Sharkbites Newsletter

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JUNE 9, 2022


Hello, everyone!

White and Asian groups are suing institutions over admissions policies again?


In Boston, these groups of parents are suing public schools
over a new admissions policy meant to increase diversity.

Through this lawsuit, they want to force the district into admitting at least five of their students into the elite exam institutions. The Parents Coalition for Academic Excellence argued that their children were denied admission despite their high grades due to the previous year’s temporary admissions policy on ZIP codes. However, Boston Public Schools allotted seats for areas with similar socioeconomic levels this year.

Lisa Green from the Boston Coalition for Educational Equity explained that their lawsuit aims to “prohibit any consideration of race in government decision-making,” essentially “overturning affirmative action.”

 

Race in America 🌎

Since the horrific shooting at a Taiwanese church in California, conversations and tensions about Chinese and Taiwanese identities have reemerged.


The shooter’s hate for Taiwanese independence was apparent. His journal entries, mailed to a Taiwanese newspaper, were titled “Diary Of An Angel Of Destroying Independence.”

His family, who were “waishengren,” or Chinese immigrants, previously held a lot of political power in Taiwan during the 20th century. However, as “benshengren,” or native province people in Taiwan, gained more pro-Taiwanese power, the idea of reunification with China became less popular. These territory, identity and geopolitical power tensions continue to haunt immigrants worldwide. Even as Taiwan changed, the shooter refused to, demonizing those who wanted Taiwanese independence.




For voters in Sacramento, California, the recent election could bring the county’s first Asian American district attorney and the first Black sheriff.

The Asian American man running for district attorney is Thien Ho, who plans to “bring experience and a balanced approach to protecting our communities, provide justice for victims and ensure our system serves everyone equally.” The Black candidate for sheriff, Jim Cooper, has similar aspirations and experience, explaining that he has dedicated his life to “community, protecting victims and keeping the public safe.”

Community members are excited about what these election results will bring for representation, policy changes and BIPOC leadership. 


 


In Other Asian News 🗞

Eight years ago in South Korea, on April 16, the Sewol ferry sank and took more than 300 lives.

In the aftermath of the tragedy, campaigns for government accountability, and the subsequent harsh response from critics who framed those quests as anti-government campaigns, only led to more pain in the city of Ansan. Many parents whose high school-aged children died in the disaster have killed themselves, divorced or isolated themselves in grief. Still, they reached out to each other to find solace in their shared pain.

A large yellow memorial in the shape of a whale overlooks Danwon High School, and a recreation of a classroom with the teachers’ and students’ names remind visitors of the enormous loss the country felt that day.




This week the central Chinese province of Hunan was flooded. The disaster was followed by a landslide, which killed 17 people and left four missing.

Since the beginning of June, Hunan has experienced harsh storms, and state media has reported historic amounts of rainfall in the region. Many residents in the rural and mountainous areas have been evacuated, but more than 2,700 houses have collapsed or sustained great damage. Authorities have warned residents in the nearby provinces of heavy rain as rescue teams continue to look for survivors in the waterlogged hillsides of Beiliu city. 

 

Food 🥘

You’d think Trader Joe’s would’ve learned by now, given their long history of appropriation, but I guess if you fail, try, try again? This time, they’ve stolen an Indian recipe and somehow made it worse.

Chitra Agrawal, who owns an Indian condiment brand called Brooklyn Delhi, is the creator of her roasted garlic achaar recipe. As an Indian business owner, she is proud, and deservedly so, of her flavorful innovation. It was so good that Trader Joe’s emailed her last January about her product, but after tasting her recipes, the communications stopped and the company dropped its new jar of “Indian Style Garlic Achaar Sauce.”

Customers noted that the packaging and overall marketing bore an eerie resemblance to Agrawal’s product. Later, a viral TikTok exposed the watered-down version to the rest of the internet. Trader Joe’s refused to comment.



T
his South Korean woman is not only a world-famous chef but also a Buddhist monk. Yes, Jeong Kwan can do both.

Although Kwan was endorsed by chef Éric Ripert of Le Bernardin in 2015 and received Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants Icon Award this year, she is quite content with her life in Baekyangsa, a temple in Naejangsan National Park, south of the nation’s capital. She tends to her garden and dedicates herself to Buddhism while drawing in visitors with her iconic temple cuisine.

To Kwan, temple cuisine is part of her “Buddhist practice and the journey of finding one's self” through the “connection that brings physical and mental energy together.” Her use of fresh vegetables, daily creativity and little additives creates a soulful connection between food, community and environmental preservation. 
World-renown chef and humble monk, Jeong Kwan, sits and gently smiles at the interviewer (not pictured) as they drink freshly brewed tea.

Image: VISITKOREA

What else is on our minds? 🧠
 

Daniel’s favorite Trader Joe’s products are the ones that aren’t stolen.

And, I don’t go to Trader Joe’s. 

Sincerely, Mya Sato and Daniel Anderson
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