On This Day

“Greetings to all the people of the nation and all the people of the world.” — Colonel Zhai Zhigang

On this day in 2008, astronaut Zhai Zhigang made history as China's first spacewalker during the Shenzhou-7 mission, venturing outside the spacecraft for approximately 19 minutes to retrieve experiment samples and proudly wave the Chinese flag. This groundbreaking achievement marked a significant milestone for China's space program, solidifying its position as only the third country behind the U.S. and Russia to conduct extravehicular activity (EVA). Since then, China has continued to push the boundaries of space exploration, with the Shenzhou-15 crew setting a record for the most EVAs by a single Chinese astronaut crew last year and the Shenzhou-17 crew completing the nation's first in-orbit maintenance of extravehicular facilities in May.

Politics

Asian Americans have no bigger advocate than Trump, campaign says

Former President Donald Trump’s re-election campaign reportedly claimed on Wednesday that he is the community’s biggest advocate. The bold statement came after the release of a poll on Tuesday that showed Asian Americans overwhelmingly supporting Vice President Kamala Harris over Trump by 38 points, a margin significantly greater than President Joe Biden’s 15-point lead in spring.

What his team is saying: Steven Cheung, communications director for the Trump campaign, told the Press Trust of India that “there has been no bigger advocate for the AAPI community than President Trump,” noting that he “created an environment where diversity, equal opportunity and prosperity were afforded to everybody.” Cheung claimed that anyone who says otherwise about Trump is “disgustingly using the AAPI community to play political games for their own benefit.” He also expressed confidence in their campaign, saying it harnesses the successes of Asian Americans during Trump’s first term to propel him to another stint at the White House.

What the community remembers: Despite Trump’s claims of advocacy, the negative impact of his anti-Asian rhetoric during the COVID-19 pandemic remains felt to this day. Specifically, his use of terms like “kung flu” and “Chinese virus” have been widely criticized for contributing to a surge in anti-Asian incidents, many of which were violent. Trump has also been criticized for targeting Asian American figures like Elaine Chao with racially charged remarks. “He doesn’t seem to understand that, which says a whole lot more about him than it will ever say about Asian Americans,” Chao told Politico last year. His continued mockery of public figures’ ethnic backgrounds, such as his attacks on Nikki Haley’s birth name, has drawn parallels to his earlier “birther” attacks on Barack Obama, further demonstrating how his words continue to harmfully resonate within the community.

News

Over two-thirds of Chinese Americans face discrimination at least once a month

Most Chinese Americans report regular experiences of discrimination, largely fueled by ongoing tensions between the U.S. and China, according to a new survey by the Committee of 100 and NORC at the University of Chicago. The results also highlight significant mental health struggles within the community, emphasizing the negative impact of geopolitical rhetoric on their daily lives.

Key findings: Published on Wednesday, the “2024 State of Chinese Americans” study surveyed 504 Chinese American adults about their experiences with discrimination, mental health and political attitudes. It found that 68% of Chinese Americans face at least one form of discrimination each month, with 85% attributing it to their race, ethnicity, accent or name. Respondents also reported regular microaggressions (54%), verbal insults (27%) and physical threats or harassment (21%). Additionally, the study highlighted mental health challenges, with 43% feeling depressed, 50% feeling hopeless and 39% feeling worthless. These issues were particularly acute among younger respondents, women and those frequently experiencing racial discrimination.

The big picture: The study underscores the broader impact of U.S.-China relations on the Chinese American community, with 89% of respondents viewing the bilateral relationship as negative and 65% stating it affects how they are treated by others. Researchers noted that discriminatory language in U.S. media and by political figures exacerbates prejudice, with 61% of respondents reporting that media rhetoric about U.S.-China relations negatively affects their interactions with strangers. The study also found that three-quarters of Chinese Americans plan to vote in the upcoming presidential election, yet the community remains politically diverse and uncaptured by either major party.

News

PA state senator faces backlash over past anti-Asian social media posts

Pennsylvania State Senator Jimmy Dillon is facing backlash over past social media posts from his business account, Hoops 24-7 Basketball Academy. These posts, dating from 2011 to 2015, included racial slurs and homophobic remarks. Some of the now-deleted posts on X include the N-word to refer to a person, telling a porn star to “stop being gay” and posting anti-Asian stereotypes that conflated all Asians as Chinese. 

Dillon’s statement: Dillon denied responsibility, claiming others had access to the account. “If a basketball player who works with Hoops 24-7 posted something like this more than a decade ago, it’s the first I’ve heard about it, and it doesn’t reflect my values,” he said. However, Dillon had posted in the first person on the same account during that time period, including photos and videos of himself. Dillon’s campaign dismissed the revelations as a distraction by "MAGA Republicans," noting his record as a coach and legislator supporting Black and LGBTQ communities.

Criticisms: The posts were publicized and condemned by the Senate Republican Campaign Committee (SRCC) ahead of Dillon’s bid for a four-year term in the Nov. 5 election, where he faces Republican Joe Picozzi. “Let’s be clear, this was not a teenager making a mistake or a single comment taken out of context. This was a grown man in his 30s casually using the N-word and making disgusting jokes repeatedly on his social media. We can only wonder what Jimmy Dillon is saying behind closed doors if this is the kind of language he’ll post publicly for the world to see,” Cody Harbaugh, the executive director of the SRCC, told The Philadelphia Inquirer.

News

Pulitzer winner declines NY museum award in protest of its employee keffiyeh ban

Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jhumpa Lahiri declined an award from New York City's Noguchi Museum after it fired three employees for violating its new employee dress code by wearing keffiyeh head scarves, a symbol of Palestinian solidarity. Along with artist and writer Lee Ufan, Lahiri, who won the 2000 Pulitzer for her story collection “Interpreter of Maladies,” was named the recipients of the 11th annual Isamu Noguchi Award, which recognizes individuals across various disciplines for their artistic excellence, innovative spirit and commitment to cross-cultural dialogue.

Declining the award: Last month, the museum prohibited employees from wearing clothing or accessories that expressed “political messages, slogans or symbols” during their work hours, saying that “such expressions can unintentionally alienate segments of our diverse visitorship.” The keffiyeh has been widely used by protesters supporting Palestinian self-determination and opposing Israel’s actions in Gaza, where more than 41,000 people have been killed. In protest of the museum's policy, Lahiri, who is also the director of the creative writing program at Barnard College, withdrew her acceptance of the Noguchi Aaward.

The museum’s response: The Noguchi Museum expressed understanding of her decision, writing, “We respect her perspective and understand that this policy may or may not align with everyone’s views. We remain committed to our core mission of advancing the understanding and appreciation of Isamu Noguchi’s art and legacy while upholding our values of inclusivity and openness.” The Noguchi Museum, founded by Japanese American designer Isamu Noguchi nearly 40 years ago, is supported by royalties from his furniture and lighting designs.

News

South Korea looks to rehome almost 500,000 dogs bred for meat ahead of ban

South Korea announced a plan on Thursday that would provide subsidies and incentives to dog farmers and related businesses ahead of a nationwide ban on dog meat consumption set in early 2027. The move aims to facilitate a smooth transition away from the controversial industry while ensuring the welfare of the animals involved.

About the incentives: The government has earmarked 100 billion won ($76 million) to compensate farmers, butchers and restaurant owners who agree to close their businesses. Farmers will receive up to 600,000 won ($456) for each dog they surrender and authorities will attempt to find adoptive homes or shelter placements for the near half-a-million dogs bred for their meat. The plan also includes low-interest loans for those transitioning to other agricultural businesses.

Transitioning a dying industry: South Korea has over 1,500 dog breeding farms, more than 200 slaughterhouses and around 2,300 restaurants still serving dog meat. The ban, passed in January, aims to end the controversial centuries-old tradition of consuming dog meat. Reflecting growing support for animal welfare and a declining appetite for the practice, the ban has gained momentum under President Yoon Suk Yeol, a known animal lover. The plan, however, has also drawn criticism from both animal rights activists and industry representatives who raised concerns about the adequacy of the government's financial support for those impacted by the ban. Farmers have earlier called for 2 million won ($1,505) as compensation per surrendered dog.

News

Hasan Minhaj reflects on losing “Daily Show” gig after fabrication controversy

Hasan Minhaj recently revealed he was set to host Comedy Central's "The Daily Show" until a New Yorker profile last year fact-checked the stories he has told in his stand-up specials, including ones recounting racist incidents, and sparked controversy. The resulting backlash cost him the coveted gig, a blow Minhaj described in an Esquire interview published Wednesday as simply "part of showbiz."

About the controversy: In September 2023, The New Yorker published a profile on Minhaj that accused him of exaggerating or making up some of his stand-up anecdotes. Minhaj would later admit to embellishing certain stories for his stand-up acts but defended his comedic approach, stating that stand-up comedy relies on tools like “hyperbole” and “compressing timelines” to create entertaining stories. He explained to Esquire the pain of seeing his family affected by the backlash, noting, “To see them hurt... that is so painful.”

Backlash aftermath: Minhaj says he sought counsel from fellow comedians, including former "Daily Show" host Jon Stewart. Stewart, who has since reclaimed the hosting gig, purportedly questioned the motives behind the scrutiny, asking, “Why the f*ck are they doing this? And who does this benefit?” “Daily Show” correspondent Ronny Chieng also expressed surprise at the backlash, stating that he found it surprising that the “cultural gatekeepers would turn on him so quickly and not give him the benefit of the doubt.”

Final Bites

🎤 Lisa’s “Rockstar” is more than just a comeback hit — it’s a life-saving anthem! Lisa might have saved fans from a Blackpink drought with her comeback single “Rockstar,” but the hip-hop track may literally be used to save someone’s life. The American Heart Association has classified that a slower version of her song "Rockstar" features a tempo of 120 beats per minute, making it ideal for hands-only CPR. This steady beat aligns perfectly with the recommended pace for chest compressions during cardiopulmonary resuscitation, suggesting that her music could play a crucial role in emergency situations. Lisa previously won the VMAs’ best K-pop award for “Rockstar,” making history as the first K-pop solo act to win the award twice. Her latest single, “New Woman” featuring Rosalía, has also made waves in the American mainstream media after the Democratic Party’s TikTok account used the song to promote Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign.

💰 Musk’s SpaceX plans $1.5 billion investment in Vietnam: Elon Musk's SpaceX is considering a $1.5 billion investment in Vietnam, a move that could finally bring its Starlink satellite internet services to the country. The Vietnamese government, which announced the potential investment on Thursday following President To Lam's meeting with SpaceX representative Tim Hughes in New York, is currently evaluating the proposal. While specifics about the investment's timing and focus remain unclear, Vietnam has acknowledged the potential of Starlink to significantly improve connectivity, particularly in remote regions, and bolster disaster preparedness efforts.

📰 Vietnamese man survives flood after clinging to tree for 9 days: Phan Minh Thang, a 20-year-old man in Gia Lai Province, Vietnam, miraculously survived for nine days by clinging to a tree after being swept away by floodwaters from the Ayun River. On Sept. 16, Thang went to the river to watch people fish but dozed off, only to wake and find himself surrounded by rising floodwaters, unable to swim back to shore. Carried 500 meters downstream, he managed to survive by drinking river water and sleeping atop a tree. Thang was rescued by local police on Tuesday and is now recovering from a sore throat and infected feet. Medical experts call his survival under such harsh conditions extremely rare. “I didn't think I would survive,” Thang said.

🩺 Unconscious man’s hero turns out to be a doctor AND J-pop idol: A Japanese doctor, later revealed to be a budding idol, went viral after being filmed assisting an unconscious man lying on the ground. Maika Kitamura, a member of the J-pop girl group NEO à la mode, which debuted on June 15, was returning from idol practice on Aug. 21 when she saw the man at JR Tokyo Station, she told Fuji TV. The 27-year-old quickly took action, announcing that she was a doctor before rendering aid. A 40-second video of her heroic efforts — which shows her palpating for a pulse, asking bystanders questions and asking station staff to call an ambulance — has gone viral on X, garnering nearly 20 million views. Passing the national medical exam in 2022, Kitamura has since been practicing medicine, often updating her fans on TikTok while wearing her scrubs. Kitamura addressed the incident the following day, writing on X, “We are truly grateful to all those who supported us so that we could safely hand him over to the ambulance and transport him to the hospital.”