PRSRT STD U.S. Postage Paid Permit No. 746 Seattle, WA
VOL 35 NO 10
MARCH 5 – MARCH 11, 2016
INSIDE Know your rights
and learn what to do during immigration raids (infographic). » see 8
Writer Martin Limón
FREE
34 YEARS YOUR VOICE
Japanese curry is Top women the answer! (to retirement) Uwajimaya bosses on leadership
Chicken pasta: fried karaage chicken surrounding spaghetti, smothered with sauteed green peppers, onions, mushrooms
lives quietly near Seattle. In his imagination, however, he’s often traveling to South Korea. » see 7
Photo by Stacy Nguyen/NWAW
House white sauce (goes with chicken pasta)
Rallies for Liang
marked an unexpectedly large outpour of activism from an ethnic group that often has to struggle to be heard above the din in the city. » see 4
Denise Moriguchi (left) and her aunt, Tomoko Moriguchi-Matsuno. Denise is slated to take over as CEO of Uwajimaya Inc. from her aunt.
Tokyo curry, laden with ground beef, carrots, green peppers and onions
Hurry Curry of Tokyo co-owners Tay and Becky Yoshitani
have criticized celebrities for attending an event in northeastern India with members of the Tibetan government-inexile. » see 5
After acquittal, Jarred Ha just wants life back
Like many ambitious, young University of Washington students anxious about college exams, third-year junior Jarred Ha studied for a test for the upcoming week, writing down everything he recalled from his class. Except Ha did this from the King County jail as a result of an incident in which he defended himself from an attack near the University of Washington (UW) campus. Ha is seeking to get back into the UW and continue his accounting studies in the Foster School of Business.
thought they put immigration problems behind them. But now that detente is over. Passions are raging once again. » see 4
Editorial: Oscars
Astrology » 13 Classifieds » 14
■
Photo provided by Jarred Ha
not only #sowhite, but also disparaging toward Asians » see 11
Calendar » 6
{see UWAJIMAYA on 16}
Educational disparities Data key to closing gap?
By Jason Cruz Northwest Asian Weekly
Nevada Republicans
Community news » 2–3
see page 10
Today, women make up only 5 percent of Fortune 500 CEOs, according to data from Pew Research Center. Further, women comprise only 17 percent of corporate board membership in Fortune 500 companies. Tomoko Moriguchi-Matsuno, CEO of Uwajimaya, and her niece Denise Moriguchi, Uwajimaya’s new president, are two rarities. They are women of color leading a local institution that is turning 88 years old. In an interview, they discussed what company decisions they make to maintain their dominance as a top Asian food retailer and wholesaler, how they sustain their business, and why they are qualified to do the job.
Janilla Augofie
By Starla Sampaco Northwest Asian Weekly
On the night of Jan. 25, 2015, Ha and his friends were heading out for a “21 run” — a rite of passage
University of Washington (UW) sophomore Janilla Augofie takes pride in being the first member in her family to go to college. But despite this accomplishment, Augofie has struggled in silence while navigating the educational system. In addition to the rigor of her coursework, Augofie had troubles adjusting to the unfamiliarity of college life. At a school attended by
{see HA on 15}
{see EDUCATION on 11}
A dispute turns ugly
Jarred Ha with his sister, Vanessa Ha
Photo by Starla Sampaco
China’s state media
By Gabriella Neal Northwest Asian Weekly
Photo by Stacy Nguyen/NWAW
Photo by George Liu/NWAW
Spaghetti with an overeasy egg on top (goes with Tokyo curry)
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asianweekly northwest
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MARCH 5 – MARCH 11, 2016
■ names in the news Photo by Rick Wong
Asian American theater company featured by UW
The Northwest Asian American Theatre, Feb. 8
On Feb. 8, the Northwest Asian American Theatre (NWAAT) was honored by the University of Washington School of Drama during part of their 75th anniversary celebration, Seattle Theatres Lost and Found, honoring theater companies no longer up and running. The evening included excerpt readings
from “The Wash” by Philip Kan Gotanda, “Miss Minidoka 1943” by Gary Iwamoto, and “FOB” by David Henry Hwang. Former NWAAT artists participating included: Stan Asis, Leilani Berinobis, Kathy Hsieh, Bea Kiyohara, Maydene Pang, Stephen Sumida, Marilyn Tokuda, and Herb Tsuchiya.
Chinese Chamber ushers in Lunar New Year
Photo by George Liu/NWAW
On Feb. 25, the Greater Seattle Chinese Chamber of Commerce held its Lunar New Year dinner at China Harbor Restaurant. The program included a lion dance, the introduction of the chamber’s Impaction Award, an auction, and scholarship distribution. The master of ceremonies was Phillip Yin. Founded in 1963, the nonprofit, non-partisan group is the voice of the Chinese business community. Its 2016 president is David Leong.
Literacy champ Higashi to get Seattle Arts & Lecture award Seattle Arts & Lectures (SAL) announced that it will present the third annual Sherry Prowda Literary Champion Award to Chris Higashi, program director for the Washington Center for the Book Chris Higashi at Seattle Public Library. Higashi will receive her award SAL’s annual Words Matter benefit gala on March 10. Programs such as Seattle Reads, cofounded with Nancy Pearl and coordinated by Higashi, have earned national acclaim for presenting events with diverse cultural and historical significance. Seattle Reads spotlights authors in and outside the U.S. representing multiple languages and mediums including graphic narratives. In her time at the Center, Higashi has also revived the Washington State Book Awards including a selection process and ceremonial recognition. Founded in 1987, Seattle Arts & Lectures champions the literary arts by engaging and inspiring readers and writers of all generations in the Puget Sound region.
Sisavatdy is new AANAPISI director Ekkarath “Ekk” Sisavatdy is the new director of the AANAPISI (Asian American and Native American Pacific IslanderServing Institution) program at Highline College. It is a new Ekkarath “Ekk” position at the college, Sisavatdy resulting from a fiveyear, $1.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education to increase enrollment of and provide extra support for AAPI students. Prior to his appointment, Sisavatdy served as a program manager in Highline’s Advising department. Sisavatdy was one of the co-founders of the Southeast Asian Education Coalition, based in south King County. He also served as a Leadership in Action intern with Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics, where he worked in the Asian and Pacific Islander community in Southern California, and was selected to attend a weeklong Leadership and Advocacy Training program conducted by the Southeast Asia Resource Action Center in the District of Columbia. Highline College is one of only ten higher education institutions nationwide to receive AANAPISI grant and the only one in the state of Washington.
FOCS holds fourth its community dialogue
Photo from FOCS
Greater Seattle Chinese Chamber of Commerce members at their Lunar New Year banquet, Feb. 25
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Breakout sessions sharing experiences, resilience, birthing questions and bridging birth workers to families
Last month, Families of Color Seattle (FOCS) held its Community Dialogue 4: Anti-Racist Birthing and Reproductive Justice, which brought together 70 attendees to build community and connect families of color to birthing professionals from King County and to share birthing options and resources. Birth workers facilitated small group discussions on topics including: how to
CulturalFest brings 35 countries to Seattle On Feb. 12, University of Washington (UW) student volunteers presented 40 booths at the CulturalFest International Expo featuring more than 35 different countries, regions, and cultures. The event was held in the Husky Union Building ballroom at the UW. Produced by the Foundation for International Understanding Through Students (FIUTS), the event draws nearly 2,000 visitors. FIUTS connects students to local and global communities through programs that build international awareness, crosscultural understanding, and informed leadership. FIUTS was founded in 1948 as an independent nonprofit organization affiliated with the UW.
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Photo from FUITS
Honey Tangerine
become a birth worker of color, midwifery and doula services, LGBTQ families, learning about fertility options and healing and resilience through loss and trauma. The event keynote speaker was Tara Mudaliar. Panelists were Emi Yamasaki McLaughlin, Camie Jae Goldhammer, Grace Uomoto, Marquita Straus, Rafael/a Luna-Pizano, and Penny Simkin.
UW Nepalese Student Association talks to and shows Seattle elementary students about their home country.
34 YEARS YOUR VOICE
■ community NEWS Inslee signs order to create new cabinet agency for children’s services On Feb. 18, Washington state Gov. Jay Inslee signed an executive order that sets in motion a new structure for delivering services to children. A new cabinet agency will be charged with overseeing the services the state provides to vulnerable children and families. Many of these services are currently adGov. Jay Inslee ministered by the Washington state Department of Social & Health Services. “Of all the resources we have in the state of Washington, our children are by far the most precious. But while we have entire state agencies dedicated to priorities like natural resources, revenue, and transportation, we do not have a department specifically dedicated to our children,” Inslee said. “Today, we are beginning the process to change that.” Growing evidence from states, such as New Jersey, Tennes-
see, and Indiana, that have created separate children’s departments, suggest better outcomes due to the improved focus, visibility, and accountability on children’s services. The idea to create a separate agency for child welfare was first introduced by legislators in 1988 and numerous proposals have been passed since then. In 2007, a Joint Task Force on Administration and Delivery to Services of Children and Families did an extensive review of the idea and recommended the state create a separate department. Washington state made a similar move in 2007 to boost early learning by creating a Department of Early Learning. Inslee’s executive order creates a blue ribbon commission on the delivery of services to children and families. The commission is tasked with sending the legislature recommendations for the organizational structure, cost estimates for IT and capital, and measurable benchmarks for assessing the effectiveness of the new department. The commission’s report is due Nov. 1. For more information, visit governor.wa.gov.
Scholarship available for Japanese and American students studying abroad The U.S.–Japan Council (USJC) introduced the U.S.–Japan Council Toshizo Watanabe Endowed Scholarship on Feb. 18. The scholarship is for undergraduate American and Japanese students in a term or a year-long study abroad program in the United States or Japan. During the inaugural program U.S.–Japan Council Toshizo year (2016–2017), the scholarship Watanabe will be used to assist Japanese students studying in the United States. In the future years, it will support American students who study in Japan. It is for students with leadership potential, who cannot study abroad without financial assistance. The scholarship is made possible through a $10 million
endowment from Toshizo Watanabe, president of the Toshizo Watanabe Foundation. This is the largest donation USJC has ever received. Watanabe offered this donation partly because of his experience as a student. When he was a student, he received a scholarship from the Japanese government. He also received other awards, which helped him study at Brandeis University in Massachusetts. After building his successful career at a Japanese company, he wanted to pay it forward. USJC is a nonprofit educational organization working on strengthening the connection between America and Japan. The council was founded in Washington, D.C., in 2008, and the Japanese headquarters was created in Tokyo in 2013. For more information or to apply for a scholarship (due April 1), visit usjapancouncil.org/watanabe_scholarship.
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MARCH 5 – MARCH 11, 2016
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Free work prep classes offered to Bellevue residents Bellevue College will offer free work prep classes to non-native English speakers, immigrants, refugees, and citizens who live in Bellevue this spring. There are going to be three classes: ●● Preparing for work Dates: April 5 to June 16 Time: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 5:30–7:30 p.m., and an hour of online work each week Location: R101 (Main Campus) This course helps students increase their skills in ▪▪ finding jobs in America ▪▪ researching about jobs ▪▪ interviewing for jobs ▪▪ writing resumes, letters, and applications ▪▪ setting goals and taking actions ●● Working in English Dates: April 9 to June 11 Time: Saturdays, 9 a.m.–12 p.m., and an hour of online work each week Location: R101 (Main Campus) This course helps students increase their skills in ▪▪ understanding American culture ▪▪ business writing: e-mails and letters ▪▪ business communications ▪▪ participating at work and speaking up ▪▪ making suggestions and presentations ●● On the job communication Dates: April 9 to June 11 Time: Saturdays, 9 a.m.–12:50 p.m. Location: R309 (Main Campus) This course helps students increase their skills in ▪▪ speaking with people at work ▪▪ listening to directions and requests ▪▪ writing messages and completing forms ▪▪ reading work forms and documents The registration for the classes is the first day of each class. Since it was founded in 1966, Bellevue College has welcomed more than 32,000 students from all over the world. It offers six transfer programs and about 100 professional and technological programs. For more information about the three spring courses, visit bellevuecolleges.edu/preparingforwork, call 425564-2723, or e-mail prep4work@bellevuecollege.edu.
asianweekly northwest
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MARCH 5 – MARCH 11, 2016
■ national news
Asian Americans debate support for convicted NYC cop, Peter Liang
By Deepti Hajela Associated Press
NEW YORK (AP) — In a nation accustomed to demonstrations over police shootings of unarmed Black men, this was something completely different: more than 10,000 mostly Chinese Americans rallying in support of the Chinese American officer who pulled the trigger. The rally last weekend for Peter Liang, a rookie New York officer convicted of recklessly firing a bullet that killed an innocent man in a dark stairwell, marked an unexpectedly large outpouring of activism from an ethnic group that often has to struggle to be heard above the din in the city. Many said they believe Liang is being made a scapegoat for acts of police brutality largely committed by whites. Demonstrations were also held in Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Francisco, and Seattle.
Yan Sun, a political science professor from Queens, said she and other demonstrators believe that prosecutors looking to make a point about police accountability felt free to make an example out of Liang because he comes from a community that isn’t thought to carry a lot of poPeter Liang litical clout. “We feel of one of our own is sacrificed because we don’t make noise,” she said. Other Asian Americans have looked on the protests with dismay, saying Liang is no victim and the demonstrators are taking on the wrong fight. The officer was on routine patrol in a public housing project when he entered the stairwell with his gun drawn and accidentally fired a shot when he was startled by a noise.
The bullet ricocheted and struck Akai Gurley, 28, killing him. Liang testified it was an accident, but prosecutors said he was reckless to have his gun out and his finger on the trigger, and failed to help Gurley as he lay dying. A jury convicted Liang of manslaughter on Feb. 11. He could get up to 15 years in prison, or as little as probation. “I believe, a lot of people believe, they’re using him as a scapegoat,” said Steve Chung, a demonstrator from Brooklyn. Annie Tan, an activist and educator in Chicago, said she sympathizes with those who see injustice in the way so many white officers who have shot Black men have been acquitted or have not faced charges. She said Asian Americans have also been ill-treated by the criminal justice system, citing the case of Vincent Chin, who was beaten to death in Michigan {see LIANG on 12}
Leland Yee Republican race rips bandage off sentenced in Nevada immigration detente racketeering case By Nicholas Riccardi Associated Press
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A federal judge sentenced former California state senator Leland Yee on Feb. 24 to five years in prison after he acknowledged in a plea deal that he accepted thousands of dollars in bribes and discussed helping an undercover FBI agent buy automatic weapons from the Philippines. Senior District Court Judge Leland Yee Charles Breyer called the weapons allegations against Yee — a gun control advocate — unfathomable and said it was frightening that Yee would be willing to go entirely against his public position on guns in exchange for money. “I don’t feel I should be lenient,” Breyer said during the hearing. “The crimes that you committed have resulted in essentially an attack on democratic institutions.” Still, Breyer’s sentence fell on the low end of guidelines that called for a prison term of between four years and 9 months and six years. Prosecutors had recommended an eight-year sentence. Yee’s attorneys had called for no more than five years and three months behind bars, saying Yee had a history of public service and his wife was ill. Yee, 67, told the judge before sentencing that he had accepted responsibility for his crimes and wanted to take care of his disabled wife. “Nothing will ever take away those crimes and those actions,” he said. “Nothing that I will ever do will take away the pain that I have caused to my family friends, constituents, supporters.” Yee has been free pending sentencing. Breyer ordered him to surrender in 30 days. Yee and his attorney declined comment outside the courtroom. Yee is a long-time politician who also served in the state assembly and on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. He pleaded guilty in July to one count of conspiracy to engage in racketeering. The charge was filed as part of an organized crime investigation in San Francisco’s Chinatown that led to charges against more than two dozen people. The probe also snared Raymond “Shrimp Boy” Chow, a flamboyant leader of a Chinese fraternal organization — the Ghee Kung Tong. Federal agents say one of Chow’s associates was Keith {see YEE on 12}
PAHRUMP, Nev. (AP) — Nevada Republicans thought they had put their immigration problems behind them. After Sen. Harry Reid held onto his seat in 2010 by defending immigrants’ rights and in 2012 President Barack Obama handily Donald Trump won a state that is only 52 percent white, the state’s Republicans backed off their hardline stance on illegal immigration. The state party called for citizenship for people living in the country illegally, Republicans fell in line behind their popular Latino governor, Brian Sandoval, and the GOP swept the 2014 elections while hardly discussing the issue. But now that detente is over. With elected officials in the state feuding over immigration and the party’s
{see NEVADA on 12}
Agent Orange catching up to Vietnam veterans decades later By Don Wilkins Owensboro Messenger Inquirer
OWENSBORO, Ky. (AP) — Snow fell outside the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 696 as its members held their monthly meeting Feb. 9. Although attendance was down, most of those present were Vietnam veterans receiving some percentage of disability benefits from their exposure to Agent Orange — a herbicide sprayed by the United States military during the Vietnam War from 1961 to 1971. Among them were Billy Milan, Lou Drawdy, and Terry Stinson. They were like thousands of other Vietnam vets who returned home unaware that they had been exposed to the same toxic dioxin that was meant to combat their enemies — the Viet Cong guerrillas and the North Vietnamese Army,
Photo by R.W. Trewyn/U.S. Army
Sudhin Thanawala Associated Press
presidential contest in town, passions are raging once again and raising the specter that the party will never resolve the issue even where it is essential for its political survival. “There is a backlash in general against people who break the law and get away with it,” said Assemblyman Ira Hansen, a supporter of Sen. Ted Cruz. “Nevada is very Sen. Ted Cruz much a microcosm of what’s happened nationally,” he added — elite Republicans turned dovish on immigration, “and that conflicts with the rank and file. … That’s why Trump has taken off so well.” Nevada’s economy depends on a steady flow of overseas tourists. It is 28 percent Latino, 9 percent Asian American, and leads the nation with the highest rate of
U.S. Army Huey helicopter spraying Agent Orange over Vietnamese agricultural land
known as “Charlie” to U.S. forces. Now, decades later, Agent Orange is catching up with Vietnam veterans, leading to debilitating and deadly
health problems that range from heart disease to various forms of cancer. [see ORANGE on 14}
34 YEARS YOUR VOICE
MARCH 5 – MARCH 11, 2016
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■ WORLD NEWS Philippine commission urged to stop Pacquiao fight due to too much publicity By Teresa Cerojano Associated Press MANILA, Philippines (AP) — World boxing star Manny Pacquiao’s April 9 bout with Timothy Bradley came under a cloud Feb. 22 when the Philippine elections commission was asked to stop the Las Vegas match because it would give the Filipino slugger and senatorial candidate massive publicity. Former Rep. Walden Bello, also a senatorial candidate in the May 9 elections, said in his petition to the Commission on Elections that allowing the welterweight fight to proceed during the campaign period would violate a law giving candidates equal access to media publicity and a ban on TV and radio programs favoring a candidate. Bello, a left-wing politician who has not fared well in voter-preference polls ahead of the elections, said the fight,
which Pacquiao declared would be his last, should be postponed until after the elections. Pacquiao, 37, has not fought since losing to Floyd Mayweather Jr. last May in the richest fight ever. Pacquiao reportedly made more than $100 million for that fight, and Manny Pacquiao is guaranteed $20 million to fight Bradley. The eight-division champion is the Philippines’ most famous athlete. He has represented Sarangani province in the Philippines’ House of Representatives since May 2010, though he has drawn criticism for seldom showing up for legislative duties. Pacquiao will face Bradley at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, completing a trilogy between two
3 former execs of utility charged in Fukushima disaster
of the world’s top welterweights. Bradley won a hotly disputed split decision over Pacquiao in their first meeting in June 2012, but Pacquiao won by unanimous decision in the April 2014 rematch. The Bible-quoting Pacquiao has been embroiled in controversy recently for saying that people in samesex relations are “worse than animals,” drawing the ire of netizens and celebrities. He made the comment when asked by a local TV network about his views on samesex marriage, and video of his response was posted on the network’s website. In response to the remark, apparel giant Nike said that it would no longer have any business dealings with Pacquiao, and that that it found his comments “abhorrent.” Pacquiao has apologized to people hurt by his comments {see PACQUIAO on 13}
Chinese celebrities warned not to mix with exiled Tibetans Faye Wong
Hujun
By Louise Watt Associated Press
authorities’ warnings that actors and singers must “serve the people and socialism.” An article on China Tibet Online last week that was widely carried by other state media said there was nothing wrong with Beijing {see CELEBS on 13}
Photo by あばさ
BEIJING (AP) — China’s state media have criticized celebrities for attending an event in northeastern India with members of the Tibetan government-in-exile, adding to Chinese
Tony Leung
Radiation hotspot in Kashiwa, 2012
By Mari Yamaguchi Associated Press TOKYO (AP) — Three former Japanese utility executives were formally charged Monday, Feb. 29 with negligence in the Fukushima nuclear disaster, becoming the first officials from the company to face a criminal trial. Five court-appointed lawyers indicted Tsunehisa Katsumata, chairman of Tokyo Electric power Co. at the time of the crisis, and two other TEPCO executives, according to the lawyers’ offices. The three men, charged with professional negligence, were not taken into custody. The indictment follows a decision in July by an 11-member judicial committee to send the three men to a criminal court after prosecutors dropped the case twice, saying they could not obtain sufficient evidence to bring criminal charges against them. In Japan, a court-appointed judicial committee has the final say about criminal complaints filed to a prosecutors’ office,
which are then dropped. Proving criminal responsibility for failing to prevent the Fukushima meltdowns may be difficult, but many people, including residents of the area affected by the disaster, say they hope any trial will reveal information about the disaster and TEPCO’s role that has not been disclosed by the utility. “I believe truths about the accident that we are not told of yet will be revealed in court, and that a fair ruling will be handed down to the defendants for their responsibility,” said Ruiko Muto, head of a group of more than 5,000 people from Fukushima and other parts of Japan that filed the criminal complaint four years ago. Three reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi plant suffered meltdowns after being damaged by a massive March 2011 earthquake and tsunami. The accident released large amounts of radiation, forcing tens of thousands of people to evacuate. {see FUKUSHIMA on 13}
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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 info@nwasianweekly.com • ads@nwasianweekly.com • www.nwasianweekly.com
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MARCH 5 – MARCH 11, 2016
■ COMMUNITY calendar THU 3/3 WHAT: API Chaya 21st Annual Candlelight Vigil WHERE: King County Courthouse, 516 3rd Ave., Seattle WHEN: 4–6 p.m. DONATION SUGGESTIONS: $25-$500 INFO: priyan@apichaya.org WHAT: “Massive Monkees: The Beacon,” Seattle Channel documentary profiles Seattlegrown, world-champion hip hop crew WHERE: MOHAI, 860 Terry Ave. N., Seattle WHEN: 11 a.m., 2 p.m., 6 p.m. INFO: seattlechannel.org WHAT: Aleksey Igudesman and Phyung-ki Joo, a onenight-only performance WHERE: Seattle Symphony Orchestra, 200 University St., Seattle WHEN: 7:30 p.m. COST: $26 INFO: seattlesymphony.org
FRI 3/4 WHAT: English Luncheon: International District Uwajimaya’s Publix Hotel, presented by speaker Miye Moriguchi WHERE: Joyale, 900 S. Jackson St. #203, Seattle WHEN: 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. INFO: 206-743-2199, seattlechinesechamber.org
FRI–SUN 3/4–3/6 WHAT: Japanese literature public reading, “Sons” WHERE: UW, Jones Playhouse, Seattle WHEN: Fri–Sat, 7:30 p.m.; Sun, 2 p.m. COST: $8–$10 TICKETS: 206-543-4880 INFO: drama.uw.edu/ performances
SAT 3/5 WHAT: Sukiyaki Dinner WHERE: Blaine Memorial United Methodist Church, 3001 24th Ave. S., Seattle WHEN: 4–7 p.m. COST: $15/adult dinner, $9/ kids dinner INFO: 206-723-1536, blaineonline.org WHAT: Poetry reading from “Adoptionland: From Orphans to Activists,” with Janine Myung Ja WHERE: Highwood Ridge Condos Clubhouse, 15026 40th Ave. W., Lynnwood WHEN: 5–6:30 p.m. COST: free INFO: bit.ly/1oIp6o8 WHAT: Author Sharon H. Chang’s first book signing, “Raising Mixed Race” WHERE: Kinokuniya Bookstore, 525 S. Weller St., Seattle WHEN: 2 p.m. INFO: on.fb.me/1XNEZFf
WHAT: Performances of “Paper Angels,” a play by Genny Lim WHERE: Seattle Center, 305 Harrison St., Seattle WHEN: 5 p.m. COST: $10 WHAT: Asia Pacific Cultural Center Presents Tea Experience: Korea WHERE: Asia Pacific Cultural Center, 4851 South Tacoma Way, Tacoma WHEN: 10 a.m. COST: $10 INFO: asiapacificculturalcenter.org/ teaexperience WHAT: Asia Pacific Cultural Center Presents Taste of Asia, cooking lesson: Korea WHERE: Asia Pacific Cultural Center, 4851 South Tacoma Way, Tacoma WHEN: 12 p.m. COST: $25 INFO: asiapacificculturalcenter.org/ tasteofasia WHAT: Join the Food Access Team for “What’s Your Feminism Like?” WHERE: Southside Commons, 3518 S. Edmunds St., Seattle WHEN: 12:30–3 p.m. INFO: tammy@gotgreen.org, 206-290-5136 WHAT: Women of Color Speak Out — Climate and Patriarchy WHERE: Southside Commons, 3518 S. Edmunds St., Seattle WHEN: 2-4 p.m. INFO: tammy@gotgreen.org, 206-290-5136
SAT 3/5 & SAT 3/12 WHAT: Free Tax Help WHERE: Chinese Baptist Church, 5801 Beacon Ave. S., Seattle WHEN: 10 a.m. –3 p.m.
INFO: 206-725-6363
SUN 3/6–WED 5/18 WHAT: Anne Frank: a history for today WHERE: Henry and Sandra Friedman Holocaust Center for Humanity, 2045 2nd Ave., Seattle RSVP: amanda@ holocaustcenterseattle.org
THU 3/10 WHAT: Screening and talk session with director Masakazu Sugita, “Joy of Man’s Desiring,” 64th Berlin International Film Festival WHERE: SIFF Center WHEN: 12 p.m. and 6 p.m.
FRI 3/18 WHAT: Vietnamese Friendship Association 2016 Benefit Dinner WHERE: Saint Demetrios Hall, 2100 Boyer Ave. E., Seattle WHEN: 6 p.m. INFO: Kristina.ong@ vfaseattle.org
SAT 3/19 WHAT: “Virtuosity of the Soloist in Performance,” featuring Wu Han, Benjamin Beilman, Kristin Lee, Sean Lee, Richard O’Neill, and Nicholas Canellakis WHERE: Meany Hall, UW of Seattle Campus WHEN: 7:30 p.m. COST: $40–$45 INFO: 206-543-4880, uwworldseries.org
SAT 3/19 & SUN 3/20 WHAT: Awareness Enabled Life Positioning Workshop WHERE: Nalanda West, 3902 Woodland Park Ave. N., Seattle WHEN: 3/19 at 9:30 a.m. –12:15 p.m., 3/20 at 2 p.m. –5 p.m.
INFO: nalandawest.org/ events/awareness-enabled-life
THU 3/24 WHAT: 8th Annual Tomodachi Luncheon Fundraising Event WHERE: Seattle University, Campion Ballroom WHEN: 12–1:30 p.m. SUGGESTED DONATION: $150/person, $300/couple RSVP: tomodachirsvp@jcccw. org, 206-568-7114, jcccw.org/ tomodachi-luncheon-2016
SAT 3/26 WHAT: The Wing presents, “Identity Through Art” WHERE: The Westin Seattle, 1900 5th Ave., Seattle WHEN: 5 p.m. general reception, 6:30 p.m. dinner and live auction INFO: wingluke. org/2016auction, 206-6235124, ext. 106
MON 3/28 WHAT: 12th Annual Seattle– Kobe Female Jazz Vocalist, live auditions WHERE: Jazz Alley, 2033 6th Ave., Seattle WHEN: 6:30–9:30 p.m. COST: $15/adults, $10/ students & seniors INFO: 206-441-9729, jazzalley.com
FRI 4/1, SAT 4/2, AND SUN 4/3 WHAT: Japanese literature public reading, “People Sitting in Darkness” WHERE: UW, Penthouse Theatre, Seattle WHEN: Fri–Sat, 7:30 p.m., Sun, 2 p.m. COST: $8–$10 TICKETS: 206-543-4880 INFO: drama.uw.edu/ performances
SAT 4/2 WHAT: Asia Pacific Cultural Center Presents Tea Experience: Hawaii WHERE: Asia Pacific Cultural Center, 4851 South Tacoma Way, Tacoma WHEN: 10 a.m. COST: $10 INFO: asiapacificculturalcenter.org/ teaexperience WHAT: Asia Pacific Cultural Center Presents Taste of Asia, cooking lesson: Hawaii WHERE: Asia Pacific Cultural Center, 4851 South Tacoma Way, Tacoma WHEN: 12 p.m. COST: $25 INFO: asiapacificculturalcenter.org/ tasteofasia
THRU MON 4/11 WHAT: Ai Weiwei’s “Fault Line” exhibition WHERE: San Juan Islands Museum of Art, 540 Spring St., Friday Harbor INFO: sjima.org/exhibitions/ ai-weiwei
FRI 4/15 WHAT: Author Talk, “Journey into Consciousness,” with Shelly Wilson WHERE: East West Bookshop, 6407 12th Ave. N.E., Seattle WHEN: 7:30–9 p.m. COST: $20 INFO: shellyrwilson.com
SAT 4/16 WHAT: Asians Collaborating Together Conference WHERE: UW, Samuel E. Kelly Ethnic Cultural Center, 3931 Brooklyn Ave. N.E., Seattle WHEN: 8 a.m. INFO: www.naspa.org
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34 YEARS YOUR VOICE
MARCH 5 – MARCH 11, 2016
7
■ arts & entertainment Limón reimagines his Korean War history in detective series By Andrew Hamlin Northwest Asian Weekly Novelist Martin Limón lives quietly near Seattle. In his imagination, however, he’s often traveling to South Korea, where his series of military thrillers starring Sergeant George Sueño are set. The newest series title, “The Ville Rat,” set in the 1970s, follows Sueño and his trusty sidekick, Sergeant Ernie Bascom, as they juggle the murder of a Korean lady, a military shooting requiring a military trial, and an ever-deepening dark pool of corruption and intrigue. Limón deftly crafts his characters and plot, but he also draws upon his own Korean military duty for his novels’ ambiance. “After a year and a half at Fort Lewis, in June of 1968,” he remembered, “the Army sent me to Korea. At the time, we had about 500,000 soldiers in Vietnam, 500,000 in Europe, and 50,000 in Korea. I felt lucky. After disembarking at the heavily fortified Kimpo Airfield, we were bussed to the Army Support Command in Bupyeong.” “It was a beautiful summer day and the acres of rice paddies blazed green,” Limón said. “White cranes rose lazily from the shoots and one little boy rode on the back of an ox. The homes were made of mud brick and the roofs were thick with overhanging thatch.” Roots of Japanese colonization of Korea began in the late 19th century with foreign invasions and ended with Japan’s World War II defeat. In 1945, Korea was divided into north and south along its 38th parallel north. Two separate governments were established, both claiming legitimacy. South Korea’s turbulent modern history included U.S. military administration in the
Novelist Martin Limón
immediate post-war period, the establishment of the Republic of Korea, growing antagonism with North Korea, and military rule. Limón’s first stint in South Korea in the last 1960s occurred during its Third Republic period, one characterized by the beginnings of economic and technological growth. It was during this time that South Korea transitioned from an agrarian society to an industrialized one.
“After growing up in Southern California, where the economy was booming,” he said, “traveling through the Korean countryside was like going back in time. I felt as if I had been transported to a world described in the Brothers Grimm. All of us were quiet on the bus, overwhelmed by what we were seeing, glad that we weren’t being shot at.” Limón did try civilian life for a time, but admits he found it
“boring.” He re-enlisted. Back in South Korea, “In the early 1970s, I started studying the Korean language. This made me unusual amongst my peers. As the editor of a unit newspaper for the First Signal Brigade, I traveled extensively, since we had communication sites scattered up and down the spine of the Korean peninsula. I was also later in the artillery, stationed at a fire base just a kilometer or two from the Demilitarized Zone and the North Korean army. In later years, I worked in an intelligence unit deciphering aerial reconnaissance, keeping an eye on North Korean troop movements.” Asked about the major misunderstandings between American about Korean culture, Limón invoked history. “Most people don’t realize how ancient Korean culture is. After 4,000 years, they see things through the prisms of Buddhism and Confucianism, and Western views such as democracy are merely grafted on top. Also they suffered much during the 20th century, through 35 years of brutal Japanese colonization and later the Korean War that killed an estimated 10 percent of their population.” In 1910, Japan annexed Korea (although Korea did not agree on the legality of the Japan–Korea Annexation Treaty, as its emperor did not sign it), and Japan controlled Korea until Japan’s surrender to Allied Forces in World War II.
Under the 35 years of Japanese rule, Japan repressed Korean traditions and cultures. Pro-independence rallies that took place in the early 20th century were quashed by Japanese law enforcement, with thousands of Koreans killed by Japanese soldiers and police. “And then the poverty, which was still rampant when I arrived in 1968,” Limón said. “What the army did was toss a whole bunch of us teenage knuckleheads into this world and let us loose. Problems, as you might imagine, ensued.” He wrote plenty of military journalism, but got into novels in an odd manner. As he prepared to leave Korea for the last time, he related,“I knew I had to do something to keep from going nuts back in the States. I was browsing through the post library and stumbled on a book called (no kidding) ‘Maybe You Should Write a Novel.’ When it said that you don’t need any formal education to start writing but could base your stories on your personal experiences, I was sold. I knew I wanted to write about my years in Korea. A memoir wouldn’t work, and I wasn’t inclined in that direction anyway.” “I realized that a crime or mystery story would allow me to search both the U.S. military and Korean society from the highest level to the lowest, from a cocktail party at the U.S. Ambassador’s residence to a mugging in a back alley of the red light district. That was the genesis of my two Eighth Army criminal investigators, George Sueño and Ernie Bascom.” The author plans to release a new Sueño novel, “Ping-Pong Heart,” in July 2016. Asked his favorite things about the Seattle area, he {see LIMON on 13}
You Don’t Need a Plane Ticket to Sample Japanese Curry Hurry Curry of Tokyo has come to Seattle! Authentic Japanese Curry and Yoshoku Cuisine Exclusive Sauce Recipes Hurry Curry of Tokyo South Lake Union 825 Harrison Street Seattle, WA 98109 hurrycurryoftokyo-seattle.com 206 681-9443
Know your rights ! 8
MARCH 5 – MARCH 11, 2016
asianweekly northwest
Learn how to proteCt yourseLf anD your faMiLy During iMMigration raiDs
if you are questioned by police ... Ask the officer if you are being detained
IF YOU ARE UNDOCUMENTED
If the officer says
YES
YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO
REMAIN SILENT
4. Do not carry papers from another country. The goverment can use these in deportment proceedings.
1. Do not answer any questions, or say only “I need to speak to my lawyer.” 2. If you have valid immigration status documents, show them. Always carry. 3. Do not say anything about where you were born or how you entered the U.S.
if you are arrested ...
1 2
FIND OUT WHO HAS ARRESTED YOU Write down the name of the officers, their agencies, ID numbers, and license plate numbers.
DON’T SIGN ANY DOCUMENTS BEFORE SPEAKING TO A LAWYER You always have the right to speak to a lawyer. Don’t be intimidated into signing away your right to a hearing.
3 4 5
CONTACT A LAWYER OR FAMILY MEMBER You have the right to make a phone call after being arrested. Memorize the numbers of your lawyer, family members, and union spokesperson.
NO
Ask the officer if you may leave. When the office says yes, calmly and slowly walk away.
5. Show them the KNOW YOUR RIGHTS card. 6. Do not lie or show false documents
ASK FOR BOND Once you are in immigration custody, ask for bond (even if you are told you are not eligible). You have to show that you are not a flight risk or a danger to the community. Get a copy of the “Notice to Appear.”
... to your home You have the right to see a warrant
WA
RR
... to your workplace T
DO NOT RUN
Ask the officer to slip the warrant under the door. 1. If you open the door, you may be consenting to a search. 2. If the officer has a warrant, ensure the areas searched are listed in the warrant.
1. Without a warrant, an officer cannot arrest you unless there is evidence that you are a noncitizen
Immigration must have a warrant or your employer’s permission to enter your workplace, unless it’s a PUBLIC PLACE.
Know which documents to carry Carry a card with the contact information of your immigration attorney and/or union representative. Carry a card indicating that you wish to remain silent (see below).
Plan with coworkers
If you are stopped on the street or in a public place:
STAY CALM
AN
Develop a safety plan
2. You have the right to remain silent and refuse a search
if you are accused of a crime ... ASK YOUR ATTORNEY TO HELP YOU GET RELEASED FROM POLICE CUSTODY
Plan for family care
Local police must charge you with a crime within 48 hours (not counting weekends/holidays) or else they must release you. If charges are filed, you still must be released if:
Talk with your co-workers to see if they will make a collective decision that everyone — regardless of immigration status — will calmly remain silent and ask to speak to an attorney in the event of a workplace raid.
Find a lawyer
If you have children or elderly relatives, make arrangements with another family member or friend in case you are detained. Make sure you designate individuals you trust. Make sure your family has your immigration number, your full name, and date of birth. Make sure your family knows how to contact you, if you are detained. If you require assistance locating your local ICE field office, contact the DC headquarters at 202-305-2734.
Keep copies of papers
CONTACT YOUR CONSULATE If you are a foreign national, you have the right to call your consulate or have your officer inform the consulate of your arrest. Consuls may help you find a lawyer.
if police or immigration comes ...
Find an attorney who specializes in deportation defense in the event that you are detained. Memorize this person’s name and phone number. Have the names and numbers of several good immigration attorneys posted near the telephone at home so family members can call an attorney if you are detained.
RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT CARD
Source: Literature from OneAmerica
Hand the card to the official and remain silent.
T PASSPOR
Keep a copy of all immigration documents with a friend or family member you trust. Also keep important documents such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, and passports.
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: Please be informed that I am choosing to exercise my right to remain silent and the right to refuse to answer your questions. If I am detained, I request to contact an attorney immediately. I am also exercising my right to refuse to sign anything until I consult with my attorney. Thank you.
• • • •
the charges are dropped, you are granted and post bail, you win your criminal case, or you complete your sentence.
A “DETAINER” MAY BE PLACED ON YOU This gives immigration an additional 48 hours to pick you up. If you aren’t picked up, you must be released from police custody.
IF YOU HAVE BEEN ACCUSED OF A CRIME ... Consult with an immigration attorney to make sure the crime does not affect your immigration status. Talk to your lawyer if you want to apply for citizenship or permanent residency.
IF YOU’RE FACING DEPORTATION AND YOU NEED AN ATTORNEY ... Find one who specializes in deportation defense. Request a written contract before paying him/her. (Don’t be tricked by people who are only after your money.)
The information presented here does not constitute legal advice. Please consult an immigration attorney. Infographic by Stacy Nguyen and Han Bui/NWAW
34 YEARS YOUR VOICE
MARCH 5 – MARCH 11, 2016
Tasty Vietnamese Fusion Cuisine, Pho, and Burgers! 2 p.m. 1 , 4 1 h rc a M — e c n a Lion D Grand Opening with Customers will get vouchers for complimentary food items!* *while supplies last; after which, customers will get 20 percent off their check until 10 p.m. on March 14
Newly remodeled — Open since Feb. 12 Banh Mi Burgers with Special Sauces Delicious Appetizers
Smoked Salmon Rolls, Pork Belly Bao, Mango and Crispy Tofu Salad and more...
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asianweekly northwest
10
MARCH 5 – MARCH 11, 2016
■ PUBLISHER’S BLOG
Japanese curry is the answer!
(to retirement)
Former Port of Seattle CEO Tay Yoshitani’s new restaurant features secret recipes
When former Port of Seattle CEO Tay Yoshitani called me about his new restaurant, my first reaction was, “Why?” Then, “What’s the name? Where?” “Hurry Curry of Tokyo in South Lake Union,” he said. I am not a curry fan. However, a foodie like me is willing to try anything new. The reason why Yoshitani decided to open another restaurant after retirement is intriguing. He and his wife, Becky, opened the original Hurry Curry in Los Angeles 27 years ago, while he was still at the Port. They’ve had a partner manage operations during that time. Now, the Yoshitanis want to be more hands-on. Why don’t they just relax and enjoy life? Don’t they know there are headaches associated with operating a restaurant? As a publisher, I know the challenges since many of my customers are restaurateurs.
Photos by George Liu/NWAW
By Assunta Ng Northwest Asian Weekly
The facade of Hurry Curry of Tokyo in South Lake Union
Tay Yoshitani couldn’t help but order his own bowl of curry
Hurry Curry dishes
My husband and I ordered the Tokyo curry ($12) and the seafood pasta ($15) for dinner. Each entrée came with a salad mixed in an Asian-style dressing. The entrée consisted of a bowl of curry (generous portions) with an egg on top and a plate of spaghetti. While I took my taste of Hurry Curry’s Tokyo sauce with spaghetti, Tay stared at me like an Iron Chef waiting for the judge’s verdict. “This is comfort food,” I said. Yoshitani smiled after I gave him a thumbs up. As he watched me eat, he couldn’t resist walking into the kitchen to get his own bowl of curry and spaghetti. I fed myself many spoonfuls of curry spaghetti until the plate was almost empty.
Photo by Stacy Nguyen/NWAW
Could it be that I made a mistake in skipping curry restaurants while I was in Japan eight years ago? I must confess that I have a hard time differentiating between Indian and Japanese curries. My Indian friends are aware that I like Indian food — but never curry dishes. So last Sunday began my curry adventure at Hurry Curry, the only restaurant in town specializing in Japanese curry. Japanese curry is not spicy-hot, just spiced. That makes a world of difference for people like me, who can’t handle too much heat in food. To my surprise, Japanese curry was not a 20th century invention. In the 1860s, the British brought curries from India to Japan. Any foreign food adopted in a new country will naturally be modified to suit to local tastes. Influenced by French cooking, Japanese curry is more gravy-style — it’s sweet, salty, and veggie-and-dairy-based. The vegetables usually involve onions, carrots, and potatoes. Designed especially for Hurry Curry, Ebarra, a famous Japanese food company, mixed 21 spices in an exclusive formula. No other Japanese curry restaurants have this recipe, except the original Hurry Curry in LA. An attorney, Becky said she enjoys running her restaurant more than practicing law. Also, she said the couple always wanted to be business partners, ever since they were dating. Restaurant business is actually familiar territory for Tay, having been the president of a restaurant chain of 35 pubs at one point in his successful career.
Photo by George Liu/NWAW
Japanese vs. Indian curries
Tay’s daughter’s artwork
We asked for another order of Tokyo Curry to go for our Oscar viewing night at home the following day. Next, I tried the seafood pasta, which was filled with shrimp, scallops, calamari, and sautéed fish, tossed in a soy-wine garlic sauce. Its ingredients were fresh, and I enjoyed the tiny calamari with legs and heads. I want the whole squid! Not just calamari rings. The menu is full of Japanese favorites, such as the Yokohama’s Naporitan spaghetti ($8.5), with sautéed onions, green peppers, mushrooms, kurobuto sausage, and ketchup sauce. The tonkatsu curry ($13) is very popular. It was on several tables. Hey, chicken lovers, the chicken pasta is also wonderful. Becky shared with me one piece from her dinner plate. I enjoyed the tasty and wellseasoned meat. Amazingly, the white meat wasn’t dry. (Full disclosure: I am a dark meat eater.) Japanese red sauce and pasta is especially made for vegetarians. Hurry Curry has something for everyone. Later that night, my son came home. “Mom, I haven’t had dinner yet,” he said. Oops, our seafood pasta leftovers and half of the Tokyo curry rice in the fridge were gone. My son said he would definitely try Hurry Curry in the future.
What’s in a name?
Hurry Curry is similar in sound to harakiri, which is a term that denotes the ritual suicide of a samurai, my son said. The name grabs your attention. Yoshitani said, “I want people to get the name quickly.” It also implies the food is something you can get fast. But you won’t mistake their dishes for Indian or Thai curry because Hurry Curry of Tokyo clearly indi-
Tokyo Curry, laden with ground beef, carrots, green peppers and onions — over spaghetti, topped with an egg
cates that it is Japanese-style. On weekday lunches, Amazon employees fill the place. The spacious restaurant of 3,200 square feet can seat 90 people. The décor is contemporary, neat, and simple, with three pieces of artwork by the Yoshitani’s daughter on the wall. Several Asians came in when we ate. One Chinese couple said they like to try new restaurants. Hurry Curry opened a month ago. One Japanese American accidentally walked in to eat, only to find out that he knew Yoshitani. He said that the LA location was one of his favorite restaurants when he lived there.
Learning from mistakes
Yoshitani said retiring from the Port of Seattle was actually his second retirement. “I vowed that the next time I retired, I would not make the same mistake [as the first time],” Yoshitani said. He was bored after his first retirement at the age of 57, from the Port of Oakland. He couldn’t stand playing golf by himself. So he joined the Port of Seattle at the age of 60 in 2007. This time, Yoshitani said he is fully prepared to keep a busy and interesting life during retirement. The restaurant idea was in the works before he left the Port of Seattle. Yoshitani will be the incoming chair for the Japan America Society of Washington state. In addition, he is a board member of Expeditors International (a logistics company), Port
Blakely (a forestry business), Seattle Foundation, and Eno Center of Transportation (an organization that designs transportation policy). He said Tomio Moriguchi, Uwajimaya chairman, is his role model for being active in the community, as well as being involved in Uwajimaya’s real estate development, even though he’s close to 80 years old. Presently, Becky is doing the marketing for the restaurant, while Tay takes care of the finance. The couple has hired a Japanese American manager who can speak fluent Japanese. “It’s fun to have a restaurant,” Yoshitani said. “We can invite friends over.” He is looking forward to hosting former Secretary of Transportation Norm Mineta at a dinner. Mineta will be the keynote speaker for Tomodachi lunch on March 24. Not only that, Hurry Curry serves as the Yoshitanis’ chef and kitchen. They can entertain anytime — such as hold Tomodachi luncheons organized by Japanese Cultural & Community Center of Washington — when they want without worrying about the mundane tasks of shopping and cooking the food, washing dirty dishes, and cleaning up afterwards — someone else is doing that for them. That’s some of the benefits of being the boss at a restaurant. Yoshitani would probably say retired life couldn’t be better! How divine for the retired couple! Assunta Ng can be reached at assunta@ nwasianweekly.com.
34 YEARS YOUR VOICE
MARCH 5 – MARCH 11, 2016
11
OPINION
■ editorial
Oscars proves it’s #sowhite with child labor joke
The 88th Academy Awards took place last Sunday and, as usual, a bunch of really rich white people dressed up nicely and gave each other statues made of gold. It’s been obvious that the Academy has a diversity problem. Yet, even when Oscar nominations were announced on Jan. 14, we were struck by certain glaring snubs. There were films this year helmed and featuring people of color that deserved to be nominated in the big categories — but didn’t — notably “Creed,” “Beasts of No Nation,” and “Straight Outta Compton.” In a tone-deaf and superficial kind of awareness of its lack of racial diversity, the Academy hired Chris Rock to emcee the ceremony and shoved out joking bits — bits that undoubtedly went through multiple rounds of editing and rehearsals — about how the Academy realizes #OscarsSoWhite. One of the most offensive jokes of the night was when Rock announced that PricewaterhouseCoopers had sent over “their most dedicated, accurate, and hardworking representatives.” And then three East Asian children in suits walked out on stage. Fun fact: According to the Economist, 94 percent of the
■ LETTER
A screencap from the 88th Academy Awards, which aired Feb. 28
Academy’s 6,000 voting members are white. Another fun fact, courtesy of Phil “Angry Asian Man” Yu on Twitter: More white actresses have won Oscars for roles that required them to put on yellowface than actual Asian actresses have won Oscars. Rock’s bit was a brainless joke that swings at tired, old racist stereotypes. It’s not that we take offense to being portrayed as mathsmart or nerdy. It’s that we are limited to only this identity. It’s that so many
of our idiosyncratic stories of genuine struggle are met with apathy because people think they already know us. It’s that we don’t get a place at the table — in this editorial’s context, we mean in representation in mainstream movies — but this is a problem that extends across many industries and fields. In response to Rock’s Asian joke, Hornets guard Jeremy Lin told reporters, “I just feel like sometimes the way people perceive Asians or Asian Americans today can be disappointing in the way they view them. Even Asian American masculinity or whatever you want to talk about, just a lot of the ways that Asians are perceived I don’t always agree with.” On the front page this week, we ran a story about how policy should be changed to further disaggregate demographics data in large part because a lot of ethnic groups that fall under the “Asian” racial umbrella do not exemplify the model minority stereotype. Rep. Sharon Tomiko Santos pointed out that Hmongs, an ethnic minority spanning Southeast Asia, have the highest poverty and high school dropout rates relative to other Asian and Asian American groups in the United States. They need more help compared to other Asian ethnic groups. They are not being heard enough.
Rally for Liang in Seattle should just be the start
To Northwest Asian Weekly:
The rally for NYC police officer Peter Liang is a milestone for Chinese Americans in awakening to the importance of political activism. It was a great turnout demonstrating their support for social justice for all, including Officer Liang and Mr. Gurley, both victims of the tragic and unfortunate events leading to the accidental death of Mr. Gurley and conviction of Officer Liang. I hope these rallies across the country will
turn into real participation by Chinese Americans in political process by engaging in the movement started 55 years ago by the Freedom Riders to fight for the constitutional rights of liberty and justice for all. It’s a great start! I want to give a “shout-out to the organizers both nationally and especially locally. It cannot be just a one-day event. It must be an ongoing process of involvement, engagement by Chinese Americans in activities regardless of political persuasions, preferences, or opinions that affect
{EDUCATION from 1}
their opportunities,” Augofie said.
more than 44,000 students, Augofie felt unprepared for high academic expectations of being a UW student. “I’m still getting used to it,” Augofie said. “I used to have breakdowns.” But her social media posts suggested otherwise. Her Facebook timeline was filled with smiles and positive comments. Augofie did not want others to know she was struggling. Augofie’s mother, one of her closest confidantes, often asked about school during their daily phone calls. Augofie would lie and say she was doing fine. She did not want to burden her busy family. “It’s a Pacific Islander thing,” Augofie said. Augofie grew up in a Samoan family and is the oldest of 10 siblings. Augofie believes many Polynesians do not ask for help when they need it because their cultural values teach them to not openly express dissatisfaction. Being quiet, she said, is often a sign of respect. Based on her own experiences and observations, Augofie said going to college is not the expectation among many second generation Polynesian youth. “When kids go to school and are old enough to get a job around 16, kids might want to go to work to help their parents,” Augofie said. “Education is not the priority at [that] moment. Putting food on the table for their family is.” Through her participation in student outreach programs, Augofie learned about the long-term value of pursuing a college degree and now hopes to pass this knowledge forward to her siblings and other teens in her community. As chair of the UW’s Polynesian Outreach Program, Augofie works closely with Pacific Islander students through high school outreach programs. “You have to get to really know these children and educate them about
A policy change
Augofie hopes that Washington state representatives’ efforts to close the educational opportunity gap would lead to more equitable outcomes, especially for students of color. The Senate Committee on Early Learning and K-12 Education passed House Bill 1541 (HB 1541) on Feb. 25. One part of the bill proposes further analysis of the opportunity gap by changing the way school districts collect and report student demographic data. The superintendent of public instruction and Washington school districts would begin implementing these changes during the 2017– 18 academic year. If HB 1541 passes as it currently stands, it would require school districts to include more specific sub-ethnic and sub-racial categories for students typically categorized as Black, white, Asian, or multiracial. Rep. Sharon Tomiko Santos (D-Seattle) sponsored HB 1541. Santos explained that racial and ethnic categories are often too broad. “Ethnic groups often get lost in the ‘high performance’ aggregate data of Asians,” Santos said. Santos used Hmong students as an example. These students belong to a Southeast Asian ethnic group that includes people from areas in Thailand, Vietnam, China, and Laos. According to a White House report, the Hmong group has the highest poverty and high school dropout rates relative to other Asian and Asian American groups. “Their narrative, their story, and their experience does not get recognized in the system because they are hidden within the aggregate data,” Santos said. Augofie echoed these sentiments, explaining that the students who need the resources the most often get overlooked by the educational system. Augofie supports efforts to specify student data into sub-ethnic and sub-
the greater community or a single individual. We, at the local level whose lives are actually affected by what’s going on every day. Only we can engage with our neighbors to influence others and cause changes. Some local examples are — Bellevue marijuana store locations, Energize Eastside discussions, raising money for PATH, the AIF Forum, and other education efforts. This is a great start. Let’s keep it going! — Conrad Lee, Bellevue City Councilmember
racial groups, but she wishes that HB 1541 would require schools to disaggregate data for all ethnic categories Currently, school districts submit student demographic data in accordance with the U.S. Department of Education’s 2007 race and ethnicity guidelines. These guidelines included a two-part question; the first question asks for a student’s ethnicity, and the second asks for a student’s race. The ethnicity question is limited to two possible responses: Hispanic or Latino and not Hispanic or Latino. The race question provides the following five options: white, Black or African American, Asian, American Indian or Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander. The U.S. Department of Education’s 2007 guidelines currently do not require additional racial or ethnic categories, but the data-collecting institution may use further disaggregated categories if it deems this information “valuable” or “worthwhile.” “I wonder why it’s an option to choose to disaggregate the data,” Augofie said. “Do we not matter? What more do we have to prove to show that our cultures are different within these groups?” Augofie added that students facing unique circumstances require unique resources in order to succeed in school.
A broad designation
Holly Barker, a sociocultural anthropology professor at the UW who teaches classes on educational disparities, said that within the Pacific Islander community, some groups are doing better than others in the educational system. A report on AAPI educational attainment estimated 7.2 percent of Samoans living in Washington attained bachelor’s degrees or higher between 2011–13, based on U.S. Census data. In comparison, educational attainment rates for Native Hawaiians is more than twice this percentage. Both rates are below
Correction In last week’s issue (Feb. 27–March 4), in “The roots of Chinese American silence on political events can’t be overlooked,” there was a factual error. We wrote that, in 2013, 50 percent of the total foreign-born population of Chinese Americans have a cultural indifference to politics. In truth, in 2013, 62 percent of Chinese immigrants (age 5 and above) were identified with limited English proficiency, compared to 50 percent of the total foreign-born population.
the statewide average of 32.1 percent. “The more data we have and the more disaggregated it is, the more it helps us target specific responses,” Barker said. Barker detailed specific educational strategies, such as peer-to-peer mentoring and the development of high school-to-college pipelines. Earlier this month, Pacific Islander students from a local high school attended a class taught by Barker. The mixed classroom, Barker said, allowed these high schoolers to build relationships with UW students and exposed them to college life. Although HB 1541 focuses on K-12 education, the impacts of K-12 educational opportunity gaps affect educational outcomes in higher education. The 36-page bill proposed policies based on recommendations from the Educational Opportunity Gap Oversight and Accountability Committee (EOGOAC). “What we’re hoping will come out of the disaggregated data section is better information about the actual experiences of subgroups of students, so we can systemically adjust to their needs,” Santos said. Alma Ramiro Alonzo, who teaches first grade at Gatewood Elementary in Seattle, also agreed that collecting disaggregated student data is important. But in order to close the opportunity gap among students in color, she said, the educational system should also pay more attention to diversity among educators. HB 1541 policies on demographics and data collection do not mention data collection in regards to teachers. “Because teachers of color have themselves gone through the educational system and experienced all the ups and downs, it’s easier for them to empathize and anticipate the needs of students of color,” Alonzo said. Starla Sampaco can be reached at info@ nwasianweekly.com.
asianweekly northwest
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{YEE from 4}
{NEVADA from 4}
Jackson, a former San Francisco school board president and wellknown political consultant who raised money for Yee’s unsuccessful mayoral run in 2011 and his bid for secretary of state. Prosecutor Susan Badger said during the sentencing hearing that Yee was looking for money to win the race for secretary of state as he was being forced from the state senate by term limits. “Senator Yee abused that trust and faith in the worst possible way. it wasn’t actually for personal financial wealth,” she said. “It was to retain power as a public official.” Jackson led authorities to Yee and pleaded guilty to a racketeering charge. He received a nine-year prison sentence Feb. 24. Yee acknowledged accepting $11,000 in exchange for setting up a meeting with another state senator, $10,000 for recommending someone for a grant, and $6,800 for providing a certificate on California State Senate letterhead honoring the Ghee Kung Tong. He also acknowledged that he discussed helping an undercover FBI agent buy automatic weapons from the Philippines that were intended to be brought to the U.S. for distribution. Prosecutors say Chow and some other members of the fraternal group engaged in drug trafficking, money laundering and the sale of stolen cigarettes and top-shelf liquors. The case against Chow was largely the work of an undercover FBI agent who posed for years as a foul-mouthed East Coast businessman with mafia ties.
people living in the country illegally, according to the Pew Hispanic Center. Its immigrant communities — 19 percent of its population was born outside the United States — have helped turn a once reliably Republican state in presidential elections into one that backed Obama twice. Many analysts attribute that to hardline Republican positions on immigration. “We seem overwhelmed by the other side because the other side is a lot more vocal,” Fernando Romero, of the nonpartisan Las Vegas group Hispanics in Politics, said. Romero singled out Trump and Cruz as the most vocal of the GOP presidential contenders. “Unfortunately, those two individuals are doing so much to create that tension and that skepticism that those who maybe have never voted before or that are now becoming U.S. citizens are leaning toward whoever the Democratic candidate would be.” Last Monday evening, Trump was introduced at a heavily attended rally by Joe Arpaio, the Arizona Sheriff who is synonymous with heated anti-immigration rhetoric. Shortly after Trump took to the stage in an arena in a Las Vegas hotel, his supporters burst into a throaty chant. “Build that wall! Build that wall!” they shouted — a reference to Trump’s plan to build a wall along the length of the Southern border to stop illegal immigration. “We’re going to build the wall. And whose going to pay for that wall?” asked Trump. {LIANG from 4} in 1982. The attackers, two white men, were given three years’ probation “But does that mean we free Peter Liang for what he did? No, absolutely not,” she said. New York City has a long history of fraught racial politics, and complaints by Asian Americans about being ignored politically are not new. In 1990, Mayor David Dinkins was heavily criticized for failing to quickly
“Mexico!” shouted the crowd in response. “They think we’re kidding, too, don’t they folks, huh? We’re not kidding,” added Trump. “We’re not going to be the dummies anymore folks. We’re going to be the smart ones,” the GOP front-runner said. Cruz only treads lightly on immigration in his campaign speeches, but speaking to Fox News on Monday, he took his toughest stance yet, noting that anyone in the United States illegally should be sought out and deported. Asked whether he would send federal law enforcement officers to the home of an immigrant known to be living in the country illegally, Cruz replied: “You’d better believe it.” Immigration was also the reason many Cruz supporters were opposed to Sen. Marco Rubio, who helped write a bill that would have eventually granted citizenship to many of the 11 million people in the U.S. illegally. “Anytime you do anything with Chuck Schumer and Harry Reid, that goes against my philosophy,” said Ed Horn, 67, a retired air-traffic controller who has switched his allegiance from Trump to Cruz. “I believe he’s going to shut the borders down and be more for legalized immigration, maybe slow it down until our economy comes back.” Immigration critics contend they can win Nevada’s diverse voters. They point to people like Mario Sevilla, a legal immigrant from Mexico who lives in Las Vegas and ardently backs Cruz. “Rubio was in that Gang of Eight — that’s like an anchor,” Sevilla said. “You lock your doors at night. I can’t get angry at
white people” for opposing illegal immigration,” he added. “We’ve got laws.” But Andres Ramirez, a Democratic strategist here, says Republicans are getting boxed in by Trump and, to a lesser extent, Cruz. “We have tea party folks here, and we have antiimmigrant folks here in Nevada, but they’re not the dominant voice,” Ramirez said. “But the fact that the [state Republicans] are having to take sides with or condone the stances of their national standard bearers creates a problem.” The division in the state pre-dates the presidential contest. Attorney General Adam Laxalt, who was elected in the GOP wave of 2014, clashed with Sandoval over the attorney general joining a lawsuit to overturn Obama’s executive action limiting deportations, which is very popular in the state’s Latino community. Laxalt has endorsed Cruz while most of the rest of the state’s GOP elite is backing Rubio. Laxalt’s top political strategist, Robert Uithoven, is running Cruz’s Nevada campaign. Uithoven said Republican base discontent is less about immigration and more about GOP politicians not staying true to their conservative principles. He tied the immigration dispute to another divide with Sandoval, who pushed through and signed the largest tax increase in state history last year after Republicans won control of the state legislature. “This divide between the ruling class and the grassroots doesn’t just exist in Ted Cruz’s mind,” Uithoven said.
intervene when Black activists organized a boycott of Korean grocers. The city has a large and growing Asian population but still relatively few Asian politicians. Asians make up 13 percent of the population and 6 percent of the New York Police Department’s uniformed force of around 35,000 officers. The judge who presided over Liang’s trial was born in Korea. There are likely to be more demonstrations,
both for and against Liang, before he is sentenced on April 14. Steph Yin, 25, said she has had arguments with her parents and family friends who support leniency for Liang. Yes, she said, Asian Americans are often been unheard and wrongly stereotyped as quiet and passive. But that doesn’t make Liang’s conviction a cause to rally around, she said. “At the end of the day, he killed somebody who didn’t deserve to be killed,” she said.
to Real Homes Realty’s Christine and Tim Lee for their daughter Michelle Lee’s success in the Miss Chinatown USA pageant. We are proud of you. Michelle will be a great role model for the community. Thank you and good luck to Huifen Cui and Chunfu Tian from Oriental Development LLC, for their new business ventures in Seattle Sincerely, — Frank Firmani Firmani LLC, Seattle
34 YEARS YOUR VOICE
■ astrology
MARCH 5 – MARCH 11, 2016
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Predictions and advice for the week of March 5–11 By Sun Lee Chang
Rat — Worried that you are running out of ideas? Perhaps it is time to get some fresh inspiration from an unusual source.
Dragon — It is difficult to give it your all if you are distracted. Minimize the sideshow to maximize your full potential.
Monkey — As the pace quickens, you are getting nervous about keeping up. It is crucial to relax and pay attention to cues as needed.
Ox — A small taste of freedom is simply not enough. Look for ways to give yourself more leeway in your everyday choices.
Snake — Don’t assume that others have stayed the same while you have changed. Take the time to understand how things stand now.
Rooster — Why not try something new? You might be surprised with just how much you enjoy going out of your comfort zone.
Tiger — If you want a smooth transition, then it is up to you to ensure that the necessary preparations have been done well in advance.
Horse — Leaving something you know well for uncharted waters can be scary. Once you have made the decision to go, then jump in.
Dog — A meddlesome neighbor can be a bit annoying. Avoid giving him or her too much information to act on.
Rabbit — Don’t let your competitive spirit hinder you from being able to work together with your peers to accomplish a common goal.
Goat — Are you one to deflect a compliment rather than accept it? Resist the urge to downplay your strong points.
Pig — Does a slight setback have you feeling down this week? Resolve to not let it happen again and leave it behind you where it belongs.
What’s your animal sign? Rat 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008 Ox 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009 Tiger 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010 Rabbit 1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011 Dragon 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012 Snake 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013 Horse 1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014 Goat 1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015 Monkey 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016 Rooster 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005 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.
{PACQUIAO from 5} and said he respects Nike’s decision. But he has stood pat on his opposition to same-sex marriage. Bello said he was not seeking Pacquiao’s disqualification as a senatorial candidate, but was asking the elections commission to take action on the complaint. “I imagine if they rule in our favor, which I believe they will, then they will have to tell Manny that he would have
to comply with it,” Bello said, adding that if Pacquiao refuses to comply, disqualification from the election could be a logical outcome. Bello’s petition said that if the spirit and intent of the Fair Elections Act were to be strictly followed, then Pacquiao should be required to go on leave from his profession during the campaign period. “He has all the rights to exercise his boxing profession after the elections, but to schedule his boxing bout during
{FUKUSHIMA from 5}
{CELEBS from 5}
The indictment said Katsumata, 75, along with Sakae Muto, 65, and Ichiro Takekuro, 69, who were vice president and technical adviser, respectively, failed to foresee and take precautionary steps for the tsunami, resulting in the deaths of 44 hospitalized elderly people during the evacuation period and injuries to 13 soldiers who responded to the emergency, Kyodo News agency said. The three executives have said that predicting a tsunami of that magnitude was impossible. The judicial committee said in July that the three men were aware by 2009 of the risk of a massive tsunami to the Fukushima plant. It said they should be charged with professional negligence resulting in death and injury during the accident and its aftermath. TEPCO and government officials say no one died as a direct result of radiation released by the accident. Reports from government and parliamentary investigations of the accident have said a lack of a safety culture in TEPCO and weak risk management, including an underestimation of a tsunami threat, led to the disaster. They said TEPCO ignored tsunami safety measures amid a collusion with thenregulators and lax oversight. TEPCO declined to comment Feb. 29. The utility has said it could have been more proactive on safety measures, but that a tsunami of the magnitude that crippled the plant could not have been anticipated. While struggling with the decadeslong cleanup of the wrecked Fukushima plant, TEPCO is hoping to restart two nuclear reactors at the Kashiwazaki– Kariwa plant in northern Japan. The disaster resulted in Japan taking all of its nuclear power reactors offline for checks. Of the country’s 43 workable reactors, four have been put back online since last year, while the others are still offline for repairs or safety checks.
singer and actress Faye Wong, Hong Kong actor Tony Leung, and Beijing actor Hu Jun worshipping Buddhism and attending religious activities. But it said that “meddling with the ‘Tibetan-independence’ clique leaders has gone far beyond the realm of ‘freedom of religious belief.’ ” The phrase is a reference to the government-in-exile and the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan Buddhists’ spiritual leader whom Beijing accuses of campaigning to split Tibet from the rest of China. The celebrities were attending an event on Feb. 14 commemorating the 92nd anniversary of the birth of the late predecessor of the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa, Tibetan Buddhism’s third-highest spiritual leader, said the Karmapa’s office. Karma Namgyal, secretary of the Karmapa’s office, said the presence of the three along with one of the ministers of the Central Tibetan Administration and speaker of the Tibetan parliament-in-exile was “coincidental.” He said the celebrities were in Bodh Gaya, a templedotted town where tradition has it that the Buddha reached enlightenment, to attend an annual weeklong prayer festival for world peace. They arrived a few days early, so attended the commemoration event as well, sitting on the side with all the laypeople, said Karma Namgyal.
{LIMON from 7} remembered “how much I enjoyed my year and a half at Fort Lewis [in the mid-1960s]. My favorite thing about the Pacific Northwest is the four pronounced seasons [which reminds me of Korea]. My least favorite thing is that Olympia Beer went busted and the climate seems to be warming. I love overcast and gloom. It encourages me to stay indoors and write.” Andrew Hamlin can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.
the campaign period and close to the elections is obviously taking advantage of his personality and his profession, extending undue benefit to his candidacy,” the petition said. It was not clear when the Commission on Elections would decide on the issue. Half of the 24 seats in the Senate are up for grabs in the upcoming elections. All Senate seats are contested nationally in the Philippines.
Jamphel Shonu, a press officer for the self-claimed government-inexile in Dharamsala, India, said the event was “purely religious” and had “nothing to do with politics or the Central Tibetan Administration.” The state media commentary said it would be “a pity if they lose their good reputations earned by hard work over so many years” by getting acquainted with people “on the wrong side of the state’s major principle of right and wrong.” Representatives of Hu, Leung and Wong did not respond to requests for comment. Hu Jun said on his Twitter-like Sina Weibo account that he had gone to India to attend a prayer meeting with his family. “I was totally unaware of the presence of the so-called head of a separatist group as mentioned in some reports. I do not know any separatist and I solemnly declare that, as a Chinese, I oppose any words and acts that divide the country!!!” Western movie stars, directors and musicians have fallen afoul of Chinese authorities over the years for perceived pro-Tibetan activism or remarks. In a speech made public in October, President Xi Jinping warned Chinese celebrities against pursuing commercial success rather than work that is “morally inspiring … to serve the people and socialism.” After that, dozens of official media and entertainment organizations signed a pledge to uphold self-discipline and professional ethics.
asianweekly northwest
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MARCH 5 – MARCH 11, 2016
[ORANGE from 4} The three men said they were proud veterans, but, like many of their comrades, struggle with their Vietnam experience because they live every day with a multitude of illnesses stemming from Agent Orange exposure. “It was bad enough that you were over there, and [the guerrillas] didn’t like you,” said Drawdy, 73, who served as a Marine and whose diabetes has been attributed to Agent Orange. “... Then you find that all of the hazards that you were exposed to, that maybe, the U.S. government didn’t like you.” Stinson, 64, served in Vietnam from 1970 to 1971 as an Air Force aircraft mechanic, working and flying on planes that sprayed Agent Orange. “I started showing signs when I was 26 years old,” said Stinson, who is a severe diabetic due to his exposure. “Now, here I am 64 years old, and I’m taking seven insulin shots a day. ... I can’t feel my feet anymore.” Milan, 73, served several tours in Vietnam as part of the Army’s Special Forces, 173rd and 101st Infantry Divisions. His first tour was in 1962 and his last in 1971. “I thought I was a resident of Vietnam,” said Milan, who receives 100 percent service-connected disability benefits for high
blood pressure, an irregular heartbeat, and post-traumatic stress disorder. “I knew something was wrong because when the planes flew over to spray for mosquitoes and [the foliage] there was a different smell to it. ...So I had a taste of the Agent Orange.” It wasn’t until 1991 that Congress passed the Agent Orange Act that gave the Department of Veterans Affairs the power to declare certain health conditions as “presumptive” to dioxin exposure. The VA, however, doesn’t have an accurate count of how many Vietnam veterans suffer from Agent Orange exposure. “I can’t get the Agent Orange statistics because it’s not a general diagnosis,” said Beth Lamb, Marion, Illinois, VA public affairs spokeswoman. John Yates used to be involved with local veterans organizations such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars, but his health has declined to the point that he rarely leaves his Cedar Hills home. He now draws 100 percent disability benefits from his service-connected congestive heart failure and diabetes. He served in Vietnam as a Navy hospital corpsman with the Third Marine Division from 1968 to 1969. “I was out in the bush all the time,” Yates, 71, recalled. “I slept on the ground and drank from the streams. The Agent Orange was all over.”
He now functions by taking a daily regimen of medications used to control his plethora of health problems, he says, were caused by his exposure. “The medications help, but you still hurt and you still suffer,” said Yates, whose calendar is filled with doctors’ appointments. Agent Orange — named for the color of the metal drums in which the chemical was stored — was the main herbicide the U.S. Air Force used to reduce the jungle canopies as part of “Operation Ranch Hand.” An estimated 19 million gallons were sprayed over 20 percent of Vietnam in an attempt to uncover roads and trails used by the Viet Cong. Sharon Westerfield watched her late husband, Larry Westerfield, struggle with the effects of Agent Orange for the last seven years of his life. Larry Westerfield died in 2012 at age 63 of congestive heart failure. He served in Vietnam from 1969 to 1970 as a member of the Army’s 14th Engineer Battalion. According to Sharon Westerfield, it wasn’t until 2005 that her husband discovered that there was something wrong. “He had stubbed his big toe,” she said. “And one morning about 3 o’clock, he said, ‘I think you’re going to have to take me to the hospital.’ So when I looked at his toe, it was black. They were able to save his leg but they took his big toe and part of his foot. He had
trouble with that forever. He was at the wound center all the way up to the day he died.” “It was like a domino effect,” said Westerfield after her husband’s diabetes diagnosis. It’s through local Disabled American Veterans organizations that Vietnam veterans are finding help with medical and financial coverage for their illnesses associated with Agent Orange. The DAV aids veterans in filling out their disability claims to the VA. Ross Jewell, a volunteer service officer for the Owensboro DAV, said there are many Vietnam veterans out there suffering but are only now coming forward. “I just helped a [Vietnam] veteran who’s had heart problems since he was 28,” Jewell said. “And he just passed away in January a week after receiving his [financial] award from the VA. The one thing he wanted was to make sure that his wife was taken care of.” Jewell said there are still Vietnam veterans who are unaware of what the DAV can do for them and others who have been disheartened from previous denials from the VA. “The people who come in here tell me the stories they’re not willing to tell their doctors or their families,” Jewell said. Jewell recommended that any veteran who has an illness or injury that could be servicerelated visit a local DAV.
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34 YEARS YOUR VOICE
MARCH 5 – MARCH 11, 2016
for many young adults in which they head to a bar on their 21st birthday. It was a celebration of the newfound freedom of getting into a place that they previously could not enter. Ha was celebrating a friend. The group of young students headed out to bars near the UW campus. After the third bar, the birthday girl was done for the night. Ha and others walked her back to her place, known as the “rugby house” because many rugby team members resided in that house in the University District. Ha and a friend stayed outside of the house while others ensured that the newly minted 21-year-old made it to bed safely. While waiting, Ha encountered a woman that resided in his apartment complex a few blocks away. Notably, she had parked near Ha, and he had had issues with the way she parked in the past. What started as a conversation over the parking spot turned heated. Ha recalled saying to the woman, “You need to park straighter.” Ha recalled that the woman was inebriated and struck Ha in the face. The woman attempted to hit him again, but Ha blocked the blow and the woman fell to the ground. Ha said he attempted to help the woman up. “Honestly, this girl walks by my front door, and she ended up on the ground.” As Ha recounted, the woman’s friends swarmed upon Ha and hit and pushed him repeatedly. Ha said he defended himself, which included pushing and punching out of harm’s way. When Ha and his friend thought they had safely retreated and were about to head home, Ha saw and heard a man yelling in their direction. Ha distinctly remembered that the man wore an American Flag tank top. The man, Graham Harper, charged the two in apparent rage interpreting Ha’s actions as him striking a woman. Ha recalled Harper saying, “You like to hit girls,” in anger. Harper, also a UW student and a National Guard reservist, struck Ha repeatedly and threw Ha’s head into a parked car. The attack did not stop after that. Ha, afraid for his life, decided to pull out a knife as a last resort. The knife, a karambit — a curved knife resembling a claw — was given to him by his father, as a means of selfdefense. Ha attempted to use the knife as a deterrent by showing it to Harper in hopes that he would stop his attack. However, Harper continued. Ha tried to aim at Harper’s legs. The attack stopped, but Ha did not immediately know if he had struck Harper. “I started realizing what happened,” Ha stated. “I looked at the knife and did not see anything on it. [I thought to myself,] oh, maybe I didn’t get him.” Ha believed that by swinging the knife low at Harper, he had missed. But Ha later found out that he had stabbed Harper several times. The police showed up at his apartment soon after. He was taken into custody Sunday morning and spent a night in jail before his parents were able to bail him out on Monday.
“…the worst I felt.” “The car ride home from jail was the worst I felt,” Ha said, “knowing that my family knew what happened to me.” Prior to the incident, Ha had never been in trouble with the law, let alone been in a fight. He now faced criminal charges, which carried a maximum sentence of 12 years in prison. In addition, Ha was served with papers in prison from
Photo provided by Jarred Ha
{HA from 1}
The Ha family, from left: Joe, Dale, Jarred, and Vanessa
the UW, which put him on temporary suspension. The UW was contacted for this story but declined to comment, citing privacy laws under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. Ha was charged with first-degree assault with a deadly weapon and fourth-degree assault for punching a woman in the face. Ha claimed self-defense for his actions. During the trial, the prosecution intimated that Ha had a martial arts background, which apparently enhanced the severity of the attack. The prosecutor pointed out that Ha was a part of a Chinese Lion Dance troupe, which involved martial arts. Ha was a member of the International School of Lion Dance and Martial Arts when he was in high school. Prosecutors attempted to leverage this information into a theme that Ha was a skilled martial artist and the knifing of Harper was committed with bad intentions. Harper indicated that his left leg, chest, and groin were cut and his abdomen was punctured by the knife. According to court testimony, a woman that was with Harper, immediately after the knifing by Ha, stated that Harper said, “Some Chink did this to me.” Harper, who was 19 at the time, had a blood alcohol content of 0.13 at the time of the fight, according to the Seattle Times.
An important decision This past January, Ha was faced with a decision that could have affected his life forever. The King County prosecutor’s office offered Ha a deal so that he would not have to gamble with a jury decision. However, the deal did not guarantee that he would not face jail time. The alternative was the possibility of a maximum sentence of 12 years in jail. That would be a certain loss of his youth, freedom, and potential career as an accountant. Ha believed in his attorneys, Zachary Wagnild and Michelle Scudder, and believed that the unbiased witnesses that testified at trial were very strong. Still, Ha weighed his decision heavily. He felt that he had not done anything wrong and decided to proceed with the trial. “Jarred has an amazing family,” stated Wagnild. Wagnild and Scudder answered any questions that the Ha family had about the process and advised them on the strengths and weaknesses of the case. As in all cases, it is ultimately
the client’s decision to go forward with trial. “Frankly, I was impressed of how he was,” Scudder said. Ha recalled that the jury deliberated for a long time after a trial that lasted almost two weeks. The trial ended midway through Thursday of the second week and the jury deliberated into Friday. On Friday afternoon, Ha received word that the jury had come to a decision. “From 9 [a.m.] to 3 [p.m.], I was just wondering if I would spend the next 12 years in prison,” said Ha. For most of the day Friday, Ha, his family, and extended family stayed with him in the food court of the Columbia Tower until he received the call telling him that the jury had made a decision. “When I first heard the words ‘not guilty,’ I was oblivious because the judge read the jury verdict form,” said Ha. Having watched his share of courtroom dramas, Ha had thought there would be much more build-up to the result. Instead, King County Superior Court Judge Mariane Spearman simply read the verdict. Once it sunk in, he hugged his lawyers and family. The 12-person jury, which acquitted Ha of his criminal charges, included at least three Asians. In addition to being acquitted of the charges, a special verdict indicated that Ha was acting in self-defense with the attack on Harper and as a result, was entitled to attorney fees and costs. In February, Spearman awarded Ha and his attorneys the full amount requested of $45,103.98. The prosecutor had opposed the request seeking a reduction of the amount requested but was denied by Judge Spearman.
Returning to school Harper has filed a civil suit seeking monetary damages. The civil lawsuit filed in King County Superior Court claims that Graham Harper saw a woman crying, and she claimed she was struck by Ha. The civil case continues on without a trial date set yet. Ha has been out of school since the incident last January. He moved back to live with his parents and worked part-time at his mother’s dentist office while waiting for trial. However, Ha, an Issaquah High School graduate, wanted to return to the UW to complete his degree in accounting. In recent negotiations between Ha’s attorneys and the UW, Ha indicated that he is reapplying and it looks as though he should be back by spring quarter of this year. He will need to apply with the Foster School of Business, but he believes that he should also be admitted once again. Having heard of Ha’s plight, the Associated Students of the University of Washington (ASUW) adopted a resolution in support of Ha. Kevin Celustka, a member of the student senate, had read of the incident last year but did not hear Ha’s side of the story until reading an “Ask me anything” that Ha participated in on Reddit. Last week, the ASUW drafted a resolution in support of Ha and his situation with the school. “The focus of the resolution written by [student] Senator [Alec] Slaney is on the use of emergency suspensions on students in circumstances like Jarred’s, in hopes that the practice is defined fairly for future use.” The resolution is still pending before the student senate at this time. Ha said he would like to pursue accounting and live an ordinary life, putting aside the troubles of one night behind him. Jason Cruz can be reached at info@nwasianweekly. com.
KING COUNTY NOTICE TO BIDDERS Sealed bids will be received for C01002C15, PSERN Radio System Multi-Site Improvement – Bid Package 1, by the King County Procurement and Payables Section, 3rd Floor, 401 Fifth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104, until 1:30 PM on March 15, 2016. Late bids will not be accepted. This solicitation is for construction at nine (9) radio sites as part of King County’s new land mobile radio system for the Puget Sound Emergency Radio Network (PSERN). The Contractor will be issued individual Work Orders to complete the work at the radio sites within the time established in the Work Order. Each Work Order will include the associated scope work, which may include one or more radio sites. Work under this Contract may include: clearing
and preparing bare land; installing foundations for communication towers and shelters; installing new towers or structural modification of existing towers; installing prefabricated shelters; supplying and installing backup power systems, including generators (on a limited basis) and fuel tanks; providing fencing; erecting needed signage; working with utility vendors; installing automatic transfer switch systems; installing tower lighting and painting; installing new tower and shelter electrical grounding systems ; installing retaining walls; demo and removal of existing towers, shelters and generators; installing erosion and sediment control systems; building or improving site access roads; warehouse storage; transportation of equipment; site close out packages; laying utility
15
conduit; and other tasks. Work under this Contract may require lead and asbestos abatement. Estimated Contract Price: NTE $2,500,000 The Contractor shall ensure that at least 10% of the total price for all executed Work Orders shall be performed by King County Certified Small Contractors and Suppliers (SCS) over the life of the Contract. There is a 5% minimum Apprenticeship Utilization Requirement on this contract. 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
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MARCH 5 – MARCH 11, 2016
{UWAJIMAYA from 1}
Moriguchi’s new role as president of the $118 million business occurs a week before International Women’s Day on March 8, where gender equality is the theme of this year’s campaign. The movement is seen as both an opportunity to celebrate the economic and social achievements of women, but also as a platform to promote progress for women. #IWD2016 and #PledgeForParity are being used to spread the theme of International Women’s Day. Moriguchi joined Moriguchi-Matsuno as a leader of the Seattle organization on March 1. Late this year or early 2017, Moriguchi will become the official CEO.
Maintaining success The Moriguchi women offered insight on how they run Uwajimaya to maintain their successful business: Moriguchi-Matsuno said their primary concern is keeping their nearly 480 employees happy and well-paid in both Washington and Oregon. Ensuring that employees get benefits and are treated fairly is our main our goal, she said. “That is most important to us.” The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) reports that happy or satisfied employees perform 20 percent better, on average, than dissatisfied employees. Moriguchi-Matsuno also said keeping up with product trends is a priority. Leadership at Uwajimaya routinely evaluates the company and its products to determine how to stay relevant, said Moriguchi. The Moriguchis plan to remodel the Seattle Uwajimaya location to meet the needs of their consumer base, which has changed over the past 15 years to include both Asian and non-Asian customers. “We try to find ways to stay on top of everything,” said Moriguchi One of the shopping trends surfacing in Seattle right is customers are not doing as much cooking and instead are buying ready-made meals, explained Moriguchi-Matsuno. “Asian food has become so popular and mainstream so we try and stay ahead of that too,” said Moriguchi-Matsuno. Uwajimaya prides itself on this, she said. Times were not always as bright as there are now, in Uwajimaya’s history. Fujimatsu Moriguchi started the business in 1928 and shortly after, with the signing of Executive Order 9066 in 1942, he was forced into internment at Tule Lake in California. Not until after World War II were the Moriguchis able to return to Seattle to reopen Uwajimaya.
Future trends To find out what is popular among American consumers, Uwajimaya leadership analyzes grocery industry trends, said Moriguchi. The Moriguchi’s are headed to a food show next week in Japan to gain insight about what popular items they should sell at Uwajimaya. This will give them an idea of what the next big thing is out of Japan.
Bags of rice line the wall near the entrance at Uwajimaya in Bellevue.
Photos by Gabriella Neal/UW News Lab
Pocky sticks line the shelves of Uwajimaya Bellevue on Monday, March 1. Uwajimaya employees said the snack is a reoccurring favorite among customers.
Employees of Uwajimaya said certain brands of sake and beer are popular and are used as drink mixers.
Moriguchi-Matsuno said the strong, long lasting relationships that Uwajimaya has with their vendors has helped the retailer consistently be the first to sell new and hot items. “As of recent, the green tea Kit Kat has been very popular,” said Moriguchi. “We were the first one’s with Hello Kitty Soy Sauce containers and those are flying off our shelves,” said Moriguchi-Matsuno. The Moriguchis said they are concerned with meeting the needs of non-Asian shoppers. We hire strong English-speaking employees to educate non-Asian customers, said Moriguchi. This includes giving customers cooking suggestions and advice, she said.
Culture Moriguchi-Matsuno reflected on her leadership role at Uwajimaya over the past nine years and felt that during her time as CEO, she received respect by the people she did business with because others knew that she knew what she was doing as head of the company. “In the Asian culture traditionally the eldest male was more elevated, but somehow that didn’t translate to the next generation in our family, which is fortunate for us because [Tomoko’s] brothers felt confident she could run the company even though she’s a female and the youngest sister,” said Moriguchi. “For me it was not [about whether] I’m female or male,” she said. Her mentors include Moriguchi-Matsuno, board member Brenda Handley, and her father Tomio Moriguchi. Her mentors have taught her to have confidence, to work well with her team members, and to enlist support from other, she said. Moriguchi talked about her new title as president, a position she felt she is qualified for because of her resume, which includes experience in business consulting and brand management. She has an MBA from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)’s Sloan School of Management and worked for Dove Consulting and Bayer HealthCare before returning to Seattle to work at her family’s business. The Moriguchis say the next important decisions they will make have to do with looking to new opportunities and providing positive customer experiences. Gabriella Neal can be reached at info@ nwasianweekly.com.
The live fish and crab tanks capture the attention of Uwajimaya customers on Monday, March 1. Diane, an employee of Uwajimaya, said that one thing that comes to mind when she thinks of Uwajimaya are the tanks.
WEEKLY SPECIALS March 2-8, 2016
HINAMATSURI (Girl’s Day) March 3, 2015
SEAFOOD
PRODUCE
Hinamatsuri, also known as Girls’ Day in Japan, is celebrated on March 3rd. It is a day families wish a healthy, happy and prosperous life for their daughters. Families with girls display a special set of dolls (hina ningyo) for this day. Many dolls are handed down from generation to generation. Visit our Gift Department to view our Girls’ Day doll display!
WHOLE SABA
GROCERY
Mackerel from Kushiro, Japan. 600 grams/up. Rich in Omega 3 Oil. Excellent to Broil. Previously Frozen
3.99 lb
No. 1 Grade
SATSUMA IMO Japanese Sweet Potato
1.29 lb
“Misuzu” (16 pc)
AJITSUKE OINARISAN
Fried Bean Curd Pockets for Making Inarizushi
3.29
Fresh!
UNAGI KABAYAKI
10 oz. Seasoned Broiled Eel. Just Bake and Serve! Previously Frozen
“Mizkan” (24 oz)
SUSHI SEASONING
9.99 ea
No MSG Added
2.99
DELI MEAL CLUB CARD
“Mizkan” (24 oz)
MEAT
Buy 9 Lucky or Jumbo Combo Meals and get the 10th One Free!
DELI
2.49
From our Sushi Case
SAKURA COMBO
All Natural
BONELESS PORK BELLY
2 pcs. Each of Maki, Inari, Oshinko and Shibazuke Roll. 8 pc
3.99 lb
5.49
From our Steam Table
“Kasugai” (3.59-3.77 oz)
LUCKY MEAL
GUMMY CANDY
Choose from 15 Flavors including Kiwi, Lychee, Yuzu, Mango, Melon, Apple and More!
1.59
www.uwajimaya.com
2/$1
Ask for your Meal Club Card in our Deli Today!
RICE VINEGAR
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GREEN ONIONS
Store Hours Mon.-Sat. 8 am -10 pm Sun. 9 am - 9 pm
Steamed Rice with Choice of Two Entrée Items
7.50
SLICED PORK LEG
Thinly Sliced for Hot Pot
3.99 lb
All Seafood & Produce subject to availability due to changes in season or adverse weather conditions.
A Tradition of Good Taste Since 1928
Renton Store Hours Mon.-Sat. 8 am -9 pm Sun. 9 am - 9 pm
®
To See All of our Weekly Specials, Recipes, Store Events and Announcements, visit www.uwajimaya.com
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