VOL 37 NO 52 | DECEMBER 22 - DECEMBER 28, 2018

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

VOL 37 NO 52 DECEMBER 22 – DECEMBER 28, 2018 FREE 36 YEARS YOUR VOICE

1

TOP 10 LOCAL STORIES IN 2018

We now have two new State Senators of color — Joe Nguyen and Mona Das. Nguyen won the 34th District, becoming the state’s first Vietnamese American legislator and the district’s first person of color to hold that seat. Mona Das beat long time Senator Joe Fain in the 47th District race. Both are immigrants.

AFFECTING

or INVOLVING A jubilant Joe Nguyen surrounded by supporters on Nov. 6 at his election night party in White Center.

(Photo by Sam Le)

2

A A PI S

Compiled by Ruth Bayang

Steve Hirjak was named an assistant chief in the Seattle Police Department (SPD), the first assistant chief of Asian descent.

The 25-year SPD veteran has consulted agencies across the country on issues of police use of force and addressed committees of the Washington State Legislature and the International Association of Chiefs of Police.

Mona Das

3

4

A street sign was unveiled in August to honor the late Al Sugiyama. Al Sugiyama Way is at the intersection of South Nevada Street and 15th Avenue South, just a few blocks away from Sugiyama’s former home. The longtime community leader died in January 2017 after a long battle with cancer.

Officer Mark Wong (left) introduced Steve Hirjak (center) and award presenter Albert Chun (right) at the NWAW’s Top Contributors Award Gala 2018 on Dec. 7.

(Photo by George Liu)

5

Martin Pang was released from prison in late September. He was convicted of setting a fire in his parents’ ChinatownInternational District warehouse in 1995.

Pang was sentenced to 35 years in prison, but got out after serving only 20 years, reportedly due to “good behavior.”

6

Phnom Penh Noodle House closed its doors for good on May 28, after over 30 years in business. Sam Ung, who escaped the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia, opened the restaurant in Seattle’s International District in 1987. Ung’s daughters, Dawn and Darlene, came to the decision to close the business after a family emergency.

The King County Sheriff ’s Office Use of Force Review Board found that the deputy who shot Tommy Le in June 207 was justified. Le’s family has filed a civilrights lawsuit against King County Executive Dow Constantine and John Urquhart, the sheriff at the time of the shooting. A formal King County inquest of Le’s death is pending.

Tommy Le

Supporters speak for Alan Sugiyama Way at the Seattle City Council (Photo by Eugene Takawa)

Harry and Mary Pang at their Mercer Island Home in 1995 (Photo by George Liu/NWAW)

Phnom Penh storefront (Photo by Han Bui)

7

8

Every single elected official of Asian American descent in the state legislature voted for Senate Bill 6617. The bill would have kept years of state lawmakers’ past records — such as emails, text messages, and calendars — private, only subjecting email exchanges with lobbyists and calendars generated after July 1, 2018 to public scrutiny. Gov. Jay Inslee vetoed the bill.

Residents of The Firs Mobile Home Park in SeaTac had to relocate after a bill granting financial assistance fell short of a vote before the end of the state legislative session in March. The landowner, Jong Soo Park, wanted to redevelop to capitalize on the economic boom.

■

Gov. Jay Inslee

9

Various immigrant rights groups, including Asian Counseling and Referral Service — joined forces to oust the director of the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL). Pat Kohler resigned in April following revelations in January that the DOL was sharing residents’ personal information with immigration-enforcement authorities.

The Firs mobile home park

Pat Kohler

see TOP STORIES on 16

412 Maynard Ave. S., Seattle, WA 98104 • t. 206.223.5559 • f. 206.223.0626 • info@nwasianweekly.com • ads@nwasianweekly.com • www.nwasianweekly.com

asianweekly northwest

36 YEARS

DECEMBER 22 – DECEMBER 28, 2018

■ NAMES IN THE NEWS

Photo by George Liu

Photo provided by Dennis T. Su

GSCCC election results

received the decoration at a Dec. 6 ceremony hosted by the Ambassador of Japan, Shinsuke Sugiyama.

Sugiyama said, “As chair of the Trade Subcommittee, [Reichert] led the discussions in Congress on trade issues.

Representative Reichert has consistently supported the benefits that flow from Japan-U.S. business ties and trade.”

The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star is one of the highest orders that the Emperor of Japan may bestow to foreigners. 

UW program honored Photo provided by the office of Japan Consul General

2

Award recipients Auntie Pang, Tim Lee, Anna Hou, and Lawrence Pang with Police Guild members and Chinese community members.

The Greater Seattle Chinese Chamber of Commerce (GSCCC) announced the results of its 2019 election for the Board of Directors, and its 2019 Officers.

Board of Directors Alvin Wong, Bowic Tse, Dennis T. Su, Felicity Wang, Hongguan Xu, Jesse Tam, John Liu, Lawrence Pang, Lucia Leung, Martha Lee, Patsy Bonincontri, Pauline Lau, Rick Choi, Shiao-Yen Wu, Tereza Marks, Van Vong, Wesley Tanoto, and YP Chan.

2019 Officers Dennis T. Su, President Jesse Tam, First Vice President Hongguan Xu, Second Vice President Van Vong, Secretary Rick Choi, Treasurer 

Appreciation for Chinatown residents

Seattle Police Guild President Kevin Stuckey, Vice President Rich O’Neil, and 17 other officers gathered at the House of Hong Restaurant on Dec. 4, to show appreciation for the Chinatown residents, who showed support for the police contract at a recent Seattle City Council meeting.

The Guild presented awards to members who spoke and

helped organize the group at the meeting. Over 100 people attended the celebration. 

Reichert honored for work on U.S.-Japan relations Photo provided by Embassy of Japan

From left: 2nd Vice President Hongguan Xu, Treasurer Rick Choi, 1st Vice President Jesse Tam, President Dennis T. Su, and Secretary Van Vong.

Ambassador Shinsuke Sugiyama hailed Congressman Dave Reichert for his leadership in building strong Japan-US ties.

Congressman Dave Reichert received the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star in recognition of his work to strengthen bilateral relations and promote friendship between the United States and Japan. Reichert

Paul Atkins (right) accepting the award from Yoichiro Yamada.

A ceremony and reception were held in November to award the Foreign Minister’s Commendation for 2018 to the Japanese Language and Literature Program, Department of Asian Languages and Literature at the University of Washington.

Consul General Yoichiro Yamada expressed his appreciation for the program’s long contribution to the development of Japan studies in the Pacific Northwest.

Department Chair Prof. Paul Atkins accepted the certificate on behalf of the program.

Atkins expressed his gratitude for the honor and spoke about the history of the program since its establishment. 

Starting Jan. 1, 2019 A new way to take care of the people who take care of your business.

Phuong Tran, Lava Java

Employers of all sizes must start collecting premiums for Paid Family & Medical Leave on January 1. This statewide insurance program will give every eligible employee access to up to 12 weeks of paid leave starting in 2020. It’s easy to get started, and there are special grants available for small businesses.

Get your business ready at paidleave.wa.gov

YOUR VOICE

asianweekly northwest

■ COMMUNITY NEWS

DECEMBER 22 – DECEMBER 28, 2018

3

Chinese Exclusion Repeal Act remembered It was a day of intensely personal and poignant storytelling at an event commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the Chinese Exclusion Repeal Act. The program was held at the Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience in Seattle on Dec. 16.

Stories about the impact of racist and discriminatory federal policies were told in first person by Bettie Luke, sister of Wing Luke, and many others. Wing Luke, a civil

rights attorney, served as a Seattle city councilmember from 1962 until his death in 1965. He was the first Asian American to hold elected office in Washington state.

The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 banned the immigration of Chinese to the United States. It also prohibited Chinese from becoming naturalized citizens. Nativeborn Chinese American citizens could face exclusion if they left the United States and tried to return. When they returned, they faced extensive interrogations. Subsequent legislation extended and further restricted Chinese immigration and promoted see CHINESE EXCLUSION on 14

Photo by Janine Gates

By Janine Gates Reprinted with permission from janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com Edited for space and brevity

Gary Locke spoke at the commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of the Chinese Exclusion Repeal Act on Dec. 16.

APDC meets with API legislators At December’s Asian Pacific Directors Coalition (APDC) meeting, five API legislators took questions on issues relevant to the API community for the 2019 legislative session, which begins in January. Among the legislators present at the meeting, held at Seattle Goodwill’s Training and Education Center, was Senator-elect Joe Nguyen (D), who beat out Shannon Braddock (D) for the 34th district seat. He was asked what it was like to walk, unescorted, onto the Senate floor for the first time.

“I took the rope off, nobody stopped me, I walked out…” he described. “And that was the first time that I felt that this was a space that I belonged, and it wasn’t just a

Photo by Jessica Kai Curry

By Jessica Kai Curry NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY

APDC’s Janice Deguchi and state legislators at December’s APDC meeting.

spot where we can be a guest. It’s a spot that we can actually have authority to be able to help people out in the community…This is

pretty powerful.”

Facilitator Michael Itti reiterated the impressive November numbers that had

placed state Democrats in a stronger position: 28 Democrats and 21 Republicans now sit in the Senate; 57 Democrats and 41 Republicans in the House. Of those, significant additions, such as Nguyen and Mona Das, in the 47th, were made in terms of API representation.

Attendee Ron Chew, of International Community Health Services Foundation, stated, “I am proud to have so many API legislators [in Olympia]. I remember a time when we had no API legislators. It’s a great time.”

Rep. Cindy Ryu (D), 32nd district, announced that, for the first time in eight years, another member of color (her) would be in the appropriations committee. She also mentioned that the house Members of see APDC on 13

Sentencing in Man hit with attack on Sikh frying pan, stabbed in ID cab driver

By Staff NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY

Photo from sikhcoalition.org

SEATTLE — On Dec. 14, a man was sentenced to 15 months in prison after pleading guilty to attacking a taxi driver last year.

Swarn Singh, 53, is Sikh American and an immigrant from India. He submitted a victim impact statement to the King County Superior Court last week. In it, Singh urged his attacker to recognize the damage caused, detailing his injuries and the impact of the assault on the Sikh community.

On Dec. 16, 2017, Singh was parked outside an apartment building to drop off Rory Benson and his mother. Benson, who was sitting in the front passenger seat, grabbed the piece of cloth Singh kept in his taxi to wipe the windshield, and tried to suffocate him with it.

Singh immediately ran out of the taxi, and Benson grabbed a hammer from his see SINGH on 6

Seattle Police are searching for a man who stabbed another in a Chinatown/ International District apartment on Dec. 17.

Officers were called to the 400 block of South Jackson Street just before 5 p.m. for a report of a man who had been stabbed.

When officers arrived, they found a 36-year-old man with a stab wound to his abdomen, sitting in the lobby of an apartment building. Seattle Fire Department medics took the man to Harborview Medical Center with serious

but non life-threatening injuries. The victim told officers that he had been inside an apartment and gotten into an argument with his 32-year-old roommate. The victim said his roommate hit him with a frying pan, then stabbed him before running away.

Officers checked the apartment and found blood on the floor, but did not locate the suspect.  If you have any information about this case, call the tip line at 206-233-5000.

Staff can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.

asianweekly northwest

4

DECEMBER 22 – DECEMBER 28, 2018

36 YEARS

■ NATIONAL NEWS

How a Chinese immigrant used WeChat to win a statehouse seat

By ARELIS R. HERNANDEZ THE WASHINGTON POST ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — As a first-generation Asian American running for a seat in the Maryland state legislature, Democrat Lily Qi felt disconnected from the party establishment.

She had worked for years as Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett’s chief Lily Qi administrator overseeing economic and workforce development. But she lacked the political base and union endorsements of some other delegate candidates, and she knew that immigrants like her-

self were rarely sought out by politicians in Maryland or elected to office.

So Qi turned to the large Asian American immigrant community in her district, writing columns about the U.S. party system in local Chinese-language newspapers and discussing her platform on WeChat, a popular messaging app. She picked out Chinese names on voter rolls to make targeted phone calls, arguing that immigrants can’t afford to be disengaged from local politics and that in liberal Montgomery, waiting until the general election often means missing the competitive races.

Like other Asian American politicians, Qi had to navigate cultural land mines on issues such as affirmative action, efforts to diversify public school magnet programs and protections for undocumented immigrants, all of which have provoked tension in the broader Asian American community.

In November, she was elected as one of three delegates representing legislative District 15 in the General Assembly.

She will join at least two other Asian immigrants and 10 other Asian Americans in Annapolis, said state Sen. Susan Lee (D-Montgomery), who chairs the Legislative Asian American & Pacific Islander Caucus.

Qi says she worked to energize a group of historically nonpartisan immigrant voters, many of whom, like her, grew up in Communist China and were reluctant to engage in local politics.

“Democracy is the best system,’’ the 55-year-old said inside her North Potomac basement, which served as her campaign headquarters. “But it favors those who participate.’’

Qi began her career with the county government as see QI on 12

Parents sue to stop New York’s attempted discrimination against Asian American students NEW YORK — A federal lawsuit filed on Dec. 13 by Pacific Legal Foundation targets New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio’s thinly veiled attempt to racially balance specialized high school enrollment.

Right now, the city’s Discovery program admits a small number of students to these world-class public high schools. The lawsuit alleges the mayor plans to expand the program in a way that would shut out hundreds of eligible Asian American students—intentionally.

Yi Fang Chen moved to the United States from China with her parents in 1996. She eventually earned her

doctoral degree from Stanford University and now has two young children of her own.

“We all have the American dream of equal opportunity.

I was able to achieve what my parents came to this country for,” Yi Fang explains. “But by using race preference to determine student enrollment at these excellent schools, it’s like the mayor is taking someone else’s dream away.”

Yi Fang and a number of Asian American parents, the Asian American Coalition for Education, the Chinese American Citizens Alliance of Greater New York, and the Christa McAuliffe Parent Teacher Organization,

represented by Pacific Legal Foundation (PLF), have asked a federal judge to stop the proposed Discovery program expansion from taking effect.

“New York City shouldn’t determine who gets the opportunity to attend public schools if it’s motivated by racial purposes,” says PLF attorney Joshua Thompson.

“Such race-based decision-making violates the Constitution’s equal protection guarantee and has been shot down at the U.S. Supreme Court numerous times. We look forward to challenging Mayor de Blasio’s unconstitutional racial gerrymandering in federal court.” 

California chief Starbucks to justice gives up expand delivery in Republican Party US, China label

By DEE-ANN DURBIN AP BUSINESS WRITER

By SUDHIN THANAWALA ASSOCIATED PRESS SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The chief justice of the California Supreme Court said on Dec. 14 that she gave up her Republican Party affiliation over concerns about increasing political polarization and incivility in the U.S. Tani CantilSakauye said in a telephone interview that she switched her voter registration to “no party’’ preference after the confirmation hearings for U.S. Tani Cantil-Sakauye Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh.

Cantil-Sakauye told The Associated

Press she had been considering the move for several years and stressed that it was not a rejection of the Republican Party, but of a broader political climate that no longer reflects her open-mindedness and centrism.

“This is the first time I really began to question the label that was otherwise attached to me that didn’t seem to fit me,’’ she said.

She added, “I have to live in my skin.’’

Her switch comes at a time of turmoil for Republicans in California. The party was routed in the 2018 midterms and controls no statewide office. Opposition to President Donald Trump was a factor in the election results. He lost California by over 4 million votes in 2016 and has remained deeply unpopular in most parts of the state.

Cantil-Sakauye said the Trump administration’s rhetoric against immigrants was a factor in her decision, adding that she was see CANTIL-SAKAUYE on 13

NEW YORK (AP) — Starbucks is expanding delivery to more stores in the U.S. and China as it tries to accelerate growth in those two markets.

The company says it will offer delivery from 2,000 U.S. stores by next summer through a partnership with Uber Eats. It isn’t yet saying which stores will offer it.

In China, delivery will be offered from 2,000 stores in 30 cities by the end of this year, up from 150 stores at the end of September. Starbucks began working with its Chinese delivery partner, Ele.me, three months ago.

Starbucks made the comments at an investor presentation on Dec. 13 in New York.

The Seattle-based company said it has simplified its business in recent years — by closing its Teavana stores and selling many European stores to franchisees, for example — so it can focus more directly on the U.S. and China.

In the U.S., its largest market, Starbucks says it still sees significant opportunities to expand and expects to open 550 net new stores annually over the next few years. The company also plans to close 150 underperforming stores in 2019.

In China, Starbucks plans to open 600 stores annually through 2022, bringing it to a total of 6,000 stores.

Delivery is one area where it could expand.

Investors questioned the economics of Uber Eats, asking whether Starbucks will earn less because of the fees Uber charges.

Roz Brewer, Starbucks’ group president of the Americas, said the company is still studying that. In Miami, where it has been running a pilot program with 200 stores, she said the company has found that delivery works best in dense urban areas, where Uber Eats’ delivery fees are lower because of high demand. And CEO Kevin Johnson noted that customers are spending two to three times more on delivery orders see STARBUCKS on 14

asianweekly northwest

YOUR VOICE

DECEMBER 22 – DECEMBER 28, 2018

■ WORLD NEWS

5

Myanmar rally urges release of ‘Person of Year’ journalists

By MIN KYI THEIN ASSOCIATED PRESS YANGON, Myanmar (AP) — Several dozen journalists and activists held a rally on Dec. 12 in Myanmar’s biggest city to mark the anniversary of the arrest of two reporters for the Reuters news agency who are among a group of journalists being honored by Time magazine as its “Person of the Year.’’

The protesters wore T-shirts calling for the release of Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, who had reported on a brutal military-led crackdown on the Muslim Rohingya minority.

They were arrested a year ago and charged with illegal possession of official documents. The two, who were sentenced in September to seven years’ imprisonment, denied the charge and said they were framed by police.

Their appeal is expected to be heard before the end of this year.

The protesters near Myanmar’s High Court carried placards with the cover of some editions of Time’s next issue that show a picture of the men’s wives holding photos of their husbands. They also released black balloons into the sky and lit candles.

Paling Soe Oo, one of the journalists who joined the rally, said the magazine’s focus on the jailed journalists was an honor for Myanmar and its journalism community. “But I don’t think the government feels shame for its part, and isn’t considering releasing them, not even a little,’’ he said.

The reporting by the two men about the military campaign that drove 700,000 Rohingya to flee to Bangladesh is believed to have drawn the government’s wrath because of worldwide condemnation of military abuses, which it

Miss Universe 2018 is Miss Philippines Catriona Gray

By Associated Press BANGKOK — The Philippines’ Catriona Gray was named Miss Universe 2018 on Dec. 17, besting contestants from 93 other countries and delighting her home nation.

Gray wore a sparkling red dress she said was inspired by a volcano in the Philippines as she was handed the crown to the delight of a roaring crowd in Bangkok that generally favored Southeast Asian contestants.

The 24-year-old singer and model said she wore red because “when I was 13 my mom said she had a dream that I would win Miss Universe in a red dress.” She said her mom cried when they saw each other after she won the competition, the 67th Miss Universe pageant.

Gray edged out first runner-up Tamaryn Green of South Africa and third-place Sthefany Gutierrez of Venezuela. She succeeds Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters of South Africa.

“My heart is filled with so much gratitude,” Gray said. “There were moments of doubt where I felt overwhelmed and I felt the pressure.”

Gray’s father is Australian, and she was born and grew up in Cairns, Australia. She studied at the Berklee College of Music in Boston.

Gray said during the pageant that working in a Manila slum had taught her to find beauty in difficult situations.

“If I could teach people to be grateful, we could have an amazing world where negativity could not grow and foster, and children would have a smile on their face,” she said.

The office of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was quick to congratulate the winner. Gray is the fourth Filipina to be named Miss Universe.

Catriona Gray

“Ms. Gray truly made the entire Philippines proud when she sashayed on the global stage and showcased the genuine qualities defining a Filipina beauty: confidence, grace, intelligence and strength in the face of tough challenges,” he said in a statement from the presidential palace. “In her success, Miss Philippines has shown to the world that women in our country have the ability to turn dreams into reality through passion, diligence, determination and hard work.”

This year’s Miss Universe competition included the first-ever transgender contestant, Angela Ponce of Spain. She said in a video presentation that it was not important for her to win but was more important for her “to be here.”

One of the few controversies of this year’s contest involved Miss United States, Sarah Rose Summers, seeming to mock contestants from Cambodia and Vietnam.

In a video, Summers said that Miss Vietnam pretends to know so much English, but when she is asked a question, she just nods and smiles.

She also commented on Miss Cambodia, who she said “doesn’t speak see GRAY on 13

denies.

“A year ago, Reuters reporters Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo were arrested in a setup by police, intended to interfere with their reporting on a massacre in Myanmar,’’ Reuters editor-in-chief Stephen J. Adler said in a statement prepared for the anniversary of their arrests.

“The fact that they remain in prison for a crime they did not commit calls into question Myanmar’s commitment to democracy, freedom of expression and rule of law.

Every day they continue to be behind bars is a missed opportunity for Myanmar to stand up for justice. The people of Myanmar deserve the freedoms and democracy they have long been promised, and Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo deserve to be returned to their families and colleagues see RALLY on 12

asianweekly northwest

6

DECEMBER 22 – DECEMBER 28, 2018

36 YEARS

■ COMMUNITY CALENDAR DEC 21

REMEMBERING THE REMARKABLE LEGACY OF AMINA AHMED Somali Community Services of Seattle, 8810B Renton Ave. S., Seattle 6-9 p.m.

22 ILLUSTAFEST, ARTIST ALLEY EVENT FEATURING LOCAL ARTISTS IN SEATTLE Yesler Community Center, 917 E. Yesler Way, Seattle 12-6 p.m.

31

206-491-2336

FAMILY + DYNASTY, NEW YEAR END PARTY Dynasty Room, 714 S. King St., Seattle 9 p.m.-2 a.m.

JOYA-E NEW YEARS EVE SERVICE Seattle Betsuin Buddhist Temple, 1427 S. Main St., Seattle 7 p.m.

JAN 5

30TH ANNIVERSARY MOCHI TSUKI Woodward Middle School, 9125 Sportsman Club Road, Bainbridge Island 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

SINGH from 3 bag, chased him down, and hit him in the head repeatedly— specifically targeting his turban and knocking it to the ground.

Singh suffered a scalp laceration and a skull fracture as

6 2019 NEW YEAR PARTY Seattle Betsuin Buddhist Temple, 1427 S. Main St., Seattle 12 p.m.

11-20

19

TASVEER SOUTH ASIAN LITFEST Hugo House, Seattle Art Museum, Elliott Bay Book Co. For complete schedule, please visit tsal.tasveer.org

MIRAI - SATURDAY MORNING CARTOONS Uptown Cinemas, 511 Queen Anne Ave. N., Seattle 11 a.m.-1 p.m. siff.net

12

10 SOUTHEAST ASIA BY SEATTLE FILM FESTIVAL 2018 UW, Thomson Hall Room 101 5-7:30 p.m.

Free admission seac@uw.edu SHARON H. CHANG, “HAPA TALES AND OTHER LIES” Third Place Books Seward Park, 5041 Wilson Ave. S., Seattle 7-8:30 p.m.

2019 KUMAMOTO KENJIN KAI NEW YEAR PARTY 3001 24th Ave. S., Seattle 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. goo.gl/x9P3KE

17 COCKTAILS & KARAOKE FOR THE SEATTLE ASIAN AMERICAN FILM FESTIVAL Kona Kitchen, 8501 5th Ave. N.E., Seattle 7-11 p.m.

a result of the attack.

The Sikh Coalition said it applauds Singh’s courage in standing up to hate. “We believe this crime was motivated by bias, and we are here for every Sikh who experiences bigotry and violence,” said attorney Giselle Klapper. 

27 FUKUOKA KENJINKAI HOSTS 2019 MOCHITSUKI Japanese Cultural & Community Center, 1414 S. Weller St., Seattle 11 a.m.-3 p.m. ________________________

HAVE AN EVENT TO PROMOTE? Please send us the details to info@nwasianweekly.com.

The Sikh Coalition provides free and confidential legal assistance to Sikhs who have been discriminated against because of their religious beliefs or identity. If you believe you or somebody you know has experienced bias, bigotry, or backlash, call (212) 655-3095.

View the solution on page 14

ASSUNTA NG

Account Executives

JOHN LIU

rebecca@nwasianweekly.com

RUTH BAYANG

kelly@nwasianweekly.com

Publisher assunta@nwasianweekly.com Associate Publisher john@nwasianweekly.com Editor editor@nwasianweekly.com

HAN BUI

Layout & Web Editor han@nwasianweekly.com

REBECCA IP KELLY LIAO JOHN LIU

john@nwasianweekly.com

GEORGE HIRA

ghira@nwasianweekly.com

The only weekly English-language newspaper serving Washington’s Asian community. The NW Asian Weekly has one simple goal: “To empower the Asian community.”

The Editorial Board reserves the right to reject any advertisement, letter or article.

Subscriptions cost $40 for 52 weeks of the NW Asian Weekly and $30 for 52 weeks of the Seattle Chinese Post. The NW Asian Weekly owns the copyright for all its content. All rights reserved. No part of this paper may be reprinted without permission.

412 Maynard Ave. S., Seattle, WA 98104 • t. 206.223.5559 info@nwasianweekly.com • ads@nwasianweekly.com • www.nwasianweekly.com

asianweekly northwest

YOUR VOICE

■ ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

DECEMBER 22 – DECEMBER 28, 2018

7

Happy Holidays! We should all be afraid of China A-pop! All things Asian-y in popular culture!

By Stacy Nguyen NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY I think because we Americans are all a little self-centered, we don’t realize that if we got caught in a knife fight with China, we would lose so hard and bleed all over the ground as we die slowly, because for every one American with a knife, there are 4.3 Chinese with knives. Do the math, guys. Do the math.

Chinese people hate new car smell (WHAT?) so Ford is spending a gazillion dollars fixing this

hours, but by then, the damage was already done.

A bunch of Chinese actors and models started shunning D&G. The internet went crazy. Angry Chinese people went to the D&G flagship store in Milan (sans knives, I think) and started returning stuff en masse. Online retailers had to pull D&G goods because the refund volume was bananas. Many hashtags were created.

Boy band star Wang Junkai was like, UH BYE, and terminated his lucrative deal with D&G on the spot because they need him and he doesn’t need them! D&G ended up canceling their Nov. 21 fashion show, probably because they were afraid of getting shanked.

London-based Brand Finance consultancy estimated that this one oopsie could cost D&G 20 percent of the brand’s $937 million value. Oh damn!

of superiority, and stubbornly clinging to outdated rules and ideas?”

Scathinggg.

‘Aquaman’ took the entire world — during its opening weekend in China

Andrew Zimmern reminds us that the best man to bring ethnic food to the masses is a white man

China hates ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ The number one grossing movie in the world the second weekend in December is a movie that is opening in the United States

I love new car smell because I am an American. I like borrowing rental cars for four reasons: For the bluetooth stereo, for the backup camera, for the sun roof, and for the new car smell, which is a mixture of leather, plastic, sealants, glues, and other chemicals. Yum. Chinese people apparently think this smell is gross.

So Ford is trying to invent new technologies that will get rid of the smell.

One proposed idea is to ‘bake’ new cars in the sun with windows cracked and the engine and its heaters intermittently running so that the smell will dissipate.

This idea is just a patent right now. Who knows if it will come to fruition before Ford becomes completely insolvent.

Dolce & Gabbana have pissed off our Chinese overlords

In late November, Italian luxury brand Dolce & Gabbana (D&G) released three promotional videos on Chinese social media platform Weibo. The videos featured a beautiful Asian woman in a super Oriental-looking red D&G dress over a super Oriental backdrop of paper lanterns from 60 years ago, trying to eat Italian fare like pizza, spaghetti, and a gigantic cannoli with a pair of chopsticks. She has a hard time with it because she’s dumb and has apparently never used chopsticks before in her life. The narrator basically mocks and mansplains to her, telling her stuff like to try not to use chopsticks like they are knives.

People lost their minds.

These crappy ads were pulled within 24

this weekend.

WB/DC’s “Aquaman” opened in China early and just demolished, grossing $93.6 million. It only opened in one market: China. But that was all it took.

In contrast, “Ralph Breaks the Internet” opened earlier this month at the number one spot in the United States, grossing $16.1 million.

Guys, do we even matter anymore?

Okay, I’m gonna give you a break from grappling with a world that has greatly changed before we are ready for it to change.

Here are non-China tidbits:

I really like Andrew Zimmern, except for one blight: This guy will drink worm poop, but he is completely done in by durian. Well, now see A-POP on 16

Andrew Zimmern

LIMITED TIME ONLY! DEC. 15-31, 2018

COLLECT ONE

This summer’s breakout hit, “Crazy Rich Asians,” totally flopped in China, despite being the first Hollywood film in decades to feature a predominantly Asian cast in a contemporary setting.

It took $237.9 million worldwide, but when it premiered in China early December, it pulled in only $1.2 million its opening weekend.

There are a few reasons floating about for this dismal performance — one of which is the very long delay between its release in the States versus its release in China.

For many financial and political reasons, Chinese authorities may delay the release of foreign films in China for months. Also, as Vulture reported, romantic comedies generally don’t travel well overseas in a market that is already saturated with its own in-language romantic comedies, all of which are already populated by beautiful Asian faces. That is, Chinese movie-goers were not at all charmed by the groundbreaking (in America) all-Asian cast.

Then there’s also this review from an angry viewer on review platform Douban: “So Chinese people in the eyes of Europeans and Americans are just about clans, extravagant snobbery, a blind sense

DRAGON DOLLAR for every $25 you spend* *excludes gift card purchases

TRADE. Collect 4 Dragon Dollars and Trade them in for the 2019 Uwajimaya Japanese Calendar *Beginning December 15th, While Supplies Last

SPEND. or

Save Your Dragon Dollars to Use Towards Your Purchase In Stores January 1-15, 2019 *Some Restrictions Apply, See Back of Dragon Dollar

asianweekly northwest

8

36 YEARS

DECEMBER 22 – DECEMBER 28, 2018

■ ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

2018 Breakthrough: Awkwafina of ‘Crazy Rich Asians’

By LINDSEY BAHR AP FILM WRITER LOS ANGELES (AP) — Awkwafina became a household name this summer, stealing scenes from the likes of Cate Blanchett and Sandra Bullock in the heist movie “Ocean’s 8’’ and then as a standout in the cultural phenomenon that was “Crazy Rich Asians.’’

But even considering her blockbuster summer, the 29-yearold New York native, born Nora Lum, whose dad wanted her to be an air traffic controller, still feels pretty normal.

“Maybe when I open my phone there’s a couple more followers and a couple hateful comments, but my regular life is still the same. I’m Target pants and things like that,’’ Awkwafina said. “I love Target pants.’’

She never even really planned to go into acting, but a viral rap YouTube video caught the attention of Seth Rogen and Nick Stoller, who cast her in a small part in “Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising,’’ then she got an independent film, “Dude,’’ from Olivia Milch, who would go on to co-write “Ocean’s 8,’’ and the pieces started falling into place. Her latest honor is being named among the Breakthrough Entertainers of 2018

by The Associated Press .

“If this ended tomorrow, I wouldn’t be mad. I’m so grateful.

And all of this I never expected,’’ she said. “I just go along with the ride.’’

Still, it’s no doubt that Awkwafina is on the rise, with a Comedy Central show based on her life in the works, two films premiering at the Sundance Film Festival this January and, of course, the “Crazy Rich Asians’’ sequel. She’s gunning for her character, Peik Lin, to get a boyfriend and her own place.

“Peik Lin needs to move out of the house, man,’’ Awkwafina said. “She lives with the whole family. She’s got to move out.’’

Awkwafina in Ocean’s 8

Awkwafina in Crazy Rich Asians

The overwhelmingly positive response to “Crazy Rich Asians’’ was perhaps the most significant moment of this breakthrough year for Awkwafina. The $30 million film has grossed over $237 million worldwide (even despite a

War hero Miyamura spotlighted in Netflix series

By ELIZABETH HARDINBURROLA GALLUP INDEPENDENT GALLUP, N.M. (AP) — Gallup’s most famous, and famously humble, military hero is now the subject of an episode in a new Netflix documentary series.

The story of Gallup native Hiroshi “Hershey’’ Miyamura and his extraordinary valor in combat during the Korean War are explored in the fourth episode of “Medal of Honor,’’ an eight-part series that tells the stories of eight recipients of the nation’s highest military honor. The series became available on the streaming service in early November.

“Medal of Honor’’ is a collaborative project between Oscar-winning filmmaker Robert Zemeckis ("Forrest Gump’’) and Oscar-winning documentarian James Moll ("The Last Days’’). The series features a mix of archival photographs and

film, dramatic reenactments, commentary from historians and military leaders, along with interviews with veterans, family members and living Medal of Honor recipients.

“I never ever thought I would receive the Medal of Honor for doing my duty, which I thought that’s all I was doing, was my duty,’’ Miyamura says in the documentary.

Insight into character For community members who think they know Miyamura’s story, the Netflix episode will likely provide new information about his heroism in combat and his perseverance during 27 months in a Chinese prisoner of war camp. The documentary provides insight into Miyamura’s character through interviews see MIYAMURA on 16

lackluster performance in China), and was the first big studio Hollywood production to feature a primarily Asian American cast in 25 years, since “The Joy Luck Club.’’

“As an Asian American kid, growing up I was looking for that movie,’’ Awkwafina said. “It was very emotional. We were having fun, but there was this lingering collective idea that we were there doing something big. I don’t think we knew how big at the time’’ She remembers seeing comedian Margaret Cho on television when she was 7-years-old and having an “ah-ha’’ moment.

“She was an Asian woman who was so bold, so unashamed and she was funny,’’ she said. “Seeing her made it possible.

And my end goal in all of this is to inspire this next generation because we need more of it.’’ 

asianweekly northwest

YOUR VOICE

DECEMBER 22 – DECEMBER 28, 2018

■ TOP 10 SPORTS

9

Top 10 Asian American athletes of 2018

By Jason Cruz NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY As we close out 2018, we take a look back at the year in sports and the many great performances.

The Winter Olympics and World Cup provided some memorable moments worldwide. Also returning to national prominence was Tiger Woods, who won his first major golf tournament in 10 years. Locally, we saw the return to the Rose Bowl for the University of Washington Huskies.

Washington State University welcomed the nation’s first Power 5 Conference Asian American athletic director in Pat Chun.

There were also outstanding individual performances from Asian American athletes as we detail below.

10. JoJo McIntosh

The University of Washington senior defensive back made All-Pac 12 Honorable Mention this year in helping the Huskies become one of the more dominant secondaries in the conference.

JoJo McIntosh, whose mother is Cambodian, embraces his culture and the youth that follow him because of his Asian roots. In an interview this past September, McIntosh talked about the struggle his mother had while in Cambodia and the frightening times her family experienced when the country was under rule by the Khmer Rouge. McIntosh should get his chance to play in the NFL after his last game in the Rose Bowl for the Huskies.

9. Tua Tagovailoa

The Alabama QB burst onto the scene last January when he replaced starter Jalen Hurts in the NCAA Championship game against Clemson. He led the Crimson

Tide to a national title with a 26-23 overtime victory, as he threw the winning touchdown.

This season, Tua Tagovailoa took over as the starting QB and rolled through the regular season, oftentimes not playing in the 4th quarter since they were blowing out their opponents.

The 20-year-old from Honolulu, Hawaii was the number one high school player in the state when he picked to play for Alabama. Tagovailoa attended the same school as former Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota.

Tagovailoa was one of three players to make it as a finalist for the Heisman Trophy presentation this month.

in the NBA. The multi-faceted, multi-talented, middle-schooler, Taighan Chea won the Drive, Chip & Putt Finals at the Masters Golf Course in Augusta, Ga. this past April. He sunk a clutch 18-foot putt to secure a victory for his age group. Chea is wellgrounded with a lot of interests like most kids his age. He still plays other sports outside of golf, including basketball. He lists Damian Lillard of the Portland Trailblazers and Kawhi Leonard of the Toronto Raptors as his favorite players.

8. Mirai Nagasu

6. Alex and Maia Shibutani

The figure skater made a return to the Olympics this past winter. Mirai Nagasu, 25, won a bronze in the team figure skating event in Pyeongchang.

She also had a strong showing in a very competitive female field in the individual skate placing 10th. She did become the first American woman, and third overall, to land a triple axel in the Olympic Games.

7. Taighan Chea

Only 9 years old, the Bothell golf prodigy is well on his way to becoming a name to look for on the PGA tour in 10 years. Unless, of course, he decides he wants to play

800 S. Weller St. ▪ Seattle, WA 98104 tsuechong.com | 206-623-0801 Mon-Fri: 9:30 a.m – 5:30 p.m. ▪ Sat: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

The ice dancing brother and sister team earned Bronze Medals at the Winter Olympics for their performance in the team event for the United States. The duo placed second in both segments of the team event and were the first Asian American ice dancers to medal at the Winter Olympics.

Alex, 27, and Maia, 24, have decided to take the 2018-2019 see ATHLETES on 12

Our scrumptious fortune cookies can be customized with your own special message. Perfect for birthday parties, weddings, graduations, reunions or any occasion you want to make extra memorable.

CUSTOM FORTUNE COOKIES

Make your event extra memorable with custom fortune cookies. Made fresh for any occasion.

asianweekly northwest

10

■ FEATURE

DECEMBER 22 – DECEMBER 28, 2018

36 YEARS

Real Christmas trees are for white people?

By Stacy Nguyen NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY

Image by Stacy Nguyen/NWAW

I was sitting in an editorial meeting a month ago, brainstorming cool holidaytheme content we can run in the paper that isn’t the same ol’ same ol’. I made a comment about how I should write an article about how Asians hate real Christmas trees. Most people were like, huh? Asians hate real trees? And I was like, yeah, man!

And Ruth, Northwest Asian Weekly’s editor, was like, “I love this idea! Are you serious, though?”

Yes. I am serious.

I put up two really informal Instagram story polls because it’s easy to vote and it’s also easy to disseminate how people vote.

One poll was for white people, and one was for Asians. In both polls, I asked people to please only answer the poll that aligns with their racial background. Even though I felt I was pretty clear, people made a mess of the polls. White people were answering the Asian poll, and Asian people were answering the white poll. So I had to go back and clean up the data.

So after scrubbing through the results, these are the numbers: So, 92 people took my polls — 40 Asian/ Pacific Islanders (APIs) and 52 white people.

Image by Stacy Nguyen/NWAW

Methodology

More than half — about 54 percent — of white people who are friends of mine say that they put up a real Christmas tree. In contrast to this, only 20 percent of APIs put

KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON NOTICE TO BIDDERS Sealed bids will be received for C01327C18, PSERN Radio System Scenic Site Improvement; by the King County Procurement and Payables Section, 3rd Floor, 401 Fifth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104, until 1:30 PM on January 8, 2019. Late bids will not be accepted.

This solicitation is for the construction at one (1) Project Site.

The Contractor shall provide labor, materials, and equipment necessary to perform construction services, including, but not limited to, installation of Owner furnished Radio Tower, prefabricated Shelter which includes Generator Assembly, and HVAC, and Contractor furnished above ground Fuel Tank. Work shall also include site and road improvement.

Estimated contract price: $814,000.00 MANDATORY Site Tour: December 13, 2018 at 11:30am OR December 14, 2018 at 11:30am FAILURE TO ATTEND ALL OF THE SITES LISTED BELOW WILL RESULT IN A NON-RESPONSIVE BID DETERMINATION. A sign in sheet will provide evidence of attendance. It is your responsibility to ensure your sign in and out.

Site Tour Meeting Location: Scenic Site, Stevens Pass Highway, Skykomish, WA 98288 Complete Invitation to Bid Documents, including all project details, specifications, and contact information are available on our web page at: https://procurement.kingcounty.gov/ procurement_ovr/default.aspx

up real Christmas trees.

Asians ain’t about real trees, not even Filipino/as

If you’re an Asian American who celebrates Christmas, I’d guess that you or your parents learned about commercialized Christmas from white friends. Or you hail from the

2 to 4 percent Christian minority in most Asian countries. Or maybe you celebrate Christmas because you are Filipino/a and are from a country that has a serious Catholic population.

Even so, being Filipino doesn’t at all see CHRISTMAS TREE on 15

asianweekly northwest

YOUR VOICE

DECEMBER 22 – DECEMBER 28, 2018

■ NATIONAL NEWS

11

CAPAC applauds passage of Chinese American WWII Veterans Congressional Gold Medal Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed S. 1050 on Dec. 12, the Chinese American World War II Veterans Congressional Gold Medal Act. This bipartisan legislation — led

by Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Mazie Hirono (D-HI) and Congressmen Ed Royce (R-CA) and Ted Lieu (DCA) — will recognize the tremendous contributions made by more than 18,000 Chinese American World War II veterans and award them with the Congressional Gold Medal. The bill unanimously passed the Senate earlier this year and now awaits the President’s signature. Members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) released the following statements: Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-27), CAPAC Chair: “During World War II, more than 18,000 Chinese Americans bravely served our country to protect their fellow Americans.

Despite facing racial discrimination at home, including the hateful Chinese Exclusion Act that remained in place until 1943, these Chinese Americans showed true patriotism and service to our country.

With the unanimous passage of the Chinese American World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act, we now have an opportunity to pay national tribute to these heroes by awarding them with our nation’s highest civilian honor.

“The passage of this legislation is a tremendous victory for our veterans and the broader Chinese American community.

I urge the President to sign this bill into law before the end of the year.”

Senator Tammy Duckworth (IL): “Despite facing outright discrimination, more than 18,000 brave Chinese Americans volunteered to risk their lives to protect their fellow Americans during World War II. I’m proud my colleagues from both sides of the aisle have chosen to recognize

this brave group of veterans’ unwavering commitment and honor them with a Congressional Gold Medal.”

Senator Mazie K. Hirono (HI): “More than 18,000 Chinese Americans served our country during World War II, while also facing discrimination here at home. Like other minority service members, their contributions were not appropriately recognized during or immediately after World War II. The passage of the Chinese American World War II Veterans Congressional Gold Medal Act goes a long way to right that wrong and express our gratitude for Chinese American veterans’ distinguished service.”

Congressman Ted Lieu (CA-33), CAPAC Whip: “I’m proud to have co-led the introduction of this bill to award Chinese American WWII veterans with the Congressional Gold Medal. We will finally have the chance

to honor the service and sacrifice of Chinese Americans who fought for the United States in WWII. By proudly serving their country, even in the face of the shameful Chinese Exclusion Act, Chinese American veterans exemplified patriotism and demonstrated a deep commitment to the United States. As a veteran, I’m grateful to have worked on this legislation, along with Rep. Royce, and Sens. Duckworth, Cochran and Hirono, to honor the lives and legacies of these WWII heroes.”

The Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) has been addressing the needs of the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community in all areas of American life since it was founded in 1994. It is comprised of members of Congress of Asian and Pacific Islander descent and members who have a strong dedication to promoting the wellbeing of the AAPI) community. 

■ LETTER Washington’s Vietnamese legislators decry Trump actions As the first Vietnamese American elected state legislators, we are outraged by the current administration’s attempt to re-negotiate the 2008 Memo of Understanding between the United States and Vietnam. This MOU established the protected status for Vietnamese refugees arriving the U.S. before 1995.

As Vietnamese refugees, we experienced first-hand the political reasons to seek refuge and the hardships the

Vietnamese refugees faced establishing life in the U.S. We call for honoring our country’s and its people’s longstanding humanitarian spirit. We call for honoring the commitments the U.S. government have had with the Vietnamese refugee post-Vietnam war.

We, undersigned, vehemently oppose this attempt and ask the current administration to honor our promises. 

In unity, My-Linh Thai Representative-Elect – Legislative District 41 Joe Nguyen Senator-Elect – Legislative District 34

www.buckleylaw.net

HOME SECURITY. LEADING SMART HOME PROVIDER VIVINT SMART HOME HAS AN OFFER JUST FOR YOU. CALL 866-387-2013 TO GET A PROFESSIONALLY INSTALLED HOME SECURITY SYSTEM WITH $0 ACTIVATION.

d

S������ O����� 675 S. Lane St. Suite 300 Sea�le, WA 98104 Office: (206) 622-1100 Toll free: (800) 404-6200 Fax: (206) 622-0688

Our law firm has recovered over $200 million for clients

T����� O����� Wells Fargo Plaza Suite 1400 Tacoma, WA 98402 (appointment only)

Our Attorneys & Staff Proudly Serving the Community

 Auto accidents  Back & neck injuries  Brain damage  Wrongful Death  Permanent Disability  Pedestrian Accidents  Quadriplegia/Paraplegia

 Slip & fall  Product Liability  Con�ngent fees (no recovery, no fee, costs only)  Same day appointments  Before & a�er work appointments available  Free ini�al consulta�on  Home & hospital visits available

Member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum Selected as Super Lawyer Selected as Top 100 Trial Lawyers in the United States Member of Several Bar Associations

asianweekly northwest

12

DECEMBER 22 – DECEMBER 28, 2018

ATHLETES from 9 season off after a busy 2017-2018. Both, born in New York, attended the University of Michigan.

5. Nathan Chen

Expecting to be in medal contention at the Winter Olympics this past February, 18-year-old Nathan Chen struggled.

Chen fell during his short program, which rendered his longer form program futile for prospects of a gold medal. Still, the Utah native did his best and hit a record 6 quadruple jumps in his long form program, which vaulted him back into a respectable 5th place. Chen closed out his 2018 season on a high note with a win at a Skate America event in Everett, Wash. this past fall. Also, of note, Chen began studies at Yale University this year.

4. Taylor Rapp

The junior safety has led the Huskies secondary this year and made the All-American Associated Press second team, awarded to the best at their position. Taylor Rapp, whose mother is Chinese American, has discussed the importance of his heritage. He believes that he could be a role model to other Asian kids wanting to play football.

NFL.com profiled Rapp before the season began. He recalled that there were not many Asian football players in Bellingham, Wash. where he grew up.

Rapp will likely play his last game for Washington in the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1. He’s projected to be drafted in the first round of the NFL draft and barring injury, will be one of the few Asian American football players in the league.

QI from 4 Leggett’s liaison to the Asian American community. She knew that about a third of Montgomery’s residents are foreign-born and 16 percent are Asian.

In addition to microtargeting Chinese Americans, Qi persuaded leaders of the Korean and Vietnamese American communities to spread her message, registered people to vote at community events and arranged tea times to meet individually with prospective voters.

University of Maryland professor Janelle Wong, who has studied Asian American political engagement, followed Qi’s campaign, impressed that she drew hundreds of people to conversations on WeChat.

She said Qi, who raised nearly $150,000, did what many candidates don’t do: contact not-registered and avowedly nonpartisan voters directly with an appeal to change their behavior.

“She is able to communicate across multiple platforms,’’ Wong said. “It gave her some entree and appeal that few campaigns get ... when targeting a non-English (speaking) population.’’

State Del. David Moon (D-District 20), whose parents are

3. Kyler Murray

On Dec. 8, the Oklahoma Sooners quarterback won the Heisman Trophy, awarded to the nation’s best college football player. Ironically, Kyler Murray has promised the Oakland A’s, which drafted him in the first round, he will play baseball. So, this was his last year of playing college football. Murray was an unbelievable find for the Sooners, as he transferred in for this one year. He was a dual threat quarterback that could pass and use his legs to run. He will be sorely missed. With the Heisman, it is the second straight year that a Sooners QB has won, with Baker Mayfield earning the award last year.

Murray’s mother is Korean. In interviews, Murray has said that he’d love to take his mother back to her homeland some day.

2. Naomi Osaka

Naomi Osaka won the U.S. Open this year by defeating her idol, Serena Williams.

The 21-year-old was born in Japan. Her father is from Haiti and mother is Japanese.

She moved to New York when she was 3. Her father aspired to have Naomi and her sister to be tennis stars, like the Williams sisters (Serena and Venus). He moved the family to Florida, where there would be more opportunities to learn and play tennis.

Osaka skipped the junior circuit of tennis and went pro when she was 16 years old. In just 5 years of professional tennis, Osaka has made strides in her game, which culminated with this summer’s win at the U.S. Open in New York. Although she lives in the United States, Osaka represents Japan in national tennis events, like the FedEx

immigrants from Korea, said he has always focused on voters of all ethnicities, believing that the diversity of the Asian American population makes microtargeting difficult.

“We don’t have a common Asian language the way Hispanics do,’’ Moon said. “Everything breaks down to a specific country.’’

It’s also expensive to try to engage voters who may not show up in the numbers needed to win highly competitive primary races, said state Senator-elect Clarence Lam (D-Howard).

“Candidates do outreach to the community because it’s the right thing to do. But we don’t have the resources to educate and register to vote,’’ said Lam, whose parents immigrated from Taiwan and Hong Kong. “They just don’t vote in the elections that matter.’’

Qi, a past chapter president of a Chinese American civil rights organization, understood the reluctance of some to choose a political party. She took out newspaper ads touting the importance of voting, trying to persuade people such as Paul Li, a Rockville business owner, that politicians would ignore them if their voices were not heard at the ballot box.

RALLY from 5 immediately,’’ he said.

More than 50 major international, regional, and Myanmarbased human rights and free speech organizations have condemned the arrest and conviction of the two men.

Prosecution testimony at the men’s trial was weak and

36 YEARS

“Parties have a negative connotation in Chinese American culture. We are very skeptical of dogmatic ideologies on either side,’’ said Li, who at Qi’s urging changed his registration from unaffiliated to Democratic and voted for her in the June primary.

“We cannot mind our own business anymore,’’ Li said.

“We don’t want to be viewed as foreigners. We are Americans.’’

Republican Cheng Tu disagreed with Qi on certain immigrationrelated issues but said he identified with her background, pro-business platform and moderate approach to solving problems. He switched to the Democratic Party to vote for her in the primary, when she placed second out of nine candidates (the top three finishers easily defeated their Republican rivals in November). Then he promptly switched back.

“I care more about the person and the viewpoint than the party,’’ said Tu, who wrote a piece in the local Chinese business journal explaining his decision.

Some Asian immigrants were wary of Qi because they saw the Democratic Party as pushing racial parity in school programs for the gifted, which they believed would place high-achieving

Cup. Similar to the Williams sisters, Osaka is known for her powerful forehand and huge serves, which are over 100 miles per hour. The future looks bright as Osaka may take over her idol Serena as the face of tennis in years to come.

1. Chloe Kim

It seemed as though most of the snowboarding world was waiting for years for Chloe Kim to burst onto the Olympic scene this past February. Kim tore up the X-Games and other snowboarding competitions across the world, and many anticipated that she would do the same on the biggest stage — the Winter Olympics. For the Korean American, debuting in her first Olympics in North Korea made the experience much more meaningful, as her parents immigrated from South Korea to the United States. With her dad looking on, Kim did not disappoint. She immediately vaulted to the top of the leaderboard, after her runs in the women’s halfpipe.

Kim was far and away the best snowboarder in the half-pipe during the women’s competition. Kim scored 10 points higher than anyone else in the field. She also was the first woman to ever land two 1080-degree spins during competition. At the age of 17, Kim became the youngest woman to win a gold in the women’s half-pipe competition in the Olympics.

Since winning her gold medal, Kim has been a media darling. She appeared on the cover of Kellogg’s Corn Flakes box, Barbie is making a doll after her, and Kim has amassed a ton of commercials and has been able to experience the glory of being a celebrity. She also won 3 ESPN ESPY awards, including Best Female Athlete, Best Female Olympian, and Best Female Action Sports Athlete.

Kim is not resting on her gold medal this year. She returned to competition this month and won the women’s Modified Pipe Competition at the Mountain Dew 2018 Tour.

Kim also was accepted into Princeton University this past spring.  Jason can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.

Asian American children at a disadvantage. Some also opposed Democratic efforts to guarantee sanctuary for undocumented immigrants, a controversial political issue that may be one reason many Asian Americans in Maryland support Republican Gov. Larry Hogan.

Qi said she supports diversifying schools but thinks the way to improve student outcomes is to improve all schools, not rely solely on gifted programs. When it comes to sanctuary policies, Qi said she agrees that local resources should not be used to enforce federal law. But she said that shouldn’t prevent local law enforcement from referring violent criminals to immigration enforcement.

“I don’t believe Maryland needs sanctuary community designation,’’ Qi said. “If our goal is a safe and welcoming community, then we already have that.’’

Ting Mei Chau is another person Qi convinced. She emigrated from China as an adult and became active in the PTA at her children’s school out of concern about racial balancing in gifted and talented programs.

“For Asians, education is very important, and we believe personal effort and work ethic puts you more

inconsistent, and a police officer gave testimony confirming defense allegations of a setup. After testifying, the officer was dismissed from his job and sent to prison for violating police regulations.

The case is widely seen as an example of how democratic reforms in long-isolated Myanmar have stalled under the civilian government of Nobel Peace Prize laureate

in advanced classes,’’ the North Potomac mother said. “Of course, we didn’t understand institutional discrimination. We never thought about that before. We don’t really talk about the other factors that can impact achievement.’’

After meeting with Qi one-onone, Chau said she saw a candidate who cares about the community.

Then she wrote her a campaign check.

Once in Annapolis, Qi said she wants to see Montgomery and the state become more competitive about attracting biotech entrepreneurs and fostering that industry’s growth. She supports a $15 statewide minimum wage, which she says would give businesses predictability.

Her experience as a candidate has inspired Qi to push for legislation to open up primaries to independent voters and give new registrants better information about the party system.

“I want to make sure I bring a voice of reason and a unique perspective to the legislative body, so certain communities’ voices are also part of the thinking process,’’ she said. 

Aung San Suu Kyi, which took power in 2016. Although the military, which ruled the country for a half century, maintains control of several key ministries, Suu Kyi’s rise had raised hopes for an accelerated transition to full democracy, and her stance on the Rohingya crisis and press freedom has disappointed many former admirers. 

asianweekly northwest

YOUR VOICE

DECEMBER 22 – DECEMBER 28, 2018

■ ASTROLOGY

13

Predictions and advice for the week of December 22–28, 2018

By Sun Lee Chang Rat — Does it seem as though someone is just telling you what you want to hear? You must be careful not to mistake a lie for the truth.

Ox — Don’t apologize for something that you didn’t do. While your willingness to take responsibility is admirable, no apology is necessary if you aren’t to blame.

Tiger— A measured response will serve you better in the long run, as opposed to action taken in the heat of the moment.

Rabbit — Holding on can be much easier than letting go, but the latter should bring you a greater level of freedom.

Dragon — Are you having a hard time distinguishing between two seemingly very similar choices? To find what you seek, look beneath the surface.

Snake — Although it was difficult to convince others that you were on the right track from the beginning, the results will bear out what you initially had in mind.

Horse — Before you decide to commit, it might be helpful to get a more realistic sense of what you are about to take on.

Goat — A little candor on your part should help you make inroads with someone whose trust or confidence you are trying to gain.

Monkey — Ignoring past behavior is not recommended, as it is a fairly accurate indicator of what you face going forward.

Rooster — Do you have your sights set on the top spot? Getting there could be quite a challenge, but one that you are ready to face.

Dog — An opportunity to bring old friends together should not be missed. It doesn’t have to be a grand affair to be worthwhile.

Pig — As the commotion starts to settle down, things that were obscured before come into view.

Allow for a period of calm before embarking on any major changes.

WHAT’S YOUR ANIMAL SIGN? RAT 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008 OX 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009 TIGER 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010 RABBIT 1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011 DRAGON 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012 SNAKE 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013 HORSE 1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014 GOAT 1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015 MONKEY 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016 ROOSTER 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017 DOG 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018 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.

APDC from 3 Color Caucus (MOCC) had grown from 12 to 16.

“We are very cognizant of members of color going into positions of influence, such as chairship or leadership, and then also, of course, women,” Ryu said.

Sen. Bob Hasegawa (D), 11th district, stressed that MOCC numbers had grown by 60 percent in the Senate.

His intention was to work closely with the house.

“We’re going to try and coordinate closer with the house side this session…We look at ourselves as sort of separate entities. I think we need to draw a bit closer on that.”

Ryu mirrored this sentiment when she said, “We plan on working really closely together.”

Throughout the meeting, there was a sense of the give and take needed to operate successfully in Olympia.

The biennial budget was a hot topic, and more than one legislator reminded attendees that funds aren’t added to one area without taking them away from another.

Hasegawa clarified that 75 percent of the legislative budget is mandated “by law, or by our constitution, or by federal requirements.” He pointed out that higher education budget currently has the largest slice of the maneuverable portion.

“So if we’re going to try and increase money to higher ed, that just means that we’re going to have to try and take it out of human services, government operations, or mental health and substance abuse.”

The inevitable conclusion is that, as a state, we need more revenue. “But we can’t do it in a regressive fashion,” Hasegawa insisted. “I’ve made the commitment that I’m

CANTIL-SAKAUYE from 4 the product of “tremendous opportunity and inclusiveness.’’

She is the second woman and first Asian American to serve as the state’s chief justice. Her family traces its roots to the Philippines.

She asked Trump administration officials in a letter last year to stop making immigration arrests at California courthouses, saying the practice will affect the public’s confidence in the court system.

Then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly responded that state and city policies barring local law enforcement from turning over suspects for deportation compelled

not voting for anymore regressive taxes, period.”

Rep. Sharon Tomiko Santos (D), 37th district, the longeststanding member present, with 20 years in Olympia, agreed that “our tax payers are going to hit a point of being saturated with taxes — I would argue that they’ve already hit that place.”

One of the solutions put forth for increasing revenue without taxes is a state bank, an idea that is gaining momentum, and that Hasegawa supports.

“The thing about a state bank is it not just allows us to internalize our debt payment, but we get to keep the profits for it so that means it raises new revenue without raising taxes…Who doesn’t like raising revenue without raising taxes? …The whole rest of the developed world uses public banking…In the United States…we rely on commercial banks, which is bleeding us dry, so it’s one of those fundamental shift things.” There is only one public state bank in the United States at this time — in North Dakota.

Rep. Mia Gregerson (D), 33rd district, spoke on quality of life and the environment, specifically the impact from transportation.

“Washington state has not traditionally done very well in understanding human impact when we invest in infrastructure,” Gregerson said. She expressed how excited she was to talk to the new chairs about those impacts.

Hasegawa talked about the difference, in his eyes, between “affordable housing” and “public housing,” and advocated a return to the latter.

“It used to be we would provide public housing, owned, built by the public, for the public good. The conversation

federal agents to arrest immigrants at courthouses and other public places.

Cantil-Sakauye — a registered Republican since age 18 — was nominated chief justice in 2010 by Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. Early in her career, she worked as a deputy legal affairs secretary for Republican Gov. George Deukmejian, who appointed her as a Sacramento municipal court judge.

Another Republican governor, Pete Wilson, elevated her to Sacramento County court before she became an appellate court judge.

Cantil-Sakauye said the Kavanaugh hearings left her “disheartened’’ and “hollow.’’ Kavanaugh’s confirmation was delayed and nearly derailed when Dr. Christine Blasey Ford made

GRAY from 5 any English and not a single other person speaks her language.” She said, “Poor Cambodia.”

Summers was joined by Miss Colombia and Miss

sexual assault allegations against him.

A subsequent hearing in September before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee exposed a sharp partisan divide between Democrats and Republicans considering Kavanaugh’s nomination. Kavanaugh denounced Senate Democrats during his confirmation hearing.

The U.S. Senate voted nearly entirely along party lines confirmed him to the court the following month.

As a mother of two young women, Cantil-Sakauye didn’t understand the process. Why, for example, did Republicans bring in a female prosecutor to question Ford, she asked.

She said she made the decision to shed her party label in consultation with her husband and a few friends

Australia in the video.

The comments sparked backlash online with some calling Summers “condescending” or “xenophobic.”

Summers later apologized. 

was shifted to “affordable housing,” which has opened the door to looking to developers to solve our problem for us and that, in my opinion, is never going to happen, because it’s not in their economic interest.”

Building the community’s trust in the police force was discussed by Nguyen, who has been active in that area, and who, along with Gregerson, also described ways in which participation can be made more accessible to those whose first language is not English when it comes to voting or participating in the 2020 census.

From start to finish, the thread persisted of give and take, not just in budget, but between Asian and Pacific Americans and other populations, or between API voters and their legislators. There was humor (Gregerson got a laugh when she said the item most needed to survive in Olympia was “coffee”), yet, the need for API activism was taken very seriously — and the need for taking that activism outside the API community.

“I hope that this group will take upon itself to champion the value of civil rights as an obligation of your elected officials,” said Santos. “Under the current administration, it has become even clearer that state legislators and state legislatures are our final standing ground for protection of immigrants and refugees…We need you to contact your white legislators…To make sure they understand how grave their responsibility is to Black, brown, and other people of color and immigrants…This is an issue that affects the state of Washington to our core.”  Jessica Kai can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.

and described the process as “humbling, tough, emotional.’’

She described herself as conservative on some issues, but open-minded on social justice issues.

She praised Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown’s judicial appointments to state courts, saying they reflect the

philosophy of California. Asked what that philosophy was, she said it was “people-centric’’ and “underdog-centric.’’

“It is about what are we going to do about homelessness, what are we going to do about climate, what are we going to do about guns,’’ she said. “And all of that focuses on people.’’ 

asianweekly northwest

14

NOTICE

DECEMBER 22 – DECEMBER 28, 2018

NOTICE

EMPLOYMENT

NOTICE

KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON NOTICE TO BIDDERS Sealed bids will be received by the King County Procurement Services Section, 3rd Floor, 401 Fifth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104, until 2:00 PM of bid opening date for the following listed bids.

To download a document, go to our web page at: http://www.kingcounty.gov/procurement. King County encourages minority business enterprise participation. King County does not discriminate on the basis of disability in its programs, services, and employment opportunities.

1228-18-VLN OPENS: January 17, 2019 Wheelchair Accessible Taxicab Medallions (WAT) Pre-proposal Conference: December 19, 2018 at 11:00 AM, Chinook Building, 3rd Floor, Room 310, 401 Fifth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104 1235-18-PLR OPENS: January 10, 2019 Solvent Fast Dry Traffic Paint

Find us online on www.nwasianweekly.com Facebook and Twitter.

CHINESE EXCLUSION from 3 anti-Chinese sentiment and violence.

The repeal act is known as the Magnuson Act of 1943, named after Senator Warren G. Magnuson who proposed it when he was a member of the House of Representatives.

Even when repealed, only 105 Chinese per year were allowed to enter the United States until 1965. The exclusionary policies impacted Chinese opportunities for housing, property ownership, and employment for decades.

Many speakers described that those policies can still be felt in their families today. Bettie Luke said she did not hear stories or know much about her heritage while growing up.

She described the impact that lack of knowledge had when her mother died.

“I wanted to make sure that she got a farewell that was Chinese. So, I had to ask and ask and ask….It’s so heartbreaking to have to throw away your culture. And so

STARBUCKS from 4 than they would in the store, so that makes the partnership more appealing.

Johnson says Starbucks has learned a lot about delivery since launching it in China in September. The company has special spill-proof cups, for example, and is making beverages hotter so they will be the right temperature to drink when they arrive.

Johnson said the company has also opened two small kitchens in the back of grocery stores in China so it can quickly fulfill delivery orders. That is one idea that could eventually come to the U.S., he said. The company is also

SERVICES

Mechanic

Full-time. $30.19/hr to start, $31.70 at 6 mos & $33.29 at 1 yr.

Performs journey-level diagnostic repair & maint on buses, vans & trucks. Exp: 4 yrs journey-level diesel mech OR recognized mech training + 2 yrs journey-level diesel mech exp. Visit kitsaptransit. appone.com to apply. EEO/AA Want to be a part of the NWAW team?

Northwest Asian Weekly is accepting applications for freelance writers. Government, courts, crime, business, education, health, and social justice issues affecting the Asian-Pacific Islander (API) community. Flexible hours. Journalism degree preferred but not required.

Send resume and writing samples to: Ruth Bayang editor@nwasianweekly.com.

packing orders in tamper-resistant bags, so customers will feel more comfortable getting them from a third-party driver.

Johnson said it’s difficult to say what percentage of orders either in the U.S. or China will eventually come from delivery. Starbucks’ mobile ordering and payment for pickup in U.S. stores more than doubled to 12 percent of orders between 2016 and 2018, and that could also happen with digital ordering, he said.

“Customer behaviors are shifting rapidly,’’ Johnson told The Associated Press. “We must continue to adapt and adapt rapidly to meet our customers where they are.’’

The American Legion Cathay Post 186

Serving the community since 1946

cathaypost@hotmail.com

Aguilar’s Landscaping. Residential & Commercial. Maintenance, Pressure Washing, Mowing, Pruning, Retaining Walls, Garden clean-up, Yard, Aerating, Roof and Gutter Cleaning, Irrigation Repair and Installation, New Sod, Putting top soil, Placing Barks, Chip around flower tree, fencing and more… (206) 359-5948

Mail to: NW Asian Weekly 412 Maynard Ave. S. Seattle, WA 98104

attracted generation after generation of people…whether our ancestors came on the Mayflower or a slave ship or on a boat from China.

Locke then related the story of his grandfather who came over from China and worked as a houseboy in Olympia and later as a chef at Virginia Mason Hospital.

Locke said it was Doctor Mason who told Locke’s grandfather to bring his family to America. When he did so, his grandfather and family members were held in detention at the immigration facility.

“It was Doc Mason who went down to the immigration center to vouch for my grandfather, and got grandfather, my father, and my uncle out….Act of courage. Act of kindness.

“We need to remember that and...show that same compassion and commitment to diversity and fairness to all other groups in America,” said Locke.

The Chinese American Citizens Alliance (Seattle Lodge) co-organized the event. 

Even as it’s expanding delivery, Starbucks is continuing to try to improve its in-store experience. Brewer said Starbucks plans to renovate one-third of its U.S. stores this year to add equipment and redo delivery and mobile pickup areas.

Johnson said Starbucks plans to open two more roasteries, in Tokyo and Chicago, next year, but hasn’t committed to more after that. The company also has them in Seattle, Shanghai and Milan.

“It acts as a brand amplifier,’’ Johnson said, noting that customers are still lining up to get inside the Shanghai store a year after its opening. 

SOLUTION from SUDOKU on page 6.

DONE RITE

PSYCHIC PALM & TAROT CARD READINGS MASTER HEALER & FENG SHUI SPECIALIST

206-487-8236

$10 off reading when you mention this ad

CARPET CLEANING

Tell past present, future, helps in love, marriage, business. Break your bad luck and troubles.

Re-store good luck.

(425) 789-1974

$1,000/DAY

HONG LAW FIRM, PLLC

(737) 200-1055

Bankruptcy Chapter 7  Personal Injury Landlord-Tenant  Simple Wills

POSSIBLE ONLINE!

www.retirenow2018.com

Get your Classified Ad here now!

Place a 6 line classified ad for just $30!

Call 206-223-0623

Northwest Asian Weekly $40 for one year.

Name____________________________ Address __________________________ City _____________________________ State____Zip Code _________________ Phone ___________________________

Find us on Twitter and Facebook!

many of us lived that promise that the more white American you became, the more you would be accepted and that’s such a loss.

They located a relative who did know and were able to connect with her mother’s family. Luke said she then found out that her mother once had eight brothers, but three had died of starvation.

Gary Locke, former United States Ambassador to China and Washington State Governor, spoke about the need to show compassion and fairness toward immigrants.

“Our history is filled with prejudice against every wave of foreigners and immigrants that have come here to this country. We need to remember that and celebrate the successes we have had and use that celebration to renew our determination to prevent others from facing that same discrimination and prejudice.

“What has made America great through all these centuries is that beacon of hope and opportunity that has

SERVICE DIRECTORY CONTACT JOHN TO PLACE AN AD ON CLASSIFIED PAGE 206-223-5559 JOHN@NWASIANWEEKLY.COM

36 YEARS

206-856-8291  honglegal@gmail.com

Frank S. Hong, A�orney at Law avvo.com

» PERSONAL INJURY

» WRONGFUL DEATH

» AIRLINE DISASTERS

» DOG BITES

» BICYCLE ACCIDENTS

» PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENTS

Mandarin, Cantonese & Korean Interpreter available

206-625-9104

WEBSITE: HLG.LAWYER

DECEMBER 22 – DECEMBER 28, 2018

15

then conserved. The domestication of nature and the erasure through colonization of people of color from this space is probably something that all of us are at least subconsciously aware of.

Like, sometimes people of color get really weird when you suggest they go camping.

They’re like, oh, hell no to that. And they give you a bunch of reasons why they do not like nature. Sometimes they forget to tell you that subconsciously, it’s because they know nature is so white, and they don’t feel like they belong in whiteness.

I think this is why some of us also get a little weird about live Christmas trees.

CHRISTMAS TREE from 10 correlate to a love of live Christmas trees.

(It makes sense. Catholicism doesn’t have that much to do with Santa Claus, and real pine trees seem hard to come by in the Philippines.)

Neal Capapas is Filipino American and is an Operations Support Program Manager at Rainier Valley Corps. Capapas’ parents moved to New York from the Philippines in 1986 and the family eventually settled in the Midwest.

“I went to a high school where we were all fairly privileged,” said Capapas. “But I still noticed that the only people who had real trees up were my white friends. And very real trees,” he stressed. “These were not small trees. These were very large eight-, nine-foot objects.”

William Yee, a local chef who is also Filipino American, initially told me that he puts up a real tree each year. And then he clarified. He said, “I only answered real tree [in your poll] because my white boyfriend of 15 years refuses to get a fake tree. I miss spraying on the pine smell.”

Straight up sentimental

Photo by Stacy Nguyen

An issue of cost

The National Christmas Tree Association (NCTA) sent out a consumer survey between Jan. 9 and Jan. 11, 2018. This survey of 2,086 respondents was balanced so that it reflects the age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, geographical region, and household income of the U.S. population.

From the data, the NCTA found that 27.4 million real Christmas trees were purchased in 2017, and 21.1 million fake trees were purchased in the same time period.

The average cost of a real tree in 2017 was $75. Keep in mind, that is average.

Trees can cost $20 to $30 a foot. A really nice tree might steal $180 out of wallets.

Because Christmas trees, which are specifically grown on Christmas tree farms for the holidays (so like, people aren’t going out and chopping down forest trees en masse), take 10 years to mature, the high cost of real trees actually stems from the 2008 recession. Ten years ago, Christmas felt pretty bleak because people were experiencing the greatest financial hit since the Great Depression. In response, tree growers planted fewer trees, not anticipating that a decade into the future, people would be all like, “Why is this tree so expensive!”

The high cost of real Christmas trees may be why there has been an uptick in the purchase of fake trees. Fake trees can be exorbitant, just like anything else. But they can also be $20. Which is what my threefoot tree costs.

I hate to paint with a broad brush — but I think price matters to APIs. I think the cost and value of things matter to people who are recent immigrants to this country.

The idea of spending Benjamins during a holiday that is not a cultural or religious holiday (for APIs), but more a social one — on a tree that will continue to die is like, totally crazy to a first generation American and immigrant. It’s like asking them to throw money down the toilet — and then asking them to do chores on top of it, like going out and buying a dead plant that they have to drag into their house for a month, watering it all the time, before they have to drag that dead plant out and throw it away somehow — every year.

My Vietnamese mother, Tammy Nguyen, is the original gangsta of my life, so she is where all of my Christmas habits come from. She’s the reason I hate real trees.

This is basically how prejudice starts. Your parent just spews a bunch of hate without giving really logical reasons for it, and before you know it, you have internalized it, and you are spewing out the same hate — you are sneering in disgust when you go to a friend’s house and they have a real tree up.

You’re like, “What’s that smell? Why are there pine needles all over the floor?”

I recently chatted with my mom about

asianweekly northwest

YOUR VOICE

Stacy's super fake tree

this. I was like, “Mom, how come you don’t like real Christmas trees?”

She was like, “Costs money every year.

Then after the holiday, we have to dispose of it. A lot of work.”

And then I was like, “Do you know any Vietnamese people who have real trees?”

She was like, “No.”

White people own nature

So fun fact: My mom was mistaken and she actually does know Vietnamese people who have real trees — my Auntie Chi Le and my cousins, Julie Nguyen and Juliet Le. Nguyen is co-owner of a furniture store.

She shocked me by admitting that her family puts up a real tree. After I gasped and was like, “Why!?” she was like, “Because it smells nice. And it’s fun to go pick out as a family.” She did admit that she grew up with fake trees — which lines up with what I remember. She said this switch to real trees happened only about five years ago.

She jokingly said, “We wanted to follow the white people tradition.”

It’s interesting how the APIs I talked to aligned a real Christmas tree with whiteness.

Whiteness is obviously broad, but in this context, I think to APIs, whiteness in a more pejorative sense represents wealth, excess, and sentimentality. Nguyen started a new tradition with her family — getting a real tree every year — and along with this practice comes a sense of treating one’s self, of being a little self-indulgent.

Melanie Johnson, a white woman who is currently pursuing a post-graduate degree, told me that she’d prefer a real Christmas tree ideally, but because she is currently limited in funds, worried about fire hazards, and has been moving apartments, she can’t put up a real tree this year.

She also said that the appeal of real trees for people with her background (white) is the idealization and notion of what the tree represents. She pointed out that maybe because, compared to newer immigrants, white Americans do not have the same depth in cultural traditions, so they tend to make up their own traditions. She speculated that maybe this is why a lot of white people that she knows likes to go and chop down their own tree.

She jokingly said, “A lot of white people like Charlie Brown. Maybe it’s a Charlie Brown thing.”

Melanie also insightfully said people with her background also like “authenticity.” She put scare quotes around that word.

There’s a fact of life — and that is certain kinds of authenticity feels reserved for white people. One kind is nature.

It’s also notable that in this country, we have a history of aligning nature and wide open idyllic spaces to whiteness and erasing people of color from that narrative, even though people of color, particular Black people and indigenous people, have occupied rural areas and have worked and lived on the land.

When early Europeans arrived to what is now the United States, they started claiming this land and with that terrible effort, they created this complex rhetoric that we are still internalizing — which is that nature and the wilderness needs to be conquered, then contained, and

Through talking with a bunch of people about how they feel about Christmas trees, I discovered that it all boils down to how we feel about this holiday. What I’m trying to say is that, across the board, whether you hate real Christmas trees for bogus reasons or whether you really love them because you are a bag of feelings — the way many of us feel about Christmas trees is a bit irrational and emotional and totally based on the context in which we grew up.

Jordan Heathcoat, who is white and does marketing work, grew up in Arizona among a bunch of hippie progressives. This is why she grew up with a fake Christmas Saguaro cactus and — one year — a decorated Christmas tumbleweed. Beyond these offshoots though, she always had a real tree growing up.

As an adult, she’s had a combination of real and fake trees over the years. “I still prefer real ones,” she said. “Real trees smell amazing and have a sense of nostalgia attached to them.

That nostalgia comes both from a childhood of growing up with real trees, and a completely unrealistic idea of what Christmas should look like based on a lifetime of watching Christmas movies.”

In contrast to this, my mom — who professed to hate the work that a real tree requires — puts up a 12-foot fake Christmas tree every year that smells like nothing. She drags it out of the storage space by herself because none of her kids want to help her because it is so much work to put up a 12-foot fake tree. She likes doing it because it looks pretty, and it makes her feel good to see something in her house that looks pretty.  Stacy Nguyen can be reached at stacy@nwasianweekly.com.

KING COUNTY REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS ADVERTISEMENT Proposals will be received for E00578E18, Work Order Planning and Consulting Services for King County International Airport; by the King County Procurement and Payables Section, 3rd Floor, 401 Fifth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104, until 12:00 PM on January 14, 2019.

Total Estimated Price: $ 750,000 (each) King County intends to award two contracts from this RFP. There is a 10% minimum requirement for King County Certified Small Contractor and Supplier (SCS) firms on this contract.

All solicitation documents are published at: https:// procurement.kingcounty.gov/procurement_ovr/login. aspx?ReturnUrl=%2fprocurement_ovr%2fdefault.aspx Contact: Alice Phoenix, alice.phoenix@kingcounty.gov, 206-263-9311

asianweekly northwest

16

36 YEARS

DECEMBER 22 – DECEMBER 28, 2018

A-POP from 7 two blights: He recently said that he’s bringing a Chinese food chain restaurant to the Midwest that is also a tiki bar (okay?) because middle America has “horsesh**” Chinese food restaurants.

A lot of the restaurants he trashed in one fell swoop are Chinese American-owned, restaurants that are probably generations old, that had to adapt ingredients and flavors to be profitable in a country that likes to put American cheese on top of tuna mixed with mayo.

But whatever. Zimmern is a white guy with passion and ideas. You can’t stand in the way of a white guy with unearned confidence and lots of ideas! We need to just get out of the way and just let him ascend.

Sandra Oh

Sandra Oh is hosting the Golden Globes with Andy Samberg. Watch it on live TV (haha) on Jan. 6, 2019.

“Shang-Chi” movie getting fast-tracked

by Marvel. This could be the first superhero movie that features an Asian protagonist (unless DC magically beats Marvel to the punch with like, an Asian Hulk movie.

COME ON, DC, DO IT). Also, can all of the Asians just make a pact right now? Can we all promise each other to never refer to this movie as the “Asian Black Panther”?

It’s not a good look, guys.

TOP STORIES from 1

10

Marilyn Strickland

MIYAMURA from 8 with Miyamura, his sisters Michiko Yoshida and Shigeko Sasaki, his sons Pat and Mike Miyamura, his daughter Kelly Hildahl, his granddaughter Marisa Regan, and his close friend and war comrade Joe Annello.

The son of Japanese immigrants, Miyamura grew up in Gallup. After the United States entered World War II, Miyamura attempted to join the military, but he was deemed not eligible to serve and given a Four-C “alien’’ status because of his Japanese ancestry. Later that exclusionary policy changed, and toward the end of the war, Miyamura was allowed to join the 442nd Infantry Regiment, composed almost entirely of second-generation American soldiers of Japanese ancestry.

With the start of the Korean War, Miyamura, an Army reservist, was called up for active duty. On the evening of April 24, 1951, Miyamura, a machine gun squad leader, along with fellow squad leader Annello and their men, came under attack by Chinese forces.

According to his Medal of Honor citation, Miyamura, “aware of the imminent danger to his men unhesitatingly jumped from his shelter wielding his bayonet in close hand-tohand combat killing approximately 10 of the enemy.’’

Marilyn Strickland was named the president and CEO of the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce. Strickland — whose mother is Korean and father is Black, was Tacoma’s first elected Black mayor. Prior to public service, she held management positions with the American Cancer Society, Starbucks Coffee Company, and JayRay Communications. 

Miyamura then returned to his position and administered first aid to the wounded and directed their evacuation. With another assault by the Chinese, Miyamura manned his machine gun until the ammunition was expended. He ordered the squad to withdraw while he stayed behind to render the gun inoperative. He then bayoneted his way to a second gun emplacement and assisted in its operation.

As the attack intensified, Miyamura ordered his men to fall back while he remained to cover their movement. He killed more than 50 of the enemy before his ammunition was depleted and he was severely wounded.

Extraordinary man “Even at the cost of his own life, he made a decision to cover his own troops,’’ Annello says in the documentary. “That, to me, distinguishes between an ordinary man and an extraordinary man.’’

Annello, who died in November, credited Miyamura for saving his life during the war. Although both men were wounded and taken prisoner by the Chinese, Annello was rescued while Miyamura was held captive for 27 months.

After his release, Miyamura returned to Gallup, where he was welcomed by

thousands of people who greeted his train and held a parade in his honor. In October 1953, an admittedly nervous Miyamura received the Medal of Honor from President Dwight Eisenhower at the White House.

Perseverance “I’ve always felt humble among people when I wear the medal,’’ Miyamura told the filmmakers. “I know a lot of us wear this medal for those that never received any recognition.’’

The 52-minute “Medal of Honor’’ episode features video footage of Miyamura addressing graduates of Hiroshi Miyamura High School, the Gallup school named in his honor. He spoke about perseverance, a common theme for Miyamura.

“I learned so much during that 27 months that has changed my outlook toward life,’’ Miyamura said. “And that’s why every opportunity I have, I like to tell people about not giving up.’’

Other Medal of Honor recipients featured in the “Medal of Honor’’ series include Sylvester Antolak, World War II; Clint Romesha, Afghanistan; Edward Carter, World War II; Vito Bertoldo, World War II; Joseph Vittori, Korean War; Richard L. Etchberger, Vietnam; and Ty M. Carter, Afghanistan. 

A PLACE FOR MOM HAS HELPED OVER A MILLION FAMILIES FIND SENIOR LIVING. OUR TRUSTED, LOCAL ADVISORS HELP FIND SOLUTIONS TO YOUR UNIQUE NEEDS AT NO COST TO YOU. CALL 855-415-4148.

New bae alert.

Guys, I’m totally obsessed with scoping out representations of hot, dimwitted Asian men with hearts of gold on television. Previous baes include Jason Mendoza (played by Manny Jacinto, “The Good Place”) and Josh Chan (Vincent Rodriguez III, “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend”).

Well, I am happy to announce that there’s another kinda-slow Asian hottie for us to feast our eyes on.

His name is Miggy Park. He’s on ABC’s new show “Single Parents” Jake Choi and he is played by Jake Choi.

Clap clap clap!

More dumb-beautiful Asian men on TV please!  Stacy can be reached at stacy@nwasianweekly.com.

DONATE YOUR CAR TO CHARITY. RECEIVE MAXIMUM VALUE OF WRITE OFF FOR YOUR TAXES. RUNNING OR NOT! ALL CONDITIONS ACCEPTED. FREE PICKUP. CALL FOR DETAILS, 855-635-4229.

KINOKUNIYA SEATTLE • kinokuniya.com/us 525 S. Weller St. • Seattle, WA 98104 • 206-587-2477