Race in America 🌎

Back in December, there was news of an Asian American History Museum. Now, the conversation is resurfacing.

Originally introduced by Democrat Representative Grace Meng of NY, this bill would establish a commission of AAPI experts in history and culture “to explore the possibility of a museum that would honor the history, culture, and achievements of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders,” as well as how they can maintain and fund the institution.

 

Meanwhile, according to the CDC, suicide is the 10th cause of death in young adults. Yet, Asian American youths between the ages of 15 and 24 are the only racial group with suicide as the leading cause of death. 

Mental health is a contentious topic within the Asian American community, with the group being the least likely to seek out mental health assistance. With no recent research into the mental health crisis within the community and solutions on how to address it, struggling individuals are left with little guidance on the necessary steps in mitigating the growing problem.

In Other Asian News 🗞

Wei Huixiao is the first Chinese woman to captain a naval warship. Her ship is the Shaoxing, a guided-missile destroyer.

Before commanding a warship, Huixiao worked for Huawei and was studying for a Ph.D. Her newest position in the navy gained media attention as the naval branch celebrated its 73rd anniversary. 

In Japan, a sightseeing boat went missing.

On Saturday, the boat carrying 26 passengers, confirmed 11 were dead, and among them, a child.

The Kazu 1 was touring the Shiretoko Peninsula in Hokkaido when the boat started to flood and sink. Currently, authorities are still searching for the 16 passengers who remain missing. The temperature of the water at the time of their disappearance was “a frigid 35 to 37 degrees Fahrenheit (just under 3 degrees Celsius).”
 

Entertainment 📺

After a 3-year hiatus, Japan’s pride march returned with 2,000 attendees.

Participants were entered into a lottery system to keep a regulated attendance, following COVID measures, but the passion and celebration did not wane. People at the march called for marriage equality and societal acceptance, asking for a change in Japan and its government.

What else is on our minds? 🧠

A pandemic-inspired cartoon?
Wuhanese artist, Laura Gao, illustrated the "The Wuhan I Know,” a reflective and nostalgic comic showcasing the city of Wuhan beyond coronavirus. Today, Gao is the author of Messy Roots: A Graphic Memoir of a Wuhanese American, where they explore life as a Wuhanese American in a mostly-white Texan town. 

The world’s oldest person passed away?
Kane Tanaka, the world’s oldest woman passed away at age 119. She was born in 1903 and died on April 19 of this year, setting the record as the second oldest person ever. During her life, she defeated cancer twice and lived through two pandemics.