress. But she regrets they still lack adequate education and places to meditate. Buddhist women in Japan focus on caring for the bereaved, mentally ill, elders and families, said Paula Arai, a religious studies professor at Louisiana State University. The ranks of male and female monastics are the same, and women “have this ‘chutzpah’ because when the tradition was introduced in Japan in the sixth century, women were the first to be fully ordained, Arai said. In Tibetan Buddhism, nuns have achieved many of the privileges historically reserved for monks. They include studying for the geshema, the tradition’s highest and most demanding degree, which was denied to them for centuries. “The balance is shifting because now, certainly in Tibetan Buddhism, the nuns are highly educated and have the same degrees as the monks,” Palmo said. “They are also teaching, and so their confidence level has risen enormously.” Still, she laments that in the Tibetan tradition, women can only become novice nuns and not fully ordained. “They’re sort of standing in the doorway, but they’re not entering,” said Palmo. “It’s sad that there is such resistance.” Author and jonalist Michaela Haas praised Tsomo and other women profiled in her book “Dakini Power: Twelve Extraordinary Women Shaping the Transmission of Tibetan Buddhism in the West.” But she’s disappointed by the lack of progress. Venerable Thubten Chodron, who first traveled to India in the 1970s to study under the Dalai Lama and other Tibetan Buddhism masters, said she has seen “enormous” positive change for nuns since then. In 2003 she opened Sravasti Abbey, in Washington state, the only Tibetan Buddhist training monastery for Western monks and nuns in America. “I’m training all those people who will come who have a sincere motivation and want to follow the discipline that we keep here,” said Chodron, who has written books with the Dalai Lama and also authored “Buddhism for Beginners.”
US drops name of Trump’s ‘China Initiative’ after criticism By ERIC TUCKER ASSOCIATED PRESS WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department is scrapping the name of a Trump-era initiative that was intended to crack down on economic espionage by Beijing but has been criticized as unfairly targeting Chinese professors at American colleges because of their ethnicity. The decision to abandon the China Initiative and to impose a higher bar for prosecutions of professors was announced on Feb. 23 by the Justice Department’s
top national security official. It follows a monthslong review undertaken after complaints that the program chilled academic collaboration and contributed to anti-Asian bias. The department has also endured high-profile setbacks in individual prosecutions, resulting in the dismissal of multiple criminal cases against academic researchers in the last year. Assistant Attorney General Matthew Olsen said the department will still “be relentless in defending our country from China,” but no longer will group its
investigations and prosecutions under the China Initiative label, in part out of recognition of the threats facing the U.S. from Russia, Iran, North Korea and others. “I’m convinced that we need a broader approach, one that looks across all of these threats and uses all of our authorities to combat them,” he told reporters before a speech in which he detailed the changes. The program was established in 2018 under then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions as a way to thwart what officials said were aggressive efforts by China
to steal American intellectual property and to spy on American industry and research. Olsen told reporters he believed the initiative was prompted by genuine national security concerns. He said he did not believe investigators had targeted professors on the basis of ethnicity, but he also said he had to be responsive to concerns he heard, including from Asian American groups. “Anything that creates the impression see INITIATIVE on 14
12
asianweekly northwest
40 YEARS
MARCH 5 – MARCH 11, 2022
■ ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Beloved Pacific Northwest Ballet principal dancer retires By Marcie Sillman / Crosscut.com REPRINTED WITH PERMISSION
Noelani Pantastico
By now we’ve heard so much about The Great Resignation—the record number of people who’ve left their jobs during the pandemic—that the impact of any individual departure can get lost amid the bigger trend. But when Pacific Northwest Ballet (PNB) star Noelani Pantastico retired in mid-February, the dance community’s reaction was immediate and heartfelt. Pantastico was caught off guard by the deluge of messages of gratitude and well wishes she received. “I wasn’t aware how well people thought of me,” she says, with no false modesty. Pantastico is a fan favorite at PNB, where the Hawai‘i native spent most of her 25-year career. In the news release announcing her departure, Artistic Director Peter Boal noted Pantastico’s “singular ability to connect with audiences.” She’s danced hundreds of roles over the years—from a fairy queen to an agonized swan—but Boal cited her performance as Juliet in choreographer Jean-Christophe Maillot’s “Roméo et Juliette” as “perhaps the most defining” of Pantastico’s long career. In that role, Pantastico fully embodies the persona of a young teenager in the throes of first love. When she spies Romeo from her balcony, her dark, expressive eyes and wide smile convey a palpable joy. She glides toward him shyly, only to dart away from a first kiss.
Their arms entwine, then snake upward together, like dolphins breaking the sea’s surface for air. When the couple sinks to the stage, Pantastico drapes supine over Roméo’s legs. She arches her back upwards, and her face rises to meet his, a tender consummation of their love. Fittingly, the ballerina bid her fans goodbye after one last go-round in the role—in which Juliet famously dies. “There’s something poetic about exiting the stage this way,” Pantastico says, laughing, “kind of killing myself off.” She first danced Juliet in the 2008 PNB debut of Maillot’s version of the legendary ballet (which he created in 1996). After a colleague was injured, Pantastico appeared in nine consecutive performances, dancing five of them with the up-and-coming lead, Lucien Postlewaite, who developed into another popular PNB principal dancer. The two sparked from their first encounter at the Capulet’s ball. When Postlewaite spied Pantastico’s Juliet, wrapped in a filmy swath of golden fabric, it felt as if all action around them came to a dead stop. His lovestruck Roméo wasn’t just a stage pretense. “I don’t think people remember the early years,” Postlewaite says, “when she was like a star, and I was just so enamored of her. I have a total work crush on Noe, and I have since the beginning.” Pantastico’s 2008 performances wowed critics, audiences and choreographer Maillot, who invited her to join his company, Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo. She left Seattle for Monaco that same year. In 2012, Postlewaite joined her there. They toured the world together, developing a special onstage partnership. “Having spent so much time with her, we kind of speak the same language,” says Postlewaite. “That sort of trust, synchronicity, means we can dance even more fully, more in tune with each other.” These two stars reunited at PNB in 2017 and have continued to dazzle audiences, most recently last September in PNB choreographer-in-residence Alejandro Cerrudo’s “Silent Ghost.” In that piece, their duet demonstrated the physical language dancers speak to one another— two bodies in continual conversation as they move around, under and atop—as Pantastico balanced on Postlewaite’s back, unfurling her limbs like a starfish. Pantastico, who will turn 42 in May,
USE ItchNoMore® shampoo on dogs & cats to relieve secondary dermatits, treat yeast infections & eliminate doggy odor. At Tractor Supply (www.fleabeacon.com). ADVERTISE STATEWIDE with a $325 classified listing or $1600 for a display ad. Call this newspaper or 360-3442938 for details. DO YOU OWE OVER $10,000 to the IRS in back taxes? Our firm works to reduce the tax bill or zero it out completely FAST. Let us help! Call 888-994-1405. (Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-5pm PDT). DONATE YOUR CAR TO CHARITY. Receive maximum value of write off for your taxes. Running or not! All conditions accepted. Free pickup. Call for details, 855-6354229.
joined PNB as an apprentice in 1997. Since returning to PNB in 2015, she has danced in everything from the classic “Swan Lake” to contemporary ballets by Cerrudo, Crystal Pite and David Dawson. Her performances are as exquisite as ever, but Pantastico says moving between classical and modern works demands different things from her body—demands that have taken their toll. “I’ve always suffered wear-and-tear injuries, but this year it was a little harder to manage,” Pantastico admits. “There’s a part of me that, deep down, knew, ‘OK, you have to start thinking seriously about retirement.’ ” Once she made that decision, and began talking to people about jobs, Pantastico was offered a faculty position at the prestigious Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, where she (and many other professional dancers) trained from the late 1980s until she joined PNB in 1997. Although she has taught ballet in the past, Pantastico knows it will take time to retune her classroom skills. Beyond ballet technique, she’s eager to impart to young dancers everything she has learned about the profession, from coping with the intense daily physical grind to how to stand up for yourself in a ballet company’s highly competitive atmosphere. “We dancers have a lot more power than we think,” Pantastico says, something she has learned over the years. To her mind, young dancers are savvier now than when she was starting out. In the wake of George Floyd’s 2020 murder by Minneapolis police, she watched her PNB colleagues advocate for—and achieve—concrete progress toward racial representation at the ballet company, onstage and off. They’ve welcomed younger, more diverse choreographers as well. But Pantastico admits ballet still has to address the fact that some of the art form’s older ballets—works she still loves— remain problematic for 21st century audiences, replete with inherent racism, sexism and unrelatable story lines. “There has to be a way to maintain ballet’s legacy, but build on top of it, create something more well-rounded and supportive,” she says. Which brings Pantastico back to her experience at Les Ballets de MonteCarlo, where Artistic Director Maillot has reenvisioned several classic ballets; in addition to “Roméo et Juliette,” his
ELIMINATE GUTTER CLEANING FOREVER! LeafFilter, the most advanced debris-blocking gutter protection. Schedule a FREE LeafFilter estimate today. 15% off Entire Purchase. 10% Senior & Military Discounts. Call 1-888360-1582. GENERAC Standby Generators provide backup power during utility power outages, so your home and family stay safe and comfortable. Prepare now. Free 7-year extended warranty ($695 value!). Request a free quote today! Call for additional terms and conditions. 1-888-674-7053. LOOKING FOR ASSISTED LIVING, memory care, or independent living? A Place for Mom simplifies the process of finding senior living at no cost to your family. Call 1-855913-2628 today!
repertoire includes new versions of “Cinderella,” “Sleeping Beauty,” and “Swan Lake.” The stories are unchanged, but the abstract sets and fanciful costumes feel fresh and modern, untethered to specific eras or places. Beyond the design elements, the plot unfolds differently from a traditional ballet. In “Roméo et Juliette,” for example, Maillot tells the story without pauses for audience applause after bravura solos, almost like a stage play or film, which heightens the drama. Pantastico believes European companies like Maillot’s have pushed ballet further than their American counterparts, but she’s optimistic that young artists in this country can do the same thing. To that end, four years ago she and PNB colleague James Yoichi Moore founded Seattle Dance Collective, commissioning new work from an array of contemporary choreographers. Although Pantastico is leaving Seattle, Moore says their Seattle Dance Collective work together will continue. Moore and Pantastico share an onstage chemistry that Moore believes originated in Pantastico’s commitment to her character. “It’s like an aura that exudes out of her,” Moore explains, something that he felt freed him up to dance a lusty Roméo, sharing what looked like steamy kisses with his Juliet. “When I was a little kid, thinking about my career, dancing with Noe is what I dreamed it would be. It’s just the pinnacle, dancing with her,” says Moore. Christopher D’Ariano echoes that sentiment. The young corps de ballet member made his debut as the Cavalier to Pantastico’s Sugar Plum Fairy in PNB’s most recent “Nutcracker” production. “Dancing with Noe was nothing short of magic,” he says. “She taught me to believe; she paved the way for so many of us with her gracious energy.” Boal, the PNB artistic director, has often remarked on Pantastico’s offstage generosity, her role as an unofficial mentor to up-and-coming dancers like D’Ariano. That quality will be invaluable once the ballerina becomes a teacher. Pantastico had one last dance with longtime partner Postlewaite on Feb. 10. “I’m going to hold on to those memories because they’re so beautiful,” he says.
MARCH 5 – MARCH 11, 2022
YOUR VOICE
■ ASTROLOGY
asianweekly northwest
13
Predictions and advice for the week of March 5–March 11, 2022 By Sun Lee Chang Rat—You are certainly no stranger to hard work, but make sure to carve out time for leisure as well.
Dragon—Hiding from the truth isn’t an option for you. Given a choice, you would prefer to know where you stand.
Monkey—Are you pushing when a gentle nudge would be more effective? Calibrate your action for the desired result.
Ox—Are you upset about something? Harness the power of that emotion and use it as motivation for positive changes.
Snake—Do you feel as though you have something to prove? Avoid setting unrealistic expectations for yourself.
Rooster—If you pay attention, you should be able to spot an opening where others may not see one.
Tiger—Acknowledging your limitations isn’t necessarily an end, but rather a beginning to figure out what you can do.
Horse—Despite some trepidation, you have pushed yourself into a new arena. Chances are you will be pleased you did so.
Dog—Although you generally tend to go with the flow, being focused on a personal goal should help you this week.
Rabbit —Don’t be afraid to walk away from an offer on the table, especially if it doesn’t meet your needs.
Goat—A difference of opinion can be overcome. However, it does require both sides to look for an agreeable alternative.
Pig—Waiting for something that isn’t likely to happen? Turn the tables and get the wheels in motion.
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, 2022 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.
MASK MANDATES from 3 The new guidance will make face coverings strongly recommended rather than a requirement at most indoor places in California starting on March 1 and at schools on March 12, regardless of vaccination status. In Washington and Oregon, all the requirements will lift on March 12. In all three states, the decision of whether to follow the state guidance will now rest with school districts. The West Coast announcements come after the Centers for Disease Control and
KEIRO from 3 was contemplating with Aspen, which would have allowed the nursing home to stay open and community members to constitute 40% of a new board. Instead, through various machinations and alliances, Takeuchi pushed for a deal with Transforming Age, which had agreed to let the executive staff remain, said Ward. As of press time, there was no way to independently corroborate or clarify these statements with Takeuchi’s attorney. Ward expressed outrage that Takeuchi claimed emotional
Prevention eased the federal mask guidance on Feb. 25, essentially saying the majority of Americans don’t need to wear masks in many indoor public places, including schools. Federal mask mandates still apply in high-risk indoor settings such as public transportation, in airports and in taxis. The new CDC guidelines are based on measures focused more on what’s happening at hospitals than on test results. The CDC said that more than 70% of Americans live in places where the coronavirus poses a low or medium threat to hospitals and therefore can stop wearing
distress. She said Takeuchi took the job knowing the financial distress the organization was in and had vowed to right things. “It’s annoying to read this press statement about her having great emotional harm. What about the emotional harm to the residents who lost their homes? Or what about the emotional harm to the community that lost the ability to keep their loved ones nearby and cared for? What about the emotional harm to all the employees who lost their jobs?” Ward also said Takeuchi’s high salary seemed unjustified and that not every board member knew
EMPOWERING WOMEN from 4 “It has also given us the opportunity to look at alternative ways…As we think about equity and…promoting diversity
about it. In a deposition, a former board vice president, Monica Nixon, said that in April 2019, the bylaws had been changed allowing a small compensation committee of four members to decide on Takeuchi’s salary. Supporters claim Takeuchi’s salary was at least partly calculated based on her filling two positions, as well as closing the community during an incredibly chaotic time. Meanwhile, the current board is hoping to fill Nikkei Manor, the assisted living community run by Keiro. While the community had
and inclusion, these virtual platforms… help reduce a barrier of cost and also time… I’m hoping we can cast a wide net to offer opportunities for next generation leaders.”
EMBODIED CHANGE from 9 as part of an ongoing plan to change up the art works on view every six months (in large part so that lightsensitive objects are not harmed), have both new and familiar works on display. There are recent additions of an abstract work by Filipino American Alfonso Ossorio, brought in to fill a relative gap in Filipino art representation; or three royal portraits that demonstrate
masks in most indoor places. The CDC had endorsed universal masking in schools regardless of virus levels in the community since July, but it is now recommending masks only in counties at high risk. Based on that criteria, 16 of Oregon’s 36 counties fall under the “high” level of transmission. Dr. Dean Sidelinger, Oregon’s state epidemiologist, said he hopes community leaders will use the CDC framework in “guiding their decisions” about masking. California and Washington also have
several counties still listed as high risk, but projections show that case numbers and hospitalizations will continue to drop over the coming weeks, officials said. “We’re turning a page in our fight against the COVID virus,” Washington Gov. Jay Inslee said during a Feb. 28 news conference. Inslee said in a separate statement that he expects many businesses and families to continue choosing to wear masks. “As we transition to this next phase, we will continue to move forward together carefully and cautiously,” he said.
a waiting list before the pandemic, it was eradicated by COVID-19. Still, Nikkei Manor is still able to function solely off of revenue from residents and donations, provided all the rooms are full, according to Carol Kessler, the current chair. “That is why we are working so hard now to fill them,” she said in a follow-up email. Kessler initially responded to questions about the $11 million that Keiro Northwest had garnered when it sold the nursing home property to a private real estate company, Shelter Holdings, in 2019.
A recording of “Empowering Women in Japan and the U.S.A.” can be viewed at youtube.com/watch?v=KEPmRQrlje0.
the importance of pearls in South Asian ancient kingdoms. Fan favorites known colloquially as the “crow screens” have also been put back on view, based on popular demand. All in all, “Embodied Change” is an exhibit that asks the question, “How can we make things better?” Both in the world at large, and here in our Seattle community. How can we strive to be more equitable, more diverse, more liberated? In some cases, it answers the question
Despite rampant speculation and worry in the community that the money would either be absorbed by Keiro, or used to keep Nikkei Manor afloat, she reassured that it had been put to good fiduciary use. She said, “By using the word ‘fiduciary,’ we, the Board, would use the investment money to shore up Nikkei Manor’s finances when needed.” Mahlon can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.
Kai can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.
as well. A talk by South Asian artist, Naiza Khan, will take place on March 9 for SAAM members, and a free community opening for “Embodied Change” is scheduled for March 25. For more information, visit seattleartmuseum.org/ visit/seattle-asian-art-museum. Kai can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.
14
asianweekly northwest
40 YEARS
MARCH 5 – MARCH 11, 2022
CLASSIFIEDS EMPLOYMENT
EMPLOYMENT WORK iN HEALTHCARE Helping Families Grow ORM Fertility, an internationally recognized fertility center is looking to hire bilingual clinical professionals, fluent in Mandarin to support our diverse patient community locally and around the world. Competitive salaries and generous benefits packages with stipends for additional translation services above the starting rates. If you want to work for an organization, non-hospital environment whose mission is to help all types of families realize their dream of parenthood, ORM is a place for you. All mandarin speaking employees will receive an hourly stipend in addition to their base rates! Base rates include: Registered Nurse Coordinator - $38 - $45 DOE https://oregonreproductivemedicine.applicantpro.com/ jobs/2177602.html Nursing Services Coordinator - $20- $25 DOE https://oregonreproductivemedicine.applicantpro.com/ jobs/2177607.html Patient Services Coordinator - $18 - $22 DOE https://oregonreproductivemedicine.applicantpro.com/ jobs/2177600.html Benefits: Medical, Dental, 401K, Paid Time Off Be a part of meaningful, lifechanging work. Learn more and apply today at ormfertility.com/careers
MANGA from 10 World War II. “I thought the beauty of Okinawa is that they really value peace,” said Mechler, whose mother is Okinawan and her father American. “I was educated that peace is the most important thing in the world. Peace and life. And that sounds like a cliche, but, looking at the world, that’s actually really difficult to achieve.” Mechler believes the boundaries between Japanese manga and works by non-Japanese are blurring, with the world of manga increasingly going global. Japanese animation, known as anime, is popular on Netflix. Shows like “Demon Slayer” and “Attack on Titan” were first published as manga. Netflix is promising more anime this year, as are other streaming services like Hulu and Disney+. Manga is also behind hit Netflix series that star human actors like “Fishbowl Wives,” which focuses on marital infidelity in a middle-class Tokyo neighborhood. Such shows are drawing not only Japanese but also American
INITIATIVE from 11 that the Department of Justice applies different standards based on race or ethnicity harms the department and our efforts, and it harms the public,” Olsen said. Speaking later in the day at the National Security Institute at George Mason University’s Antonin Scalia Law School, Olsen said that by “grouping cases under the China Initiative rubric, we helped give rise to a harmful perception that the (Justice Department) applies a lower standard to its investigations and prosecutions of criminal conduct related to that country or that we in some way view people with racial, ethnic or familial ties to China differently.” Some Asian American groups and officials who had lobbied the department to end the China Initiative cheered the move. Rep. Judy Chu, a California Democrat and the chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, said the initiative had ruined careers, discouraged Asian Americans from pursuing academic specialties in
Good wok chefs for Asian restaurant without or so so English. High pay with benefit and healthcare. Want to work long with our group call 206-502-9942. Woodburn is Hiring! We are seeking a Tier i Service Technician for our Seattle area. On the job training and advancement potential. $20-23/Hour COME JOIN OUR TEAM! Call Laurie at 425-258-4402 x 100.
EMPLOYMENT
Looking for good pay, free healthcare, paid sick time, free license and insurance renewals, and more? West Seattle’s Massage H3 is looking for licensed massage therapists, certified reflex- Previous hotel experience is not ologists, personal trainers and required. estheticians. Check out our webTO APPLY: Visit site: https://www.massageh3.com careers.hyatt.com, job ID: BEL002056 Sewing Factory Supervisor recruit, train and oversee a small Advertize in our Service group of sewing machine operaDirectory below. Just $10 a tors and production line positions. Competitive salary DOE. For more week! Minimum: 12 weeks for information please visit: $120. Call John at 206-223https://bit.ly/36J8wj5 0623 for more info.
and other global viewers. Another hit Netflix show, “All of Us Are Dead,” in which zombies overrun a high school, is based on a Webtoon, a form of manga that started in South Korea. Although manga has long been available online through Kindle, Apple Books, Google Play and other platforms, Webtoon caters its products for cellphone reading by rearranging the boxes to line up vertically, allowing readers to scroll from panel to panel with a flip of the finger. When manga is read on paper pages, the story moves across from one box image to the other. Some Japanese manga fans still prefer reading the old way, even online, but newcomers appear to be rapidly adapting to enjoying manga Webtoon-style. Webtoon Worldwide Service, which includes Naver Webtoon in South Korea, founded in 2004; Line Manga in Japan; and services in the U.S., Europe and other nations, recently hit 82 million users a month. Growth is especially strong in the U.S. “As a platform, we wish to offer benefits for the artists in offering the best environment, in terms of readership size and profits, too, of course,“ said Baku Hirai, chief operating officer at Line Digital Frontier,
science, technology, engineering and math and reinforced “harmful stereotypes.” “There are serious national security concerns facing our country from all across the world, but our response must be based on evidence, not racism and fear,” Chu said in a statement. The initiative has resulted in convictions, including of Charles Lieber, a Harvard University professor who was found guilty in December of hiding his ties to a Chinese-run recruitment program. But its pursuit of professors, including those accused of concealing ties to the Chinese government on applications for federal research grants, hit snags. The department in the last year dismissed multiple cases against researchers or had them thrown out by judges. In January, the department dropped its case against Gang Chen, a Massachusetts Institute of Technology professor charged in the final days of the Trump administration. Prosecutors concluded that they could no longer
EMPLOYMENT
Sushi Chinoise in Bothell location is currently looking for a fulltime wok chef. Must have experience cooking at least 5 years. 5 days a week, good pay Join our dynamic team! We Please call for interview Thoa 206embrace a culture of care & 790-3611. Sushi Chinoise. 19122 Beardslee Blvd, Bothell, WA 98011 respect. Excellent benefits available 30 days of hire: NOTiCE · Free & discounted hotel rooms 4Culture wants to support · Free meals during shift your creative work! Now offer· Free parking ing grants to fund projects in · Medical, dental & vision arts, heritage, and preservation. · 401k with company matching Deadline: Wednesday, April, 20. · Additional incentive pay Visit 4culture.org/project-grants to apply. Email hello@4Culture. Responsibility includes maintaining org to request English language the cleanliness of guest rooms. support. HYATT REGENCY BELLEVUE Seeking Housekeeper $500 Signing Bonus Hourly rate starting at $19/hour
meet their burden of proof after they received information from the Department of Energy suggesting he had not been required to disclose certain information on his forms. A federal judge in September threw out all charges against a University of Tennessee professor accused of hiding his relationship with a Chinese university while receiving research grants from NASA, and the university has since offered to reinstate him. Olsen said the department continued to stand behind the pending cases it has against academics and researchers, signaling that those prosecutions won’t necessarily be abandoned. Federal prosecutors are still expected to pursue grant fraud cases against researchers when there is evidence of malicious intent, serious fraud and a connection to economic and national security, with prosecutors from the department’s National Security Division in Washington playing an active supervisory role—though in some cases, prosecutors may opt for civil or administrative solutions instead
NOTiCE
Request for Proposals
The King County Housing Authority (KCHA) is issuing a competitive Request for Proposal (RFP) for qualified companies/individuals (Applicant) to assist senior or younger disabled residents at select KCHA properties during various construction projects. To submit an application, view the RFPs on our website: https:// www.kcha.org/business/professional/open/. Applications due on March 28, 2022 at 3:00 PM PT Find NWAW on social media on Facebook, Twitter
DONE RITE
CARPET CLEANING
206-487-8236
which oversees the Webtoon business in Japan. “By being on our platform, the work is relayed both domestically and globally, offering the chance for becoming a global hit,” Although taking off two decades later than in South Korea, Webtoons are here to stay in Japan. Works are being developed in Japan that bring together the best of Webtoons and manga, says Kojuro Hagihara, chief executive of Tokyo-based Sorajima Studio, which produces Webtoon works for various platforms. “All we need is a mass hit, something people who don’t usually read Webtoons will be interested in. To do that, we need to create a Webtoon work that will be turned into a series on Netflix or Amazon Prime,” he said. The 2021 startup studio has gathered investment from traditional Japanese manga publishers like Shueisha and Shogakukan. The studio has three works out so far, all profitable, including one published in the U.S. It plans 26 works for this year, and 50 for next year, which would rival the productivity of Webtoon studios in South Korea. “Things are going super well,” said Hagihara.
of criminal charges, Olsen said. FBI Director Christopher Wray said in a January speech that the threat from China was “more brazen” than ever, with the FBI opening new cases to counter Chinese intelligence operations every 12 hours or so. And Olsen said he agreed. “I’m not taking any tools off the table here,” Olsen said. He also noted, “I do not think that there is a reason to step back from that threat, and we will not step back from that threat.”
SOLUTION from SUDOKU on page 6.
MARCH 5 – MARCH 11, 2022
YOUR VOICE ACRS from 1 to the event to share their own experiences and encourage other youth to use their own platforms and creative mediums to get started with advocacy. Tianna Andresen, 22, is one of the featured small business owners that attended the event. She is a full-time student at the University of Washington (UW) and owner of Barkada Baby, a fashion business that sells bucket hats and stickers. Barkada Baby began as an Instagram page for Andresen to showcase her visual art, fashion design, spoken word poetry, writings, and school projects. She started it as a platform during the pandemic, separate from her personal Instagram, to connect with other people through art. “Since the beginning, I wanted to just create a space for especially marginalized communities to come together around art and connect with each other,” Andresen said. As her page started to get more traction from family and friends, they encouraged her to make stickers with the prints she designed. After early success, she started to get more into fashion design, and her page morphed into a small business. Maria Macatbag, 22, is another student business owner and a senior at the UW who has used her creativity as a way to celebrate Filipinx identity, while raising funds for Filipinx community organizations. Macatbag started her jewelry business, AwawAwawCo, also during the start of the pandemic. Macatbag said she wanted to be unique and to have design products that represented her. “I wanted to show it like an everyday perspective of my life, my identity, and hope that people who see my products can relate to it in some type of way,”
Macatbag said. Each of her designs had a story or symbolic symbol based on her own life in the Philippines and the community where she grew up in the United States. Her first earrings, featuring a symbol with the sun and three stars, represent the flag symbols of the Philippines and a part of her identity. With the profits that she makes from her online business, she donates to Filipinx nonprofit organizations and mutual aid organizations. Macatbag said that these platforms are one way that creatives and local business owners can share their own experiences to serve the community. “The second way of supporting the community is to be a mentor, a speaker of the forefront kind of runner in a way,” Macatbag said. “There are younger creatives who want to be in that space to give advice and tips on how they can prosper and grow.” Through civic engagement and community organizing events, such as the Pass the Mic event, the ACRS Youth Team hopes to bring a community of empowered youth together to use their voices and platforms to advocate for issues that they are passionate about. At the event, they discussed how students could engage in social justice work in both traditional and nontraditional civic engagement. “We just support ACRS priorities at the time as the ACRS Civic Engagement Team provides youth team members with the tools, knowledge, and empowerment to jumpstart our own community projects,” said To. “In the fall, it was a lot about getting Asians and immigrant families to register to vote because it was a historically excluded population and just recently was a legislative session. But it’s been a free flowing process and we're
BLOG from 8 THE COST OF WAR Putin has miscalculated in this war. The list of sanctions imposed against Russia is growing—flights, banks, even sports. The International Olympic Committee and the World Cup have stripped Russia’s right to host sporting events or participate in them. The Russian flag and anthem will also be excluded during those events. The destruction shown live on networks is hard to watch. It might create an effect on China—resolving grievances through means other than war. However, Putin thinks the opposite. The number of wars Russia has been involved in under Putin’s watch is numerous—including the Chechen Republic, annexation of Crimea, Afghanistan, Syria, and other small ones. He thinks war can unite his country, expand territory, and make him a hero. Wrong. Look at the number of protests against the war in Russia. Even if Russia wins, several legal experts are pursuing war crime charges against Putin. Meanwhile, Ukraine has earned praise and admiration from all over the world, especially President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Before the war, not many people cared about Ukraine or knew who the president was. Now everyone says, “He‘s a hero.” Not like the Afghanistan president who was the first to leave when the Taliban liberated the country last year. When the U.S. offered to help him evacuate the country, Zelenskyy said, “I need ammunition, not a ride.”
learning as we go.” Some of the youth’s team work includes encouraging political engagement, such as attending virtual lobbying meetings and participating in political demonstrations. To said that the inspiration behind the event was to create a space for education, teaching people about advocacy and ACRS’s legislative priorities, including lobbying, immigrant employment, accessible healthcare, and housing. Students learned how they could engage in social work, including researching where their money goes, how the school allocates money, and ways to support mutual aid organizations. They also discussed how social justice work can be expanded to incorporate non-traditional ways of including creative mediums. This includes writing essays and think pieces or making jewelry, stickers, and clothes that raise money for a cause—all different acts of resistance to systemic oppression. “We wanted to make a space to unpack it in a way that would make activism and civic engagement more accessible and easy to understand for youth,” said To. “We also wanted it to be fun, by including raffle prizes from local businesses and creatives, to challenge the notion that marginalized folks have to constantly re-experience our pain and oppression to engage in social justice work, and instead celebrate our existence as resistance.” Throughout the event, there were raffles for participants as a way to give them encouragement that they could also contribute to their communities in creative ways and not just through traditional political engagement. Participants and student speakers also had the opportunity to reflect on their own journey with activism, what they want to learn more about, and how they
NO NATO IN ASIA Taiwan is not Ukraine. The majority of Ukraine’s neighbors are on its side. Asia does not have NATO to lobby on Taiwan’s side. It doesn’t have a similar organization for Taiwan to lean on. Many Asian countries such as Cambodia, Vietnam, and Laos have benefited from China’s aid to build roads, bridges, and other types of economic investments. China’s strategy is to isolate Taiwan. Taiwan’s biggest ally is the U.S. It would be unlikely many Asian nations would be willing to be on Taiwan’s side if it goes to war with China. SOCIAL STABILITY China values social stability. It is their belief that stability is vital to the prosperity of a country. Even though China-Taiwan’s friction has existed since 1950, it has not engaged in a war. This is because both sides have exhibited restraint all these years to avoid war. The two adversaries have worked hard on their infrastructure, building their economies, and improving their educational systems to compete on the world stage. Both have raised the standard of living immensely, and reduced poverty for their people. China is likely to be considered a world power and economy in the future with their advancement in transportation systems, such as the bullet train and numerous achievements, and exceeding the U.S. status as No. 1. Outsiders have also admired Taiwan for its strength in developing technology
Prepare for unexpected power outages with a Generac home standby generator
FREE
Limited Time Offer - Call for Details
Special Financing Available Subject to Credit Approval
*To qualify, consumers must request a quote, purchase, install and activate the generator with a participating dealer. Call for a full list of terms and conditions.
15
will take what they learned and apply it in their own lives. Andresen said that she hopes to hold some sort of fundraiser or mutual aid when she gets a bigger platform to give back to the community. From the start, her motto for Barkada Baby is “Community made, community dedicated.” “Barkada Baby as a brand may be small, but the spirit of Barkada is anything but,” said Andresen in her most recent Instagram post. “I hope that Barkada Baby can grow and become something that will contribute to our collective life or at the very least, remind people of the importance of their existence to our collective life.” The word Barkada, a slang term in Tagalog meaning a group of friends, holds a special meaning to Andresen. “It was introduced to me by a group of Filipino friends, and we could go around the halls saying, ‘Barkada Boys,’ when we see each other as a greeting and reminder that we have community with each other,” Andresen said. As she started to get more involved in social justice and education, the word “Barkada” shifted for her and became more of a word to describe the community. “There’s this quote by Toni Cade Bambara, and it’s, ‘The role of the artist is to make the revolution irresistible,’” said Andresen. “That’s something I hold very close to me and something I want to use for Barkada Baby, so continuing to make art that is education for others, different things going on within my community, but then also uplifting other marginalized groups in the process.” Kimmy can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.
THE “SAVING FACE” ISSUE Both China and Taiwan should observe how Putin gets out of this war. Putin’s assumption was that his massive and powerful military would contain Ukraine quickly and easily, and that its leader, Zenlenskyy, would instantly kowtow to him. Instead, none of this is happening. The war has taken much longer than expected, and Putin isn’t winning. Nearly 500 Russian soldiers have been killed and 1,600 wounded, according to the Associated Press on March 2. To protect his ego and strong-man image, Putin can’t just exit and risk being seen as a loser, even though it would be the right thing to do. So he doubled down on the number of tanks going into the capital and even ordered a nuclear alert to instill more fear. It doesn’t matter that all sides can see that if the war drags on, it would create more suffering for both Russians and Ukrainians. I am afraid that this is now a stalemate. The lesson for everyone is, don’t start a war as ending it would be just as consequential and difficult for the provocateur who worries about saving face. Going to war will hurt not only both sides, but the whole world. And everyone loses. Assunta can be reached at assunta@nwasianweekly.com.
Prepare for Power Outages & Save Money REQUEST A FREE QUOTE!
7-Year Extended Warranty* A $695 Value!
northwest
that is more advanced than the U.S. in chipmaking, good citizenship, and governance.
REQUEST A FREE QUOTE!
888-674-7053
asianweekly
ACT NOW TO RECEIVE A $300 SPECIAL OFFER!* (866) 954-2961 *Offer value when purchased at retail. Solar panels sold separately.
16
asianweekly northwest
40 YEARS
MARCH 5 – MARCH 11, 2022
ISRD from 1 District (CID), at the site of the former Four Seas Restaurant on 714 South King Street. This was the first ISRD board meeting about Jasmine since the most recent board election in November, and the only board member who has sat in on all prior meetings is the current board chair, Andy Yip. SAFETY VS. PRESERVATION Two board members, Lizzy Baskerville and Matt Fujimoto, raised concerns about the “massing” of the proposed Jasmine building—which refers to its general shape, form, and size, as well as the building’s relationship with its surroundings. While Baskerville acquiesced that zoning laws allow for 17 stories to be built, she said, “I think it is out of scale and I think it’s too tall.” Baskerville and Fujimoto also had questions about the need for demolition after a newly submitted report by Dan Say of Swenson Say Faget (SSF), a structural engineering firm. The report was commissioned by Eugenia Woo, Historic Seattle’s Director of Preservation Services. “We do not support demolition of the Bush Garden building and we submitted a third party structural engineers [report]… engineers who basically said that the building can be rehabilitated, that it’s a viable candidate,” said Woo at the meeting. Bruce Zhong of DCI Engineers— the firm employed by Vibrant Cities—said of the SSF report, “Mr. Dan Say… doesn’t have the detailed investigations of the building… he just walked around the building and presented his opinion based on his past experience, on the other buildings in Pioneer Square… and that’s a totally different structure.” Baskerville said SSF was not allowed inside the building, and Fujimoto— who stated that he is an architect— asked, “Why not just let someone in the building?” Developer James Wong, the CEO of Vibrant Cities, said the building is empty and that “we’re letting go of the potential revenue [from tenants] because it’s unsafe.” Board member Ming Zhang expressed his frustration about the topic of
demolition being raised yet again, especially after three years of discussion. “This is my first time in this board meeting… [the ISRD board] spent four meetings before and it was all about structure, structure, structure. Today, I thought the fifth meeting was about massing… now we’re still getting back to [structure]... this board and the community needs to make movement.” Both Zhang and fellow board member Nella Kwan agreed that discussions about Jasmine have taken much too long. Kwan also took issue with the SSF report submitted by Say—who is on the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation Board of Directors. “He’s doing it on behalf of Eugenia [Woo] so I’m not sure whether or not that is nonpartisan and so, in some ways, I don’t feel like that would do any good for us.” In her closing comments, Kwan said a non-partisan opinion on the structural soundness of the building and “not one an opposer brings to the stage… would be ‘cherry on top.’” ISRD Board Coordinator Rebecca Frestedt said she had been in possession of the SSF report since late 2021 but did not release it to the board until a week before the Feb. 22 meeting as she felt it might be overwhelming for the newer board members. Vibrant Cities did not receive the report until after the close of the business day on Feb. 18. Responding to community member comments about Jasmine being regarded as “luxury apartments,” board member Ryan Gilbert asked if Vibrant Cities had plans to reserve units for affordable housing. To which Wong answered, “They are already built in affordability requirements, and we will meet or exceed those.” Later in the meeting, Frestedt stressed that the affordability issue is not within the ISRD board’s current purview. BUILDING DESIGN Gary Reddick, director of design for Otak, the architectural firm working with Vibrant Cities, presented the options for reducing the building’s scale and height. He also discussed design elements created from feedback from community members in previous meetings—such as what the building would feel like at the street level: welcoming, light-filled spaces that can show activity from the sidewalk, and incorporating art and historical exhibits
WING LUKE from 1 Barraquiel Tan asked rhetorically before answering his own question. “I was responding to The Wing as if it was the ‘BatSignal,’” referring to the searchlight call for help made popular by the adventure comic Batman. “To me, this opportunity comes in the middle of the pandemic, in the middle of API hate. It is about ‘what are you going to do in this moment?’ If you are going to look at the opportunity at The Wing as a bat signal. That is the anchor. The cultural capital, the social capital (of the Wing Luke) is the Batmobile. What is going to happen in the next year, it is going to take strong institutions like The Wing to get through this.” Barraquiel Tan replaces Beth Takekawa, who retired after 14 years as executive director and 24 years in the organization altogether. Takekawa was promoted to the top job after Ron Chew left the museum in 2007. “Neither Ron nor Beth came from the museum field and they brought their unique perspectives,” said Ferguson. “During this search, we were looking for someone with a lot of creativity and intersectional skills and personality. Joël stood out as the right candidate, the right human for this time. We are just thrilled. He is a person who can connect with so many communities in
throughout the building. Reddick presented a design that turns the whole first two floors of the building over for community and commercial use—a space that nonprofits and other organizations can use for a nominal fee. He said, “We think of this building as that bridge element to take the memories, goodwill, and history of the past, and combine it in such a way that it becomes the place that starts all of those future memories… Our dream is that Jasmine serves as the vessel for that energy and the place where new memories are made and will continue for generations.” Baskerville stated that the proposed community space “is very exciting to me… all this activity, weddings and parties… and keeping that spirit of Bush Garden.” Small business owner Elaine Ikoma Ko voiced her support for Jasmine “as someone who’s worked on the ground for affordable housing.” She said, “I think Vibrant Cities— being local and ready to go—I think the board needs to take that seriously. The costs are going up… supply chain issues, I think we need to move forward.” Community member Nina Wallace disagreed. “[Jasmine] does not, in any way, honor this building’s legacy as a site of affordable housing for immigrant laborers and as a gathering space for Asian Americans and other communities of color. PAST VS. FUTURE Three blocks away from the Jasmine project is another site where the former Four Seas building was demolished to make way for Uncle Bob’s Place—which will have commercial space and new housing units. This site is in the Seattle Chinatown Historic District, while the site of the Jasmine project is not, yet the ISRD board approved the demolition of Four Seas. Wong said Interim CDA, the developer of Uncle Bob’s Place, wasn’t put through as much scrutiny as Vibrant Cities has. Yip, the board chair and only member who has been involved in all meetings related to Jasmine, responded to an email request for comment from the Northwest Asian Weekly. He said, “In general, every project stands on its own merit and it is hard to compare two projects because they are never the same.” Zhang stated that it’s important to
so many ways. He’s a community guy in so many ways. He does it in holistic ways. And frankly, we need a lot of healing these days. And, his art and his creativity, they are in his DNA. “Joël has an ebullient personality. His positive attitude will be valuable as we open up to the public.” While the fictitious Batman is a member of the Justice League, Barraquiel Tan is grounded in social justice. With extensive experience in social justice, storytelling, diversity, equity and inclusion, public health, and the arts, Barroquiel Tan will lead the 40-person team and $3 million-plus institution headquartered in the East Kong Yick Building in the Chinatown-International District. Deputy Director Cassie Chin, who served as interim executive director during the search, will return to her original job. “She’s a different kind of leader. I also know good work when I see it,” an enthusiastic Barraquiel Tan said in endorsing Chin. “To me, how thoughtful (Chin) is in setting an agenda and goes about executing it is important.” Ferguson also points to COO Gary Yamamoto as a critical executive who will be acclimating Barraquiel Tan to the Wing Luke community and the region atlarge. Barraquiel Tan moved to Hawaii in 2015, where
look at the future of the CID—and urged the community to think about how to make the CID a sustainable and vibrant community. “It’s not only about preservation,” he said. “How do we attract different types of people—young, old, different cultural backgrounds?” He said the CID shouldn’t only be a place for affordable senior living and he said development is important for the long-term viability of the community. Board member Michael Le thinks Jasmine would be really great for the community. “With the community space, that’s something that we need….it’s very considerate of [Vibrant Cities] to do that… there’s not a lot of buildings that would just offer a free space for the community.” In closing, Yip said that anytime he hears of a project that could bring more people into the CID—he gets excited. He said he looked forward to seeing more of the designs, especially surrounding the community room. WHAT’S NEXT? “After trying to move our Jasmine project through the ISRD process for the past 3.5 years, I feel this past ISRD board meeting and the board’s comments were the most clear and concise on how we can move this project forward,” Wong told the Northwest Asian Weekly. “I’m looking forward to obtaining the certificate of approval from the board and starting construction on our project so that we can create the much needed housing in the CID and in our city.” When asked about the board’s suggestion to obtain another report on the building’s viability, Wong said, “We are open to it. My question is who is going to lead, hire, and pay for that nonpartisan third party?” He stated that multiple reports from “well respected, licensed historic architects, engineers, and consultants” have all come to the same conclusion—and that he’s not sure “how many other third parties we need to hire to come to that conclusion again.” No date has been set yet for the next ISRD board discussion on Jasmine. Ruth can be reached at editor@nwasianweekly.com.
he was the executive director of the East Hawaii Contemporary Arts Center and the Kalanihonua Retreat Center. His latest post was as Director of Social Impact and Programs at Touching the Earth. In 2018, he helped establish Vibrant Hawai’i, a collective impact network of leadership across diverse sectors working at the systemic level to eliminate Hawai’i Island’s 55% poverty rate. But it was his experience at the seminal Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (YBCA) in San Francisco that stood out to Ferguson, Nishi, and the rest of the search committee. Barraquiel Tan served as the Director of Community Engagement at YBCA for 11 years. He created and implemented YBCA’s award-winning civic engagement Diversity Equity and Inclusion, modeled after the Wing Luke Museum’s community arts curatorial program developed by Chew. Barraquiel Tan earned a Bachelor of Arts in Ethnic Studies from the University of California at Berkeley and a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing and Literature from Antioch University. He is currently completing a Master of Family Therapy degree at Northcentral University. Chris can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.