April 2020 Volume 15 | Issue 4
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in this issue SPECIAL EDITION: Coverage of how COVID-19 has affected our communities
SPOTLIGHT
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Korean artist Soyeon Kim specializes in dioramas and children’s book illustrations
COVER STORY
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HEALTH
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Want to be healthier? Get social!
FEATURE
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Census 2020: Complete it today!
COVID-19: How the outbreak is disproportionately affecting immigrant families
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Silver linings: staying positive during the coronavirus crisis
BOOK REVIEW
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Students heading to virtual world
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Ways to support small businesses
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Leaders are grappling with xenophobia and anti-asian attacks amid coronavirus
ON SCENE
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DAAPIC COLUMN
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Q&A with commissioner Jane Miyahara with Denver Public Schools
Edge by Laura Huang
FOOD
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My Asian Dish website preserves the dishes of Southeast Asian cuisine
Colorado Dragon Film Festival
22 ASIAN AVENUE MAGAZINE P.O. Box 221748 Denver, CO 80222-1748 Tel: 303.937.6888 E-mail: info@asianavemag.com www.asianavemag.com
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Find us @AsianAveMag #AsianAveMag Table of Contents | asian avenue magazine
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Dearest friends of Asian Avenue, Life has changed as we know it, since the last time I wrote this President’s Note. Like many of you, we have been greatly impacted by COVID-19. First, as the pandemic spread in the U.S. and Colorado, we made the decision to change our cover story and editorial topics for this issue to address this national emergency. Our April 2020 issue is a special edition in which we feature aspects of how the virus and social distancing has affected our readers and ways to take action. Second, we decreased the number of pages in this issue as many of our advertisers are local restaurants that are struggling to survive. Please note: we have provided free ads to the restaurants in this issue. These restaurants are still open for takeout and delivery orders, and we hope you will support them! We had to remove ads for several businesses (including hot pot restaurants and buffets that had to close altogether). As we look to the months ahead, we are considering shifting Asian Avenue to an online only publication. We hope you all would continue to support us and read each issue on our website. We ask at this time for you to connect with us on social media (@asianavemag) so we can keep in touch with you and provide updates on what’s to come! Please stay safe and well! Take care of yourselves, your families and loved ones! Annie Guo VanDan, President Asian Avenue magazine | www.asianavemag.com. Published by Asian Avenue Magazine, Inc. P.O. Box 221748 Denver, CO 80222-1748 Tel: 303.937.6888 | info@asianavemag.com
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Publisher & Founder CHRISTINA YUTAI GUO
Marketing Manager JOIE HA
President ANNIE GUO VANDAN
Staff Writer PATRICIA KAOWTHUMRONG
Editorial Director MARY JENEVERRE SCHULTZ
Staff Writer JESSALYN HERRERIA LANGEVIN
Graphic Designer/Videographer LIJIN ZHAO
Staff Writer AMY NG
Web Designer JASON ZHANG
Intern CHANG LIU
on the cover
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Is there a silver lining to COVID-19? How are families balancing working from home and teaching their children? Why has there been a surge in anti-Asian sentiments? How can you support small businesses during this national crisis? These are all qusetions we address in this special edition of Asian Avenue.
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contributing writers Gil Asakawa, Amber Inthavong, Dr. Lynn Tran McDonald
contributing photographers Kara Math
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April 2020 | President’s Note
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Korean artist Soyeon Kim specializes in dioramas and children’s book illustrations By Mary Jeneverre Schultz Artists from South Korea are coming out of the woodwork. Maybe it’s because of the popularity of kpop band BTS. Or perhaps it comes from the heels of the stupendous work of Bong Joon-ho’s dark comedy Parasite. Regardless, this curiosity is opening doors for Korean artists. One example is the New York-based Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collaboration with the Republic of Korea to support the institution’s Korean galleries in public programming and special exhibitions. Meet Soyeon Kim. As a children’s picture book illustrator, she has published: You Are Stardust, Wild Ideas, Is This Panama?, Sukaq and the Raven, You Are Never Alone, A Last Goodbye (Spring 2020 from Owlkids), and Once Upon an Hour (Fall 2020 from Orcas). Based on Toronto, Kim has participated in TD Book Week 2018, visiting schools and libraries in Northern British Columbia. In 2017, she was invited to the Adelaide Writers’ Week in Australia, where she collaborated with kids and families to create a collaborative mural based on the children’s book, You Are Stardust. A recipient of Amelia Frances Howard-Gibbon Illustrator’s Award, she received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Arts and Bachelor of Education from York University. What are your favorite type of artwork? My favorite artwork is a diorama. Specializing in fine sketching and painting techniques, I create three-dimensional dioramas by carefully arrange the painted and texturized paper cutouts. Diorama is the main art form that I have been experimenting with and creating since the beginning of my practice. Inspired by nature and environment, it allows me to create a world that is both once real and fantas-
tical. Though the world is contained within the frame, it coexists within the same space as the viewers, inviting them to explore and discover a miniature magical world full of surprises.
Soyeon Kim’s Diorama: “Jane III” What are the perks of being an artist? Work doesn’t feel like work. Sometimes it actually helps me to meditate or even destress. Art is something that I love to do, so it’s hard to feel that I am working most of the time. Being able to create a special gift. Birthday or holiday gifts can be difficult sometimes depending on what people like and your budget. The perks of being an artist are that you can create small paintings or even print illustrations on apparel! When you are not working as an artist, what hobbies/interests do you have? Hiking with my film camera is something that love to do when I am not working. Being in nature helps me to refresh my mind and thoughts. It’s also where I get my inspiration! My other recent interest has been cooking. Cooking can be very creative when you have random ingredients or lots of leftovers. I find it most interesting to create a dish from unexpected pairings of ingredients and/ or seasoning. There is also room to present your food in creative ways!
Follow her Instagram @soyeonis or see her books at OwlKids: owlkidsbooks.com.
Spotlight | asian avenue magazine
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Cover Story
COVID-19:THE CRISIS OF A GENERATION
How the outbreak is disproportionately affecting immigrant families Governments around the world have hastily closed borders and imposed travel restrictions. Much of this is justified and based on good scientific facts. However, while saving lives is paramount at this time, there will be long-lasting unintended consequences and irreversible changes to our way of life. This outbreak shocked most countries; never before has mankind experienced such a pandemic. As of March 30, 2020, all across the world there are 693,224 confirmed corona virus cases and 33,106 confirmed deaths, with 203 countries and territories directly affected. It is essential that we embrace prevention through all the paths possible, such as social-distancing, working from home and even self-quarantining, while following the guidance of CDC and WHO, in order to “flatten the curve”. Based on information from the Migration Policy Institute (March 2020), six million immigrant workers are at the frontlines of keeping US residents healthy and fed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Immigrant workers make up a large percentage of the healthcare workforce: 29% of all physicians are foreign born; 22% of nursing assistants; and 25% of personal aides that care for the aging and disabled popluation in the US. Such workers often place their own health at risk. Also, about 18% of all workers or owners of essential retail, groceries, pharmacies and gas stations are immigrants. While the two trillion-dollar economic relief will give cash payments to most Americans along with an expansion of unemployment benefits, these payments will not be equitably distributed. Our vulnerable immigrant families will suffer more than others. They will have relatively less visibility to safety net benefits, due in part to language and cultural barriers. Thus, the facts point to immigrants facing a greater proportion of layoffs from businesses that are hardest hit, while having lower incomes and less access to resources. Based on data from the Migration Policy Institute, about 38% of such immigrants are below 200% of the federal poverty level and 28% lack health insurance coverage compared to about 15% non-immigrant Americans. These challenges are substantially greater for people who are undocumented. The lifesaving benefits such as: Medicaid, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP a.k.a. food stamps) may be out of reach for many who are most deserving. Just prior to the COVID-19 outbreak, there was also the harsh reality of the“Public Charge”rule enacted in January 2020. Immigrant advocates feared that not only would the rule limit opportunities for the lowest-income, least-educated, and/or non-English-speaking immigrants to become naturalized citizens, it would force many to make the choice between health and stability, and citizenship. Thus, the Public Charge issue compounded with the COVID-19 crisis is placing an unfair and devastating burden on the
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April 2020 | Cover Story
shoulders of immigrants, especially those who are foreign born. The World Health Organization stated: “We’re building the ship as we sail and it’s critical that we continue to share learnings and innovations so that we can improve surveillance, prevention, and treatment. If countries with strong healthcare systems are buckling under the pressure of coronavirus outbreaks, imagine what will happen in countries beset by deep humanitarian crises caused by war, natural disasters, and climate change.” History will judge mankind on how we win the battle against this pandemic – the biggest crisis mankind has faced in more than a generation. Contributed by Alok Sarwal, PhD, MBA Executive Director, Colorado Alliance for Health Equity and Practice, Family Medicine Clinic for Health Equity Tel: (303) 954-0058 | www.cahep.org
March 29, 2020: Union Station in Downtown Denver is a ghost town after the Governor issued a Stay at Home order. Photo Credit: Kara Math
COVID-19 Coverage By Mary Jeneverre Schultz
SILVER LININGS:
STAYING POSITIVE DURING THE CORONAVIRUS CRISIS
With all the tragic things that are happening during this crisis, now might seem like an unusual time to talk about being positive. Yet staying positive is a core ingredient in the recipe of successful coping in a crisis. SILVER LININGS WORTH MENTIONING • Pollution is clearing in overpopulated areas, including the waterways in Italy. • Breweries and distilleries are making hand sanitizer and passing them out for free. • Car companies General Motors, Ford and Tesla said hold our cars and watch this: we can make those ventilators. • Restaurants and schools are providing free meals to children. • People are still working hard day and night to stock shelves, and grocers have special hours allowing seniors to shop first. • Construction companies are donating masks for medical staff and doctors. Women and children are also sewing homemade face masks to donate to first responders, hospitals and clinics. • Churches are holding online services and taking care of their members and community. • Amazon and Microsoft have each pledged $2.5 million, with the possibility of more, to help out those afflicted by the disease in Seattle. • Comcast, Charter, Verizon, Google, T-Mobile and Sprint have signed a pledge to keep people internet-connected for the coming 60 days, even if people cannot afford to pay. • NBA sports teams and players are helping pay the salaries of sports arena staff. • NFL quarterback Drew Brees of the Saints donated $5 million back to the community of New Orleans.
Here’s what we heard from our local community. Candise Tom of Centennial is catching up on her gardening. “I’m staying home to prevent possibly spreading the virus. I’m watching movies and reading,” said Tom, who admitted buying a Nintendo gaming system for her daughter to entertain her grandchildren. “I hope everyone is finding ways to maintain their sanity.” Filipino American Emy Hackenberg is staying on top of daily interactions. “We are doing our best to stay vigilant with our outside interactions,” she said. Restaurateur Jie Zheng hopes the community will have a greater appreciation for each other. “People will appreciate the courage that small businesses have and will remember those who are here for the community during difficult times.” Denver resident Jamie Diaz hopes this experience will give people the opportunity to assess what they really want out of their lives and to make those desires a reality. TAKE CARE OF YOUR MENTAL HEALTH Everyone is asking, “what are you doing for self-care?” Thoughts become words, words become action. Stop negative thinking. Turn off the news for part of your day to help clear your mind. Reduce negativity by avoiding social media and not engaging with negative people. Try some meditation to bring some harmony into your personal space. Some people enjoy staying busy. Look for tasks around the house like cleaning, tidying, de-cluttering, cooking or even reading for some quiet time. Take naps. Take your time getting up in the morning (if you can). Don’t rush. Music can soothe the soul. Listen to your favorite music; it can be such a mood changer and bring positive vibes into your day. COVID-19 | asian avenue magazine
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STUDENTS HEADING TO VIRTUAL WORLD Parents balance working from home with teaching their children.
Young people are experiencing online, home-based education in Colorado. What started as an extended spring break in March for school districts including Denver and Cherry Creek looks like will be the new normal into the summer. Governor Polis announced it is unlikely schools will return to class this semester. Online instruction has begun for students of all ages. “My son started online learning and it seems to be working out so far,” said Phuong Nguyen, resident of Denver, who is referring to her 14-year-old in high school. “Although he misses his friends, he was still able to meet with his classmates for projects remotely.” TODDLERS Littleton resident Katie Manh Magstadt adjusted well with her 3-year-old. Activities at the house includes playing piano, video games, painting, movies, puzzles, playing with trains and cars, cooking plus eating and drinking, elliptical workouts, playing catch and hide and seek, and webinar distance learning. Lulani Antillon, a member of Denver Asian Mom Extraordinaires (DAMES), confessed she’s spending this time with her
Elia Moy’s first virtual preschool chat with her classmates.
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April 2020 | Cover Story
kids, ages 2 and 4, to slow down and bond. DAMES member Pamela Yang admitted missing daycare for her daughter Nora. Yang, who runs her own online shop (adorebynora.com), always worked from home, but now she is having to do her sewing alongside her two-year-old. “It has also been challenging to keep her away from her dad when he’s working from home,” said Yang, a common experience for families with both parents working from home and juggling their new schedules. Ying and Erik Ong are taking on potty training their son Ashton during this time. “It is perfect since we are always home. We have had some successes throughout the day,” said Ong. Ashton is also very active at home doing various activities: puzzles, bubbles, painting with water colors, counting and identifying colors in English and Cantonese, building legos and magnetic structures, watching Peppa Pig in Cantonese and Titipo, throwing and catching balls, and having dance parties. GRADE SCHOOL Aurora resident Nerissa Knot says her two girls are missing school but fills their days with school work and “recess-type” activities in their backyard. Denver resident Katleen Luistro shared heartfelt discussions with her 9-year-old. “Khloey is quite mature for her age and understands why we’ve had to change our routines,” said Luistro, adding that her daughter is bummed about not seeing friends or having regular volleyball practices. “We didn’t sugarcoat anything and she took it well.” Denver resident Chris Lee indicated her daughter stays in touch with her friends
Jacob Moy starts online learning with Global Village Academy. through FaceTime. “It’s super cute,” Lee said. “She takes the phone and she’ll talk for over an hour sometimes.” Maintaining an online presence through FaceTime and Facebook has helped Lee cope with working from home. “It feels surreal to be locked in place,” Lee said. “Birthday parties have been canceled and I feel the loss of my community.” With four children from six months to 16 years old, Linh Ton shared their lives are hectic with no school or daycare. Since she already worked from home most of the time, there wasn’t a big adjustment period. But Ton doesn’t think her children realize the “severity or the impact.” Broomfield resident Shino Inouye Neima jokes about feeding two million snacks daily to her children. Their activities include baking, cooking three meals a day, multiple walks, playing outside with chalk, riding bikes, online learning and learning a new language. HIGH SCHOOL Filipino American Rachel Badeo-Hockley Sangchompuphen balances gaming with online learning with her son. “My high school son has three online courses. For every hour working on his online course, he is granted one hour of video games,” she said. COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY CU-Denver converted to remote learning mid-March. Alexandria Joo, who works in the TRIO department at the university says, “All of our jobs are changing in some way as we are unable to meet students face to face but still providing them services. We are finding creative ways to keep our students connected in such a difficult time.”
WORKING FROM HOME? IT IS A PRIVILEGE.
With Stay-At-Home orders in place, employers have arranged for options to work from home. Critics call working from home “a middle-class privilege,” as there are many workers who have either lost jobs or are placed in at-risk circumstances as they continue to work (e.g. healthcare workers, farmers, delivery workers, grocery store employees, etc.). However, for remote workers the opportunity to work from home is a godsend and relief to family’s household budgets. “I’ve been very blessed to have the ability to work from home,” said Katleen Luistro. “I work for a civil engineering company and it’s definitely opened conversation on how people will now perceive public transit and what that means for traffic in Colorado.” Ying Ong, who is now working remotely as a teacher, must tag team with her husband to watch their toddler. After both parents “get off work,” they make sure to spend time together as a family. “We take a family stroll around the neighborhood with our dogs in the late afternoon,” said Ong. “They usually don’t go on walks because we usually just let them out in the backyard. It’s been great for us to get some sun and exercise.” “I am very fortunate under these circumstances, so I am doing my best to support other communities and organizations that are in need. We need to remember to help one another so that we can get through this the best we can!”
TIPS ON WORKING FROM HOME 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Have a dedicated workspace. Schedule work time and have a to-do list. Step away from emails from time-to-time. Take breaks. Step outside to get some sun. Communication is key. Communicate with your partner on how you are feeling, as well as your boss.
COLORADO YOUTH RAISE $20,000 TO DONATE PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
Stephen
In an urgent response to the lack of perZhang sonal protective equipment (PPE) in Colorado’s hospitals and clinics, local organizations moved quickly to fundraise and purchase gear. A collaboration between Youth Creates, Caring Mom Group and Denver Chinese School has raised more than $20,000 in March. The three groups have worked tirelessly to purchase N95 and surgical masks for health professionals in Colorado. ‘The situation is dire. It’s a duty of every citizen to chime in and fight the pandemic together,” says Stephen Zhang, founder and CEO of Youth Creates. Zhang is a sophomore at Cherry Creek High School; he established the group in December 2018 to provide youth with opportunities to give back to the community. “I have always had an entrepreneurial spirit and a gentle heart for community service,” he said. The Youth Creates team consists of only youth, mostly of which are highschoolers, but some are college or middle school students. The team has established a channel of purchasing N95 and other PPE. Zhang says: “We have deliveries coming for the following hospitals: Rocky Mountain Infectious Disease Specialists, Rocky Mountain Cancer Center, Littleton Adventist Hospital, St. Anthony Hospital, UC Health, and St. Luke’s Medical Center. We are in the process of ordering more for others on the waitlist.” For the detailed list, visit youthcreates.com. If you know of hospitals or clinics that need help with masks, contact youthcreatesllc@gmail.com. If you are able to donate, please visit www.youthcreates.com. You can also PayPal or Zelle to youthcreatesllc@gmail.com. We are all part of this community and it is our duty as members to step up in the time of a crisis. It is essential for every one of us to take our share of responsibilities and support our fellow citizens. Together, we can get one step closer to ending the coronavirus. Please spread the word for this cause. The more people know about it, the better since we can have a bigger impact on our communities.”. - Stephen Zhang, Cherry Creek High School
CHECK OUT THESE VIRTUAL MUSEUMS & NATIONAL PARKS • dmns.org/learn/virtual-experiences • cnn.com/2020/03/26/cnn-underscored/virtual-museums/ index.html • coloradovirtuallibrary.org/tag/museums • visitestespark.com/plan/about/virtual-tour • gypsyguide.com/tour/rocky-mountain-national-park • nps.gov/yell/learn/photosmultimedia/virtualtours.htm
The Youth Creates team meets virtually to plan their PPE drive. COVID-19 | asian avenue magazine
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THERE IS SOMETHING YOU CAN DO!
SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESSES
On March 2, Governor Jared Polis (center) visited Asian businesses and ate at Star Kitchen with the Asian Chamber of Commerce and community leaders.
Do you have a favorite restaurant, coffee shop or dessert cafe you frequent? Now may be the time to support them with a gift card purchase—to help with their cash flow—or to order food to-go. Small businesses are privately owned corporations, partnerships, or sole proprietorships that have fewer employees and/ or less annual revenue than a regular-sized business or corporation. “Small businesses are the lifeblood of our communities,” said Madalene Xuan-Trang Mielke is the President & CEO of the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies based in Washington, DC. Mielke also urged citizens to keep small businesses safe by “reporting break-in attempts and vandalism.” In just the last month, crimes against Asians rose to over 700 incidents, according to Mielke . Early effects When COVID-19 was making news in the early months of 2020, Asian restaurants in Denver and other U.S. cities and Chinatowns were feeling the backlash with customers opting for other restaurants. Now, small businesses are trying to figure out how to survive these times of social distancing.
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April 2020 | Cover Story
Social Distancing Colorado requested residents to practice social distancing—staying at least six feet apart—in early March. As a result, business owners had to rethink operations. Truong An Gifts, a family-owned business for 40 years, is processing sales through e-mail and phone transactions. The specialty store located in the Far East Center on Federal Boulevard sells a wide variety of Asian gifts, herbs, K-beauty and more, according to owner Mimi Luong. Restaurants started operating their business model with to-go/take-out orders only. Some are offering delivery options by staffing their own drivers, others are using services such as Uber Eats, GrubHub, Door Dash and Postmates. “Having the take-out/delivery capability definitely helps us avoid a complete shutdown but it’s not enough to stay afloat,” said Jie Zheng, owner of Volcano Asian Cuisine in Greenwood Village, Colo. “For the time being, this is the only choice though, we just have to tough it out and hope for some help.” Stay-At-Home Orders Last March 25, Governor Polis issued Ex-
“It’s important in the face of coronavirus that Coloradans don’t take it out on any AsianAmerican Coloradans or Asian-owned businesses.” - Governor Jared Polis ecutive Order D2020-017 ordering Coloradans to stay at home due to the presence of COVID-19. Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s public health order defined critical emergency personnel, infrastructure, government functions, and other activities that are exempt from the directives in this executive order. Closing its doors after the order was mandated, Luong added, “Truong An Gifts is now only taking appointments by phone and meeting customers at a set time. We are closed now until April 10.” She mentioned their high-selling products include traditional Chinese medicine and herbs that boost immune system. Zheng echoed Luong’s concerns. “The sudden shutdown of business activities not only affects our dine-in business but also our catering business.” Relief Zheng, restaurateur for ten years, is hoping local government will provide some support to small businesses. “I would like to see local government provide tax relief (such as reduced state and local tax rates
Many restaurants are still open for take-out and delivery orders.
in addition to federal payroll tax cuts) to those small businesses that stayed open during this difficult time,” he said. “For the general public, temporarily reducing or suspending sales tax would encourage consumer spending and a push to support local small businesses.”
Apply for the Colorado COVID Relief Fund if your organization needs help. Visit covrn.com/covid-relief-fund.
WAYS TO SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESSES
1. Send an encouraging note to your friends who are business owners and ask how you can help during this time. 2. Write a positive review for the businesses you love on Google, Yelp or Facebook. 3. Book future appointments with hair and nail salons, chiropractors, massages, etc. If you can, consider prepaying. 4. Buy a gift card that you can use later when the stay-at-home order has been lifted. 5. Order carry-out/take-out or delivery from locally-owned restaurants. Visit tiny.cc/COAsianBusiness to see a list of Asian restaurants that are still open and what their current hours are. Properly wipe down the take-out boxes once they are in your home. 6. Create a fund to help a small business’ staff. Collect donations to support the staff. For example, food drives, clothing drives and shelter may be helpful in addition to monetary support.
LOCAL RESTAURANTS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS PROVIDE FOOD DELIVERIES TO ASIAN SENIORS Recently, COVID-19 has become increasingly severe in the United States. The majority of critical patients are over 50, or those with chronic diseases or immunodeficiency. Confronted with a lot of challenges, such as economic issues, transportation difficulties, lack of care and resources, language barriers and even the potential risk of an attack or harrassment due to their ethnicity, older Chinese and Asian adults have been put in a more vulnerable and disadvantaged position. Sanpin Food Media hopes to help the Chinese elderly community in Colorado get through this pandemic by working with Happy Living Adult Care. Happy Living Adult Care has been providing quality care and services for Colorado’s Chinese seniors for several
years. Sanpin Food Media plans to sponsor food from the restaurants Hong Kong Cafe Denver and East Moon Asian Bistro to be delivered to the seniors during the “Stay-atHome” order period in Colorado. Sanpin Food Media is launching a campaign, calling on community leaders to pay more care and attention to the needs of the Chinese and Asian elderly in Colorado, and to provide them more assistance. With the support of Rocky Mountain Chinese Weekly, Sanpin Food Media is also establishing a digital platform to provide the Chinese community breaking news updates, resources and special assistance. The goal of this initiative is to help the Chinese and Asian elderly community in Colorado not only get through this tough time, but also have a better and healthier future.
To learn more or get involved, visit www.sanpinfoodmedia.com or e-mail sanpinfoodmedia@ gmail.com.
Happy Living Adult Daycare serves Chinese seniors in Colorado. COVID-19 | asian avenue magazine
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LEADERS ARE GRAPPLING WITH XENOPHOBIA AND ANTI-ASIAN ATTACKS AMID CORONAVIRUS Fear is normal during a pandemic. Racism shouldn’t be. A rising tide of anti-Asian sentiment is happening across the nation including in Denver and its neighboring cities, as people are looking for scapegoats to blame for the virus. The motivation could be because the pandemic started in Wuhan, China. Or it could be triggered by President Trump’s public statements referring to COVID-19 as the “Chinese virus.” Regardless, Asian Americans are being targeted for attacks and hate crimes, which has led to the formation of several hotlines and websites where incidents can be reported. Anecdotes and stories are overwhelming leaders of Asian American communities. Asian-American leaders recall the government-sponsored discrimination in regards to the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 and Japanese internment in the 1940s. Experts say those events and others contributed to the perpetual foreigner and “Yellow Peril” myths that promoted the false ideas that people with Asian features were disease carriers, a threat to the nation and could never truly become American. “These stereotypes have been here for decades,” Representative Judy Chu, Democrat of California said. “They’re always kind of underneath the surface. But if there’s some precipitating event, then it can bring it all back out.” Incidents Happening Locally In Aurora and Denver, unnamed individuals posted false comments on Asian restaurants’ Facebook pages claiming that these restaurants were ordering meat from China that carried the virus. When the posts were reported, they were removed by Facebook, but the damage was done. Asian restaurants were already feeling the pinch as diners began avoiding these places. Local Denver residents were hesitant in sharing their stories of racism. When promised anonymity, they told their stories with great emotions of tears, sadness and anger all at once. While getting her morning coffee, a female resident of Lone Tree was yelled by the Caucasian employee to step back six feet. She backed up out of reflex, and didn’t understand what was go-
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April 2020 | Cover Story
ing on. After gathering her wits, she observed the employee did not do this to any of the other customers. Last month, while a college student was jogging, someone ran towards him and pushed him down. Cameras were visible in the intersection but the police officer who assisted him, said the cameras probably did not “capture the whole process.” The student, who wished to remain anonymous, expressed gratitude that he wasn’t hurt but urged community members to take action. “Please don’t stay silent after a confrontation. It is our responsibility to contribute (to agencies) collecting data point and inform others.” How to Respond to Coronavirus Racism It is up to all of us to speak up in response to racist comments. Comments can lead to racist rants, which could lead to violence. One way to respond is to ‘interrupt.’ It shows the person you’re talking with that what they’ve said is important enough to pause your conversation to address—that you need to talk about the racism before you talk about anything else. Here are a few phrases to try: “Hang on. I want to go back to what you called the virus.” “Just a second—let’s get into your point that the virus is somebody’s fault.” You can also ask the person a question. “Why did you call it the ‘Chinese Coronavirus’?” Asking someone to explain why a racist joke is funny is a great way to stop them from making racist jokes to you again. But if you want to have a real discussion about what they’ve said, ask “What made you say that?” If someone doesn’t understand why a comment they made was racist, educate them about the long history of stereotyping immigrants—and Asian people, specifically—as people who bring disease. You can explain how this stereotype is both wrong and harmful. The key to educating is to continue the conversation. If the person tries to play down racist phrases as “just a joke,” you can educate them about the discrimination and racism Asian Americans are facing right now, so they better understand the impact of their words.
Words Matter “We can stop these attacks by stopping the rhetoric that incites these attacks, stopping misinformation about COVID19, showing people the impact of these attacks, and encouraging bystanders to intervene safely when they witness an incident,” said John Yang, the executive director of the Asian American Justice Center. “COVID19 is a virus; Asians are not special carriers or transmitters of the virus. Toward that end, words matter and names like “Chinese coronavirus” and “Kung-flu” only serve to heighten misinformation and the targeting of the Asian American community.”
A MESSAGE FROM DENVER MAYOR MICHAEL B. HANCOCK
In Denver, we value equity and inclusivity—and we will not tolerate discrimination of any kind. 1. Report! If you experience or witness a hate crime, report it to one of these websites: standagainsthatred.org a3pcon.org/stopaapihate adl.org/reportincident 2. Connect with the Asian Pacific Development Center’s Victims Assistance Program. Services include victim compensation funds; crisis counseling; case management and social services; and legal and personal advocacy. Learn more at: apdc.org/victimassistance. 3. Become an engaged citizen by signing petitions to support the creation of a taskforce to investigate these acts of racism. Visit advancingjustice-aajc.org for more information. 4. Learn more the Denver Anti-Discrimination Office (DADO). The office works toward putting an end to discrimination. 5. Show your humanity with small acts of kindness. Connect with Asian Americans during this time, many of whom are scared to leave their homes. 6. If someone is speaking up against racism, echo their sentiments. As the echoing voice, you can reiterate the anti-bias message or you can thank the first person for speaking up—or both!
It’s disheartening to learn that at a time like this—when we should all be coming together to fight a common enemy, COVID-19—that we are hearing increasing reports of people in our Asian community being harassed and targeted for this epidemic. As Mayor of the City and County Denver, I can assure you we will continue to stand up against racism, fear-mongering, and misinformation by supporting and protecting all residents who call Denver home. Let me be clear, harassment and discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated. Any individual who does commit a bias motivated crime against members of our Asian community will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law under Denver’s Hate Crime Ordinance.
The Denver Police Department has a number to call to report bias-motivated crimes. That number is 720-913-6458. If a bias motivated act is happening in real time, call 911. No matter your immigrant status, it is safe to call. To our community partners – join me in standing up against hate and ensuring our community continues to be a welcoming one for every resident. If you see an incident of hate happening, report it. There’s only one way we are all going to get through this, and that’s together. See the Mayor’s video message at fb.com/5280mayor. COVID-19 | asian avenue magazine
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WANT TO BE HEALTHIER? By Dr. Lynn Tran McDonald
GET SOCIAL!
I
t is undeniable that the pandemic of COVID-19 is making its mark in history. There are speculations that we are facing the end of handshakes and hugs, and the new acceptable norm will be elbow bumps in the practice of social distancing, even into the aftermath of the virus. Government lockdowns, workplace closures, school closures have brought to light the power of conferencing technology. In Japan, people are practicing on-nomi, which translates to online drinking with friends while they are self-quarantined at home. While in the U.S., we have similar practices such as meeting on wine, to virtual dinners with friends, to conferencing for work- and school-related activities. We are called to make significant changes in just a matter of weeks, but there is one constant that we can all count on: Communication will always be important to us as a species that we will constantly work to develop new ways to connect. It started with carving on rocks, moved to pen and paper, telephone,
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April 2020 | Health
internet, to text messaging, to social media and web conferencing. We are comforted by the notion that we are not alone, that someone out there is having a similar experience, and those shared experiences make us feel good. Friendships are born through these shared experiences and those friends help us de-stress, make us laugh, and motivate us to be our best versions of ourselves especially during times of adversity. According to psychologist Susan Pinker, direct contact with other people triggers our nervous system to release a cocktail of neurotransmitters that regulate our response to stress and anxiety. In other words, when we have social interaction, it helps us become more resilient to stress. Positive social interactions, such as handshakes, hugs, laughing and stimulating conversations releases oxytocin, which reduces cortisol and lowers your stress. Social interaction is also key to positive cognitive development. Young children learn how to perform tasks and interact with one another based on social interactions
they have. With senior citizens, having social interaction keeps the brain healthy and alive and slows down mental decline. Unfortunately, currently lockdowns and strict visitation rules during this pandemic is making them feel even more isolated. A study published in Alzheimer’s and Dementia: The Journal of Alzheimer’s Association looked at how social interaction benefited people with dementia. Researchers studied sets of male twins to look for predictors of dementia. The twins that had more social interaction and cognitive activity in middle age experienced less signs of dementia as they aged. Social activities were strongly linked to a lower risk of cognitive decline. This study leads us to believe that promoting cognitive activities such as reading or doing puzzles in conjunction with social activities could help prevent or delay the onset of diseases such as Alzheimer’s. If staying social is a struggle for you, and you’re looking for ways to get out and stimulate your brain, I have some tips:
PRACTICE GRATITUDE
FIND AN ACCOUNTABILITY PARTNER
This isn’t always an easy one, especially when you may be experiencing plan cancellations, decreased income, or job loss, or juggling family life and work life under one roof. However just by focusing on gratitude will naturally stimulate the feeling of happiness that comes from appreciation. A great practice to incorporate every day is to have a gratitude journal. You can jot down your list of gratitude as your start and end your day. Over time, your journal becomes great memorabilia as you review how your life evolved.
Like many people, you may have been gifted more time during this pandemic. Now is a good time as ever to start projects that you have been meaning to get to. Perhaps it’s reading a book, or start an in-home fitness regimen, or piecing together your dream job. Reaching out and scheduling time to mastermind with like-minded people and creating an accountability partner to check in with regularly via skype of zoom will help you focus on moving forward during this time, rather than feeling stuck.
BE CURIOUS Now, more than ever, people are feeling isolated. Reaching out and calling a family, friend or neighbor is a great opportunity to practice giving and to shift your own personal state if you’re feeling lonely as well. Many people want to feel heard, and feel good when others take an interest in them and listen to what they have to say. Good conversation is always a give and take but being curious about other people helps you to learn things you may miss otherwise…and learning is a great way to keep the brain active.
JOIN GROUPS WITH PEOPLE WHO SHARE COMMON INTERESTS WITH YOU There are many outlets with social media, such as Facebook or Eventbrite. Currently, many groups are hosting virtual meetups, people are getting creative and offering free classes on their own personal pages, from meditation, to fitness routines, to cooking sessions. Tune in and support these people who are willing to put themselves out there to spread some love.
DON’T BE AFRAID TO GET DEEP With the pandemic, it is already common to talk about the pandemic like we are talking about the weather. Let yourself share what you are truly feeling, let yourself show the vulnerabilities that you are experiencing at this time because chances are the person you are engaging with is craving for that connection too. Deeper conversations lead to dopamine being released in your brain, which causes people to feel pleasure. Scientists are realizing our brains need more stimulation than the food we eat, the oxygen we breathe and the water we drink. We need other people--- especially now with the pandemic. Normal brain function thrives with social interaction. Our brains are built on a complex web of social interactions with family, friends, coworkers, strangers and beyond. We think about others, talk about others, interact with others, judge their intentions, read their moods and process millions of bits of information about them daily. Social interaction doesn’t just make us happier, but it keeps our brain healthy and functioning. More than ever now, we all need to stay connected.
BIO: Dr. Lynn Tran McDonald is a neurologically based chiropractor, yoga and meditation teacher. She is an adjunct faculty at Metro State University. She runs a private practice with her husband in Wheat Ridge called Wild & Precious Optimal Living offering brain-based chiropractic services to increase resilience and healthy living. Tune in at 8pm MST on her business page for creative meditations nightly. And follow Dr. Lynn on Facebook & Instagram for more health tips. Get Social | asian avenue magazine
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Complete your U.S. Census now. Even with COVID-19 keeping us at home, the United States Census is well underway. This is your opportunity to do your part and help your community and the City and County of Denver. Even if you’re ineligible to vote, you can still take part in the Census. It’s for everyone living here! Since being mandated by the U.S. Constitution, the Census has taken a headcount every ten years since 1790 of people of all ages, races, and ethnic groups residing in the United States. The total count is then used to allocate funds to meet the changing needs of a community. Those funds are critical to public health and safety in times like these.
The Census is fast, simple, and safe. In just ten minutes, you will have completed the nine-question survey. That’s all it takes. You can also complete it online or over the phone, which means it can be done from the safety of your own home. What’s more, the questions are simple, covering such subjects as your age, your sex, and the number of people living in your household. It’s important to understand that the Census Bureau uses the information they collect to only count every resident in the country and nothing beyond this. Every Census Bureau employee understands and respects the safety and privacy of our citizens and has taken an oath for life to protect the data’s confidentiality. The penalty for unlawful disclosure by a Census Bureau employee could lead to fines of up to $250,000 or federal imprisonment of up to five years, or both. By law, the Census cannot share answers with other local, state or federal agencies or any law enforcement entities. Talk with your family, friends and neighbors about the Census. They’ll tell you that your answers are used only for being counted and nothing more.
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April 2020 | Feature
All information provided by: City and County of Denver/Census 2020
Your participation benefits our community. It’s true. The Federal Government distributes approximately $600 billion in funding every year to communities in every corner of America. For Denver, you can anticipate that our city will receive somewhere in the neighborhood of $1.4 billion. This funding will go towards programs important to you and your community: • Medical programs that save lives and provide aid, especially important in today’s climate. • New construction and rehabilitation for roads, bridges, and railways. • Improvements to public transportation as our population continues to increase. • Head Start programs providing childhood education, health, and nutrition to families in need. • Emergency food and shelter for children, individuals, and families finding themselves in immediate need of help. • New jobs are created when businesses use Census data to decide the right time to build factories, offices and retail stores. • City planners use data supplied by the Census to determine when it’s best to revitalize older neighborhoods as well as build new homes and communities. • Residents use the Census to support community initiatives involving legislation, quality-of-life, and consumer advocacy. • Using the count from the decennial Census, the seats in the U.S. House of Representatives are redistributed based on population. Based on 2020 Census data, it is likely that Colorado could gain an additional House seat, creating Colorado House District 8. By not taking part in the Census, according to George Washington University, it has been calculated that the state could lose a minimum of $1,481 annually, or $14,810 over the next decade until the Census will be taken again in the year 2030. That is why it is so important that every one of us takes just a few minutes to help Denver achieve the most accurate count possible and get needed funding for services and programs to help our city, our neighborhoods, and ourselves.
This is it. We ALL need to be part of this important count. The Census is officially underway. Your household, like every household, should have received a letter in the mail containing a unique code for occupants to use to complete the Census online or over the phone. If you didn’t receive a letter, you can still participate at 2020Census.gov. Your participation makes an incredible difference for you, your community, and all of Colorado. Let’s do this. Get started by visiting denvergov.org/census2020. We also have hotlines for people to call for help on filling out the Census. For Spanish, please call 844-468-2020 and for English, please call 844-330-2020. You can also text the Census Help Desk at 303-622-5881 in English or Spanish. Text and data rates may apply. We may all be home, but we’re all in this together. So do your part to help your community.
Get started at: DenverGov.org/Census2020
Make a difference. Be Counted. Census 2020 | asian avenue magazine
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Meet
Jane Miyahara
Denver Asian American Pacific Islander Commissioner and Early Childhood Special Education - Support Partner at Denver Public Schools How do you identify yourself? Well, the easiest way to answer this question, is that I’m an Island Girl. I often get the question, “What are you?” because of my features. I’ve always been different and looked different from the Japanese Americans I was raised with. I’m not sure exactly what my ethnicity is but when I lived in Hawaii, while attending the University of Hawaii at Hilo, it was there that I’ve felt most “at home.” What I do know is that my birth parents are from Hawaii, on the island of Oahu. My birth mom, Amy is from Liliha and my birth father, John is from Palama. I was born in San Francisco and raised in Denver, by my adopted parents, Ben and Flo Miyahara. My parents (Ben and Flo) were very active in Simpson United Methodist, the church I was raised in. Ben and Flo had great influence on who I am today. My father was a man of few words, but a huge heart and would do anything for anyone. I strive to be more like him daily. My mother was a woman of many words and taught me independence, self-reliance and a bit of feistiness. My mom was on the Asian Advisory Commission under Mayor Webb. She was
Jane Miyahara (left) with DAAPIC commissioner Joie Ha.
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April 2020 | DAAPIC Column
Jane Miyahara (middle) at a “Cabinet in the Community” event last year with commissioner Farman Pirzada (left) and Derek Okubo (right), Executive Director of Denver’s Agency for Human Rights and Community Partnerships. very proud of the work she did which made me want to be a part of this work. What do you do for the Denver Public Schools? I attended Denver Public Schools since kindergarten and am a proud graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School, which makes me very proud to work for DPS. I’m a Senior Manager for Preschool Supports in the area of Special Education. There are two areas of my work, assessment and programming. Child Find is a system to identify children suspected of having a delay in development. I oversee the Child Find system and support this amazing staff. I also support the different types of early childhood programming for preschoolers who are identified with special needs. We have 90 schools across the city, plus community sites, that have early childhood classrooms. Most of these classroom are inclusive, which means that most have students that have been identified with needs. I work with an incredible team of people who are dedicated to our work with children and families.
Our leader, the Special Education Director, has connected with us daily to make plans for remote learning. Working from home is challenging, especially with all of the Zoom meetings, but that is our reality now. I actually think that I work harder, without all of the interruptions. I’m able to focus on projects and planning for the days to come.
What are parents and children feeling? Several parents have kept in touch with me during this time. Naturally, they have a lot of concerns about their children, how to support them and how services will be met, given the current situation. After the first week, we have seen a rise in anxiety. It’s hard to imagine this sudden change in lifestyle for a typically developing student, having to stay at home and receive instruction. But think about having a student with autism or perhaps a severe physical disability, where the parent depends on the school district to support with various therapies. It’s difficult to figure this out, when a big part of their support system and the routine is gone. Most of the parents I’ve How has your job changed as the real- interacted with are reacting out of fear of ity of COVID-19 has settled on Denver the unknown, as we all are. We are workand Colorado? ing around the clock to think of effective Things have moved quickly. I work with ways to support students and families. an amazing core team of Senior ManagI try my best to support these parents, ers who have worked together from the not feed into the fear yet share with them beginning to start planning for remote honestly where we are right now in terms learning for our students. of planning.
Edge: Turning Adversity into Advantage Author: Laura Huang ISBN 978-0-52-554081 Pages: 257 Publisher: Portfolio Penguin Connect with Laura: twitter.com/LauraHuangLA fb.com/laurahuangLA In Edge: Turning Adversity into Advantage, Harvard Business School professor Laura Huang, shares the practical implications of her revolutionary research on advantage and disadvantage, showing us how we can all improve our chances of achieving our dreams. Arguing that personal success depends on more than our ideas, credentials, and skills, or even hard work and effort, Huang writes, “To get ahead, you need an edge—and if you don’t have one, you can make one.” SUMMARY Drawing from Huang’s award-winning research on entrepreneurial intuition, persuasion, and implicit decision-making, the book illuminates how success in all aspects of life—whether it’s landing a job, getting a raise, closing a deal, or acing a presentation—hinges not only on working hard and amplifying our strengths, but on shaping how others see our perceived flaws. Huang begins with the recognition that the world isn’t a level playing field. Some people begin with inherent advantages; others have to create advantages for others and how far we can go, and we all have biases—about race, gender, age, religion, ability, sexual orientation, and more —that work for us or against us. The good news, Huang argues, is that we can turn adversity into advantage by harnessing the very stereotypes and qualities that seem like shortcomings and reframing them as assets that work in our favor. We can each find and create our own “edge.” Personal anecdotes add flavor to the book. You’ll read about her almost-short encounter with Elon Musk created an interest in her research, how Cyrus Habib, a blind, first-time political candidate guides voters to see how his disability made him tenancies, and illustrate
how Nien Qi uses her foreign accent to shape how others view her positively. Edge gives readers the tools they need to be strategic about tapping into what makes them special. Using a combination of her extensive and profound research, her own experiences overcoming obstacles and bias, companies that made momentous turnarounds, Huang shows us how to turn weaknesses into strengths and create a personal edge in any situation. Success is about knowing who you are and using that knowledge unapologetically and strategically so that all of us can find and maintain our own edge. In this book, you will find tools to take it to the next level. PLUSES • It’s an easy read. There’s no need to be a Harvard graduate to read this book. • Those working in corporate, nonprofit and government positions should read this book for its valuable advice on how to overcome the minefields. • A list of Edge principles (page 221) stand as invaluable reminders to readers. NEGATIVES • When there is no personal anecdote, it can feel like reading a research paper. • The reference of “hard work” is not enlightening to those who believe it is the core of getting ahead. More info at: laurahuang.net. Book Review | asian avenue magazine
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MYASIANDISH.COM
Works to Preserve Tradition By Amber Inthavong
Thai Tom Yum Soup
Naem Khao (Lao Crispy Fried Rice)
Many Asian Americans crave the Our generation of Asian Americans home-style dishes from their childhood. have evolved and changed so much Over time, however, those traditional recfrom original customs. Future generations ipes that were passed on to us for generawill continue to be influenced by diverse tions become increasingly harder to maintain. flavors as cuisines around the world are alIt’s not uncommon to hear the frustrations of ways fusing. people, saying they just can’t make it the same Chaeo Bong (Lao Chili Sauce) Preserving culture way mom, dad or grandma did. Saeng, the founder of MyAsianDish.com, unFurthermore, once we have our own children derstood firsthand what it was like to feel this loss of her culture’s they speak less and less of our native language, let alone praccuisine and wanted to provide a resource for others too. tice any of the old customs at all. As you can see, what we prioritize and practice today, is impactful on what traditions live on Southeast Asian cuisine in the future. If you are familiar with Southeast Asian cuisine, many of the Saeng’s website was built with the purpose to preserve tradidishes take plenty of love, time and care. One wrong step in the tion, technique, and recipes of authentic Southeast Asian dishes cooking process and the dish can never be fixed or adjusted to through learning, documenting and sharing. Our food is symtaste the right way. Southeast Asian cuisine includes foods from bolic of our roots and heritage, so what can be more beautiful Laos, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnamese, Thailand and more. and important, than to preserve it? On MyAsianDish.com, you’ll find simple recipes like Mango MyAsianDish.com and Sweet Sticky Rice to more complex recipes such as Pad See Saeng has worked to make it easy for you, to be able to see Ew (noodles) or Naem Khao (Lao crispy fried rice). and do traditional recipes from her website. MyAsianDish.com Saeng also sells jars of the Lao sweet and spicy chili sauce, offers videos of Southeast Asian recipes, each video will walk- Chaeo Bong. A blend of roasted peppers, galangal, and caramelthrough tips on the best type of ingredients to use and list all of ized sugar that pairs with any protein and stand as a staple of the the measurements on what to put in. Now we know that sharing country of Laos. From her mother’s original recipe, these jars of and celebrating recipes is not a new thing, but the purpose of it chili sauce are created out of a commissary is so much more. kitchen in Colorado Springs.
Curious about Southeast Asian cuisine? Visit MyAsianDish.com for recipe ideas! 22
April 2020 | Food
Colorado Dragon Film Festival 2020 By Jessalyn Herreria Langevin From Feb. 20 to 23, Dragon 5280 and Denver Film hosted the Colorado Dragon Film Festival (CDFF) at the Sie Filmcenter. The four-day festival Sara Moore showcased ten international and Asian American film screenings, food, drink, and artwork. Local Korean BBQ restaurant, Dae Gee, kicked off the festival with their vegetarian dishes which reflected the cuisine created by Korean celebrity chef, Im Ji-ho. The festival’s first film, The Wandering Chef, documented Ji-ho’s relationship with elderly people and his unique approach to cooking. The boba shop Tea Street and local brewer Cerebral Brewing hosted a Boba and Beer Happy Hour where attendees sampled boba and beer before watching Lucky Grandma. The dark comedy of Lucky Grandma brought to light the issues of aging and immigrant life while maintaining a comical storyline. Throughout the festival, the Sie Filmcenter’s neighbor, Tattered Cover, hosted a series of Creative Conversations in which festival-goers could learn about something new. Topics correlated with the films being shown, such as Japanese baseball and a Filipino musical set pre-World War II, and the festival’s theme of
Wellness in the Community. The Taipei Economic and Cultural OfJerry S. Chang fice in Denver hosted the screening of Love Boat: Taiwan, a documentary about one of the longest running summer programs in the world. The festival drew to a close with it’s final film, To Live To Sing, in which a Sichuan Opera troupe deals with the impending demolition of their theater and dissolution of the troupe. Over the years, the CDFF has gained momentum and is an event not to be missed. It’s unique films, which can’t be found on Hulu or Netflix, provide viewers with a multitude of fantastic films. Stay tuned for the next CDFF by checking out their website cdfilm.org.
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