PRSRT STD U.S. Postage Paid Permit No. 746 Seattle, WA
VOL 41 NO 19 MAY 7 – MAY 13, 2022
FREE 40 YEARS YOUR VOICE
AAPI Heritage Month
Norman Mineta, transportation secretary in 9/11 era, dies By Brian Witte and Terence Chea ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — Norman Mineta, who broke racial barriers for Asian Americans serving in high-profile government posts and ordered commercial flights grounded after the 9/11 terror attacks as the nation’s federal transportation secretary, died on May 3. He was 90. John Flaherty, Mineta’s former chief of staff, said Mineta died peacefully at his home surrounded by family in Edgewater, Maryland, east of the nation’s capital. “His cause of death was a heart ailment,” Flaherty added. “He was an extraordinary public servant and a very dear friend.”
See full pictorial on page 8. Alan Sugiyama Hum Bow Eating Contest
A
sian Pacific Islander Heritage Month Celebration kicked off at the Seattle Center Armory on May 1— the first day of National Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month. This year’s event featured five hours full of programming, including the Alan Sugiyama Hum Bow Eating Contest, dance groups, martial arts, music, and more.
see MINETA on 11
Norman Mineta
THE INSIDE STORY
A&E Green Book Tour: Jackson Street after hours, through the ages
PUBLISHER’S BLOG Moms, LOVE yourself first
UW bioethicist calls for justice in distributing global Community members COVID treatments urge support for SPD EDUCATION AAPI teens face college admissions stress
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A&E A-pop: Asian-y pop culture news
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From HUST Alumni Association of Seattle
hiring bonuses
David Della
On the morning of April 22, Julia Ruan, 16, woke up with a sore throat. Her parents tested her at home and the result was
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Dr. Ming Xiao
Anna Hau
By David Della, former Seattle City Councilmember Tony Au, President, Friends of Gee How Oak Tin Family Association Dr. Ming Xiao, small business owner, Chinatown-ID Anna Hau, small business owner and Seniors In Action, Chinatown-ID
Jessica Ruan helped her mother pack boxes with masks
By Mahlon Meyer NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY
Tony Au
negative. She went to school and a sleepover that night. What happened next, and how the family dealt with it, was not only another see COVID TREATMENTS on 15
The Chinatown-International District (CID) is a historic and culturally rich neighborhood of small businesses and residents, many of us immigrants, lowincome, and elderly. Sadly, over the past two years, our community has been besieged by sharply escalating rates of
violent and property crime and we fear for the safety of our most vulnerable and the viability of the small businesses and cultural spaces that serve them. That is why we urge the City Council to support see OP-ED on 14
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asianweekly northwest
40 YEARS
MAY 7 – MAY 13, 2022
■ NAMES IN THE NEWS May Day march
Photo by Assunta Ng
of Arts and then a Masters in Social Work from the University of Washington (UW). While at the UW, he was involved with peace and social justice movements and was especially active with the UW Asian Student Coalition. He was also a co-founder and one-time executive director of the International District Community Health Center. Today, Irigon serves on the boards of the Puget Sound Advocates for Retirement Action, the OCA Asian Pacific American Advocates – Greater Seattle Chapter, and the Asian and Pacific Islander Americans for Civic Engagement. The Odegaard Award is regarded as the highest achievement in diversity at the UW.
A May Day rally makes its way through the CID on May 1
Approximately 150 demonstrators walked down Jackson Street through Seattle’s Chinatown-International District on May 1, as part of a May Day rally for immigrant and workers rights. Speakers highlighted the need to stop hate crimes against Asian people, and drew attention to multiracial solidarity against police brutality and white supremacy.
Frank Irigon to receive UW’s 2022 Odegaard Award
Frank Irigon
Community member Frank Irigon is the 2022 recipient of the University of Washington Charles E. Odegaard Award. Irigon will be presented with this honor at the 2022 Celebration event on May 18. Born in the Philippines, Irigon immigrated to the United States with his mother and siblings in 1950. He earned his Bachelor
Matsukawa is recipient of the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays
On April 29, the government of Japan announced that it awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays to former KING 5 anchor Lori Matsukawa, for her contributions in promoting friendly relations between Japan and the United States. A news release Lori Matsukawa stated that Matsukawa “significantly contributed to increase awareness of Japanese American history with her reporting and Emmy award-winning documentary films about the history of Japanese American wartime incarceration in the Northwest. She also provided impartial, first-hand reports about Japan after the Great East Japan Earthquake. Her work significantly contributed to a wider understanding of Japan from many perspectives.” In 2003, Matsukawa co-founded the Japanese Cultural & Community Center of Washington and has for nearly 20 years taken an active role in leading the organization’s activities.
Look who’s 105
Gene Moy is now 105 years young! One of the oldest living Chinese American World War II veterans, Moy held a joint celebration at Joyale Restaurant recently, with his friend, Cari Murotani, who turned 77. Gene Moy and Cari Murotani
2022 Tomodachi Award honors Shimabukuro
Jake Shimabukuro will receive the 2022 Tomodachi Award from the Japanese Cultural & Community Center of Washington (JCCCW) during the Tomodachi gala. The award recognizes his many years of promoting and celebrating the U.S.-Japan relationship through music and education. The event will be held virtually on the JCCCW YouTube chanJake Shimabukuro nel, where Shimabukuro performs. He is recognized as the world’s pre-eminent ukulele artist and musical ambassador, recently nominated by President Joe Biden to serve as a member of the National Council on the Arts. You may watch the live program at youtube.com/c/ JCCCWA on June 9 starting at 7 p.m.
Photo provided by Jake Shimabukuro
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YOUR VOICE
■ EDUCATION
MAY 7 – MAY 13, 2022
asianweekly northwest
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AAPI teens face college admissions stress By Juliet Fang NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY Every May, millions of high school seniors click “Accept” buttons on their college application portals, committing to colleges where they will spend the next four years of their lives. They’ve officially finished their college applications—a daunting, overwhelming, stressful, and mentally challenging process. And with the last two years of pandemic uncertainties affecting the class of 2026, since their sophomore year of high school, applying to college has only become more difficult. “When the pandemic started, my sense of routine was completely shot. My friends and I felt completely lost,” says Emily Chen, a high school senior at Buchanan High School in Fresno, California. “Not only was it more difficult than ever to keep my grades up with the sudden change to remote learning, but my summer internships were postponed and my debate tournaments were canceled.” These extracurricular activities—summer enrichment camps, science fairs, club activities—are becoming exceedingly important as students try to differentiate themselves from an increasingly large and competitive pool of applicants. According to College Confidential, a college admissions website, the amount of applicants has skyrocketed in the past two years, in part due to test-optional policies. Harvard’s admission rate dropped to a record low (3.19%), along with Stanford (3.95%), Brown University (5%), and University of California, Berkeley (14%). What do all these numbers amount to for students?
many colleges do I apply to? Which ones? How does financial aid work? What activities do I participate in?
Emilea Okayasu
Stress, and lots of it. “My mental health took a hit, like lots of my classmates,” says Emilea Okayasu, a high school senior at University High School in Fresno, California. “I was isolated, so my junior year was largely me just cooped up in my room being confused and stressed about what I was going to do for the next four years.” “I was pretty much on my own navigating the college admissions process, which was extremely difficult. You can’t mess up and forget to submit a document, especially for things like financial aid. Worse, I didn’t have anyone like a counselor to help me within arm’s reach.” Indeed, with colleges requesting multiple essays, financial aid documents, transcripts, test scores, and letters of recommendation in their applications, the admissions process is often nebulous. Without in-person access to school guidance counselors, many students had to answer tough questions on their own: Should I take the SATs? How
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admissions in my family made me feel like if I didn’t get into Stanford, an Ivy League, or MIT, I would have hurt my chance at a
“My mental health took a hit, like lots of my classmates. I was isolated, so my junior year was largely me just cooped up in my room being confused and stressed about what I was going to do for the next four years.” — Emilea Okayasu Christie Saetang, a high school senior from Orange High School in Orange, California, found herself struggling to answer these questions. “I already had a plan for college in my sophomore year: get good grades, do well on the SATs, become involved in extracurriculars, and make meaningful connections with teachers. The pandemic threw all of that out. Suddenly, I felt that I was going nowhere, that nothing I was doing was good enough, that I would never make it into college. It was a tough time.” She cites internal and external pressures as the source of her anxiety. “I feared failing myself. But I was also scared of disappointing my parents and my family, since I’ve always felt pressure to get into a prestigious school. The whole climate around college
professional career.” Saetang’s story is a common one. Cultural and parental expectations are a frequent struggle for Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) high school seniors. Not only is educational prestige prized (i.e., being a Stanford student), but many AAPI families—most notably, East Asian families— with immigrant backgrounds view a college education as a return on years of investment in elementary and high school education, music lessons, and school tutors. According to Allison Singh of the Huffington Post, “Students from [strict AAPI families] are expected to bring in big returns, and attending an Ivy League school is an indispensable part of the plan.” In essence, going to a “good school” means a better shot at graduate or professional
school, which means higher quality career options, which means financial security in the future. This is a mostly misplaced assumption. Elite undergraduate schools are not “feeder” schools for elite graduate schools. At Harvard Business School, for example, the undergraduate schools represented are as diverse as the students themselves. Often, the road to a professional career path is not as rigid as it is often made out to be. Saetang, Chen, and Okayasu, planning to enroll at University of California, Berkeley, University of Southern California, and Barnard College, respectively, are now just glad that the college application process is over. “When I got into Berkeley, it was just a huge sigh of relief,” says Saetang. “I’m so grateful to have been accepted, but, looking back, I know I could have been happy at any number of schools. It took me a while to get out of the mindset that my worth was measured by my accomplishments. I think about how irrational that mentality is now, but it felt very real to me back then.” She wishes the best of luck and courage to the rising juniors at her high school. “Try not to care what other people think, especially the ones you won’t see again in a few months. Outside of school, I’d like to say that I hope Asian American parents and extended family will become more understanding that Stanford or Harvard isn’t the endall, but that’ll take some time.” “It’s bilateral, you know. They just earnestly want what’s best for us.” Juliet can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.
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asianweekly northwest
■ BUSINESS
MAY 7 – MAY 13, 2022
40 YEARS
In visit to Northwest, SBA highlights exporting for small business U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Office of International Trade Associate Administrator Gabriel Esparza, along with SBA Regional Administrator Michael Fong, visited Gabriel Esparza business leaders in the Northwest on April 18 and 19 to discuss export opportunities for small businesses. The engagement with state leaders is a part of an effort to get out the message that the SBA is here to aid small businesses grow and expand. “The SBA is your partner, it’s your SBA,” stated Esparza in a recent interview with the Northwest Asian Weekly. A part of this includes serving as a communicator with government stakeholders about small business concerns, such as supply chain issues and the need for more work force. Esparza and Fong met with business lead-
Photo by Han Bui
By Jason Cruz NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY
Port of Everett
ers in Snohomish County on April 18 and then held an afternoon meeting with Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell and his office. In addition, they met with former Governor, Commerce Secretary, and Ambassador Gary Locke. In hopes of facilitating more trade, the
meetings highlighted the opportunities that the SBA could provide for small businesses. They also listened to small business owners and talked about their experiences exporting. The visit to Snohomish County promoted the continued use of the Port of Everett. In
2021, it broke ground on a major expansion of Norton Terminal that will modernize the ability to move goods to market. In addition, there are a wealth of aerospace and advanced manuMike Fong facturing companies in Snohomish County that represent a great number of export-related jobs. Also, Paine Field is an important economic driver as an airport, as it accounts for $60 billion in economic impact and over 158,000 jobs, according to a Washington Aviation Economic Impact study. Furthermore, the trend toward economic vitality is positive with a reversal of 5 years of export decline ending with exports up over $7.3 billion in 2021. Esparza and Fong acknowledged the challenges that small business owners may have at this particular time. “We recognize the supply chain and see SBA on 12
The habit of saving is key to becoming financially healthier Content provided by JPMorgan Chase Savings is a foundational piece to financial health since research has found that unexpected expenses, like car repairs, can become a hardship when people don’t have access to emergency savings funds. “When it comes to saving, the most important thing to do is simply to start. Whether it’s a dollar a day or a few every month, it is important to have a plan,” said Rocky Fong, Chase Community Manager. “Talking to someone with experience can help you see things from a different perspective. One of my favorite conversations to have with customers is to know what they are saving for and helping them figure out how to get there.” Here’s how you can build your own savings plan: • Start small. Starting with small goals will begin to lay the foundation for bigger ones, even if building a safety net
with just a dollar a day. Once you build the habit, a dollar a day can turn into more as you begin to take notice of your spending habits and identify opportunities to minimize expenses and re-allocate them towards your savings. For a free online calculator that can help you estimate your savings over time, go to chase.com/personal/financialgoals/savings. Remember that saving is personal: it depends on your own needs and financial situation. • Keep it Simple. When it comes to creating a budget, it’s okay to keep it simple. Dedicate a notebook or a section in your notes app to write down your monthly expenses— keep track of what is coming in and going out. A great way to get started is using tools like a budget worksheet, which has built-in calculations to help you track your spending and could help you find ways to save. • Set a goal. What are you saving for? It could be a new phone, a car, a home. Whatever it is, focusing on a goal can help you stay motivated to build a plan to get there, like setting up recurring savings or considering changes to
your day-to-day spending. • Get tools to help. Choosing an FDIC-insured bank account can offer you financial safety, easy access to your funds, and helps you avoid check-cashing fees which can add up. Many accounts offer mobile banking and automated tools to support your savings goals. Splitting your direct deposit and setting up automated transfers are some ways to save without having to think about it. • Look for guidance. Engaging in conversations about money is a good way to get feedback, advice, and suggestions on your approach to savings. No matter your goal, seeking advice can help you build skills, create a plan that can be adjusted along the way, and get help and support to achieve it. A great way to start a conversation is by reviewing your budget and savings goals with an expert. Chase offers free resources to help kickstart your financial health journey at chase.com/financialgoals.
KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON NOTICE TO PROPOSERS Proposals will be received for KC000562, Engineering and Related Services for Route 36 Corridor Improvements; by King County Procurement and Payables Section until 12:00 PM on May 24, 2022. This contract is funded by the Federal Transit. There is a 15% minimum requirement for Washington State Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises Certified Federal Small Business Enterprise (SBE) firms on this contract.
Total Estimated Price for Phase 1: $500,000 Total Estimated Price for all Phases: $1,000,000 King County, in accordance with the provisions of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (78 Stat. 252, 42 U.S.C. §§ 2000d to 2000d-4) and the Regulations, hereby notifies all Proposers that it will affirmatively ensure that any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, disadvantaged business enterprises will be afforded full and fair
opportunity to submit proposals in response to this invitation and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, or national origin in consideration for an award. This AGREEMENT is subject to the appropriations of the State of Washington. Prospective proposers can view more details at: https://kingcounty.gov/procurement/ solicitations Contact: Alice Phoenix, alice.phoenix@ kingcounty.gov, 206-263-931
MAY 7 – MAY 13, 2022
YOUR VOICE
asianweekly northwest
■ NATIONAL NEWS CAPAC members celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Washington, D.C. — May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, a celebration of the history, the immeasurable contributions, and achievements of the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander community. To commemorate this month-long celebration, members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) from Washington state released the following statements:
Rep. Marilyn Strickland
“I am proud to stand with my colleagues in celebrating Asian Pacific American Heritage Month during May. The APA and API communities continue to make significant contributions to fields across the South Sound and throughout the entire nation. This month, we are celebrating our rich history and diversity while honoring APA and API leaders who have paved
the way for us today. As one of the first Korean American women elected to Congress in its 230-year history, I am proud to represent and be an advocate for APA and API communities.”
Rep. Pramila Jayapal
“As we mark the beginning of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, let us take a moment to reflect and be grateful for the amazing contributions Asian and Pacific Islander Americans have made to our country. From the arts to the sciences, and everything in between, we have had a crucial and indelible impact on the fabric of our society. I am so proud of all that we have accomplished and all that there is yet to come. Happy Asian Pacific American Heritage Month!”
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Rep. Adam Smith
“This May, we celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, a time to acknowledge the diverse histories and cultures of Asians and Pacific Islanders in the United States and the contributions they have made to the fabric of our nation. The month of May was chosen for Asian Pacific American Heritage Month to commemorate the arrival of the first known Japanese immigrant to America in May of 1843 and the completion of the transcontinental railroad in May of 1869, which was made possible by thousands of Chinese workers—serving as a reminder that the United States is stronger because of our diversity. I’m proud to represent one of the most diverse districts in Washington state, which is home to a large AAPI community who have enriched our district in countless ways.”
White House: Without funding US will lose COVID treatments By ZEKE MILLER ASSOCIATED PRESS WASHINGTON (AP) — For much of the past two years, America has been first in line for COVID-19 vaccines and treatments. Now, as drugmakers develop the next generation of therapies, the White House is warning that if Congress doesn’t act urgently the U.S. will have to take a number. Already the congressional stalemate over virus funding has forced the federal government to curtail free treatment for the uninsured and to ration monoclonal antibody supplies. And Biden administration officials are expressing increasing alarm that the U.S. is also losing out on critical opportunities to secure booster doses and
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new antiviral pills that could help the country maintain its reemerging sense of normalcy, even in the face of potential new variants and case spikes. Japan, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Hong Kong have all placed orders for treatments and vaccine doses that the U.S. can’t yet commit to, according to the White House. Months ago, the White House began warning that the country had spent through the money in the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan that was dedicated directly to COVID-19 response. It requested an additional $22.5 billion for what it called “urgent” needs in both the U.S. and abroad. In March, the Senate closed in on smaller $10 billion package focused on domestic needs. But even that deal fell apart as lawmakers objected to an announcement from the
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that it would end Trump-era border restrictions related to the pandemic. The White House has mounted a push for doctors to get less stingy about prescribing the antiviral pill Paxlovid, which was initially rationed for those at the highest risk for severe outcomes from COVID-19 but is now more widely available. A 20 million-dose order placed last year by the government helped boost manufacturing capacity. Paxlovid, when administered within five days of symptoms appearing, has been proven to bring about a 90% reduction in hospitalizations and deaths among patients most likely to get severe disease. Some 314 Americans are now dying each day from the coronavirus, down from see FUNDING on 14
asianweekly northwest
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MAY 7 – MAY 13, 2022
40 YEARS
■ COMMUNITY CALENDAR NOW THRU JULY 10 EMBODIED CHANGE: SOUTH ASIAN ART ACROSS TIME Seattle Asian Art Museum, South Gallery Fri-Sun, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. seattleartmuseum.org NOW THRU FEB 19, 2023 EXHIBIT, “WE ARE CHANGING THE TIDE: COMMUNITY POWER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE” The Wing Luke Museum, 719 S. King St., Seattle Thu-Sun, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. wingluke.org/we-are-changingthe-tide
MAY 5
CLUB MEETING WITH TIFFANI MCCOY ON SPEAKING ABOUT REALCHANGE NEWS AND A NEW SOCIAL HOUSING INITIATIVE FOR SEATTLE 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. For Zoom link, contact rotaryofseattleid@gmail.com
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ARTIST AKIO TAKAMORI AND A COMPANION LECTURE Vashon Center for the Arts, 19600 Vashon Hwy. SW, Vashon 2 p.m. Free admission gallery vashoncenterforthearts.org
LANGUAGES OF MEMORY: A SOUTH SOUND JAPANESE AMERICAN DAY OF REMEMBRANCE Washington State History Museum, 1911 Pacific Ave., Tacoma 6-8:30 p.m. washingtonhistory.org
CISC SUNSHINE GARDEN AT SEATTLE OFFICE SUNSHINE GARDEN SENIOR DAY 10 a.m.-1 p.m. cisc-seattle.org
7&8
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BLOOMING BONSAI AND FESTIVITIES IN THE FOREST: BONSAIFEST IS BACK Pacific Bonsai Museum, 2515 S. 336th St., Federal Way 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission is free Suggested donation: $12 pacificbonsaimuseum.org
UW OFFICE OF MINORITY AFFAIRS & DIVERSITY CELEBRATION UW Hub Ballroom 6 p.m. washington.edu/omad/ celebration
ASIAN AMERICAN & PACIFIC ISLANDER HERITAGE NIGHT T-Mobile Park 6:40 p.m. $5 of every ticket sold through this special offer will benefit the Wing Luke Museum Tickets: mlb.com/mariners/tickets/ specials/asian-americanpacific-islander
DENISE LOUIE EDUCATION CENTER 2022 DINNER & AUCTION, “THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT!” Magnuson Park Hangar 30 Seattle 5:30 p.m. In person or via Zoom Register at https://bit.ly/371tvOh
10 VIRTUAL MEETING INTERNATIONAL SPECIAL REVIEW DISTRICT 4:30 p.m. Register for Zoom link: https://bit.ly/3vEk0OI
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ARTIST AKIO TAKAMORI WITH A GALLERY SHOW Vashon Center for the Arts, 19600 Vashon Hwy. SW, Vashon 5-8 p.m., First Friday Free admission gallery.vashoncenterforthearts. org
VIRTUAL PROGRAM: THE APIA SCHOLARS 2022 STORY SLAM 8-9:30 p.m. Register at apiascholarsstoryslam2022. vfairs.com
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CISC AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM AAPI VIRTUAL ART WORKSHOP WITH THE SEATTLE ASIAN ART MUSEUM 11-11:45 a.m. cisc-seattle.org
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22 LAKE WASHINGTON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA PRESENTS PHOENIX RISING IN CELEBRATION OF THE PEOPLE & CULTURES OF ASIAN AMERICAN & PACIFIC ISLANDER HERITAGE Bastyr University Chapel 3 p.m. lwso.org
CLUB MEETING WITH ILONA LOHREY AND AHI MARTINMCSWEENEY ABOUT WA STATE LBGTQ+ Chamber of Commerce 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. For Zoom link, contact rotaryofseattleid@gmail.com
9 2022 VIRTUAL TOMODACHI GALA 7 p.m. youtube.com/c/JCCCWA jcccw.org/tomodachi-gala
12 CHOW MEIN DINNER AND BAKED GOODS SALE RETURN! NVC Memorial Hall 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
View the solution on page 14
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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 editor@nwasianweekly.com • ads@nwasianweekly.com • www.nwasianweekly.com
YOUR VOICE
MAY 7 – MAY 13, 2022
■ ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
By Stacy Nguyen NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY
asianweekly northwest
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A-pop!: Asian-y pop culture news
Hold BTS in your hand this winter!
The aughts are experiencing quite a revival in terms of style, swag, and just general stuff. (The aughts refer to the 2000s. I just learned this recently and thought it was weird-sounding enough to try and use in this column.) My early adulthood happened in the aughts, so to see something I lived through suddenly be spotlighted as quaintly retro by Gen Zers makes me ALI WONG AND JUSTIN HAKUTA feel old. DIVORCING…YAY? Which is probably something Vin Diesel can relate to … Marriage is hard. I say this as a person who has never been married before in VIN DIESEL DROVE AWAY ‘FAST X’ my life. But I’ve been around unhappily DIRECTOR JUSTIN LIN BECAUSE DIESEL married people and sometimes they say stuff like, “Never get married, Stacy.” And CANNOT ACCEPT HIS MORTALITY I’m like, “Okay! But I’m not refraining Vin Diesel often strikes me as a super insecure ‘cause you told me so! I’m refraining dude who overcompensates by how small he feels ‘cause this is already the life trajectory sometimes by being excessively masculine. Like, he I’m on!” I remember this observation I had when isn’t well known for his work outside of the “Fast and Furious” films—and the long-running franchise is I listened to Ali Wong’s memoir-slashclosing up shop after its 10th and final installment, audiobook, “Dear Girls: Intimate Tales, Untold Secrets, and Advice for Living “Fast X.” (Get it? Closing up shop?) After this, Diesel will just be a super rich male Your Best Life.” That observation was that former action star barrelling fast toward his 60s. It Wong seemed incongruently marriagemust be hard to contend with aging when you’ve focused or marriage-obsessed whenever always been known for physical feats on-screen, that topic came up in her book, without giving a sense-making logic for it (to me). right? I obviously don’t know her, but it makes It must be, because Diesel has been acting like quite a B, so much that he caused long-time “Fast me wonder just how much of us grow up and Furious” franchise director Justin Lin to full- being told we want something and need to on quit a couple of weeks ago, citing that the movie do something—so much that we just roll was not worth his mental health. The Hollywood with it—only to slowly realize over the Reporter alleged that Diesel, who is also a producer ensuing years that we were too young to on this upcoming movie, was basically an egotistical really know what we needed. Because of this thought, I would like to ass, and Lin was over it. And walking away supposedly cost him $10-$20 congratulate Wong and Hakuta for their million! Whoa! His parents must be so disappointed years together and the family they created, and for making what is probably a difficult in him! And good for him! It must’ve been hard to hang decision to change things up. I wish them happiness in their futures. around Diesel’s delusion all day every day.
(What happens when you don’t feed them though?)
CANCEL ALL YOUR WEEKEND PLANS. ‘BLING EMPIRE’ IS COMING BACK MAY 13! When “Bling Empire” first premiered on Netflix at the beginning of 2021, it was this beautiful breath of excessive, kinda superficial, deliciously dramatic air that was exactly what I needed in the midst of being holed up alone in a dark den because of the pandemic. It was this window into a different universe, where Asians with incredible wealth—and a hot dude named Kevin—were able to hang out with each other, leave their homes, and breathe on each other in private jets. I loved it for what it was: Really rich
Asians buying a bunch of stuff they don’t need, whilst being mired in their own microcosm of ‘problems’ that they could really easily solve if they were better at direct communication. Here are questions I want answered in season two: Is Kelly still in an abusive relationship with a Power Ranger who probably had a contentious relationship with his dad, based on the way he treats women? Is Christine still letting her in-laws control her uterus? Will Kim throw another penis pump out the window and then be bad at apologizing for it? see A-POP on 13
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asianweekly northwest
40 YEARS
MAY 7 – MAY 13, 2022
■ PICTORIAL
AAPI Heritage Celebration Jack Woo, Tokyo Dog, ended up winning this year amongst these popular local Asian restaurant chefs. Kids pose with the Hum Bow mascot, Chelsea Robancho.
Hālau Hula Ka Lei Mokihana I Ka Ua Noe is back is bringing hula back again! __________ Photo by TianJiao Song Jerica Huang, Miss Olympics 2022 posing with the Hum Bow mascot, Chelsea Robancho. The Kompany wowed the crowd with their K-pop dance moves!
Kaze Daiko Seattle’s Taiko drumming is a fan favorite!
Huayin Performing Arts Group posing in diverse Chinese ethnic attire. _______________
Photo by Assunta Ng Live2Dance Seattle, Bollywood Dance Troupe got the audience to get up and dance!
Cindy Wong-Li read from her Children’s Book “ Star Hug”
PHOTOS BY JOHN LIU
MAY 7 – MAY 13, 2022
YOUR VOICE
■ ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
asianweekly northwest
Green Book Tour
Jackson Street after hours, through the ages
A portion of the mural from the 1930s jazz scene in the basement of today’s Louisa Hotel. Credit: Ashley Harrison.
By Andrew Hamlin NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY We amble down streets, passing buildings, passing vacant lots where buildings once stood. For the most part, we stick to our business, not giving surroundings much of a thought.
And according to Ashley Harrison, a partner in Seattle’s Black & Tan Hall community organization, that’s understandable. It’s just disappointing. “What would it look like if we all knew the histories of the specific places we frequent?” asked Harrison. “The Louisa Hotel has a window decal naming all businesses known to have existed within its walls since it was built, which is so cool. History is often looked at in broad strokes, but reflecting on the specific history of the place
where you live, or the particular spot where you are standing, can be powerful and profound.” To educate the public on this history, Black & Tan Hall created the Seattle Green Book SelfGuided Tour. Named for the historical “Green Book” tour guide for Black motorists, this tour covers the Jackson Street corridor, with several crucial stops through the ChinatownInternational District (CID). Tour-takers choose between using the Hall’s website for a guide or downloading an application. Victor Green, a Black New York
City postal worker, published the “Green Book,” properly known as “The Negro Motorist Green Book,” between 1936 and 1966. It offered a handy list of Black-owned and Black-friendly businesses, for Black motorists driving cross-country, with frank advice on how to safely cross virulently racist areas. The Black & Tan Hall’s Jefferson Street project includes plenty of research derived from the Green Book, but also uncovered crucial history through the CID. see BLACK & TAN on 13
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MAY 7 – MAY 13, 2022
■ PUBLISHER’S BLOG
Moms , LOVE yourself first By Assunta Ng NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY
In 1982, Hou, a high school student, learned that I was launching a Chinese newspaper. She took a graphics/printing class so she could learn and print the first marketing poster for the Seattle Chinese Post. She even offered to print my business cards. That’s Hou’s way of expressing thanks to her former teacher. She printed both of them beautifully and only charged material cost. Accidentally, we connected 12 years ago. I asked around if there were any Asian-owned businesses that could make banners for us. I was thrilled when I found out she and her husband owned Bellevue Embroidery, a business in designing marketing and advertising materials. By then, she had three kids, two of them were under 10 years old.
A mother’s health is the best gift for the family. Soon, I could see that she was pretty much the one doing everything—taking care of the family and holding the business together. It was her who brought her kids to participate in our Lunar New Year kids’ parade and costumes contest. It was her who delivered those banners and plaques to us. It was her who had diligently kept me informed of her daughter’s performance at different events, including news she had received awards and recognitions. Hou brought her 9-year-old daughter,
Lena, to sing the national anthem at Asian Weekly’s banquet honoring the governorelect Jay Inslee who was mesmerized with the performance. Inslee invited Lena to perform at his inauguration, and Hou drove Lena to Olympia. In addition, she was active in several community groups. At one point, she cried over the phone. see BLOG on 16
Evelyn Hou
Recently, my former student, Evelyn Hou, died suddenly of an aggressive cancer at the age of 58. Her loved ones were shocked as she often looked cheerful and normal with no health issues. But beneath her smile, her life was far from perfect. And mothers, please learn from Hou’s story. I met Hou when she was in my 7th grade social studies class at Asa Mercer Junior High School (now a middle school). As a kid, she was bubbly and full of life. We hadn’t been keeping in touch, but her aunts are my friends.
Tai Tung Chinese Restaurant 655 South King Street, Seattle, WA 98104
Let's celebrate our mothers at Tai Tung!
HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!
Flowers for Moms on May 8
(206)-622-7372 (206)-622-7714 Open Daily 11 a.m. - 8 p.m. taitungrestaurant.com
MAY 7 – MAY 13, 2022
YOUR VOICE
■ EDITORIAL
asianweekly northwest
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AAPIs, speak up!
The Japanese language program at Lindbergh High School in Renton was saved from the chopping block, as we reported last week. On this Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, it feels appropriate to call attention to the threat that would have eliminated this very popular program. It’s a threat—though it no longer remains for this program— that is part of a long decimation of Japanese language programs in Washington and would have robbed later generations of Japanese Americans from exploring their heritage. Aleyna Yamaguchi, who was a former student of said Japanese language program, wrote in a petition that by cutting the program, it would mean “we are failing to prepare students for today's ever evolving globalized economy.” To also do this during a time when our political and racial
landscape is so divided, the right thing to do is to continue to educate and expose our students to other cultures, not remove this opportunity from them, Yamaguchi wrote. The class is taught by Hiromi Weir, whom students fondly called “Hiromi Sensei,” and she postponed her retirement to save the program. It’s important to acknowledge Yamaguchi for starting this petition and bringing attention to the matter. She also persuaded her former teacher to go on the record and reach out to organizations that regularly provided support to the school districts for Japanese language classes, such as the Japan-America Society of the State of Washington, the Japanese Consulate, and the Washington Association of Teachers of Japanese. Additionally, Yamaguchi reached out to the us, the media.
As Asians, we are taught not to raise a fuss or rock the boat. And this is behavior that could be detrimental. It is imperative to speak up when you witness something you know in your gut is wrong or harmful. Speak up, even when it’s hard, to fight for what you believe is right. There are consequences to not voicing your concerns or opinion. Would this program have survived without a petition or media attention? We’ll never know. But it’s not unfathomable that it would have been quietly eliminated if there hadn’t been such a public outcry. This AAPI Heritage Month, remember that your voice matters. Speak up. You are not alone. The community will stand behind you. We, at the Asian Weekly, will amplify your voice. Be proud of who you are and what you stand for.
Mineta broke racial barriers for Asian Americans in becoming mayor of San Jose, California early in his political career. He later became the first Asian American to become a federal Cabinet secretary, serving under both Democratic President Bill Clinton and Republican George W. Bush. Bush went on to award Mineta the nation’s highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom. In a statement, the former president said Mineta was “a wonderful American story about someone who overcame hardship and prejudice to serve in the United States Army, Congress, and the Cabinet of two Presidents.” “As my Secretary of Transportation, he showed great leadership in helping prevent further attacks on and after 9/11. As I said when presenting him with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Norm has given his country a lifetime of service, and he’s given his fellow citizens an example of leadership, devotion to duty, and personal character,” the former president said.
Photo by Assunta Ng
MINETA from 1
The University of Washington hosted a special event with Norman Mineta in 2019, featuring a special screening of the documentary, “Norman Mineta and His Legacy: An American Story.”
The son of Japanese immigrants who spent two years of his childhood at a World War II internment camp, Mineta began his political career leading his hometown of San Jose before joining the Clinton administration as commerce secretary and then crossing party lines to serve in Bush’s Cabinet. As Bush’s transportation secretary, Mineta led the department during the crisis of Sept. 11, 2001, as hijacked commercial airliners barreled toward U.S. landmarks. After a second plane crashed into the World Trade Center, Mineta ordered the Federal Aviation Administration to ground all civilian aircraft—more than 4,500 in flight at the time.
It was the first such order given in U.S. aviation history. Mineta was subsequently tasked with restoring confidence in air travel in the aftermath of the terror attacks. He oversaw the hasty creation of the Transportation Security Administration, which took over responsibility for aviation security from the airlines. Within a year, the TSA had hired tens of thousands of airport screeners, put air marshals on commercial flights and installed high-tech equipment to screen air travelers and their luggage for bombs. The effort was derided at the time for wasteful spending and causing long lines at airports. But Mineta, widely liked and respected in Wash-
KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON NOTICE TO PROPOSERS Proposals will be received for KC000547, Work Order RCLAS Permitting Services for Wastewater Treatment Division; by King County Procurement and Payables Section until 12:00 PM on May 27, 2022. This contract includes development and submittal of an Equity and Social Justice (ESJ) Innovation Plan. The ESJ Innovation Plan details the approach, strategies, and actionable steps that will be taken to maximize the participation of Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) and Women Business Enterprise (WBE) firms. Both MBE and WBE firms must be certified by the State of Washington Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises. Total Estimated Price: $1,000,000 (each) King County intends to award two contracts from this RFP. Prospective proposers can view more details at: https://kingcounty. gov/procurement/solicitations Contact: Regina Sparano, rsparano@kingcounty.gov, 206-477-4807
ington for his deep knowledge of transportation issues, managed to escape the brunt of that criticism. In 2006, he resigned at age 74 after 5 and 1/2 years in his post, making him the longest-serving transportation secretary since the agency was created in 1967. Born on Nov. 12, 1931, Norman Yoshio Mineta was 10 and wearing his Cub Scouts uniform when he and his parents were sent to the Heart Mountain internment camp in Wyoming after Japan attacked Pearl Harbor. He went on to graduate from the University of California, Berkeley, with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and served as an Army intelligence officer in Korea and Japan. After three years with the military, he returned to San Jose to run his father’s Mineta Insurance Agency. Mineta’s foray into politics came in 1967, when San
Jose’s mayor tapped him to fill a vacant seat on the city council. He won re-election and served four more years on the council before winning the city’s top seat in 1971, making him the first Asian-American mayor of a major city. It now has an airport that bears his name. Mineta was elected to Congress in 1974 and served 10 terms representing Silicon Valley. During his tenure, he pushed for more funding for the FAA and co-authored a landmark law that gave state and local governments control over highway and mass transit decisions. The co-founder of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus also scored a personal victory when he helped win passage of the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, which required the U.S. government to apologize to the 120,000 Japanese Americans forced to live in wartime internment camps. Former internees also received reparations of $20,000 each. In 1993, Mineta became chairman of the House Public Works and Transportation Committee—another first—but he quickly lost that job after Republicans won control of the House in 1994. Mineta resigned from Congress in 1995 to join Lockheed Martin Corp. as senior vice president of its transportation division,
which built and operated electronic toll collection systems. But Washington came calling again five years later when Clinton, in the final months of his presidency, appointed him to replace William Daley as commerce secretary. Mineta then became the first cabinet secretary to make the switch directly from a Democratic to Republican administration. He was the only Democrat in Bush’s cabinet. As transportation secretary, Mineta successfully promoted private investment in roads and bridges such as the Chicago Skyway and Indiana Toll Road and helped secure passage of a $286 billion highway spending plan after almost two years of wrangling with Congress. After overseeing the rapid launch of the TSA, Mineta had his department downsized by almost twothirds when the TSA and Coast Guard were moved to the Department of Homeland Security in 2003 in the biggest government reorganization in nearly six decades. After retiring from public service, he joined the public relations firm Hill & Knowlton as vice chairman and settled with his wife, Danealia, in Maryland near the Chesapeake Bay.
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■ WORLD NEWS Americans increasingly see China as a threat, according to survey By David Rising and Ken Moritsugu ASSOCIATED PRESS BEIJING (AP) — Americans are increasingly seeing China as a world superpower and a threat, though growing numbers perceive it more as a competitor than an enemy, according to a survey released on April 28. The Washington-based Pew Research Center said that negative views of China reached a new high, with 82% of Americans having either somewhat unfavorable or very unfavorable views of the country, a 6 percentage point increase from last year. About two-thirds of U.S. adults said that China’s influence in the world is getting stronger, and two-thirds also consider China’s power and influence a major threat to the United States. At the same time, the proportion of
respondents who saw China as an enemy has dropped since January. Currently, 62% of Americans see China as a competitor and 25% as an enemy, while in January 54% chose competitor and 35% said enemy— almost exactly the same as the prior year. The shift may be a temporary one influenced by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Laura Silver, a senior researcher at Pew, said it’s likely that the war has changed how people define what is an enemy, as opposed to a competitor. The survey of 3,581 people was taken from March 21 to 27, about a month into the Russian invasion. The margin of error was plus or minus 2.3 percentage points. The opposite shift occurred in the share of Americans who called Russia an enemy. Some 70% of Americans now see Russia as an enemy, up from 41% in January, according to Pew.
Hong Kong actor Kenneth Tsang dies in quarantine hotel HONG KONG (AP) — Vetper said he had tested negative eran Hong Kong actor Kenfor the virus and had no underneth Tsang has died while in a lying medical conditions. COVID-19 quarantine hotel in In all, Tsang had some 237 the southern Chinese city, local acting credits, mainly in Hong media reported. Kong film and television proTsang was best known interductions, and especially in denationally for his action roles in tective and martial arts movies, the 2002 James Bond film “Die according to his IMDb page. Kenneth Tsang Another Day,” John Woo’s “The Born in Shanghai, Tsang beKiller” in 1989, “Rush Hour 2” gan acting after obtaining an in 2001 starring Jackie Chan and Chris architecture degree at the University of Tucker, and 1998’s “The Replacement California, Berkeley, making his debut Killers” alongside Chow Yun-Fat and in 1955. In 1969 alone, he was credited in Mira Sorvino. more than 20 movies and continued workTsang had been undergoing seven days ing up to the time of his death. of quarantine after returning from SingaTsang was married three times and had pore on April 25 and was found collapsed a son with his first wife, Lan Di, and a on the floor of his hotel room by staff two daughter with his second wife, Barbara days later, according to the South China Tang. Morning Post and other media. Hong Kong is dealing with a renewed The South China Morning Post said outbreak in cases of the highly transmisTsang was 87 but other sources gave his sible omicron variant and requires all inage as 86. bound travelers to undergo quarantine for No cause of death was given and the pa- up to 14 days.
“With a clearer sense that what Russia is doing demarcates it as an ‘enemy,’ there has been a corresponding shift in thinking China is more of a competitor,” Silver said. On the official level, however, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin calls China the U.S. military’s leading long-term challenge and the U.S.-China relationship has become more strained on many levels since the start of President Joe Biden’s term in January 2021. Biden has been placing more emphasis on the Indo-Pacific region and has repeatedly criticized China for military provocations against Taiwan, human rights abuses against ethnic minorities and efforts to squelch prodemocracy advocates in Hong Kong. U.S. officials also have expressed concern about signs that China is increasing the size of its nuclear arsenal, although it remains far smaller than America’s.
SBA from 4 shipping challenges,” said Fong. “The backlog will alleviate over time.” He added, “It’s an opportunity for us (SBA). The tools are there, it’s just a matter of getting the folks to use them.” After his visit to Seattle, Esparza traveled to Los Angeles to present an award to Dr. Dennis Lam, CEO and Chairman of GBC Bank. Lam was chosen as one of the Export Lenders of the Year. The award recognizes the bank’s efforts to increase access to capital for U.S. companies by providing international trade financing to small businesses. The award highlights the accomplishments of lenders in delivering SBA’s international finance programs to small businesses, which help them develop new markets, finance export transactions, and expand capacity to meet overseas demand. “We try to be the connective tissue between an interested small business and lending institution,” Esparza said of the agency’s work to get financing for small businesses. He indicated that GBC Bank, headquartered in Los Angeles, has been a key lender for many Asian small businesses in the area. The SBA met with lending institutions as part of its trip to the Northwest earlier this month. Esparza explained that the SBA serves as a ‘backstop’ to financial partners as it guarantees loans of many small businesses. The SBA offers a variety of loans in its ‘loan toolbox’ including traditional loans and inject capital into microlenders. Each
With China so far refusing to condemn the invasion of Ukraine, Beijing’s partnership with Moscow was identified as the most serious problem for the U.S., with 62% of people polled saying it was. By contrast, only 35% said the tensions between China and Taiwan were a very serious problem for the U.S. China’s human right policies were named a very serious problem by 42%, and 26% said mainland China’s Hong Kong policies were a very serious problem for the U.S. Silver said that changes in news coverage and global events probably affect how Americans view China, noting that human rights was a greater concern last year. “Negative views of China have been high and growing for much of the last four years but what factors seem most salient has ebbed and flowed,” Silver said.
of the SBA loan programs come with its own rules, but some of the loans offer lower interest rates and fees, as well as shorter turnaround times for lines of credit. In addition, trade with China is a continued concern amid issues with tariffs and slowdowns due to COVID-19 restrictions. The SBA is there to help in amplifying the stories it hears from small business owners around the country as it communicates them to government policy makers. While the term “small business” can be interpreted in many ways, Esparza highlights that out of 32 million small businesses across the nation, 80% are sole proprietors. He notes that there are “accidental exporters,” small businesses that begin to sell goods or services outside of the U.S. by happenstance. “In addition to the dynamic of accidental exporters, we also believe that diaspora communities are a particular area of focus,” said Esparza. Specifically, Asian diaspora communities are an area of interest that the SBA would like to engage. The message for small businesses is that after the concerns over the pandemic, trade is picking up and the SBA can help. “Folks are definitely moving out of survival mode and thinking of longer-term opportunities for expansion and revenue growth,” explained Fong of the status of small business in the current economic climate. Jason can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.
KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON NOTICE TO PROPOSERS Proposals will be received for KC000525, WORK ORDER ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING AND RELATED SERVICES FOR KING COUNTY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT; by King County Procurement and Payables Section until 12:00 PM on 05/20/2022. This contract includes development and
submittal of an Equity and Social Justice (ESJ) Innovation Plan. The ESJ Innovation Plan details the approach, strategies, and actionable steps that will be taken to maximize the participation of Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) and Women Business Enterprise (WBE) firms. Both MBE and WBE firms must be certified by the State of
Washington Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises. Total Estimated Price: $1,000,000 Prospective proposers can view more details at: https://kingcounty.gov/procurement/ solicitations Contact: John Kim, johkim@kingcounty.gov, 206-263-5825
MAY 7 – MAY 13, 2022
YOUR VOICE
■ ASTROLOGY
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Predictions and advice for the week of May 7–May 13, 2022 By Sun Lee Chang Rat—If you want to be a part of the discussion, then you must be willing to be present when it happens. Ox—Do you have a tendency to overthink? Sometimes you just feel what you feel and that is enough. Tiger—Is your resolve wavering a bit recently? It could be worth revisiting the result you are going after. Rabbit —This is not the moment to hold back. You’re at your best when you let your natural talents shine.
Dragon—Whether you are going solo or with a partner, be open to modifying your itinerary based on how the trip unfolds.
Monkey—As you try to regain focus, concentrate on what you are doing right rather than what can go wrong.
Snake—Lots of commotion doesn’t necessarily equate to anything substantial. In fact, a placid exterior could have just the opposite underneath.
Rooster—Despite some initial reservations, you are now ready for business. Once you get going, there is no turning back.
Horse—Despite the moves of a competitor, resist being reactionary and stick with the plan that is working well for you. Goat—Are you worried about being off the mark? All your practice should allow you to perform flawlessly.
Dog—A chance to regroup has allowed you to see things more clearly, including where your priorities lie.
Pig—You do not have to make yourself available to all who seek you out. It’s your time, so be selective.
WHAT’S YOUR ANIMAL SIGN? RAT 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020 OX 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021 TIGER 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022 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, 2019
*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.
BLACK & TAN from 9 “Several Seattle sites in the Green Book were Asian American-owned,” Harrison explained. “During a segregated era, these businesses made an affirmative choice to welcome Black patronage, and some also advertised in the ‘Northwest Enterprise,’ a Black-owned newspaper. It also seems that Japanese-owned hotels/single room occupancy buildings played a particular role in housing Black residents in the CID. “We reviewed census records from 10th and Jackson in 1920 [which] list Chinese, Japanese, Black, white, and interracial households in the same block. At that time, the neighboring Central District was also the geographic center of Seattle’s Jewish community.” Neighborhood residents from different racial backgrounds also worked, socialized, and collaborated artistically together. Al Smith, a Black photographer in Seattle who documented his community over a 50-year span, was part of a camera club called the Kohga Club, the only non-Japanese member. Filipinx musicians were closely connected to Seattle’s jazz scene, forming their own jazz bands and/or playing in integrated Black and Filipinx bands. Adds Harrison, “An influential multiracial organizing coalition called the Jackson Street Community Council (JSCC) formed here in the 1950s. During our research process, we were excited to learn that the ‘Colored Waiters, Porters, and Cook’s Club, Inc.,, which was based at the [original] Black & Tan Club, was part of the JSCC in the late 1940s. This is a direct link between the historic, Black-owned, integrated club, and the neighborhood’s multiracial political advocacy during that era.” World War II brought the forced internment of Japanese along the West Coast, which in turn provoked a housing shortage for Blacks in the area. With Japanese landlords off to the camps, the white landlords often refused housing to Blacks. “The tour includes all the information we were able to uncover in historical
records about the housing crisis generated by the incarceration of Japanese landlords renting rooms to Black tenants,” said Harrison. “We came across these articles fairly late in our research, and there likely is more information on this topic than we’ve found so far. Densho and the Wing Luke Museum are both great resources for readers who want to engage further with the history of Japanese incarceration. “Our primary sources were digitized historical newspapers. The Library of Congress’ Chronicling America project has digitized thousands of U.S. newspapers, including Seattle publications in English, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, and more. It’s an extraordinary resource, without which we could not have completed this project during the pandemic, because libraries and archives were closed.” The Black & Tan Hall defines itself as a values-driven cultural hub with a mission to sustain a thriving and equitable economy through arts and cultural programming. Its name derives from the many multiracial “black and tan” clubs which incubated the jazz scene across America, including Seattle’s actual “Black & Tan,” located at 12th and Jackson between 1922 and 1966. The modern-day Black & Tan Hall’s plans for the future include opening up its headquarters at 5608 Rainier Avenue South in Hillman City, to house a restaurant plus a performing arts hall. “Ideally, our tour will continue to bring people to the neighborhood to support the local businesses here today and learn about the neighborhood’s layered and important histories,” concluded Harrison. “We hope the tour adds to ongoing conversations about the history and dynamism of these communities.” For more information on the Seattle Green Book Self-Guided Tour, and to download tour apps, visit blackandtanhall.com/ greenbooktour. Andrew can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.
A-POP from 7 Will Anna fess up to the fact that her family’s wealth was built on the blood of countless Vietnamese bodies, or what? Inquiring minds want to know! May 13. Mark your calendars. (Also, I already Googled. There’s no news about “House of Ho” getting a season two.) OMG PRE-ORDER YOUR BTS TAMAGOTCHI SOON I feel like I’m just planning your life via this column at this point. You need to pre-order your $19.99 BTS Tamagotchi soon, even though you won’t get it until October. It might sell out, and then you will look like a fool come this winter—a fool, I say!—when all of your friends are
carrying around TinyTan characters (cute little animated versions of BTS members) in their pockets, and all you’ve got in yours is lint and maybe also fat stacks. You should already know, but for the kids: Tamogotchis were a Japanese toy from the late 90s/early 2000s, featuring digital pets that you feed and love on so they don’t die. They were an entry point in pet ownership for an Asian kid (unfortunately without the IRL cuddles). Asian parents liked them because it didn’t leave soft poop nuggets on the carpet. I know what you’re thinking: “CAN BTS MEMBERS DIE IN THE NEW TAMAGOTCHIS?” I don’t know. But I will find out for us. I’ll let you know in October, later this year. Stacy Nguyen can be reached at stacy@nwasianweekly.com.
KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON NOTICE TO PROPOSERS Sealed bids will be received for KC000561, 2022-2024 Hazardous Building Materials Abatement and Selective Demolition Work Order; by the King County Procurement and Payables Section, via the E-Procurement system, until 1:00pm on 05/18/2022. Late bids will not be accepted. The public bid opening will only be conducted on-line following the Bid Close Date and Time; see Section 00 10 00 for details. There is a 8% minimum Apprentice Utilization Requirement on this contract. There is a 10% minimum requirement for King County Certified Small Contractors and Suppliers (SCS) on this contract. Brief Scope: The work under this Contract consists of incidental testing, monitoring, inspection and abatement of hazardous materials at various sites in King County, Washington. This on-call contract may be used in response to emergency and non-emergency code enforcement situations. Work orders typically include lead and asbestos and selective demolition. Estimated contract price: $750,000 Pre-Bid(s): Please see Section 00 10 00 for details Prospective bidders can view more details at: https://kingcounty. gov/procurement/solicitations Complete Invitation to Bid Documents, including all project details, specifications, and contact information are available on our web page at: https://kingcounty.gov/procurement/supplierportal
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CLASSIFIEDS EMPLOYMENT
EMPLOYMENT
WORK IN HEALTHCARE Helping Families Grow ORM Fertility, an internationally recognized fertility center is looking to hire bilingual clinical professionals, fluent in Mandarin to support our diverse patient community locally and around the world. Competitive salaries and generous benefits packages with stipends for additional translation services above the starting rates. If you want to work for an organization, non-hospital environment whose mission is to help all types of families realize their dream of parenthood, ORM is a place for you. All mandarin speaking employees will receive an hourly stipend in addition to their base rates! Base rates include: Registered Nurse Coordinator - $38 - $45 DOE https://oregonreproductivemedicine.applicantpro.com/jobs/2177602. html Nursing Services Coordinator - $20- $25 DOE https://oregonreproductivemedicine.applicantpro.com/jobs/2177607. html Patient Services Coordinator - $18 - $22 DOE https://oregonreproductivemedicine.applicantpro.com/jobs/2177600. html Benefits: Medical, Dental, 401K, Paid Time Off Be a part of meaningful, lifechanging work. Learn more and apply today at ormfertility.com/careers
OP-ED from 1 Councilmember Sara Nelson’s resolution, which calls for a staffing incentives program to accelerate the hiring of new officers and sets the stage to free up unspent funds in the Seattle Police Department (SPD)’s 2022 budget to pay for it. The deaths, assaults, drug dealing, and robberies associated with the now cleared encampment at 12th and Jackson in Little Saigon were widely reported, but such activity is still widespread and ongoing throughout the neighborhood. Citywide, year-to-date (YTD) homicide events are
FUNDING from 5 more than 2,600 during the height of the omicron wave earlier this year. The U.S. used similar advance-purchase agreements to boost the domestic supply and manufacture of COVID-19 vaccines, through what was known in the Trump administration as “Operation Warp Speed.’” Now, with a new generation of treatments on the horizon, the U.S. is falling behind. Japan has already placed an initial order for drugmaker Shionogi’s upcoming COVID-19 antiviral pill, which studies have shown to be at least as effective as Pfizer’s treatment and has fewer drugto-drug interactions and is easier to administer. Because of the funding delays, officials say, the U.S. has yet to place an advance order, which would help the company scale manufacturing to widely produce the pill. “We know companies are working on additional, promising life-saving treatments that could protect the American people, and without additional funding from Congress, we risk losing out on accessing these treatments, as well as tests and vaccines, while other countries get in front of us in line,’” said White House spokesman Kevin Munoz. “Congress must act urgently upon return from recess to provide the funding needed to secure new treatments for the American people and to avoid this dangerous outcome.’” Complicating matters further are the
85c Bakery Cafe Now Hiring All Positions! Location: Bellevue, WA Apply on Our Website @ 85cbakerycafe.com/careers Sign on Bonuses Included
NOTICE CATEGORY KCHA will accept Bids from Qualified General Contractors for the Gustaves Manor – Envelope & Roof Re-bid Project located in Auburn, WA. See website for details at www.kcha. org/business/construction
Subscribe to theEMPLOYMENT Northwest Asian Weekly $40 Name___________________________ The Charter Hotel is Hiring! Address ________________________ We will be conducting a Career Fair City ____________________State____ onsite on May 10th from 12pm to 5pm. Zip ________________________ We Code are hiring for the following: • Cooks/Culinary Phone __________________________ • Sous Chef Mail to: NW Asian Weekly • Executive Chef WAby98104 Please stop on May 10, 12-5 p.m. • Bellman 412 Maynard Ave. S. Seattle, 1610 2nd Ave. • Room Attendant & House or call 206-223-0623 Seattle, WA 98101 Or contact for more details: Tanya Morsberger, HR Director (206) 256-7506
Attendants • Server/Bussers/Host/Bartender The Career fair will have snacks and on-site interviews.
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up 70%, with 17 fatalities compared to 10 YTD last year, and shootings are up 138%, with 62 events YTD compared to 26 YTD in 2021. There are not enough officers on the street to address our public safety crisis due to the Seattle SPD’s severe staffing shortage. Since January 2022, SPD has lost almost 400 deployable officers representing a 28% reduction of its in-service force. Every other jurisdiction in our region has implemented some form of hiring or retention program and Seattle must do the same in order to compete for a limited pool of applicants.
long lead times to manufacture the antiviral and antibody treatments. Paxlovid takes about six months to produce, and monoclonal antibody treatments used to treat COVID-19 and prevent serious disease in the immunocompromised take similarly long, meaning the U.S. is running out of time to replenish its stockpile before the end of the year. The White House began cutting back shipments of monoclonal antibody treatments to states in March to make supplies last longer. Administration officials declined to discuss specific treatments they are stymied from ordering because of contracting requirements. The funding debate is also holding up U.S. purchases of COVID-19 vaccine booster doses, including an upcoming new generation of vaccines that may better protect against the omicron variant. Moderna and Pfizer both are testing what scientists call “bivalent’” shots—a mix of each company’s original vaccine and an omicron-targeted version—with Moderna announcing late last month it hopes to have its version ready this fall. The Biden administration has said that while the U.S. has enough vaccine doses for children under 5, once they are approved by regulators, and for fourth shots for high-risk people over 50, it doesn’t have the money to order the new generation of doses. Earlier this month, former White House COVID-19 coordinator Jeff Zients said Japan, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Hong Kong had already se-
Councilmember Nelson’s Resolution 32050 establishes the policy direction for robust deliberation of her proposed Council Bill to authorize the use of up to $4.5 million in surplus funds for incentives, such as relocation expenses, hiring bonuses, and professional development. For officers already in the department contemplating leaving Seattle, passage of this resolution will be a signal that this city values them and their service. Last summer, over 200 community leaders and small business owners in the CID signed on to a letter to City Council expressing our support for improved
cured future booster doses. Republicans have shown no signs of backing down from their insistence that before supplying the 10 GOP votes needed for the COVID-19 funding package to pass the Senate, the chamber must vote on their effort to extend the Trump-era Title 42 order. That COVIDlinked order, which requires authorities to immediately expel nearly all migrants at the border, is set to be lifted on May 23. An election-year vote to extend that order would be perilous for Democrats, and many hope no such vote occurs. Many say privately they hope Biden will keep the immigration curbs in place or that a court will postpone the rules’ termination, but Republicans could well force a vote anyway. “Congress would have to take action in order for the day not to be May 23,” White House press secretary Jen Psaki said. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said last month that he expected legislation this spring that would wrap together funds for COVID-19 and Ukraine. Aid for Ukraine has wide bipartisan support and could help propel such a package through Congress, but Republican opposition has already forced legislators to strip out pandemic response funding once. There are at least six Democrats, and potentially 10 or more, who would be expected to back the Republican amendment to extend the immigration order, enough to secure its passage.
police accountability and our opposition to additional cuts to SPD’s budget. We now stand together again in support of Councilmember Sara Nelson’s legislation to incentivize the recruitment of enough officers to ensure the safety of our small businesses and residents—in our neighborhood and across Seattle. Councilmember Nelson’s resolution is scheduled for a vote in the Public Safety and Human Services Committee on May 10. You can email your support to Council@ seattle.gov.
Such a vote would be dangerous for Democrats from swing districts, who must appeal to pro-immigration core Democratic voters without alienating moderates leery of the increase in migrants that lifting the curbs is expected to prompt. Republicans haven’t said what language they would embrace, but they could turn to a bipartisan bill by Sens. James Lankford, R-Okla., and Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz. It would delay any suspension of the immigration limits until at least
60 days after the U.S. surgeon general declares the pandemic emergency to be over. The administration would also have to propose a plan for handling the anticipated increase in migrants crossing the border. Democrats expressing support for keeping the immigration restrictions in place have cited a lack of planning by the administration as their chief concern although the Biden administration has insisted it is preparing for an increase in border crossings.
SOLUTION from SUDOKU on page 6.
YOUR VOICE COVID TREATMENTS from 1 lesson in the ravages that the pandemic still brings, however small, but on the other side, a lesson in perhaps what is the key to solving it. Nancy Jecker, a professor of Bioethics at the University of Washington (UW) School of Medicine and Fulbright U.S. Scholar for South Africa, in a recently-published paper, argues that the kind of solidarity that exists in the family is a good “starting point” for the way we should think about global interdependence. “In small solidaristic groups, like families, people’s lives are interconnected in the sense that what happens to one person profoundly impacts what happens to others. Bonds of love and caring unite members of the group, leading them to take each other’s interests into account. Yet these same interconnections do not bind strangers who have never met,” she wrote in the paper, “Global sharing of COVID-19 therapies during a ‘New Normal,’” which she co-authored with C. Atuire, published on April 25 in the journal, “Bioethics.” Western countries, such as the United States, need to move away from an ethic in which the needs of the individual are paramount, and focus more on a group ethic, in which the welfare of every member matters. Given that we share a biosphere in which pathogens are passed everywhere, and new variants can inflict harm on anyone, “a mefirst approach” allowing other parts of the world to remain without medical treatments for COVID-19 is not only unsafe, but short-sighted. “It fails to build the social capital needed to face down 21st century health threats,” said Jecker. “We live in a globalized world with an interconnected economy, cyber connections through the internet, and common stakes in avoiding nuclear warfare; we are more globally interconnected than ever before.” A principle of justice follows from a recognition that all members of a group are connected, which is why Jecker and Atuire chose a family to begin their discussion, Jecker said. During a pandemic, everyone partakes of an equality of susceptibility that forces upon them an interconnectedness. “Such interconnectivity is apparent everywhere people meet—in schools, shops, restaurants, gyms, and workplaces, because shared spaces create pathways for disease spread and the prospect of disease and death,” they wrote. “During an infectious disease outbreak, people are more aptly thought of as ‘victims and vectors, ill because of something that came from others and could go to others.’” In the case of Julia’s family, the crisis that emerged showed how family members went beyond their usual roles to consider the needs and wellbeing of others. The mother, Qiong, after the crisis was over, reflected on the questions and strategies posed by Jecker’s paper and found surprising results. After Julia had gone to the sleepover, she came home feeling worse. This time, she tested positive. Immediately, the family sprang into
MAY 7 – MAY 13, 2022 action. Julia’s father, who had picked her up and been with her in the car, realized he could have been exposed, so he began to wear a mask full-time around the house. Julia retreated to her room for a full-on quarantine. Qiong cooked all meals and delivered them outside her bedroom door. Each family member slept in a separate room, and none went outside. But Qiong realized how important social contact had been for her daughter. During the first year of the pandemic, like many students, Julia had found remote learning isolating. And when able to take part in open-air badminton games in late 2020, it made a huge difference in her mood and wellbeing. “When school was closed, she really missed her friends,” said Qiong. “So when badminton started, even though she had played for years, she really got into it. She liked it so much that she could see her friends.” So Qiong tried to think of ways for her daughter to get through her quarantine without feeling too isolated. “We were all communicating with each other through FaceTime, from our separate rooms, but I worried it wasn’t enough for her,” said Qiong. The opportunity came when Julia asked her if she could have more time on her phone connecting with her friends. Usually, the family adheres to strict schedules. If Julia gets enough sleep, Qiong will allow her one-half hour per day for gaming or socializing electronically. But now it was different. “She asked me if she could have an hour a day to contact her friends,” said Qiong. “I gave her two.” This is precisely the kind of dynamic that Jecker calls for among nations. Looking out for the most vulnerable is the only way to ensure group safety. But Jecker draws a sharp distinction between the philosophies of “bargaining to promote selfinterest” that animate the West and those of cultures in the Far East and Global South that seem to prioritize the wellbeing of groups. “In the West, you often start with the assumption that everyone is a stranger, so you want to maximize your own self-interest and protect yourself against external threats,” she said. On the contrary, ethics that she has explored outside the West, including ubuntu ethics in sub-Saharan Africa or classical Confucianism, emphasize embeddedness in social relations. Given the interconnectedness of 21st century globalization, there is really no other way to think about the planet, Jecker and Atuire write. The result, they argue, is that wealthy countries, once they ensure the safety of their own most vulnerable members, must share treatments with other nations. But this should not be through acts of charity, which imply condescension to those less equal. Rather, it should be through the principle of
justice, which treats all as equal. Qiong agrees. But she said it took her a while to fully develop her thinking on this. “When I first met my husband, before we were married, he had gone through a lot, and he said to me, ‘We have to be selfish,’ and I remember I was shocked,” she said. But after becoming a mother with her eldest daughter, things changed. “It was 19 years ago, and it was very difficult to get a U.S. visa. My parents wanted to come to help but were denied. So my husband and I were on our own with the new baby. After I got home from the hospital, I tried to take care of the baby at night so my husband could sleep and he would take care of the baby during the day. Since I had to wake up at night to feed the baby anyway, I could also change diapers. But after a few days, I was in such bad shape that I could not move at all. It really scared my husband and me. That’s when I realized if I didn’t take good care of myself, I couldn’t take care of my baby,” she said. She added, “The same ‘selfish’ logic applies to my emotional needs. When I am exhausted, depressed, and when I don’t feel loved, how can I love my children, my family, and the rest of our world? Only when I am emotionally healthy, can I regulate my emotions and behaviors and do what a mother or wife or daughter or good citizen is supposed to do.” After finding her equilibrium, Qiong was able to devote herself to others. At the beginning of the pandemic, as the president of an alumni association of one of China’s leading universities, that is based in Wuhan, she led a campaign that brought masks to China, and then took part in one for the Seattle region. A coalition of multiple Chinese
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American groups, Chinese airlines, local delivery services, and a core group of volunteers, of which her alumni association was a part, delivered nearly 1,000,000 masks to hospitals and other health care providers in the first year of the pandemic. Her organization raised $1.2 million for COVID-19 relief in this region. Asked if she was influenced by Confucianism, she remarked that she didn’t know, but that it was probably “in her blood.” “I mean what are countries made up of? They’re made up of families. And what are families made up of? They’re made up of individuals. Only after I take care of my family, can I take care of the world,” she said. Qiong’s personal history echoes Jecker’s cry for an “all hands on deck” approach to sharing treatments. Jecker argues that it will take virtually as many types of intra-state organizations as there are to make it possible to share medicines and distribute them. “We need to think about global health governance beyond states,” she said. “We already have pharmaceutical companies, philanthropic foundations, civil society groups involved, healthcare institutions, local and national governments, regional groups, like the EU and the African Union, but we need to have someone in the background supporting things so they’re more coordinated together.” Mahlon can be contacted at info@nwasianweekly.com. This health series is made possible by funding from the Washington State Department of Health, which has no editorial input or oversight of this content.
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MAY 7 – MAY 13, 2022 sense of the word, as they are parents, too. Hooray, to those men who get it.
BLOG from 10 “Do you know how hard it is for me to do everything myself?” Being a good listener was sufficient then, I assumed, not realizing that she might be crying for help. I knew how exhausted she was over the years. I never heard of her taking a vacation or doing any fun things for herself. I regret that I was unable to lighten her up with any wise words at the time. A tragedy descended on Hou and her family when her husband died last October. And the pandemic certainly didn’t ease her pain, burden, and distress for the past two years. Every day, her responsibilities and pressures mounted. While I am not a mental health expert, women are often the ones who shoulder much of the strain in holding the family together. Women place family first and their health second. At the service, a friend told me that Hou had not received any physical check-ups in more than two and a half years. Again and again, women take care of others instead of themselves, with excuses such as, “I don’t have time. I have to do this and that. I don’t have the money to see a doctor as I need to use it for my kid’s karate lessons.” A mother’s health is the best gift for her family. If the mother gets sick, it would be of dire consequence for the family, as in Hou’s case.
Change our attitude
Moms, please be kind to yourself. Love yourself. Take care of yourself. Women must practice self-love for the family’s sake. Don’t get the wrong idea that if you love yourself, you are being selfish. That’s actually the opposite. Your wellbeing matters if you want to be with the family for the long haul. Don’t forget we women are not machines. Every now and then, even machines break down, and require
Educate your kids do housework
oil to lubricate and refurbish. You have every right to set aside free time each day to focus on yourself so you can relax, exercise, and renew yourself. A Psychology Today’s study has found that “distraction decreases happiness.” Caring for a family is a never-ending cycle and the woman can constantly be bombarded with various kinds of demands and unexpected tasks. So setting aside 10 minutes a day doing nothing can work magic in enhancing your mental and physical health.
Make your husband share in housework
Some men give all kinds of excuses for not sharing housework. Make them take up some chores. Melinda French used to make her husband, Bill Gates, drive their kids to school before their divorce. Sure, he opposed the idea at first. Finally, he relented. Why should taking care of the kids be the woman’s responsibility only? We have to train men to be equal partners in every
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TH N O M E G A T AAPI HERI ntest o c o t o h p video &
Don’t do everything yourself. Teach your kids to be independent. I used to spoil my kids by not asking them to do much housework at home. When they got older, I told them to do the dishes, take out the garbage, and even rinse vegetables for dinner. Now, I would suggest to all households to make the kids share those duties when they are little. In my days, my mom often asked me to wash clothes and cook, and never asked my step brother to do anything. And my step brother has turned out to be spoiled, rotten, and irresponsible. His attitude towards women has never been respectful. That’s a lesson for moms who just want to spoil their sons and leave all the work for their daughters.
shows that you are cruel to yourself. Set a schedule for the number of hours you do things for your family each day. If you take time off, you need not feel guilty about it. You have earned it, moms. And you might have to defend your right to your family until they get it and respect your worth. This Mother’s Day is a wakeup call for you to design a new resolution to set yourself free. May you have the best Mother’s Day! Assunta can be reached at assunta@nwasianweekly.com.
Set boundaries
I used to think I was an iron woman who could work hard for long hours. That’s stupid. It’s not a balanced life to just work without having fun. The pandemic has taught me to set boundaries. Working constantly without breaks or fun
Show us how you celebrate AAPI (Asian American Pacific Islander) Heritage Month in May. Whether it’s a family gathering, adorable children (and adults!) celebrating traditions, in all forms including arts and craft, or the awesome family cook showing off a delicious meal, we’d love to see the unique ways in which you and your family celebrate AAPI heritage. There will be two categories of competition: videos and photos. Prizes: Judges’ Choice awards and People’s Choice Awards (readers vote). The winners will be announced in early June. Winners will receive gift certificates to restaurants and grocery stores, and Asian snacks. Deadlines: submit photo(s) and video(s) by May 20. Please submit your photo(s) and/or video(s) to james@nwasianweekly.com. For videos (not to exceed 60 seconds), please submit it by posting on your Facebook and tag us #NWaapi to consider. The winning video will be posted Northwest Asian Weekly’s YouTube channel. All photo and video submissions must be original content. Fill out the information below. You may also submit via mail to: Northwest Asian Weekly, 412 Maynard Ave. S., Seattle, WA 98104.
2022 Winners of Lunar New Year Photo Contest
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