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Hello, everyone!

In this year’s index from Reporters Without Borders, Hong Kong’s once high rank in press freedom dropped 70 spots, placing them now in 148th place.

According to the Press Freedom Group, Hong Kong’s descent was due to the combination of implemented national security laws in 2020 and the revival of the 1930s’ anti-sedition laws in mainland China. 

Since 2020, some journalists and press organizations have suffered significant setbacks, while others have flourished. This results from a “broadly-worded law” that “punishes activities deemed subversion, terrorism, collusion with foreign forces and secession with up to life in prison.” While some journalists are then detained and faced with legal punishments, others remain free to navigate the dicey environment. 

Race in America 🌎

 

It has been 40 years since the murder of Chinese American, Vincent Jen Chin; his remembrance event is set for June 16-19 in Detroit.
 

Chin’s murder, who was beaten to death in a racially-motivated hate crime at Highland Park, Detroit, played a prominent role in cementing the direction and attitude of the Asian American civil rights movement during the 80s and onwards. 


Community leaders and members will gather together for the four-day event consisting of “a national conversation on democracy, racial justice and Asian American culture,” as well as the launch of the “Vincent Chin 40th Commemorative Film Series along with two nights of cultural and art performances.”

Organizers want to stress the historical importance and existence of Asian American activism, commissioning murals to be put up in Chinatown for this event.

 



The term, Asian American, is a contentious, radical, political, and complex label to describe a diverse community across the U.S.

Today, many still recognize it to be a work in progress. The word, while intended to be one of unity, the word still causes confusion within communities. What does it mean to be Asian American? Who qualifies?

Historically, the activism surrounding codifying the label into law was tough. Influxes of Southeast and South Asian immigrants have “fundamentally” changed the demographic of Asian Americans. Even the term AAPI, while attempting to be inclusive, also overshadows specific communities and falls short.

 

But, as many scholars have recognized, the Asian American identity has yet to be solidified. The story continues, and the word and identity will evolve. 




 

In Other Asian News 🗞

 

As we approach the summer months, several regions in Asia have already experienced deadly heat.

In the western Indian state of Maharashtra, the local government has registered
at least 25 people dead due to the heat strokes incurred by the extreme heat this week. Temperatures reached over 40+ degrees celsius (104+ degrees Fahrenheit) in this wealthy state, with the most vulnerable, particularly those living in rural areas, feeling the brunt of climate change. 


In addition to the human casualties, Indian agriculture has also faced a large consequence. The nation is facing a shriveling harvest due to the weather. 



 

These heat waves are unsustainable and can cause severe damage to human health. 

While the nation is waiting on its monsoon season to cool off the land, Ulka Kelkar, a Bengaluru-based economist, and climate change expert, reminds us that “[with] heat plus humidity, at some stage [it] becomes almost impossible for the human body’s organs to function normally,” which is a huge concern considering “a large fraction of our population in India still works outside in the fields, on building construction [and], in factories which are not cooled.”
 



 

Entertainment 📺

 

Recently, the film sensation “Everything Everywhere All At Once” hit box office milestones. 


Amassing $35 million in North America in the 6-weeks since its release, the indie film still needs to garner more money for profitability, however, most aren’t worried about its ability to succeed. The film has a chance of dethroning the previous highest-grossing North American film from A24, Adam Sandler’s “Uncut Gems,” but it will need more to become number one globally.




Speaking of a working-class Asian family movie, the documentary about San Francisco’s rigorous Lowell High School also
aims to humanize the successes and struggles of these Asian American families.

The students, who dream of elite colleges, are all often stereotyped as privileged and wealthy, when in reality, “children of working-class immigrants”  often “grab onto the idea of higher education as a vehicle for stability in the U.S.”

The documentary debuted last year, recording the stories of five students during the 2016-2017 college admission round. These Lowell students carried huge burdens in their extracurriculars and coursework, with many coming from disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds. 




 

What else is on our minds? 🧠

 

Will Japan rely on nuclear power again?
As many nations experience energy insecurity and shortage due to the war in Ukraine, the Japanese government and its citizens once again consider the use of nuclear power as a viable energy source. While the move seems appealing, everyday community members also hold onto the trauma of past meltdowns.

An Asian creatives’ online community?
Bridge the Gap, a Canadian-founded online community by photographer and brand director William Nguyen and executive producer Justin Lee, aims to create an environment where Asian creatives can build their careers from the ground up. The community “provides members with educational resources to stimulate the process of breaking free from the traditions and expectations” that have held and continue to hold Asians from a career in creative industries. 


A letter to the Taliban? 
An Afghan refugee living in Canada wrote about her experience fleeing from the Taliban during its takeover in 2021. In this moving letter, she described the emotions she felt about loss, identity, displacement, and more.

As always, thank you for reading, and stay safe. 

Sincerely, Mya 
Newsletter Editor
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