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Race in America 🌎
Communities in California feel threatened by rising violence and have taken matters into their own hands. In Oakland’s Chinatown, volunteer patrols wearing body cams and carrying walkie-talkies, air horns and blue umbrellas are monitoring their neighborhoods for any sign of crime.
So far, the patrols have been working. Eva Liu, a businesswoman who runs a small import/export shop, is eight months pregnant and routinely worries about theft. When she sounded the air horn at a thief, he ran, shouted a slur and threw a bottle at her.
Many patrol members are regular members of the Chinatown community, but others are frequent visitors that also want to protect the neighborhood.
Rep. Katherine Tai is a Chinese American working as the U.S. Trade Representative at the White House. Her identity, she says, helps guide her work and analyze the root problems.
As the only Asian American, besides Vice President Kamala Harris, to work at a Cabinet-level position in the Biden administration, Tai’s work is increasingly more scrutinized as U.S.-Chinese relations intensify. She feels the pressure, stressing that Asian Americans are getting caught in the middle of political moves.
Although it’s not anything she’s not used to in her line of work, the relationship between her heritage and her professional career balances the political tension, helping her think more clearly about the issues at hand.
In Other Asian News 🗞
Sri Lanka’s food shortage crisis continues to worsen, but as a way to combat it, government workers now have a four-day work week.
On Fridays, the government encourages these workers to grow their food in their backyards. Soaring gas prices and being in the worst economic crisis in 73 years have also made commuting difficult. By reducing the number of days civil servants work, the government hopes to mitigate travel expenses.
China is embarking on another climate change strategy.
On Monday, the national government released a plan to combat climate change effects and bolster its preparations for worsening conditions by 2035. Central agencies will introduce measures to improve public health and infrastructure for agricultural and industrial production against severe storms and flooding. In the financial sector, the government plans to continue using banks and green bond projects to steer the market towards sustainable alternatives.
Film and Music 📺
Netflix is launching a “Squid Game” reality show with a grand prize of $4.56 million. Don't worry, losers won't be dying.
If “Squid Game” has taught us anything, and it has taught Netflix execs nothing, it’s that money is a great motivator. Motivation enough, it seems, to create a game that mimics the mechanics of the competition, sans the blood and horror. You can audition to be a contestant since everyone isn’t busy working and has time to do so. And, if you aren’t chosen as a participant, no worries! You can watch the show at home and enjoy watching people scramble for money like the world leaders do.
While ARMY might be sad about BTS’ temporary break, at least they’re understanding. Shareholders, however, are not as thrilled.
On June 15, HYBE’s stock dropped around 28%, and the company is preparing for the lowest close on record since 2020. Analysts such as Lee Hye-in from Yuanta Securities Korea Co. predict that if BTS does not return or go on tour, HYBE’s stock and profits will continue to drop by 25% and 30%, respectively.
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