PRSRT STD U.S. Postage Paid Permit No. 746 Seattle, WA
VOL 36 NO 26
JUNE 24 – JUNE 30, 2017
FREE 35 YEARS YOUR VOICE
MAYORAL CANDIDATE FORUM Gary Brose
Tiniell Cato
Jenny Durkan
Jessyn Farrell
Women of color heat up Seattle Port Commissioner race
Bob Hasegawa Bea Querido-Rico
John Creighton
By Janice Nesamani NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY Mike McGinn
Cary Moon
James Norton
By Staff NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY Candidates running for Seattle mayor have been invited to speak about issues that affect the Asian Pacific Islander (API) community. Gary Bose, Tiniell Cato, Jenny Durkan, Jessyn
Larry Oberto
Nikkita Oliver
Farrell, Bob Hasegawa, Mike McGinn, Cary Moon, James Norton, Larry Oberto, and Nikkita Oliver have confirmed they will be present at the June 22 event at Nagomi Tea House. The candidates were asked in advance to fill out a questionnaire. This is their response to the question: see MAYORAL on 5
Challenging the status quo at the Port of Seattle Commission are two women of color running for Position 1. While one is a seasoned politician, the other is a young Port of Seattle staffer. We get a look at what they hope to change if they get a seat at the table.
Bea Querido-Rico
Claudia Kauffman
Querido-Rico is young, enthusiastic, and seems stress-free. The Port of Seattle employee, who is currently on a leave of absence, cycled to Seattle Center sporting a leather jacket — not your average politician. But armed with an engineering degree from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, experience working for the Port of Seattle, and a futuristic vision, she is focused on the right topics to win a seat on the Port of Seattle Commission.
For a novice politician, Bea
see COMMISSION on 12
Two sides to 14 stories
Understanding the controversy behind the SpringHill hotel development in the ID
Artist’s rendering of the SpringHill Suites on 8th Ave. (Courtesy: Studio19 Architects.)
By Peggy Chapman NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY
other developers that might overtake the historic neighborhood and displace vulnerable residents.
The controversy regarding the large-scale hotel development in Seattle’s International District (ID) has escalated this summer due to the proposed development schedule and increasing debate in the community. Opposite ends of the arguments range from the new development that will help introduce commerce and industry in a neighborhood which desperately could benefit from it — to a serious concern that the development will be an open invitation to
What is the project?
■
The proposed development at 616 8th Avenue South, by Hotel Concepts, will be a 14-story, approximately 225,000-square-foot mixed-use structure containing 158 hotel rooms and 103 apartments with retail space on the ground level. There will be three levels of underground parking. Hotel Concepts purchased the site in 2014 for $4.5 million. see SPRINGHILL on 11
A-POP
SHELF
MOVIES
BLOG
Tackling racism and the n-word. » see 7
Recommended summer reads. » see 8
Being LGBTQ in China. » see 9
A reunion 40 years in the making. » see 10
Justices side with ‘The Slants,’ find offensive trademarks law unconstitutional
see related editorial on 11 By Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court on June 19 struck down part of a law that bans offensive trademarks in a ruling that is expected to help the Washington Redskins in their legal fight over the team name.
The justices ruled that the 71-year-old trademark law barring disparaging terms infringes free speech rights. The ruling is a victory for the Asian American rock band called the Slants, but the case was closely see THE SLANTS on 13
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asianweekly northwest
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35 YEARS
JUNE 24 – JUNE 30, 2017
■ NAMES IN THE NEWS
Seattle Chinese Voice
Photo by Assunta Ng/NWAW
ICHS patients meet with Senator Patty Murray
Photo by John Liu/NWAW
Photo provided by ICHS
Canton Alley open
From left: ICHS CEO Teresita Batayola, Foundation Director Ron Chew, Sen. Patty Murray, and Health Services & Community Partnership Director Michael McKee Ching Chan of SCIDpda cuts the ribbon at the Canton Alley reopening party
The historic Canton Alley was recently repaved, and the Chinatown-International District held a reopening ceremony and celebration on June 15. In addition to a ribbon-cutting ceremony, food, and music, Chinese American author Dale Hom autographed copies of his book, “Walk Don’t Run: Growing Up Asian in Seattle,” in the alley. The Chinatown International District Preservation and Development Authority (SCIDpda) and the Chinatown Historic Alley Partnership (CHAP) has worked for the Alley reactivation project for five years. The community’s long-term goal is to bring business back into the vacant storefronts to help draw more foot traffic. ■
Sen. Patty Murray visited International Community Health Services (ICHS) on June 16, spoke with staff and doctors, and collected opinions and concerns from patients and the local community. “Sen. Murray’s advocacy comes at a time when the stakes couldn’t be higher,” said ICHS CEO Teresita Batayola. “Six-thousand ICHS patients benefit from expanded Medicaid and an additional 2,200 risk being priced out of insurance coverage if they lose medical subsidies and tax credits.” More than 600,000 Washington state residents risk losing health care coverage under the state’s Medicaid program with passage of the American Health Care Act, while another 72,000 to 100,000 risk losing their current private insurance. ■
From left: Charles Lee and Paul Rucker
Paul Rucker, executive director of the University of Washington (UW) Alumni Association, accepted a $2,500 donation on June 16 from the Chinese Media Action Committee (CMC), the organizer for Seattle Chinese Voice. The CMC held its first reunion in over 40 years. Most of the members of the CMC are former UW students. ■
Volunteer honored by American Heart Association
Nancy Lee (center)
The Office Campus EB-5 Project at Southport Recruiting Ready for Occupancy in 2018 Project oversight by 3rd Party Funds Usage I-924 Management Application submitted
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The American Heart Association (AHA) presented the Multicultural Initiatives Award to Nancy Lee of Seattle for accomplishments in helping to build a culture of health in underserved communities. With her multicultural savvy and fluency in Cantonese and Mandarin, Lee has helped the AHA forge connections and extend the reach of its health programs into diverse communities. The AHA’s Western States Affiliate Volunteer Awards were presented on June 6 in Sacramento, Calif. during a reception and awards dinner. Nominations came from 10 states. ■
Former West Seattle eyesore sells for $1 million
The sale of a home at 3243 Belvidere Avenue Southwest in Seattle closed on June 16 for $1.19 million. Local real estate investor Jimmy Tang, who renovated the house, bought it in May 2016 for $427,000, beating out Jimmy Tang 40 other interested buyers. He received an offer for the newly renovated home eight days after listing it on the market. The structure, in the North Admiral neighborhood of West Seattle, had been vacant for years before Tang bought it, tore it down to its foundation, and rebuilt a bigger, modern home. ■
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asianweekly northwest
YOUR VOICE
JUNE 24 – JUNE 30, 2017
■ COMMUNITY NEWS
3
War, hatred and 74 years can’t keep woman from her high school graduation on Vashon Island Separated first by racism, then by life, Mary Matsuda Gruenewald finally was united with her high school diploma Saturday (June 17). It took her 74 years. Gruenewald, a 92-year-old Seattle resident, received the certificate Saturday after missing her original 1943 graduation from Vashon Island High School. Her family had been removed from their farm in 1942 and placed in an internment camp in Idaho. The United States was at war with Japan and JapaneseAmerican families like the Matsudas were deemed to be a danger. A presidential commission later determined the true motive was racism. “I realized then how much as a people we were hated,” Gruenewald told The News Tribune earlier this year. “It was a real scary time.”
Photo by Linda Ando
By Craig Sailor ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE OLYMPIAN REPRINTED WITH PERMISSION
Mary Matsuda Gruenewald
As the Matsudas left the Vashon Island docks on May 16, 1942 a group of white people shouted obscenities and racial
epithets at them. Vashon Island gave a different kind of reception on Saturday. Vashon High principal Danny Rock didn’t have to think twice when he heard Gruenewald wanted her diploma. “It was an easy yes,” he told KOMO. Gruenewald did graduate from high school inside the internment camp. She went on to be a nurse and author. But Gruenewald had always wanted that diploma from Vashon Island High School. “I never did have a memorable experience from my graduation from high school,” she told KING. On Saturday, Gruenewald, wearing cap and gown and sporting a colorful lei, accepted her diploma to applause. “This is an incredible point in anybody’s life to be able to graduate from high school,” an emotional Gruenewald told KING. “My parents and my brother, I wish they could have been here to see this. They would have been really proud.” ■
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JUNE 24 – JUNE 30, 2017
35 YEARS
■ NATIONAL NEWS
Official: UPS warehouse shooter apparently felt disrespected
By PAUL ELIAS and JANIE HAR ASSOCIATED PRESS
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A man who fatally shot three fellow UPS drivers appears to have felt disrespected by coworkers, but it’s not clear if that was the motivation for the bloodshed, a police official said. The San Francisco Police Department official could not provide details and cautioned it’s one of several possible
motives for the June 14 shooting. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the investigation is ongoing and the San Francisco police are not discussing the case publicly. Jimmy Lam, 38, opened fire at a morning meeting of UPS drivers at a company warehouse in San Francisco before the drivers went out on deliveries. Lam and the victims worked out of the warehouse. Shaun Vu, a senior UPS driver, has said Lam also struggled with personal issues and was depressed a few years ago. He had shown improvement, but Vu said Lam looked troubled a few weeks ago. That was around the time Lam filed a grievance claiming he was working excessive overtime. The police official said Lam appears to have targeted the three drivers he fatally shot. It’s not clear, however, that those drivers — Benson Louie, Mike Lefiti, and Wayne Chan — had anything to do with his apparent sense of disrespect. UPS driver Jevir Gray, 34, rejected the possibility that the victims disrespected Lam, saying they were “really good people.”
“They were my mentors,” he said. “I looked up to them.” Vu has said Lam seemed to be on friendly terms with the three men he killed. UPS driver Leopold Parker, who witnessed the shooting, said drivers at the warehouse generally got along and didn’t mind working there. If they did have a problem with colleagues, they would talk to them or ignore them. He also stressed that drivers spent much of their time alone in their trucks, so they had limited interaction with their colleagues. Lam sometimes complained about the workload, but Parker said he never suspected Lam would turn violent. Parker, 53, was standing by his truck at the morning meeting when Lam walked up and shot Louie in the head, he said. Louie was a few feet in front of Parker. Lam glanced at Parker. “I heard a pop. I saw a flash. I saw Benson drop in front of me,” he said. “He glanced at me, so I thought I was next because I was right next to Benson.” But Lam went the opposite way. Parker jumped into see UPS on 14
FBI offers $10K reward Dalai Lama: Modern to help find missing education needs to Chinese scholar focus on compassion URBANA, Ill. (AP) — The FBI is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information that’ll help locate a visiting scholar from China who disappeared from the University of Illinois. Twenty-six-year-old Yingying Zhang was about a month into a yearlong appointment at the central Illinois university when she disappeared June 9. Campus police say surveillance video shows her entering a black Saturn Astra vehicle in Urbana that afternoon. Her friends told authorities she had gone out to sign a lease. Authorities have labeled the case a kidnapping, but aren’t ruling anything out. The FBI announced the reward on June 17.
Zhang was working in the university’s Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, researching photosynthesis and crop productivity. University officials say Zhang’s visiting scholar appointment runs through April 2018. She is from Jianyang, China. ■
SAN DIEGO (AP) — The Dalai Lama says modern education is falling short on its responsibility to teach compassion. The 81-year-old Buddhist monk spoke on June 16 to a crowd of about 25,000 at the University of California, San Diego, one day before he is scheduled to give a commencement speech to graduates. Some Chinese student organizations objected to his visit. Chinese nationals make up roughly 12 percent of the student body. UC San Diego Chancellor Pradeep K. Khosla says he invited the Dalai Lama to speak because it was important graduates hear his message. The Nobel Peace Prize winner says
educational institutions should focus more on teaching the value of compassion, tolerance and forgiveness. China considers the spiritual leader a separatist seeking Tibetan independence. The Dalai Lama says he seeks protection of Tibetan culture. ■
Authorities: Chinese eatery owners stole millions in wages
U.S. apologizes for WWII internment of Alaska’s Unangan people
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Five defendants are set to be sentenced in wage theft case involving four Northern California Chinese restaurants. The East Bay Times reports state investigators say the owners stole $4.5 million in wages from employees they forced to work 12-hour days from 20092013. Stage investigators say they also cheated California out of $2 million in taxes. Authorities say the former owners and managers of Golden Dragon Buffet in Brentwood, New Dragon Buffet in San Leandro, Golden Wok Buffet in Roseville and Kokyo Sushi Buffet in Hayward committed the crimes.
ST. PAUL, Alaska (AP) — A U.S. official has apologized for the World War II internment of Alaska’s Unangan people. Jim Kurth, acting director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, traveled last week to remote St. Paul Island in the Bering Sea to speak with survivors of the internment and their descendants, Alaska’s Jim Kurth Energy Desk reported. “As much as we wish, we cannot take back the course of history,’’ Kurth said. “But what we can do now is heal together. We can work together.’’
A grand jury indicted eight owners and managers on 28 charges, including conspiracy, wage theft and workers compensation fraud. Authorities say three of the defendants are believed to have fled to China. The other five have agreed to plead guilty to some of the charges. ■
Fish and Wildlife agents oversaw the internment of the people of Alaska’s Pribilof Islands after the Japanese in 1942 bombed Dutch Harbor on the Aleutian island of Unalaska in 1942, where the U.S. had established World War II military bases. About 900 Alaska Natives were taken from the Aleutian and Pribilof islands for internment. Many died of illness or starvation. St. Paul Island, population about 480, is one of the four Pribilof islands and lies about 200 miles north of Unalaska. ■
asianweekly northwest
YOUR VOICE
JUNE 24 – JUNE 30, 2017
■ WORLD NEWS
5
China approves 9 Trump trademarks previously rejected By ERIKA KINETZ ASSOCIATED PRESS
SHANGHAI (AP) — The Chinese government has granted preliminary approval for nine Donald Trump trademarks it had previously rejected, in whole or in part, The Associated
MAYORAL from 1
Name the top three issues that are of concern to the API community in Seattle. Gary Brose: Traffic and infrastructure in the Chinatown/ International District (CID) area, the effect of Seattle legislation on API small businesses, and citizen safety. Tiniell Cato: The need for social, economic, and political equity. Jenny Durkan: Homelessness and affordable housing, public safety and police reform, and education. Jessyn Farrell: Equal, multilingual, and culturally sensitive access to education and social services, civil and human rights, and economic opportunities for small business owners. Bob Hasegawa: (Lack of) communication with the mayor’s office including the Navigation Center surprise, immigration and sanctuary cities, and public health and safety. Mike McGinn: Preserving communities in the face of rising housing prices and higher taxes, public safety, and education. Cary Moon: Engagement, voice, and representation in the political process, investments in infrastructure, economic development, and public safety, and social justice and racial equity. James Norton: Homelessness and how it impacts the API community, the need for the API community to have a voice in city government, and housing concerns. Larry Oberto: Safety, affordability, and opportunity. Nikkita Oliver: Safety with the unsolved murder of MyLinh Nguyen and Donnie Chin, drugs and cleanliness, and affordable housing and elderly care facilities.
Name one thing the City of Seattle has done to the API community that you are happy or unhappy with, and tell us why. Gary Brose: Seattle’s attempt to micromanage business in the form of minimum wage controls, sick leave, sugar taxes, and other issues, affects all businesses in Seattle, but primarily impacts small businesses. The API community is very innovative and entrepreneurial, and all these steps taken by the city add an extra layer of complexity to small businesses
Press found, a turn that is likely to fuel further allegations that Beijing may be giving the president’s family business special treatment. Trump’s decision to retain ownership of his global branding empire has sparked criticism over perceived conflicts of interest and three lawsuits, including one filed last week by nearly 200 Democrats in Congress, which allege violations of a constitutional prohibition against accepting gifts from foreign governments. Trademarks lie at the heart of these complaints because they are granted by foreign states and can be enormously valuable — whether they are intended as groundwork for future business activity or defensive measures to protect a brand from squatters. Publicly available records do not indicate why the nine applications were initially rejected, or why the trademarks were then granted provisional approval eight to 15 weeks later. “The speed with which these appeals were decided is mind-blowing,” said Matthew Dresden, an intellectual property attorney at Harris Bricken in Seattle. “I have never seen any decisions made that quickly. That suggests
special treatment. But that’s just procedural. Substantively, it’s impossible to say whether any of this is unusual.” China’s Trademark Office did not respond to requests for comment. The new provisional approvals further shore up the president’s brand in China, conferring potential rights to the use of Chinese versions of his name for beauty salon services, socks, human resources consulting and advertising, among other things, and the Trump brand, in English, for jewelry and watch repair. If there are no objections, the marks will be formally registered after 90 days. China has also granted formal approval for dozens of Trump trademarks in the last few weeks, bring to 39 the total number of official registrations China has given the Trump family business since President Trump took office, according to records from China’s Trademark Office. Those marks include branded spa and massage services, golf clubs, hotels, insurance, finance and real estate
and I don’t believe that is right. Add what I perceive to be the lack of support for business promotion in the District and I believe what we see is a Mayor’s Office and City Council that has turned a deaf ear to the API Community. Tiniell Cato: Until the clerical errors that violate human and civil rights are evaluated, rewritten, or removed, I am not happy with anything the city has done. The process and procedures that do not uphold the law is discriminating against all people’s civil rights, especially in the 37th district, which consist of the Central District, Seattle District, Renton, SeaTac, Tukwila, and Burien, etc. This is “an evolution” for all people. United we stand. Divided we fall. Jenny Durkan: I am happy that the City of Seattle has made good progress on the consent decree, which will ensure that the Seattle Police Department (SPD) has the needed training in order to respect the civil rights of all communities of color, including the API community. As U.S. Attorney, I worked extensively with community leaders from throughout Seattle, including leaders in the API community to hear how SPD can better engage the community. I know that the progress could not have been made without hard, collaborative work of community members, police officers and their leadership, city leaders, the Monitor, and the DOJ. I know first-hand that the API community leaders were key to this work and am grateful for it. Jessyn Farrell: Declaring Seattle a Sanctuary City is one of the most important things our city has done, as it affects residents across our city. As mayor, I will ensure we remain a Sanctuary City and protect against national cuts to services and resources, threats to the safety and opportunity of residents, and stand up for all who come to make Seattle home. But our city has a long way to go. Our affordability, housing, and homelessness crisis affects the API community and API-owned businesses, and we must take action now. Similarly, Seattle Schools have an unacceptable opportunity that is leaving students behind. We can and must do better. Bob Hasegawa: I am not happy with how the city decided to drop the Navigation Center into the ID without any input from the community. This is symbolic of the larger problem in how the city leadership makes top-down decisions and imposes them onto the neighborhoods. The decision-making process needs to change to reflect the involvement and will of the people.
Mike McGinn: I am concerned that the city is not doing enough to respond to concerns about public safety. CID has expressed specific concerns — which require hands-on management to ensure the city responds. Gang disputes and shooting appear to be increasing, which will require renewed attention to youth violence prevention and gang intervention. Cary Moon: I am frustrated with the city’s apparent lack of communication with, and indifference to the Little Saigon community regarding the siting of the “Navigation Center” shelter. The city should have done more advance outreach and communication directly with the community about the process and proposal. I am impressed with the work SCIDpda is doing to assist the API community with business development in CID, partially funded by the City’s Office of Economic Development. Recruiting and retaining businesses that are a good fit, and working hands on with building owners and tenant businesses to help them get or stay on their feet is a good example of how the city can ensure community-based businesses can thrive in place. I would like to expand this program, and use it as a model for other API communities facing the threat of gentrification. James Norton: I am unhappy with the way the ID is losing its community, culture, and history so quickly with our recent local officials. Larry Oberto: My focus and method if I am to be your mayor is to understand what has worked and has not worked to affect the challenges the API faces. My methods feel it is more important to serve than to tell others what I may think. Usually the people most involved have the most useful information and cost effective ideas to solve problems. Nikkita Oliver: Unhappy. The city continues to put the CID communities and API communities against other marginalized or disenfranchised communities in Seattle. This sort of posturing only creates tension between already struggling communities and allows the city to act unaccountably. Examples of this includes the Hookah Lounges, the Navigation Center imposed onto CID/Little Saigon without proper discussion, and hotels/zoning issues in the CID. ■
see TRUMP on 13
The forum begins at 7 p.m. Please arrive by 6:30 p.m. All are welcome. For more information, go to facebook.com/APIcandidatesforum.
KING COUNTY NOTICE TO BIDDERS Sealed bids will be received for #C01025C17, Georgetown Wet Weather Treatment Station by the King County Procurement and Payables Section, 3rd Floor, 401 Fifth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104, until 1:30 PM on July 13, 2017. Late bids will not be accepted.
Construct a new 70 million gallon per day capacity wet weather treatment station for treating combined sewer overflow (CSO) wastewater, located in the City of Seattle in the vicinity of East Marginal Way and South Michigan Street.
Estimated contract price: $110,602,265. Complete Invitation to Bid Documents, including all project details, specifications, and contact information are available on our web page at: https://procurement.kingcounty.gov/ procurement_ovr/default.aspx
asianweekly northwest
6
JUNE 24 – JUNE 30, 2017
■ COMMUNITY CALENDAR JUNE 22
MAYORAL CANDIDATE FORUM ASIAN PACIFIC ISLANDER COMMUNITY Nagomi Tea House 519 6th Ave. S. Ste. 200, Seattle 7 p.m.
23 & 24 4TH LAO AMERICAN WRITERS SUMMIT Highline College, 2400 S. 240th St., Des Moines 9 a.m.
23–25 HDA ANNNIVERSARY PERFORMANCE, “RHYTHM OF DANCE 2017” Meydenbauer Center Theatre, 11100 N.E. 6th St., Bellevue 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. $20–$50 206-287-9998 hengdadance@yahoo.com
24 CHINESE TRADITIONAL MUSIC & DANCE Microsoft Auditorium, Central Library 2 p.m. 206-684-0849 WALK FOR RICE Seward Park, Seattle 8 a.m. walkforrice.org BEACON HILL POP-UP BAZAAR 2507 Beacon Ave. S., Seattle 11 a.m.
35 YEARS
K-POP WORLD FESTIVAL SEATTLE PRELIMINARY Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Arts Council 18560 1st Ave. N.E., Shoreline 6 p.m. seattlen.com/kpop
OF, “THE LEAVERS” Elliott Bay Book Company, 1521 Tenth Ave., Seattle 7 p.m. michael@algonquin.com 212-614-5639
26
8
THROUGH JULY 13
7TH ANNUAL SAMOA CULTURAL DAY Clover Park High Harry Lang Stadium 8 a.m. 253-383-3900 apcc96.org
NWAW SUMMER YOUTH LEADERSHIP PROGRAM BEGINS Massive Monkees Studio 664 S. King St., Seattle 9 a.m.
28 KAC-WA’S PROFESSIONAL NETWORKING MIXER The Gokan by Musashi 954 E. Union St. Ste. 101, Seattle 5:30 p.m. WASHINGTON STATE CHINA RELATIONS COUNCIL’S POLICY BRIEFING SERIES, “OUTLOOK ON CHINA’S MARKET REFORMS: RISKS AND REWARDS” U.S. Bank Center, 1420 5th Ave. 4th Floor, Seattle 3:45 p.m. 206-441-4419, wscrc.org
29 BEACH THEMED MAHJONG NIGHT COHOSTED BY NAAAP-SEATTLE Kin On 4416 S. Brandon St., Seattle 7:15 p.m.
JULY 7
LOCAL EVENT WITH AUTHOR LISA KO
8&9 JAPAN FAIR 2017 Meydenbauer Center, 11100 N.E. 6th St., Bellevue 7/8, 11 a.m. 7/9, 10 a.m. Free japanfairus.org
10–28 DEVELOP YOUR ARTISTRY THROUGH YOUTHCAN, “FIND YOUR VOICE” Wing Luke Museum 12 p.m. 14-19 years old wingluke.org/youthcan Deadline to apply is June 30
12 THROUGH AUGUST 31
SUMMER AT SAM RETURNS Olympic Sculpture Park Every Thursday and Saturday visitsam.org/summer
15 MCDONALD’S PRESENTS DRAGON FEST 2017 Seattle’s Chinatown-International District 6 p.m. NWAW’S TRASHION FASHION SHOW Northwest Asian Weekly office 412 Maynard Ave. S., Seattle 1:30 p.m. nwasianweekly.com
AUG 3
BAMBOO CIRCLE CELEBRATION Seattle Chinese Garden 6:30 p.m. seattlechinesegarden.org
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■ ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
JUNE 24 – JUNE 30, 2017
Asians, you need to STOP saying the n-word in your music
By Stacy Nguyen NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY In this month’s column, I just — holy crap — devote so many words discussing what is and isn’t racist and the n-word. Because non-Black people are just weirdly so in love with being able to scream this word out to the world at the top of their lungs like it’s their God-given right. I just don’t get it, but maybe I’m crazy.
Rich Chigga is a terrible stage name
Brian Imanuel is a 17-year-old Indonesian of Chinese descent who happens to be really, really talented at rapping. Imanuel has a viral hit, “Dat $tick,” which was released last year on Feb. 22, 2016. It currently has more than 51 million views. Imanuel’s been getting significant press lately. He appeared on Pharrell Williams’ radio show on May 29 and was even featured on The New Yorker’s Culture Desk series on June 7. His stage name is Rich Chigga. His song features a trap beat. His first verse has this line in it: “Rogue wave on you n***as, no fail when I hit ‘em.” The second verse has this one: “And you don’t wanna f*** with a chigga like me.” Allow me to read your mind. You’re probably like, “Yo, is that racist?” (Or maybe you’re like, “That is so racist!”
asianweekly northwest
YOUR VOICE
Or maybe you’re like, “This song seems great!” I guess I actually can’t read minds.) Racism is complicated. Racism more than just prejudice (which is when you hate all white people named John because you think white people named John never bring wine to parties) and discrimination (which is when you don’t invite white guy John to your party because you assume he will come empty-handed). Racism is more like when John gets annoyed that he didn’t get invited to your party so he goes to Jenny’s house and tells Jenny that you really hurt his feelings with your BS. Then he gets in his car, starts driving home, but he is pulled over by a
cop because one of his tail lights is out. John says, “Hey, officer. How’s your night going?” And the cop is like, “I just wanted to let you know that your tail light is out. Please fix it because it’s a matter of your safety.” And John is like, “Thanks, officer! I will! Have a great night!” And then John goes to work the next day as a middle manager at a company that decided to hire him with his state college degree, even though it could’ve hired Jamal, who has one more year of experience and graduated from Harvard. That is racism at work. Racism is the culturally accepted practice of defending the advantages of power and
7
A-pop! privilege by buying into these societal structures that emphasizes the white race’s superiority above all others. Racism was rationally and strategically built into the blueprint of this country at its inception and every structure that we have created since has elements of this blueprint in it — what we often call institutional racism. I mention whiteness because racism has pivoted around white supremacy ever since about the 16th century, when Europe figured out how really big boats worked. Rich Chigga is a middle-class kid from Jakarta who grew up bombarded with America’s biggest and brightest export — its culture. He is a self-professed huge fan of rap. He wrote a song that glorifies violence and appropriates a culture that he is completely out of touch with, including that culture’s historical suffering and how that context almost always bleeds out from that culture’s art. He took the most dehumanizing word in the English language that has nothing to do with him, and he decided to adapt it and use it as his stage name. He went further and used the slur in his song. And he called this song an homage. I don’t doubt that this kid had the best of intentions, and he was totally drunk on that 1999-birth-year-dumb-confidence. But his intentions don’t matter. see A-POP on 15
asianweekly northwest
8
35 YEARS
JUNE 24 – JUNE 30, 2017
■ ON THE SHELF
Summer reads for all ages By Samantha Pak NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY
THE UNFORGETTABLES
By G.L. Tomas Rebellious Valkyrie Press, 2016
Paul Hiroshima had it all. He was charming and good looking, known for his artistic talents and a great dancer. But that was back in Chicago. Now that his family has moved to Portland, Maine the summer before his last year in high school, things were going to change. But then he met Felicia Abelard, the girl next door. The pair quickly become friends, bonding over their love of comic books and even assuming secret identities. They were supposed to be just friends, but then Paul and Felicia began developing feelings for each other. Needless to say, once school started, things got complicated. “Unforgettables” has many of the qualities you would expect from a young adult novel: an awkward first love, that feeling of being an outsider and not belonging, and parents that the main characters feel are out to ruin their lives. But what stands out in this story is the diverse cast of characters. Paul comes from a mixed-race background, with a Japanese father and white mother, and Felicia’s family takes great pride in their Haitian background. Even the story’s secondary characters represent various backgrounds and show readers that diversity means more than just race and ethnicity — from the gay couple who attend church with Felicia’s parents, to the seemingly “run-of-themill” white guy who has more to him than meets
the eye, to the young transgender girl who is selfconscious about her voice as she is transitioning. In addition, Paul and Felicia also revel in their geeky ways, which extend beyond comic books. It is actually one of the things that draws them to each other and allows them to completely be themselves when they are together. While the main focus of the story is Paul and Felicia’s relationship, Tomas also includes the trials and tribulations that come with just being a teenager, from Paul’s academic struggles, to Felicia dealing with the mean girls on her soccer team. There are even moments of sibling squabbles as Paul’s younger sister and brother like to go out of their way to make things difficult for him.
CINNAMON
Written by Neil Gaiman, illustrated by Divya Srinivasan HarperCollins, 2017 Meet Cinnamon, a beautiful princess living in a mythic India. Despite her beauty, Cinnamon had pearls for eyes, which meant she was blind. And she also did not talk. It is the latter that has her parents, the Rajah and the Rani, so concerned. So in an effort to help their daughter, they announced that they would offer a room in their palace, a field of mango trees, a portrait of the Rani’s beautiful aunt, and a green parrot to the individual who could get Cinnamon to speak. Needless to say, people responded to the call. But they were all unsuccessful and ended up leaving see SHELF on 12
trashion fashion
$250 and more in prizes Please fill out all the fields below: Name: ___________________________________
NWAW’s 2017 FASHION DESIGN CONTEST
THE OBJECTIVE: Design a wearable outfit or garment that incorporates recycled materials and/or NWAW/Seattle Chinese Post newspapers.
_________________________________________ Address: _________________________________ _________________________________________ Phone: ___________________________________ E-mail: ___________________________________ _________________________________________ Brief description of your design: _______________ _________________________________________ _________________________________________ _________________________________________ _________________________________________ ________________________________________ Designer: _________________________________ Model: ___________________________________
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Entries due {JULY 3} Trashion Show {JULY 15} TO ENTER, SEND: — Your name, address, phone number, and e-mail address. — Up to to 3 photographs of your design — A brief description of your work Entries can be directed to RSVP@NWASIANWEEKLY.COM or mailed to: Northwest Asian Weekly Attn: Trashion Fashion 412 Maynard South Seattle, WA 98104 (Multiple entries and all ages welcomed!) Finalists will be announced in the NWAW’s {JULY 9} issue. *Finalists must be available to showcase their designs on {JULY 15} at Chinatown/International District Dragon Fest to be eligible for prizes. Arrival/rehearsal at 11 a.m. Show at 1:30 p.m. Rain or shine. PRIZES: First Place: $250 + goodies + announcement in NWAW/SCP Second Place: $150 + goodies + announcement in NWAW/SCP Third Place: $100 + goodies + announcement in NWAW/SCP Honorable Mentions: Announcements in NWAW/SCP *If you need newsprint for your design, please come to the Asian Weekly’s office at 412 Maynard Avenue South to pick up back issues.
2015 1st place winner julie stone & Karissa Lew ► bit.ly/23vQmIK
2016 1st place winner rebecca bartenetti ► vimeo.com/175177387
asianweekly northwest
YOUR VOICE
JUNE 24 – JUNE 30, 2017
■ AT THE MOVIES
9
What it’s like to be gay in China By Andrew Hamlin NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY “China Queer,” an installment of Fusion TV’s “The Naked Truth” documentary series, takes the viewer inside China, China’s LGBTQ scene, and the rapidlyimploding rights of LGBTQ people to self-expression and their own identities. For the documentary narrator, the job went beyond sitting in front of a microphone. Omar Sharif Jr., grandson to the famous actor Omar Sharif, is part Egyptian Muslim and part Jewish. He can claim no Chinese or Asian blood. But he’s out and proud, and he was happy to contribute to the project. “I had a very public coming out in Egypt,” explained the actor. “During the Arab Spring, that gave me a platform to advocate for those living in oppressive societies and in fear.” Sharif served as a national spokesperson for GLAAD (Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) and he currently serves with the Human Rights Foundation (HRF). “The documentary,” according to Sharif, “speaks to LGBTQ life in China — the big challenges as well as some of the more limited triumphs that local activists face.
It speaks to the political and cultural landscape, but also to the personal stories of its subjects — and I think it’s in this intersection that ‘The Naked Truth: China Queer’ finds its uniqueness.” The 45-minute documentary explores gay men, lesbians, and transsexuals, shows the Chinese
organizations that serve these communities, and follows the private and public lives of activists and more “ordinary” citizens. It also details the struggles of LGBTQ individuals against the government, which seems to be turning against them, and the strictures of Chinese cultural
Netflix theater debate hits S. Korea as ‘Okja’ boycott looms
expectations, which historically places a high value on marrying and reproducing. Some of the interviewees aren’t willing to be identified, and given government harassment, surveillance, and iron-handed police tactics, this isn’t surprising. Some segments use hidden-camera
footage to examine, for example, Chinese “conversion therapy” clinics, which promise to turn queer people straight — for a fee. This widely-debunked practice continues to be popular in China, mostly through parents who see NAKED TRUTH on 12
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By YOUKYUNG LEE ASSOCIATED PRESS SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korean filmmaker Bong Joon-ho has an answer to where the controversy over the theatrical releases of Netflix movies started: his cinematic ambition. Bong said last week that Netflix never pushed for the theatrical release of his “Okja,” but he did so himself so people could see it on the big screen. The controversy has hit home in South Korea
where the top three movie chains are refusing the film’s simultaneous theatrical and Netflix debuts. “Okja” by the internationally acclaimed director of “The Host” and “Snowpiercer” was one of two Netflix titles that competed at the Cannes Film Festival last month for the first time, along with Noah Baumbach’s “The Meyerowitz Stories.” But after an outcry from French exhibitors, Cannes changed its rules to require that films see BONG on 14
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asianweekly northwest
10
35 YEARS
JUNE 24 – JUNE 30, 2017
■ PUBLISHER’S BLOG
OPINION
Seattle Chinese Voice’s reunion after 40 years Photos by George Liu/NWAW
Reflecting on youthful accomplishments
Faye Dow
Dr. Eugene Lai
Dr. Bill Lau
Lily Woo, emcee for the event
Evelyn Hou
By Assunta Ng NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY
Cecilia Fung (left) and Chuck Reinsch
Founders and the original SCV team. Front row, from left: George Liu, Cecilia Fung, Yvonne Tso, and Tim Liu. Back row, from left: David Chow, Roger Leung, and Eugene Lai.
Do you remember what you accomplished when you were in your 20s? If you scratch your head, sigh, and think, “Absolutely nothing,” you are not alone. While some regret many missed opportunities to serve the community, it’s never too late to help others or give back. The founders and successors of the first Chinese radio program in Washington state can share countless memorable stories that they are proud of from their youth, in the first reunion after more than 40 years. Held at the Alumni Association of the University of Washington (UW) last weekend, about 30 members attended and they couldn’t help but reflect on their good old days. Inspired by the 1960s movement by
students across the nation, a group of UW Chinese students from Hong Kong started the Seattle Chinese Voice (SCV) in 1973. The program was later renamed Chinese Radio Hour. A weekly Chinese radio program, SCV provided information, news, and entertainment to non-English speaking Chinese immigrants. Relying on dedicated volunteers in their 20s, the program aired on KRAB, now a defunct station, and lasted over 11 years, from February 1973 to April 15, 1984. SVC discontinued because KRAB was shut down. (Listen to audio here compiled from former KRAB manager, Chuck Reinsch: tinyurl.com/yd445ek3)
Why it was founded
Although the program no longer exists, the impact on its members and the community were profound and powerful. In those days,
Dr. Roger Leung
listeners, including restaurant and garment factory workers, couldn’t wait for the next program to air. None of the Chinese foreign students had much money. What they gave was time, energy, ideas, and passion for social justice. Their dedication and commitment were indescribable beyond words. What motivated Cecilia Fung of Vancouver, B.C., one of the founders, was that she discovered “so many old Chinese people, living alone (in America). Some died without anyone knowing it … Many met at a garment factory union meeting without knowing what’s going on.” She instantly understood the Chinese community needed help, especially a translation service. Faye Dow, one of the youngest volunteers at the time, recalled that so many Chinese women like her mother worked full-time, and had no time to learn English. The radio see BLOG on 16
The reunion of the planning committee members. Charles Lee being recognized for the immense work that he contributed to the event.
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asianweekly northwest
YOUR VOICE
JUNE 24 – JUNE 30, 2017
11
OPINION
■ EDITORIAL
Slanted? It was unanimous
The intention, according to band leader Simon Tam, was to convey a positive spin on the word “slant” (a familiar slur against people of Asian descent) especially since all the members of the Portland, Ore.-based band, “The Slants,” are Asian American. “We can talk about our perspective, our slant on life if you will, and what it’s like to be people of color navigating through society in the entertainment industry while being able to pay homage to Asian American activists,” said Tam. But in 2015, the United States Patent and Trademark Office denied the rock band a trademark registration because a bureaucrat said the name was “disparaging,” citing Section 2(a) of the trademark act that lets the government deny trademark protection to a mark that is
SPRINGHILL from 1 Existing structures (which previously housed King’s Hookah Lounge and Reprographics) would be demolished. The new building will be a SpringHill Suites by Marriott. Studio19 Architects are the lead designers on the project and KPFF Consulting Engineers are serving as the civil engineers.
Against the development
There has been a large concern over the development proposal, largely represented by community organizations that represent the Chinatown-International District. The Chinatown-International District Coalition (CID) — a group of community organizers which includes people who live and work in the Chinatown-International District, or have family who live, work, and receive services in the Chinatown-International District — organized a public meeting in March, which over 70 residents attended. A survey about the development was conducted. According to the CID statement to the International Special District Review Board (Seattle Department of Neighborhoods), “The vast majority of participants opposed the development and feel ‘bad’ or ‘very bad’ both about the proposed 14-story hotel on 8th and Lane, as well as how the city has generally engaged the community around issues of development.” The primary concerns were about “increases in traffic, decreases in pedestrian safety, disruption in access to services and daily needs, exacerbation of issues of affordability that would lead to displacement of existing residents and small businesses, and loss of a sense of community, culture, and heritage.” The CID also issued concerns about displacement, especially among the elderly. “The ID is at the highest risk of displacement, according to the 2035 Comprehensive Plan … the need for truly affordable and low-income housing is dire. The Chinatown-International District is significantly more diverse, lower income, and older than the Seattle population as a whole.” The statement to the review board concludes with, “If Hotel Concepts is unable to genuinely engage with the community, fails to provide sufficient information in response to the above inquiries, or does not indicate through their response the kinds of impacts that community members have shown are of serious concern, we urge you to deny approval of the project.” International Community Health Services (ICHS), a nonprofit community health center in the ID offering primary medical care, behavioral health, WIC, and health education services, is located a block away from the proposed development. According to a statement by its CEO Teresita Batayola, the main concerns with the development are vehicular access, impacts of traffic, zoning scale impacts,
“immoral,” “scandalous,” or “disparaging.” On June 19, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in a unanimous 8-0 decision that this use of Section 2(a) is unconstitutional. Justice Samuel Alito wrote the opinion. “We now hold that this provision violates the Free Speech Clause of the First Amendment. It offends a bedrock First Amendment principle: Speech may not be banned on the ground that it expresses ideas that offend.” “It’s a win for all marginalized groups,” Tam told the New York Times. “It can’t be a win for free speech if some people benefit and others don’t. The First Amendment protects speech even that we disagree with.” The court’s decision rightly remands the question of how to respond to speech we might find offensive back
and shadow impacts of buildings in the immediate area and potential construction impacts. Batayola stated, “South Lane Street functions as a drop-off site for the elderly who attend the adult day services at Legacy House, which is located across the street from the curb cuts proposed by the project … Emergency vehicles also need access to Legacy House around the clock.” A statement from the Seattle Chinatown International District Preservation and Development Authority (SCIDpda), which is dedicated to “preserving, promoting, and developing the Seattle Chinatown-International District as a vibrant community and unique ethnic neighborhood,” also expressed concerns about vehicular access, quantity of parking, scale, and façade.
Defending the development
Developer and owner Han Kim told the Northwest Asian Weekly in an interview last December that he understood neighborhood concerns. “They are concerned about the bulk and scale of the project and the increase in traffic, once the project is completed. We are working on changing the façade to blend in with the neighboring buildings and setting back the building on higher levels, so the pedestrians won’t notice the size of the building so much. All of our parking needs will be handled within the building that will have valet service.” In a more recent interview this month, addressing community concerns after review and community feedback, Kim said, “We are changing the first level design radically to accommodate the (review) board concern about having the public access on the ground level by shifting the check-in location to the underground level,” Kim said. “Not ideal for our customers as they will have difficulty finding the entrance, but life is all about compromises.” Kim also argued the benefits of economic development. “Change is hard, but we should not be afraid of it. Progress can bring a lot of good things. Trying to stay put will eventually make you fall behind. As an immigrant in this great country of immigrants, I believe in changing and making things better. Progress and conservation are not necessarily an exclusive deal,” he said. Kim, who is originally from Korea, personally plans to be an active part of the community. He plans to live with his family in the ID. “I am excited to live there with my extended family and enjoy local amenities in walking distances. Business and broader economic development-wise, I hope we will be profitable by providing more affordable housing to the people in Seattle and entice more travelers to come to the Chinatown-International District area.” Tomio Moriguchi, owner of Uwajimaya, also welcomes development. “It is nice to
to the court of public opinion. The Slants are free to call themselves by any name they please — and make money at the same time. But music lovers are free to decide if the names will enter into their decision on whether to attend a concert. Parents might not want their kids repeating what they see on an album cover and on store shelves. If enough fans object, the band may reconsider its stance — no trademark is worth protecting if people stop buying albums and concert tickets. But the freedom of speech must be protected. “Congress shall make no law ... abridging the freedom of speech.” ■
know that the Seattle ID is viewed as a good area to invest in. Any area or community will wither away without ongoing quality investments. For sure the District can use a quality hotel project.” In a public letter supporting the hotel, resident John Gissberg, who lives in the vicinity of the development, said that he was in support because there were no historical features in the area. “In the far Southeast corner of the ID, there are no historic values in the area, only the Village Square and Village Square II buildings and another one-story, grey concrete structure of no redeeming international flavor or Chinese/Japanese flavor equally in of razing.” Grissberg also feels the hotel will help improve the rundown reputation of the ID. “Though we don’t know anything about it yet, a new hotel should help block the air, noise, and vi-
sual pollution from the eight adjacent lanes of I-5 and, with staff employed all through the night, might help improve safety concerns and maybe discourage squatting in the entrances of nearby businesses.”
What happens next?
Initially, construction was to begin in the early summer of 2017 and take approximately 18 months, but the timeline is now indefinite, pending the review of application for construction and development. “This review process has been a nightmare. So I don’t know when it will be over,” stated Kim. ■ Peggy can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.
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asianweekly northwest
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JUNE 24 – JUNE 30, 2017
SHELF from 8
35 YEARS
Despite being a man-eater, the tiger pushes his natural urges aside to help Cinnamon. This is something readers of all ages can keep in mind whenever we meet people. While Gaiman’s words paint a vivid picture of Cinnamon’s story, it is really brought to life through Srinivasan’s bold and colorful illustrations. Her artwork illustrates how elaborate Cinnamon’s family’s palace is, how beautiful the Rani’s aunt once was, and how dangerous the talking tiger can be. The illustrations also highlight some of the more humorous scenes in the story, such as when the tiger goes after the Rani’s aunt.
RICH PEOPLE PROBLEMS
By Kevin Kwan Doubleday, 2017
the palace frustrated as they were unable to get the princess to speak. That is until a talking tiger arrives at the palace, ready to take on the task of teaching the “girl-cub” to talk. In addition to this fun story that teaches readers of all ages not to make snap judgements about people (or animals), “Cinnamon” shows that friendships may come to us in the most unlikely ways.
After Shang Su Yi has a cardiac episode that lands her in the hospital and on her deathbed, the entire Shang-Young clan convenes at the family estate, Tyersall Park. But it’s not because they are heartbroken at the thought that the matriarch of their family may die. It’s because they’re all waiting to stake their claim on the family fortune. “Rich People” marks the third and final installment of Kwan’s trilogy that started with “Crazy Rich Asians.”
And just like its two predecessors, this book is filled with all the extravagance and entitlement we’ve come to expect — and kind of love (while a part of you is probably thinking how wasteful they can be) — from the characters. From Su Yi’s brother calling the Singaporean president to have the midflight plane with his sister’s cardiologist onboard turned around, to an elaborate,
NAKED TRUTH from 9 hope against hope that their queer children can be changed. “I think the scariest part of the process,” mused Sharif on recording his narration, “was hearing some of the stories. While my coming out story wasn’t easy, I received threats of violence and intimidation, I was never imprisoned, I was never forced into conversion therapy, and I had a family that loved me unconditionally. It’s so difficult to hear some of these stories that are, simply put, of people just trying to love the person they love or be the person they are.” Asked about future plans, Sharif affirmed, “I
COMMISSION from 1 In keeping with her campaign slogan, “Rock it, Bea” emblazoned on a rocket ship taking off above Space Needle, one of the first things Querido-Rico talks about is space travel which will become reality soon. She believes a futuristic view will help the Port remain one step ahead of high tech developments and become a major player in the field. “We have a lot of talented people working at the Port of Seattle. However, we’re busy playing catch-up instead of using our skills to research and develop plans for our future. Whether that is unmanned cargo aircraft, high-speed rail, or projects like the Virgin Galactic. The problem is the culture of the organization. We’re busy following the directives of individuals who are more focused on politics.” Other topics she hopes to work on are encouraging sustainable practices in the agriculture, fishing, and maritime industries. She also wants to create sustainable relationships with minority-owned businesses in Burien, and other areas close to the Port of Seattle properties. “I want to ease the process of small businesses working with the Port of Seattle. Right now, we direct them to our website and there’s a lot of paperwork that is daunting for them. I have ideas like a farmer’s market at the airport where local businesses can come set up shop for a day, then pack up and leave. How cool would that be?” She believes that environmental sustainability is a necessity for the organization. However, what seems to be high on Querido-Rico’s list is changing the culture of the Port of Seattle to make it more accountable and transparent. She believes the current situation stifles ideas and opinions of Port employees. When asked if she’s a little anxious about being pitted against candidates with much more political experience, campaign managers, and strong funding, she says she isn’t worried. “I am the only candidate in the race with direct Port of Seattle Operations experience. I understand how the organization works and can assess the impact of policy decisions. I would be a better person for the job compared to someone new who comes into the organization.”
Speaking about taking on heavyweights such as incumbent John Creighton III and Claudia Kauffmann, Querido-Rico takes us back to her childhood and elaborates on her history of beating the odds. The daughter of immigrant parents who came from the Philippines in 1987, she is the first person from her family to have finished graduate school and take up engineering. She said, “My father taught me to play tennis and I was one of the only girls who played with the boys. Then I went on to finish an engineering degree when my mentor encouraged me to go for it if I wanted to make it in the aerospace field. Even there, I was one of the few women among the boys. I’m also a marathon runner and I’m approaching this election with that mindset.” Talking about diversity and the representation of colored women on the commission, “Older Filipinos have been talking about youngsters representing the community on the political scale for so long. My parents, too, are very supportive,” she said. Her mother — an accountant — will be coming to Seattle to help her with the campaign. “I see this as a pro-pro situation, it will be great if I win. But even if I don’t, maybe I can inspire younger Filipinos to run for public office.”
Claudia Kauffmann
Claudia Kauffmann comes from a family of seven kids and grew up in Beacon Hill. She now lives with her family and children in Kent. She used to be a foster parent and looked after 10 children at one time. In 2007, she was the first Native American woman to be elected State Senator of the 47th Legislative District. Kauffmann has a long history of interfacing with government bodies on the local, state, federal, and tribal levels. “As part of the Senate, I played a role in the areas of transport, trade, and economy. I assisted the development of small businesses, supported exports and economic development. I believe my experience put me in this place. I believe the Port of Seattle should be given back to the people,” she said. Kauffmann was motivated to run for the Port of Seattle Commission because she believes it needs better governance. She points out how the Port of Seattle is surrounded by
secret proposal involving an elephant, almost none of these characters know what the word “no” means. It’s not easy for us common folk to feel sympathy for anyone who complains about potentially inheriting only a few million dollars, but Kwan has humanized his characters and there is depth to them that has readers rooting for them. In addition, weaved within all the privilege and overthe-top wealth are secrets about some of Asia’s wealthiest families. And once those secrets are revealed, we learn that underneath these individuals’ apparent shallowness is love and a determination to make sure their families are taken care of — even if “taken care of” means something completely different to a billionaire than to the rest of us non-billionaires. From Su Yi’s grandson Nick and his wife Rachel dealing with his meddling mother Eleanor who is anxious for grandchildren (because it’s all about her), to his cousin Astrid Leong and her struggles as she deals with an increasingly acrimonious divorce, Kwan has expertly developed his characters and readers will enjoy seeing how their stories end. ■ Samantha Pak can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.
plan on continuing to travel and speak out for human rights, equality, and freedom of all kinds as an ambassador for the Human Rights Foundation. “Human history is — overall — one of progress. We just need not be afraid to work for it.” ■ “The Naked Truth: China Queer” premieres on June 26 at 9 p.m. on Fusion TV. For more information on the “Naked Truth” series, visit fusion. net/show/the-naked-truth. Andrew can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.
scandals. Under the incumbent’s leadership, bonuses were given out to the highest officials, which were later deemed illegal. Twelve of the officials then returned the disputed bonuses. Kauffman also pointed to Creighton’s decision to make public the emails of commission employees, and the $1.7 million lawsuit for which he was allowed to choose his own attorney at taxpayer expense. “I believe that John Creighton III is tired and has lost his way. The Port of Seattle needs fresh new perspective, thoughtful, accountable leadership, and more transparency. I can be that leader,” she said. Kauffmann is prioritizing the work atmosphere in the organization. “I believe I can set the tone for the culture especially at the airport, where we create a work environment where everyone is paid for the work they do. We need to remove barriers that keep people out,” she said. “I want contracts to be given out to local businesses instead of them being handed out to out-of-state ones, make sure that contracts are being advertised. And services provided by companies are certified.” At Green River College where she is a trustee, Kauffman described how she reviewed a security contract given out for 10 years with an automatic renewal clause for another 10 years. “I stepped in and asked for a change where the contract is not automatically renewed, and evaluated before being extended. This could translate to the airport services, too,” she said. Having liaised on the tribal level, Kauffmann hopes to bring change there, too. There are 29 separate tribes in the state. The decisions of the Port of Seattle have a large impact on them. “When the Muckleshoot tribe deals with other local and government bodies, there is a written MoU, however the Port of Seattle doesn’t have any written agreements or MoUs with the tribes. There is no representation on the local level either, everything is in Seattle. I’m from South King County and Port of Seattle has no presence here. I think my election to the commission will bring about a change in perspective and benefit the tribal and local communities.” ■ Janice can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.
asianweekly northwest
YOUR VOICE
JUNE 24 – JUNE 30, 2017
■ ASTROLOGY
13
Predictions and advice for the week of June 24–June 30, 2017 By Sun Lee Chang
Rat — Are you having mixed feelings about something that you were once excited about? Don’t let fear rule the day.
Dragon — When faced with conflicting priorities, choose the one that will lead you to the least amount of regret later on.
Monkey — Preserving what has been isn’t always ideal. New energy and ideas could lead to a beneficial transformation.
Ox — With clarity comes a new understanding. What was right for you before isn’t necessarily the best for you going forward.
Snake — Whether you are jumping ahead or staying put, it is worth the time to investigate what is going on around you.
Rooster — Depending on when you decide to take part in the action, the surrounding conditions could change quite a bit.
Tiger — You agree with the goal, but not how it is to be carried out. Focus on the shared objective to reach a compromise.
Horse — There is no substitute for sound preparation. It may help you to solve a problem that others could not.
Dog — Are you sporting a look that is somewhat of a departure from your usual style? Expect to be noticed.
Rabbit — The need to tally or keep score could signal a bigger issue that you have been reluctant to acknowledge until now.
Goat — This isn’t about the path of least resistance. If you are offered the opportunity, go in the direction of a challenge that could lead to success.
Pig — If you spot an inconsistency, there could be more to unravel depending on how closely you want to look.
What’s your animal sign? Rat 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008 Ox 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009 Tiger 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010 Rabbit 1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011 Dragon 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012 Snake 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013 Horse 1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014 Goat 1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015 Monkey 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016 Rooster 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017 Dog 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006 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.
TRUMP from 5 companies, restaurants, bars, and a trademark class that covers bodyguards, social escorts, and concierge services, according to Chinese records. You Yunting, a partner at DeBund Law Offices in Shanghai, said it’s not unusual for trademark rejections to be overturned on appeal. China’s Trademark Office database contained no indication Trump’s lawyers had appealed the trademark rejections, but said it can take months for such actions to be publicly noted. If the initial denial was only partial, some elements of the applications can move forward without an appeal, in which case reversals can be swift. “Considering the political element, the authorities are definitely not going to admit special treatment, but the possibility cannot be excluded,” You said. “Even if the Trademark Office helped Trump, it would be very difficult to find the wrongdoing on the surface.” China has defended its handling of trademarks belonging to the president and his daughter, Ivanka Trump, who has also been expanding her collection of Chinese trademarks, as fair and in line with Chinese law. Ivanka Trump’s brand has won provisional approval for
THE SLANTS from 1 watched for the impact it would have on the separate dispute involving the Washington football team. Slants founder Simon Tam tried to trademark the band name in 2011, but the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office denied the request on the ground that it disparages Asians. A federal appeals court in Washington later said the law barring offensive trademarks is unconstitutional. The Redskins made similar arguments after the trademark office ruled in 2014 that the name offends American Indians and canceled the team’s trademark. A federal appeals court in Richmond put the team’s case on hold while waiting for the Supreme Court to rule in the Slants case. In his opinion for the court, Justice Samuel Alito rejected arguments that trademarks are government speech, not private speech. Alito also said trademarks are not immune from First Amendment protection as part of a government program or subsidy.
at least seven new trademarks since she took on an official role at the White House. The Trump Organization now has at least 125 trademarks in China formally or provisionally approved, according to Chinese public records. Just four were invalidated, back in 2013. Three more have been rejected, with appeals pending, and one application is dead, according to China’s Trademark Office database. Three applications were subsequently split so the number of individual trademark decisions is slightly higher than the number of applications in Chinese records. Trump Organization lawyer Alan Garten said the company has made aggressive efforts to defend its brand in China, “a haven for trademark infringement,” and has made no effort to use Donald Trump’s political career to influence Chinese trademark officials. “The Company has not authorized anyone to discuss and is not aware of anyone having discussed Donald J. Trump’s status as either a presidential candidate, President-elect or President of the United States with any representative of the Chinese government in charge of or with the authority to grant trademarks,” Garten wrote in a June 9 letter to eight Democratic senators who have raised conflict-ofinterest questions about the president’s ongoing China
trademarking activity. The data Garten gave to Congress in that letter, however, is at odds with public records in China. Garten wrote that the company had filed 117 trademark applications in China and said that while some trademarks had been granted provisional approval none have been formally registered since 2015. But China trademark records indicate that from Feb. 14 through June 7, 39 trademarks were registered. In addition, the public database lists a total of 126 trademark applications made by Donald J. Trump and four applications in the name of his company, DTTM Operations LLC. Garten said in an email that ownership of 122 Chinese trademarks had been transferred to DTTM Operations in January. He cautioned that China’s trademark database can be unreliable. He added that the 117 count does not include trademarks Donald Trump applied for more than a decade ago using the name of his ex-wife, Ivana Trump, as a brand. And he said it also excludes trademarks for the Trump Organization’s new Scion brand of hotels. “That database is not frequently updated and is widely known to contain a multitude of inaccuracies,” he said in an email. ■
Tam insisted he was not trying to be offensive, but wanted to transform a derisive term into a statement of pride. The Redskins also contend their name honors American Indians, but the team has faced decades of legal challenges from Indian groups that say the name is racist. Despite intense public pressure to change the name, Redskins owner Dan Snyder has refused, saying it “represents honor, respect and pride.” In the Slants case, government officials argued that the law did not infringe on free speech rights because the band was still free to use the name even without trademark protection. The same is true for the Redskins, but the team did not want to lose the legal protections that go along with a registered trademark. The protections include blocking the sale of counterfeit merchandise, and working to pursue a brand development strategy. A federal appeals court had sided with the Slants in 2015, saying First Amendment protects “even hurtful speech that harms members of oftstigmatized communities.” ■
Have a story idea that you think would fit perfectly in Northwest Asian Weekly? We want to know about it. Send it to us at info@nwasianweekly.com.
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JUNE 24 – JUNE 30, 2017
BONG from 9 in competition be distributed in French movie theaters. The debate over Netflix movie’s theatrical release was renewed in South Korea after Cannes closed. South Korea’s top three largest movie chains, which control 90 percent of screens in the country, refused to release “Okja” unless Netflix holds off streaming for three weeks. In South Korea, movies are offered on online or other platform about two to three weeks after their big-screen debuts. “Usually Netflix movies have not pushed ahead with theatrical releases in other countries,” he told reporters in Seoul. “It was a controversy that started because of me. As a director, it’s natural to have a desire to show the movie both on streaming and movie screens.” Bong said Cannes should have sorted out the rule before inviting “Okja” and that it was “unexpected” to see
an international film festival adopt domestic law in France. Directors are too busy making films to study French law, he said. “It would have been preferred if Cannes would have put the rules in order before inviting us. Inviting us and then creating a controversy was an embarrassment to us,” he said. Produced by Brad Pitt on Netflix’s $50 million budget, “Okja” features Tilda Swinton as a scion of a multinational food corporation and Jake Gyllenhaal as a zoologist. Their world in Manhattan stands in stark contrast to a farmer girl’s who lives on remote mountains in South Korea with a genetically engineered animal named Okja. Part family movie and part political fantasy about the relationship between human and animals in capitalist society, the movie was well received among critics. Netflix said it continues to work hard with a local distributor to give more opportunities and choices to South
UPS from 4 the cab of his truck and said he saw a couple of bodies on the ground when he looked over. He ran to the roof of the building after he saw Lam running toward an exit. Joe Cilia, an official with the union that represents UPS workers in San Francisco, has said witnesses told him that after
35 YEARS
Korean viewers to watch “Okja.” Its Netflix streaming starts on June 28, or June 29 local time in South Korea. But no breakthrough with multiplex movie chains is in sight unless Netflix delays the streaming debut. “It is against the rules of movie distribution system,” said an official at CJ CGV, the biggest multiplex movie chain in South Korea. The person was not authorized to speak to media about a deal under negotiation and asked to be anonymous. While big movie theater operators may boycott, independent movie theaters have agreed to screen Bong’s political fantasy on June 29 giving “Okja” screening time, but on few screens. Bong said he is generally happy the movie will appear in movie theaters that have been eclipsed by the multiplex chains. “It’s a good chance to revisit movie theaters that we have forgotten for a while,” he said. “I’m satisfied with the
current situations.” For Netflix, it’s got little to lose. The noise created by the film industry could benefit the service, which isn’t a popular brand yet in the South Korean streaming market, now dominated by big mobile carriers. Bong, a household name in South Korea and one of the few movie directors to have achieved both critical and commercial success with nearly all of his previous works, could prompt viewers here to join the online streaming service, rather than traveling to watch “Okja” on a big screen. ■
SOLUTION from SUDOKU on page 6.
shooting Louie, Lam shot Chan in the back and then walked up and “finished him.” Lefiti was fleeing from the building when Lam went to a street and shot him, he said, citing witnesses. The violence ended when Lam turned the gun on himself and took his own life as workers ran from the packing facility and police closed in, police have said. ■
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YOUR VOICE
JUNE 24 – JUNE 30, 2017
15
“On behalf of Keiro Northwest, we extend our deepest appreciation for serving as an important source for news, voice for, and friend of our community! Congratulations as we ALL celebrate your 35th anniversary!” — Jeffrey Hattori, CEO, Keiro Northwest “You guys have done a good job all these years. I read the Seattle Chinese Post and sometimes, the Northwest Asian Weekly. I was born in America, but went back to China for school. I appreciate reading news about Taiwan and China in the Chinese Post. Television news doesn’t give us much detail, so I like the indepth stories in the papers. My wife likes the ads … she learns a lot about the community by reading the ads.” — Henry Louie and Lina Louie, Owner of Tsue Chong Noodles Company
The only weekly English-edition newspaper serving the Asian community in the state of Washington for 35 years.
A-POP from 7 While Rich Chigga was probably not racist because of his cultural background and the fact that he does not belong to a racial group aligned with systemic power, he was definitely engaging in anti-Blackness, which ensures that racism and white supremacy will never die. As a nonwhite person, he was complicit in supporting racism. This distinction is an important one to make. A lot of people around the world ate up this song because they thought it was so funny that a skinny Asian kid put out a song that was so hard. Some people ate it up because for them, rap music is inexplicably more palatable when there’s not a Black face at its forefront. Some Asians got super excited about this kid and were like, “Finally! An Asian rapper who might make the mainstream!” and weirdly, these Asians forgot to tack on, “We as a race continue to be so great at appropriating Black culture when it’s convenient for us! We are so great at promoting and benefiting from pervasive anti-Blackness!” We are all complicit, whether we mean to be or not. In an April 2016 interview, rapper Awkwafina (Chinese and Korean American) addressed appropriation of Black culture by Asians. She said, “It becomes stealing when you don’t acknowledge the fact that it is Black music. You don’t have to be one of those people who’s well-versed in Cork and Molly Molly. It’s something we’re trying to partake in. We’re not trying to steal it. It becomes stealing when you’re a guy who lives in Singapore who’s never been to the United States, who’s dropping the n-word literally, who’s wearing gold chains, and who can’t even pronounce his rap name in English. I think that’s when it becomes an issue.” To his credit, in the year since he first released his song, Rich Chigga has become a fair bit more woke. (He’s been slaughtered on social media for his use of the n-word.) These days, he reportedly groans and winces whenever someone brings up his stage name. In a recently taped interview with genius.com, Rich Chigga goes through his lyrics, line by line, and when he gets to the n-word, he actually says, “n-word,” which invited the question of why he opted not to recite the original lyric. He said, “[When I initially wrote this song,] I was basically just trying to make people like, less sensitive to the word and making — just taking the power out of that word. But then I realized like, I’m totally not in a position to do that. I was like, ‘I fucked up.’ So I just don’t say it anymore.”
Send in your thoughts to editor@nwasianweekly.com. Join us for our 35th Anniversary Celebration dinner on Oct. 21 at China Harbor restaurant. For tickets, please go to http://35nwawf.bpt.me, or email rsvp@nwasianweekly.com, or call 206-2230623. To sponsor the event, contact Assunta Ng at assunta@nwasianweekly.com. For more info, visit nwasianweekly.com/35years.
“Sufi La.” Swet Shop Boys consists of rapper Heems (real name Himanshu Kumar Suri, Indian American, Punjabi, formerly of group Das Racist), rapper Riz MC (real name Rizwan Ahmed, British Pakistani), and producer Redinho (real name Tom Calvert). If you’re wondering why I bring up Swet Shop Boys, um, it’s because they are cool, and they’re getting a fair bit of spotlight. They also don’t say the n-word in their music as far as I know. Riz MC is one of Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people, an issue released this month. (Other noteworthy APIs in entertainment on the list include Constance Wu, Yuriko Koike, and Fan Bingbing.) Heems was featured on the recent Queens, N.Y. episode of Anthony Bourdain’s “Parts Unknown” travel and food show.
Maybe this is why Asian parents feel stressed out when their kids want to be artists
Vanity Fair gets with the times!
Speaking of people on magazines, in the last month, Kelly Marie Tran (relative newcomer, will be in the upcoming “Star Wars: The Last Jedi”) reportedly became the first Asian woman to grace the cover of Vanity Fair. I know what you’re thinking. You’re either thinking, “Wow! That is awesome!” Or you are thinking, “Oh my God, are you serious? Vanity Fair is only just now allowing Asians on it?” Historic. Let’s clap for Vanity Fair.
Another beloved Japanese anime to get the Hollywood treatment
Here are some Asian rappers to get behind
Oh, you want to read more stuff about rappers? Okay! Last month, the Swet Shop Boys released a new EP,
uninhabitable so humanity has colonized space. Bounty hunters, “Cowboys,” chase space criminals for monetary reward. Hopefully this adaptation won’t get crazy whitewashed and bastardized. But you know, it probably will.
It was recently announced that acclaimed Japanese anime series “Cowboy Bebop” (1998) is getting an American live-action adaptation. “Cowboy Bebop” was notable because it was such a hit in the United States, and it survived its cross-Pacific immigration with few edits. The version American viewers watched was very close to the original Japanese version. The story is set in 2071, a time when the Earth is
This season, Linda Park became the very first Asian American woman to play the role of Maggie the Cat in a professional production of Tennessee Williams’ “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.” This is noteworthy because race-switching in theater productions can be controversial because some playwrights’ estates require that casting be approved before granting a license for a production of a play. Sometimes an estate denies casting that changes a character’s race because doing so also requires textual changes in the script — for instance references to appearance like blue eyes and blond hair — and the estate wants to preserve the original text. Other times, estates probably deny licenses because they are complicit in maintaining and proliferating a racist society in which 99 percent of substantive acting roles are written for white people and must always be played by white people or the magic is just gone, you know? The Tennessee Williams Estate didn’t always allow race-switching. According to LA Weekly, the East West Players, an Asian American theater company based in Los Angeles, requested a license for an all-Asian American cast production of “The Glass Menagerie,” in the 1980s. At the time, the Williams Estate was like, OH, HELL NO. They’ve since chilled out a little bit. FYI, in the last month, director Michael Streeter wanted to cast Black actor Damien Geter as Nick in Edward Albee’s “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” in a Portland production of the play, and the Albee Estate was like, Oh, hell no, stating that it was because the casting also came with textual changes. According to the American Theater publication, the estate also stated that the majority of roles in Albee’s plays can be cast with non-white actors. Just not the role of Nick. A bunch of people advocating for the Portland casting and the production are pissed, which I get. The estate won’t budge, which I also get. Issues of copyright and ownership have come up, which I don’t thoroughly get because I didn’t go to law school. It’s all fairly complicated, as issues touching race often are. ■ Stacy Nguyen can be reached at stacy@nwasianweekly.com.
asianweekly northwest
16
35 YEARS
JUNE 24 – JUNE 30, 2017
BLOG from 10
Photo by Yung Yung Lok
program had filled in a void in these women’s lives. Dr. Eugene Lai, also a founder and now neurologist in Houston, said the radio program was a wakeup call for young people. “What can we do to help?” And young people can make a difference in their community. It’s an opportunity for us “to learn about our native land, China, and also about ourselves through volunteering,” he said.
How it inspired
Fathers being recognized on Father’s Day at Joyale Restaurant.
MARKETFRONT TO WATERFRONT
Label as “communist”
timers changed their perception only when they received direct service from CISC. In the meantime, some young local immigrant students joined these two groups, which fostered credibility to both organizations. And the rumors began to diminish. Today, Chinatown community organizations are mostly pro-China instead of pro-Taiwan. Yes, the students were not only pioneers, they were visionaries. And not just about U.S.-China relations, but in so many areas. ■ Assunta can be reached at assunta@nwasianweekly.com.
Photo by George Liu/NWAW
The Chinese Information and Service Center (CISC) was founded in 1972 and helped Chinese immigrants fill out forms and translated for them at doctor appointments, for example. Many who volunteered for CISC also volunteered for SCV. Funny how it worked in those days. Liana Fong who founded CISC, and her boyfriend David Chow, one of the founders of SCV, were married later. It was unthinkable for old timers that these young people did ev-
erything for free. Their suspicions turned to labeling volunteers as “leftist,” “communist,” and even trouble rousers. In today’s terms, the volunteers were actually community activists, said Dr. Roger Leung, another founder. Or community organizers. The only difference is that they got no funding, as opposed to many current community organizations that now receive funding from the government, corporations, and foundations. The labeling never scared the students away, as some supported China’s claim in the controversial fight for the Diaoyu Islands between Japan and China. The old
Assunta Ng give a tour in the ID to former radio program volunteers.
OFF S
GET READY!
evant news and information. SVC was and still is my inspiration — a gift for the past 35 years.
ER @
decades ago to live in New York. Last week, he was excited that his wish came true. Chuck Reinsch, a former KRAB manager, said SVC’s presence changed the radio station. Instead of being just monolingual, it was transformed into a multilingual and multicultural station. The transformation aligned with the founder’s vision of creating a “community radio station.” Lily Woo, who was in charge of the drama segments, said, she had made great friends. But the best prize was marrying a fellow volunteer, King Lee. Yes, romances did flourish then. “We might not have been able to achieve our goals at the time,” said Fung. “But when we got involved, it changed our lives.” It was definitely life-changing for me. I was one of the volunteers, responsible for writing and producing dramas and acting in some of the characters. I am the only “descendant” from the group, to continue on in the media world. I founded the Seattle Chinese Post and Northwest Asian Weekly. My media organization continues to inform and empower the community through rel-
UMM
“It was an invaluable experience [working together and having intellectual stimulation],” said Yvonne Tso, a member of the first news anchor team and now health care consultant in California. “My interest in politics might have started at that time.” Dr. Bill Lau, one of the volunteers, recalled it inspired him to get involved in his later career as a scientist at NASA. Now, he is involved with the March for Science. SVC has inspired him to change the system and advocate for social justice. Now, he is supporting a scientist to run for office in Arizona. May Lee of California, another volunteer, was proud to be a part of the group. The experience enriched many volunteers “to start their nonprofit organizations later in life with the power to better the community,” she said. A food science major, she was happy that she was able to share her knowledge to educate the Chinese community about shellfish poisoning. Dr. David Chow, one of the news writers and founders and now a philanthropist, said he had wished for a reunion when he left the SVC
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