News

Yale, Princeton sees drop in Asian American students after SCOTUS affirmative action ruling

Yale and Princeton universities’ Class of 2028, the first admitted after the Supreme Court's decision ending affirmative action in June 2023, saw a decrease in Asian American enrollment compared to the previous year. 

The numbers: According to admissions office data, Asian American students at Yale dropped by 6% to compose 24% of the Class of 2028, while those at Princeton dropped by 2.2% to make up 23.8%. Meanwhile, the share of Black students remained steady, accounting for 14% at Yale and 9% at Princeton. The share of white students in Yale’s first-year class increased from 42% to 46%, while Hispanic or Latino students reached a historic high at 19%. At Princeton, the share of Hispanic or Latino students fell slightly to 9% from 10%.

Process updates: In response to the SCOTUS ruling, both universities focused on recruiting students from more diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. Along with new admissions training, Yale and Princeton responded to the affirmative action ban by revising their supplemental essay prompts to encourage reflections on personal experiences. The decline in Asian admissions at these universities contrasts with those of other institutions’ like MIT and Amherst, which reported an increase in Asian American students and declines in Black and Latino enrollment for their incoming classes.

Crime

Massachusetts driver who rammed Asian man into ditch sentenced for hate crime

John Sullivan, of Quincy, Massachusetts, was sentenced to 18 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for committing a federal hate crime. Sullivan previously pleaded guilty to using his vehicle to intentionally harm an Asian American family in 2022. 

What happened: On Dec. 2, 2022, Sullivan yelled at a Vietnamese family, which included three children, to “go back to China” and threatened to kill them outside a post office in Quincy. He drove his car into George Ngo, 38, causing Ngo to land on the hood and remain there as Sullivan drove about 200 feet (about 61 meters). After stopping, Sullivan accelerated again, hitting Ngo a second time and causing him to fall into a construction ditch. Ngo survived the attack but suffered from multiple injuries, including a concussion, a fractured shoulder and torn ligaments. Sullivan was arrested and charged shortly after the incident.

Commitment to justice: The Justice Department and the FBI emphasized their commitment to prosecuting hate crimes. In a statement, Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy for the District of Massachusetts said, “Every single man, woman and child living in Massachusetts has a fundamental right to be free from acts of hate and violence. The conduct here is truly despicable, and this office will dedicate whatever resources are needed to vigorously prosecute these types of hate crimes… These violent acts of hate spread fear throughout our community and will never be tolerated.”

News

Philly voters oppose 76ers arena, politicians who support it

A recent poll released by the Save Chinatown Coalition shows that a majority of Philadelphia residents oppose the Sixers’ proposal to build a new $1.55 billion basketball arena in Center City near Chinatown. The 76ers arena, proposed in July 2022 to be ready by the 2031-32 season, was immediately met with fierce criticism from community members, who worry that it would worsen limited parking, traffic congestion, gentrification, displacement and the loss of Chinese culture in the area. 

Poll results: Conducted by pollster Cornell Belcher, the survey shows that 56% of Philadelphia voters oppose the arena. This opposition rises to 69% after voters receive neutral information on the arena's potential impact. Only 18% support the development. Concerns about traffic congestion affecting access to Jefferson Hospital were a key issue, with 80% of respondents worried about delays to lifesaving medical care. 

What voters want: Only 12% think the arena should be a priority for city leadership and 61% prefer the Sixers to remain at the Wells Fargo Center in South Philly, which recently underwent a $400 million renovation. Meanwhile, 47% said they would be less likely to vote for politicians who support the arena. Voters also expressed interest in alternative projects for the Market East area, such as affordable housing or public green spaces. “As City Council heads back into session, we hope our elected officials will hear the voices of their constituents and focus on the core priorities they ran on – none of which are making three billionaire developers richer at the expense of the heart of our city and the last working class community of color in Center City,” said Mohan Seshadri, executive director of the Asian Pacific Islander Political Alliance.

News

Oakland Chinatown gears up for its first night market

Oakland Chinatown will host its first-ever night market spanning two blocks of 8th Street on Saturday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. The event aims to breathe new life into the neighborhood, which has faced significant challenges in recent years due to the pandemic and rising crime.

Distinctly Oakland: Organized by the Oakland Chinatown Improvement Council (OCIC), the night market is inspired by the success of similar events in San Francisco but will have a distinct Oakland flavor. It will feature live mural painting, a "Dumpling Olympics," a basketball tournament and a variety of hot food options. The event will also showcase live music from Oakland's own Seiji Oda and Dtrue, preceded by sets from DJs Adrian and JAZZ.FM.

Reminder of vibrant past: OCIC Executive Director Tony Trinh grew up in Chinatown and has witnessed the neighborhood's changes firsthand. “Since the pandemic, it really accelerated. Vacancies, a lot of graffiti, illegal dumping, as well as just a lot more crime,” Trinh told NBC Bay Area. He hopes the night market will attract new visitors and remind them of the area’s once-vibrant nightlife. The OCIC, which hopes to make the night market a regular occurrence, envisions the event as a catalyst for revitalizing Chinatown's shops and reigniting a sense of community.

News

The pope lauds Indonesians for picking children over cats

Pope Francis praised Indonesians for their large families during a meeting with President Joko Widodo on Wednesday, comparing them to people in other countries who prefer pets over children. Echoing similar comments he had made in the past, he encouraged Indonesia to “keep it up,” noting that the country serves as a role model for the rest of the world.

What he said: Acknowledging families with “three, four and five children,” Pope Francis remarked that Indonesia’s age levels reflect their commitment to family life. He contrasted this with countries where people “prefer to have a cat or a little dog instead of a child.” He had made similar comments previously, including in May when he warned of homes “filled with objects and emptied of children” and in 2022 when he called prioritizing pets a “form of selfishness.”

The big picture: The pope’s comments tap into a broader discourse about declining birth rates, echoing sentiments shared by figures like Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, who controversially referred to some Democrats as “a bunch of childless cat ladies.” Vance, who has since downplayed his comments as sarcasm, argued that having children profoundly changes one’s perspective. Beyond his remarks, the pope also engaged in significant interfaith activities on Thursday, signing The Istiqlal Declaration with the grand imam of Southeast Asia’s largest mosque. He will continue his 11-day Asia-Pacific journey to Papua New Guinea, East Timor and Singapore.

News

Hayao Miyazaki honored with “Asia's Nobel Prize”

Renowned Japanese animator and Studio Ghibli co-founder Hayao Miyazaki was among those who received the 2024 Ramon Magsaysay Award, often dubbed "Asia's Nobel Prize." The award recognized Miyazaki's significant contributions to Asian society through his thought-provoking films that tackle complex themes in a way accessible to children.

High praise: The Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation lauded Miyazaki for "using his art to make them comprehensible to children, whether it be about protecting the environment, advocating for peace, or championing the rights and roles of women in society." Miyazaki's works, including classics like "Spirited Away" and "Princess Mononoke," explore issues such as environmental protection and peace. 

About the award: Established in 1957 in memory of former Philippine President Ramon Magsaysay, the Ramon Magsaysay Award is given to individuals and organizations that have made substantial contributions in Asia. This year’s ceremony, set to take place in Manila in November, is also awarding healthcare professionals collective Rural Doctors’ Movement of Thailand, environmentalist and social justice advocate Farwiza Farhan of Indonesia, scholar and cultural preservationist Karma Phuntsho of Bhutan and Agent Orange victims advocate Dr. Nguyen Thi Ngoc Phuong of Vietnam.

Final Bites

Daniel Dae Kim returns to Broadway in satirical “Yellow Face”: Daniel Dae Kim is set to return to Broadway this fall in David Henry Hwang's comedy "Yellow Face." The production marks the Broadway premiere of Hwang's Obie Award-winning and Pulitzer Prize finalist play, directed by Tony Award nominee Leigh Silverman. Kim, known for his roles in "Lost" and "Hawaii Five-0," will portray a fictionalized version of Hwang himself in a story inspired by the controversial casting of Jonathan Pryce in the 1991 Broadway production of "Miss Saigon." The play delves into the complexities of race and identity in the entertainment industry, highlighting the challenges faced by Asian American actors. "Yellow Face" will begin previews at the Roundabout Theatre Company's Todd Haimes Theatre on Sept. 13, with an official opening on Oct. 1 and a limited engagement through Nov. 24.

Chinese artist, 68, detained for “slandering” Mao Zedong in retroactive crackdown: Chinese artist Gao Zhen, 68, was detained in China on allegations of slandering national heroes and martyrs. Gao Zhen, known for provocative artworks critiquing Mao Zedong and the Cultural Revolution, was arrested on Aug. 26 after police raided his art studio in Sanhe, Hebei province, and confiscated older works, including the controversial “Mao’s Guilt” and “The Execution of Christ.” Gao Zhen refused to hand over his phone and was forcibly detained. His brother Gao Qiang, who publicized his arrest, criticized the retroactive application of the 2021 law, telling The Guardian, “There is a clear boundary between artistic creation and criminal behavior.”

K-pop idol reveals she worked as a barista during mental health break: Twice member Jeongyeon revealed on the Aug. 31 episode of her YouTube show “The Inspector” that she worked at a friend’s cafe during her hiatus from the group in 2021. “When I had panic attacks, I had to take a break. And during the break, I worked as a barista at my friend’s coffee shop,” the 27-year-old idol said, recalling her work hours from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Show guest Kangnam expressed admiration for her decision to stay active during such a challenging time. Fans echoed similar sentiments in the comments, with one writing, “Jeongyeon was a barista while on hiatus. That’s pretty awesome!”

Hello Kitty and Friends Cafe coming to Los Angeles: Hello Kitty and Friends Cafe and merchandise store Sanrio Smile Shop are set to open at Universal Studios Hollywood’s Universal Citywalk on Friday. Dubbed the first of its kind in Los Angeles, Hello Kitty and Friends Cafe will offer adorable desserts like the Hello Kitty Mousse Dome — which has apple pie filling, cinnamon mousse and cinnamon streusel — and colorful beverages named after popular Sanrio characters such as My Melody, Tuxedo Sam, Keroppi, Chococat and Kuromi. Meanwhile, the Sanrio Smile Shop will offer Hello Kitty and Friends Cafe-themed items that are exclusive to the Universal Citywalk branch, along with other collectibles such as plush toys and jewelry. There is also a designated area at the store for fans to take photos with Hello Kitty and friends. Universal Studios Hollywood admission is not required to enter the cafe and shop as Universal Citywalk is located outside the theme park