Asian Sun - Summer v2

ASIAN SUN Issue 11 - Summer 2020

Voice of the Asian American & Pacific Islander Community

RUNNING FOR MY LIFE:

A Personal Story of Intergenerational Trauma

IN THIS ISSUE On the Cover

COVID-19’s Troubling Syptom

The connection between outright discrimination and blame toward the AAPI community.

Running for My Life: A Personal Story of Intergenerational Trauma

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Caring Is Back PAGE

14 How to build a Virtual Network

Tips on establish meaningful connections in a digital space

Equality Health is giving doctors more time to be

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We would like to thank you for your continued commitment and support.

It has been an amazing 27 years of dedication to passion, innovation, and excellence. Although we have accomplished a tremendous amount, we understand that there is so much more that we can and will do. With the continued support from our amazing Board of Directors we know that together, we will be able to make great strides.

The Chamber invites you to become a strategic partner in our mission to create long term, mutually beneficial relationships with Asian Pacific American communities. As a member, your support will enable hundreds of businesses to thrive and contribute to regional economic growth Membership will increase your visibility and marketing opportunities within Asian Pacific American and Pacific Islander communities. Together, we will continue to build a vibrant and productive Arizona.

Join the Arizona Asian Chamber of Commerce: www.azasianchamber.com/membership

STAFF Vic J. Reid Chief Executive Officer Executive Director Publisher Anthony Bounxayavong Amphonephong Chief of Staff Philamer Batangan Director of Digital Marketing Joel Farias Visual Marketing Director Leilani Viscaina Volunteer Coordinator Anna Dong Digital Marketing Manager

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The Arizona Asian Chamber of Commerce Incorporated has been the premier organization serving as a bridge to this lucrative Arizona business segment. We are committed to strengthening our members, promoting their businesses and building markets for their products and services.

The Chamber is a trusted voice and passionate advocate for Asian Pacific American businesses and entrepreneurs.

ADVISORY BOARD Jim Shee Kevin Reid

R R P O AT E D

IAN CHAM

Asian Pacific Americans are the fastest growing communities in Arizona doubling in size over the last ten years. Asian Pacific American owned businesses in Arizona generate over $4.5 billion in annual revenues with payroll exceeding $800 million. These growing communities represent vast business opportunities and complex challenges.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Rana Sodhi Suzie Moreno TJ Greene Ryan Winkle (Chair) Star Reyes Tomas Leon Jenny Poon Vicente J. Reid William Nguyen Susan Hwang

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WELCOME TO THE CHAMBER

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@AZAsianChamber

Raising Kids During Covid Pinky Guerrero

Hi, I’m Pinky Guerrero! I’m an active mom of three to an 11-year-old (Skyler), 9-year-old (Spencer), and 6-year-old (Katelynn). You can usually catch me at the soccer field, hockey rink, volunteering at a variety of different non-profits, participating in a school function or simply enjoying the great outdoors with my husband and kids! Our schedules are pretty jampacked, we successfully thrive off of a well-color-coded digital calendar and physical planner (yes, I am that mom).

I guess I was that mom pre-COVID; our once color-coded itinerary filled with school, extracurricular activities, and playdates were completely wiped clean. A challenging yet grounding experience for my family and me. We learned to appreciate our time together, re-evaluate and prioritize our health, and take care of our relationships we have with friends and family.

I know we may no longer thrive off of a color-coded schedule, we can’t interact with our peers/teammates or people in our community like we used to, we see less of the familiar soccer fields and ice rinks. And, due to our own personal health reasons we limit interacting with others who weren’t typically in our circle prior and if we do, we are at a safe distance, wearing masks and of course washing our hands/sanitizing regularly. Our days look MUCH different now.

We spend a majority of our time learning digitally from home, settingup ZOOM dates with cousins and family who are all frontline workers, attending online therapy and enjoying late night bike rides to catch a glimpse of the gorgeous Arizona skies. Overall, the most important thing I have learned during this pandemic is that GRACE was going to be my word for the remainder of the year. I’m raising my kids to have grace. To continue to be compassionate, kind human-beings and continue to stay educated on the things that are happening and how we can contribute to be better versions of ourselves for ourselves and our community. Is it the best method of raising children? I’m not sure, I definitely don’t have that answer.

But I know that I am remaining hopeful as all parents are that they are doing the best they can with what they have in the situation they are in. And I know that’s enough. And honestly every day is a new day for us, filled with obstacles, tears, and lots of coffee (and wine) for this mom! Raising three active kids during this pandemic isn’t easy, but I know I’m not alone. I’m just truly trying to do my best to continue to thrive in this “new normal” and to provide hope and positivity in my children, and sometimes that’s more than enough.

A MESSAGE FROM MARK KELLY Mark Kelly for U.S. Senate

We’re at a critical moment for our country and our state. We’re facing a public health crisis, an economic crisis, and a crisis of leadership. Even during a national emergency, Washington still isn’t working together to solve problems.

Over and over again we’ve been a step behind because leaders in Washington have been too focused on politics, and not public health. What we need is some independent leadership that will make decisions based on science, data, and facts - not politics.

I bring a different set of experiences than most in the Senate. I served in the Navy for twenty-five years, fifteen of those at NASA where I flew into space four times, twice as commander of the Space Shuttle. I believe I can bring those experiences to help solve problems in Washington.

Since launching this campaign last year, I have listened to Arizonans in every corner of the state including members of the Asian American and Pacific Islander community, about the issues impacting their lives. In March, as Arizona was beginning to experience the

impacts of this pandemic, I visited the Asian Business District in Mesa to learn about the work to expand locally-owned business and the challenges small businesses were facing. I have continued to stay in touch with business owners, while also hearing from leaders in the community about the challenges brought on by this pandemic.

As we battle a health care crisis and an economic crisis, it’s more important than ever that we elect people to Congress that will work across the aisle. We are facing big challenges ahead like continuing to slow the spread of this virus, rebuilding our economy for the future, protecting Arizonans with pre-existing conditions and lowering health care costs, and protecting Social Security and Medicare. Solving these issues is going to be difficult, and I believe that I can bring the independent approach that will be needed to solve them.

I will continue working hard to earn every vote and learn about the issues affecting communities across Arizona, so if elected, I can be the best Senator for all Arizonans.

Many voices.

One community.

We’re better together, and our communities are richer and stronger when we embrace diversity. Join us in celebrating Arizona’s many and varied voices.

Running for My Life: A Personal Story of Intergenerational Trauma Eric Day

Growing up I never saw my father cry until the day he told me about my uncle’s passing in Cambodia. My uncle was the last brother of my dad’s siblings. My father’s story started in 1975 with the passing of his mother and brother back when the Khmer Rouge had just invaded Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh.

Here is my dad’s retelling of his story: “When the Khmer Rouge radio that they will invade in the morning, mother and father took us from the capital to the countryside. During the journey we were stopped by soldiers alongside others while being questioned. They asked my father what he did for a living? He lied stating that he was just a farmer. The soldier knew something was up. After figuring out documents and word of mouth they realized he was actually a recruitment officer for the Cambodian Royal Army. Therefore, they took my father and I never saw him again.

Mother, me, and my two siblings continued our journey. We stopped with everyone at a river. I decided to go fishing with my bamboo spear. After catching six fishes, I began walking towards the little campsite we made. My cousin ran towards me shouting ‘they took my family and tied them up to a tree.’ I ran fast as I could, until I heard a gunshot ‘BANG!’ All the birds from the jungle scurried away. The jungle was quiet as my heart stank to the ground. All that was left for me to do was run for my life into the jungle.”

My father has told me this story many times without any emotion or tears, just a hardened expression. He would be tough on me about life and how he came here with just a pair of pants in order to give me a better life.

Without knowing, the trauma he endured during the Khmer Rouge war was transferred over to me which is called transgenerational trauma. Intergenerational trauma typically refers to the ways in which trauma experienced in one generation affects the health and well-being of descendants of future generations. In my case, it affected my mental health and well-being as all I knew at times was that I would feel like a piece of driftwood floating down a river. I felt I couldn’t compare to my parents’ expectations and demands. However, once understanding my emotions and my parents it has helped me realize how to cope with my mental health and not be afraid to share my family story.

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HOW TO BUILD A VIRTUAL NETWORK?

Leilani Viscaina

As we shift to virtual classrooms, meetings, and events, how can we establish meaningful connections? Inperson events allow you to have an easier meaningful conversation than online; however, it doesn’t mean you can’t do the same virtually. Building connections online just requires more effort and engagement. Recently, I was able to discuss the changes to online connecting with various Graduate Candidates from Thunderbird School of Global Management, in which many highlighted the importance of three basic steps. Step 1: building a good social media presence on LinkedIn. Step 2: targeting people during meetings you wish to further talk to. Step 3: find ways to continue the conversation.

Now that your prep work is done, during your meeting or large event figure out the server you are using. Learn how to properly privately message someone. You will notice especially in interactive presentations, people will be speaking out loud and commenting in the chat room. You have to be engaged and pay close attention to what people are saying as that is how you will find a way to connect to another person. Did someone say something that you admired or did you have a comment to add? Find something that can allow you to send the first message to the individual you wish to target. When private messaging, exchange LinkedIn profiles if you so choose.

One of the biggest take-aways when connecting inperson is someone’s business card; therefore, what would someone virtually give if not a business card? You can easily give your email or phone number; however, many favor another strategy which is giving your LinkedIn profile link. If you haven’t built a LinkedIn profile yet it is important to note that creating a profile can be a powerful tool in making connections. In the simplest terms it will act as your business card and résumé simultaneously. Many job applications allow you to link your LinkedIn account which I encourage you to do.

Constantly ensuring your LinkedIn profile is updated and accurate is crucial in the digital world. Keep your profile link ready to access for easier managing. Example: I keep mine on a digital sticky note on my desktop that I can copy and paste when needed.

Your final step can be the hardest which is continuing the conversation outside the meeting. Similar to how getting a tangible business card doesn’t mean you made a successful connection; the same goes with getting connected via LinkedIn. It is important to put effort into establishing a connection. Don’t know what to say for a follow up? If you exchanged profiles then you can discuss something based on their profile and experiences.

Also, you can always ask to ZOOM and/or Skype to further conversation just as you would in person. In the end, a digital connection isn’t always easy; it may seem impersonal and more difficult but the type of relationship you will establish is based on your ability to stay connected and valuing the other person.

COVID-19’s Troubling Symptom

By Jason Ahn MD, MPA

Since it appeared in the news last December1, the coronavirus has managed to shut down nations, wobble economies and seriously alter everyday life. Scientists who study disease still do not totally understand the mysterious ways COVID-19 affects the body but have noted it severely affects people of any age who have underlying conditions (such as diabetes, serious heart conditions, kidney disease, obesity and COPD).2 Yet it can take down perfectly healthy people as well.3 The uncertainty and danger surrounding COVID-19 have left the world wondering, what’s next?

A Troubling Symptom COVID-19, besides having a growing list of documented symptoms and surprises, has shown another troubling symptom: Outright discrimination and blame toward cultures perceived to have a connection with it. Because it was first identified in Wuhan, China some still refer to it as the “Chinese virus” or other names.

The American Psychological Association (APA) defines discrimination as “the unfair or prejudicial treatment of people and groups based on characteristics such as race, gender, age or sexual orientation.”4 The APA names fear and misunderstanding as common motivators. Right now, many Asian Americans are feeling the heat.

At the time of this writing, more than 832 COVID-19related incidences against Asian Americans have been reported.5 These attacks include verbal harassment and shunning, strangers’ discomfort, physical assaults, spitting and coughing, threats, and possible civil rights violations.6 A Public Health Issue The APA calls discrimination “a public health issue.”

Research reports a link between racial discrimination and depression, anxiety, obesity, high blood pressure, bone demineralization and substance abuse7,8.

The pandemic has given many of us something to stress out about: controversies over wearing a mask, tensions from remaining housebound, strangeness of

social distancing, difficulties from wage losses and everbrooding possibilities of sickness and death. Stress is the natural response to repeated stimulus, and each of us experiences it differently.

Chronic stress — whether from the unknowns of COVID-19 or direct discrimination because of it — causes wear-and-tear in our bodies. This happens because stress causes the body to shift its vital energy from major organs to buff up hypervigilance in case a threat (perceived or real) develops into a full-fledged danger. The result? A weakened immune system and the propensity to develop an underlying disease, two variables that can cause increased risks regarding COVID-19.

Caring Is Back

The Ins and Outs of Stress The healthy ways to deal with pandemic-related stress include having a plan in case of infection; taking a break from news and social media feeds; talking with a friend, family or spiritual advisor; incorporating a relaxation technique; and including healthy habits like exercising and eating good foods.9 In the case of discrimination, recognize the racism for what it is, connect with cultural strengths and values, share and utilize cultural resources,4 and report it. The Asian Pacific Policy & Planning Council has created a Coronavirus Anti-AAPI Racism Incident Report on their website here.

The APA strongly advises to maintain clear thinking (discrimination can stoke internal emotions) and not dwell on any one incident.4 But when emotions and thoughts become out of control, ask for help. Equality Health’s telehealth service provides medical and mental health consultations through video calls. It’s okay to ask for professional help when worry, fear and anxiety affect our relationships and family roles. Everyone needs a safe space to get support and empathy. Don’t hesitate to reach out to Equality Health for help.

WHO cdc.org JAMA 4 APA 5 Asian Pacific Policy and Planning Council 6 Ibid 7 PubMed.org 8 ama-assn.org 9 nimh.hih.gov 1 2 3

Equality Health is giving doctors more time to be doctors, so they can provide the personalized care you deserve.

Ask if your doctor is part of the Equality Health network today.

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