VOL 34 NO 48 | NOVEMBER 21 – NOVEMBER 27, 2015

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

VOL 34 NO 48 NOVEMBER 21 – NOVEMBER 27, 2015 FREE 33 YEARS YOUR VOICE

Paradox of Place

First f light success Japan’s new MRJ commercial jet made with U.S. and Washington State

Photo by Jocelyn Moore

Photo from Mitsubishi

Glimpses of modern Korea at SAM’s Asian Art Museum

A-POP! Asian Americans in action » Page 7

The “Paradox of Place: Contemporary Korean Art” at the museum showcases new media art in diverse forms from six prominent Korean artists. The common theme of the exhibition surrounds the artists’ personal experience as they face the odds of political, social,

On Nov. 11, a major milestone in Japanese aviation was reached as Mitsubishi Aircraft Corp. (MITAC) and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. conducted their maiden flight of the all-new Mitsubishi Regional Jet (MRJ), Japan’s first-ever commercial jet with seating for 70 to 90 passengers. The successful

{see PARADOX OF PLACE cont’d on page 15}

{see MRJ cont’d on page 12}

"Thousand" by Yee Sookyung

By Jocelyn Moore Northwest Asian Weekly Walking into the Seattle Art Museum’s (SAM) Asian Art Museum from now through March, you find yourself immersed in the paradox of modern Korean society.

How the Paris attacks are affecting Asian and European businesses

By Tom Krisher and Marley Jay

NEW YORK (AP) — The value of stocks, crude oil and the European currency were expected to fall over the week amid investors’ worry about what the recent Paris terror attacks might do to consumer confidence and key parts of the global economy.

The public nature of the targets — cafes, a stadium and a concert hall — could make travelers hesitant about visiting Paris or other major cities.

A decline in tourism in Europe could weaken the euro, while oil prices could fall on fears that demand will drop. The attacks also could hurt major airlines in the U.S., Europe and Asia.

The recent suicide-bombing attacks, which left 129 people dead and more than 350 injured, came as investors are already nervous about slowing economic growth in China and the future of the eurozone.

Short-term economic impact Many analysts believe any economic impact will be short.

“As horrific as these events are — and this is truly awful — economic activity does tend to

The Latest: China, Japan spar over disputed seas AP Wire Service MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Leaders from 21 countries and selfgoverning territories are gathered in Manila for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit Nov. 17. The meeting’s official agenda is focused on trade, business and economic issues but terrorism, South China Sea disputes and climate change are also set to be in focus.

8:30 a.m. Nov.17

MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan fell more than 1% in early trade after a 3% loss last week.

(Photo: AFP)

be pretty resilient,” said Howard Archer, an IHS Global Insight analyst in the United Kingdom.

“At the end of the day, people have to get on

with their lives.” {see PARIS cont’d on page 12}

China is unhappy with Japanese comments about territorial tensions in the South China Sea. Japan has voiced objections to Chinese moves to expand its claims in the South China Sea that Tokyo says are violating international law {see PHILIPPINES cont’d on page 12}

The Inside Story NAMES People in the news » P. 2

■

A&E Say hello to Hello Kitty » P. 8

A&E A musical (and history lesson) » P. 9

WORLD Sidney Rittenberg (Part 3) » P. 10

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asianweekly northwest

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NOVEMBER 21 – NOVEMBER 27, 2015

■ names in the news Minoru Yasui awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom President Obama announced on Nov. 16 that Minoru “Min” Yasui will be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor. Minoru Yasui was a civil and human Minoru “Min” Yasui rights activist best known for his U.S. Supreme Court Case questioning the constitutionality of curfews imposed on Japanese American citizens during World War II. Cases challenging the World War II internment of Japanese Americans were also brought to the U.S. Supreme Court by Mitsuye Endo, Gordon Hirabayashi, and Fred Korematsu. President Clinton awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Korematsu in 1998, and President Obama similarly honored Hirabayashi in 2012. The Presidential Medal of Freedom is presented to individuals for especially meritorious contributions to the security or national interest of the United States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors. 

ICHS honored with award for excellence in health care Gov. Jay Inslee has named International Community Health Services (ICHS) winner of the 2015 Warren Featherstone Reid Award for Excellence in Health Care.

The annual award, which was established by the state legislature in 1994, identifies and honors health care providers and facilities in Washington state who exhibit exceptional quality and value in the delivery of health services. The award is named after Warren Featherstone Reid, former aide to then-U.S. Senator Warren G. Magnuson and former Washington state Board of Health chairman.

tives, economic leaders, and policy makers.

The Asian Pacific Economic Council (APEC) Summit encourages opportunities for sharing insights and solutions on enhancing trade and investment liberalization and on other priority issues through open dialogue.  Sheila Burrus

Inslee appoints Pacholke as Secretary of Corrections

ICHS awarded by Gov. Jay Inslee

“It’s a very well-deserved recognition from the state and I am very pleased to be a part of it,” said Martha Choe, former Seattle City Councilmember and former Chief Administrative Officer of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, who nominated ICHS for the award.

“ICHS has a long history of service in our community and continues to be an important health care resource for many of our neighbors.”

ICHS CEO Teresita Batayola said: “We are proud and excited to receive this award because it validates the commitment, dedication, and hard work of the men and women who work at ICHS to provide the best health care possible to our patients and communities.” 

Director Sheila Burrus chosen as APEC Summit delegate Filipino Community of Seattle Executive Director Sheila Burrus has been chosen as the official White House Initiative on Asian American and Pacific Islanders delegate to attend the Asian Pacific Economic Council (APEC) Summit in Manila, Philippines, on Nov. 16-18.

Initiated in the Philippines in 1996, the APEC CEO Summit is a business forum that focuses on the AsiaPacific region and brings together global business execu-

Gov. Jay Inslee has appointed Dan Pacholke to serve as the new Secretary of Corrections for the State of Washington, effective Oct. 17.

Pacholke, whose mother is Japanese American, served as the Deputy Secretary for the department, and has more than 32 years of experience with the agency. Since Dan Pacholke 2014, in his role as Deputy Secretary, he has overseen the leadership of prisons, community corrections, healthcare, offender change, reentry services, and correctional industries divisions.

Pacholke started his career with the agency in 1982 as a Correctional Officer at McNeil Island Corrections Center.

He was promoted through the ranks, including serving as the Superintendent at three Washington state prisons prior to becoming the Prison Administrator for Command West in 2008.

In 2010, Pacholke was appointed as Assistant Secretary over the Prisons Division.

Inslee praised Pacholke for being widely recognized for innovative prison change and for the operation of safe, humane prisons. 

■ community news Black and Brown Male Summit Empowering young men of color

By Kari Canty Highline College More than 700 students and chaperones from across South King County attended the 2015 Black and Brown Male Summit on Nov. 14 at Highline College.

What started in 2011 with about three dozen young men of color has quickly grown to hundreds attending the free daylong event.

The Black and Brown Summit is geared toward middle and high school students who are undecided about attending college.

It is one of the few events of its kind in the nation and the only such event in Western Washington.

Rashad Norris, Highline College’s Director of Community Engagement, said it is a powerful experience for young men of color to see 700 others just like them gathered in the same space. He said these young men need to feel empowered in order to take control of their lives.

“It’s not that they’re victims, but they’re invisible,” said Norris, who was one of the people instrumental in bringing the summit to Highline and who works with a committee to put on the event each year.

The 2015 summit was held on Highline’s

Keynote speaker Michael Tuncap talks to more than 700 people attending the 2015 Black and Brown Male Summit at Highline College in Des Moines, Wash. Using ancient music of the Chamorro people of Guam as well as contemporary rap, Tuncap stressed that young men of color need to understand their cultural origins while working together as warriors to help one another succeed in today’s society.

main campus. Sponsors included the Rotary Club of Federal Way, United Way of King

County, Highline College Foundation and Highline College Office of the President.

During the day-long summit, attendees chose from more than a dozen workshops, participated in a leadership activity and enjoyed free breakfast and lunch.

Michael Tuncap gave the keynote address. Born in Guam and raised in Tacoma, Tuncap is working on his Ph.D. and serves as Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, at Green River College in Auburn.

“People always ask me about bringing in a big-name presenter,” said Norris.

“I tell them that I bring in the big names from our local community, the local men of color who are leading and doing great things. That way, when these kids go out to the grocery store or wherever they are, they will see these men who own their own businesses and work at the local colleges and are leaders and mentors right here.

These are the local stars who want to help the young men of color succeed.”

Highline College serves the most ethnically and culturally diverse area in the state, which is reflected in its student body that includes nearly 70 percent students of color.

Supporting and addressing challenges facing men of color is one goal of the Black and Brown Summit. 

Send your exciting news to editor@nwasianweekly.com.

33 YEARS YOUR VOICE

■ top contributors

Chong Dameron

Contributing to the Korean community on multiple levels

NOVEMBER 21 – NOVEMBER 27, 2015

Bill Tashima

Lessons of history as legacy for social action

By Andrew Kim Northwest Asian Weekly

By Ador Pereda Yano Northwest Asian Weekly

Nearly three decades ago, Chong Dameron was a busy lady working at North Pacific Bank (now Heritage Bank) in Tacoma. In addition to working at the bank, she was raising two daughters and running her own separate property management business. While working at the bank, she couldn’t help but notice the plight of her older Asian customers who were struggling to acclimate themselves as recent immigrants. Troubled by what she saw, she decided to take matters into her own hands and despite her busy schedule, took on even more responsibilities by volunteering her time with the Korean Women’s Association (KWA), a nonprofit organization. She didn’t know it back then, but over the course of 30 years, she would eventually become a director at KWA and make an incredible impact on her community.

The Korean Women’s Association was initially established in 1972 to provide services to Korean wives of American servicemen. Over the years, KWA’s programs have grown to serve people of many different cultures and nationalities but the organization remains focused on providing multi-cultural, multi-lingual services to people in need. KWA now serves over 150,000 people a year in Washington State, employing over 1,000

“Okage Sama De” (in your honored shadow): These words are important to Bill Tashima, who has taken the difficult lessons of the past and used them to advocate for social change in the present. For his long-time service to the Asian Pacific American community, Tashima is being honored this year as a Top Contributor by the Northwest Asian Weekly.

Bill Tashima translates his favorite Japanese expresssion as “We are Who We Are Because of You,” a tribute to those who have come before us—our parents, grandparents, and the pioneering communities of Asian Pacific Americans, who have come to build new lives here and raise families in spite of the challenges of racial discrimination in this new country.

In addition to serving twice as president of the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) Seattle Chapter, Tashima has also been a long-time board member of Nikkei Concerns where he has helped promote the importance of “taking care of our elders in a culturally family-friendly way.”

Jeffrey Hattori, the CEO of Nikkei Concerns (now KEIRO Northwest), notes that “Bill Tashima has a long, rich, and diverse history of service to the community that spans from local to national with the singular purpose of ensuring social justice

Chong Dameron

employees who speak more than 27 different languages. KWA services range from meal sites and day care for seniors, to citizenship and immigration services and basic food education and outreach.

Back when Chong began volunteering with KWA, she began by contributing in any way possible. She says, “You name it, I did it. At the time, I helped translate, took the elderly to the DMV and the doctor’s office, basically anything and everything that needed to be done.” Over time, her responsibilities grew and she became involved in a $7.5 million dollar senior living apartment building project {see DAMERON cont’d on page 6}

3

Bill Tashima

and enhancing the lives of others. He is very thoughtful, smart, compassionate, dedicated, humble, and sincere and is always willing to do ‘what we must’ for our community.”

Raised in Cleveland by Japanese American parents who have exemplified for him the value of volunteering, Tashima has served the Seattle community well since he moved here in 1981. Continuing the important history of civil rights advocacy by JACL—which was shaped by the tragic incarceration of Japanese American citizens during World War II— Tashima has honored that legacy by {see TASHIMA cont’d on page 12}

asianweekly northwest

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NOVEMBER 21 – NOVEMBER 27, 2015

■ national news

Racketeering defendant to testify during his trial

By Sudhin Thanawala Associated Press

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A defendant in a San Francisco racketeering case will take the stand at his trial as prosecutors accuse him of ordering the killing of a rival before taking over his organization in Chinatown.

Raymond “Shrimp Boy” Chow is a reformed criminal whose testimony will be the “main thrust” of the defense’s case, Chow’s attorney, Tony Serra, said during opening statements earlier this month.

Prosecutor Waqar Hasib said during his opening statement that Chow was the center of a criminal network who ordered the “cold-blooded, gangland-style” 2006 murder of Allen Leung.

Serra countered that Chow did not participate in any

killings or other criminal activity detailed in the investigation that led to the conviction of former state Sen. Leland Yee on a racketeering charge.

“My client is not, and they will never show he is Raymond “Shrimp Boy” Chow anything analogous to, a godfather,” Serra said.

Chow was the focus of a lengthy investigation that included an FBI agent posing as a member of the mafia who plied his targets in Chinatown, one of San Francisco’s most popular tourist attractions, with fancy meals, liquor and cash. More than two dozen people were indicted last year as part of the probe.

Suit claims violations at Chinese agencies, restaurants in Illinois

By Sophia Tareen Associated Press

Inc. are named in the lawsuit.

They didn’t immediately have comment CHICAGO (AP) — Illinois when reached by phone. A Attorney General Lisa Maphone listing for the third digan’s office announced named agency, Chinatown a federal lawsuit Nov. 13 Agencia de Empleo, couldn’t against three Chinatown be located. employment agencies and Messages left for the two suburban restaurants, owners of Hibachi Grill alleging wide-ranging wage Buffet in Elk Grove Village and civil rights violations of and Hibachi Sushi Buffet in immigrant and Latino work- Illinois Attorney General Lisa Cicero weren’t immediately Madigan ers in the Chicago area. returned.

The complaint alleges the Madigan said the agencies sought out Latinos employment agencies for employment in buffet-style restaurants, collectively set low wages that fell far which paid as little as $3.50 an hour and below the state’s $8.25 minimum wage. discriminated against the workers based The agencies charged commissions on race and national origin. The agencies and fees of up to $220 for each worker and restaurants are also accused of housing referral, along with paying for lodging employees in “abysmal” conditions: One and transportation, which were typically suburban establishment placed up to 15 deducted from worker paychecks. The employees in an apartment with a single workers often put in up to 14 hours a day bathroom and no furniture. and worked six days a week without official The alleged practices go back to at least meal breaks, according to the lawsuit.

2010 and involve workers who washed The agencies also allegedly made dishes, cleaned floors, prepared food and explicit references to race and national maintained buffets. origin in newspaper advertisements, in “These employment agencies essentially one case saying they’d be able to provide acted as central supply houses for a buffet “the best quality Mexican staff.” restaurant industry seeking to profit “The employment agencies and from illegal and exploitative wages and restaurants in this lawsuit are exploiting conditions of employment,” according to workers through discrimination and the lawsuit filed earlier this month. inhumane conditions, violating both their Madigan alleges violations of the U.S. civil rights and the state’s wage laws,” Civil Rights Act, Illinois Human Rights Madigan said in a statement. “Their Act and the state’s minimum wage law. conduct will not be tolerated in this state.”

Owners of Xing Ying Employment The lawsuit seeks to recover lost wages, Agency and Jiao’s Employment Agency among other penalties. 

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Hasib said a co-defendant will testify that Chow ordered the killing of Leung, who was then head of a fraternal organization known as the Ghee Kung Tong, the prosecutor said.

Federal investigators say Chow took over the Ghee Kung Tong after having Leung killed.

“This case is about this group of people engaging in this pattern of criminal activity,” Hasib said. “But most importantly, this case is about the person who is at the center of that, around whom all of that criminal activity revolved, around whom all those people revolved.”

Serra said Chow’s co-defendants would say anything to get a lighter sentence.

Federal agents say one of Chow’s associates led {see SAN FRANCISCO cont’d on page 14}

33 YEARS YOUR VOICE

■ WORLD NEWS

NOVEMBER 21 – NOVEMBER 27, 2015

5

Photo: AP

Photo by Eugene Hoshiko/AP

Former foes, South Koreans vets of UK, Japan sue government shake hands over farm slavery

British World War II veteran Roy Welland, right, shakes hands with Japanese veterans Taiji Urayama, left, and Mikio Kinoshita during a reconciliation reception at the British Embassy in Tokyo on Nov. 12.

In this Feb. 19, 2014, photo, a government official, foreground, meets with salt farm owners and workers as part of a human rights inspection on Sinui Island, South Korea.

By Mari Yamaguchi Associated Press

By Kim Tong-Hyung Associated Press

TOKYO (AP) — In 1944, the two men were in northeastern India as foes, fighting one of the harshest battles of World War II between Japan and Britain. More than 70 years later, they shook hands and sipped tea in Tokyo earlier this month.

Roy Welland, 94, a former British sergeant, and Taiji Urayama, 93, a former Imperial Army lieutenant, survived the Battle of Kohima in northern India near the Burmese border and met for the first time at a British embassy reception in Tokyo. Mikio Kinoshita, a 95-year-old {see JAPAN cont’d on page 14}

Tweaking traditions

Americans abroad celebrate holidays

By Melissa Rayworth Associated Press

In our global world, you can easily buy a Thanksgiving turkey for roasting in Dubai or Beijing or Tokyo.

You also can shop for Christmas trees in Bangkok, where stores play Christmas carols throughout December, a constant reminder that Santa Claus can come to town even when you’re 8,000 miles from home.

And yet, if you’re an American family living overseas, the availability of these holiday touchstones doesn’t change the fact that you’re not really home for the holidays.

November and December can bring a bittersweet mash-up of holiday cheer and homesickness. Some families fly back to the U.S. for the holidays. But that can be expensive and challenging, especially with school-age kids.

“During the first few years when our kids were younger, we tried to travel back to the States to visit with our families,” says Melindah Bush, who lives with her husband and three children in Singapore. “But the cost is expensive. And jet lag with children eats up the first week of the holiday and our first week returning to Asia.”

When going home isn’t a good option, how do families stay connected to their holiday traditions?

Some Americans living in Asia share their strategies for making the season as cheerful as possible:

Embracing adventure For Theresa Starta, the holidays used to be easy. She and her husband, Dan, grew up in the Pittsburgh suburbs and were used to seeing both sets of in-laws on major holidays. They got stuffed having two Thanksgiving dinners every year, but it was good: They had football on the TV, familiar dishes in the kitchen and loved ones all around.

After they relocated to Dubai for Dan’s career, they flew home for several holidays with their two children. It’s about a 20-hour trip with an 8-hour time shift.

This year, they moved to Shanghai and the longer Christmas flight home wasn’t practical.

So this Thanksgiving weekend, the family will decorate their Shanghai apartment with a tree and other decorations to connect with the Christmas spirit.

Then, when school ends in late December, they’ll head off on a National Geographic adventure trip to Antarctica.

Theresa says her kids will miss being home with relatives and friends. But their excitement at trekking around Antarctica surrounded by penguins is enough to keep the homesickness at bay.

Building a family of friends Pam Hurd’s family, now based in Okinawa while her husband serves in the {see AMERICANS ABROAD cont’d on page 15}

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Eight men who had been held as slaves at South Korean salt farms for several years took the government to court on Friday for alleged negligence and police inaction they say largely caused and prolonged their ordeal.

In the lawsuit filed at Seoul Central District Court, lawyers sought a compensation of 30 million won ($25,860) for each of the men from the central government and two island counties, where the farms were located. The plaintiffs have different levels of disabilities and were enslaved at the rural islands off South Korea’s southwest coast for as many as 20 years.

More than 60 slaves, most of them mentally ill, were rescued from the islands following an investigation led by mainland police early last year. The slavery was revealed weeks earlier when two police

officers from Seoul came to Sinui Island and rescued one of the slaves who had been reported by his family as missing.

Dozens of farm owners and job brokers were indicted, but no regional police or officials were punished despite multiple interviews in which the victims said some knew about the slaves and even stopped escape attempts.

The disturbing cases of abuse, captivity and human trafficking were highlighted in a months-long investigation by The Associated Press published earlier this year, which showed that slavery has long thrived in the islands and will likely continue to do so without stronger government attempts to stem it.

Choi Jung Kyu, one of several lawyers behind the lawsuit, said he was expecting an uphill battle in court as compensation suits against the government in human {see SOUTH KOREA cont’d on page 13}

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NOVEMBER 21 – NOVEMBER 27, 2015

■ COMMUNITY calendar ■ briefly Upcoming update on Donnie Chin murder THU 11/19

SUN 11/22

WHAT: Puget Sound Sumi Artists Member’s Exhibit, “Shades of Autumn” WHERE: APCC, 4851 S. Tacoma Way, Tacoma WHEN: 4-6 p.m.

WHAT: When the Dragon Meets the Eagle WHERE: Benaroya Hall, 200 University St., Seattle WHEN: 3 p.m.

COST: $30/prime, $25/standard TICKETS: 206-215-4800 INFO: www.uschinamusic.org

WHAT: Author Julie Loan Ky Alexander’s book signing WHERE: Snohomish Historical Society, 118 B Ave., Snohomish WHEN: 6:30 p.m.

FRI 11/20 WHAT: Madarin Luncheon, “Toast of Seattle” WHERE: Washington State Convention Center, 800 Convention Pl., Seattle WHEN: 7:30-9:30 a.m.

SAT 11/21 WHAT: Dr. Marie R. Wong will be the featured speaker at JCCCW’s monthly program WHERE: JCCCW, 1414 S. Weller, Seattle WHEN: 1-2:30 p.m.

COST: Free WHAT: 2016 Health Insurance Enrollment WHERE: 40 Lake Bellevue Dr., Ste. 115, Bellevue WHEN: 3-6 p.m.

INFO: 425-691-9946, wahealthplanfinder.org

TUE 11/24 WHAT: Public Safety Meeting will update on Donnie Chin murder investigation and future of IDEC WHERE: Nagomi Teahouse, 519 6th Ave. S. #200, Seattle WHEN: 5:30 p.m.

WED 12/2 WHAT: “Together Undaunted,” introducing Dean Mia Tuan WHERE: Northwest African American Museum, 2300 S. Massachusetts St., Seattle WHEN: 6:30 p.m.

RSVP: by November 16, mayadt@ uw.edu WHAT: Japan America Society Holiday Banquet WHERE: Bell Harbor Conference Center, 2211 Alaskan Way, Seattle WHEN: 5-9:30 p.m.

THRU SUN 5/15 WHAT: Exhibit Hello Kitty WHERE: EMP Museum, 325 Fifth Ave. N., Seattle WHEN: 7 p.m.

COST: $10-$25 INFO: 206-770-2702

{DAMERON cont’d from page 3} called International Place in Tacoma. International Place was built to provide comfortable, safe, and convenient lowincome senior housing. After the successful completion of this development, she became project chair for another senior housing project in Federal Way called Senior City Apartments. At the time, she was taking care of her grandchildren in Las Vegas but because a director quit halfway through the project, Chong flew up to Washington every Wednesday for four months and shouldered the additional responsibilities. Although this was difficult to manage, her efforts were rewarded as Senior City earned national awards as one of the nation’s best senior

International District icon and Seattle resident Donnie Chin was shot and killed in the early hours of July 23. As the investigation continues, members of Chin’s family and community remain in the dark about the status of the investigation despite a commitment from the Seattle Police Department to provide progress updates.

State and local public officials have invited Seattle Police Deputy Chief Carmen Best, who will be in attendance, to update the community at a public meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 24, from 5:30–7:30 p.m. at Nagomi Teahouse.

“We all seek justice for Donnie’s murder,” said Rep. Sharon Tomiko Santos (D-Seattle).

“While we recognize these kinds of investigations take time, we are troubled by the SPD’s lack of ongoing communication with the family and the community about the progress of their work and about how we can help. I hope our deputy chief of police will understand this as an opportunity to build a relationship with and provide some comfort to a community where our grief for Donnie continues unabated without some answers from the SPD.” “The meeting will be an important opportunity to share information,” said King County Councilmember Joe McDermott.

“Everyone’s participation is valued and encouraged.”

“Donnie Chin was a pillar of our community,” said Seattle City Councilmember Bruce Harrell.

“His senseless murder has left a massive hole in the Chinatown-International District. It’s my hope that this public meeting will ease anxious

housing developments. The apartments were built with sustainability and energy efficiency in mind, and provides over 3,000 square feet of commercial space for the KWA Community Center. Chong says that she “often goes and looks around because of how nice it looks from inside and out. Maybe one day I can retire and live someplace like this”. After this project, Chong has now taken a step back and is less active in KWA, preferring to provide support to her younger colleagues.

However, Chong remains active with the National Unification Advisory Council (NUAC), where she is the Vice President of the Seattle Chapter. NUAC is a constitutional institution focused on the reunification of the Korean peninsula, an issue that is particularly close to

feelings felt by many in our community.”

The meeting will be co-hosted by Rep. Santos and the International District Emergency Center. King County Councilmember Joe McDermott and Seattle City Councilmember Bruce Harrell will be in attendance.

All who are interested in learning more about the Donnie Chin investigation are encouraged to attend. 

Chong’s heart and one that she is passionate about. Chong continues to demonstrate that she is a strong leader who has made an incredible impact on the Asian community in Washington because she chose to follow her heart and do whatever it takes to help those in need. Because of her dedication and hard work, she’s made a difference in individual lives and demonstrated that no matter how busy you are, you still have time to make a difference. On December 4, Chong will be recognized for her lifetime achievements at Northwest Asian Weekly’s event, “Top Contributors to the Asian Community”.  Andrew Kim can be reached at info@nwasianweekly. com.

KING COUNTY REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS ADVERTISEMENT King County is requesting Proposals from qualified firms interested in providing civil engineering design, landscape architecture design, environmental review and permitting services, engineering services during construction and related services for the Green River Trail Extension project.

The Request for Proposals, all addenda and current document holder’s list are available at http://www. kingcounty.gov/procurement. The County will not mail, ship or fax RFPs and addenda.

Interested firms must register with the County at time of download and ensure that a valid contact email address is given. Notification of addenda will be sent to the registered email address. Failure to register will result in the Proposer not being notified of any addenda, which may result in rejection of the proposal.

The estimated price of Phase I of this contract is $200,000 - $250,000. The total estimated price of all remaining phases is $1,300,000 - $1,500,000. The period of performance for Phase I is estimated to be 11 months. The period of performance of all remaining phases is estimated to be three (3) years.

Contract Title: Engineering Services for Green River Trail Extension Project Number: E00383E15 Proposals due: December 9, 2015 Time: 12:00 p.m.

Pre-proposal Meeting: November 23, 2015 Time: 8:30 a.m.

Location: Room 115, Chinook Building; 401 Fifth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104 SUMMARY OF WORK: Provide civil engineering design, landscape architecture design, environmental review, permitting services, engineering services during construction and related services for the Green River Trail Extension project which will create a northsouth trail connection from Cecil Moses Memorial Park north to the City of Seattle limits.

SUBCONSULTANT OPPORTUNITIES: Provided for informational purposes only, following are subconsulting opportunities that may be available on this Contract: civil engineering; landscape architecture; geotechnical engineering; cost estimating; land surveying; environmental services; permitting services; public outreach; engineering services during

construction.

UTILIZATION REQUIREMENTS: The Consultant shall ensure that at least 16% of the Contract Price for all Work, as amended, shall be performed by King County Certified SCS Firms over the life of the Contract.

Evaluation points for meeting and/or exceeding the SCS utilization requirements will be provided to each proposer responding to this requirement. King County will not evaluate the proposal and will not execute a contract with a Proposer who does not commit to meet at least the SCS utilization requirement as stated above.

QUESTIONS: Questions concerning this solicitation should be directed to Ruth Williamson, Contract Specialist via email at ruth.williamson@kingcounty. gov or via telephone at 206-263- 9333, TTY Relay: 711. The Proposer may be requested to submit the question in writing. No verbal answers by County personnel will be binding on the County.

This information is available in alternate formats for individuals with disabilities upon advance request by calling 206-263-9400, TTY Relay: 711.

33 YEARS YOUR VOICE

NOVEMBER 21 – NOVEMBER 27, 2015

■ arts & entertainment

Action ahead ...

7

A-pop!

... for Asian Americans in film and television

Dave Bautista

Kal Penn

Scene from now-streaming “Master of None”

By Vivian Nguyen Northwest Asian Weekly

the Galaxy” where he played Drax the Destroyer. “Spectre” is now playing in theaters.

Actress Naomi Scott has signed a deal to play the Pink Ranger in the upcoming reboot of the “Power Rangers”.

Yes, millennial readers, you read that correctly—a movie reboot of the beloved children’s action show is in the works!

Scott, who was recently seen in the dramas “The Martian” and “The 33,” is British and of partial Indian descent.

The new reboot will borrow a similar plotline from the children’s show of the ’90s where ordinary high school kids—with one played by Scott—will have the power to transform into martial arts superheroes who must save the world. The “Power Rangers” reboot will be released in early 2017.

be delighted to know that actor Kal Penn is teaming up with the creators of the “Harold and Kumar” movies to create a new sitcom titled “Fair and Balanced”. The in-progress show for ABC will focus on a young reporter, played by Penn, who aims to land a job at NPR but ends up taking a role in cable news instead. The show’s title is allegedly a clever nod at Fox News’s trademark slogan, so there is speculation that the show will be a satirical news-comedy show. Call me intrigued.

Penn has had a curious career since his “Harold and Kumar” days. In addition to taking on guest and starring roles on past television shows, Penn’s resume also includes a stint working as an associate director in President Obama’s Office of Public Engagement as well as guest lecturing for the University of Pennsylvania’s film studies

Daylight savings is officially underway which means shorter days and more reasons to stay inside. Fortunately, there are some great movies and television shows out to help you survive the next few months. Read on to see what’s playing and streaming near you.

Asian Americans take on action films

Actor Dave Bautista currently stars in the newest James Bond flick “Spectre”. Bautista, who is of partial Filipino descent, plays the role of Mr. Hinx who will be the primary villain in the film. Readers may know Bautista more from his lengthy career in professional sports which includes wrestling and mixed martial arts. Other fans may recognize Bautista for his role in the superhero movie “Guardians of

What’s happening and ahead for television

{see A-POP cont’d on page 13}

Fans of the cult comedy series “Harold and Kumar” will

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During the past two years, the 13-year-

old has spiced up ramen noodles with Korean-American street food guru Roy Choi, simmered butternut squash soup with Sting’s daughter, Fuschia Sumner, and baked hundreds of bright blue frosted cookies for guests at an Autism Speaks gala in Los Angeles where he was introduced

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The days when Bailey would eat nothing {see BAILEY cont’d on page 15}

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■ arts & entertainment

Say hello to Hello Kitty EMP Museum pays homage to the supercute

By Andrew Hamlin Northwest Asian Weekly

It began with a coin purse.

Hello Kitty, soon to conquer the world, made her debut on a tiny coin purse made from seethrough plastic. The year was 1975. The “Hello!

Exploring The Supercute World Of Hello Kitty” exhibit at the EMP Museum includes a replica of this coin purse. A replica, because out of all those tiny coin purses produced 40 years ago, only one is known to still survive. It’s kept locked up tight in the vaults of Sanrio, Hello Kitty’s parent organization.

And over the next 40 years, what Hello Kitty and/or one of her stylized cartoon friends hasn’t graced, would probably make a shorter list. Calculators. Notebooks. Electric fans.

Hair dryers. Cellphones. Gum. Candy. Cars.

Bicycles. Motorcycles. Jet airliners. Feminine hygiene products. Toilet. Motor oil. A Hello Kitty maternity ward opened recently in Yuanlin, Taiwan.

You’ll also find Hello Kitty in certain circumstances not strictly authorized by Sanrio.

An enormous statue of Ms. Kitty (or Kitty White, if you prefer the formal name) as an android space warrior graces the EMP. So does a sculpture of a Hello Kitty sphinx, straight from some phantasmagoric vision of the Egyptian desert.

Hello Kitty has been worn by everyone from Lady Gaga to Paris Hilton to Katy Perry (who apparently went so far as to get Kitty White’s face

tattooed on one finger). Sanrio representatives make it clear that these celebrities aren’t paid by Sanrio. They just love the Hello Kitty action.

“Sanrio and Hello Kitty’s Japanese heritage are defining factors for the brands,” elaborates Sanrio’s Dave Marchi, vice president of brand management and marketing. “For many U.S. citizens, Hello Kitty is often described as the first introduction to a Japanese brand.” In this way, Ms. Kitty White helps bridge the two cultures.

The exhibit came about, Marchi explains, because “We have wanted to explore the world of Hello Kitty, her evolution and her cultural impact as a global icon and share this unique perspective with fans of all ages. As we were planning to celebrate Hello Kitty’s 40th Anniversary in 2015, {see HELLO KITTY cont’d on page 16}

■ food Chai from your mug turns into a holiday meringue cookie

By Alison Ladman Associated Press We love warming spices around the holidays, which is one of the reasons we love to sip hot chai this time of year.

But chai isn’t just for sipping. The rich, earthy flavors of this Indian spice blend also make great cookies.

And that’s what inspired us to stir them into this simple recipe for meringue.

You could dollop the meringue into individual portions on the baking sheet, but we love the rustic appeal of doing it as one large sheet that then is broken and cracked into individual portions.

This recipe also is incredibly versatile.

If you don’t like chai, substitute a few drops of peppermint extract.

And if coconut isn’t your thing, leave it out and top the meringue with chopped nuts. 

COCONUT-CHAI MERINGUE BREAKAWAY Start to finish: 2 1/2 hours (30 minutes active) Makes 16 cookies 4 green cardamom pods 2 star anise 2 whole cloves Pinch of fennel seeds 1/4 teaspoon grated nutmeg 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper 1/4 teaspoon ground dry ginger 2 teaspoons hot water 2 teaspoons honey Hefty pinch of saffron 4 egg whites 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar Pinch of salt 3/4 cup sugar 2/3 cup unsweetened shredded coconut Heat the oven to 200 F. Line a baking sheet with kitchen parchment.

Break open the cardamom pods, placing the seeds in a mortar or a spice grinder and discarding the shells. Add the seeds from the star anise, discarding the star shell. Add the cloves and fennel. Pound with a pestle or grind until you have a powder. Stir in the nutmeg, pepper and ginger. Set aside.

In a small bowl or cup, combine the hot water, honey and saffron, smashing the saffron with back of a spoon. Set aside.

In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the egg whites, cream of tartar and salt until very foamy. About 1 tablespoon at a time, add the sugar while continuing to beat, beating until all the sugar is incorporated. Continue to beat until thick and glossy peaks form, 5 to 7 minutes. Gently stir in the spice mixture and half of the coconut.

Spread the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet. Drop small dribbles of the saffron mixture onto the surface, then swirl with a butter knife or a toothpick to make bright yellow saffron-honey swirls. Sprinkle with the remaining coconut.

Bake for 2 hours, or until dry. Allow to cool. Break into pieces and store in an airtight container at room temperature for about 1 week (if kept very dry and away from humidity).

Nutrition information per serving: 50 calories; 20 calories from fat (40 percent of total calories); 2 g fat (2 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 0 mg cholesterol; 25 mg sodium; 8 g carbohydrate; 1 g fiber; 8 g sugar; 1 g protein.

33 YEARS YOUR VOICE

■ arts & entertainment

NOVEMBER 21 – NOVEMBER 27, 2015

9

“Allegiance”

George Takei stars in musical (and history lesson)

By Jenn Fang Northwest Asian Weekly

This year marks the 70th year of the closing of the World War II incarceration camps that imprisoned thousands of Japanese American civilians under inhumane conditions and threat of violence. Yet, this shameful and racist episode of American history still receives scant attention in our history classrooms. The vast majority of Americans know that our government incarcerated Japanese American families behind barbed wire fences, but know precious little else about it.

Yet, Japanese American incarceration is of particular relevance given today’s political climate. The growing global presence of fundamentalist terrorists – who falsely justify their violence with appropriated references to the Islamic faith, yet who just last week took the lives of hundreds of innocent Muslims and non-Muslims in various parts of the world — has led to intense Islamophobia.

Our world once again stands at a precipice: We find ourselves once more ready to commit the unforgivable sin of failing to distinguish between our enemy’s heinous violence, and their race or faith. We again find ourselves in danger of persecuting our innocent neighbors as an expression of our griefturned-unforgivably-racist-rage. Already, our politicians suggest with possible sincerity that we round up American Muslims and house them in camps – “for our own protection”.

“Allegiance” — a musical written by Jay Kuo and inspired by the experiences of former Tule Lake incarceree, famed Star Trek actor, and vocal Japanese American community advocate George Takei – opened this month on Broadway in New York City; it had previously opened in San Diego in 2012.

“Allegiance” challenges us to learn about the camps not as artifacts of history, but through the lens of the lives torn asunder by them; and for this specific moment in the global War on Terror, this story seems particularly poignant and timely.

For many of us in the Asian American community, Japanese American history is a familiar subject. My most striking learning moment with regard to incarceration was when I experienced a recreated shack at the Smithsonian. But, these experiences – while haunting – are largely static. We can imagine the ghosts of those who endured camp life (many of whom have since passed), but in these exhibits, we cannot see them.

“Allegiance” brings those ghosts back to life. Several scenes rendered the heartache and heartbreak of this period in Japanese American history with such depth that I found myself deeply moved. One wordless scene which references Hiroshima and Nagasaki was a particularly powerful and evocative tribute to the emotional trauma that is otherwise typically divorced from our teaching of this unforgivable moment in global history. In far less overt form, this – the addition of a lived experience to our teaching of incarceration — is also the larger purpose of “Allegiance’s” retelling of Japanese American history.

“Allegiance” explores the impact of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Executive Order 9066 – which led to the forced incarceration of over a hundred thousand Japanese Americans living on the West Coast – on the Kimura family. The Kimura family includes composite characters inspired by Takei’s own childhood at Tule Lake, and

documents their life in Heart Mountain.

The musical deserves unconditional praise for how it tackles a complicated episode in Japanese American history by demonstrating how incarceration literally and figuratively tore apart individual families and the larger community. “Allegiance” presents vastly differing responses to life in the camps that accurately reference the real, conflicting reactions that emerged out of the Japanese American community at the time; each is treated with complexity, humanity and nuance. Sammy Kimura (played by Glee alum Telly Leung) feels compelled to enlist in the U.S. military to “prove” the loyalty of Japanese Americans, while his sister Keiko (referred to as Kei, and played by the force of nature, Broadway legend Lea Salonga) organizes acts of civil disobedience from within the camp. Their first-generation father Tatsuo Kimura (Christopheren Nomura) – a first-generation immigrant who advises caution — is imprisoned in the stockades after he becomes a “no-no” responder to the Loyalty Questionnaire. Frankie Suzuki (Michael Lee) is Kei’s romantic love interest, and the second-generation “No-No Boy” whose acts of rebellion are anything but civil, while George Takei’s Ojii-Chan embodies the quiet defiance of incarcerees who refused to be broken by the barbed wire, and instead created art and beauty out of the harshness of the camp environment.

Lea Salonga is enthralling, haunting, and technically impeccable as Kei, whose character trajectory offers a soft-spoken but unapologetic portrayal of 1940s-era Asian American feminism. What was more surprising was Telly Leung’s performance.

Leung is a younger and less-experienced Broadway actor who could easily get overshadowed as a co-lead opposite Salonga, yet Leung shows by his performance that he is a rising star fully capable of holding his own in the presence of a living legend.

Michael Lee’s Frankie is effortlessly charming, and provides among the best pop culture distillations of the “No-No Boy” archetype in mainstream pop culture. As an older Sammy, Takei was somewhat wooden in the performance I attended (he can hardly be blamed, it was the last performance of the weekend), but fantastic and funny as OjiiChan.

“Allegiance” does make a few missteps, however. A romance between Sammy and camp nurse Hannah Campbell (Katie Rose Clarke) feels shoe-horned. More frustrating, Hannah’s character – who seems to exist largely to serve as a sympathetic character to capture the interest of White audiences – becomes a vehicle whereby White Guilt and

the White Savior Complex finds bizarre and unsettling articulation; this plot point takes a disappointing turn late in the second act that almost threatens to trivialize the musical’s larger lesson regarding Japanese American incarceration. “Allegiance” has also been plagued with controversy over its portrayal of Mike Masaoka and the Japanese American Citizen’s League. Having now seen the show, this is no trivial criticism: Masaoka – who urged compliance with the incarceration orders with an eye to making change from within America’s seats of power — is a fascinating and complicated figure in Japanese American history. But in “Allegiance”, that complexity is flattened away entirely. Masaoka voices

defenses of incarceration while limited onstage time is devoted to exploring his own conflicting emotions around becoming a proEstablishment spokesperson for the camps.

“Allegiance” deliberately refuses to give the audience a traditional villain (whether with regard to Frankie, Sammy, or even Hannah), but the lack of attention to Masaoka’s character makes it easy for audiences to slip Masaoka into that role. (Masaoka is portrayed

by Greg Watanabe, who to his credit does his best with the limited material he is given to work with.)

In general, “Allegiance” gives complex topics in Japanese American history a whirlwind treatment; writers have already commented on historical liberties and oversimplifications taken to force the fit. For those like myself who have already cultivated a familiarity with this subject matter, the musical can wander into the realm of the pedantic, akin to paying a hundred bucks to watch a fast-paced primer in Asian American History 101 (now with song and dance!).

But, I went to “Allegiance” with two wellread, progressive friends who reminded me that for them and for the vast majority of Americans, the intricacies of Japanese American incarceration is not familiar. Most Americans don’t learn about the camps in high school, and if the 40 percent who have {see ALLEGIANCE cont’d on page 11}

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■ WORLD NEWS

An interview with Sidney Rittenberg Part 3: “Thunder but no rain” over South China Sea, Confucian communists, and a wonderful life

By Wen Liu Special to Northwest Asian Weekly No one can better shed light on U.S. and China relations for us than Sidney Rittenberg, who knows China and the Communist Party inside out. Having lived in China for 35 years through wars and revolutions, now in his very wise 90s, he has to be the most senior China watcher in the U.S. It was an honor for me to interview this great fellow Washingtonian at his Bellevue home.

Wen Liu: There has been a lot of back and forth, or posturing and sabre-rattling as you said, between the U.S. and China over China’s island construction in the South China Sea. China said the construction was normal. The U.S. wanted China to stop. The government-owned Global Times said war was inevitable unless the U.S. backed off.

Do you see a war breaking out between the U.S. and China?

Sidney Rittenberg: I think Global Times is like a little puppy that people in charge, when they need some extreme talk, they tell it to go bark, bark. I don’t think it means anything. Actually the Chinese admiral that went to the meeting in Southeast Asia, the Shangri-La Dialogue, said something like we are not going to attack your ships. If you don’t attack us, we are not going to attack you, no matter where you sail.

You know, I think about the time, 1958 I think it was, or 1959, when John Foster Dulles, the hero of the Cold War in America, he went to Taiwan and he went to the 38th

Parallel in Korea and he made a lot of hostile noises to China, threatening to attack. They even spread rumors in the press and said he would use nuclear weapons. So China announced that their territorial sea was 12 miles. America at that time only recognized 3 miles. So just like Ashton Carter, they sent the navy. American naval ships every day came inside the 12-mile limit. And every day, the People’s Daily, in the upper righthand corner of the front page, had a little box titled “Serious Warning #.” And the text said: “American naval ships penetrated our territorial seas so on. This is a provocation and we hereby issue a serious warning against this activity.” I don’t know how

many. Must have been 300 serious warnings.

So at that time, Anna Louise Strong arrived in Beijing. She is very upset because she thinks the Chinese have been stubborn, and it’s going to be nuclear war. So she went to interview Peng Dehuai, who was minister of defense, and he had been commander in Korea in the Korean War. Minister Peng, very blunt, plain-spoken military man. He was killed in the Cultural Revolution. So she asked him, and I was interpreter. She asked him, she said, you don’t understand the dangers of nuclear armaments. You don’t understand how terrible it would be. And he said, “Look, we Chinese are very hot in our hearts, but very cool in our heads.” He

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said, “We observed that the American navy comes inside the 12-mile limit, but they never cross the 6-mile limit. They split the difference. As long as they do that, we have no problem,” he said, “There is not going to be any war.” She wasn’t convinced and he was trying.

Liu: Xi Jinping is coming to the U.S. this September. The phrase “new type of great power relationship” he coined in his last meeting with President Obama seems still just a phrase. What do you think he can accomplish in terms of a “new type” of U.S.-China relations on this trip?

Rittenberg: It’s hard to say. So far as I know, the Obama administration has never subscribed to this idea. They haven’t opposed it, but they haven’t said, yeah, let’s have a new type of relations among great powers. Are they going to say it now, I doubt. Obama has less than two years left in office and very strong opposition in Congress. But maybe, you know, there will be more agreements on global issues, like climate change, diseases, control of weapons of mass destruction, things of that sort. I think at most we can expect some provisions for how to manage crises, if there is a misunderstanding or a collision or something, what we do. Instead of fighting over it, somebody meets somebody to discuss it and work it out. We already have some such understanding with China.

Maybe they will strengthen that. I don’t know. I can’t think of anything else. {see RITTENBERG cont’d on page 16}

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33 YEARS YOUR VOICE

■ editorial

NOVEMBER 21 – NOVEMBER 27, 2015

11

OPINION

Good job, kids!

Children of AAPIs deserve a pat on the back.

A report from AARP titled “Caregiving Among Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders Age 50+” found 73 percent of Asian Americans ages 45–55, compared to 49 percent of the general population, say they are expected to care for their aging parents.

Forty-two percent of Asian Americans say they care for their parents versus just 22 percent of other Americans.

What is responsible for these impressive statistics?

“AARP found that, due to cultural attitudes about filial piety, AAPI families are resistant to moving their parents to nursing homes or similar facilities and prefer caregiving be done at home by family members,” said Daphne Kwok, AARP vice president of multicultural markets and engagement. “AAPIs believe there is a moral obligation for adult children to assume direct responsibility for aging parents.”

Infographic courtesy AARP

The challenges facing caregivers are many, including caring for themselves so that they can maintain the energy to care for their loved ones. They also can’t be afraid to seek out support and resources.

There are many things AAPI families can do to prepare for the care of their loved ones and of themselves as they get older.

Kwok suggests gathering medical and financial records in one place. Bring together a team of family, friends, and neighbors and discuss your wants and needs with them, and likewise, what you can offer.

You can also better prepare to care for your aging parents by picking the right time when it comes to difficult conversations.

Know their values and preferences for their health care, and concerns, and learn details about their finances before an emergency.

“It never seems like the right time to bring up what we think will likely be a difficult topic,” said Kwok. “A lot of uncertainty can be avoided if you talk with your loved ones before something happens. You may be surprised to find your parents have been meaning to have the talk too and are relieved when you take the lead.”

These are statistics and tips we can support. 

Doctors Without Borders

■ COMMENTARy Acknowledging the horror of all attacks

Street vigil in Paris.

By Andrew Russell For Northwest Asian Weekly I understand why so many people I know are upset about what happened [Nov.13]– Paris is a place many of us have been to, and the people who died were doing things that we’ve all done before (eat in restaurants, go to concerts). It’s relatively easy to relate to the panic felt by the victims in Paris – the video of people fleeing the Bataclan concert hall (and some literally hanging from windows several stories up in an attempt to escape) was particularly chilling to me.

Not many of us have been to Beirut, though (where dozens died in a pair of

Aftermath of bombing of Doctors Without Borders hospital in Kunduz, Afghanistan.

bombings just a few days ago) or Kunduz (where dozens died when U.S. airstrikes hit a Doctors Without Borders hospital a few weeks back) or Gaza (where thousands of Palestinians have died during Israeli military operations in the past few years) or Baghdad (where hundreds of thousands have died as the result of decades of war, sanctions, and occupation) or the Democratic Republic of the Congo (where several million have died over the past few decades due to war). Who we choose to mourn and honor says a lot, and I really don’t remember many folks talking about any of these events (or changing their profile pictures on Facebook).

{ALLEGIANCE cont’d from page 9} a college degree are exposed to this material in college, it is only in cursory fashion. The JACL, 442nd, and No-No Boys are not familiar to most Americans.

Ultimately, this musical is not for me; it is for these Americans. “Allegiance” is a synthesis of our history into an emotional teaching moment for audiences who – as my friend reflected – only learn about Japanese American incarceration through its rare appearances in films like “Karate Kid”.

For my friends, this musical was a powerful, educational, and deeply angering show, and for this reason I believe it is something that everyone must see. “Allegiance”’s narrative

If you do nothing else in response to these attacks, please at least take the time to study some history, politics, and current events. This is not about some sort of ancient enmity between Islam and the West or Christianity or whatever – there are specific causes of events, and they’re not all that hard to learn about. France, like the U.K. and the U.S.A., has a colonial history that has repercussions to this day and also currently undertakes policies that, whether you support them or not, need to be understood to put the events in proper context.

Killing civilians (whether deliberately, recklessly, or accidentally) in the

imperfections would be offset if it wasn’t one of the only mainstream projects to tell this story; if there was simply more material that tackled this history in different ways. Indeed, we collectively thought that the downstairs gift shop should pair their sales of t-shirts and hats with a few classic Asian American texts on incarceration history (including the book written in association with this musical). We discussed the value of filming a version of the musical to make it accessible for students and adults priced out of attending the show live.

It is noteworthy that “Allegiance” created such an immediate curiosity of — and emotional connection to — Japanese American incarcerees in two audience members who didn’t walk in boasting existing familiarity with this subject. We

furtherance of political goals is wrong. But the next time you come across a brief news item detailing some small-scale massacre in some faraway place (whether it’s about people killed leaving a mosque by a car bomb in Baghdad or a wedding party in Afghanistan being annihilated by a U.S. drone strike), please try to remember a small sliver of the horror and outrage we all felt about the Paris attacks – otherwise, all you’re doing is just falling victim to a world view that would have us all believe that only certain attacks on civilians are wrong and that only certain lives matter. 

could ask for no better endorsement for why “Allegiance” is a politically necessary and valuable show than that.

“Allegiance” is a good musical, but it is a better tool for teaching and reflecting on a dark moment in our collective history by infusing the teaching of our stories with the souls and songs of those who lived it. As such, “Allegiance” is worthy of our immediate support.  For more information visit AllegianceMusical.com.

Jenn Fang can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com

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NOVEMBER 21 – NOVEMBER 27, 2015

{TASHIMA cont’d from page 3} ensuring that its mission to promote civil liberties and social justice adapts to the ongoing needs of Asian Pacific Americans and other minorities who are victimized by current discrimination and injustice. He believes that learning the lessons of the past serves to help us tackle new social justice issues.

Tashima is guided by “drawing parallels with what we went through as Japanese Americans and applying those lessons to what other minorities are experiencing today.” He says that, “as we get farther and farther from the actual events of the incarceration during World War II, the bigger lesson is how we use that today and how we draw parallels between circumstances with immigration, with racial profiling, with marriage equality.”

Bill Tashima is proud of JACL’s work on immigration reform, a politically controversial issue that affects new immigrants mostly in Latino/Hispanic and Southeast Asian communities. He is also very proud of JACL’s leadership in supporting gay rights. Serving as president in 2012, Tashima led JACL Seattle’s campaign to approve Referendum 74, which successfully legalized same-sex marriage by popular vote in Washington state. JACL Seattle provided phone banking and campaign volunteers, and Tashima served as spokesman for the JACL chapter with the People of Color campaign supporting R-74.

Over the years, Tashima has found that his personal development and community service have intertwined and directed his API social activism. He says, “To me, there was a confluence in the fact that, because I’m also gay, these [issues] are not mutually exclusive. It’s not one community. You don’t have a gay community or a strictly API community. Many times, people are both.”

Finding parallels with past history and current events, Tashima reflects that, “at first, because of circumstances, I was afraid to advocate for gay rights issues. And in the larger scheme of issues, I realize, no, it’s just as important to do that

{PARIS cont’d from page 1} Sam Stovall, U.S. equity strategist for S&P Capital IQ, said the U.S. stock market will likely fall by about 2 percent Monday, with larger declines in Europe. But he said “it’s not something that’s going to throw the European economy into recession.” Based on reactions to similar attacks in the past, Stovall expects stocks to begin recovering after about a week.

Shane Oliver, chief economist at AMP Capital, said the U.S. market took just over a month to recover from the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, while the U.K. market rebounded in one day after the 2005 London bombings.

Impact on travel and oil Because the attacks aren’t near oil fields, production isn’t likely to be affected. But demand for gasoline and jet fuel could fall as people cut back on travel. That means oil prices could fall further, even as they already were approaching last summer’s six-year lows of below $40 per barrel.

France is among the top tourist destinations in the world, so airline revenue and stocks could be hit. But people might switch trips to the U.S., which could partially offset European declines.

Shares of airline operators across Asia tumbled on worries that the attacks will deter tourists from traveling to the French capital.

Eva Airways Corp. of Taiwan was down 7.8 percent at NT$17.05, while China Southern Airlines Co. dropped 4.8 percent in Hong Kong to HK$5.78.

China Eastern Airlines Corp. and Hainan Airlines Co. fell as much as 4.7 percent and 3.1 percent, respectively, while Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd. was down 2 percent.

Oil supplies and prices could

as for my Japanese American legacy —if not more important because the discrimination is today.” He recognizes similar cultural struggles that bind him to the “honored shadow” of previous generations. He says, “We often wondered why our parents never talked about what happened in World War II, and then I realized I never talked about the barriers and struggles that I’ve faced growing up, so maybe I need to speak up more.”

One of Tashima’s key moments to speak up came during the 2004 JACL National Convention when there was a resolution to admonish the Boy Scouts of America for its discriminatory policy on gay scouts. JACL Board member Arlene Oki encouraged Tashima to provide his personal perspective on the contentious and emotional issue. He remembers telling the convention then: “I was a long-time JACL member and I was also a Boy Scout. And I’m also gay. I wanted everyone there to think for a second and think about how it’s not easy to be different, and how it’s not easy to be called names and to be stereotyped and bullied. People begun to realize that what was happening to gay people was the same thing that happened to them as Japanese Americans during the war.”

Most recently, Tashima is very proud of JACL Seattle’s move to establish an API support group for LGBTU. He says that “even though things are ‘easier’ or ‘better,’ the reality is that it is not easy for any teenager growing up who realizes what their makeup is. There is still struggle and it’s important that people are still there to help them.” He applauds the efforts of new JACL Seattle chapter president Sarah Baker and her work with the chapter to continue to develop this support group.

Bill Tashima’s community work has been wide-ranging and involves strong partnerships. Hatori, for example, cites the fruitful collaboration between JACL Seattle and Nikkei Concerns to support the API community via the “Living Well Health Fair,” which is held annually at the Blaine Memorial United Methodist Church. It has grown from 22 exhibits in the beginning to now include over 70 exhibitors with many speakers and demonstrations that cover almost every aspect

be affected if NATO allies go to war against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria and if ISIS interrupts the flow of oil with attacks on Saudi or Iraqi oil production or shipping in the Suez Canal.

But Tom Kloza, global head of energy analysis for the Oil Price Information Service, said ISIS so far has not threatened oil fields or supplies. Unless that changes, oil prices should stay low for at least the next few months because there is an oversupply worldwide.

Broader economy Before the attacks, investors already were nervous about economic slowdowns in China and Europe. In addition, there were jitters in the U.S. even though its economy appears stronger than the rest of the world. Last week, U.S. stocks suffered their first weekly decline after six straight weeks of gains.

In China, mainland stock markets are typically affected by government policies rather than the economy. Chinese stocks were expected to drop after the government tightened limits on lending to finance stock purchases, thereby cutting speculative trading.

Jack Ablin, chief investment strategist for BMO Private Bank, said gold and “safe haven” currencies such as the British pound, Swedish Krona and Swiss Franc might get stronger.

Ablin said that he has concerns about broader economic and social problems within the European Union.

He said countries might react to the attacks by tightening borders, even though they need young immigrants to fill jobs.

“The European Union and the eurozone were designed under more or less placid times,” Ablin said. “Now, it’s coming under duress from a lot of different angles.” 

of healthy living. As a long-time board member of Nikkei Concerns, Tashima also sees its rebranding to KEIRO Northwest as furthering its commitment to “expanding focus to the greater Asian American community to provide service for a greater number of people.”

As he moves toward a more advisory role for the emerging leaders and amidst new organizational processes and fast-paced technological changes, Tashima welcomes the modernization and transition because he thinks they need to occur to make community organizations viable. He says “history and legacy are organic—not static.”

For emerging community leaders, he offers some lessons from his many years of community service. His advice for dealing with contentious social issues: “I think it’s important to get away from the sound bites and stereotypes and just put it down to person-to-person issues.” He suggests being open about what you believe in and arguing from facts rather than emotion, but still bringing in your passion to the discussion.

While always busy with his community work in Seattle, Tashima cherishes the comforts of family life with his husband and son, as well as his sister’s family. While being a long-standing community contributor, Tashima’s friends speak highly about his compassion and generosity. After years of friendship with JACL-Seattle co-president Elaine Akagi and working with her in a multitude of JACL activities, Tashima helped comfort Akagi during her battle with cancer and honored her each year by gathering a Walk for Rice Team named in her memory.

JACL Seattle Chapter member James Arima, who nominated Bill Tashima for the Top Contributor award, offers these heartfelt sentiments about Tashima: ‘‘In his unassuming caring manner, Bill Tashima continually provides guidance and encouragement to family, friends, and community. He has been such a constant contributor we easily fail to select and acknowledge all Bill does.”  Ador Pereda Yano can be reached at info@nwasianweekly. com.

{MRJ cont’d from page 1} one-and-a-half-hour test flight out of Nagoya Airport confirmed basic characteristics and functionality with maneuvers off Japan’s Pacific Coast.

According to Masahiro Omura, consul general of Japan in Seattle, the MRJ “will be a game-changer” for the short-haul commercial air travel market around the world by offering many revolutionary features to increase operational efficiency and passenger comfort.

The significance of Wednesday’s first flight is being felt on this side of the Pacific, as well, where U.S. airline customers are responsible for a majority of MRJ orders. Additionally, Washington’s aerospace industry is supplying many of the parts for the jet and

{PHILIPPINES cont’d from page 1} and threatening free navigation and flight in the region.

Japan has also sparred with Beijing over their conflicting claims to uninhabited islands in the East China Sea. At a daily press briefing in Beijing on Tuesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said China was “dissatisfied with the remarks and actions of the Japanese side.’’ He accused Japan of trying to stoke tensions over an issue it is not directly involved with.

5:45 p.m. Nov. 17

Vietnam and the Philippines have signed an agreement to elevate their relationship to a strategic partnership.

The countries are the ones most at odds with Beijing over its claims to the South China Sea. Their agreement is meant to help deepen their trade, maritime and defense cooperation.

Philippine President Benigno Aquino said he and Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang shared their concerns over recent developments affecting the region’s peace and stability.

5:20 p.m. Nov. 17

Large sections of central Manila’s busiest thoroughfares are closed to all but official vehicles during APEC. The nearly empty streets are a rare site in the notoriously traffic clogged city. The government is advising residents to either take a holiday or stay a home during the meetings.

4:10 p.m. Nov. 17

Philippine Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario says the Paris attacks preoccupied foreign ministers as they met at the APEC summit. He says every minister that spoke at a ministerial meeting started with remarks about

Grant County International Airport in Moses Lake will serve as the base for U.S. flight testing scheduled to start in the second quarter of 2016. MITAC and its partner AeroTEC opened the Seattle Engineering Center in July to provide technical support for U.S. certification and flight testing activities. MRJ is expected to start its first delivery in 2017.

It has been said that Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner has been made with contributions by Japan and now the MRJ “is being developed and made with the State of Washington and the U.S.,” according to an MITAC official.

The MRJ is seen as symbolic of the growing aviation partnership between our two countries, being supported right here in Washington State. 

the attacks Friday that killed 129 people and expressed condolences to the families of victims.

3:50 p.m. Nov. 17

President Barack Obama says the U.S. will transfer two ships to the Philippine Navy as part of an effort to boost maritime security for the Southeast Asian nation.

The U.S. has tried to boost security ties with the Philippines in a bid to check China’s territorial ambitions in disputed waters of the South China Sea.

3:30 p.m. Nov.17

Philippine trade secretary Gregory Domingo says trade and foreign ministers who finished two days of meetings Tuesday have called for a comprehensive study and recommendations on a proposed free trade area encompassing all of Asia and the Pacific Rim. The work is to be completed by the end of next year with an initial report scheduled for January.

2:30 p.m. Nov. 17

Twenty-seven shuttle buses running between Manila’s airport, hotel and media centers for the APEC summit are all new vehicles imported from China, a top Chinese newspaper reports Tuesday in a story emphasizing trade and business ties between China and the Philippines. Chinese state media have accentuated China’s engagement with countries in the APEC bloc and its efforts to foster development.

2:00 p.m. Nov. 17

The draft APEC leaders statement seen by AP is warning that global growth remains fragile and that inequality is acting as a brake on economic development. 

33 YEARS YOUR VOICE

■ astrology

NOVEMBER 21 – NOVEMBER 27, 2015

13

For the week of November 21–November 27, 2015

By Sun Lee Chang

Rat — Although price doesn’t always equate to quality, there are times when you really do get what you pay for.

Dragon — A promising business opportunity will be offered to you soon. Do your homework before you agree to any deal.

Monkey — Even though you only have a limited period in which to complete your task, advance preparation will help you to breeze through.

Ox — Do you tend to worry more than is warranted?

Channel that energy in a productive direction by creating an action item for you to follow.

Snake — Does it seem like an adversary is intentionally provoking you to stir up trouble? Keep your calm and don’t take the bait.

Rooster — There are naysayers in the background, who do not have your best interests at heart. Block out their interference and trust your own ability.

Tiger — Is there someone you know who has a penchant for mischief? Their sense of fun can be infectious in a good way.

Horse — A recent development has pushed you in a new direction. It’s not quite what you had in mind, but it can still be a valuable experience.

Dog — A mixed agenda can result in less than optimal results. Decide upfront what should be the main focus so that your project has a clear purpose.

Rabbit — Try not to reward behavior that is not in keeping with your standards. If you do, then you will be sending the wrong message.

Goat — Switching gears can be difficult if you are doing so during an already busy time. Concentration is required, so give it the necessary attention.

Pig — Turn a setback into a reason for a fresh start. While it may be slow going at first, you will be surprised how much progress you can make in a short timeframe.

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 Rooster 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005 Dog 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006 Pig 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007

*The year ends on the first new moon of the following year. For those born in January and February, please take care when determining your sign.

{A-POP cont’d from page 7} program. Perhaps his time working in the government and education will serve him well as a journalist on this show. “Fair and Balanced” is currently in development with more details being released in the coming months.

NBC recently announced the development of two new sitcoms featuring storylines with prominent Indian American characters. A family comedy named “I Love Lakshmi” is reportedly in development. The project, which is co-written by writers Muffy Bolding and Doug Prochilo, is inspired by Prochilo’s real-life experiences marrying into an Indian family. Prochilo is white and married to Universal TV President Bela Bajaria who is Indian American.

“I Love Lakshmi” follows the ups and downs of new parents, Danny and Lakshmi, as they deal with Lakshmi’s immigrant parents—whose version of the American Dream never included a white son-in-law. The show clearly borrows its title from the beloved sitcom “I Love Lucy,” which also revolved around a similar plotline and dynamic. I’m hoping this show doesn’t make caricatures out of the Indian parents, but it’s too early to tell.

Otherwise, this is an interesting show to keep tabs on in the coming year.

Another NBC Indian American-themed comedy, “Pre-Madonna,” is also under development. Written by filmmaker Nisha Ganatra and inspired by her adolescence, this project follows an Indian American teen named Sarita Gupta as she enters a Chicago high school in 1983, and follows her as she navigates the awkward yet hilarious intersection of adolescence and the ’80s. Ganatra is best known for having directed three of the 10 episodes of the Golden Globe-winning streaming television show “Transparent”.

Lastly, “Master of None” is now streaming on Netflix! The 10-episode comedy stars comedian and actor Aziz Ansari who also co-created and produces the series. If you’re a fan of criticallyacclaimed shows such as “Louie” or “Girls,” I recommend this show which has a similar structure and execution. Ansari is funny, smart and poignant in episodes that highlight the Asian American experience from immigrant parents to dealing with race at work.  Vivian Nguyen can be reached at info@ nwasianweekly.com.

{SOUTH KOREA cont’d from page 5} rights abuse cases are rarely successful in South Korea. This is mainly because, he said, the South Korean law puts the burden of proof entirely on the plaintiffs in noncriminal cases.

“It’s difficult because we are mainly relying on what our plaintiffs told us, while the defendant, which is the government, holds all the information to prove it and can’t be forced to give them up,” Choi said.

Regardless of the outcome, the lawsuit is meaningful because it would raise awareness and put pressure on the government to do more to protect vulnerable people from human trafficking and slavery, he said.

Seoul’s Justice Ministry, whose minister will legally represent the central government in the case, had no immediate comment.

The rescued slaves were mostly disabled and desperate people from mainland cities who were lured to the islands by “man hunters” and job brokers hired by salt farm owners, who would beat them into long hours of backbreaking labor and confine them at their houses for years while providing little or no pay.

Choi said there were strong reasons to believe that local police officers and

“It’s difficult because we are mainly relying on what our plaintiffs told us, while the defendant, which is the government, holds all the information to prove it and can’t be forced to give them up.”

— Choi Jung Kyu administrative officials were closely connected with salt farm owners and villagers and helped them keep the victims enslaved.

One of the plaintiffs told the lawyers that he ran several times to a police station at Sinui Island for help, but the officers returned him to his owner each time.

Another man said he managed to escape and find his way to the island’s port, but workers there refused to sell him a ticket until his owner came and took him back.

Local officials failed to regularly monitor the work and living conditions at the salt farms, and some job brokers who helped lure the victims are still in business in the nearby mainland port of Mokpo, Choi said.

Slavery has been so pervasive that regional judges have shown leniency toward several perpetrators. In suspending the prison

sentences of two farmers, a court said that “such criminal activities were tolerated as common practice by a large number of salt farms nearby.”

The plaintiffs in the lawsuit against the government include Kim Seong-baek, the first slave rescued from the islands by Seoul police officers.

One of the officers, Seo Je-gong, now retired, told The Associated Press that he felt the need to run a clandestine rescue operation without telling local officials because of concerns about collaboration between the island’s police and salt farm owners.

Carrying fishing rods, Seo and his partner disguised themselves as tourists before finding Kim and bringing him back to Seoul.

Kim’s former slave owner was unsuccessful in appealing his 3 1/2-year prison term earlier this year. 

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{SAN FRANCISCO cont’d from page 4} investigators to Yee, who acknowledged as part of his plea deal that he accepted thousands of dollars in exchange for favors and discussed helping an undercover FBI agent buy automatic weapons from the Philippines.

Yee was scheduled to be sentenced in December and faces a maximum of 20 years in prison.

Jackson pleaded guilty to the same racketeering charge as Yee and was scheduled to be sentenced next month.

Judge Charles Breyer said Chow’s trial could last until February. 

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{JAPAN cont’d from page 5} veteran who served as an engineer on the notorious Thai-Burma railway, also joined the gathering.

A somewhat formal atmosphere quickly thawed, sending the audience into laughter when Kinoshita bounced up from the sofa as Welland sat next to him. Frail-looking Urayama, who was later held captive by Britain, arrived in a wheelchair assisted by his daughter but moved to the sofa to join the others. They exchanged gifts and shook hands.

While the men were mostly quiet, Urayama’s daughter, Akiko Macdonald, who is married to a Briton and lives in England, said she was “deeply moved’’ to see her father meet Welland in Tokyo.

“Today we can remember the past, but we can also honor the change through reconciliation between people,’’ British Ambassador to Japan Tim Hitchens said as the three veterans sat together over Englishstyle tea and cake.

Later that day, three former Australian prisoners of war, also here for a government friendship program, reached out to younger Japanese to share their stories of hardship and how they overcame it. The two were among about 13,000 Australians forced to build the notorious Thai-Burma railway, where about 2,700 died.

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Jack Thomas, 95, who was held at a prison camp in Japan after surviving the harsh Japanese-operated Changi Prison in Singapore and the Thai-Burma railway, was expected to visit the Ohama coal mine in southern Japan where he was a forced laborer.

There, he planned to go to a nearby Shinto shrine and leave a painting of it drawn by a late former comrade in remembrance of him.

“I just want to be there, and I’ll leave behind the little painting,’’ Thomas said.

Japan has apologized for its harsh treatment of Allied prisoners of war, and the Foreign Ministry has since 2010 invited former POWs from the United States, Australia and Britain to visit under friendship programs.

Across Asia, some 132,000 Allied personnel were held as prisoners during World War II, including more than 30,000 in Japan, historians say. Nearly one-third died in captivity — a rate several times higher than those held by Germany and Italy.

The ministry, however, is seen as reluctant to publicize to its own people the atonement for Japan’s wartime brutality.

Keith Fowler, 94, another Australian survivor of Changi Prison and the railway, needed years to overcome the trauma from his experiences and the “emotions of hate and envy I had against my captors,’’ he said.

“You must go forward, you can’t go back,’’ he said. 

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33 YEARS YOUR VOICE

{BAILEY cont’d from page 7}

NOVEMBER 21 – NOVEMBER 27, 2015

15

{PARADOX OF PLACE cont’d from page 1}

Bailey’s creations

but pizza, chicken, french fries, chocolate chip cookies, and chips with dip almost seem like a faint memory.

“He wasn’t even eating food until he was 8 years old,” said Nick Shipp, executive chef at The Upper West, the Santa Monica, Calif., restaurant where Bailey helps cook dinner once a week. “For him to go from that to cooking and eating all kinds of different things, it’s pretty remarkable.”

After her son’s diagnosis, friends and acquaintances prepared Mary Bailey for the worst. He’d never be able to have a job, some said. He’d probably never learn to socialize.

And he’d never be independent.

“You just hear a lot of things that are downers,” she said.

She immediately placed her son in school and therapy. At home, she struggled to get him to eat. Like many on the autism spectrum, Chase found food overwhelming.

The sight, smell, feel and taste of almost everything put on his plate tipped his sensory system over the edge.

“I didn’t like how it looked,” he said. “I didn’t like how it smelled.”

Then he started watching cooking shows with his grandfather. He got hooked on seeing people enjoy the food they were eating. Within six months, he started asking to try some of the foods he saw on shows like Cooking Channel’s “Eat St.” and Food Network’s “Chopped.” Among his early requests: fried alligator, frog legs and beef tongue.

“He was just devouring it,” Mary Bailey recalled with a laugh.

Two years later, he confided to his mother that one day he wanted to have his own cooking show.

“She was like, ‘Why wait?’ ” Chase Bailey said.

Setting out with her home camcorder and using a friend’s kitchen, they recorded the first episode of “Chase ’N Yur Face” and posted it on YouTube. The show quickly

caught the attention of autism groups and, realizing the impact they could have, Mary Bailey began looking for ways to enhance the production. She hired a professional film crew and started incorporating cooking and shooting episodes into her son’s homeschool curriculum.

Chase Bailey, using the cooking shows he watched as inspiration, started reaching out by email to chefs he admired and invited them to tape episodes with him.

“It was no big deal,” Bailey said nonchalantly. “I’m like, if they’re doing it, I’m doing it.”

In the show, a confident, charismatic Chase whips up everything from cupcakes to braised rabbit. The show — which now has more than 30 episodes online — has garnered tens of thousands of views.

“I love that there’s a story behind it,” said Sumner, an actress living in Los Angeles.

She recently taped a holiday special with the teen. “Food is emotional.”

The most challenging part, Mary Bailey said, has been learning how to produce a show. She spent 20 years in the corporate world before leaving a management position to focus full-time on her son. Chase Bailey said his biggest challenge was learning how to fry chicken while talking in front of a camera.

“To see your child go from little to no speech, no eye contact ... having extreme food aversions, all of these symptoms, to almost the exact opposite,” Mary Bailey said, “I don’t know, it feels miraculous.”

Chase Bailey dreams of one day seeing his show on television and wants to open his own restaurant. He also hopes his experience can help others with autism.

“Don’t be afraid to be you,” Chase Bailey said.

“Hear, hear,” Sumner said. “Be yourself because everyone else is taken.” 

“Angel Soldier”

Nagle said. “I have to come back to see it a couple times. I keep seeing parts that I haven’t seen.”

Wu said that installing a large-scale contemporary work like “The Possibility of the Half” was a fun challenge.

“I love the juxtapositions created in such a historic building,” she said.

Another must-see of the exhibition is Lee Yongbaek’s “Angel-Soldier”. At first glance, you will see a sea of flowers.

However, if you look closely, you will notice gunmen in disguise, moving slowly from one side to another. Combined with the sound effect in the background, the piece is just enough to put viewers on a slight edge while keeping them musing.

“I like the theme of the flowers and the uniform of the military,” said Carol Witte, who was visiting from Minneapolis. “I think it’s an interesting concept of mixing beauty and violence together and spinning their opposite sides.”  “Paradox of Place: Contemporary Korean Art” is on exhibit at the museum, 1400 E. Prospect St., through March 13, 2016. For more information, visit seattleartmuseum. org/visit/asian-art-museum.

Jocelyn Moore can be reached at info@ nwasianweekly.com.

Online: http://www.chasenyurface.com

{AMERICANS ABROAD cont’d from page 5} Marine Corps, takes a similar approach. Christmas has become synonymous with travel, and for the past three holiday seasons they’ve traveled with American friends who have become like a second family.

“We are so looking forward to spending this Christmas in Singapore and Malaysia with our friends,” Hurd says.

“We are there for 12 days and are calling it our ‘12 Days of Christmas.’ ” Like the Startas, the Hurds kick off the season by putting up a small artificial Christmas tree and a few familiar decorations from home. They sometimes attend holiday events on the military base where they live.

Then they’ll fly south, celebrating Christmas at a Club Med in Singapore, with a visit to Malaysia’s Legoland theme park.

After four years overseas, Hurd’s kids (now 8, 11 and 13) have come to embrace holidays on the road. They’ve hunted for Easter eggs in Taiwan, and worn their candy-cane Christmas pajamas everywhere from Hong Kong to Indonesia.

Maintaining traditions

historical, and cultural phenomena in their society.

“Korean artists have been at the forefront of contemporary video art for years,” says Xiaojin Wu, SAM’s curator of Japanese and Korean Art. “This show includes incredible examples of video while expanding to display the wide range of new media work these artists are engaging in.”

For those who are still learning about different forms of art, Wu said that new media at this exhibition include photography, mixed-media installation, and sculptures created with non-traditional methods. There is also a piece made with a 3D printer, she said.

Strolling through the galleries, you will see people pause in front of installations and ponder on the stories behind them.

“It was also really meaningful to hear directly from them (the artists) about their work,” said Wu who met the artists while putting up the exhibition. “This group of artists each reveal something personal—but together, they also capture an expression of contemporary Korean life and of the global world we live in now.”

Valerie Nagle who visited the museum, said, “I wanted to see the exhibition and it’s free Saturday.”

She was particularly drawn to Lim Minouk’s “The Possibility of the Half” and would definitely recommend the exhibition to her friends.

Through “The Possibility of the Half”, Lim reimagined the site of a Korean television studio where viewers can see the highlights of sports recaps, weather reports, as well as dramatic, black-andwhite scenery of grieving people who sobbed at the funerals of Kim Jong Il of North Korea and former president Park Jung-Hee of South Korea.

“It’s fascinating and it grows on you,”

Photos by Jocelyn Moore

“Bewitched” by Jung Yeondoo

Creating new traditions is important for many American expat families. Melindah Bush spent much of her childhood

in California, and her husband, Nathan, grew up in North Carolina, so their holidays in those warm places didn’t involve sledding or building snowmen. But they were filled with extended family, Thanksgiving turkeys in the oven and Christmas mornings at home.

Now, in Singapore, they’ve kept their Thanksgiving traditions going while discovering new ones during potluck suppers with friends.

“We and our American friends make the traditional foods like turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, green-bean casserole and pumpkin pie,” Melindah says. “We also invite our nonAmerican friends to join and share their traditional foods.

So we have had Chinese and Asian friends bring noodles and dumplings. Scandinavian friends have brought various appetizers – often herring. Our Aussie friends make pavlova, and British friends bring a variety of salads and breads.”

Theresa Starta did the same in Dubai last year on Thanksgiving. Guests came into the kitchen to see the perfectly roasted turkey emerge from the oven, and she explained a bit about each dish.

She told her international friends that green-bean casserole is “sort of like everybody’s crazy uncle who has to be there,” but most family members don’t really want to have any.

She loves “the giving aspect of preparing this meal for

somebody who’s never had it before,” and was delighted to find that the casserole turned out to be the group’s favorite: “Everybody came back for seconds.”

Not replicating the past

Lauri Barrett’s childhood memories of holidays in New Hampshire are Christmas-card perfect: lots of snow-covered pine trees and holiday lights twinkling in the chilly air.

But she’s learned that trying to replicate those memories with her very global family (her husband, Lincoln, is from New Zealand, and they are raising their 9-year-old daughters, both adopted from China, in Thailand) just doesn’t work.

“If you try to recreate it, it’s just going to fall short,” she says. “You have to make it different, so you don’t have that nostalgia.”

Barrett’s daughters attend an American school but don’t have Thanksgiving off. So earlier in November, she’ll host a Thanksgiving potluck lunch for members of the American Women’s Club of Thailand.

For Christmas, the family will travel to South Korea for a ski trip. Barrett says she’ll bring as many gifts as possible and that Santa will make an appearance at their hotel. 

asianweekly northwest

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NOVEMBER 21 – NOVEMBER 27, 2015

{HELLO KITTY cont’d from page 8} we were approached by the Japanese American National Museum to explore Hello Kitty’s story and put this exhibition together.”

Ms. White has a twin sister, parents, grandparents, and a whole slew of friends. (I’m partial to Bad Batz-Maru, a perpetually grumpy penguin with turntables.)

She has a pet cat—yes, the anthropomorphic kitty has a kitty—and the pet kitty has a pet hamster.

I asked a Sanrio rep if the pet hamster was getting a pet. He told me no plans yet, but you never know….

And at the end of the Hello Kitty trail sits another huge sculpture, this one resembling a huge gumball machine or transparent bank.

Crafted by sculptor Sebastian

Masuda, the sculpture is hollow, and exhibit guests are invited to fill it up with their own Hello Kitty memories. Then the sculpture, along with several others like it, will go on exhibit at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

Masuda hopes these sculptures will create “a symbol of a united world.” Although, if you ask me, it looks like Hello Kitty’s united most of that territory already.  “Hello! Exploring The Supercute World Of Hello Kitty” is on exhibit currently at the EMP Museum, 325 5th Avenue North at Seattle Center. For prices, hours, and more information, visit: http:// www.empmuseum.org. Exhibition ends May 15.

Andrew Hamlin can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.

{RITTENBERG cont’d from page 10} Liu: We just had the 26th anniversary of Tiananmen. A group of overseas Chinese students wrote an open letter to their counterparts in China about the government cover-up. The same Global Times accused them as “serving overseas hostile forces.”

You said in your book that you believed that China’s leaders, sooner or later, would have to acknowledge the massacre of June 4th.

Do you still have that belief?

Rittenberg: Absolutely. Maybe after Li Peng dies. Reminds me of a story. We used to have a president named Calvin Coolidge before World War II, before Herbert Hoover.

His nickname was Silent Cal because he seldom spoke in public. People thought that he wasn’t very bright. So we had this very witty woman writer Dorothy Parker who was always saying witty funny things.

And the story is when they came and told her President Coolidge died, she said, how can they tell? That’s the way with this guy, too. Yes, of course. Just as they repudiated the Cultural Revolution and the Great Leap Forward, they have to repudiate June 4th.

It was completely unnecessary. I think they did it deliberately because they wanted to show Chinese people, if you resist, this is what you get. And I think after they did, they were sorry, they regretted it. Deng Xiaoping said to his leading group, supposedly on the next day, that “we restored order, but we lost the hearts of the people”.

Liu: You joined the Chinese Communist Party in 1946. Today, the Party still calls itself communist, but it now runs a marketoriented economy, as perhaps the biggest “capitalist roader,” protects private property, enforces political censorship and promotes Confucianism. What kind of Party do you think it is now?

Rittenberg: (Laugh) To tell you the truth, it has always been like that. That was

a problem with the Russians when they saw what Mao was doing in the old guerrilla bases. They say he is not a Marxist. He is a peasant revolutionary. …It’s hard to say definitively what is orthodox. Li Yuanchao, who is now vice president, he wrote an article in People’s Daily four or five years ago when he was in charge in Jiangsu province.

And he said, we are in the initial stage of socialism. What do we mean by socialism? …So who knows what a Communist Party is supposed to be like. Why not Confucius?

It’s funny. It’s like with the Bible. You can find anything in Confucius just as you can find almost anything in Mao. Liu: Looking back, if you knew what you know now, with long imprisonment and suffering, would you still have stayed behind in China after your UN famine relief work there ended in 1945 and why?

Rittenberg: Absolutely. That’s my life.

I have a wonderful life, and it is because of my love for China and my hopes for a bright Chinese future, not to mention a wonderful Chinese wife. You know, after it’s all over and long past, the suffering looks like it’s just one part of the adventure, part of the experience, no pain. I am writing a book now about struggles in solitary confinement. …Yulin had a lot worse than I did. She was called a traitor. All she had to do was to say, “gosh, I didn’t know he was a spy.” She couldn’t do it. She kept saying my husband is a good man. Got beaten, got spit on, terribly hard labor. That love alone was worth going to China for. You know, if I hadn’t stayed in China, I hate to think of it… I might have ended up like some of my old schoolmates—filthy rich, and seeing a psychiatrist every week. So many people that can’t understand: “I am so rich, why am I not happy?”  Wen Liu can be reached at info@ nwasianweekly.com.