Race in America 🌎
 

In a recent UCLA report, it was reported that tens of thousands of Latino and Asian households are behind on rent in California

California lawmakers are considering a bill, AB 2179, to extend eviction protections to June 30; however, various accessibility barriers are preventing low-income families of color from applying.
 

Furthermore, to understand the efficacy of the rent-assistance programs, researchers from UCLA’s Center for Neighborhood Knowledge, UCLA’s Latino Politics and Policy Institute, Asian American Studies Center and Chicano Studies Research Center analyzed federal data and found that Asian and Latino households are also severely underrepresented in rent-assistance, receiving less rent relief than their non-Latino white counterparts.

 

In this article on infrastructure packages, Claire Wang reveals how Chinatown residents are being displaced across the U.S. 

While Asian families have received compensation for their moving troubles, Mary Yee, a former resident of Boston’s now-demolished Chinatown, speaks to how that money was less than what their homes were worth. 

The reason for these demolitions was freeway construction. This legacy of infrastructural racism continues to harshly impact Asian American communities and other Black, Indigenous, and communities of color.


Now, for the very first time, Congress will address the legacy of these freeways, allocating $1 billion for a five-year pilot program which will reconnect communities and families that were heavily impacted by highway construction.

In Other Asian News 🗞

In South Korea, its newly elected conservative president is changing his policies for the gender equality ministry. 

Previously, President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol, promised to abolish the gender equality ministry in South Korea; however, recently his team announced a different approach. His transition team has confirmed that while the ministry will stay, they will appoint a new minister to direct its operations. 

One of his original promises during his campaign, the decision to keep the ministry has been labeled as ‘regressive.’

Meanwhile, relations between China and the U.S. continue to deteriorate. 

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is scheduled to visit Taiwan after her appointments in Japan this weekend. In response, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian announced that China firmly opposes any official visitation or relationship between the U.S. and Taiwan, encouraging the U.S. to cancel the potential trip. Lijian also added that any consequences from this visit would be caused by the U.S.’ actions.

Beijing has also asserted that should the U.S. continue with this visit, China would “take strong measures.” 

Entertainment 📺

Mindy Kaling revealed some more info about the third Legally Blonde movie this week. 

As the screenwriter and producer of this next film, Kaling’s excitement and love for the project continue to shine through. Although delays were not anticipated, Kaling confirmed that it was necessary “because we really want it to be good.”

If you’re a fan of 99 Ranch, be on the lookout for a new location in New York coming this weekend.

As one of the largest Asian food markets in the US, 99 Ranch will be opening a location on April 9  in Samanea New York mall in Westbury, Long Island. Since it’s not in the city, this location will take up 45,000-square-feet and come fully stocked with your favorites.

What else is on our minds? 🧠

Turkey turns over the Khashoggi case to Saudi Arabia?
While human rights advocates were vehemently against this decision, it was reported this morning that a court in Turkey has officially ordered the transfer of Jama Khashoggis’ case to Saudi courts. 

Democracy at risk? 
In Hong Kong, two British judges serving at the highest court in the city stepped down. While the city had served as a bridge, both consensually and nonconsensually, between the East and the West, it is now under a new social order.

Long live the Monkey Queen? 
The mating season, which ended in March of this year, proved that Yakei, our female Macaque alpha, remains at the top of her game. Researchers are curious to observe how the troop will function under a matriarch.