VOL 38 NO 20 | MAY 11 - MAY 17, 2019

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VOL 38 NO 20 MAY 11 – MAY 17, 2019

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37 YEARS YOUR VOICE

Photo by John Liu

Photo from Keiro Northwest

YANG visits GANG Seattle

Keiro NW nursing home to close

Andrew Yang speaking to a crowd at Seattle’s Gas Works Park on May 3.

By Jason Cruz NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY The Yang Gang came to Seattle on a sun-filled Friday afternoon at Gas Works Park, as Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang’s campaign visited Seattle. In addition to speaking to a throng of followers, Yang followed up the May 3 appearance with a fundraiser at China Harbor Restaurant.

According to Yang’s campaign, 1,000 followers, flashing signs reading, “Yang Gang,” “Humanity

First,” and “Math,” were energetic and applauded Yang as he took the stage at Gas Works Park. Wearing a campaign hat, suit jacket, and red,white, and blue scarf, Yang talked about his platform for president.

Yang’s biggest talking points was automation, corporate welfare, and his proposed “Freedom Dividend,” which would guarantee $1,000 a month to every American over the age of 18.

His swing through Seattle focused on the tech see YANG on 13

By Staff NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY SEATTLE — Keiro Northwest announced on May 8 that it is closing several of its programs, citing “significant financial challenges over the last decade, triggered by the Medicaid Shortfall of 2008-2010.”

“We have done everything in our power to continue to deliver the full range of services offered

by Keiro NW,” said Tomio Moriguchi, Keiro NW Board President. “But we cannot afford to lose money at our current rate and expect Keiro NW to survive. Diminishing access to see KEIRO NW on 14

Hong Chhuor helps Seattle Filling in for Gov. Inslee: Lt. Gov. Habib Opera tell its stories wears many hats

By Kai Curry NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY

By Carolyn Bick NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY

see HABIB on 5

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With a single interpretation, a lawyer helped remake the modern world

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China, a complex nation, reflected in this year’s SIFF lineup

Photo by Kai Curry

Even though Washington Gov. Jay Inslee is on the presidential campaign trail, Lt. Gov. Cyrus Habib says his schedule as acting governor isn’t all that different. But this doesn’t mean the role doesn’t dictate where he may or may not set foot.

The Iranian American said that, as lieutenant governor, he wears three hats: the president of the state Senate, number two in state government, and a close partner with international trade partners. Lt. Gov Cyrus Habib While the latter two roles remain unaffected, when Habib is acting governor, he is barred from presiding over the Senate.

So how do he and his staff make sure he isn’t in violation of the rules? That takes some rather carefully-timed strategy, Habib said.

In the new Seattle Opera Center, a quote by the Opera’s founder, Glynn Ross, reads in part, “We are not custodians of the old order.

We are not curators of establishment art. We must be oriented towards the future…” Not what one expects from what is often regarded as a highbrow art form reserved for uppercrust Caucasians. It’s time for Seattle to revise its perception of its hometown opera, and for Seattle Opera to broaden its reach to the AAPI community. Hong Chhuor, Seattle Opera’s new Associate Director of Development, is ready to help make that happen.

Chhuor’s childhood did not set him up to love opera. Part of a refugee family that fled Cambodia and the Khmer Rouge in the 1980s, Chhuor’s parents were concerned with survival and a practical education for their children.

“I wasn’t able to do things like piano lessons, summer camp…,” says Chhuor. “I recognize that it’s not just a class thing. It’s also a race thing see CHHUOR on 16

Chhuor in front of the costumes for Carmen.

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PICTORIAL: Asian Pacific Islander (API) Heritage Month Celebration

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I met presidential candidates Joe Biden, Andrew Yang, and Jay Inslee – And my vote goes to ...

 12

Hellboy drags like hell over two hours

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asianweekly northwest

37 YEARS

MAY 11 – MAY 17, 2019

■ NAMES IN THE NEWS ICHS raised $280K at Bloom Gala

Phelps demonstrate the power of female voices in leadership and inspire our students as they find their voices to create change.

Locke is vice president of strategy and business development at MG2 Design.

Gaines Phelps is a King County Superior Court Judge. 

PNB principal dancers launch Seattle Dance Collective

Attendees at ICHS’ 2019 Bloom Gala ‘Raised the Paddle’ to donate $280K toward uncompensated care.

International Community Health Services (ICHS) Foundation raised a record-breaking $280,000 at its annual Bloom Gala, held on April 27 at the Sheraton Grand Hotel.

Approximately 400 guests attended to help ICHS guarantee health services for uninsured patients.

ICHS CEO Teresita Batayola called for attendees to extend their support beyond the event and into their communities.

She also asked guests to join her in honoring the legacy left by Jan Ko Fisher, ICHS’ longest serving board member, who passed away in late 2018. 

Mona Locke and Judge Gaines Phelps win Grace Hopper Awards

The Seattle Girls’ School (SGS) awarded its 2019 Grace Hopper Award to Mona Locke and Hon. Nicole Gaines Phelps on May 6. The Annual SGS Hon. Nicole Gaines Mona Locke Phelps Grace Hopper Awards honors women who provide SGS students with positive role models. According to SGS, Locke and Gaines

Noelani Pantastico and James Yoichi Moore, celebrated principal dancers with Pacific Northwest Ballet, announced the formation last Noelani Pantastico James Yoichi Moore month of the Seattle Dance Collective (SDC).

SDC aims to create unique opportunities for collaboration between dancers and choreographers, and to contribute engaging, thought-provoking programs to audiences in Seattle and beyond.

Pantastico is from Oahu. She trained at Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet.

Originally from San Francisco, Moore started training at San Francisco Ballet School through its Dance in Schools program. 

Alice Wang wins worldwide illustrating contest

Alice Wang

A sophomore at Bellevue High School recently won the Illustrators of the Future contest, an international competition.

16-year-old Alice Wang was recognized at the 35th Annual L. Ron Hubbard Achievement Awards

in Hollywood on April 5.

Twelve winning writers and 12 illustrators from around the globe joined Wang in Hollywood for a week of professional workshops and an awards event.

“I was very proud,” Wang told the Bellevue Reporter.

“I just happen to be the youngest winner and I’m really happy about being able to inspire a younger generation of people.”

Wang’s art will be published in the annual anthology, L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Volume 35, which has been a bestseller for the past four years. 

Filipino American History month

Photos by Devin Cabanilla

2

Gov. Jay Inslee (far left) with supporters of SB 5865.

Gov. Jay Inslee signed SB 5865 into law on May 7 — establishing October as Filipino American History Month in the state of Washington.

Sen. Bob Hasegawa was the primary sponsor of the bill.

Historians have concluded that Oct. 18, 1587 was the earliest documented proof of Filipino presence in the continental United States, according Rey Pascua, a Filipino American community leaders.

October was selected as Filipino American History Month in honor of this documentation. 

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asianweekly northwest

YOUR VOICE

MAY 11 – MAY 17, 2019

3

■ COMMUNITY NEWS With a single interpretation, a lawyer helped remake the modern world

Stanley H. Barer

Under the speckled shadows outside a coffee shop, Stanley H. Barer held up a finger to make a point. Such quiet force seemed to repose in that finger, that the very air seemed to hold its breath.

It was the same finger, after all, that 40 years earlier had pointed out a new interpretation of U.S. law, which in turn had helped remake the modern world by reopening U.S.-China shipping after 30 years.

His new opinion of U.S. law

went into effect in 1979.

Before that, any Chinese ship could be seized by the U.S. government, or by any corporation or individual to regain assets lost when the Chinese Communists came to power in 1949 and froze $200 million in U.S. property in their country.

No Chinese ship had dared to sail openly to America since then.

But at the time, the United States was seeking to bring its law in accord with international law. International law stated that so long as the ship was used only for commercial purposes, it could not be “attached.”

So Barer, a young and handsome lawyer with a perpetual swarthy grin on his face, waited for the law to pass through Congress.

When the law passed, he wrote up his opinion, applying the law to the United States and China, and shared it with bigwigs in government, including Brock Adams, Secretary of Transportation. Adams then shared it with the attorney

Photos provided by Port of Seattle

Photo by Assunta Ng

By Mahlon Meyer NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY

Captain and crew of the Liu Lin Hai

Liu Lin Hai, the first Chinese ship to arrive at the Port of Seattle on April 18, 1979.

general, the State Department, and the White House. And they all agreed it would work.

“It was a 180-degree turnabout in American policy,” said Barer, during an interview a few days after the 40th anniversary of the arrival of the first Chinese ship.

Shortly thereafter, that first Chinese ship did arrive — the Liu Lin Hai — with a beaming, broad-faced captain leading dozens of Chinese sailors down a ramp and into the Port of Seattle.

Although the Chinese later expanded their voyages to California, eventually preferring Oakland while continuing to use Seattle for trade, the first voyage was significant because it showed that trade between the two countries that had been technically not speaking to each other for 30 years could commence.

“That first ship was symbolic of the possibility of trade as a major anchor of U.S.-China relations,” said David Bachman, Henry M. Jackson Professor of International Studies at the University of Washington (UW).

But there is still no clear consensus about the value of the trade.

Added Bachman, “Trade has increased prosperity for both countries, but the benefits of that trade have been unevenly distributed. Arguably, many in the state of Washington have benefited from that trade. But Chinese competition, in some cases with unfair advantages, has harmed firms and individuals as well.”

Challenging authority

In helping to open up U.S.-China trade, Barer was drawing upon a childhood in which he had learned to challenge authority.

As a young man of Jewish ancestry in rural Walla Walla, Barer had, in fact, learned of the necessity of doing so. Despite high grades, he was passed over for the National Honor Society and later learned it was because he was Jewish. see BARER on 12

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asianweekly northwest

4

MAY 11 – MAY 17, 2019

37 YEARS

■ COMMUNITY NEWS

ACLU sues to stop Trump policy on jailing asylum seekers

By LISA BAUMANN ASSOCIATED PRESS SEATTLE (AP) — The American Civil Liberties Union and other groups are again going to court to challenge the Trump administration, this time over its policy to bar detained asylum seekers from asking a judge to grant them bond.

The American Civil Liberties Union, American Immigration Council and the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project filed a class-action lawsuit over the policy in U.S. District Court in Seattle on May 2.

U.S. Attorney General William Barr announced in mid-

April that asylum seekers who have shown they have a credible fear of returning to their country and are facing removal don’t have the right to be released on bond by an immigration court judge while their cases are pending.

Usually, an asylum seeker who crosses between ports of entry Michael Tan would have the right to ask a judge to grant them bond for release. Under the new ruling, they will have to wait in detention until their case is adjudicated.

Michael Tan, senior staff attorney with ACLU’s

Immigrants’ Rights Project, said the policy unconstitutionally strips people of their right to a hearing.

“At the end of the day, the government doesn’t get to lock people up without due process,’’ Tan said. “And the most basic part of due process is a hearing to determine whether a person should be locked up or not.’’

Barr’s ruling is scheduled to take effect in mid-July and comes amid a frustrating time for the administration as the number of border crossers has climbed sharply. Most are families from Central America who are fleeing violence and poverty. Many seek asylum. see ACLU on 14

Referendum measure filed to bring I-1000 to the ballot OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Opponents of Washington’s affirmative action initiative filed a referendum to force a popular vote on the measure on April 29, the day after it passed the state Legislature.

Opponents will have 90 days to gather 129,811 valid signatures. If they can, it will override the legislative approval

and force the initiative to a popular vote this November.

The affirmative action measure, Initiative 1000, is set to allow state agencies and schools to consider factors like race in hiring, and engage in targeted outreach and recruitment.

Technically an initiative to the Legislature, lawmakers were able to approve it themselves without sending it to a vote. It

an exhibition by Indigenous creatives Through August 3, 2019 303 South Jackson Street, Top Floor Seattle, WA 98104 | seattle.gov/arts Image: Detail from Matika Wilber (Swinomish/Tulalip), Together We Rise, Isabella and Alyssa Klain. Diné, Velvet fine art paper, 2017

passed the House and Senate on Apri 28, the final night of the 105-day legislative session.

Affirmative action has been illegal in Washington since a 1998 initiative overturned an earlier version of the policy. 

asianweekly northwest

YOUR VOICE

MAY 11 – MAY 17, 2019

■ NATIONAL NEWS

5

ABC again the top network in report on Asian Americans on TV

By TERRY TANG ASSOCIATED PRESS Major television networks are hitting far more lows than highs in tapping into Asian American talent, according to a study released on May 1 by the Asian Pacific American Media Coalition.

The advocacy group’s annual report on ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX came on the first day of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. ABC earned the top grades with Asian Americans depicting 11 percent of regular characters on its prime-time programs, while Fox flunked because it did not submit data, the coalition said.

“The Report Cards revealed some positives but also many areas in which the networks need to improve for Asian Americans to be able to enjoy equal opportunities and to be fully included in the entertainment industry,’’ the group said.

The assessments of prime-time programs, including reality TV, were based on the 2017-18 season. The study examined both long-term and recurring roles for people of Asian or Pacific Islander descent and key roles behind the camera.

It also looked at the impact of “pipeline programs,’’

HABIB from 1 “Anytime that the governor is going to be out of state, we have a whole, elaborate process to make sure we have the paperwork to sign on to be acting governor, so we know, down to the minute, when he will be landing back in the state, when he takes off — all that stuff,” Habib said.

But what about when Inslee is technically in Washington state airspace?

“Even though … he’s in Washington state airspace, he’s still technically kind of debilitated from doing his job fully in that moment — that’s been the interpretation,” Habib said. “I’ve never explored that question. … It’s a hard thing to know on a commercial jet, when he would actually cross the line into the state and then when he’s officially still in the air. … As a practical matter, we’ve always pegged it to departure time and arrival time.”

Much of Habib’s day is taken up with scheduling, and figuring out who wants him to speak where, when, and on what topic.

His speaking appearances are diverse, and can reach up to four or five engagements per day. Not too long ago, he said, he was at the University of Washington to speak at the opening of the new Retina Center in the university’s Department of Ophthalmology.

But Habib’s appearances aren’t just confined to Washington state lines. Throughout the year, he travels internationally, to places like Seattle’s sister

initiatives targeted at increasing diversity through recruitment and training.

Of all the networks, ABC was tops with an overall B grade.

In the category of on-screen talent in its comedies and dramas, ABC got an A- grade for having 24 regular characters on shows like “Fresh Off the Boat,’’ and “The Good Doctor.’’

The report tallied 27 API actors in recurring parts on ABC. CBS earned a B- after increasing API characters from 16 to 21, although most got little air time, the report said. CBS got a B+ for hiring more API directors, from eight to 18, and boosted TV writers and producers from 15 to 17.

“We are pleased with the progress reflected in the report issued today, while recognizing that more still needs to be done,’’ CBS said in a statement.

NBC had a grade of C average with 11 API regular roles, but the report found only 12 recurring parts, down from 26.

Fox has not shared its information since 2013, the report states.

In the category of reality TV and talent competitions, no network got better than a C grade.

The coalition, which has been doing the report for 17 years, also found missed opportunities for Asian Americans on

city of Kobe, Japan, and to Mexico, where he filled in for Inslee at the inauguration of the new Mexican president.

He also gets to do work that is “near and dear” to his heart: education around college readiness.

“We created a college readiness program for young people to go study abroad and get credit, called the Washington World Fellows, and then give them college prep resources, and so on,” Habib said. “And, so, we operate these things out of my office, and so it’s my job to oversee the operations of these programs.”

When the Northwest Asian Weekly caught up with him, Habib was in the midst of his busiest time of year, the end of the state’s Legislative session. He’ll have backto-back meetings, jammed right up against speaking engagements, but still tries to make time to sit down with new House members to check in on how the session is going for them. Because Inslee is on the campaign trail so often, he also meets and works more often with Inslee’s staff — “not because the governor is not aware of what’s going on, because he is, but just because in the event of an emergency, or … when there are fast-moving dynamics, we want to be aware and knowledgeable, so we can address things.”

Amidst all this, Habib and his staff are trying to be healthier in and out of the office.

Habib said he has recently taken to drinking a smoothie in the morning for breakfast,

KING COUNTY NOTICE TO BIDDERS Sealed bids will be received for C01361C19, 2019 Countywide Pavement Preservation ; by the King County Procurement and Payables Section, 3rd Floor, 401 Fifth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104, until 1:30 PM on May 14, 2019. Late bids will not be accepted.

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shows that take place in locations with high Asian populations.

CBS’ “Magnum P.I.’’ reboot is set in Hawaii yet none of the main cast members are Asian-American or a Pacific Islander.

NBC’s “New Amsterdam’’ depicts the drama at a New York City hospital that only has one Asian doctor.

The success of “Crazy Rich Asians’’ at movie theaters, the popularity of “Killing Eve’’ on BBC America and the Netflix film “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before’’ may be influencing next season’s landscape.

Networks have ordered nearly half a dozen pilots with Asian Americans in the lead including Ken Jeong, who appeared in “Crazy Rich Asians,’’ Lucy Liu and Kal Penn.

Liu, who will be coming off of a seven-season run on the CBS drama “Elementary,’’ was honored on May 1 with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Her star is next to Anna May Wong, who is considered the first Chinese American actress to achieve Hollywood stardom in the 1920s and 1930s.

“One need only observe the success of API-led shows on other platforms to realize that the public, Asian and non-Asian alike, is eager to consume new stories and enjoy new talent featuring Asian Americans,’’ coalition chair Daniel Mayeda said. 

and eating lighter lunches.

“Governor Inslee — he probably gets more exercise than I do,” Habib said with a laugh.

Even though Habib puts on his acting governor hat more often these days, he’s been far busier.

“My life right now, even with the height of session, and managing all these multiple things, is not anywhere near as crazy as it was when I was at the height of my statewide

campaign, plus working at Perkins Coie as a lawyer, plus teaching at Seattle University.

I mean, I was doing all of those, plus being there for my father in his final days in his battle with cancer in 2016,” Habib recalled. “I’ve had crazier days.”  Carolyn can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.

asianweekly northwest

6

MAY 11 – MAY 17, 2019

37 YEARS

■ COMMUNITY CALENDAR MAY 10

RENOVATING THE HEART OF THE PARK — THE SEATTLE ASIAN ART MUSEUM GETS A MAKEOVER China Harbor Restaurant, 2040 Westlake Ave. N., Seattle 6:30-9:30 p.m.

PHOTO EXHIBIT, “LIFE WIDE ANGLE/CLOSE UP” OPENS Wing Luke Museum, 719 S. King St., Seattle wingluke.org

11 FOOD TRUCK ROUND-UP XXVIII South Lake Union, 139 9th Ave. N., Seattle 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

SEATTLE JACL’S 97TH ANNUAL BANQUET Bell Harbor International Conference Center, 2211 Alaskan Way, Seattle

6:30-9 p.m.

Tickets at https://bit. ly/2UHgrpw

UW NIGHT MARKET UW, Red Square 5:30-10:30 p.m.

150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE TRANSCONTINENTAL RAILROAD Wing Luke Museum, 719 S. King St., Seattle 2:30-4p.m.

Honey Court Reception at 4:30 p.m., must RSVP leyilei@uw.edu 2019 ASIAN HALL OF FAME GALA Fairmont Olympic Hotel, 411 University St., Seattle 6-11 p.m.

11 & 12 BONSAI FEST! The Pacific Bonsai Museum, 2515 S. 336th St., Federal Way 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Suggested donation $10 253-353-7345 info@pacificbonsaimuseum. org

12

16

MOM & ME TEA Kin On, 4416 S. Brandon St., Seattle 1-3 p.m. evensi.us/mom-me-tea-kinon/305043496

4TH ANNUAL DAY OF REMEMBRANCE Washington State Historical Society, 1911 Pacific Ave., Tacoma 3-8 p.m.

Free admission

14

HAPPY HOUR FOOD WALK Seattle’s C-ID 4-7p.m.

TOWN HALL MEETING TO ANNOUNCE OF THE CLOSURE OF KEIRO NORTHWEST Stroum Jewish Community Center, 3801 E. Mercer Way, Mercer Island 6-8 p.m.

FREE ASIA TALKS: ART & ENGAGEMENT IN EARLY POSTWAR JAPAN Seattle Art Museum, 1300 1st Ave., Seattle 6:30-8 p.m. tickets.seattleartmuseum.org

15 BUSINESS LEADERSHIP COMMUNITY ALUMNI EVENT Bellevue College, C115 Dining Hall, Student Union Bldg.

6-8 p.m. bellevuecollege.edu

18 CISC’S 47TH ANNUAL FRIENDSHIP DINNER & AUCTION The Westin Bellevue 5:30-9 p.m. cisc-seattle.org

JAY CHAN IN CONCERT Lucky Dragonz Club Skyway Bowl, 11819 Renton Ave. S., Seattle 8 p.m.-1 a.m.

MEIYIN WANG, “THIS IS HOW IT ENDS” Town Hall, Seattle 1-2:30 p.m. townhallseattle.org LOCAL AUTHOR READING EVENT WITH KEVIN MINH ALLEN, “SLEEP IS NO COMFORT” Couth Buzzard Books, 8310 Greenwood Ave. N., Seattle 3 p.m. vancetwins.com

18 & 19 50TH ANNUAL U DISTRICT STREET FAIR 4507 University Way N.E. Ste. 209, Seattle 10 a.m.-7 p.m.

■ COMMUNITY NEWS

Marine from WA, shot and killed

By Staff NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY

Pvt. Anahitdeep S. Sandhu

A 20-year-old active-duty U.S. Marine from Kent, Wash. was shot and killed outside a Georgia apartment complex during a botched armed robbery attempt on April 28, according to police.

Pvt. Anahitdeep S. Sandhu was shot several times in Perry, Ga., according to the Perry Police Department. He was pronounced dead in a hospital emergency room.

Sandhu, an aviation ordnance Marine from Kent, Wash., was assigned to Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 224,

Marine Aircraft Group 31, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, according to Marine 1st Lt. Sam Stephenson.

Sandhu was in Georgia with another Marine and staying with a friend.

25-year-old Quavion Shaquil Rountree was arrested on April 30, according to police. He has been charged with murder. 

View the solution on page 14

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YOUR VOICE

MAY 11 – MAY 17, 2019

Building Partnerships 1910 Malott Indian Shaker Church Of Washington, Inc. 1910 Mud Bay Shaker Church A. Philip Randolph Institute Affiliated Tribes Of NW Indian Airway Heights Correction Center Allen African Methodist Episcopal Church Amara API Chaya Arrow Lakes Memorial Pow Wow Asian Counseling & Referral Service Auburn Public Schools Foundation Auburn Riverside High School Auburn Valley Humane Society Autism Speaks Inc Ballard Food Bank Bellevue College Foundation Bonney Lake High School-Panther Parent Pride Boys And Girls Clubs Of King County, Southwest Branch Brain Injury Association Of Wa (Biawa) Camp Leo For Children With Diabetes Cancer for College Catholic Community Services of Western WA Cedar Creek Corrections Center Center for Children & Youth Justice Central Washington University Chehalis Canoe Family Chief Seattle Club Childhaven Children’s Alliance Childrens Home Society Of Washington Childrens Museum Of Tacoma Chinatown International District Chinook Elementary City of Auburn City Year, Inc. Clallam Bay Corrections Center Clothes for Kids Communities In Schools Of Peninsula Communities in Schools of Renton Connectwerks Coyote Ridge Corrections Center Crazy Horse Memorial Foundation Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America Damascus Homes Community Center Dawn- Domestic Abuse Womens Network Denise Louie Education Center Densho Project Douglass Youth Golf Club Downtown Emergency Service Center Eastern Washington University Eastern Washington University Foundation Eastside Native American Education Economic Opportunity Institute El Centro de la Raza Emergency Feeding Program of Seattle King County Emergency Food Network Environmental Science Center Etta Projects The Evergreen State College Family Law Casa of King County FareStart Fil Am Resources For Educational Advancement Fire District #44 Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center Freedom Project The Foodbank @ St Marys Friends Of Youth Gd Association Goodthinking 4 All Our Relations-Enumclaw Greater Lakes Mental Health Greater Trinity Academy Green River Community College Health Point Helping Hands Food Bank Of Sedro Woolley Heritage University Highline Community College Highline Community College Foundation Hilltop Artists in Residence Hopesparks Hopeworks Social Enterprises Housing Hope Huy Imagine Housing Indigenous Wellness Research Institute - Elder/Youth Programs Institute For Systems Biology International Community Health Services It Takes A Village Jdrf International Joyas Mestizas Keiro Northwest The Kent Community Supper Kent School District Native American Program Kin On Health Care Center Kindering Center King County Library System Foundation King County Sexual Assault Resource Center King County Sheriff Larch Corrections Center Legacy Foundation, Inc. Legal Foundation Of Washington Lenny Wilkens Foundation Lindquist Dental Clinic For Children Little Bit Therapeutic Riding Center Loren Miller Bar Foundation Lupus Foundation of America Lutheran Community Services Nw Make-A-Wish Foundation Alaska & Washington Making A Difference Foundation Mary Mahoney Professional Nurses

Strengthening Communities

Northwest Harvest The Muckleshoot Indian Tribe proudly partners with nonprofits, schools, churches and government agencies to share resources with their neighbors and those in need. Today, the importance of supporting the invaluable services of these organizations is more apparent than ever.

One Heart Native Arts and Film From essential human services that nurture the mind, body and spirit, to the promotion and conservation of our natural splendors and human art and cultural creations, our nonprofit partners help create sustainable, caring and diverse communities.

International Community Health Services In 2018, the Muckleshoot Tribe proudly donated $3,932,276 to more than 200 organizations to further their essential work. We list each of them in recognition of their dedication to enhancing lives and communities and we reaffirm our commitment to their work and our continued partnerships.

Mary’s Place Seattle Medic One Foundation Mission Creek Corrections Center Monroe Correctional Complex Monroe Gospel Womens Mission Municipal League Foundation Na’ah Illahee Fund National Indian Women’s Native Action Network Native Journey Woman Neighborhood House, Inc. New Beginnings New Horizons Ministries Nikkei Heritage Assoc. of WA Japanese North Kitsap Fishline Northwest African American Museum Northwest Harvest Emm Northwest Indian College Foundation Northwest Youth Services Nourish Pierce County NW School for Deaf & Hard-of-Hearing Children Olympic Corrections Center One Heart Native Arts and Film Festival Organization Of Chinese Americans, Inc. Pacific Science Center Foundation Parkway Community Services Pediatric Interim Care Center Pickford Film Center Plymouth Housing Group Queen Anne Helpline Inc Queets Canoe Club Rainer Foothills Wellness Foundation Rainier Scholars Rainier Valley Food Bank Renton Technical College Ronald Mcdonald House Rotary First Harvest Ryther Safe Crossings Foundation SE Seattle Education Coalition Seattle Aquarium Society - SEAS Seattle Art Museum Seattle Central College Foundation Seattle Central Community College Seattle Counseling Service Seattle Education Access Seattle Goodwill Industries Seattle Indian Health Board Seattle Jazz Orchestra Seattle Milk Fund Seattle MLK Jr. Organizing Coalition Seattle Repertory Theatre Seattle Symphony Orchestra, Inc. Seattle University Secret Harbor Senior Services Shepherd’s Counseling Services Seattle International Film Festival - SIFF Social Justice Fund Northwest Soroptimist International of Auburn South King Fire & Rescue Aid Fund South Sound Dream Center Stafford Creek Corrections Center State Patrol Stolen Youth Susan G. Komen Puget Sound Tacoma Urban League Tacoma-Pierce County Affordable Housing Consortium Terry Home, Inc. United Indians of All Tribes Foundation United Negro College Fund United Service Organizations University Beyond Bars University of WA - College of Built Environments University of Washington University of Washington Alumni University of Washington Foundation University of Washington - Director of Strategic Engagement Urban American Indian Alaska Native Education Urban League Of Metropolitan Seattle Valley Regional Fire Authority Victory Outreach Seattle Vine Maple Place Wa Alliance For Better Schools Wallingford Community Senior Center Washington Care Services Washington Corrections Center Washington Early Learning Fund Washington Indian Civil Rights Commission Washington Minority Business Advisory Council Washington Poison Center Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence Washington State Gambling Commission Washington State Penitentiary Washington State Penitentiary WC Washington State University Foundation Washington State University-Attn Rise Alice Mcgill Wa-Ya Outdoor Institute Wellspring Family Services West Seattle Food Bank West Sound Treatment Center Inc Western Washington University Western Washington University Native Westside Baby Willow’s Place Wing Luke Memorial Foundation Women Warriors Guild - Seattle Children’s Hospital Young Life YouthCare

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asianweekly northwest

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37 YEARS

MAY 11 – MAY 17, 2019

■ AT THE MOVIES

China, a complex nation,

reflected in this year’s SIFF lineup Himalayas, eventually settling in India where the trauma and displacement of their flight from Tibet and oppression

by Chinese officials continue to shape their experiences in India.

Among the more controversial policies to have existed in China is the “one-child policy,” documented in “One Child Nation” by directors Nanfu Wang and Jialing Zhang. “One Child Nation” paints a damning picture of the policy, its inevitable, yet unexpected consequences and jarring cruelty that arose as a result of its practice. Despite facing past questioning by Chinese officials, Wang rips the file open on this no holds barred documentary that includes interviews with family planning officials, midwives, and even her own family members. The documentary shows the far-reaching grasp of a social experiment which led to countless dead babies and abandoned children. With consequences so far reaching, the 85-minute film haphazardly covers more ground than it can reasonably tackle in such a format, leaving, perhaps intentionally, a lack of resolve and more information to be desired.

“Go Back to China”

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This year’s Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF) selection of Asian films offers a kaleidoscopic view on China, a country known for its turbulent history immediately followed by its accelerated growth. While many of these films are part of SIFF’s China Stars, a program of films meant to promote cross cultural showcase and exchange, most will not be promoted in China.

In that similar vein, dissident filmmaker Yang Shu (played by Gong Zhe) in “A Family Tour” lives in exile in Hong Kong and uses her invitation for a screening of her film at the Formosa Film Festival in Taipei as an opportunity to see her mother (played by Nai An), who

stayed behind in China. Through the disguise of a travel tour of Taiwan, mother and daughter are reunited. Since Yang’s exile, the two kept contact through phone and video calls, but together, tensions arise as Yang struggles to hide her intolerance of the censorship and control by the Chinese government and her mother’s seeming acquiescence to its reality. This beautifully shot film is a meditation on the isolation and estrangement of the protagonist and the bittersweet negotiation between mother and daughter of whether this meeting will be their last.

Similar echoes of exile and estrangement are examined in “The Sweet Requiem,” a drama produced by documentary filmmakers Ritu Sarin and Tenzing Sonam.

The story, set in a Tibetan refugee community in India, traces a family’s treacherous migration over the snowy

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asianweekly northwest

YOUR VOICE

MAY 11 – MAY 17, 2019

■ PICTORIAL Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang made an appearance at Gas Works Park in Seattle on May 3 as part of his Humanity First campaign tour to talk about his three main policy proposals: universal basic income that would provide $1,000 a month to every adult over 18 in the country, health care for all, and a new form of capitalism focused on human welfare.

Yang then met with 460 supporters at a fundraising dinner at China Harbor Restaurant.

Andrew Yang’s first Seattle visit

PHOTOS BY GEORGE LIU

Yang’s supporters holding signs “Yang Gang.” (Photo by John Liu)

Andrew Yang and emcee Happy Tian Lo Yu Sun, owner of China Harbor Restaurant, greeted Yang at the door.

From left: Sen. Bob Hasegawa, Joe Nguyen, Lai Hui Wu, Andrew Yang, and Tien Tho Thai Photo by Rebecca Ip

Asian Pacific Islander (API) Heritage Month Celebration

Yang high-fived his supporters.

The Asian Pacific Islander (API) Heritage Month Celebration was held at the Seattle Center Armory on May 5 as part of API Heritage Month.

The festival launched with lion dances, youth drill teams, drumming, martial arts, and artists from around the state.

Participants got to explore and experience the cultural roots of the Asian-Pacific Islands through live performances, visual arts, hands-on activities, foods, games, and a lively marketplace.

PHOTOS BY GEORGE LIU

Emcees: Starla Sampaco, and P.O. Boxx

Toshiko (in pink) wins The Alan Sugiyama Hum Bow Eating Contest

From left: John Chen, Alysa Sugiyama, and Mari Sugyama Te Fare o Tamatoa, Tahitian Dance Troupe

Cece wins the “APIs Can Sing” Competition. From left: John Chen, Cece T, Judges: DJ Nasty Nes, DJ Dilemma, DJ RoyBoy, and Tom Yamada. (Photo by Anela McFarland)

Attendees enjoying the celebration! (Photo by Vivian Huang)

UW’s K-Pop The Kompany

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asianweekly northwest

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37 YEARS

MAY 11 – MAY 17, 2019

■ PUBLISHER’S BLOG I met presidential candidates

Photos by George Liu

JOE BIDEN ANDREW YANG JAY INSLEE And my vote goes to ...

From left: Steve Fields, Andrew Yang, and Janice Zahn Andrew Yang high-fives Assunta Ng.

Joe Biden’s book, autographed and addressed to Assunta Ng.

Photos by Han Bui

Joe Biden’s book cover, “Promises to Keep”

Inslee has a long history of supporting the Asian community — appointing Asian Americans in his administration, including judges at the county level and for the Washington State Supreme Court. In 1998, Inslee hired an Asian American woman, Joby Shimomura, in her 20s, to run his congressional campaign, which was unconventional in those days, due to her youth and race. And she was also his chief of staff in his early days as governor.

Some Washingtonians criticized his decision to run for president, increasing security and other expenses. Let’s not forget this is a free country. He is at liberty to run for any office he wants. Definitely, his campaign has raised our state’s profile.

Meeting Biden at the White House Andrew Yang’s book cover, “The War on Normal People”

A signed book by Andrew Yang to Assunta Ng in Chinese writing.

By Assunta Ng NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY

ing that we were allies. To be fair, I agreed to let McKenna include a campaign stop on Election Day at our office, so he could be interviewed by different television stations.

I have met three Democratic presidential hopefuls, from the highest in the polls to the ones not so high…Aren’t I lucky!?

In 2009, I met former Vice President Joe Biden at the White House for former Governor Gary Locke’s swearing-in ceremony as President Obama’s Commerce Secretary. It was quite an encounter. No, he didn’t touch me inappropriately like 11 women claimed. Biden recently announced his presidential run.

On May 3, Andrew Yang, the only Asian American among the 20-plus Democratic presidential candidates, visited Seattle for a rally and fundraising dinner. I was among a small group to meet with him at the Bellevue Hyatt Regency Hotel prior to his events. It was a historic day for Seattle’s Asian community.

Washington’s governor, Jay Inslee, has also announced his presidential intent. I remembered fondly how he and his gubernatorial opponent, Rob McKenna, each held a Dragon Head to lead the Dragon parade into the Seattle Sheraton Hotel ballroom for the Asian Weekly’s 20th anniversary.

What a scene! When he campaigned in the International District, his people asked if he could start his tour from our office.

When I agreed, I didn’t realize his campaign manager would issue a press release stating that he would kick-off his ID visit from the Seattle Chinese Post office, imply-

I intended to be at Locke’s swearing-in as Commerce Secretary as a member of the media, not as a guest. I was the only member of the media from Washington state covering the event, thanks to Mona and Gary Locke.

Obama introduced Locke, and then left,

EPIC VIEW CONDOS IN EDMONDS

Andrew Yang holding the Northwest Asian Weekly newspaper.

leaving Biden to entertain everyone. There were about 60 guests from Locke’s side, and a large group of fans also attending former DSHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius’ swearin ceremony. There were more than 100 people waiting to meet with Biden. He greeted everyone, with a firm handshake, posed for photos, engaged in small talk, signed autographs, and patted babies and kids. Believe me, everybody had a camera, which made the whole greeting twice as long. He walked towards Sebelius’ group and afterwards, Locke’s. I turned out to be the last person see BLOG on next page

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asianweekly northwest

YOUR VOICE

MAY 11 – MAY 17, 2019

■ EDITORIAL

11

Asian Pacific American Heritage Month

It’s Asian Pacific American Heritage Month (APAHM), a full month of celebrating our community’s culture, history, and traditions, while looking towards the future.

APAHM came about when Congress passed a resolution in 1978 to designate a week to celebrate Asians and Pacific Islanders in the United States. May was chosen because it’s when the first Japanese immigrants arrived in America in 1843, and when Chinese laborers finished the transcontinental railroad in 1869. But the celebration soon outgrew the constraints of a week, so President George H.W. Bush extended it to a month in 1990.

According to Pew Research, over 20 million Asian Americans trace their roots to more than 20 countries, in East and Southeast Asia, as well as the Indian subcontinent.

BLOG from previous page in the receiving line because I was too busy taking everyone else’s photo. Right before he shook my hand, someone interrupted us and whispered in his ear. He turned to me and said, “I’ll be right back.”

Believe it or not, when it came to my turn, he could have rushed through it, and I would have been content. And if he didn’t come back, I would have understood. I was a nobody from the other Washington. I waited, not knowing how much longer I should wait.

Here is the difference between Biden and other politicians. More than five minutes later, he came back with a smile. We posed for pictures.

“Mr. Vice President, I heard you wrote a book,” I said while handing him my business card.

“Yes,” he beamed warmly.

“I want to read it. How can I get the book?”

I asked. In those days, if a book was out of print, you couldn’t get it easily. He took my business card, and he wrote a note on the back of my card to remind himself. He said if he didn’t do so, he would forget.

Did I expect him to remember — to follow through? Negative.

Eighteen days later, a big package arrived.

Wrapped in big plastic bubble bags, Biden’s paperback, “Promises To Keep,” was mailed to the Asian Weekly office.

The title tells a lot about the man. You could imagine the look on my face when I opened the package — with awe and astonishment.

Inside the cover page, he wrote:

Choosing to celebrate all the richness and diversity of AAPIs is to affirm the beauty and inherent goodness of our cultures, to say that traditions are not merely foreign — that our foods are not exotic, and that our traditions are not perilous or immoral.

We celebrate eating durian or biryani, and it is as normal as eating meatloaf and casseroles.

For families that were forced to resettle in the United States due to crisis, war, and trauma often means losing precious history. Due to generational gaps, language barriers, and repressed memories, many in the AAPI community have to do more work to preserve and proclaim our stories. Many of us can’t communicate with those two or three generations back. There are often no official family trees, heirlooms,

“To Assunta With very best wishes Joe Biden 5-3-09.”

The book represented him: loud, sincere, personable, and crystal clear in his beliefs and politics. He was real then and now, too, whenever I watch him on television.

Yang seized the moment

I first saw Yang’s face on the national news.

What, an Asian face among more than 10 Democratic presidential candidates? Did I see it correctly? It was just a two-second shot.

Soon, many from our community learned that there’s an Asian running for the highest office in the land, and yet no one remembered his name or knew who he was. At the small, private meeting before his public appearances, Yang, an entrepreneur for high-tech startups, showed his wit and charm — it worked like magic. He walked into a small conference room at the Hyatt, and everyone (mostly Chinese Americans) was amazed as he sat in front of a long conference table.

“I am proud to represent the Asian community and my background heritage,” Yang said.

“Asian parents don’t encourage their children to run for office. My parents certainly didn’t tell me to run for office,” he said. Asian children are supposed to achieve economically, by becoming doctors and lawyers.

However, Asian Americans are seen as “lower” and a “non-entity” in this country for five reasons, he explained. First, voter turnout is low among Asian Americans. Second, Asian voters don’t give as much money to

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photo albums, or written stories.

The schools in the United States rarely teach AAPI history.

And while it is improving, the AAPI experience is still underrepresented in the arts and media.

So to celebrate APAHM is the opportunity to celebrate our histories, to make our voices heard and our history known.

Today, there is a growing group of AAPI leaders and mentors who are visible and taking a stand on social justice issues. It is important for us to be visible, to serve as role models, and to know that we are a community that is thriving and learning from one another.

We may not be white, but we are here, we matter, and we are enough. 

political causes. Third, Asian candidates only run for lower office. Fourth, the Asian population is not big enough to make a difference in swing states such as New York, Massachusetts, Wisconsin, Texas, and Pennsylvania.

Fifth, the Asian community is divided politically.

Yet, Yang said he is not running on his “identity,” but economic ideas.

Upon greeting Bellevue City Councilmember Janice Zahn, Yang said it’s easier for him to run for higher office as he campaigns and then leaves town. But it’s tougher for Zahn to run for local office because you have to face the people and “they know where you live.”

In less than a half an hour of dialogue between Yang and his attendees, Zahn said she would endorse Yang’s presidency. Soon, Redmond City Councilmember Steve Fields followed suit. Yang quickly seized the moment and reciprocated — endorsing both Zahn and Fields. Zahn is running for re-election. Fields is running for Mayor.

Zahn said she gave her endorsement because she has been studying Yang’s website.

“I read his platform. He talks about evidence before putting ideas and policies together. He has many ideas in different areas.

He’s pragmatic, proactive, a visionary, encouraging tough conversations to look at underlying issues so a country can solve problems… He looks at technology... in shaping the country’s future.”

Attended by over 460 people at China Harbor, the Chinese community raised over $40,000 for Yang’s campaign. Yang recognized that his campaign has energized the

Asian community as a whole. And that’s exactly what Yang has accomplished on May 3, despite the fact that there were Republicans in the audience. Several disagreed with his basic income of $1,000 to citizens between 18 to 64.

Still, they came. The organizers didn’t want to address the question of his chances of winning. Many reminded the Asian Weekly that President Bill Clinton and President Obama were dismissed early on in their campaigns, that they had zero chance. Then, Clinton and Obama defied all odds and rewrote history, despite the fact they were unknown and their opponents had strong brand and name recognition.

One guest said at the Hyatt meeting, “The outcome is not important. What is important is his courage to run. What Yang is doing is iconic.”

Wait until the Asian community watches Yang on the national stage during the presidential debates on June 26 or 27 — it will inspire more Asian Americans to run for office or get involved in politics. It will also change Americans’ narrative about Asian Americans and break stereotypes.

Yes, we Asian Americans can lead. That accomplished mission will be good enough for me.

So why talk about endorsements or who we should vote for now! It’s still too early to make a decision for 2020. Stay tuned.  Assunta can be reached at assunta@nwasianweekly.com.

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asianweekly northwest

12

MAY 11 – MAY 17, 2019

37 YEARS

■ AT THE MOVIES

Y O B L L E H

drags like hell over two hours

By Andrew Hamlin NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY

BARER from 3 That experience and other similar experiences propelled him into a practice of standing up for himself — and others.

His first experience came when he was driving a vehicle with loud exhaust pipes that were “rumbling,” he said. He was eventually arrested.

“I went before the judge and he said, ‘You’ve been stopped several times,’ and he said, ‘You’re going to end up on the wrong side of the Walla Walla State Penitentiary.’

I said, ‘No, you’re wrong judge, I’m going to go to university and end up a judge like you.’”

His mother, who was in the courtroom that day, lowered her face into her hands.

His father was furious.

Years later, however, Barer came back to his hometown and was visiting the law library. The same judge, apprised of this, asked to see him.

Barer immediately apologized to the judge for his impertinence.

But the judge had seen his picture in the paper with Senator Warren G. Magnuson and he said, “You don’t have to apologize — you were right!”

Helping to remake the world

When shipping commenced in 1979, both the United States and China were excited to take part in it, on a voluntary and reciprocal basis.

That did not mean, however, that both sides had reasonable expectations.

The U.S. side, as it had done throughout modern history, saw China as a bonanza for marketing new products.

The Chinese, on the other hand, had little understanding of the U.S market. Their first shipment of goods, according to media reports at the time, included pigs’ feet,

in the audience should find themselves nodding in recognition.

The two men go about their assigned tasks, but they hear distant rumblings of a cataclysm, the impending end of the world.

This has to do with an immortal witch, Vivian Nimue, the Blood Queen (played with lip-licking glee by Milla Jovovich), who’s been cut into pieces and flung across the U.K., but who nevertheless waits, in pieces, to be reassembled, so she can bring about Armageddon.

So far, so good. But the script, written

by Andrew Cosby, ruins a good thing by trying to have too much of it. Every new character gets a long-winding backstory.

Every jeopardy is eventually undone by a

sausages, and canned jellyfish.

Much has changed in 40 years. Today, the United States is China’s largest trading partner. In 2018, the United States exported $120.3 billion worth of goods to China and imported $539.5 billion worth of products, according to the Office of the United States Trade Representative.

Last year, Washington state maintained a somewhat more equal ratio, importing $16 billion worth of goods and exporting roughly the same amount to China, according to the United States Census Bureau.

While trade with China has come under fire in recent years, some economists argue that healthy trade prevents war.

Matthew O. Jackson, a Stanford University economist, in his new book, “The Human Network,” argues that trade is “vital” in preventing conflict.

“It is obvious from the data that countries that have substantial trading relationships with each other simply don’t go to war with each other, regardless of their politics,” said Jackson, in an email. “The costs of such conflict become too high. Essentially, all of the remaining major conflicts in the world are between countries that have relatively low amounts of trade with each other.”

Still, decreasing trade with China would not necessarily bring about an increasing chance of war.

That would happen for other reasons, according to Bachman, the UW professor.

“When that first ship came to Seattle, there was little prospect for direct war between China and the U.S.,” he said. “Arguably, the chances of war have increased in recent years, but that is for reasons related to geopolitica and Taiwan.”  Mahlon can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.

larger, more profound “stroke of luck,” so you learn early that nothing’s really at stake.

One crucial aspect of the film occurs offscreen. The character of Benjamin “Ben” Daimio, a B.P.R.D. field team commander, is a Japanese American soldier with an odd affliction which sometimes comes in handy against evil.

Daimio was created by Mike Mignola, with John Arcudi and Guy Davis, and was originally slated to be played by Ed Skrein, who has English and Austrian blood, but no Asian blood. This led to accusations of whitewashing. Skrein agreed to step down, explaining to “Entertainment Weekly” that “it is clear that representing this character in a culturally accurate way holds significance

Andrew can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.

Photo by Assunta Ng

“Hellboy,” director Neil Marshall’s reboot of the popular film series (derived from the comic books created by Mike Mignola), runs two hours and might well have been twice as good at three-fourths that length. I haven’t seen the first two films, but I’m led to understand they crackled with energy and moved fast. You won’t find much of that here, where promising characters, acting, and plot points get overrun and overstretched.

Hellboy himself (played by David Harbour, best-known from “Stranger Things”) certainly came from the bowels of Hades himself; but he’s committed to doing good and helping mere mortals, even if he can’t resist dry-wit wisecracking at their foibles. He’s guided by his Earthly stepfather Trevor Bruttenholm (Ian McShane), founder of the B.P.R.D. (Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense) that employs both men.

The roughhousing and mutual verbal abuse that the son and (step-) father share, proves one of the film’s saving graces.

The two tough-minded fellows can’t say something as simple or direct as “I love you,” so they have to communicate affection through aggression. A fair number of men

for people, and that to neglect this responsibility would continue a worrying tendency to obscure ethnic minority stories and voices in the Arts. I feel it is important to honor and respect that. Therefore, I have decided to step down so the role can be cast appropriately.”

The new Daimio turned out to be Daniel Dae Kim, a Korean-born American-based actor known for the “Lost” and “Hawaii Five-0” TV series. Interestingly enough, the controversy led to Kim meeting and getting to know Skrein, the man he’d replaced.

“Thanks for the opportunity to get to know each other in person. Grateful to now call you ‘friend,;” Kim told Skrein, again according to “Entertainment Weekly.”

Kim renders Daimio flinty, grouchy, and subtly vulnerable all at the same time. I also enjoyed the work of two talented biracial actresses, England’s Sophie Okonedo, as a psychic seer, and America’s Sasha Lane, playing a young woman who’s not completely sure what she is, but donates her odd talents to the fight for good.

A lot of hard work and inventiveness went into “Hellboy.” With a shorter, more pointed and directed script, it could have been a fine film instead of a merely-bearable slog. 

Chinese Consul General Wang Donghua toasted Stan Barer at the Port of Seattle celebration of the 40th anniversary of the first Chinese ship coming to Seattle.

asianweekly northwest

YOUR VOICE

MAY 11 – MAY 17, 2019

■ ASTROLOGY

13

Predictions and advice for the week of May 11–17, 2019

By Sun Lee Chang Rat — There is more than one road that will lead you to where you want to go. Choose the one that offers the best view along the way.

Dragon — Are you waiting for someone to accept your invitation? Make it clear that you want them to come.

Ox — You have the ability to elevate the ordinary into something special. The first step is believing that you can do it.

Snake — While you would prefer that the other side make the first move, you may need to step in to get the ball rolling.

Tiger — There is no reason to give in to a false choice. If none of the options suit you, look elsewhere.

Horse — There is no reason to broadcast your opinion on every topic. Instead, try to be selective about what you give voice to.

Rabbit — A recent tip could be very helpful if you are able to act quickly. Some deft maneuvering could put you in line for a promotion.

Goat — You can only feign interest for so long. If you are simply going through the motions, switch to something that really speaks to you.

Monkey — What started out as a long list has slowly been whittled down. As you cross off the remaining items, there will soon be cause for celebration.

Rooster — Your sensitivity allows you to see things that others might miss, which can be quite valuable in your current setting.

Dog — Although you have an impeccable sense of style, don’t discount the value of comfort.

Considering how good something feels and looks should yield a superior result.

Pig — Don’t close the door before you even open it. It’s not exactly what you had in mind, but that doesn’t make it any less right.

WHAT’S YOUR ANIMAL SIGN? RAT 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008 OX 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009 TIGER 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010 RABBIT 1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011 DRAGON 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012 SNAKE 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013 HORSE 1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014 GOAT 1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015 MONKEY 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016 ROOSTER 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017 DOG 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018 PIG 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019

*The year ends on the first new moon of the following year. For those born in January and February, please take care when determining your sign.

YANG from 1 sector to the chagrin of the crowd at Gas Works Park. He also spoke to the throng of supporters, mainly Chinese Americans, at the China Harbor gathering, which took place immediately after the public rally. Supporters at the fundraiser were energetic, lively, and ready to provide their emotional and financial backing.

A data-driven tech entrepreneur, the 44-yearold Yang told the crowd at Gas Works that he’d be the first president to use Powerpoint at the State of the Union, which led the crowd to chant, “Powerpoint! Powerpoint!” as the Microsoft application is used by a vast segment of the crowd to conduct meetings.

Yang critiqued Amazon for not having to pay its fair share in taxes, as well as eliminating jobs with automation and the use of artificial intelligence.

He pointed out that the system is flawed where Amazon has not paid federal income taxes in the past two years. He also stressed what he called “the Fourth Industrial Revolution,” as he warned of how the growing trend of using machines instead of people are eliminating jobs, leaving individuals previously employable out of a career.

Originally from New York, his parents emigrated from Taiwan. They met as graduate students while at U.C. Berkeley. He went to undergrad at Brown University in Rhode Island and then went on to Columbia Law School. He joked to the crowd at China Harbor that he was a lawyer for just “5 months” before he left to become an entrepreneur and worked with startups. He is married and has two sons.

The life of a presidential candidate is not all smiles, handshakes, and hugs. But, if you attend a fundraising event to drum up more monetary fuel for the campaign machine, it is a requirement. Yang visited each of the 48 tables to take pictures with supporters. Yang shook hands, gave high fives, and put his arms around many that have thrown their support behind him. The scene looked tiring

as Yang was pulled, pushed, and prodded to each table with everyone having a fleeting moment to say hello and offer their support. Through each table, Yang kept up his excitement, as he smiled for every photo and briefly chatted where he could.

Being an Asian American has not gone unnoticed in his run for the top office in America.

“Thank you for stepping up,” said Washington state Sen. Bob Hasegawa, who attended the fundraiser. “I’m proud of having a viable Asian American candidate.” He added that Yang’s platform when he’s in office was the “most developed” of all the Democratic hopefuls.

Yang joked to the audience at China Harbor, “I never thought I’d run for president. I’m Asian after all.” He greeted the mainly Chinese crowd in Chinese to the applause of all in attendance.

There is the big question of ‘electability’ as an Asian American, an overarching issue of race as a question as to whether most of America would vote for him.

“Right now, if you ask Democrats what the most important feature in a candidate is, they will say it is their ability to beat Donald Trump,” said Yang at the Gas Works Park rally. “I am going to say that the candidate who is best suited to beat Donald Trump is the candidate who is already supporting independents, Libertarians, Trump voters, Democrats, and progressives. The campaign is bringing all Americans together and is the reason why Democrats are going to realize that I am the one who can beat Donald Trump.”

Yang stated that he is polling higher than Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, who is also running for president. His campaign contributions have qualified him for the Democratic debates, which take place this summer. This threshold is a big step toward keeping the campaign going into the fall as it is a gauge of his popularity, as well as the grassroots nature of his campaign.  Jason can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.

SIFF from 8 A more lighthearted feature takes us back to China with protagonist Sasha Li (played by YouTube star Anna Akana), a spoiled fashion-school graduate who is forced to work at her father’s toy factory in Shenzhen. The film “Go Back to China” is loosely based on writer-director Emily Ting’s experience working at her family’s toy factory in China. “Go Back to China” employs the classic trope of spoiled rich girl learns hard lessons, which conjures up references to past Hilary Duff film “Material Girls” or reality shows like “The Simple Life,” a similar schadenfreude with an Asian American twist. We see glimpses of China through a princess lens, where a challenging work environment and the rigidity of tradition is glossed over with a sort of bubblegum sense of humor.

On a completely different sort of factory, we witness in “American Factory” the culture shock between former General Motors (GM) factory workers and their new Chinese employer Cao Dewang, who took over the former GM factory and reopened it as Fuyao Glass America.

The all access look at the transition highlights differences between the Chinese laborers Cao is used to having at his disposal and the American factory workers born of an erstwhile Industrial Revolution era. Despite tensions between the workers’ incentive to unionize and Cao’s insistence that the company could not operate with the presence of a union, the surprising aspect of the

film is the factory workers’ positive embrace of the opportunity to learn from their foreign cohorts. The film offers interesting insight into the heart of America during a precarious political climate where oddly, a Chinese company has sprouted and taken root.

Filmmaker Derek Chiu’s artful “No. 1 Chung Ying Street” traces a history of protest in Hong Kong and compares two seemingly different protests with reconstructed scenes from the 1967 anti-British protests, where left leaning activists vow to support Mao and his teachings to the 2014 pro-democracy “Umbrella Movement.”

Elder Wingkuen (played by Yeung Sau-Churk), having witnessed both protests in his lifetime, is an unobtrusive link between the two protests and the characters involved. Rather than a cause-driven or politically minded film, Wingkuen’s witness poses as an emotional examination of the common threads of activism and Hong Kong’s identity.

The 45th SIFF will close with “The Farewell,” directed by Lulu Wang, where Chinese American Billi (played by Awkwafina, “Oceans 8” and “Crazy Rich Asians”) goes back to China with her family to visit her grandmother, who is diagnosed with terminal cancer. The family decides to keep her diagnosis a secret, using Billi’s cousin’s wedding as an excuse to gather and say their goodbyes.

While this secret is agreed upon by all her family members, Billi struggles with this. She finds it difficult to keep her feelings at bay as she struggles to reconcile the differences between her family’s Eastern outlook and her own. This cultural dissonance is explored throughout the festival with more sobering Chinese films selected this year exploring identity, policy, politics, and migration, and ends with a heartwarming and relatable farewell.  For more information about SIFF, visit siff.net.

Tiffany can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.

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Medicaid resources, combined with regulatory changes has hit us hard, and it looks like should expect more of the same over the coming years.”

Keiro NW, a community-based nonprofit and Seattle’s largest and oldest Asian-Pacific Islander senior care facility, has served more than 20,000 people through several programs.

The Board of Directors decided to

phase out Keiro Rehabilitation and Care Center at 16th and Yesler, Nikkei Horizons (Continuing Education & Travel), home care, and transportation services, and catering by the end of the year.

Corporate and administrative staff serving the organization will also be affected. The Nikkei Manor (Assisted Living) and Kokoro Kai (Adult Day Program) will continue to operate.

“I wish with all my being that we

ACLU from 4 Trina Realmuto, directing attorney with the American Immigration Council, called the ruling part of the administration’s crusade to deter and prevent asylum seekers from requesting protection in the United States.

“We will continue fighting the administration’s use of mass incarceration as a weapon to punish migrants,’’ Realmuto said in a statement.

There were 161,000 asylum applications filed in the last fiscal year and 46,000 in the first quarter of 2019, according to

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would not be forced to make these heartbreaking decisions,” said Fred Kiga, Keiro NW Board Member. “Unless we adopt a more sustainable business model, more will suffer.”

In a news release, Keiro NW said plans are under way to identify alternative accommodations for the residents on Keiro Rehabilitation and Care Center.

In addition, Keiro NW’s management has engaged an outplacement program to help affected employees prepare for the

job market.  A public town hall is scheduled for May 14, 6 to 8 p.m. at Stroum Jewish Center on Mercer Island.

SOLUTION from SUDOKU on page 6.

the Executive Office for Immigration Review, which oversees immigration courts.

The number of decisions by immigration judges that President Donald Trump’s administration has referred to itself for review is unprecedented, according to Sarah Pierce, policy analyst with the Migration Policy Institute. The administration — under both Barr and former Attorney General Jeff Sessions — has reviewed a total of 10 immigration rulings. That’s compared to four under President Barack Obama’s tenure and nine during George W. Bush’s. 

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MAY 11 – MAY 17, 2019

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Comcast launches collection for Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage month

Comcast launched a specially curated content collection on May 1, of Asian American shows, movies, music and podcasts in celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.

The 2,500 hours of content is accessible to all Xfinity X1 customers across platforms and includes hit K-Drama series, “The Fiery Priest”; box office hit, “Lost in Thailand”; and a new series of interviews with popular South Korean boy band NCT 127. Xfinity X1 customers can go right to what they want to watch by saying “Asian American” into their voice remote.

According to a 2017 study from Nielsen, engagement for a range of shows with Asian American characters and plotlines was higher among both Asian Americans and the general population compared to each segment’s norms, indicating that these shows resonate with not only Asian American viewers, but non-Asian viewers as well.

“With this content collection, we hope to showcase the contributions of Asian American talent that enrich the TV, movie, and music experience for all”, said Rebecca Simpson, Executive Director of International Strategy for Comcast.

All month, customers can access entertainment from

popular Korean, Indian, and Japanese networks such as KOCOWA, Eros Now and TV JAPAN; music videos from Music Choice; Stingray Music videos, karaoke content and concerts; TVK-Pop; podcasts like “They Call Us Bruce” from iHeartRadio where hosts Jeff Yang and Phil Yu have unfiltered conversations about what's happening in Asian America; and specialty movie and TV collections dedicated to Anime – one of the most popular genres according to Anime News Network, the Association of Japanese Animations (AJA).

Now through May 31, Xfinity on Demand will feature:

• Nine hours of content from Music Choice – A new series of interviews with BLACKPINK and NCT 127; playlists and music videos from top artists like BTS, Bruno Mars, Kris Wu, Tiffany Young, and Jackson Wang • Free Previews from networks and streaming subscription video on demand services such as -• Anime Network, including top anime movies and TV shows like “No Game No Life Zero” and “Maoyu” • Eros Now, offering South Asian dramas such as “Metro Park”

• TV JAPAN, with dramas like “Natsu” and anime such as “CASE CLOSED” • KOCOWA, including hit K-Drama series: “The Fiery Priest” and “Love in Sadness” • Hi-YAH!, featuring Asian action films: “Drug War,” “Kung Fu Killer,” and “The Assassin” • Well Go USA, offering four select free box office hits: “Lost in Thailand,” “The Thieves,” “The White Haired Witch of Lunar Kingdom,” and “The Beauty Inside” • Game Changers — A collection to celebrate the works of influential Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in entertainment, including actors, comedians, filmmakers, and musicians such as: Jason Momoa (“Aquaman”), Mindy Kaling (“The Mindy Project”), Hirokazu Koreeda (“Shoplifters”), and Steve Aoki (“5OKI”).

• New World Music Experience -- An ongoing collection of artists and content in genres like K-Pop and Bollywood, available through Music Choice, TVK-Pop, Stingray Music Videos, Stingray Karaoke and Stingray Classica and from Pandora, iHeartRadio, and YouTube.  For more information on programming, visit Xfinity.com/AsianAmerican.

Comcast Uniquely Positioned to Bridge Seattle’s Digital Divide

The City of Seattle Technology Access and Adoption study showed that more Seattle residents are connected to the internet than ever before. While this is good news for the 95 percent of Seattle households that report internet access where they live, access to internet and technology resources among low-income residents remains low. Further, disconnected households are disproportionately impoverished and families of color – two groups that would benefit most from internet connection at home.

This gap in access is what we call the “digital divide,” and bridging this gap is critical to workforce and economic development, as well as providing the best possible educational opportunities to our local youth – all of which are vital to the future of our city.

Research examining the digital divide among these households shows some consistent causes. The number one barrier to internet adoption is a complex mix of digital literacy skills and a lack of perceived need or interest in having the internet at home. The second barrier is the lack of an internet capable

computer, and third is the cost of a monthly internet subscription.

This is a troubling problem that Comcast is uniquely positioned to address as a leading home broadband provider in Seattle. That is why we are working with the city to help low-income residents get connected.

Across our footprint, including right here in Seattle, we offer Internet Essentials a comprehensive, holistic and research-based program designed to address each of the barriers to internet adoption head on. Internet Essentials provides low-cost internet access, the option to purchase a heavily discounted computer, and access to a

full suite of print, online and in-person digital literacy resources and training.

Since 2011, we have connected more than six million low-income Americans to the internet at home – most of them for the first time in their lives – including more than 260,000 across Washington and 100,000 in King County. We’ve been growing this program here in the City, and have already served more than 30,000 residents.

Great collaboration between cities and organizations is key to driving adoption of these services. We are working with the city now more than ever before to ensure people get the information they need about our

internet services that support folks with economic challenges.

Internet Essentials is a key part of our partnerships between Comcast and thousands of cities, school districts, libraries, elected officials and nonprofit community partners nationwide.

Locally, we have, and continue to work with great Seattle organizations like Asian Counseling and Referral Service (ACRS), King County Housing Authority, Seattle Goodwill, and the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle.

By collaborating with these civic and community groups, we can enhance their growing technology access programs with Internet Essentials programming, and help them in their efforts ensure everyone in the community has access to the technology resources they need. And, by improving digital adoption rates and connecting more families and individuals to the internet, we can make progress educational achievements and workforce preparedness, in order to give more people a chance to succeed in today’s digital economy.

To learn more about Internet Essentials from Comcast or to apply for the service, visit www.internetessentials. com or call 1-855-846-8376.

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By Amy Lynch Regional Senior Vice President Comcast Washington

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37 YEARS

MAY 11 – MAY 17, 2019

and an origin thing. The focus for them…was that I would be able to focus on my education in hopes that I would have a better life than they had.” Growing up, Chhuor had little exposure to museums, or even pop music.

Like many impacted by the “model minority” expectations, Chhuor, who is ethnically Chinese, thought the best career would involve math and science.

Yet, he loved stories. He didn’t yet know how much, or how important his own story would become. A visit from the Seattle Opera to Chhuor’s high school in Bellevue was a sign. Chhuor recalls, “This was a pivotal moment in my life where I was introduced to an art form, to a community, that it would have taken me another decade or two to experience.” A busy, exhausted student, with little knowledge at that time of what opera was, Chhuor’s first experience was mixed. “I fell asleep,” he laughs. But opera kept coming into his life.

At Seattle University, Chhuor enrolled in the Honors Program, an intense academic tour of the humanities, and stories. Opera came in the form of a music class taught by Perry Lorenzo, the then-Director of Education at Seattle Opera.

“It was like this whole world had opened up that no one had bothered to invite me into before,” remarks Chhuor. Typically, lack of income and lack of exposure cause non-Caucasian populations to be underserved when it comes to the arts.

Lorenzo showed Chhuor how to imagine the story inside of a piece of music. During an internship with Lorenzo at the Opera, Chhuor learned about donor relations and the connection of the arts to the community. He learned that we are each the authors of our own stories. It became clear Chhuor needed to rethink his educational path. Science and math no longer held the same appeal, so Chhuor decided to take charge of his story by earning two degrees — in history and business administration.

Photos by Kai Curry.

CHHUOR from 1

Chhuor feels at home at Seattle Opera.

Chhuor introduces the impressive new Opera Center costume space.

“If there’s any overlap between my business school world and my history, art, and music world, it’s that I’m focused on the power of stories,” he contends.

After college, and a preliminary stint in the world of finance, Chhuor spent a year in Bangkok. It was a breakthrough in his understanding of who he was.

“I have always had an outsider’s perspective because I wasn’t Cambodian, fully, I’m not really Chinese either, and I grew up in America.” Chhuor recalls being uncomfortable in his own skin as a youngster, speaking English loudly and clearly to emphasize his Americanness, and unwilling to demonstrate cultural traits at school. “I didn’t want to bring stinky fish [for lunch]. I wanted to bring a sandwich,” he recalls. “Thailand was life changing because for once in my life, I didn’t feel like I had to prove anything.”

Another overseas stay, this time in London working for an investment bank, allowed Chhuor to take advantage of London’s inexpensive access to cultural venues. Yet something was still missing. He returned to the United States asking himself, “Am I making a difference?” Volunteerism and nonprofits

appealed, so he split his time between Global Visionaries, a group which empowers youth to become global citizens, and Seattle Tilth, who gave him his first job as a communications manager in the nonprofit world. But Chhuor realized, at no fault of Seattle Tilth’s, “I can only talk about chickens and bees and plants for so long.” His own story demanded attention. “I missed social justice aspects. I missed telling stories of true impact.”

It was then Chhuor began “living the dream” as a communications manager at Asian Counseling and Referral Services (ACRS). At ACRS, Chhuor advocated for issues he cared about and improved himself as a fundraiser.

“ACRS in so many ways gave me the chance to grow as a professional and the chance to establish roots in my identity as an Asian American,” he says. Fundraising would turn out to be the way Chhuor could help others tell their stories while supporting his own.

Flash forward to an ad for a job opening at Seattle Opera. The job description feels like it was written for Chhuor. And the timing was perfect. The Opera had just opened its

new Opera Center, with dedicated space for community programming and education.

Here was an opportunity to utilize his fundraising skills while promoting diversity and telling stories. Chhuor explains that with the new center, there will be “renewed focus on making opera more accessible to more people…the idea is that we invite other cultural organizations to partner with us and that we invite new and different audiences to come in and experience music, art, drama, opera.”

Seattle Opera made promising overtures when, prior to showing Madame Butterfly in 2017, they sought feedback from the AAPI community.

“It was amazing to me to hear that they were leaning into discussions that were uncomfortable,” recalls Chhuor. In his new position, Chhuor is confident he is in good company. “My colleagues are committed to the same thing, and we have folks of color at all levels of the organization, from director level to associate level.” Brainstorming sessions include discussion about cultural appropriation and equity. Now, with his extensive background in advocating for the AAPI community, Chhuor has a voice at what was historically a white-dominated table — and is no longer.

Seattle Opera is open to telling its stories to an expanded audience that includes Asian Americans. If the stories still seem unrelatable, remember they are almost always about “the other” — someone who does not at first seem to fit in. Someone who wants to eat fish instead of a sandwich. Yet someone whose integration into society makes everyone the richer, such as Carmen, the main figure in the opera now playing through May 19. As Chhuor discovered, we all have a right to our own stories. Chhuor has taken charge of his, and will help Seattle Opera tell theirs.  Kai can be reached at info@nwasianweekly. com.

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