JULY 25, 2022

Hello, everyone!

Today’s spotlight showcases an Asian American Democratic candidate, Sam Cao, who is running for Ohio State Legislature as a teenager.

Cao is currently a high school senior, but because he will be 18 by the time the ballot is released, he is legally eligible to run for the state legislature. His ambitious decision to balance high school and a position in politics is not without its challenges, which has caused Cao to receive many doubts from older Democratic candidates.

Despite that, in our previous interview with Cao, he shows his resilience and willingness to serve his community.

Race in America 🌎
 

• In downtown Jacksonville, Florida, a beautiful mural titled “The Roots that Ground Us” by Filipino American Grace Bio celebrates Filipino culture and heritage with vibrant colors.

• In Philadelphia, the 76ers are buying up land to create an arena, but local Chinatown residents and activists are worried about possible gentrification and further erasure of their neighborhood.

In Other Asian News 🗞
 

• New photos are emerging from the South Korea deportation case that shocked the nation’s public. The controversy surrounding South Korea deporting two North Korean fishermen back to North Korea despite physical resistance sparked conversations about borders, protections and the legality behind it all. Previously covered by our reporting, the new photos now present a possible reopening of the case, and even a criminal investigation, into the previous administration’s actions.

Sport and Pop Culture 📺
 

• Haruka Kitaguchi, a Japanese track and field athlete, made history by becoming the first Japanese woman to ever medal at a worlds competition for javelin. She came in third place, but a bronze is not the extent of her ambition. The 24-year-old threw a winning distance of 63.27 meters. 

• Joining the Marvel Universe is Anna Ameyama, an Asian American…chef? She will debut on Aug. 8 as a member of T.E.S.T. Kitchen. 

What else is on our minds? 🧠
 

• In Japan, the Sakurajima volcano on the southern island of Kyushu erupted. While there was a civilian evacuation, damage was inflicted on the community nearby. 

• In Pakistan, deadly monsoons have devastated cities, adding to the stark reality that current infrastructure and disaster mitigation are not working.

• New Pew research shows that one in four young adults live in a multigenerational household. While a reality for many immigrant families, Asian Americans in particular make up 24% of the total surveyed.

• Today, Pope Francis arrived in Canada to formally apologize on behalf of the Vatican for the residential schools that systemically participated in the cultural genocide and familial trauma of Indigenous people. While older activists are lauding this as a huge step, younger generations are less optimistic about the prospect, questioning the value of a verbal apology to damage already done.

• A new Chinese movie, “One Second,” is refusing to credit the book it was based on. The author, Geling Yan, suspects that this move comes after her public remarks criticizing the Chinese government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.