“Always realize that not to get involved when you should get involved is an act of violence. You should always work for peace…Peace is the most empowering and productive way to go.” Aki Kurose Aki Kurose spent her life advocating for peace and social justice. As a teacher and an activist, she worked… [ Keep reading ]
It is easy to miss the unassuming message board secured to the outer east wall of the historic Louisa Hotel in the Chinatown International District (CID). Sitting beneath a red and green flared eave at the corner of Seventh and King St, the Chinatown Community Bulletin Board provides a window into the neighborhood’s history, culture, and community. Throughout the late 1800s, many Chinese immigrants came to Seattle seeking… [ Keep reading ]
Over the past 30 years, Phnom Penh Noodle House has seen its share of ups and downs. But through it all, there have been a couple of constants; deep family dedication and unwavering community support. Though the majority of the restaurant’s dishes have been served in the Chinatown International District in Seattle, its story starts three generations ago in Battambang, Cambodia. … [ Keep reading ]
Artist/activist Sara Porkalob (she/her) joins us for some story sharing and truth telling in honor of Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Video Script (deviates slightly from video) “Hi friends, my name is Sara Porkalob. My pronouns are “she/her” and I am speaking to you from the unceded territories of… [ Keep reading ]
What is your ethnicity and generation in the United States? “I am Chinese, born in Beijing. Very typical, we had tall buildings filled with apartments. My family had a two-bedroom condo, and we grew little plants in pots on the balcony. I came to U.S. for grad school in Minnesota… [ Keep reading ]
Born and raised in Seattle, Bob Santos always had a deep allegiance to the Chinatown International District. The son of a Filipino immigrant father and a Native American and Filipino mother, he dedicated most of his life to protecting and defending the people, businesses, and culture of his childhood neighborhood. Santos became involved with the civil… [ Keep reading ]
Although she personally witnessed the heartwarming ways her Korean American community had come together and shown resiliency during the COVID-19 pandemic, Erica Chung was concerned that the overall experience of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities during this time was not being adequately recorded or represented. So, she teamed… [ Keep reading ]
words & video by Henry Liu In response to COVID-19, I started a project of delivering culturally appropriate groceries and providing internet services to over 1,000 marginalized families living in Chinatown. To ensure the grocery items meet the dietary needs of my ethnically-diverse audiences, I telecommunicate with housing managers, residents,… [ Keep reading ]
Resilience in the midst of a pandemic by Lanvin Andres Pre-COVID-19, our senior center, the IDIC Filipino Senior and Family Services, was the place to be. More than 600 seniors from all over the city and county participate in its activities and avail themselves of its services every year. There… [ Keep reading ]
Words and photos by Nam Nice I would be lying if I said I had a great year. I don’t think most people are having the best year, with everything going on. This year has made me more aware of my surroundings and those in my life; how vulnerable we… [ Keep reading ]
