VOL 39 NO 21 | MAY 23 - MAY 29, 2020 by Northwest Asian Weekly

PRSRT STD U.S. Postage Paid Permit No. 746 Seattle, WA

VOL 39 NO 21 MAY 23 – MAY 29, 2020 FREE 38 YEARS YOUR VOICE

‘Completely different ballgame’ ID restaurants prepare for return of in-person dining

Photo credit: Dennis Wise

Photo by John Liu

Man endures racist taunts, said SPD was unresponsive

Harry Chan (2nd from right) and his family included roses for customers getting take out on Mother’s Day at Tai Tung.

By Jake Goldstein-Street NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY

Kert Lin

By Ruth Bayang NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY Insignificant. Unseen. Ignored. That’s how Kert Lin, 35, of Seattle felt, as he heard someone yell “Chink, open your eyes, go

Social Distancing Life 5

back to China!” when he pulled into the parking lot of Home Depot on 2701 Utah Avenue South, just outside the International District (ID) on May 12.

Publisher’s Blog 6

see RACIST TAUNTS on 12

Book recommendations 8

With COVID-19 forcing restaurants to close down in-person dining, Tai Tung restaurant owner Harry Chan says business has been cut in half. But that doesn’t mean he wants seated customers at his King Street restaurant in the heart of the International District just yet. “I am in no rush to open for dine-in right now,” Chan said. And yet with half capacity in-person dining possible in the next few weeks, the state says restaurants need to build a plan if they’re going to move to this next stage.

“Now is the time to start planning,” said Joe Graham, food safety program supervisor at the Washington State Department of Health. But dining won’t look the same for those who choose to eat out. In order to have diners sit down, restaurants must follow more than a dozen rules outlined by the state, including limiting tables to five guests, ample hand sanitizer for patrons and staff, rearranged seating to ensure tables are 6 feet apart, and single-use condiments and menus. It is also “strongly suggested” customers wear a cloth face mask when they’re not seated. Local health departments see RESTAURANTS on 11

By Mahlon Meyer NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY Standing in front of a large easel pad, a teacher shows a drawing of a student with a birthday cake. “I pictured Lore at her cake with her family all around singing,” she says. But the classroom is empty. And stuffed animals on the floor are the only spectators.

■

The scene is from one of hundreds of videos created by the Seattle Public Schools (SPS) in response to the closure of schools during the novel coronavirus pandemic. It reflects both the ingenuity and desperation of teachers, educators, and administrators as they try to reach the most marginalized students during a crisis unprecedented in modern times. “No matter how school

looks, we are in a different era of public education,” said Denise Juneau, superintendent of SPS, during a video meeting organized by the Asian Pacific Directors’ Coalition (APDC) on May 15. “We are going to have to lean on technology for a while,” she said. That is only one of the challenges facing educators see EDUCATORS on 10

Photo courtesy of Seattle Public Schools

Educators innovate to reach marginalized students A teacher offers a reading lesson in the studio of SPS-TV

Denise Juneau

Mia Tuan

Dr. Shouan Pan

412 Maynard Ave. S., Seattle, WA 98104 • t. 206.223.5559 • f. 206.223.0626 • editor@nwasianweekly.com • ads@nwasianweekly.com • www.nwasianweekly.com

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MAY 23 – MAY 29, 2020

■ NAMES IN THE NEWS ACRS co-founder Sue Tomita dies

Dr. Susan Tomita died on May 10 after a difficult illness, according to her partner, Gregory Piercy. She was 74 years old. A well known and well respected women’s health researcher, Tomita was a co-founder of Asian Counseling and Referral Service and she earned Dr. Susan Tomita a PhD in Social Work from the University of Washington. She also helped found the Asian Community Health Clinic, Filipino Drop-in Center, and Asian Social Workers of Greater Seattle, among many others. Friend Vivian Lee said, “I was an admirer of her highly praised research and papers about the health and welfare of older women, especially abuse in elderly clients of color.” There will not be a memorial or remembrance until after Phase 4 of Gov. Jay Inslee’s mandate. 

carried on his lessons in Bellevue. Xie Jian described his father as upright, kind, hardworking, and thrifty. “While his every word and deed are not for us to follow, our venerable teacher gave us not only the method of taijiquan but even more so the truth at the level of ideas and soul. His spirit inspires us and will lead us onward,” Xie Jian wrote in a eulogy. Due to the pandemic, no memorial service is planned at this time. 

Ron Chew memoir

powerment, American ethnic studies, Asian American arts, Japanese American redress, and revitalization of the Chinatown-International District. In “My Unforgotten Seattle,” to be released in October, Chew describes the tight-knit community, small family shops, chop suey restaurants, and sewing factories that have now vanished, and leaders like Bob Santos, Ruth Woo, Al Sugiyama, Roberto Maestas, and Kip Tokuda. Chew has served as editor of the International Examiner and as executive director of the Wing Luke Museum. 

Filipino WWII veteran Escolástico ‘Scotty’ Galarosa dies

Tai chi teacher Xie Bingcan dies

Xie Bingcan, born in 1934 in Yuyao, China, died last month in Redmond of pancreatic cancer. He was 85. Xie taught tai chi for over 40 years—he was also a practitioner of Chinese medicine and a member of the International Medical Xie Bingcan Qigong Society. Right until the time of his passing, Xie was traveling regularly to China to teach, even as he

38 YEARS

Seattle historian and journalist Ron Chew has written a memoir in which he highlights the city’s unsung champions in the fight for racial inclusion, political em-

Escolástico ‘Scotty’ Galarosa, a Filipino World War II veteran in the greater Seattle area, died peacefully on May 8, according to his daughter, Julita. He was 103 years old. “He had a great life, he was ready to go,” Julita said. Up until his death, Galarosa was one of only three living members of Bataan Corregidor Survivors Association Escolástico ‘Scotty’ Galarosa and Their Families (BCSA&TF). He was also a recipient of the Filipino Veterans of WWII Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2015. In Seattle, only two other BCSA&TF member veterans are still living— Sergio Evalle and Cesar Mijares. 

YOUR VOICE

■ COMMUNITY NEWS

MAY 23 – MAY 29, 2020

asianweekly northwest

Seattle sees first case of Viet-Wah burglarized childhood disease tied to virus

Someone broke into Viet-Wah Supermarket at 1032 South Jackson Street on May 11, stealing cash, cigarettes, and lighters, and breaking two cash registers. The burglars also tried to break into the ATM, unsuccessfully. No one was hurt. Viet-Wah posted on Facebook, “Unfortunately that means we’re down to 2 out of our 4 lanes right now, so thank you in advance for your patience if the checkout lines are longer than usual.” 

SEATTLE (AP) — Seattle has had its first confirmed case of a rare inflammatory disease in children closely tied to COVID-19. The disease being called “pediatric multisystem inflammatory syndrome“ was identified and treated at Seattle Children’s Hospital, KUOW reported. King County Public Health said the patient was a resident of Snohomish County and there have been no other confirmed cases in the area. It involves a “hyper response’’ of the child’s immune system to the virus, according to Dr. Michael Portman, who directs pediatric cardiovascular research at Children’s. It can lead to inflammation of the blood vessels, and affect the heart’s arteries, leading to coronary aneurysms. In similar diseases, that can lead to lifelong heart issues, Portman said. The syndrome is rare and most children infected with the virus develop only mild illness.

The disease is being linked to COVID-19, Portman said, because almost all of the patients have had confirmed cases of the virus, positive antibody tests, or known exposure. Portman said it is very similar and at times appears almost identical to a disease called “Kawasaki disease,’’ which was identified in Japan in the 1960s. According to Portman, Kawasaki disease is fairly common at Seattle Children’s. Around 30% patients at Children’s with Kawasaki disease are of Asian descent, Portman said. But the disease “seems to affect Hispanic and black children more severely’’ due to a “more robust inflammatory response.’’ Portman’s advice to parents is “not to freak out,’’ but if a child has a persistent fever, which is a symptom, he recommends getting it checked. 

The search for 100 stories With Gov. Jay Inslee’s COVID-19 “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order enforced, and lots of people moving in or displaced out of Beacon Hill, the question is, “How do we keep our community together during the time of COVID-19 and beyond? Historically, Beacon Hill welcomed displaced people of color from racial red-lining, Chinese Americans from the Alien Land Act, Japanese Americans from World War II incarceration, Southeast Asians including Cambodian, Laotian, and Vietnamese from the Vietnam

War, and Africans such as Eritrean and Somali refugees from local civil wars. This open arms practice resulted in Beacon Hill’s population close to 80% people of color, 44% immigrants and refugees with only 36% of them speaking English well, and 1 out of 5 low-income, according to the last Census count. The Beacon Hill Council (BHC) decided to find and preserve the diverse stories, welcoming ways, and struggles of Beacon Hill. From now until the end of June, the BHC Cultural & Historic Preservation Task

Force will gather 100 stories of significant and special people, places, and events, both past and present.  With found time at home, the Task Force is hoping that Beacon Hill residents will participate enthusiastically in the 100 Stories Project. The survey is also available online at beaconhillcouncilseattle.org. For more information, contact Michelle Ishimitsu at SBH100stories@gmail.com.

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KING COUNTY NOTICE TO BIDDERS Sealed bids will be received for C01438C20, Sealcoat and Asphalt Maintenance Work Order 2020-2021; by the King County Procurement and Payables Section, via email, at procurement.submittals@kingcounty.gov, until 1:30 PM on June 2, 2020. Late bids will not be accepted. There is a 5% minimum requirement for King County Certified Small Contractors and Suppliers (SCS) on this contract. The Work under this Contract will require a Contractor to be available to mobilize and perform pavement sealcoats, curb replacement and asphalt patching to King County Transit Bases, Transit Centers and Park-and-Ride lots located throughout King County, Washington. The Work will be performed under a series of Work Order packages in accordance with the Contract Documents. Estimated contract price: $500,000.00 Complete Invitation to Bid Documents, including all project details, specifications, and contact information are available on our web page at: https://procurement.kingcounty.gov/ procurement_ovr/default.aspx

asianweekly northwest

■ LETTERS

MAY 23 – MAY 29, 2020

38 YEARS

Reader shares her disappointment with SPD Dear Editor, I read your article (online) about the incident that happened to Kert Lin. I thought about leaving a comment on the article but it became more about my story instead so I’m writing you to share my story. I’m so disappointed with the Seattle Police Department (SPD). Something

similar happened to me in March at Fred Meyer in Lake City. A white man made a judgmental comment about me wearing a mask, then he coughed on my grocery cart on purpose. The incident was caught on video and the security manager at Fred Meyer made a copy on a DVD. My case was sent to the homicide division in SPD but no action was taken at all. The case sergeant felt sorry for me personally

that the man was rude, but he told me that since I was not injured, Seattle law doesn’t assign any detectives in cases like this. I’ve been feeling ignored, less valued, and extremely disappointed. Also, the man who coughed on my groceries on purpose, is walking out there freely, without any consequences, possibly attacking more people. It’s been two months since the incident but I’m

still very anxious about going outside. It has been definitely affecting me psychologically. I wanted to share another story about SPD’s ignorance and the lack of responsibility.  — Naoko Armstrong

Reader takes issue with editorial on Trump scapegoating immigrants Dear Asian Weekly,

I find your editorial (April 25 issue) very biased and your justification flawed.

As a retired nurse, I worked with immigrant nurses. I found them no better or worse than American. I would see no need to give up my position for one of them. Now I see no need for my grandson, studying

■ VIRTUAL CALENDAR MAY 18-30

MAYOR ED LEE WATCH PARTY chsa.org

20 THROUGH JUN 24

EVERY WEDNESDAY COVID-19: PIVOTING TO RECOVERY AND SUSTAINABLE GROWTH 5:30-6:30 p.m. Register at https://bit. ly/35ysQPz

MOHAI — HISTORY CAFÉ: Resilience Past and Present in the Chinatown International District 6:30 p.m. Live Webinar Register at mohai.org THE PUBLIC HEALTH RESPONSE TO COVID-19 IN ZHEJIANG PROVINCE AND WASHINGTON STATE 5-6:30 p.m. Register at shorturl.at/ntvz2

21 FIGHTING ANTI-ASIAN RACISM DURING THE COVID CRISIS AND BEYOND 7 p.m. Register for online meeting: https://bit.ly/2WIPJeQ

RADICAL WOMEN’S ASIAN/ PACIFIC AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH MEETING 7 p.m. Register at radicalwomen.org THROUGH JUN 25

BYSTANDER INTERVENTION TRAINING TO STOP ANTI-ASIAN/AMERICAN AND XENOPHOBIC HARASSMENT Register at ihollaback.org/ bystanderintervention

medicine, to sacrifice his career choice to a foreigner.  — Gleora Folsom Edmonds, WA

23-25

GLOBAL HEALTH SECURITY AND COVID-19 12-1 p.m. Register at https://bit.ly/2SYKlmU

NORTHWEST FOLKLIFE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SEATTLE CENTER, “FROM HOME TO HOME” 11 a.m. nwfolklifestreaming.org

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KOLLABORATION PRESENTS EMPOWERED CONFERENCE YouTube and Facebook Live empower.kollaboration.org

23 LUCKY GRANDMA WATCH PARTY WITH MICHAEL TOW 9 p.m. shorturl.at/bJX06

View the solution on page 10

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The only weekly English-language newspaper serving Washington’s Asian community. The NW Asian Weekly has one simple goal: “To empower the Asian community.” The Editorial Board reserves the right to reject any advertisement, letter or article. Subscriptions cost $40 for 52 weeks of the NW Asian Weekly and $30 for 52 weeks of the Seattle Chinese Post. The NW Asian Weekly owns the copyright for all its content. All rights reserved. No part of this paper may be reprinted without permission. 412 Maynard Ave. S., Seattle, WA 98104 • t. 206.223.5559 editor@nwasianweekly.com • ads@nwasianweekly.com • www.nwasianweekly.com

YOUR VOICE

■ PICTORIAL

MAY 23 – MAY 29, 2020

asianweekly northwest

SOCIAL DISTANCING Pike Place Market (Photo by Assunta Ng)

Most parks, such as this at Golden Garden, are open but will closed at 8 p.m. daily. Parking lots remain closed. (Photo by Becky Chan) Dealing with a pandemic is not a walk on the beach, but a walk on the beach helps. (Photo by Becky Chan)

WE’D LOVE TO SEE HOW YOU PRACTICE SOCIAL DISTANCING. PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR PHOTO(S) WITH A CAPTION TO EDITOR@ NWASIANWEEKLY.COM

Cooking through COVID-19 continues with garlic-mint chicken, arugula salad, and organic farmed asparagus (Photo by Page Perey)

FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING, BE COUNTED. CENSUS

We’re here. We count. Complete the census.

2020 2020census.gov

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38 YEARS

MAY 23 – MAY 29, 2020

■ PUBLISHER’S BLOG

It’s time to eat more seafood, less meat

Oyster soup

Oysters stir-fried with onions

Shiitake stir-fried with prawns

Steamed fish heads and boiled lobster tails

Steamed salmon. Belly fat on both ends of the fish.

Stir-fried lobster with potatoes

Yellow pepper stir-fried with razor clams

By Assunta Ng NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY

The price of meat has not only jumped up 20% to 30%, some stores limit you to buying no more than two or three packages. If your family normally serves meat for dinner, why not try seafood instead? Healthy and tasty, seafood also presents a lot of possibilities in cooking. Nutritionists often recommend salmon since it is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, proteins, vitamins, and minerals. I favor the fatty part of salmon, the belly. I would buy salmon only if it has a chunk of white fat. I am afraid to devour any beef fat or pork fat (lard), which form plaque in your brain, and clog your arteries. But salmon stomach is easy to digest and vital for your brain. About 60% of our brain is made of fat. We need beneficial fats to nourish our brain. My friend joked that I shouldn’t write about the benefits of salmon belly, inviting competitors. “You won’t be able to buy salmon bellies later,” she warned me. I like to share good things with my readers. Besides, weightconscious Americans would avoid any type of fats. Many seafoods are now in season, such as razor clams and shrimp. We are blessed to have a variety of seafood in the Pacific Northwest. Supermarkets usually feature a “catch of the day,” which is supposed to be fresh and specially priced compared to other items. Don’t be afraid to ask for what you want because the store might not display everything. For instance, you can ask for halibut cheeks, heads, tails, fillets, meat with bones, or just the bones. Always make friends with the fish guy because if he likes you, he might throw in a small piece of other seafood to sample.

to be perfect, but still good. The other day, I made walnut prawns, a popular dish in Chinese restaurants. Despite the fact that I had never cooked it, I went to YouTube and watched two different tutorials, and began improvising. The tutors deep-fried the prawns, and poured too much brown sugar for the sauce. Instead, I pan-fried the prawns and used half the amount of brown sugar and less milk and mayonnaise listed in the recipes. My dish was delicious, less greasy, and healthier.

Cooking seafood is just like cooking meat, except the timing is critical. Unlike cooking meat without oil, seafood tastes better and marinated with a little bit of oil, along with other ingredients, to prevent it from getting dry during the cooking process. Always include ginger, garlic, and a little pepper to get rid of the fishy taste and smell. Another tip is to marinate the seafood with your regular ingredients and then cover it with a

Photos by Assunta Ng

Baked oysters

The coronavirus pandemic has led to a spike in meat prices, and a few friends have converted to vegetarianism. Well, not exactly. The truth is far more complicated. Studies have found that over indulgence in red meat can cause all types of health issues, including heart disease, stroke, obesity, cancer, and diabetes. Earlier research showed that eating chicken’s white meat is more healthy than beef. However, those findings have been challenged recently. White meat is reportedly just as harmful to our cholesterol level as red meat—and linked to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease. So we have been fooled for decades! The recent meat shortage is now a legitimate cause for my friends to begin their vegetarian lifestyle. My son asked, “Mom, are you going to be a pescatarian?” I had to Google what that meant.. Pescatarian means someone’s diet includes seafood and vegetables, but no other meat. No way, will I give up meat! I just eat less meat! Even knowing these unflattering facts about meat, I can never be a vegetarian. We have our vices—we love steak. But I don’t cook a lot of beef at home, nor do I have any butter in my fridge. Once in a while, we venture into a steakhouse and treat ourselves with a filet mignon or prime rib. For us, it’s a shared course— bone-in steak or rack of lamb—I get the meat linked with bone and my husband gets the rest of the steak. There is no need for us to fight for our favorite pieces. Our healthy diet consists of more vegetables and seafood. At least two to three times a week, we have fish or other types of seafood for dinner. Fish offers good fats. Even though many fish contain mercury, nutritionists say the benefits outweigh the harm. With the pandemic preventing us from dining out, our consumption of beef has dropped dramatically. With several kinds of seafood in season, I don’t really miss beef. Nothing beats fresh seafood. I know my husband would definitely choose beef. I don’t know if it’s a man thing. To be fair, I have a lot of female friends who are also crazy about steak.

Time for seafood

Secrets of cooking seafood

How can you grill or bake fish and still have it be tender and moist? How can you stir-fry your razor clams to retain its natural crispness? How do you steam or boil your lobster to be perfect and tender? Most Americans tend to overcook seafood, and thus, the texture of the fish, clams, scallops, or crabs becomes tough and unpalatable. For those who don’t cook seafood often, you shouldn’t be intimidated. Experiment with not only different temperatures and cooking times, but cooking styles and ingredients. If you enjoyed what you ate in a restaurant, try making it at home. It may not turn out

see BLOG on 9

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YOUR VOICE

MAY 23 – MAY 29, 2020

■ ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

asianweekly northwest

PBS’ “Asian Americans” explores prejudice and perseverance By TERRY TANG ASSOCIATED PRESS A century of racist attacks detailed in the new PBS documentary series “Asian Americans’’ might have felt like ancient history just a few months ago. But through the lens of the coronavirus pandemic, being painted as a foreign enemy has become all too familiar. Hundreds of Asian Americans have reported verbal and physical assaults since the nation’s first infections surfaced in January. Even in cities with large Asian communities, people have hurled century-old slurs like “Chinaman.” Daniel Dae Kim, a Korean American actor known for TV’s “Lost” and “Hawaii Five-0,” faced racist trolling when he shared his COVID-19 diagnosis on Instagram in March. Kim, who narrates the documentary with actress Tamlyn Tomita, has recovered and feels “back to 100%.’’ “It’s been very eye-opening to see how much prejudice still exists in America and how deep seated it seems to be. But it’s part of the price one pays for speaking out, even against something as seemingly universal as injustice,’’ Kim said in an email to The Associated Press. The five-episode series is a sweeping look at Asian Americans’ impact on society, politics and pop culture from the mid-19th century through 9/11. Produced by Asian American filmmakers, the show features reflections from U.S. Sen. Tammy

Duckworth, “Fresh Off the Boat’’ star Randall Park, and a host of people from other industries. There are also interviews with descendants whose family stories are heavily featured. May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, when Asians’ contributions to the American landscape are often highlighted. The virus-related attacks, however, have been a stark reminder of how quickly Asian Americans can go from neighbor to scapegoat. In a Los Angeles Times editorial last month, Korean American actor John Cho wrote how “belonging is conditional. One moment we are Americans, the next we are all foreigners, who ‘brought’ the virus here.’’ That anti-Asian sentiment is all the more reason the documentary needs to be seen now, Kim said. “Those who forget history are

condemned to repeat it,’’ Kim said. “Asian Americans have a unique history in America. It’s one that should be celebrated as an indispensable part of our nation’s history.’’ Renee Tajima-Pena, a series producer and professor of Asian American studies at the University of California, Los Angeles, had the monumental task of deciding how to fit decades of history into just five hours. She began with the arrival of Chinese railroad workers in the 1800s. “We start at a time where we can still find people, if they’re descendants, with pictures and photographs,’’ Tajima-Pena said. “On the one hand, there was choosing which stories we felt were most important to tell. On the other hand, it’s TV. We have to make sure it’s something that’s watchable and the audience can engage with.’’ The series covers well-known events

like the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, the World War II incarceration of Japanese Americans, and the 1982 beating death of Vincent Chin in Detroit. But it also delves into lesser-known moments, like a 1965 labor strike organized by Filipino farmworkers in California, and spotlights people you may not recognize, like Patsy Mink, a Japanese American who in 1964 was the first woman of color elected to Congress. There’s also an interview with Tereza Lee, who inspired the now-stalled DREAM Act that would have given a path to citizenship for young people brought to the U.S. illegally as children. Comedian Hari Kondabolu, known for his documentary “The Problem With Apu,’’ speaks in the series about post9/11 treatment of Muslim Americans and Southeast Asian Americans. The coronavirus-related racism has drawn comparison to that time. Like Kondabolu did in 2001, many young Asian Americans are now facing outright hate for the first time. “I had never been targeted the way I had been in 9/11. That shaped how I viewed this country,’’ he said at a recent virtual town hall. “The generation after 9/11 ... they’re gonna have to question where we are now. It’s going to inform how they will see the world.’’ He’s glad that the challenges and see PBS on 11

asianweekly northwest

38 YEARS

MAY 23 – MAY 29, 2020

■ ON THE SHELF

Book recommendations

By Samantha Pak NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY

While Chandra initially appears to be a man who is set in his ways and views the world in a certain way, as the story progresses, we see him become more open to new things and experiences once he realizes he needs to make changes in his life. Balasubramanyam does a great job of showing how complicated family can be. Just because you love a family member, doesn’t mean you always get along. Each member of Chandra’s family— from his three children to his ex-wife and her new husband—are three-dimensional with many layers to them. They have dreams, ideals, and ambitions of their own and we get to see what happens when reality doesn’t match up with what they envision.

Aru Shah and the Tree of Wishes By Roshani Chokshi Rick Riordan Presents, 2020

Last Tang Standing By Lauren Ho G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 2020

The war between good and evil is coming and Aru Shah and her Pandava soul sisters are preparing for battle. When they learn the Sleeper—the demon they’re preparing to face—is going after a clairvoyant and her sister, they launch a rescue mission. Only to learn the twins are actually their newest Pandava sisters. And according to a prophecy, one of the Pandava sisters is not true. This leads Aru and her friends on another quest—this time to find the Kalpavriksha, the wish-granting tree that came out of the Ocean of Milk when it was churned. In this third installment of Chokshi’s Pandava series, we find our heroines a year older and they have really grown into their abilities. Aru and her soul sisters, Mini and Brynne, have also learned to work together and play off of each others’ strengths. For those who have been with Aru and the gang from the beginning, it’s fun to see how the group has grown. My personal favorite has been watching Mini grow from a quiet, shy hypochondriac to someone who knows how to assert herself. All of the characters in “Tree of Wishes” are complex and multifaceted, from the soul sisters to Aiden and Rudy, the two boys who join the girls on their quest. And because the story is told from Aru’s perspective, we see all of the things she is struggling with, especially when it comes to her father and the fear that she may be the “untrue” sister. While this is a story about a group of young people trying to save the world, it is also about family, the kind you’re born into, as well as the one you create. All of the teens (because they are all teens now) have issues and insecurities but what is great about the group is that they have come to understand one another, where people are coming from and are there for each other.

Professor Chandra Follows His Bliss By Rajeev Balasubramanyam The Dial Press, 2019 As

internationally

renowned

economist who has advised world leaders, Professor Chandra is a favorite to receive the Nobel Prize for economics. But sadly, this year, he lost. Again. In the wake of his recent loss, Chandra falls victim to a bicycle hit-and-run accident and has a silent heart attack at the same time. And it’s not his life that flashes before his eyes. It’s his work. All that hard work, only to lose the prize once more. So he knows he needs to get straight back to work. But his doctor disagrees. His doctor advises the divorced father of three children to follow his bliss— whatever that may be. The only problem is, Chandra’s bliss is his work. Or so he thinks. As Chandra sets out to figure out his bliss, readers are given a glimpse into his life leading up to that point and how he got to where he is. A big part of that is his relationship with his son, Sunny, and two daughters, Radha and Jasmine. None of the relationships is easy. Chandra doesn’t always know how to be around his children but as he embarks on this journey toward his bliss, he comes to understand who they are, what they need from him, and what he needs from them.

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At 33, Andrea Tang’s life is a dream. She’s a successful corporate lawyer on track to make partner, lives in a fancy condo, and has a group of great friends who know all of the hottest clubs in Singapore. So what if she doesn’t have a

man in her life? After one of her cousins gets engaged, she becomes the last single Tang of her generation and the pressure for her to get married ramps up. Enter Eric Deng, a wealthy entrepreneur who checks all the right boxes for her family. On paper, Eric is perfect but it’s Suresh Aditparan, her office rival, who she often finds herself thinking about. And soon she starts to wonder if pleasing her family will really make her happy. “Last Tang Standing” is a story about figuring out what’s right for you. In addition to sorting out her confusing love life, Andrea also begins wondering if the job she has dedicated so many hours to is really what she wants. For readers, it becomes clear quite early on that it’s not, and it is fun to see how Andrea comes to that realization. Andrea is an interesting character. She’s stubborn, impulsive, and doesn’t always heed others’ good advice (which can have disastrous results). And she’s a modern woman trying to do what’s right for herself while still trying to please her Chinese-Malaysian mother. This balancing act is something many children of immigrants have and Ho does a great job of showing readers that things aren’t always black and white. In addition to Andrea, Ho’s secondary characters are also complex and complicated, from Andrea’s best friend Linda, whose own journey is quite the roller coaster, to Andrea’s mother, who has her own reasons for being so hard on her daughters. While the story is told from Andrea’s point of view, it would have been fun to delve a little deeper into some of these characters’ stories. But I guess that’s what sequels and spinoffs are for.  Samantha can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.

MAY 23 – MAY 29, 2020

YOUR VOICE

■ EDITORIAL

asianweekly northwest

Morales, Mosqueda, Sawant seek to sneak in a bill past Chinatown residents Hand picking a few people in the community who will further your agenda?? Really? Seattle City Councilmembers Tammy Morales, Teresa Mosqueda, and Kshama Sawant… are you listening? A Change.org petition against Council Bill (CB) 119796 has garnered close to 2,500 signatures in 48 hours—signed by residents, business owners, visitors, and elders of the Chinatown International-District (CID). The bill seeks to restrict the Navigation Team’s authority to remove unsanctioned encampments—the same Navigation Team that removed two unauthorized encampments this week in response to growing public health and safety concerns: On May 20, the encampment under the I-5 freeway on King Street, and on May 21, the encampment on South Weller Street from 12th Avenue South to Rainier Avenue South. The City’s Homelessness Response Blog stated the encampments were removed “based on recent public safety issues ... deteriorating conditions … including human biowaste, needles, garbage … Additionally, the Seattle BLOG from 6 layer of Miracle Whip or mayonnaise. This will seal the juices and flavors inside the fish. You can also wrap the fish in foil before baking in an oven. Many cookbook recipes advise higher temperatures than I follow. If the recipe says the seafood should be cooked at 400 degrees for half an hour, I would bake it longer at a lower heat, 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes for each pound. Don’t follow those recipes word for word. In fact, if you bake two pieces of fish, one piece might be done before the other. If that’s the case, take out the piece that is done, and give the other a little bit more time. You might not get it right the first time, but you will by the second or third time. For oysters, I can boil them in hot chicken broth for 3-4 minutes, and I can have oyster soup, too. Add a few shredded pieces of ginger and scallions. When the oysters are cooked, dip them in fish sauce or soy sauce. If you broil oysters, marinate them with garlic salt (or a little soy sauce), green onion and ginger, and a couple drops of oil or butter. You can space them apart on a rack. If you are not successful, don’t worry. You can always order fresh seafood in Chinese restaurants, cooked the way you like.

Asian supermarkets

In any Asian supermarket, seafood is a huge

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Fire Department has reported 23 fires in the area of the two encampments related to homelessness since March 1, presenting an immediate fire and safety hazard.” Community member Sue-May Eng said, “There’s nothing in [CB 119796] as far as an exception for camp removal when it comes to public safety… whether there’s crime, drug dealing, shootings, or stabbings.” The petition reads, “We have heard Councilmember Morales say that the CID does not support encampment removal. None of us have been contacted by Councilmember Morales as she claimed.” Eng said, “I think [the Councilmembers] know if they want backing, they know what pocket of the neighborhood to talk to get someone to say something that supports what they’re trying to do.” Chong Wa Benevolent Association President Mei-Jui Lin said the City needs to truly engage with the community as a whole, not just a few yes-men. “We want to help [the homeless],” said Lin. “But it’s not fair to say that you can’t remove them. We need a solid plan

attraction. If they don’t have it, they cannot survive. Asian immigrants eat a lot of seafood. We glorify live and fresh seafood. Inside the Asian supermarkets, its fish tanks are filled with live crabs, lobsters, clams, oysters, tilapias, and, sometimes, live shrimp and scallops. The tanks are stacked on one another so the fish guys have to climb on a ladder to get your pick of seafood. For lobsters and crab, I ask them to crack it into several small pieces. If they are not busy, they would do it. But if they are busy, they just chop the crab or lobster into four pieces. So my husband has to re-cut them into smaller pieces when we get home. Many Asian supermarkets model their seafood department just like those in Asia. When I went back to visit my family in Hong Kong, my mother would go to a market and buy a live rock cod and steam the fish. It was always the highlight of my first dinner home. I would aim at the fish stomach first, then the fins and finally, its head. I don’t waste anything. It’s just the way I eat it, ever since I was a child. Here in America, you have to pay for different items separately. What’s for dinner tonight? You can decide when you visit the Asian supermarket.  Assunta can be reached at assunta@nwasianweekly.com.

in place to help them long term… to put them in a safe, healthy place within a reasonable time frame.” Lin wrote an open letter to the City Council last week about this issue and said she got no response from Morales. Both Lin and Eng are worried that the City Council is trying to sneak in this bill under the radar, without community input. “They are taking advantage of the COVID-19 situation with people unable to be at City Hall and speak in person and physically protest,” said Eng. The Council is set to decide on CB 119796 on May 27. The bill’s sponsors are: Tammy Morales 206-684-8802, tammy.morales@seattle.gov Kshama Sawant 206-684-8803, kshama.sawant@seattle.gov Teresa Mosqueda 206-684-8808, teresa.mosqueda@seattle.gov Petition is at shorturl.at/sDMQ9

Stir-fried lobster or crab (under 2 pounds) 1. Chop into small pieces. 2. Pour ginger, garlic, and scallions in the wok or pan and sprinkle a little salt, then stir-fry in high heat for 15 to 20 seconds. 3. Pour the chopped crab or lobster in the wok and stirfry for about one and a half to two minutes. During that time, keep stirring the food. While stir-frying, pay attention to how quickly the seafood is cooking, and adjust your timing. 4. If you add another ingredient like yellow pepper, precook it before combining with the lobster. 5. Turn off the heat, and cover with a lid for 30 to 45 seconds to let the crab or lobster and other ingredients, cook itself and absorb the juices.

Stir-fried razor clams 1. Drain and wipe all the excess water after washing. Six to eight clams will be enough for two people. 2. Cut them into small pieces. 3. Pour ginger, garlic, and scallions in the wok or pan and sprinkle a little salt, then stir-fry over high heat for 15 to 20 seconds.

asianweekly northwest

MAY 23 – MAY 29, 2020

38 YEARS

CLASSIFIED EMPLOYMENT

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Outdoor Research is hiring multiple positions with our new face mask production department, we are looking for Operators, Quality control Lead, and shipping and receiving. We offer great benefits. For a additional information, please contact our HR department 206-467-8197, or visit our Hiring: Looking for experienced company website www.outdoor- bookkeeper/office accounting . Email resume to research.com hanl@reliancemortgage.net.

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Retired Prof. Gentleman in Downtown Seattle. Loves Asian food. Seeks PT. Cook. 2 nights a week for 2.5 hours. $20/hr. plus all expenses. Contact wlarson4949@outlook.com. Looking for 2 cooks/prep person who has a wok experience. P/T. 30 hours a week. Must have experience working with a wok. Chinese Restaurant in South Everett. If interested. Email chinn@chinniescatering.com.

Subscribe to the Northwest Asian Weekly $40 for one year. Name_______________________________ Address ____________________________ City _____________________________State_____ Zip Code ____________________________ Phone ______________________________ Mail to: NW Asian Weekly 412 Maynard Ave. S. Seattle, WA 98104 or call 206-223-0623

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EDUCATORS from 1 during this time. While SPS is not anticipating any layoffs this year, next year is uncertain. Such uncertainty reflects a broader unease rippling through most educational institutions in Washington state. In the state’s higher education system, for instance, budget cuts appear inevitable. And educators are worrying, too, that international students from Asia, whether through fear or a limiting of visas by the federal government, may fail to show up in their usual large numbers, starving the schools of needed extra revenue.

A last-ditch effort It was Friday night and Cari Campbell had only the coming weekend before she and her team had to roll out the first week of videos for over 50,000 SPS students. Schools had closed the week before. Administrators had had to contend with instantly setting up 26 meal sites around the city for students relying on breakfasts and lunches. They had also coordinated with FareStart, which had offered to provide dinners. Besides that, they had to put together educational packets to send out to parents for all grades, including kindergarten. They had to expand child care for essential staff, coordinate lesson planning, and instruct teachers and administrators in new technology so they could hold meetings and coordinate relief efforts. But perhaps the most important aspect of school—one that no other social service could replicate—was the most difficult to replicate. They needed to figure out how to maintain connections with teachers. “Especially for families facing barriers, we tried to keep our doors

open as long as possible,” said Campbell, a former fifth-grade teacher who is now the district’s Chief Public Affairs Officer. “It’s not just for food access, but for basic social and emotional health, and for physical health,” she said. But in the absence of school, she and her team proposed broadcasting short, catchy lessons of 15-20 minutes. These videos would be paired with content from the educational packets sent out to all students. Campbell had worked planning similar lessons for the Tacoma Art Museum. “They have to have a hook,” she said. The hook in the recent video in the empty classroom instantly communicates to children that they are not alone. Catchy, calming music is followed by a shot of their teacher’s face. Raising her head to the camera, her long black hair falls back from her face, and her mouth forms a wide O in surprise. “Oh!” she exclaims. “Hi scholars, my fabulous second and third graders! I was just fidgeting in my chair to get comfortable.” She knits her brow in concentration, then raises a hand, palm up, to invite them to join her. “And I thought, were any of you fidgeting since I saw you last?” she asks. Producing such content was only half the struggle. Each video by law required subtitles, the lessons had to be coordinated with the paper learning packets sent out from the meal sites, and teachers that were broadcasting from home had to be taught how to use new technology. “We were providing a level of details to teachers,” said Campbell. “We’d be writing out all the steps for recording from home, such as, ‘You’re going to save it to this file, then you’re going to upload it to this folder, and if you’re having trouble,

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Present and future challenges Seattle’s institutions of higher education are facing similar challenges. At Seattle Colleges, half of all faculty members have never taught a course online. And half of all students have never taken one, said Dr. Shouan Pan, chancellor, during the APDC conference. But unlike SPS, where future financial support depends entirely on the state Legislature, colleges and universities are facing certain shortfalls in funding. Seattle College is facing 15% budget cuts and an uncertain loss of revenue from international students that may not be able to come, said Pan. At the University of Washington School of Education, where nearly one third of the students are Asian Pacific Islander (API), Dean Mia Tuan is “bracing for lots of things to shake out and see how they affect our bottom line and our ability to do our missions.” “This is not just a temporary response, we’re in it for the long haul, and that’s where the fatigue and worry sets in,” she said during the APDC conference. In a subsequent email, however, Tuan emphasized that “early numbers of international undergraduate students declaring are consistent with previous years.” Still, it is not clear how many of them will “melt” away before fall semester, she said. Nor is it clear if their inability to get student visas will further winnow away their numbers.

Reaching the marginalized After that first week, Campbell and

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her team moved into high gear, producing between 70 and 90 videos per week. They knew that only 37% of families in the district had access to their educational programming through cable. But KOMO-TV offered to help. And they also knew that 70% of families in schools with a high free and reduced lunch rate use their smartphones to watch videos. While it is not clear if paying for data streaming is a struggle for poor families, Campbell and her team have already reached a significant number of students this way. There have been over 240,000 views of the videos on YouTube and close to 20,000 hours of content watched, she said. “Reaching families and students furthest away from educational justice has centered this body of work from day one,” she said.  The Seattle Public Schools channel can be seen on: https://www.seattleschools.org/district/calendars/ news/what_s_new/coronavirus_update/resources/ sps_tv. It can also be accessed on Comcast channel 26. Mahlon can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.

SOLUTION from SUDOKU on page 4.

YOUR VOICE

■ ASTROLOGY

MAY 23 – MAY 29, 2020

asianweekly northwest

Predictions and advice for the week of May 23–May 29, 2020 By Sun Lee Chang Rat — Tempted to take a detour? If you stray too far from the path, finding your way back could be difficult.

Dragon — Although you are leaning towards one camp more than the other, don’t be in a hurry to take sides.

Monkey — Where others see limitations, you dig beneath the surface to ferret out hidden opportunities.

Ox — Knowing what must be done is only half of the equation. Then you must figure out how to do it.

Snake — Your intervention could sway the outcome considerably. Use your power or leverage with caution.

Rooster — The layers of complexity seem perplexing at first, but it will become more understandable if examined in sections.

Tiger — Chance has swept in a stroke of good fortune. Buffer rough spots down the line, by saving what you can.

Horse — Something is anchoring you right now. Use the time in one place to explore what you were unable to before.

Dog — An out of the ordinary request is sure to raise some eyebrows. Be prepared to answer some additional questions.

Rabbit — You have obtained the green light to go forward. Do so cautiously at first, until your footing becomes more secure.

Goat — Hoping to pick up where you last left off? Be prepared for a few changes since your last meeting.

Pig — Have you been concerned primarily with increasing options? If so, try to focus on quality instead of quantity.

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 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

Photos by John Liu

*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.

Purple Dot

RESTAURANTS from 1 won’t be doing inspections prior to opening, so as long as restaurants show they have a plan, they’ll be permitted to re-open, Graham said. Inspections will come later and in addition to the usual checks for proper food storage and other safety measures, they will also check for COVID-19 prevention strategies such as social distancing. “The whole goal here is just to make sure that we don’t have to go backwards so that we can keep on going forward,” Graham said. Chan says these rules are going to force Tai Tung to operate in a “completely different” way than it has over the course of its 85 years in the neighborhood. Richard Chang, the owner of Kau Kau BBQ across the street from Tai Tung, says with a 90-person occupancy, he’ll be able to have 45 diners at a time. He’s been working to get in line with state guidance, but thinks some of his wait staff and bussers will be apprehensive about coming back. He thinks they’ll still be nervous about interacting with customers, even if they maintain a 6-foot distance. “How is my staff going to be comfortable with the customer? How is the customer going to be comfortable with the staff that’s serving them?” Chang asked. “Those are the hurdles that we have not even figured out yet.” Carol Xie, daughter of Purple Dot Cafe owner Jason Xie,

PBS from 7 prejudices Asian Americans have faced for more than a century are enshrined in a documentary. “Once it’s on PBS, it feels like an official document,“ Kondabalu said in an earlier interview. “This marks our

Customers line up for Kau Kau

echoed the challenges with the 6-foot distance between customers. “When you go to a dim sum restaurant, you want that lively atmosphere. Imagining everyone having to sit far apart... it’s just not going to be the same,” Xie said. “At a dim sum place, one family at a table will recognize another table and go over for a chat or even join tables. That won’t be possible anymore.” Chang was also worried about one controversial aspect of the state’s rules, which said it would have to “create a daily log of all customers and maintain that daily log for 30 days,” which would include phone numbers, email addresses, and the time they dined. This provision was included for contact tracing purposes, but Gov. Jay Inslee rolled it back in a May 15 statement, saying that rule is instead voluntary for customers who choose to give such information. Chang, who has set up several hand sanitizer stations throughout the restaurant, plans to re-open Kau Kau to inperson service when given the opportunity, but he expects the shift will have its bumps. “There’s a learning curve for everyone,” he said. Meanwhile, Chang’s expenses continue to rise, with personal protective equipment like masks and gloves required for employees and the increasing cost of pork, beef, and chicken. He’s got a skeleton staff now, he said, but when in-person dining returns, he’ll have more staffers, and

that means more equipment. Chang estimates gloves and masks alone will cost at least an extra $1,000 per month. He has also had trouble procuring gloves and masks over the past six weeks. If it continues like this for six months or a year, Chang doesn’t think there’s enough masks readily available to support his 10- to 15-person staff. On top of that, Kau Kau has had to continue raising prices with the pandemic hurting meat supply. And his vendors tell him prices will go up by another third in the next week. Because of this, Chang says his profit margins are shrinking. Even the 20% of business he estimates will come back with dine-in service might not be enough to keep the 50-year-old business alive. “It’s just like a rubber band,” he said. “You can only stretch it so much and then it’s gonna snap.” Xie said some of the re-opening guidelines stipulate that restaurant operators can allow only single-use items. “That would include all our utensils, plates, and glasses. It will eat up a lot of our resources. Even our menus cannot be reused. They will have to be one-time paper menus and we have a large menu,” said Xie. Chan thinks restaurants will eventually return to normalcy, but it’ll be a while. “It’s going to be a completely different ballgame,” he said. “I think it’s going to take a long, long, long time before we can get back to the way we were.” 

place in the history of this country. It wasn’t there before.’’ Tajima-Pena wouldn’t alter the episodes to address the pandemic if she could, saying viewers will inevitably connect it to present-day xenophobia. It’s a “new story that really is an old story.“ “The whole COVID crisis, it’s really just amplified all the fault lines in the United States of race and class, poverty,

health care. In terms of Asian Americans, of course, it’s this idea we’re so-called foreigners,’’ she said. One of her hopes is the series will inspire younger Asian Americans to think beyond social media rants to activism. “Our backs are against the walls. How do we move forward together? That’s what you see in the series,“ Tajima-Pena said.

asianweekly northwest

RACIST TAUNTS from 1 Lin, a Chinese American, snapped a photo of the white man driving a company truck belonging to a local landscape company. The same man goaded Lin into getting out of his car while Lin called 911, all the while saying that calling the police would do no good, intimating that he couldn’t get fired because he was the owner of the landscape company, and that nothing would be done. Lin said this happened in plain view of store security officers outside Home Depot. “The Home Depot security guards advised me not to call the police and allowed the racists to do their shopping and leave, all while laughing, smiling, and waving to me and security as they left,” Lin said. The response from Home Depot: “We do not control what others do.” When Officer Jones of the Seattle Police Department (SPD) arrived on scene, Lin got a similar message. Since no crime was committed, and the man was exercising his First Amendment rights, no report was taken. Lin pressed on, asking repeatedly about SPD’s response as a community partner —if there was a directive or protocol on handling situations like this. Officer Jones repeatedly said “no,” and if there was a directive from the top, he wasn’t aware of it.

The chief’s apology

38 YEARS

MAY 23 – MAY 29, 2020

Lin told the Northwest Asian Weekly that SPD Chief Carmen Best phoned him two days after this incident to personally apologize. While he appreciates the gesture and he believes Best is sincere, Lin said it doesn’t mean anything. He pointed to Best’s video in one of her “chief’s brief” updates, urging residents to call 911 over racist namecalling. The video, also featuring retired KING 5 anchor Lori Matsukawa, said there

is zero tolerance for hate crimes against Asian Americans. “[Best] has made videos and literature... for her to repeat her sentiments doesn’t mean anything because we know what her sentiments are, and we know the SPD’s message is to our community. However, that’s just not being followed through by her officers,” said Lin. In response to our email inquiry, Sergeant Lauren Truscott issued the following statement: “The Seattle Police Department regards reports of bias incidents and crimes with the utmost seriousness… In recent years, the Department has worked diligently with our Asian American community to develop their trust in reporting bias crimes to the police. The bias incident in question was documented in a General Offense report and forwarded to the Bias Crimes Coordinator for further investigation. The incident, in its entirety, has been forwarded to the Office of Police Accountability for further review.” Lin said that Officer Jones outright lied to him about the lack of SPD protocol of such matters. Beth Wareing, SPD’s Bias Crimes coordinator, had told Lin that a week prior, each SPD officer had signed off on a training, saying that they understood the new protocol—that anytime a 911 call is made regarding racism or racial taunts, whether or not a law broken, the SPD response is to take a report. “I’m not trying to be vindictive or get anyone fired,” said Lin. “I want accountability… not just from SPD leadership, not the head of Hate Crimes, but from everyone who wears a badge, who patrols. If they are not outraged and they don’t speak out, then they are accepting it.” Best told the Northwest Asian Weekly that SPD has worked with the local Asian American community for decades and hopes that the SPD isn’t just judged on this

one incident.

Call to action

Frustrated with the initial lack of a response from Home Depot and SPD, Lin posted the photo of his verbal aggressor and posted it on Facebook. The response has been overwhelming. In the days since the May 12 incident, Lin said he has had “awesome dialogue” with both SPD and Home Depot, and both have asked Lin to help them with community outreach. Lin has declined. He told Home Depot that it can help by getting in touch with Asian-owned businesses, especially the ones that have been vandalized and burglarized. “You’re a hardware store,” Lin told Home Depot. “You can supply labor, materials… reach out to see how you can help them. The district manager said he would make that happen, so we’ll see.” In a conversation with Seattle Police Assistant Chief Adrian Diaz, Lin expressed disappointment with the “radio silence” by the Chinatown beat cop. “The officer who claims to be there for us said nothing [about this incident].” Lin also said to Diaz, “Your officers protect themselves over the community… at least that is the perception. Asian officers, any officers of color… that’s how you outreach. Have everyday officers, not just leadership… those are the ones we want to hear condemning racism. Right now, they see themselves as police first, being on the same side of the shield. Too often, they do not speak out against their own.”

The accused

The Northwest Asian Weekly called the landscape company whose truck the alleged verbal aggressor was seen driving, to seek a comment. A man who identified himself as Josh answered the phone. Josh said that at the advice of his lawyer, he

didn’t have a comment. He did say that SPD was reviewing video footage from his commercial vehicle and alluded to “a lot of controversy,” “false accusations,” and “hearsay.” Later that night, one of our reporters got a call from a man asking if the reporter was “with the newspaper,” and proceeded to say that she would be hearing from a lawyer.

It feels like I was nobody

“Initially I was angry that this person said what he said,” said Lin. “Then the anger turned into confusion—why security didn’t stop them, why they told me not to call the police, why Home Depot allowed them in, why no bystander said anything in a crowded parking lot in the middle of the day.” Lin noted that this month is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. “We’re in the middle of the month that we should be celebrating… I am right outside of the ID… there is no hardware store closer than that location, and on every level of society, this was ignored from that individual racist, to the corporation, to local police, to your regular bystander… not one person did anything about this. That’s what struck me as hurtful... it feels like I was nobody.” Born and raised in Seattle, Lin is now a kindergarten teacher, teaching in the same classroom where he was a kindergartener. His voice broke, fighting back tears, as he said, “The people that came before us had it so much worse and they suffered through so much more. We owe it to them to be treated better than how we’re being treated. We should be so much further. Unfortunately, we’re seeing history repeat itself. We, as a community, need to make our presence felt and known and respected.”  Ruth can be reached at editor@nwasianweekly.com.

Keep our economy going by supporting small businesses and restaurants. Every to-go or delivery order helps.

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Harbor City Restaurant

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