PRSRT STD U.S. Postage Paid Permit No. 746 Seattle, WA
VOL 36 NO 35
AUGUST 26 – SEPTEMBER 1, 2017
FREE 35 YEARS YOUR VOICE
Asian American groups to Elaine Chao: Stand with us or resign
By Staff NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY
FOOL’S DESTINY (AN ECLIPSE)
Elaine Chao (left) and President Donald Trump.
By Staff NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY
IN STANZA PROSE
A coalition of Asian American service and advocacy organizations want Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao to start supporting people of color, or resign. In an Aug. 17 news release titled, “Secretary Elaine Chao: Stand with Our Immigrant Communities or Resign,” the groups called on Chao, an immigrant from Taiwan and woman of color, “to be silent no more.” The letter was signed by the National Korean American Service and Education Consortium (NAKASEC), Korean Resource Center, HANA Center, Asian Americans United, Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA), AFL-CIO, Jenny Kim,
Sky was clear, temperature in the mild to warm 70s, From Hing Hay Pagoda in Chinatown/International District, Seattle Found me in the perfect place on a perfect day for a total solar eclipse. It was strange, ethereal, and beautiful, Shimmering with vitality that purple semidarkness of vibrant light A spell, fossilized by time, Supernatural by our standards.
The image itself was momentous and preCambrian A tie that binds the cosmos to ancient history And the future. Yet it seems pedestrian, my professors, Who have learned me so well The novelties of the beyond. Fixated, amazed, a little more aware, As it went away to be forgotten.
Photos by George Liu/NWAW
Asian Americans urge others to stand against white supremacy
■
[see TAX on 16]
INSIDE Community
Names in the news, who’s doing what in the Asian community? 2
Featured
Many people had special glasses Passing them around So we all got a peek into other worlds.
Asian Americans Advancing Justice has launched a new pledge campaign calling on Asian Americans to come together, join the fight, and take a stand against white supremacy. “We call on all Asian Americans to join us in defending our vision of democracy — one where we protect the vulnerable amongst us, resist efforts to erode our hard-won rights and protections, and fight to advance progress for all marginalized communities.”
Seattle mayoral candidate Jenny Durkan issued a statement on Aug. 22, on her continued opposition to Cary Moon’s proposal to tax “foreign buyers” after a Seattle Times story came out, which revealed that the Seattle City Attorney’s Office declared the proposal “illegal”
By Mac Crary SPECIAL TO NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY
[see CHAO on 12]
Eclipse watchers in Chinatown on Aug. 21.
Tax to target Asians?
Here’s the full letter: Dear fellow Asian Americans, Modern day Ku Klux Klan members marched through Charlottesville [on Aug. 12], emboldened, in their own words, by our current president. They lacked hoods, but if anyone doubted their intentions, they carried torches and Nazi and Confederate flags to ensure the world knew what they stood for: white
supremacy, white power, and nativism. They came ostensibly to protect and promote Confederate history, but took clear aim at African Americans, immigrants, and the civil rights movements of the past and present. While few Asian Americans trace our roots to the Civil War, our history in this nation is deeply intertwined and impacted by white [see PLEDGE on 12]
India company regrets ‘Game of Thrones’ episode leak 5
Movies It’s a blockbuster in China. But does Wolf Warriors 2 live up to the hype? 7
Travel Dare to Airbnb... overseas. One writer’s experience in Taiwan. 8
Publisher’s blog Publisher Ng explores the magical world of Harry Potter at Oxford. 10
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35 YEARS
AUGUST 26 – SEPTEMBER 1, 2017
■ NAMES IN THE NEWS Photo provided by ICHS.
Lt. Gov. visits ID clinic
The mission of Rainier Valley Radio is to inform, educate, and entertain through locally created and communitysupported programming. The station will begin broadcasting on Oct. 5, 2017. Maeda has served on the Corporation for Public Broadcasting Task Force on Minorities, as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Public Affairs for HUD, and as Assistant General Secretary of Communications for the global mission board of the United Methodist Church. ■
Pettis is Lawyer of the Year Lt. Gov. Cyrus Habib (second from left), ICHS CEO Teresita Batayola and COO Sherman Lohn tour ICHS’ International District Clinic during National Health Center Week.
Lieutenant Governor Cyrus Habib toured International Community Health Services’ (ICHS) International District Clinic on Aug. 18 with CEO Teresita Batayola, COO Sherman Lohn, and Foundation Director Ron Chew, in celebration of National Health Center Week. Habib signed International Community Health Services’ “People’s Proclamation for Health Care for All,” supporting health care as a human right, and thanked the ICHS medical staff for their dedication, passion, efforts and services. ■
Sharon Maeda named station manager of Rainier Valley Radio SouthEast Effective Development (SEED) and SEEDArts announced that Sharon Maeda is the station manager for Rainier Valley Radio (KVRU 105.7 FM). As the former executive director of Pacifica Radio and station manager of KRAB-FM, Maeda has nearly 40 years of community radio management experience. “I am thrilled to launch this staSharon Maeda tion bringing the voices of Southeast Seattle to the airwaves. Broadcasting diverse arts and issues is greatly needed in our neighborhoods. And we will train a new generation of media makers for justice,” said Maeda.
Faith Li Pettis of Seattle’s Pacifica Law Group is one of the 2018 “Lawyer of the Year” recipients, announced the 24th Edition of The Best Lawyers in America on Aug. 15. Honorees receive this award based on their extremely high overall feedback within specific practice areas and metropolitan regions. A University of Washington, Harvard Law, and National TaiFaith Li Pettis wan Normal University alumnus, Pettis primarily focuses on housing, education, and nonprofit finance. Pettis was appointed in 2015 by the Mayor and City Council of Seattle to co-chair the City’s Housing Affordability and Livability task force. She was also appointed in 2012 by the Governor of the State of Washington to chair the statewide Affordable Housing Advisory Board. ■
CWU signs MOU with Japan’s Kurume Institute of Technology Central Washington University announced on Aug. 16 that it has completed work on a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Kurume Institute of Technology. The MOU, signed by CWU President James L. Gaudino and Kurume President Katsumi Imaizumi, was completed a year after a group of about a dozen Kurume students went to Ellensburg to study English language and culture at the university and in the community. While the memorandum was actually completed last fall,
54TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE 1963 MARCH ON WASHINGTON
Kurume Institute of Technology President Katsumi Imaizumi (left) and Central Washington University President James L. Gaudino shake hands after signing the Memorandum of Understanding between the two schools.
the decision was to hold off on an official signing until last week, in order to allow Imaizumi to come to Ellensburg to sign it in person and meet with Gaudino. The program included having the students participate in a service-learning project at Olmstead State Park, along with visits to Seattle, Leavenworth, and Roslyn. The new accord builds upon a long-standing relationship that CWU already enjoys with the University of Shimane Junior College, which is also located in Japan, and similar agreements the university has in place with other schools and communities around the world. ■
Seattle author Yang releases new Chinese American children’s book Seattle author Dori Jones Yang released her newest children’s historical novel, The Forbidden Temptation of Baseball, on Aug. 15. The novel focuses on the 1870s Chinese Educational Mission, where the Emperor and government of China sent 120 boys, ages 1114, to the United States to learn about industry and technology in American schools and universities. Her book looks at a fictional pair of brothers taking part in this experience and highlights how the Chinese students were forbidden from playing baseball, for fear it would make them too Americanized. ■
COMMEMORATION “WE ARE NOT GOING BACK”
MONDAY, AUG. 28 5:30 – 7 PM MLK Memorial Park 2200 MLK Jr Way, Seattle
FEATURING
Reverend Dr. Samuel B. McKinney
CNN Commentator and Lawyer Angela Rye
Former Sonics Coach Lenny Wilkens
Photo provided by CWU
asianweekly
YOUR VOICE
■ COMMUNITY NEWS
AUGUST 26 – SEPTEMBER 1, 2017
asianweekly northwest
3
Tried and true Eastsider Phil Yin offers diversity and balance to Bellevue City Council When I first sat down with Phil Yin at SoDo’s Krispy Kreme over coffee and donuts, my first impression was he is a working man; yes, partly because of where we met, but also because he was free of the social formalities associated with a person of his accomplishments. It was a refreshing introduction for a “non-political” politician running for the City Council of Bellevue. Yin calls himself a “regular Bellevue city resident,” and says regular residents like him can still positively impact the city. “If I’m elected to the Bellevue City Council in December, I will offer practical solutions. You hear Bellevue citizens say that government has become out of touch with the populace. You will find that I am one person who is not a politician who will lower bureaucracy.” Yin is concerned that the electorate may settle for a bureaucracy-laden, Seattle-influenced government that run counter to the values of the city and people of Bellevue. “This is the city’s last chance to push back the imposing interests of our larger neighbor to the west,” adds Yin. “There is increased talk about the problems in Seattle coming across the lake into Bellevue,” says Yin. “We need to prevent that
Photo from Phillip Yin
By Chris Kenji NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY
Phillip Yin
from happening.” For example, “The drug injection sites of Seattle do not belong in Bellevue,” asserts Yin. “It is not a place to help [people with drug addictions]. Our goal must be to help keep Bellevue drug free, crime free.” Another issue that needs to be addressed, says Yin, is the traffic problems. “We need to look at better syncing up our street lights. Where feasible, we need to take a look at even using street shoulders
for carpools and buses,” says Yin. Yin is also concerned about high utility rates in Bellevue, as well as property taxes. Yin says he will work for the citizens of Bellevue to hold these down. “Diversity and entrepreneurship are celebrated in Bellevue,” adds Yin. “Bellevue is often ignored as one of the country’s top hubs for entrepreneurship. We have a strong Chamber of Commerce that supports a strong,
$27 million boost for Thai Binh affordable housing project SEATTLE — Wells Fargo announced on Aug. 17 that it recently invested $59.9 million in two affordable housing developments in downtown Seattle in exchange for low-income housing tax credits. One of the developments is the Thai Binh Apartments construction project that will result in 249 affordable studio, onebedroom, and two-bedroom apartments in Seattle’s International District for individu-
als and families earning 60 percent or less of area median income. Thai Binh, located within the Little Saigon neighborhood, means “peaceful” in Vietnamese. The new affordable housing community, located at 913 S. Jackson Street, also will provide 7,600-square-feet of commercial space on the street level and underground parking. ■
Investor who stole funds sentenced to 9 years SEATTLE (AP) — A Bellevue, Washington investment adviser was sentenced on Aug. 17 to nine years in prison and ordered to pay $3.6 million in restitution. U.S. Attorney Annette Hayes says Chris Young Yoo pleaded guilty in March, admitting he raised millions by promising to invest his clients’ money in funds he managed. But Hayes says Yoo didn’t invest their funds. Instead he used their money to pay his living and business expenses.
Court records show that between 2006 and 2015, Yoo operated Summit Asset Strategies in Bellevue. The company operated two funds that invested mostly in South Korea. Yoo soon began funneling investors’ money into a separate bank account and used it for himself. Judge Thomas Zilly said Yoo destroyed lives financially, emotionally and physically. ■
diverse workforce.” Bellevue’s Asian communities are not a key swing vote in the December election, says Yin, but “the key vote.” According to last year’s Census, Bellevue’s Asian communities make up over a third of the city’s total population. Yin has been respected as a pragmatic media celebrity as national anchor for the likes of Bloomberg Asia, CNBC Asia, and CCTV. But he is most of all a per-
son sincerely intent on preserving and protecting the interests of his home town. “I love living in Bellevue.” Yin brought with him a young University of Washington (UW) student whom he is mentoring. Yin would occasionally turn to this student to bring across key points of his message, and offering participation by the student. In addition, Yin gives out annual scholarships to 10 students at his alma mater. Yin received his undergraduate degree at the UW and his MBA from Georgetown University, along with a business certificate from Harvard. Yin remains involved with his local alma mater as a member of the original welcoming team for Tsinghua University’s research partnership with the UW and Microsoft, called the Global Innovation Exchange (GIX), scheduled to open in Bellevue in 2019-2020. Yin refers to this new research park the “MIT of China; the best of America, the best of Bellevue. GIX will bring international, technology, innovation opportunities to students in Washington state.” “This is what makes Bellevue special. It is a pro-entrepreneurial, pro technology hub,” says Yin. “Bellevue is not a rising star. It is already a star, a humble star.” ■ Chris Kenji can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.
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AUGUST 26 – SEPTEMBER 1, 2017
35 YEARS
■ NATIONAL NEWS
Meal program bridges cultural divisions, one plate at a time “ PHILADELPHIA (AP) — On the menu, the flavor profiles seemed incongruous: Chinese dumplings, Italian-style roast pork and a Mexican chicken dish featuring an edible weed. But when dinner was served, the guests seated and plates bearing foods of three different cultures shared, it all made sense. The meal was part of “Breaking Bread; Breaking Barriers,” a yearlong program that brings people of different backgrounds together for a meal featuring their cultural favorites, bridging differences one plate at a time. “People cooking and eating together happens every day, but it doesn’t often happen across our social boundaries,” said Anuj Gupta, general manager of Reading Terminal Market, the historic and sprawling indoor market and home to the program. “It’s an incredibly powerful tool to cut through whatever social barriers you want to erect.” Jews and Muslims have shared Jewish ap-
ple cake and baklava as part of the program. Members of the African American and Korean communities have come together to compare fried chicken recipes. During the most recent gathering, residents of the city’s Chinese and Mexican communities enjoyed dinner with members of the Philadelphia Mummers Association, a 10,000-strong civic association behind the city’s annual New Year’s Day parade. For much of their history, Mummers groups included only white men. Women weren’t allowed in the parade until a few decades ago. The tradition is also a family legacy, with many clubs based in southern Philadelphia. While the 2017 parade was controversyfree, past parades were tainted by performances dubbed racist or culturally insensitive. The Mummers have tried to diversity, creating a division in 2015 specifically for ethnic groups. The dinner consisted of Chinese dump-
It’s a place of refuge and convergence, old and young, black and white, coming together and feeling good
around issues of food. t’s a place where people get
along even though we know there are fault lines. It’s a beautiful thing. It’s inspiring.” — ELIJAH ANDERSON
lings with pork or kale; verdolagas con pollo (verdolagas is an herb also known as purslane that’s largely considered a weed by Americans); and roasted pork rolled with spinach, roasted peppers and provolone cheese, the Mummer contribution in a nod to a popular Italian-American dish served on New Year’s Day.
Before the meal, Chef Alice Ye taught Mummer Jay Polakoff how to make Chinese dumplings as the other diners watched. Someone noted that Polakoff’s seemed a little, well, misshapen. “It’s actually a hamentashen,” Polakoff [see MEALS on 12]
Getaway driver guilty of robbery in death of Chinese student
Chinese American police officer sues city for discrimination
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (AP) — A getaway driver has been convicted of robbery but acquitted of murder in the drug-deal killing of a Syracuse University student from China. The Post-Standard reports 20-year-old Ninimbe Mitchell faces up to 25 years in prison when he’s sentenced for the robbery of 23-year-old Yuan Xiaopeng. Mitchell would have faced up to 25 years to life in prison if convicted of murder. Prosecutors say Mitchell drove his
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — A Rhode Island police officer has filed a lawsuit against the city of Providence in which he says he wasn’t promoted because he is Chinese American. Eugene Chin has been a member of the Providence police force since 2002. WPRI-TV reports that the suit filed on Aug. 16 alleges five counts of unlawful discrimination. The suit does not specify how much
24-year-old cousin Cameron Isaac to a suburban Syracuse apartment complex Sept. 30 so Isaac could buy marijuana from Yuan, a junior from Qingdao studying mathematics. Isaac was accused of robbing and shooting Yuan, and he was convicted last week by the same jury of first-degree murder. The defense argued Mitchell didn’t know Isaac was going to rob or kill the victim. ■
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compensation he is seeking. Democratic Mayor Jorge Elorza’s office says the city does not comment on ongoing litigation. Chin says the discrimination began in 2015 after he returned from a two-month medical leave. He says his superiors refused to assign him an equal amount of overtime shifts after he was involved in a motor vehicle accident. ■
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AUGUST 26 – SEPTEMBER 1, 2017
YOUR VOICE
■ WORLD NEWS
asianweekly northwest
■ A&E
5
Liu Xiaobo’s widow in rare Indian company regrets leak of ‘Game video amid safety fears of Thrones’ episode Liu Xia
BEIJING (AP) — A video has surfaced online showing the wife of Liu Xiaobo for the first time since the funeral of the Nobel Peace Prize laureate, who died in Chinese custody last month. The video shows Liu’s widow, Liu
Xia, saying in a hoarse voice that she hopes her friends will give her space to grieve. The clip, which was posted on [see LIU XIA on 13]
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Malaysia apologized to Indonesia for an “unintentional” mistake in printing the Indonesian flag upside down in a souvenir guidebook for the
Southeast Asian Games. The error made the red-andwhite Indonesian flag resemble Poland’s and caused anger in Indonesia, where “shameonyoumalaysia” has become the most
popular hashtag on Twitter. President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo demanded an apology for hurt national pride but also [see FLAG on 13]
China to limit overseas real estate, sports investment BEIJING (AP) — China’s government is moving to curb domestic companies’ investments abroad in property, sports, entertainment and other fields, following a series of high-pro-
file, multibillion-dollar acquisitions by Chinese firms. A document released on Aug. 17 by the State Council, China’s Cabinet, was the latest move by regulators to tap the
brakes on a string of foreign acquisitions, citing concerns that the companies involved may be taking on too much debt. [see INVESTMENT on 13]
SEA BEEZ PRESENTS
8th Annual
Ethnic Media Candidates Meet-n-Greet
Thursday, Sept. 14 5-7 PM Free admission and open to community Light refreshments served Nagomi Tea House 519 6th Ave S, Suite 200, Seattle Register: juliephamnvn@gmail.com | 206.334.5200
Screencap courtesy HBO
Malaysia apologizes for showing wrong flag as Poland’s in guidebook NEW DELHI (AP) — An Indiabased media technology company said it regrets the recent leak of an episode of the popular HBO series “Game of Thrones” by four of its current and former employees. Indian police have detained the four suspects, but said their motive for leaking the episode titled “The Spoils of War” was unclear. The fourth episode in the television series’ seventh season leaked three days before its planned Aug. 6 air date and quickly circulated online. Though not related to the hack of HBO computer systems just days earlier, the episode leak compound-
ed problems for the network in trying to keep information from the fantasy show under wraps. Prime Focus Technologies, a subsidiary of the global entertainment services company Prime Focus, said in a statement last week that the leak “was not a system hack, but an illegal breach of obligations by the concerned persons despite PFT’s continual internal emphasis on protocols of content security and ethical practices.” Police are investigating possible charges against the four suspects, including criminal breach of trust and violation of India’s information technology act. ■
Rare crocodile eggs hatched at Cambodian conservation center By SOPHENG CHEANG ASSOCIATED PRESS PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — Nine eggs of an endangered crocodile species found in the wild in June and taken to a conservation center in southern Cambodia have hatched, conservationists announced. The New York-based Wildlife Conservation Society and Cambodia’s Fisheries Administration said the eggs of nine Siamese crocodiles have hatched at the Koh Kong Reptile Conservation Center after being retrieved from the wild to protect them from poachers and predators. The WCS says the crocodile, with an estimated global population of around 410, is found only in Cambodia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam, with the greatest number in Cambodia. The species is listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature because its numbers are rapidly shrinking. The June discovery of 19 eggs was the first Siamese crocodile nest recorded in six years of research and protection in Koh Kong’s Sre Ambel area. The conservation center was established by the two organizations to safeguard endangered reptiles such as Siamese crocodiles and Royal turtles. “We will take care of these hatchlings until they are able to survive in nature on their own,” the groups’ joint announcement
quoted Som Sitha, WCS’s technical adviser for the Sre Ambel Conservation Project, as saying. “We will then release some to the wild, and others will be kept for breeding.” His colleague Tun Sarorn, caretaker of Royal turtles and Siamese crocodiles at the center, expressed her excitement over the hatchlings. “I am so excited to see these hatchlings. It is the first time I have taken care of them since arriving at the center,” she was quoted as saying. “Before seeing them, I was surprised to hear their voices from inside the eggs. It was amazing, and I felt so happy because I realized they are coming out. I will feed them all in the next few days with small fish and frogs.” A different conservation group, WWFCambodia, separately announced encouraging news about another endangered species, the Irrawaddy, or Mekong, dolphin, which has a worldwide population of about 7,000, 90 percent of that in Bangladesh. In Cambodia, and Laos, there are an estimated 80 adults in the Mekong River. WWFCambodia announced that from January through last week, they recorded two dolphin deaths and eight births, an improvement over the same period last year when there were four deaths and four births. “More than ever, there is hope to believe it is possible to reverse the trend of the Mekong Dolphin decline,” the group said in a statement. ■
asianweekly northwest
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AUGUST 26 – SEPTEMBER 1, 2017
35 YEARS
■ COMMUNITY CALENDAR AUG SATURDAY NIGHTS THROUGH AUGUST 26
SEATTLE ASIAN AMERICAN FILM FESTIVAL OUTDOOR MOVIES Hing Hay Park, Seattle’s Chinatown 7:30 p.m.
24 SUMMERFEAST - GATHER AROUND THE TABLE TO SUPPORT MARKETSHARE King Street Station 303 S. Jackson St., Seattle 5:30 p.m. KIN ON MAHJONG NIGHT Kin On Health Care Center 4416 S. Brandon Street, Seattle 7–9 p.m. Sign up via registration@cacaseattle. org
25 SEAED’S EVENT, “BEYOND THE NUMBERS” Filipino Community Center 5:30 p.m.
26 BÁNH MÌ FESTIVAL CLEAN UP Little Saigon International District 12th Ave. S. & S. Jackson St., Seattle 10 a.m. NAAAP-SEATTLE SUMMER HARVEST Golden Gardens Park 8498 Seaview Pl. N.W., Seattle 3 p.m. HAI! JAPANTOWN X MAHOUTO MARKET Nagomi Teahouse 519 6th Ave. S., Seattle 12 p.m.
11TH ANNUAL DUWAMISH RIVER FESTIVAL 2017 Duwamish Waterway 2900 10th St., Seattle 12 p.m. SEATTLE ASIAN AMERICAN FILM FESTIVAL FREE FILM: “BIG HERO 6” Hing Hay Park 6–10 p.m. Free admission
26 & 27 SEATTLE CENTER FESTÁL: TIBET FEST Seattle Center, Armory and Fisher Rooftop Free admission washingtontibet.org
27 FILIPINO YOUTH REUNITE TO ELEVATE PRESENTS SAMA-SAMA SUMMER FESTIVAL Filipino Community Center 5740 MLK Jr. Way S., Seattle 1 p.m. Free admission BÁNH MÌ FEST HOSTED BY FRIENDS OF LITTLE SAIGON Summit Public School 1025 S. King St., Seattle 12–7 p.m.
30
info@sos.wa.gov
TAP-SEATTLE’S TAPPY HOUR AT PINTXO, NETWORKING AND HAPPY HOUR DRINKS/FOOD Pintxo Seattle 5:30–8:30 p.m. Free entrance
SEPT 9
OUR 14TH ANNUAL SUSTAINABLE BALLARD FESTIVAL Ballard Commons Park 11 a.m. CHINATOWN-ID NIGHT MARKET Seattle’s Chinatown-International District 4 p.m. “THE FINDING CLEVELAND EXPERIENCE,” DOCUMENTARY SCREENING ABOUT EARLY CHINESE IMMIGRANTS Seattle Chinese Baptist Church 7 p.m. Free admission Info via registration@cacaseattle.org
LITTLE SAIGON CROSSWALK LAUNCH PARTY Summit Public School 1025 S. King St., Seattle 12:30 p.m.
LIVE ALOHA HAWAIIAN CULTURAL FESTIVAL Seattle Center Armory, Mural Amphitheatre and Fisher Roof 11 a.m.–7 p.m. Free admission seattlelivealohafestival.com
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VIOLIN TO VIETNAM CONCERT, HOSTED BY KIDS WITHOUT BORDERS Wing Luke Museum 5–7 p.m. $35
KOREA 65: THE FORGOTTEN WAR REMEMBERED DOCUMENTS THE BROADER IMPACT OF WAR The Capitol Building, Olympia State Reception Room, 3rd Floor 2:30 p.m.
16 WEDGWOOD COMMUNITY PICNIC Hunter Tree Farm 7744 35th Ave. N.E., Seattle 3 p.m. SEA MAR COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS’ FIESTAS PATRIAS, “LET’S WALK TOGETHER” South Park & Seattle Center 11 a.m.
17 KAC-WA ANNUAL KOREAN BBQ COOKOFF Seward Park, Seattle, Shelter #3 5895 Lake Washington Blvd 3–5 p.m. Free–$15 info@kacwashington.org
23 KOREAN CHUSEOK FESTIVAL 4851 S. Tacoma Way, Tacoma 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Free admission apcc96.org
30 JACL IS HOLDING A SEMINAR, “GAINING INFLUENCE – DEVELOPING LEADERS FOR EQUITY AND JUSTICE IN PRIVATE, PUBLIC, AND NONPROFIT SECTORS” Keiro Northwest Free admission Registration is required at jaclleadershipsept30.eventbrite.com
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YOUR VOICE
■ AT THE MOVIES
AUGUST 26 – SEPTEMBER 1, 2017
asianweekly northwest
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Wolf Warriors 2: Big in China, but is it worth the hype?
Justin Chon’s “Gook,” a galvanizing study of violence, loss, and family
By John Liu NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY
By Andrew Hamlin NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY
Wolf Warriors 2 (WW2) has currently made over $768.5 million (including online ticketing fees) at the box office and has taken the crown from The Mermaid as China’s highest grossing movie and surpassed Avatar’s $760.5 million (U.S. “If this sounds domestic gross) in only 24 days. With all these familiar, it’s the plot of great box ofSylvester Stallone’s fice milestones, ‘Rambo’ movies.” I was intrigued and wanted to see what the hype was about. I saw the movie on Aug. 4, when Seattle’s smog-pocalypse was at its prime. In North America, there are only 32 screens playing WW2, so Seattle is lucky to have AMC Pacific Place, which specializes in mainstream Asian-Pacific movies. I thought there would be only 20 people watching. Boy, was I wrong. The theater was packed almost entirely with Chinese mainlanders. The only language I heard spoken in the audience was Mandarin. Within the first five minutes of the movie, someone in the audience commented about the action scenes being fake. In general, Chinese mainlanders have a prefer-
“I was so pleased to be invited…to the Seattle International Film Festival,” said Korean American actor and director Justin Chon. He recalled the reception of “Gook,” his second film as a director, at the festival. “The audience took to it,” Chon said, regarding his SIFF presentation of the film, “and our discussions after were great.” He notes with a touch of frustration though, “There weren’t a lot of Asian American people in the audience. And during the Q&A, they didn’t ask any questions. I was hoping that our community would not just be quiet — but let their opinions be known.” “For us to make a change for own Asian American community and for our artists and filmmakers, we have to get up from behind the desk or couch, and go out and support art and film that represents you. We really need the support from our community for both financial support and for viewership. It’s important that we tell our stories and keep our portrayals real and honest.” Filmmaking runs in the family. Chon’s father, Sang Chon, was a child star in South Korea, comparable to America’s Macaulay Culkin. Sang Chon acted from ages 10 to 25, in pictures including a Korean knockoff of Japan’s “Godzilla” franchise. Years later, Justin Chon would watch a video of
ence for huge 3D blockbusters with a superficial plot. This fit the bill nicely. WW2 is directed by Wu Jing, who also plays the lead character Leng Feng. This movie makes plenty of sense without seeing the first Wolf Warriors. You might miss some minor connections to the first one, but you should have no trouble following this movie. It starts off with Leng Feng returning the ashes of his fallen comrade to his [see WOLF on 8]
his father as a child, stuck inside the giant lizard’s ear and “trying to kill him with a giant Q-Tip.” The older Chon did not act after [see GOOK on 8]
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■ TRAVEL
35 YEARS
AUGUST 26 – SEPTEMBER 1, 2017
To Airbnb or not to Airbnb? Let’s face it — most of us are creatures of habit. So when my husband suggested we stay at an Airbnb for a recent and unexpected trip to Asia, I was more than a little hesitant. Who would want to give up fresh towels, concierge services, and those free little bottles of toiletries that come with a standard hotel room? Besides, having a warm body to complain to if a Wi-Fi connection isn’t working, or getting a taxi at an odd hour without having to hail one, is hard to give up. Our last trip to Asia from the United States set us back quite a bit, after the cost of airfare for us and our kids, as well as the rather nice hotel we stayed at, along with an adjoining suite for my inlaws. My brothers had booked and stayed at Airbnb’s before in other parts of Asia, as well as Canada, and had mostly pleasant experiences with it. So saving a little money and trying something new seemed like a good idea. After all, the cost of a last minute hotel booking would likely have been pretty steep, so this appeared to be a viable and attractive option. Airbnb’s website (www.airbnb.
[WOLF from 7] family and arrives just in time to prevent a construction crew from demolishing his house and burial ground. Leng Feng loses his cool after being provoked by a construction supervisor and kills him out of rage. While in jail, Leng Feng learns his fiancee was murdered in Africa. A bullet with a special engraving is his only clue as to who did it. After Leng Feng is released from jail, he wanders around Africa to uncover the truth of what happened to his fiancee. Rebels attack him and his friends, and Leng Feng seeks the assistance of the Chinese government. However, due to United Nations treaties, the Chinese government is unable to send reinforcements. Leng Feng volunteers to lead a rescue mission for an important character by himself. If this sounds familiar, it’s the plot of Sylvester Stallone’s “Rambo” movies. Going into the movie without expecting any major plot is kind of a relief. The dialogue was a little bland at times, but the jokes were generally funny, even though I was reading the subtitles. Action scenes were over the top, but enjoyable nonetheless. It felt like I was watching Jackie
Photos from Sun Lee Chang/NWAW
By Sun Lee Chang NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY
Lunch feast in Taipei
com) was fairly easy to navigate. We were looking for a house or apartment that we did not have to share with other travelers in Taiwan. It took longer for us to agree on the property than it took to actually book it and prepay for it. After perusing the website and comparing costs, amenities, and reviews against midrange hotels in the same area, we settled on a three bedroom, one bathroom
Chan’s Rush Hour with a blend of Black and Chinese culture. The only two actors in WW2 I recognized were Celina Jade and Frank Grillo. Jade had a small role in Man with the Iron Fists, but her other roles are mostly in Chinese movies. Grillo, as you may recall, was also the villain in Captain America: The Winter Soldier and was briefly in CA: Civil War. Near the end of the movie, there are a few scenes that bring Chinese patriotism upfront and center. In fact, the director, Wu Jing, is being called out by Chinese mainlanders as being hypocritical for always citing the line from the movie during public appearances, “The passport of the People’s Republic of China might not be able to bring you everywhere around the world, but it can certainly bring you home safe no matter where you are and what troubles you have run into.” Wu Jing is a Hong Kong citizen, his wife is a green card holder, and his son is a British citizen. ■ Wolf Warrior 2 is playing at AMC Pacific Place for a few more weeks. John can be reached at john@nwasianweekly.com.
PLEASE RECYCLE OR REUSE THIS PAPER.
Kitchen
apartment with easy access to restaurants and stores. Based on the pictures posted on Airbnb’s website, the apartment we picked looked very clean and modern. Upon arrival, the air conditioner was turned off and it was much smaller than we expected. The camera probably made the apartment look a bit bigger than it actually is. Once the AC kicked in, we started to feel much better
about the place. It was decorated with predominantly IKEA furniture, but was clean and comfortable. It even boasted a nice little kitchen where leftovers could be reheated and where we could prepare refreshments for a few family members in the area who dropped by for a short visit. The host even left us a small notebook full of tips on restaurants and attractions in the area.
We were pleasantly surprised by the fresh towels that the homeowner provided, as well as access to their in-unit washing machine. There were also a variety of free toiletries that other travelers probably left, as well as dishes and utensils in the kitchen, and a hair dryer in the bathroom. Instead of keys, there was a security code to [see AIRBNB on 16]
[GOOK from 7] immigrating to America, but Justin Chon did in his early 20s, and found astounding success in the “Twilight” film series, a love story saga set amidst a coven of vampires. His most important acting advice, the younger Chon remembered, came on the set of “Twilight,” when “someone told me I was doing too much. Less is more. That made sense to me. So I followed their advice and it worked well. I just needed to pull back a little.” The “Gook” film depicts a Korean shoe shop in Los Angeles in 1992, and in the shadow of the riots from late April to May of that year, that erupted after four Los Angeles police officers were acquitted of excessive force in the videotaped beating of Rodney King. The riots lasted several weeks, leaving 60 people dead, resulting in more than 11,000 arrests, and an estimated $1 billion in property damage. Its story mixes together Korean, Latino, and Black characters, sometimes cooperating, but often in conflict. It reflects the frustrating truth that American minorities often clash, sometimes violently. In real life, Sang Chon did own a shoe store which was looted on the last day of the rioting —but that, said Justin Chon, was only one inspiration for the film’s script. “Korean Americans,” he elabo-
Justin Chon in “Gook”
“Someone told me I was doing too much. Less is more. That made sense to me. So I followed their advice and it worked well.” — Justin Chon rated, “lost a lot of their business [in the riots] and I wanted to include our experience in this historic time. Often, that story is left out when the riots are discussed. I have been an actor for a while and I had auditioned for a number of films based on the riots, and felt that the Korean American perspective was left out. So, with the 25th anniversary of the event coming up, I wanted to make a film that would include that experience.” In addition, concluded Chon, “I wanted to tell a story about differ-
ent communities living together. Telling it from a perspective with the two [Korean] brothers and [a] young African American girl gave us an in, to talk about the racial situation, and about family, and what constitutes family.” ■ “Gook” opens Aug. 25 at Seattle’s Regal Meridian Cinemas, 1501 7th Avenue in downtown Seattle. Check local listings for prices and showtimes. Andrew can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.
AUGUST 26 – SEPTEMBER 1, 2017
YOUR VOICE
■ HEALTH
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By Staff NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY You can be the difference between life and death for a patient in need. Each year, Bloodworks Northwest helps over 55,000 patients receive life-saving blood transfusions. And the organization needs donations from people of diverse ethnic backgrounds. Last month, it met with Chinese community leaders from the greater Seattle area to discuss ways to boost community engagement. With a growing Asian population in the Northwest, there’s an increasing number of Asian patients needing blood transfusions. Dr. Yanyun Wu, chief medical officer at Bloodworks Northwest, said that ideally, the community blood supply is best supported by donors who closely reflect the diverse ethnic communities and patients served. “Advances in science make it possible to closely match donor blood with patients to reduce the chance of an immune system reaction against a transfusion,” said Wu. “In some situations, we know the best
match can be achieved when donors and patients share a similar ethnic background.” “Personally, it was a very valuable experience for me, as I learn so much from Dr. Wu’s presentation to understand the science and facts about blood donation and the challenges facing the Chinese (Asian) community to match the supply and demand locally,” said Y.P. Chan. An immigrant, Chan said Bloodworks needs staff members who are fluent in Chinese. He said new immigrants continue to arrive daily. They face a language barrier, but they want to engage, participate, and contribute to the community. Chan encouraged his peers to reach out to their respective organizations and ask people to donate blood. Wesley Tanoto, who is a liaison to Chinese students at the University of Washington and Seattle University, said 99 percent of foreign students here are Chinese. He suggested partnering with Bloodworks Northwest to create an internship program — they could serve as translators and help with marketing and outreach. Jim Xiao proposed a social media campaign to promote Blood-
Photo from Bloodworks
Bloodworks teams up with Chinese community
Donor gives lifesaving blood.
works and recruit volunteers. Nancy Yang suggested translating Bloodworks materials into Chinese and using WeChat, a Chinese social media mobile application. Vivian dela Rosa, Bloodworks Northwest’s Chief of Strategy and Operations, said she will lead the efforts to create an action plan. “We will work on strengthening our partnership with all of you through collaborations, enhancing cultural adaptation, education, and communication to deliver our mission and purpose,” she said.
Bloodworks Northwest met with community leaders to increase awareness and participation in blood donations.
The need for blood is often higher in summer and it takes about 800 donors a day to maintain a sufficient supply for the nearly 100 Northwest hospitals
served by Bloodworks. Donors can schedule an appointment at any donor center by going online at schedule.bloodworksnw.org or by calling 1-800-398-7888. ■
REGISTER
Celebrating 35 years!
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2017 6–9 PM
$100 per seat / $1,000 for an individual or corporate table of 10. After Oct. 6, the price increases $125/$1250. Space is limited To purchase tickets, call us at 206-223-0623 or email rsvp@nwasianweekly.com. To reserve space, fax a copy of this form to 206-223-0626 or send a check by Oct. 6 to Northwest Asian Weekly Foundation, Attn: 35 years, PO Box 3468, Seattle WA 98114. Name Title/Org Address
China Harbor Restaurant Get your tickets online at: 2040 Westlake Ave. N. 35nwawf.bpt.me Seattle, WA 98109 rsvp@nwasianweekly.com 206-286-1688 206-223-5559 Festive Attire recommended
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PROCEEDS FROM THIS EVENT WILL GO TOWARDS TWO NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENTS FOR UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON STUDYING EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATIONS. THESE SCHOLARSHIPS WILL BENEFIT STUDENTS OF COLOR WHO HAVE A FINANCIAL NEED AND/OR FIRST IN THEIR FAMILY TO ATTEND COLLEGE.
asianweekly northwest
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AUGUST 26 – SEPTEMBER 1, 2017
■ PUBLISHER’S BLOG
35 YEARS
OPINION
Asians and Harry Potter CHASING THE OXFORD DREAM
By Assunta Ng NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY Malala Yousafzai, the girl who was shot in the head and survived, and the youngest-ever Nobel Prize laureate, is going to England’s Oxford University! Coincidentally, I was there two weeks ago, touring the world’s best college. Depending on the report, the No. 1 college in the world honor sometimes goes to Harvard or Stanford University. If not the best, Oxford, which was founded in the 13th century, has a much longer history than the oldest U.S. colleges. Harvard and Yale can brag about a few U.S. presidents they have produced. However, Oxford has a more impressive record — 27 British prime ministers.
Asians and Harry Potter
[see HARRY POTTER on 15]
Top: Christ Church University dining hall, which is where the Hogwart Great Hall scenes in the “Harry Potter” movies were filmed. Right: Line outside to view the site (above) where the movies were filmed.
George Liu/NWAW
Do Asians and Harry Potter have anything in common? The pursuit of fantasy. You’d be surprised that Oxford actually created Harry Potter. I am not saying that Oxford has a magic or wizardry program. Oxford consists of 38 universities, including science and arts disciplines. None of them is about magic.
AUGUST 26 – SEPTEMBER 1, 2017
YOUR VOICE
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OPINION
■ EDITORIAL
■ COMMENTARY
ESPN is being blasted for political correctness after pulling announcer Robert Lee from play-by-play duties for the Sept. 2 University of Virginia (UVa) football game, in case some people might be offended by his name. Robert Lee is Asian. And UVa is in Charlottesville. The same Charlottesville where on Aug. 14, a group of white supremacists held a rally, ostensibly in defense of a statue honoring Robert E. Lee, the Confederate general. “We collectively made the decision with Robert to switch games as the tragic events in Charlottesville were unfolding, simply because of the coincidence of his name,” said ESPN in a statement. “In that moment, it felt right to all parties. It’s a shame that this is even a topic of conversation and we regret that who calls play-by-play for a football game has become an issue.” ESPN apparently thought Lee’s name might offend some viewers because of similarities to the Civil War general. He is very likely not a descendant of the general. The LinkedIn profile for Robert Lee, the broadcaster, lists Syracuse as his alma mater and New York as his location, noting he speaks Mandarin. For ESPN, he’s primarily covered mid-major college basketball games and previously covered various sports for Time Warner Cable in Albany. He is now an online sensation, trending on Twitter and evoking responses of disbelief on social media. Many people thought the story
Photo by Nick Turner/Ethnic Seattle
ESPN pulls Asian American Many in Chinatown–ID oppose announcer, from a UVa game Marriott Hotel and upzone
CID Coalition supporters at a July 18 town hall meeting the Memorial Hall of the Nisei Veterans Committee Robert Lee
was a prank before ESPN’s statement was confirmed to be real. One reader wrote, “Half of America can’t tell the difference between satire and ridicule, and ESPN has just provided us with a glimpse of why.” Another wrote, “This is probably the most bizarre story I have ever read. The over the top political correct bs that we are experiencing in this country has reached a new low. The alt left has lost its freaking mind and the news media and stations like ESPN have played into their game.” In their apparent attempt to avoid controversy, ESPN has made a huge issue out of what could have been nothing. But, this unexpected fame could at least give Lee’s career as a broadcaster a boost. ■
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By CID Coalition FOR NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY The Chinatown-International District (CID) Coalition was dismayed by the Aug. 5 article “Chinatown-ID housing affordability measures,” which inaccurately represented community opposition against the proposed 14-story Marriott hotel on 8th and Lane, as well as new city legislation affecting the neighborhood. Over the past several months, the CID Coalition has been directly engaging with community members about the hotel, as well as the recently passed Mandatory Housing Affordability (MHA) upzone. What we’ve repeatedly heard paints a very different picture than what the Northwest Asian Weekly suggested. The CID Coalition is a grassroots group of organizers — including people who live
and work in the CID, and/or have family members who live, work, and receive services in the CID, and consider the neighborhood vital to our history, culture, and identity. Our goals are to fight against displacement, center community voices in decision-making processes, and stand with other neighborhoods who are also facing displacement. We work towards a multicultural, intergenerational, and self-sustaining future for the CID, which is one of the most unique neighborhoods in the country. In 2013, International Community Health Services (ICHS) and Seattle Chinatown International District Preservation and Development Authority (SCIDpda) tried to buy the property where the hotel is planned, to build a nursing home for Asian American [see UPZONE on 14]
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AUGUST 26 – SEPTEMBER 1, 2017
[PLEDGE from 1] supremacy and nativism. At the turn of the 20th century, white mobs threatened — and even lynched -- Chinese, Filipino, and South Asian immigrants, in part for fear they would taint (white) American culture. White supremacist groups helped to pass the Chinese Exclusion Act, the first law to ban an entire ethnic group. And white supremacy birthed “alien land laws,” barring “non-citizens” from owning land at a time when mainly Asians could not become U.S. citizens, and anti-miscegenation laws, prohibiting interracial marriage (a law that in California specifically singled out Chinese, Japanese, Filipino, and other Asians). White supremacy also paved the way for the U.S. government to violate due process and incarcerate 120,000 Japanese Americans, many U.S. citizens, during World War II — an action upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in Korematsu vs. United States and never formally overturned. Given our history, we as Asian Americans cannot stand idly by and watch as white supremacists march through our neighbor-
[MEALS from 4] said, referring to the tri-cornered confection associated with the Jewish holiday of Purim. Gathered at tables, the 40 community members shared details about the cultural backgrounds and favorite foods. In one grouping, the diners — of Irish, German, Polish, Mexican, Cambodian and Italian descents — talked about a dumpling being a universal food, with multiple cultures having a version: pierogi, ravioli, empanadas, kreplach. The conversation flowed thanks to a facilitator from the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations. In discussing the shared meal, Oscar Galvan, a mechanic who is native of Mexico, said he was tempted to put hot sauce on his
[CHAO from 1] National President of Korean American Coalition, MinKwon Center for Community Action, National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum (NAPAWF), and Southeast Asia Resource Action Center (SEARAC). The release also said, “On August 15, 2017, the anniversary of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), Secretary Elaine Chao stood by President Trump as he blamed both sides for the
35 YEARS
hoods. Even before this past weekend, hate crimes were surging upwards, including nearly 200 incidents against Asian Americans since January documented through our hate tracker (StandAgainstHatred.org) and the murders of two South Asian immigrants, Srinivas Kuchibhotla and Alok Madasani, in Kansas earlier this year. We as Asian Americans also must not be complicit in the white supremacist agenda of this current administration. White supremacy drives the president’s Muslim bans, seeking to ban entire groups of people based on their national origin and nonChristian religion. It drove last week’s onetwo punches from the White House. First, when the president announced his support for the RAISE Act, an immigration bill that would gut the current family-based immigration system, which has brought millions of Asian, African, and Latin American immigrants into the United States and remade the racial demographics of the United States in the past 50 years. And second, when the White House redirected federal civil rights resources to undo long-standing affirmative action policies. The admin-
istration’s purported claim to be fighting discrimination against Asian Americans flies counter to all other evidence that this administration and its allies and supporters seek to advance only the interests of fellow white Americans. Our nation is at a critical crossroad. White supremacist leaders like David Duke have seized upon Charlottesville as a turning point in moving their hate and nativism mainstream. Without clear and decisive leadership from the president or other administration officials or Congressional leaders, it falls on all of us to resist white supremacy, including efforts to be co-opted by white supremacists who do not and have never had our communities’ interests at heart. We call on all Asian Americans to join us in defending our vision of democracy — one where we protect the vulnerable amongst us, resist efforts to erode our hardwon rights and protections, and fight to advance progress for all marginalized communities. We pledge to challenge rising hate, to fight the president’s Muslim bans, to oppose the RAISE Act and the gutting of affirmative action, to fight deportations
and defend DACA, to champion health care for all, and to ensure all voters can cast their ballots. We cannot do this alone, and we will be calling upon you to join us on the streets, in legislative chambers, and on the steps of the courts to stand up for our democracy.
Italian pork dish. They also reflected on how food related to friends and family. “One of the neatest ways to promote friendship is to share your ethnic food, something you’re so proud of,” said Carol Wong, an educator of Chinese descent. Everyone agreed. “In Mexico, it’s all about food,” said Ivette Compean, who moved to the U.S. from Mexico six months ago. “They’re always feeding you. It’s how they tell us they love us.” “Breaking Bread; Breaking Barriers” was created with an $85,000 grant from the nonprofit John S. and James L Knight Foundation. Gupta said he was inspired to seek the funding after reading sociologist Elijah Anderson’s “The Cosmopolitan Can-
opy/Race and Civility in Everyday Life.” Anderson, who lives in Philadelphia and taught at the University of Pennsylvania, found there are certain places in cities where people of different cultures and backgrounds unite without conflict. Reading Terminal Market — a bustling home to butchers and fishmongers, sandwich stalls and Amish farmers — was one of them. “It’s a place of refuge and convergence, old and young, black and white, coming together and feeling good around issues of food,” Anderson said. “It’s a place where people get along even though we know there are fault lines. It’s a beautiful thing. It’s inspiring.” The program hosted one of its most emotional dinners in January, Gupta said. It brought together Syrian refugees and resi-
dents deeply rooted in their northeastern Philadelphia neighborhood. The Syrian contributions included falafel and hummus. The American offerings were blackened catfish and collard greens. During the meal, held a few days after the announcement of President Donald Trump’s original travel ban that included Syrian refugees, the refugees shared stories of their lost homes and changed lives. At evening’s end, Gupta said, one of the refugees — a woman in her 50s who had been quiet during the meal — stood up and shared her thoughts with the help of an interpreter. “I thought this evening was just going to be about food,” she said. “It turns out it was about unity.” ■
racist acts that took place in Charlottesville, essentially equating white nationalist hate groups with anti-racist protestors. The groups also said Chao should make a public statement supporting fellow immigrants who rely on DACA and TPS (Temporary Protected Status). “Immigrants in 2017 should receive the same opportunities and racial justice as Asian American immigrant Elaine Chao was afforded when she came to America,” the release said.■
In unity and resistance, Stephanie Cho, Executive Director, Asian Americans Advancing Justice — Atlanta Andy Kang, Legal Director, Asian Americans Advancing Justice — Chicago Aarti Kohli, Executive Director, Asian Americans Advancing Justice — ALC Karin Wang, Vice President of Programs and Communications, Asian Americans Advancing Justice — Los Angeles John Yang, Executive Director, Asian Americans Advancing Justice — AAJC To sign the petition, go to advancingjustice.salsalabs.org/refusewhite supremacy/index.html. ■
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 editor@nwasianweekly.c om.
KING COUNTY — NOTICE TO BIDDERS Sealed bids will be received for C01201C17, Fencing Work Order Services; by the King County Procurement and Payables Section, 3rd Floor, 401 Fifth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104, until 1:30 PM on August 31, 2017. Late bids will not be accepted. Scope of Work: Furnish all labor, materials and equipment necessary to perform routine and emergency maintenance, repair, new installation and improvement work at King County facilities (primarily related to Solid Waste Division sites), on a Work Order (W.O.) basis. Provide adequate personnel and equipment to respond in a timely manner to the requests for work. Comply with provisions within the Contract pertaining to the Work Order Procedures, Response Times, Permits and Codes and Quality Standards. Not-to-exceed Contract Price: $300,000.00 Pre-Bid Conference: A pre-bid and site tour is not scheduled. There is a 5% minimum requirement for King County Certified Small Contractors and Suppliers (SCS) 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
AUGUST 26 – SEPTEMBER 1, 2017
YOUR VOICE
■ ASTROLOGY
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Predictions and advice for the week of August 26–September 1, 2017 By Sun Lee Chang Rat — Remember that whatever you bring to the table will be combined with the contributions of others, resulting in quite an impressive total.
Dragon — Shifting the load from one side to the other might temporarily relieve the strain, but you still need to find a long-term solution.
Monkey — Bold moves give way to subtle maneuvers, as the situation around you has suddenly changed the landscape.
Ox — Have you been standing on the sidelines long enough? This is the time to jump in and be in the thick of the action.
Snake — A mistake shouldn’t keep you from coming out on top, provided that you acknowledge it early and take steps to remedy it.
Rooster — Do you enjoy standing out from the crowd? If so, then you will soon have a chance to do just that.
Tiger — A widening gulf needs to be closed. Some quick steps from you should make the division a thing of the past.
Horse — It’s easy to see what should be done from a distance, but it is not as clear when you are right in the middle of the situation.
Dog — After trial and error, you have come to a point of understanding. It should serve you well going forward from here.
Rabbit — You may be asked to choose between two tempting options. The one that has more prospects for the future is likely the better choice.
Goat — Motivation tends to wane over time, so it is best to get as much done while your interest is at its peak.
Pig — An issue that appears to be pivotal now, likely won’t stay that way. A shift is taking place that may alter the picture significantly.
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.
[LIU XIA from 5] YouTube on Aug. 18 without any indication of where or when the footage was taken, quickly drew criticism from the couple’s supporters that it looked staged by Liu’s minders. “Please give me time to mourn and time for my heart to be restored,” said Liu Xia, speaking while seated on a couch dressed in a dark sweater and pants and smoking a cigarette. “When Xiaobo was alive, the doctors did their best and Xiaobo regarded life and
[INVESTMENT from 5] One of those conglomerates, Wanda Group, became the world’s biggest cinema operator with its purchase of a majority stake in U.S. chain AMC in 2012 for $2.6 billion. It added rival Carmike Cinemas Inc. last year in a $1.2 billion deal and also bought film production house Legendary Entertainment for $3.5 billion. The Cabinet document limits overseas investments in areas such as hotels, cinemas, the entertainment industry, real estate and sports clubs. It also bans outright
[FLAG from 5] cautioned against exaggerating the incident with his neighbor. The two countries share the same religion and language but often trade accusations of stealing the other’s food and culture. Malaysian Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin met his Indonesian counterpart Imam Nahrawi to personally apologize. After a brief private meeting on Aug. 20, the two ministers shook hands at a news conference. Khairy, who was quick to issue the first apology the night before on Twitter, said that the guidebooks will be corrected and reprinted. Indonesia appears to have taken particular offense because the guidebook was distributed to VIPs at the Aug. 19 opening ceremony in Kuala Lumpur for the 29th Southeast Asian Games and only its flag was shown incorrectly. Nahrawi, who earlier described the error as “very painful,” said he accepted the
death as being very ordinary, so I have to also try hard to adjust myself,” she said. “And in the future, when I’m better in various ways, I will be with you all again.” An accomplished poet and artist, Liu Xia was never charged but has been kept guarded and largely isolated for more than seven years in the apartment she once shared with her husband. She remains unreachable, raising concerns among Western governments, the United Nations and her supporters that she is unable to move freely or leave the country if she chooses to do so.
Liu Xia’s body language appeared to show that she was speaking to the person holding the camera with some formality, said Zeng Jinyang, a Hong Kong-based documentary maker and a supporter of the couple. “You can tell from her body language that this is not a close relationship and the atmosphere in which she speaks is one that is not relaxed,” Zeng said by phone. “Liu Xia’s speaking style also tends to be fragmented. This message is very clearly scripted, which is not her style.” Liu Xiaobo died July 13 in Chinese
custody after a battle with liver cancer, amid international criticism of Beijing for not letting him travel abroad as he had wished. Liu was only the second Nobel Peace Prize winner to die in police custody, a fact pointed to by human rights groups as an indication of the Chinese Communist Party’s increasingly hard line against its critics. The first, Carl von Ossietzky, died from tuberculosis in Germany in 1938 while serving a sentence for opposing Adolf Hitler’s Nazi regime. ■
investments in enterprises related to gambling and the sex industry. At the same time, it encourages companies to plow money into projects related to the “Belt and Road” project, President Xi Jinping’s signature foreign policy initiative that seeks to link China with other parts of Asia and eastern Europe through multibillion dollar investments in ports, highways, railways, power plants and other infrastructure. “There are great opportunities for our nation’s companies to embark on foreign investment, but they also face numerous
risks and challenges,” the document said. Through the new guidance, the government hopes to promote the “rational, orderly and healthy development of foreign investment while effectively guarding against risks,” it said. As part of his drive for stronger government leadership over the economy, Xi has been moving to reassert control over top state enterprises while reining in sprawling conglomerates including Wanda, Anbang Insurance, Fosun International and HNA Group that have expanded rapidly through debt-fueled foreign acquisitions such as
New York’s famed Waldorf Astoria Hotel. Authorities told banks Wanda’s recent foreign transactions conflicted with restrictions on capital movement and the company announced on July 10 it would sell most of its theme parks to a Chinese buyer, Sunac China Holdings Ltd., for $9.3 billion. Wanda agreed in November to pay $1 billion for Dick Clark Productions, which produces the Golden Globes and the “Miss America” pageant. The seller, Eldridge Industries, called off the deal in March, saying Wanda failed to complete the purchase. ■
湖景墓園 Lake View Cemetery ☆西雅圖首創墓園☆ 自1872年起服務西北岸社區 非營利獨立協會
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Red and white flags: flag of Indonesia (left) and flag of Poland (right)
apology. ish empire was dismantled after World “We hope these mistakes don’t get re- War II was bitterly opposed by Indonesia, peated because flags are important sym- itself then a new nation emerging from bols for each country and should be re- Dutch colonial rule and a short-lived Japaspected,” he said. nese occupation. Khairy said the mistake was “unintenOn Twitter, Indonesians said their flag tional and it happened due to our careless- represents the sacrifices of indepenness.” dence heroes and accused Malaysia of “This was a big, big mistake.‧陵墓地下室 I, on behalf either‧骨灰靈位 being stupid or deliberately misof the host, have conveyed our apologies printing it. ‧墓碑、紀念碑 ‧土葬福地 to ... Imam as the Indonesian minister and “You know, this is maybe the reason also I apologize to the people of Indonesia why our founding father Soekarno wanted for this mistake,” he said. to Kick Your Ass,” said one user. ■ The creation of Malaysia when Brit-Ave East (North Capitol Hill) 1554the 15th
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Superior Court of Washington County of King In re: Sui Man (Simon) Tse Petitioner and Kathryn L Blauser Tse Respondent No. 17-3-04364-1SEA Summons By Publication To the Respondent: Sui Man (Simon) Tse, The petitioner has started an action in the above court requesting that your marriage be dissolved. You must respond to this summons by serving a copy of your written response on the person signing this summons and by filing the original with the clerk of the court. If you do not serve your written response within 60 days after the first publication of this summons (60 days after 3 day of August, 2017), the court may enter an order of default against you, and the court may, without further notice to you, enter a decree and approve or provide for other relief requested in this summons. In case of a dissolution, the court will not enter the final decree until at least 90 days after service and filing. If you serve a notice of appearance on the undersigned person, you are entitled to notice before an order of default or a decree may be entered. Your written response to the summons and petition must be form WPF DR 01.0300 (Response to Petition (Marriage). Information about how to get this form may be obtained by contacting the clerk of the court, by contacting the Administrative Office of the Courts at (360) 705-5328, or from the Internet at the Washington State Courts homepage: http://www.courts.wa.gov/forms If you wish to seek the advice of an attorney in this matter, you should do so promptly so that your written response, if any, may be served on time. This summons if issued pursuant to RCW 4.28.100 and Superior Court Civil Rule 4.1 of the State of Washington. Dated 7/20/2017, Sui Man (Simon) Tse File Original of Your Response with the Clerk of the Court at: Office of the Superior Court Clerk 516 Third Avenue, Room E609 Seattle, WA 98104 Serve a Copy of Your Response on: Sui Man (Simon) Tse 6511 29th Avenue S Seattle, WA 98108.
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[UPZONE from 11] elders, but were outbid by the developer, Hotel Concepts (who also plans to evict a low-income Latino community for a hotel in SeaTac). Wildly out of scale with the area, the Marriott would stand directly across the street from where many of our family and community members live and receive services at ICHS, Denise Louie Education Center, and Legacy House assisted living (managed by SCIDpda). Kin On senior citizen center, a Seattle Public Library branch, and Donnie Chin International Children’s Park are also within one block. These organizations have publicly expressed concerns over the impact this development would have on residents and service recipients. SCIDpda, ICHS, and Denise Louie Education Center depend upon the small 8th street for daily loading and unloading of hundreds of seniors, children, and patients, and ambulance and fire truck access for frequent emergency calls. The addition of over 260 units across the street and increased traffic congestion would likely make it extremely difficult to access services in a safe manner. Construction noise and dust would likely last for over a year and could cause stress and disruption to nearby elders, children, and their family members. The CID Coalition formed in early 2017 after learning about the proposed hotel. Hundreds
35 YEARS
NOTICE
NOTICE
NOTICE
DESCRIPTION: The project is 6-stories, approx. 46,227 SF, and includes 48 affordable apartment units. Parking for 12 vehicles will to be provided in an above grade garage. Level 1 contains amenity spaces and an office. An exterior courtyard contains a playground area in addition to landscaping.
METROPOLITAN KING COUNTY COUNCIL CHIEF LEGAL COUNSEL
SCHEDULE: The project is scheduled to commence in mid-October of 2017. We anticipate a 14-month construction duration.
Closes: September 11, 2017 at 11:59 pm Salary Range: $150,301 - $202,139 (DOQ) The Metropolitan King County Council is seeking an experienced, enthusiastic attorney with a passion for Public Policy, Leadership and Professionalism to join our team. The Chief Legal Counsel serves as a legal advisor to the Council and staff on a variety of matters dealing with public policy, legislation, and Council actions. The ideal candidate will be adept at municipal law, and the powers and duties of public officials and agencies. The Chief Legal Counsel is a senior level professional position and supervises the work of the Senior Deputy Legal Counsel. This position operates with considerable latitude in providing legal advice and proposed solutions for consideration by decision makers to support the Council in fulfilling its mission. The most competitive candidates will have an in-depth knowledge of County government and the theories and practices of civil and administrative law as they relate to local government. This is an exciting opportunity to join the King County Council staff and help provide excellent regional services to county residents. The position requires effective collaboration with Councilmembers, staff, the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney the County Executive and departments, other units of governments, and members of the public. To view a complete job announcement and apply, go to www.kingcounty.gov/jobs
of diverse community members — including elders, youth, residents, limited-English speakers, and small business owners — have come to our numerous meetings to voice their vision for the CID. The majority who answered our survey indicated that they felt “bad” or “very bad” about the hotel development. Specifically, they are concerned about increases in traffic, threats to pedestrian safety, disruption in access to services, displacement of residents and small businesses, and a loss of community and culture. Community members have said they do not want the hotel, but instead want the land to become a public green space or facility that would better serve the community, especially seniors. Elders said they already felt an increasing sense of cultural isolation due to gentrification, and see Chinese businesses closing and being replaced with “white stores” that speak only English. They expressed the need for housing at an income level that reflects the community already present in the CID, with culturally relevant open and public spaces to connect with family and the community. During the International Special Review District (ISRD) board meeting in May, a record number of community members turned out to again express strong opposition to the hotel. The Asia Condominiums Homeowner’s Association also submitted a letter publicly opposing the development and expressing concerns
WAGE RATES: The higher of Davis Bacon COMMERCIAL or State Residential rates apply to this project. Each subcontractor will be responsible for submitting all documentation to the Seattle Office of Housing. OUTREACH GOALS: MWBE Contractors and Section 3 Businesses are strongly encouraged to provide bids for this project. Project Goals include 15% apprenticeship participation and 10% Section 3 businesses. DRAWINGS & SPECS: The bid set and specifications are posted on the Builders Exchange website under Projects Bidding (Username: walsh and Password: safety). Refer to Drawings and Specifications dated 08/02/2017. BID FORM: Please submit pricing to Walsh Construction Co., attention: Ryan Whitacre, rwhitacre@walshconstruction.com. Pricing submissions should be on the prescribed bid form. CONTRACTING: Letters of intent will be issued at the time of contractor selection with the intent of issuing a Subcontract prior to the start of construction. BID QUESTIONS: Please call or email Maria Llobet at mllobet@walshconstruction.com WALSHCC990D1
A King County application is required to be considered for this opportunity. Interested applicants must complete the supplemental questions and submit a resume and letter of interest with your application.
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about displacement. None of these community concerns were included in the Aug. 5 article. The developer’s response to these concerns has been disrespectful and dismissive. Han Kim of Hotel Concepts said he was opposed to including affordable housing or family-sized units in the apartment and condo sections of the building. The developer’s architect, Studio19, also talked about preserving “Asian character” by picking patterns and materials to decorate the building, as if the culture of an entire community can be reduced to a pagoda rooftop or a few color choices. They also failed to study the impacts the development’s new restaurant would have on existing small businesses, and admitted that their restaurant is meant to be “an amenity to hotel guests.” There is a desperate need for affordable housing, especially low-income housing, in the CID. The City itself has admitted that its recently passed MHA policy, by itself, is not an adequate anti-displacement tool. At a packed July 18 town hall, most CID community members expressed opposition to the MHA upzone, fearing it would worsen gentrification and displacement. The city’s MHA does NOT provide low-income housing for the CID. The CID Coalition demands a moratorium on non-affordable development, which would give the CID relief from this fast-moving onslaught of hotels, condos, and expensive developments and allow time to create commu-
nity-driven solutions on our own terms, not those of private developers and politicians. The CID Coalition is not against development. However, we believe development should not cause the displacement of existing residents and small businesses, and should serve the wellbeing of the community instead of tourists, developers, and the wealthy. We — and the community members we’ve heard from — envision a future where our families, nonprofits, and small businesses can survive and thrive in place. If you agree, we welcome you to join us. ■ The CID Coalition can be reached at cidnohotel@gmail.com or on its Facebook page Humbows Not Hotels. SOLUTION from SUDOKU on page 6.
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“The Northwest Asian Weekly provides me with timely information and developments in our communities, as well as opportunities to make my voice heard on important issues facing our society.” —Cindy Domingo, Chief of Staff to King County Councilman Larry Gossett “For the last five years, I have been a loyal reader of the Northwest Asian Weekly. From stories that cover local politics, to stories that report on businesses and support Asians in the community, I continue to be a big fan. With your publication now celebrating 35 strong years, I believe that its strength is a testament to your leadership and the support from the local community.” — Hobie Hong, reader The only weekly English-edition newspaper serving the Asian community in the state of Washington for 35 years.
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, email rsvp@nwasianweekly.com, or call 206-223-0623. To sponsor the event, contact Assunta Ng at assunta@nwasianweekly.com. For more info, visit nwasianweekly.com/35years.
[HARRY POTTER from 10]
An Oxford street
Harry Potter souvenirs
Photos by George Liu/NWAW
Oxford is the proud home of Harry Potter. The movie was filmed right at Christ Church University (CCU), the biggest Oxford University, and one of the wealthiest colleges. CCU has produced 13 prime ministers, and the author of Alice in Wonderland used to teach there. I could see why the producers picked Oxford for the movie. The colleges’ architecture reflects 600 years of history, from Saxon to Gothic, Neoclassical to Baroque. Stepping into Oxford takes you back to medieval times, another fantasy world. Tied in with Potter, Oxford’s name just swells as one of the five most popular tourist sites, along with homes of England’s Royal family. At CCU, lines of fans were waiting to see the Great Hall. There were no lines in other colleges though. You have to pay an entrance fee of five to seven plus pounds to visit each college. The dining hall, where Harry would eat with his classmates in the film, is an actual dining hall for CCU students. You could imagine where Harry was sitting, and where he lived. Every campus has its own dormitory, library, church, and even gallery, plus acres of pretty green fields. It provided the perfect setting for the filming of the movie. Tourists, especially mainland Chinese, visit Oxford in droves. It is the most sought-after college not only for Chinese, but Japanese, Koreans, Indians, and Pakistanis. The Oxford dream is too irresistible. We saw potential students all over the campus. Someone was often speaking Mandarin within earshot. We bumped into at least 20 Chinese groups around the halfmile radius on our first day. These organized tours brought visitors of all ages — 10-yearolds, teenagers, and their parents together. I understand how high school students might be inspired by Oxford. But 8 and 10 years old? C’mon! Disneyland is perhaps more fun! I recall a friend who planned a trip especially for her teenaged son to Europe. Halfway through the trip, the son expressed his boredom. He complained, “Mom, why did you drag me all the way here?” Message to parents: your kids may not appre-
Famous alumni of Christ Church University
ciate the same things you do. The expenses for these Chinese tourists cost $2,500 each —that’s for a week to travel to three cities, London, Oxford and Manchester. If the students attend a summer program, there would be additional costs. One smart Chinese lady joined a 4-week English as a second language course. It also cost her $2,500 for her class, room, and board with a host family. Without being rushed, she saw much more of England and it cost less. However, the chance of being accepted into Oxford is practically zero for most of them. And the chance to see Harry Potter’s place is also small, as their itinerary is focused on visiting colleges. Those we met were disappointed that the tour
Chinese tour group outside one of the Oxford University buildings
skipped the setting for Hogwarts. Simply, there wasn’t enough time.
Why Oxford
If I were superstitious, I wouldn’t have gone back to Oxford. Two years ago, we left the city as soon as we entered because my husband’s rental car hit a double decker bus. (Luckily, we had insurance.) The accident cut our visit short. The chance of visiting Oxford again would be slim. But fate has a mysterious way of propelling me back. This time, we actually saw more of Oxford in two eye-opening days than our 2015 plan of being there for one day. Oxford is a onehour train ride from London. Our destination was Norway.
The easiest way to reach Norway was through London and Hamburg, Germany. We started our trip in Hamburg and flew back from London to Seattle. It’s wise to start your trip in a different city and return from another city. That way, you can see more and save time. My husband knew I always wanted to see Oxford, but he didn’t know why. I met some Oxford boys at a party when I was a high school student in Hong Kong. I hate to say, they behaved like jerks, and they were arrogant and snobbish, although they spoke with a cool British accent. The Oxford brand still intrigues me to this day. We also saw author Jane Austen’s exhibit at the Weston Library. An
Austen book was required reading in my high school. It’s Austen’s 150th birthday and her fans wrote in the guest book that the Weston exhibit was far better than the one at her birthplace, Bath. Oxford was interesting and unforgettable, and exceeded my expectations. Indeed, I was grateful to experience bits and pieces of Oxford’s charm and share them with my readers, especially immigrants. “I can’t travel like you because of the language and knowledge barriers,” one reader said. “I enjoy reading all of your travel articles.” I promise I will bring the world to you readers. ■ Assunta can be reached at assunta@nwasianweekly.com.
asianweekly northwest
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35 YEARS
AUGUST 26 – SEPTEMBER 1, 2017 [TAX from 1]
enter on the door and it worked very efficiently. It was nice not to have to worry about digging out keys each time we went out. We did have to take out our own garbage, but that wasn’t so bad and made us more aware of not generating too much waste anyway. We did lose access to the internet for a day during our stay, but that was quickly resolved once we contacted our host. Honestly, that could have happened at a hotel too, so it wasn’t a deal breaker. The host apologized and addressed the situation very quickly. As we had paid for the Airbnb stay in advance, there was nothing else to do when we left except to clean up a little and lock the door. We relied heavily on reviews to choose the Airbnb and were surprised to learn that the hosts also posted a review of us (as guests) when we returned back to the States. They posted that we were nice and easy to communicate with. While I was a little surprised that hosts could post reviews about us, it makes sense since they are also opening up their homes to us. While the “buyer beware” adage should be heeded, the pictures and reviews seemed quite reliable. We did not opt for the cheapest option, which probably was a good thing. When reviewing the available options, it appeared as though the price correlated quite closely to the attractiveness and desirability of the property. That
Photo from Sun Lee Chang
[AIRBNB from 8]
In-unit washer
said, even our midrange choice of Airbnb was quite a bit less expensive than a comparable square footage hotel suite. To that I say, Airbnb is worth a try if you are willing to give up the predictability of a hotel room. And the best part, the substantial savings over a traditional hotel suite allowed us to indulge more on eating out and shopping! ■ Sun Lee Chang can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.
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and the “King County assessor has denounced the entire approach, saying such taxes are unneeded and could stoke antiAsian sentiments.” “There’s no doubt that the defining issue for the next mayor is the affordability crisis, which is why I have proposed specific solutions to address the issue. However, creating government databases based on national origin and imposing taxes on foreign investors is illegal, contrary to our progressive values, and wrong. It is also not a real solution,” the former U.S. Attorney’s statement said. Starting last year, British Columbia began taxing foreign buyers and empty investment properties in Vancouver, and Moon has made it a signature issue in her plan as the first 100 days as mayor. “It is a fact that speculators and nonresident profiteers are driving up prices and exacerbating Seattle’s housing crisis, but we don’t know the real depth or dynamic of this problem because no one wants to look,” the plan reads. “As mayor, I will order the immediate collection and analysis of this critical information. This information would include the number of housing units bought by corporations, shell companies, and private equity firms, and the number of homes not purchased as a primary residence, so we can get a clear picture of the impact speculation is having on the market.” Moon has been careful to use the term “nonresident owners,” rather than “foreign buyers.” However, an April piece Moon co-wrote for The Stranger did discuss Chinese buyers shifting their focus away from Vancouver and toward Seattle. Durkan’s spokeswoman Stephanie Formas said, “Changing the name to ‘nonresident’ does not change the fact that this started as anti-Chinese buyer tax. Seattle has a dark history of discrimination against people of Asian descent, such as the
Chinese Exclusion laws and the mass internment of Japanese. We cannot go there — particularly in the age of (President Donald) Trump.” Moon released a statement on Aug. 22 that said, “It’s disappointing to see [Durkan] defending profiteers and Wall Street interests who are inflating Seattle’s housing market for their own gain.” It went on to say, “Calling efforts to address the affordability crisis and escalating rents ‘anti-Chinese’ and ‘Trumpian’ is misleading and disingenuous. We need a solution to protect our housing stock as homes for people who live and work here, particularly communities of color who are already being pushed out.” “It’s unfortunate that Cary Moon is doubling down on her plans, which officials across Seattle are rejecting because of concerns that it’s discriminatory and illegal,” said Durkan. King County Assessor John Wilson told the Seattle Times, “I would not support any policy response that could lead to racial bias or anything that smacks of the Chinese Exclusion laws from two centuries ago.” He also said the luxury-home market is not driving our affordability crisis. It is simple supply and demand of housing priced for working people. City Councilmember Lisa Herbold had approached Wilson about revealing the identities of wealthy buyers who make purchases in the name of limited-liability companies (LLCs). He said he didn’t believe Herbold was motivated by racism. But he warned about where a “slippery slope” from any database or list of foreign buyers could lead. Herbold says Wilson misunderstood her request, saying her goal was not to identify buyers by their nationalities. Herbold now plans to ask for a city review of vacant homes, to determine just how many investors are parking their money and letting them sit empty. ■
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