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VOL 33 NO 7
FEBRUARY 8 – FEBRUARY 14, 2014
FREE
32 YEARS YOUR VOICE
ANGRY ASIAN Phil Yu is not so mad » P. 3
Photo courtesy of Microsoft
Welcoming the Year of the Horse!
Michael Hellman stands in line for the Children’s Parade as Hing Hay Park came alive last Saturday with decorations, dancing, costumes, and family fun. Although the brief rain drew some people to the nearest shelters, it did nothing to diminish the spirit of the Lunar New Year celebration. See photos of the event on page 9.
Satya Nadella, Microsoft CEO
Microsoft announced on Feb. 4 that Satya Nadella is the company’s new CEO. Nadella, who was born in Hyderabad, India, has been with Microsoft for 22 years. He previously held the position of executive vice
{see pictorial on page 9}
president of Microsoft’s Cloud and Enterprise group. “This is a critical time for the industry and for Microsoft,” said {see NADELLA cont’d on page 15}
Seattle Thais rally for Thailand reforms More than 100 Thais and Americans gathered at the American Legion hall in Shoreline Feb. 1 to stage a protest against the government of Thailand, and to demand reforms in that country before Sunday’s elections. The group was acting in solidarity with the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) – opposition leaders and citizens who have been protesting the current government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra for several months. The protesters say Shinawatra is corrupt and should be replaced by an unelected council that would enact reforms. Yingluck has refused to step down, saying she was democratically elected. The Associated Press reported that Thai elections went forward on Sunday without bloodshed, but thousands of polling booths were blocked by protesters and forced to close in Bangkok and the south, leaving millions of voters disenfranchised. The unfinished vote leaves Parliament seats unfilled, and more elections are needed to fill them, according to the AP. The next election is set for Feb. 23. Saturday’s rally in Seattle coincided with rallies across the nation and the world, said Peter Tangpiankij, one of the event’s organizers. “The election is a sham,” said Tangpiankij, who
Photo by Sue Misao/NWAW
Photo by Annisa Amalia
Satya Nadella named CEO of Microsoft
Seattle area Thais gathered at the American Legion Hall in North Seattle to protest the current government of Thailand.
said his group has sent formal statements to Thai election officials, the U.S. Ambassador to Thailand, the General Consulate in Los Angeles, and others. “We need to fight to the end,” said Tangpiankij, “even if people have to get injured and lose their lives.” Among the speakers at Saturday’s rally was Bill Monson, a Seattle-based cable television businessman who has been battling the previous prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra — brother to Yingluck — in
Seahawk fans enjoyed ID restaurants after the parade. Here, from left, Nemle, Anthony May, Alvin Zemo, Samatar Ahmad, Hussein Abdi, Aries Fernandez, Blann Haywood, Elljah Hawkins, Anthony Rubino, and Michael Ezana, from Foster High School in Tukwila, stopped in at the Duk Li restaurant.
{see THAI RALLY cont’d on page 11}
The Inside Story NAMES People in the news » P. 2
■
SPORTS A Chinese tennis champ » P. 5
BOOKS Two worlds become one » P. 7
A-POP! Super Bowl & Sitcoms » P. 8
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FEBRUARY 8 – FEBRUARY 14, 2014
■ NAMES IN THE NEWS Students, faculty, and staff paid tribute to Paul Chiles on Jan. 23 as he stepped down after 10 years of service as a member of the Bellevue College Board of Trustees. The award recognizes “exemplary commitment by a community college governing board and its chief executive officer to achieve equity Paul Chiles in the college’s education programs and services, and in the administration and delivery of those programs and services.” Chiles helped the college win the Charles Kennedy Equity Award in 2005 from the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT). During his tenure, the college won four other national awards that acknowledged the extraordinary efforts the college made in advancing pluralism. Chiles directed the college to begin a program to increase supplier diversity in 2010. By September 2013, the college had established over 10 vendor partnerships and awarded 12 competitive bids to minority- and women-owned businesses, raising the college’s ranking to second in the state.
Seattle sends Ka Man Lee to Miss Chinatown USA in SF
2013 Miss Seattle Chinese Queen Ka Man Lee
For over 55 years, young women from throughout the United States have come to San Francisco to compete for prizes and scholarships in the annual Miss Chinatown USA Pageant. The winners become goodwill ambassadors for the Chinese community throughout the Lunar New Year. This year’s Miss Chinatown USA Pageant will be held at Palace of Fine Arts Theater in San
Francisco on Feb. 8. Ka Man Lee, who is the Miss Chinese Seattle Queen 2013, will join the event as a representative for Seattle.
SCID hosts IDEA open house
Quang Nguyen speaks about about IDEA Space, the community design & resource center that connects our communities with the resources necessary to accomplish neighborhood improvement projects.
The Seattle Chinatown International District Preservation and Development Authority hosted “IDEA Space Open House” on Jan. 29. Attendees learned about IDEA Space, a community design and resource center that “connects our communities with the resources necessary to accomplish neighborhood improvement projects,” including clean and safe streets, real estate development, and business assistance. Also, they learned about future plans for Design INC, a 4,000-square-foot space for small business owners and entrepreneurs in the Chinatown-International District.
Suquamish tribal members visit the Philippines
Photo by Wade Trenbeath.
Ceremony honors Paul Chiles
“Ancient Shores, Changing Tides” participants in the Suquamish Museum include Janet Everts Smoak, Barbara Lawrence-Piecuch, Arvin Acosta, Carmelita Acosta, Robert Arevalo, Mariel Francisco, Enrico Cabiguen, Mimi Cabral, Jun Cayron, Mary Barnes, Lace Thornberg.
Seven representatives of the Suquamish Tribe went to
the Philippines at the end of January. Over the course of eight days, they visited communities on Palawan Island to learn about the archaeological history of the island, as well as its modern day challenges to preserve natural resources in the face of tremendous growth in both tourism and development. The visit was part of the “Ancient Shores, Changing Tides” project that is part of the “Museums Connect” program, an initiative of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. The goal of the program is to strengthen connections and understanding between people in the United States and abroad. This is done through innovative, museum-based exchanges that address critical needs or timely issues in museums’ local communities and help museums better serve the public. Last October, a Filipino delegation visited the Suquamish Tribe.
Presidential nominations to key posts continue On Jan. 16, President Obama announced his intent to nominate Nina Hachigian as Representative of the United States of America to the Association Shamina Singh Nina Hachigian of Southeast Asian Nations, with the Rank of Ambassador, Department of State. Hachigian is currently a Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress, a position she has held since 2008. She worked as director at the RAND Center for Asia Pacific Policy from 2001 to 2005. The president will also nominate Shamina Singh to be a member of the Board of Directors of the Corporation for National and Community Service. Singh is the executive director of the MasterCard Center for Inclusive Growth, a position she has held since December 2013. She is also the global director of government social programs in MasterCard’s Public Private Partnerships group, a position she has held since February 2013. From 2011 to 2013, she was senior adviser to MSLGROUP. Previously, she served as vice president of government and public affairs at Nike, Inc., from 2010 to 2011.
32 YEARS YOUR VOICE
■ community news
FEBRUARY 8 – FEBRUARY 14, 2014
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‘Angry Asian Man’: An evening of righteous anger On Thursday, Jan. 30, the ASUW Asian Student Commission hosted a talk by Phil Yu, founder of the famous blog Angry Asian Man. Yu is not a very angry person after all. Rather, he likes to describe himself as a pretty chill man. However, as he pointed out that evening, there are certainly issues we are allowed to be and should be angry about. Yu started the talk with a brave move, announcing that he is a proud San Francisco 49ers fan, to which the audience responded with loud boos and hisses. Fortunately, he
managed to make up for it with charm and humor. The origin of Angry Asian Man is not unusual. He started the blog in 2001 not expecting anyone besides family and friends to read it. Now it is considered a leading source for Asian American community and national news. After 13 years, his goal remains the same: depicting a broad picture of the Asian American experience, the good and the bad, and breaking the narrow mainstream portrayal of Asian Americans. The dominant air about Asians is that we are passive, that were not gonna rock {see YU cont’d on page 12}
Photo by Alia Marsha
By Alia Marsha Northwest Asian Weekly
Phil Yu discussing the “Linsanity” phenomenon.
Kollaboration Seattle hosts online auditions By Marino Saito Northwest Asian Weekly Kollaboration Seattle has opened its auditions to the digital world in seeking diverse and talented Asian and Pacific Islander performance artists for its fifth annual showcase. Performers can submit their auditions online at KollaborationSeattle.org/Auditions until 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 9. Up to six finalists will be chosen to compete in front of a live audience at the Meydenbauer Center on Saturday, April 12, in Bellevue. All local Kollaboration show winners will
then compete for the opportunity to participate as one of the top finalists in the finale Kollaboration Star 2014 for a grand prize of $10,000. “We take pride in having always been one of the top cities among the Kollaboration family in terms of the quality of our talents and the production of our shows,” said Victoria Ju, associate director of Kollaboration Seattle. “Since Kollaboration started a finale show where all Kollaboration city winners have competed for the opportunity to perform in L.A., Kollaboration Seattle has always sent our grand prize winner down to L.A. Let’s show the world all the amazing talents we have to offer in the Pacific Northwest.”
Applicants are required to include at least one Asian/Asian American as a group member. “We have received around 20 to 30 applicants for our auditions in the past four years. So, we are expecting about the same number of applicants, but to be honest, we hope to see more and more applicants from the Pacific Northwest region this year,” Ju added. Performances will be judged on four criteria: creativity, originality, skills, and stage presence. Audition videos must be raw footage, and can be up to six minutes long. More details are available at www.KollaborationSeattle. org.
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■ national news
Twins arrested in fatal stabbing White House honors Police in San Jose, Calif., have arrested 18-yearold twin brothers in the stabbing death of a San Jose State University student. Anh and Duc Tong, of San Jose, are suspected of killing 22-year-old Richard Pham on the Anh Tong morning of Jan. 26. According to a press release from the San Jose Police Department, Pham was at the home of a friend celebrating a birthday. At some point, a fight broke out and “the suspects turned on the victim and stabbed him at least one time.” Pham was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The suspects, who had fled the scene before police
Duc Tong
arrived, were located the next day. It was unclear which Tong brother was suspected of the stabbing. Both brothers were booked into the Santa Clara County jail, and are being held without bail. According to the San Jose Mercury Times, the stabbing occurred while Pham was attempting to break up the fight, which occurred in the Piedmont
Hills neighborhood. The Mercury Times reported that mug shots after the twins’ arrests “strongly suggest the suspects are identical twins, but police declined to comment on that.” The news report added that DNA testing might prove inconclusive because if the twins are identical, they share the same DNA.
Leadership program for U.S. teens offered in Chinese cities A new two-week Global Leadership program in China for English-speaking high school and college students is accepting applications for summer 2014. Walking Tree Travel, an organization that specializes in service, conservation, and leadership programs in 18 countries, just announced the China Global Leadership Program itinerary. The program includes stops in Hong Kong, Beijing, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou. Participants will get an inside look at changing social and economic environments in these cities, and learn how urban planners are
dealing with unprecedented population growth. The students will explore the urban challenges of employment, sustainability, environmental protection, and transportation. They will study important current events, while enjoying Chinese culture, entertainment, and food. “We have just passed the halfway mark and 51 percent of the earth’s population now live in {see GLOBAL LEADERSHIP cont’d on page 12}
legacy of Fred Korematsu On Jan. 30, the White House issued a statement honoring the legacy of Fred Korematsu, a Japanese American hero who stood his ground in the face of injustice. After the Pearl Harbor attacks in 1941, Fred Korematsu challenged President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Executive Order 9066 that authorized the U.S. military to forcibly remove more than 120,000 people, mostly of Japanese descent, from their homes and into incarceration camps throughout the country. Two-thirds of these people were American citizens. Mr. Korematsu went into hiding in the Oakland area, becoming a fugitive, and was arrested and convicted of violating the federal order. His case went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. In a 6-3 decision, the court upheld the constitutionality of Executive Order 9066 under the justification of national security. In 1980, President Jimmy Carter appointed a special commission to investigate Japanese American internment during World War II. The commission concluded that the decisions to remove those of Japanese ancestry to internment camps occurred because of “race prejudice, war hysteria, and a failure of political leadership.” Four decades after the Supreme
Fred Korematsu
Court decision, a legal historian discovered evidence proving that U.S. intelligence agencies knew that Japanese Americans posed no military threat to the country during World War II. Mr. Korematsu’s conviction was overturned in 1983 by District Judge Marilyn Hall Patel. When Mr. Korematsu stood in front of Judge Marilyn Patel, he said these famous words, “I would like to see the government admit that they were wrong and do something about it, so this will never happen again to any American citizen of any race, creed, or color.” In a formal apology under the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, the U.S. government granted $1.6 billion {see KOREMATSU cont’d on page 12}
32 YEARS YOUR VOICE
■ sports
FEBRUARY 8 – FEBRUARY 14, 2014
5
By Jason J. Cruz Northwest Asian Weekly Li Na is not your typical female tennis player. Her performance on the court and her talk off it are what makes her one of the most influential persons in the sport. Li was voted one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people in the world. She is also on the Forbes list as one of the highest paid athletes in sports. Li is the first Chineseborn player to crack the world’s top five women’s tennis players in the world. She was also named one of the top 10 influential athletes in China. Upon winning the second Grand Slam of her career at the Australian Open this year, Li’s acceptance speech was something to behold. Li thanked her agent “for making me rich.” This drew the appreciation and laughter of the Aussie crowd and those Chinese fans making the trip down under. Li had more humor as she used her husband and tennis coach as a punch line. “You are so lucky to find me,” smiled Li, which drew a loving laugh and blushing from her husband. She also thanked him for making her drinks and restringing her tennis rackets. At 31 years old, Li is on top of women’s tennis. Off the court, she has a big portfolio of endorsements. She was correct in thanking her agent for making her rich. According to a report, her agent has secured $42 million worth of endorsements. She counts Mercedes-Benz, Nike, Rolex, and Samsung as her major endorsements, as well as several Chinese companies. Li is currently in talks with a real estate development company that may provide for her after her tennis career is over, as well as the potential for a Li Na tennis academy. Her off-the-court business makes her the third-highest paid female athlete in any sport. Li is outspoken and funny, but some see her as a
controversial figure in China. She rebelled against the centralized Chinese sports system when she lobbied for more control over her career. This included the opportunity to choose her coach, schedules, and support staff, and to retain most of her prize money. While China’s staterun media appreciates her victories in bringing fame for China, she still faces criticism for splitting with the state run sports system. She has been labeled as “selfish” and accused of not honoring her country for failing to thank China in acceptance speeches. Li barked at a reporter from China after a loss at the 2013 French Open. It was after this loss that Li said that she considered retirement due to offthe-court issues. Fortunately for Li, she remained focused on tennis and made the semifinals at the U.S. Open this past August. She then won the Australian Open last month. Li was born in 1982 and was pushed into sports at age 6. She took up badminton, as her father was a former badminton player whose career was cut short. Li was persuaded to switch to tennis when she was 8 years old. She was not happy with her tennis coaches, but pressed on because of her father’s wishes. Li’s father died when she was 14, but she was not told for several days because she was playing in a tournament and her coach didn’t want her to know until the competition was over. It’s possible these interactions with her coaches as a teenager likely made her more resistant to the constraints of the Chinese-run sports systems. Thus, her ability to be independent has allowed Li to play unburdened. Despite the rocky relationship she may have with the Chinese officials and media, Li remains a popular and influential figure in her country, as well as an inspiration for many young female tennis players.
Photo by AFP ImageForum
Li Na: Grand Slam winner is the first woman of Chinese tennis
Li Na won her second major title at the 2014 Australian Open
Jason Cruz can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.
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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 $30 for 52 weeks of the NW Asian Weekly and $25 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 info@nwasianweekly.com • ads@nwasianweekly.com • www.nwasianweekly.com
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■ briefly
■ COMMUNITY CALENDAR THU 2/6 WHAT: Chinese Chamber Lunar New Year banquet WHERE: Asian Resource Center, 1025 S. King St., Seattle WHEN: 5–9 p.m. COST: $50 RSVP: 206-552-0818 WHAT: Lunar New Year Banquet WHERE: Asian Resource Center, 1025 S. King St., Seattle WHEN: 5-9 p.m. INFO: 206-579-5233, newyearbanquet@ seattlechinesechamber.org
THU 2/6 – SUN 2/9 WHAT: Seattle Asian American Film Festival WHERE: Ark Lodge Cinemas, 4816 Rainier Avenue S., Seattle INFO: seattleaaff.org/2014
FRI 2/7 WHAT: NWAW’s Women Leaders in Health Care WHERE: New Hong Kong Restaurant, 900 S. Jackson St. #203, Seattle WHEN: 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. COST: $20-$45 INFO: womenofcolorempowered. com, 206-223-0623, rsvp@ nwasianweekly.com WHAT: Traditional Dragon Dance WHERE: Snoqualmie Casino,
I-90 East to Exit 27, I-90 West Exit 31, Snoqualmie WHEN: 8:30 p.m. INFO: www.snocasino.com WHAT: Monthly Luncheon featuring Mayme Fu, People’s Acupuncture, “How does Traditional Chinese Medicine Work” WHERE: Han’s Garden, 3020 78th Ave. S.E., Mercer Island WHEN: 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. COST: $15/member, $20/nonmember INFO: luncheon@ seattlechinesechamber.org WHAT: Opening reception for Echo at Satsop, film by Seattle artist Etsuko Ichikawa on the aftermath of the 2011 earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear power plant meltdown in Japan WHERE: Jack Straw New Media Gallery, 4261 Roosevelt Way N.E., Seattle COST: Free INFO: 206-634-0919 WHAT: Tet, the Vietnamese Lunar New Year celebration with food, games, prizes, music, and dance WHERE: New Holly Gathering Hall, 7101 Martin Luther King Jr. Way S., Seattle WHEN: 6 – 8:30 p.m. COST: Free INFO: 206-760-1573
SAT 2/8 WHAT: OCA Greater Seattle’s annual Golden Circle Awards
dinner, recognizing outstanding contributions to the API community WHERE: Joy Palace Restaurant, 6030 Martin Luther King Jr. Way S., Seattle WHEN: 5 p.m. COST: $25–$50 INFO: dougchin3@gmail.com RSVP: www.bit.do/GCA2014 WHAT: CISC 5TH Annual Lunar New Year Walkathon WHERE: Bailey Gatzert Elementary School, 1301 E. Yesler Way, Seattle WHEN: 9 a.m.-12 p.m. COST: $15 REGISTRATION: www. ciscwalkathon.kintera.org WHAT: Artists’ reception for Chunghie Lee and Jiyoung Chung exhibition “Tradition Unwrapped: Korean Bojagi and Joomchi Now” WHERE: ArtXchange Gallery, 512 First Ave. S., Seattle WHEN: 1–4 p.m. COST: Free INFO: 206-839-0377
TUE 2/11 WHAT: Annual Refugee & Immigrant Legislative Day Rally WHERE: North steps of Legislative Building, State Capitol, Olympia WHEN: 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. INFO: Ali Blum, 206-721-8448 or alib@rewa.org
THU 2/13 WHAT: Early Music from the Silk Road with music by Tomoko Sugawara, Asian Kugo Harp, and August Denhard, Lute WHEN: 7 p.m. WHERE: Plaza Room, 650 Main St., Edmonds COST: Free INFO: 206-325-7066 WHAT: “A Proud Story of Japanese Photographers” WHERE: Nagomi Tea House, 519 Sixth Ave. S., Seattle WHEN: 2 – 4 p.m. COST: Suggested donation $5–$10 REGISTRATION: 206-6230100 or seattlecameraclub. eventbrite.com WHAT: Public Talk by Chinese Economist, Professor Jessica Leight WHERE: UW, Thompson Hall Room 101 WHEN: 7 p.m. COST: Free
SAT 2/15 WHAT: Multi-media performance by Indian classical dancer Vidya Guhan, and artists Vaness DeWolf and the Reflective Collective WHERE: The Chapel Performance Space, 4649 Sunnyside Ave., Seattle WHEN: 8 p.m COST: $10–$15 INFO: 360-867-5213
Refugee & Immigrant Legislative Day at State Capitol
Bob Hasegawa
Cyrus Habib
The 8th Annual Refugee and Immigrant Legislative Day will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 11, in Olympia. This event presents an opportunity for refugees and immigrants to address policies impacting their communities, while demonstrating the strength and diversity they bring to Washington. A rally will be held on the North Steps of the Legislative Building from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Senator Bob Hasegawa, Representative Cyrus Habib, Representative Sharon Tomiko-Santos, and other community stakeholders will address the crowd. A performance by Vietnamese and Ukrainian dancers will follow. Throughout the day, participants will meet with their elected officials to discuss legislative policies. drastic state cuts to programs like Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), the State Food Assistance Program, and Naturalization Services for individuals on public assistance. For position papers detailing these issues, please contact Ali Blum at 206-721-8448 or alib@rewa.org.
32 YEARS YOUR VOICE
■ on the shelf
FEBRUARY 8 – FEBRUARY 14, 2014
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When two worlds become one
By Samantha Pak Northwest Asian Weekly
The Surprise of Haruhi Suzumiya By Nagaru Tanigawa Little, Brown and Company, 2013
As in the previous book, the latest installment in the Haruhi Suzumiya series features two different versions of the same story and continues where the last one ended. The first version begins with Kyon, Haruhi, time-traveler Mikuru Asahina, and esper-boy Itsuki Koizumi rushing off to the home of Yuki Nagato, the remaining member of the SOS Brigade (Save the World by Overloading it with Fun Haruhi Suzumiya) and their resident alien, who has been ill. The gang does what they can to try and help Yuki feel better. For Kyon, this means meeting with a group of potentially dangerous individuals from other organizations who are watching over Sasaki, a girl he knew in middle school, suspected of having similar deity-like powers as Haruhi. The second version follows the SOS Brigade, as they continue the recruitment process to bring new members to their illegal school club. All the while, Kyon remains suspicious of the individuals tasked with watching over Sasaki. At the beginning of the story, the group remains in the background, but becomes more of a concern to Kyon, as he tries to figure out who they are and what their motives are. For those who have followed the Haruhi
Suzumiya series since the beginning, Surprise shows just how far the characters have come. The SOS Brigade started out as a group of individuals tasked with keeping its leader happy for the sake of the world. But over the course of one school year, they have become friends who care about each other’s wellbeing and will do anything to defend each other. This is especially prevalent in Kyon, the narrator of the story. He may not always be happy about the misadventures Haruhi drags them into, but it is clear he considers
From the Tsue Chong Chinese Egg Noodles and Fortune Cookies Company to the community of Seattle, Wishing you all happiness, good health, and great prosperity in the year of the Horse!
tsuechong.com
her and the remaining SOS Brigade members his friends. And this friendship is put to the test throughout Surprise as he gets to know this new group better, as they try to recruit him to their cause.
could ever want to know about noodles is in this book. You’ll never look at a bowl of ramen or a plate of chow mein the same again.
On the Noodle Road: From Beijing to Rome, With Love and Pasta
By Nina Schuyler Pegasus Books, 2013
By Jen Lin-Liu Riverhead Books, 2013
Who really invented the noodle? Was it the Chinese? Or was it some ethnic minority living within China’s borders? Did Marco Polo really bring the concept to Italy? And if not, how did noodles – or pasta – end up there? These are questions Jen Lin-Liu tries to answer, as she travels through western China, Central Asia, Iran, Turkey, and across the Mediterranean. She was prompted to take this trip after spending her honeymoon eating her way through Italy. The more delicacies she sampled, the more she noticed the similarities between Italian and Chinese dishes. And so, with the blessing of her new husband, Lin-Liu set out on a journey to see how food and culture moved along the Silk Road, the ancient trade route that links Asia to Europe. Do not read this book on an empty stomach or while exercising. I made that mistake as I cracked open Noodle Road while on the elliptical machine at the gym. With every page I turned, visions of noodle dish upon noodle dish entered my mind until it was all I could do to not jump off the machine to drive to the nearest Chinese noodle house. Lin-Liu’s vivid description of the dishes she eats, as well as the noodle-making process she witnesses will have you right there in the kitchens and dining rooms alongside her, wishing you could have been there with her in a more literal sense. She visits with noodle makers ranging from restaurant chefs to women who have invited her into their private homes. They share personal stories, as well as some of the local history around noodles, giving Lin-Liu a new perspective and appreciation for her own life and marriage. Lin-Liu takes the notion of knowing where your food comes from to the highest degree, as she delves into various cultural histories and the influence food has had on them. From archeologists discovering the oldest noodle in the world (about 4,000 years old), to the difference between noodle dishes from one village to the next, everything you
The Translator
For a year, Hanne Schubert works to translate a Japanese novel into English. Throughout the process, she finds herself becoming more and more fascinated with the story’s protagonist. By the end of the project, she feels that she has done the story – and the character – justice. Shortly after that, Hanne takes a fall down a flight of stairs, which results in a brain injury that leaves her unable to speak her native languages. Instead, she can only speak Japanese. Now facing the difficulties of trying to communicate with others in San Francisco, she leaves for Japan. Once she’s there, Hanne is shocked when the Japanese novelist, whose work she’d just finished translating, confronts her and accuses her of sabotaging his work. Shaken by the incident, Hanne travels to the small town where the author’s inspiration – a famous Japanese Noh actor – lives. The two enter a passionate and volatile relationship that has Hanne reexamining her life – specifically her relationship with her estranged daughter, Brigitte. All throughout Translator, Hanne has flashbacks about Brigitte, making it clear that even though the two have not had contact in years, her daughter is never far from her mind. Schuyler shows how difficult it is to break the bonds of family. No matter how damaged Hanne and Brigitte’s relationship may seem, they still play a role in each other’s lives. And through Hanne’s job as a translator, Schuyler shows how versatile languages can be. As Hanne works to translate the novel, she puts a lot of thought into her choice of words and what feelings they may evoke in the reader. She is very particular and aware of how one word can completely change the tone and meaning of a sentence. Such attention to detail on Hanne’s part will have readers considering their own choices of words the next time they have to write something – whether it’s a report, an e-mail, or a text message – and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Samantha Pak can be reached at info@ nwasianweekly.com.
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■ arts & entertainment
Yay Superbowl, boo TV sitcom A new year begins in Asian pop culture
“How I Met Your Mother”
Bruno Mars
By Vivian Nguyen Northwest Asian Weekly
Pop culture meets sports!
Something big happened in Seattle this past weekend. Perhaps you caught it on TV? Our city celebrated a big
win with the Super Bowl this past Sunday — congrats to the Seahawks and the 12th man! — and the big game included an incredible halftime show from pop sensation Bruno Mars. Mars, who is of Filipino descent, recently took home the “Best pop vocal album” during the Grammys for
his Unorthodox Jukebox record. During his halftime performance, Mars rocked the stage in a gold blazer and even shared the spotlight with Anthony Kiedis, front man for rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers. Congrats on your Grammy win, Mars, and thanks for putting on such a memorable halftime show for us. Speaking of sports, the Sochi Olympics are right around the corner. The Games will begin on Friday, Feb. 7, and many Asian
American athletes will represent the United States. Notable athletes include the brother-and-sister figure skating pair Alex and Maia Shibutani, commonly referred to as the “Shib Sibs” among fans. Other Asian figure skaters competing on behalf of the United States include Madison Chock and Evan Bates, as well as pairs figure skaters Felicia Zhang and Nathan Bartholomay. And let’s not forget about hometown favorite J.R. Celski, who will represent the
United States in short track speed skating. This will be his second time at the Olympics. Looking forward to seeing all of these athletes on the ice later this month!
A popular sitcom goes yellowface
It wasn’t too long ago that I wrote a column about Katy Perry {see A-POP cont’d on page 15}
32 YEARS YOUR VOICE
■ pictorial
FEBRUARY 8 – FEBRUARY 14, 2014
Children’s Parade 2014 Photos by George Liu and Annisa Amalia/NWAW
Northwest Asian Weekly hosted the annual Children’s Parade Contest, featuring dozens of children in festive costumes — from the traditional Korean dress Hanbok to handmade horse costumes. Calligraphy, face painting booths, and other delights surrounded the park and the neighborhood. The whole Chinatown-International District was transformed into a giant, remarkable Lunar New Year festival.
Honorable Mention winners holding their prizes
Junelyn awarded after winning 3rd place
Tanya Woo was the Master of Ceremonies
(left to right) Kaylin and Teagan Nguyen in ethnic costumes
Siblings Chaloe, Daren, Jason, Chiyat and Chio Leung paint the stage red, black and gold. Logan Kim playing with stuffed panda amidst the celebration Siblings Knox and Charlotte Own, and Richel Deng posing on stage.
Siblings Drake and Ruby Pallaza all smiles on stage
Children trying to get a better view of the celebration
A small panda hugs the Panda Express mascot.
The crowd watched Master David Leong with his Lion Dance team.
Host introducing children in festive costumes. (left to right) Kaylee To, Isabel Man, Joziah “Zai Zai”, brothers Michael and Nathan Hellman. Brothers Evan and Logan Kim charming the crowd on stage in matching costumes
Nathan and Michael Hellman join the others in line for the parade.
Participants posing with their Hello Panda treats
Revealing the kids under the horse costume: Xavier, Jayden and Jessi.
Families celebrating the Year of the Horse
9
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FEBRUARY 8 – FEBRUARY 14, 2014
■ publisher’s blog
OPINION
Mom, I broke all the Lunar New Year lucky rules Chinese culture has taught my family how to savor luck during the Lunar New Year. But the Year of the Horse has created mysterious circumstances, forcing me to break good-luck rules. Will I be OK this year, or I will I be even luckier? Rule No. 1 is to avoid anything that has to do with death and to savor luck, according to my mother. Sorry, Mom, I had to go to the viewing of the late Vera Ing’s body on Lunar New Year’s Eve, to say goodbye. She’s a good friend and former writer for the Asian Weekly. My mother would prefer me to attend the service on Feb. 1, rather than seeing a dead body. I couldn’t leave because the Asian Weekly held a Lunar New Year kids’ costume parade on the same day and at the same time. Rule No. 2 is not to deal with the number 4, which rhymes with the Chinese (Japanese) character “death.” Mom, I couldn’t help it this year. The Seattle Chinese Post had a 44-page issue on Jan. 30. We could increase to 48 pages, prominently replacing the number 4 with 8 to balance bad omens. However, one member of my staff had an emergency surgery on our production day, so we had to squeeze everything into 44 pages instead. Rule No. 3, clean your place the day before the New Year to prepare for good fortune. That includes not dumping any garbage during the first day of the year. “Taking your garbage out from your house the first day would mean throwing away all your wealth,” said Grandma. We tried to remove garbage before the New Year. But we had a big feast for our
ball. I don’t know how my fortune will play out this year. It also dawned on me that there is a difference between keeping traditions and practicing superstitions. We can’t just stick with customs if they don’t mean anything any more in 2014. Could it be the Year of the Horse is time for me to liberate myself? Let’s see how I ride the horse this year.
Several children took “Year of the Horse” very seriously.
New Year dinner, and we needed to clear the waste. Otherwise, it would stink up the whole house. Rule No. 4 is to not wash anything, from bathing yourself to washing dishes, during the first day of the year. It will simply wash away all your luck and fortune. I need to take a shower every day. I bathe myself from my head to my feet, as I wash my hair daily. It’s a ritual I wouldn’t avoid. I have broken this rule for decades. No wonder I have been poor every year. For years, we saved our dishes that first day and washed them the second day of the year. But this year, we really needed to wash our dishes, as our dishwasher was full. If we didn’t turn on the dishwasher, we would have no clean dishes the following day. Rule No. 5 is to decorate your home with
bright red colors and fresh flowers to ensure good feng shui and energy flowing in your home. I apologize for my laziness. Last December, my friend gave me a beautiful poinsettia plant. It’s still at home except most of the red leaves withered away. The remaining ones now have black edges. Feng shui experts would call it “dead energy,” and advise me to throw the plant away. I don’t really want to do that until the last leaf fades away. I guess everything that happened to me the first few days of the New Year was meant to be. I don’t really have a crystal
Rain was good The weather forecast said rain was not on the horizon on Feb. 1. People just poured in before 11 a.m. to the International District’s Lunar New Year festival. For a while, we couldn’t move on King Street due to the blockage created by people. Then rain fell at 11:30 a.m. when Chinatown was right in the middle of its Lunar New Year event. I thought we were doomed. We would have to cancel our kids’ parade and costume contest. Rain continued for about a half hour, and the audience dwindled. When the rain stopped, a different crowd swarmed in. For the first time, rain became a blessing in a community festival. We could move through our intersections. We could open a path for our kids to march to the stage. It was just the perfect number of {see BLOG cont’d on page 12}
Want to get the inside scoop on the latest happenings of Seattle’s Asian American community? Follow Publisher Assunta Ng’s blog at nwasianweekly.com under the Opinion section.
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Cathay Post 186 Co-emcees Tanya Woo, right, and John Liu, right, with sponsors and winners.
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32 YEARS YOUR VOICE
FEBRUARY 8 – FEBRUARY 14, 2014
11
OPINION
■ editorial
Coke is right. America is beautiful. Photo by Homero A. Guadagnino/USCIS Seattle Field Office
Part of the fun of the Super Bowl, aside from watching the Seahawks become champions of the world, is the commercials. There’s always one or two that get people riled up, and this year, Coca-Cola’s “It’s Beautiful” ad was one such culprit. The ad depicts scenes of Americans of all ages and colors playing and working across the country, while nine girls sing “America the Beautiful” in nine different languages, beginning and ending with English. In between, you heard Spanish, Tagalog, Hindi, Senegalese-French, Hebrew, Mandarin, Arabic, and Keres — an actual, native, American language of the Pueblos of New Mexico. Naturally, the Internet exploded. “Hey coca cola we live in the USA where we speak American” “don’t you love how coke has turned our National Anthem in to EVERYONE else’s?” “please unfollow @CocaCola, they are clearly against the most fundamental American values.” “Good job coke....im now switching to Pepsi for good. Way to ruin an American song.”
(all sic) Let’s ignore the annoying ignorance of English grammar, spelling, and facts (“America the Beautiful” is not our national anthem) displayed by these supposed native English-speaking commentators. Let’s focus momentarily on the sadness of individuals who cannot accept the reality that America — the United States portion of it — has no official language and no official ethnicity. Then let’s focus longer on what really does make America beautiful.
Ju Man Kim celebrates with his daughter Leilani at his naturalization ceremony at the Olympia Timberland Library on Tuesday, Feb. 4. Kim, a Tacoma pastor originally from South Korea, was one of 10 immigrants to become U.S. citizens that day. The others came from Vietnam, Laos, India, Philippines, Japan, West Samoa, and American Samoa.
“When I sing the song I feel really happy, I feel joyful, I feel every word that explains happy.” “It’s so beautiful that we are all the same. We just have
different backgrounds and that’s OK, we’re all Americans and we can come together to make change.” “I think people will feel really good in themselves to know America is there and to hear it in many other languages spoken, especially if one of the languages is a language that you speak, and it will really get deep inside of you.” “Out of many people, out of many cultures, that’s what makes it one country, and one nation. We can speak whatever we want. We can pray whatever we want to pray, and I just think that’s pretty amazing, and that we’re lucky to have it.” Those are the words of the young American girls who talked about what singing “America the Beautiful” in the ad meant to them. You can see and hear them on YouTube: “Coca-Cola — It’s Beautiful — Behind the Scenes.” Fortunately, saner voices stepped in on the hashtag to remind folks that America does not equal homogeneity, that racism is an endless loop to nowhere, and that the CEO of Pepsi is an Indian woman and its president a Muslim man. Oh, and the author of “America the Beautiful” was a lesbian named Katharine Lee Bates. “Pizza just called to say from now on you can only order it in Italian” “We godless liberals tend not to like Coke anyway! Now we’re backed into supporting them? Well played, Coke.” “Pisses me off SO MUCH! This is America! They should be singing in Navajo! Take your English back to England, you dirty immigrants!”
On Tuesday, 10 people became American citizens at a naturalization ceremony in Tacoma. They are all beautiful. Coke boycotters, get over it!
■ commentarY
Eliminate our transportation bottlenecks before the new Panama Canal opens By Don C. Brunell Washington Business Commentator Improving Highway 167 could help change the face of global commerce and the future of Washington state. Really. Traffic congestion is causing bottlenecks at our ports, creating costly delays for the shippers that use Puget Sound ports. Failing to eliminate that congestion will make our ports less competitive, costing us jobs, business, and tax revenues. That is true now more than ever.
This legislative session, the transportation improvements to be voted on by legislators in Olympia are linked to world trade and events in Panama, 3,600 miles away. What lawmakers decide could determine the fate of our state’s economy for generations. Here is a little background. On any given day in Panama, there are as many as 150 ships waiting in line to pass through the Panama Canal, which links the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. Transiting the 48-mile canal can take 20 to 30 hours. Growing delays and the canal’s inability to handle today’s larger ships cost the Panamanian government billions in lost tolls.
■ briefly
New Seattle employment law limits use of criminal history On Nov. 1, a new employment law went into effect in the City of Seattle. The Seattle Job Assistance Ordinance (JAO) limits how employers can use criminal records for hiring and employment decisions for employees working within Seattle city limits. According to the Seattle Office for Civil Rights, the law will create increased employment opportunities, which will “reduce recidivism, reduce racial disparities in the criminal justice system and strengthen our community.” The new law: -Prohibits categorical exclusions in job ads (e.g. Does not allow statements like, “Felons need not apply.”) -Limits criminal history questions on job applications and criminal background checks until after an employer conducts an
initial screening to eliminate unqualified applicants. -Requires employers to have a legitimate business reason to deny a job based on a conviction record. -Requires an opportunity for an applicant or employee to explain or correct criminal history information. The law does not apply to jobs with unsupervised access to children under 16, individuals with developmental disabilities or vulnerable adults. For more information, call 206-684-4500, email OCR_criminalrecordsquestions@ seattle.gov or visit http://www.seattle.gov/ civilrights/criminalrecords.htm. SOCR’s services are free and impartial. Language and disability accommodations are available upon request.
To address the situation, the Panamanian people voted overwhelmingly in 2006 to add a third set of locks. The expansion is nearly 75 percent complete, but currently, it’s hit a snag because it’s over budget. Originally projected to cost $5.2 billion, the final price tag could exceed $7 billion. The pause in the canal project is temporary, but it gives Washington state lawmakers an opportunity to greatly improve our state’s trade prospects by reducing the highway and rail congestion that is making our ports less competitive. {see BRUNELL cont’d on page 13}
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FEBRUARY 8 – FEBRUARY 14, 2014
{YU cont’d from page 3} the boat, be the model minority... but its OK to be righteously angry, to fight what we have to fight for, said Yu to a nodding crowd. He framed his talk around five “Angriest Posts” that have been featured in his blog. Among them was the Alexandra Wallace debacle, which is centered on a white UCLA student whose life turned upside down after posting a YouTube video of her ranting and making pejorative remarks about Asian students at UCLA back in 2011. When a screenshot of that video appeared
on Yu’s slide show, the audience groaned, as if saying, “Not this again.” We have all been through this video. We have been offended, been angered, and finally able to laugh about it and let it go. Then Yu reminded us that foolishness such as that video still exists, and with the Internet, it is easier to spot. It’s easier for us to get angry, but we can do something about it. “We all think that the state of racism in this country is going to get better if we just give it time, you know?” Yu said. “It doesn’t get better with time. It gets better because we stand up and we speak out and we give a damn.”
{KOREMATSU cont’d from page 4} in reparations to all Japanese Americans who had been interned. In 1998, when President Clinton awarded Mr. Korematsu the Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor, he stated, “In the long history of our country’s constant search for justice, some names of ordinary citizens stand for millions of souls. Plessy, Brown, Parks … to that distinguished list, today we add the name of Fred Korematsu.” Fred Korematsu died of respiratory failure at his daughter’s home in Marin County, Calif., on March 30, 2005. To commemorate his legacy, on Sept. 23, 2010, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed into law a bill that designates Jan. 30 “Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution.” Kiran Ahuja, executive director of the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, stated
{GLOBAL LEADERSHIP cont’d from page 4} urban environments,” said Deland Chan, Stanford University Urban Planning lecturer and guide for the China Global Leadership Program. This program is an excellent start for young people who are looking to lead in areas of communications and city planning. This program gives an insider’s look at a growing economy with an emphasis on urban sustainability. Chan’s fellow guide is Kevin Hsu, also a lecturer in the
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ASUW Asian Student Commission Director Tony Vo said that he wanted to focus on involving students with social justice issues this year. Since the Angry Asian Man has a huge following, it was an effective way to start off the year. Vo said he hoped people could see Asians and Asian Americans as more three-dimensional individuals, with very different cultures, instead of just the model minority or the token Asian on mainstream TV shows. “I’m really trying to expand our presence and visibility and cooperating social justice, educational events that are more intentional, so that people can take away something
the following: “Today, we honor the legacy of Fred Korematsu, so we will never forget the injustices inflicted upon innocent citizens who were incarcerated, treated like second-class citizens, and denied due process and equal protection guaranteed to them by the Constitution. The stories of Fred Korematsu and of many other leaders in the fight for civil rights not only remind us of the wrongs in history, but also serve as a learning opportunity for all of us on how we should treat our neighbors and fellow citizens. Today, we remember the dangers of casting stereotypes based on race, religion, or sexual orientation. And we recommit to our country’s ideals of protecting civil rights and promoting an environment where people can strive to achieve the American dream based solely on the content of their characters, not on the color of their skin, where they come from, or who they love.”
meaningful after they leave the event, said Vo. It seemed like Vo has accomplished his goal with this event. Michelle Le, a UW student who recently discovered Yus blog after seeing posters promoting the event, fell in love with it almost immediately. With him, I feel like theres someone who understands it, she said. Before he ended his talk, Yu gave his audience a mission: “Find out what makes you angry. Find out what you give a damn about, and give those damns. Get angry.” Alia Marsha can be reached at info@ nwasianweekly.com.
{BLOG cont’d from page 10} people on the street. Moms deserve credit If I were a judge for the kids’ parade, I would have given many creativity awards to moms who made beautiful costumes for their children. So many of them made horse costumes. One even bought a horse toy for her son to ride on. Thanks, moms, for all your handiwork. See you next year.
Thank you for recycling this newspaper!
Urban Planning Department of Stanford University. “This will be a tour of China for future leaders who want an incredible cultural experience and want to prepare for the challenges of the 21st century by honing their leadership, problem solving, and communications skills,” said Hsu. The 15-day program goes from June 30 to July 15. For additional information, contact Walking Tree Travel at 303-242-8541 or visit the website at www.walkingtree.org.
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32 YEARS YOUR VOICE
■ astrology
FEBRUARY 8 – FEBRUARY 14, 2014
13
For the week of February 8–February 14, 2014 By Sun Lee Chang
Rat — An unexpected windfall is cause for celebration. Squandering it is easy. The real trick is to save as much of it as possible.
Dragon — Give your day a kickstart by reminding yourself of all that you have accomplished, despite the obstacles along the way.
Monkey — Does a friend sound upset, but you’re not sure why? There might be something you can do for her. All you have to do is ask.
Ox — You greet the world with open arms. Don’t allow the negativity of one person to alter or change your positive outlook.
Snake — Are you having a hard time figuring out what to wear in the morning? Stock your wardrobe with basic staples that will get you through the work week.
Rooster — Although you tend to resist depending on others, there are times when it works best to rely on a team, rather than going at it alone.
Tiger — Not in the mood to write? Pick up the phone instead. It might be nice to hear a friendly voice on the other line.
Horse — Don’t let down your guard until the job is done. You want to be in a position to respond quickly to any cracks that may develop.
Dog — Even the most capable of folks need practice to learn a new skill. Don’t expect too much the first time through.
Rabbit — Do you feel like you are in the middle of a flurry of activity? There is no reason why you can’t be the calm at the center of the storm.
Goat — Over the course of your adventure, you will play many roles. Keep that in mind if you are wishing for another position.
Pig — Have you recently made a big decision on a mere whim? Your spontaneity is probably mirroring something that has been around all along.
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 Monkey 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004 Rooster 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005 Dog 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006 Pig 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007
*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.
{BRUNELL cont’d from page 11} Currently, our state benefits greatly from U.S. trade with Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and China. One reason is our proximity to Asian ports. A second is that our ports can handle the supersize ships that can’t get through the Panama Canal. Because those massive ships can’t fit through the canal, they load and unload their cargo at West Coast ports, such as Seattle and Tacoma. The cargo is then transferred to trucks and trains headed east and south. But when the expansion project is completed, the Panama Canal will be able to handle more — and bigger — ships, meaning super freighters will be able to travel more efficiently and economically through the canal to ports on the East Coast and the Gulf of Mexico. Ports on the Eastern Seaboard are spending an estimated
$46 billion by 2017 to prepare for these larger ships. Nationally, the major railroads spent $14 billion last year on equipment and track and bridge improvements. In Washington, BNSF spent $125 million during 2013 for railway maintenance, capacity improvements, and expansion projects to be ready for the increased trade. We will soon lose our historic advantage. If we are to remain competitive, we must invest because currently, Seattle and Tacoma ports are mired in gridlock. Time is money, and without completing projects such as Highway 167, shipping companies may have to look elsewhere where transportation to and from seaports is quicker and cheaper. Those are dollars and jobs lost. According to Association of Washington Business data, international trade supports an estimated 846,000 jobs in Washington and generated $65 billion in exports in 2012. Washington’s trade-related employment grew three and a
half times faster than total employment from 2004 to 2011 — and state exports have grown 50 percent faster than the state GDP since 2002. Trade is also crucial to small employers in Washington, the source of most of our job growth. Ninety-one percent of Washington exporters are small- and medium-sized companies with fewer than 500 workers. It is vital that legislators creatively address highway gridlock and approve transportation improvements this year, so we can begin eliminating transportation bottlenecks before the expanded Panama Canal opens in two years. Don Brunell is a business analyst, writer, and columnist. He recently retired as president of the Association of Washington Business, the state’s oldest and largest business organization, and now lives in Vancouver. He can be contacted at TheBrunells@msn.com.
{THAI RALLY cont’d from page 1} the Thai courts since 1989. Monson claims Thaksin violated an agreement they had to jointly operate a cable television business, stole Monson’s equipment, and filed criminal charges against Monson. Although he is currently exiled from Thailand, Thaksin is believed by many of the protesters to be in control of the government through his sister’s rule. “Thaksin is a master of deceit,” said Monson.
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{NADELLA cont’d from page 1} Nadella. “Make no mistake, we are headed for greater places — as technology evolves and we evolve with and ahead of it. Our job is to ensure that Microsoft thrives in a mobile and cloud-first world.” Microsoft also announced that Microsoft founder Bill Gates, previously chairman of the board of directors, will assume a new role on the board as founder and technology adviser, and will devote more time to the company, supporting Nadella in shaping technology and product direction. “Satya is a proven leader with hardcore engineering skills, business vision, and the ability to bring people together,” said Gates. “His vision for how technology will be used and experienced around the world is exactly what Microsoft needs as the company enters its next chapter of {A-POP cont’d from page 8} and her live performance featuring yellowface and dancing geishas at the AMAs. Unsurprisingly, yellowface strikes again in early 2014, and this time popular CBS sitcom “How I Met Your Mother” is the culprit. The nine-season show, which is currently in its final season, aired a controversial episode that focused on a main character retelling how he learned a comically exaggerated slap under the tutelage of various martial arts teachers. The aforementioned martial arts teachers — portrayed by three other Caucasian cast members — rocked light yellowface makeup, and donned specific props and clothing to hype up an intentional Oriental theme. To drive home the “Kung Fu” vibe, one of the characters even sported a Fu Manchu moustache. Viewers took to social media to debate the matter, and a hashtag titled #HowIMetYourRacism started trending on Twitter to generate awareness and criticism of the episode. The outcries caught the attention of the show’s executives. Co-
expanded product innovation and growth.” Nadella succeeds Bill Gates and Steve Ballmer as the third chief executive of Microsoft. “Having worked with him for more than 20 years, I know that Satya is the right leader at the right time for Microsoft,” said Ballmer, who announced on Aug. 23, 2013 that he would retire once a successor was named. “I’ve had the distinct privilege of working with the most talented employees and senior leadership team in the industry, and I know their passion and hunger for greatness will only grow stronger under Satya’s leadership.” Debadutta Dash, co-chair of the Washington State India Trade Relations Action Committee, praised the choice of Nadella. “The decision of choosing Satya Nadella as the CEO of Microsoft is a very smart one for the company,” said Dash. “Besides being a very low-profile technocrat with
creator Carter Bays took to his Twitter account to address the negative reactions. Bays cited that the writers sought to write a silly and lighthearted homage to Kung Fu movies, but realized they had unintentionally offended people in the process, and hoped to regain the faith of its viewers. Though it was a safe response to the controversy, I thought the apology was sincere. Surprisingly, some Asian Americans defended the episode. Vietnamese American comedian Dat Phan appeared on CNN to debate the matter, arguing that an apology from the show’s creators was unnecessary. Phan is best known for winning the stand-up comedy competition reality show “Last Comic Standing” in 2003. He went on to argue that because the Caucasian actors played their roles “relatively straight” and did not perpetuate more extreme Asian stereotypes, such as adopting thick Asian accents or a slanted eye look, he did not feel that there was just cause for outrage. I do not agree with Phan. Just because those extreme stereotypes did not appear in the episode does not mean that its existing
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excellent people skills, he knows the company very well from inside. His appointment as the CEO is not only a matter of celebration for people of color (and changing demographics) in the United States, but also a good news for corporate America looking at India as a rising economic powerhouse on the horizon. It is a win-win for all.” In a letter introducing himself to Microsoft employees, Nadella said he joined Microsoft “to change the world through technology that empowers people to do amazing things.” “Many companies aspire to change the world,” Nadella said. “But very few have all the elements required: talent, resources, and perseverance. Microsoft has proven that it has all three in abundance. And as the new CEO, I can’t ask for a better foundation.” Nadella is 46 years old and married with three children. His hobbies include playing cricket and poetry.
offenses don’t have merit. To condone this episode is to claim that it’s actually OK to use an entire race and culture as a costume. And that is definitely NOT OK. What do you think? What’s your take on the yellowface found in “How I Met Your
Mother”? Do you agree or disagree with Phan? Vivian Nguyen can be reached at info@ nwasianweekly.com.
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FEBRUARY 8 – FEBRUARY 14, 2014