ML Interest Tag: american-community

How to Support Local Asian American-Owned Businesses & Non Profits

by Hannah Judge

Portland, Oregon: a place where families and communities blend together and show support for one another. Asian American and Pacific Islander [AAPI] communities have been a huge component of the diversity that makes Portland so unique! And when we band together to support local AAPI businesses that serve local families, we are not only broadening our kids’ knowledge and understanding of culture, we are strengthening community bonds and developing relationships that make Portland the city it is. From awesome small businesses and restaurants to arts and culture opportunities for your crew, we’ve rounded up AAPI-owned businesses and non-profits you can patronize and donate to and make a difference. Read on to find out more.

Hanoi Kitchen

This Vietnamese-owned spot has been a staple in the northeast neighborhood of Portland. Built on family-traded recipes, Hanoi Kitchen has been supplying Portland with delicious cuisine for years! Switch up a weekday meal or have a fun family dinner with their steamed rice crepes, their southern-style noodle soup, or treat you and the kiddos to a tasty vermicelli bowl!

Where: 7925 NE Glisan St., Portland OR
Phone: (503) 252 – 1300
Online: hanoikitchenpdx.com

Highlight Auto Body and Repair

Take the pressure off finding a decent place to get your car fixed with Highlight Auto Body and Repair! They are incredibly efficient and budget-friendly because they know how important having a working car is to getting around. Their effective customer communication, family-oriented candor, and passion for automobiles make Highlight the best way to get your car up to snuff and support a local AAPI business in the process!

Where: 11109 SE Division St., Portland OR
Online: highlight-auto-body-and-repair-portland

Portland Taiko

Ever wanted to learn the drums? How about Japanese taiko drumming? If you’re not sure what that is, now is a perfect time to find out! Built by Ann Ishimaru and Zachary Semke, this taiko performance group offers a range of learning options from company workshops to individual lessons. Plus, you know you’re getting grade-A instruction, as they routinely perform all over the Pacific Northwest! Head online today to check out their upcoming classes or schedule a community event with them.
Where: 3728 SE 34th Ave., Portland OR 
Phone: (503) 288-2456
Online: portlandtaiko.org

Coco’s Donuts

Ever had one? They’re addicting. Treat you and the kiddos to a sweet snack after school or on a weekend afternoon with Coco’s Mochi Oreo or Mochi Matcha flavored donuts, or keep it simple with their glazed raised or chocolate frosted with sprinkles! No matter your preference, Coco’s has a treat for you. They’ve been serving up these warm, tasty treats to the Portland community for years, so don’t wait! Head to one of their multiple locations today to see what all the fuss is about!

Where: 5 Locations: Downtown Portland, Broadway, Williams, Brooklyn, Sunnywise, Portland State University
Online: cocodonuts.com


Lan Su Chinese Garden 

Spend a weekend afternoon appreciating the beauty of the Lan Su Chinese Garden. Placed aptly in Portland’s China town, this green space is rich with native Chinese plants, flowers, and trees, as well as a Koi pond! Amble along the paths through their lush gardens for a meditative, calming experience and then cap the day with a cup of tea from their teahouse!
Where: 239 NW Everett St., Portland OR 
Cost: Adults (Ages 14-61) $14, Seniors & Students $13, Youth (6-18) $11, Children 5 & under Free
Phone: (503) 228-8131
Online: lansugarden.org

Portland China Town Museum 

This museum is nearly brand new to the city of Portland – opening its doors in December of 2018, the Portland Chinatown Museum [PCM] seeks to honor Portland’s rich Asian history. The museum constantly rotates exhibitions and has a permanent gallery feature titled Beyond the Gate: A Tale of Portland’s HIstoric Chinatowns. Pack the family up and head to PCM today to really understand the importance of Portland’s AAPI community today!

Where: 127 NW Third Ave., Portland OR 
Cost: Adults: $8, Seniors: $6, Students: $5, Children 12& Under: Free
Phone: (503) 224-0008
Online: portlandchinatownmuseum.org

Japanese American Museum of Oregon

Located in the northwest Portland neighorhood, the Japanese American Museum of Oregon [JAMO] strives to educate the public about Japanese emigrants and their descendants, also known as the Nikkei. The idea for JAMO was built from the Issei Appreciation project, to preserve the stories of the Oregon Japanese immigrants, and the first iteration of the museum was established in 1990 at Tom McCall Waterfront Park. Now, they’ve just opened their northwest location [May of 2021] for all to explore, learn, and appreciate!

Where: 411 NW Flanders St., Portland OR 
Phone: (503) 224-1458
Online: jamo.org

Donation Opportunities

While going out to eat and exploring gardens and museums is a great way to engage with Portland’s AAPI community, it isn’t the only way to have a supportive impact. There are several organizations that take donations that would go directly to the preservation of community history and the advancement of community business and activism. Below are some of the organizations you can donate to today as you do your part to support Portland’s great Asian American and Pacific Islander community!

Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon [APANO]
Founded in 1996, APANO dedicates itself to community development through cultural work, leadership development and support, political advocacy, and community organization!

Asian Pacific American Chamber of Commerce of Oregon & Southwest Washing [APACC]
APACC gathers representatives of all lines of Asian-owned businesses to ensure economic development, growth, and success among the Portland AAPI community. 

The Japanese American Citizen League [JACL]
Founded in 1929, JACL has worked for nearly a hundred years to support Portland’s Japanese American community through civil rights activism to build infrastructure that supports our AAPI neighbors. 

The Korean American Coalition [KAC]
KAC has several areas of impact for Portland’s AAPI community: they are engaged in civic and legislative advocacy, community service, cultural education through Korean artforms, and youth leadership!

Northwest Chinese Alliance [NCA]
Built on the practice of preserving cultural art forms, the NCA strives to showcase Chinese American history through the performing arts. They seek to build community and engage individuals through dance performances and events like the Rose Festival Grand Floral Parade!

Oregon Chinese Coalition [OCC]
The OCC is a tight-knit organization that seeks to strengthen the Portland Chinese community through civil, political, religious, and cultural preservation. 

Oregon Korea Fund [OKF]
Founded in 1995, the OKF seeks to provide support for Korean heritage, communities, businesses, and families through the support of donations and grant work!

—Hannah Judge

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The Best Places to Learn About Asian American History

by Kipp Jarecke-Cheng

People of Asian and Pacific Islander descent have contributed much to the fabric of American culture and society, but our histories and stories aren’t often well-known. According to the U.S. Census, Asian and Pacific Islanders represent 5.7% of the U.S. population, with 6.5% of the U.S. population identifying as mixed-race Asian. May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. From the Smithsonian to the Wing Luke Museum, check out some of our favorite places to learn more about the invaluable contributions, sacrifices, and beauty bestowed upon America by people of Asian and Pacific Islander descent.

Angel Island State Park in Tiburon, CA

Ronan Furtura via Unsplash

Located on the largest natural island in the San Francisco Bay, Angel Island State Park offers beautiful views of the surrounding Bay Area, including hiking trails and other recreational opportunities. Historically, Angel Island is best known as the U.S. Immigration Station that processed hundreds of thousands of immigrants, mostly from China, in the early 20th century. During World War II, Japanese and German POWs were detained there before being sent to facilities on the mainland. Rich in history, families can explore this national historic park by foot or bike, accessible via private boat or public ferry. Reservations are required.

Visit parks.ca.gov.

The Asia Society

The Asia Society is a global nonprofit, nonpartisan arts and educational organization with major centers and public buildings in New York, Hong Kong, Houston, and offices in many cities around the world. The Society’s locations as well as most of its programs are open to the public, except when otherwise indicated. The Asia Society’s flagship museum in New York City exhibits traditional, modern, and contemporary Asian and Asian American art, and was one of the first U.S. museums to formally establish a collection focused exclusively on the category. There are plenty of events for everyone in the family, ranging from film screenings to lectures to book readings. While many centers are open to visitors at a limited capacity, virtual museum highlights and online learning opportunities are also available. 

Visit asiasociety.org.

Asian Art Museum of San Francisco

Founded more than 50 years ago, the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco’s vision is to make Asian art and culture essential to everyone by inspiring new ways of thinking and connecting diverse communities to historical and contemporary Asian art and culture through a world-class art collection, special exhibitions, and education programs and events. Originally conceived as a wing in Golden Gate Park’s de Young Museum, the Asian Art Museum moved to the former Main Library building in the Civic Center in downtown San Francisco in 2003. Numerous exhibitions and programs are available throughout the year, and there’s a growing roster of virtual events for audiences of all ages.

Visit asianart.org.

 

Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles

With its mission to promote understanding and appreciation of America’s ethnic and cultural diversity by sharing the Japanese American experience, the Japanese American National Museum (JANM)—located in Los Angeles’ historic Little Tokyo district—is dedicated to telling the rich 130-year history of people of Japanese descent in the U.S. Through historical and art exhibitions, public educational programs, documentaries, and an innovative curriculum, JANM showcases the many contributions of Japanese Americans—from the pioneering first-generation Issei to the citizens who were incarcerated in internment camps during World War II to present-day Japanese Americans from all walks of life. Currently on exhibit is “Under a Mushroom Cloud,” which commemorates the upcoming 75th anniversary of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The museum is open to the public with limited capacity and requires advanced ticket purchases.

Visit janm.org.

Museum of Chinese in America New York

Wikimedia Commons

In early 2020, a fire burned down the building that housed a vast quantity of the Museum of Chinese in America’s priceless artifacts. Fortunately, much of the collection was salvaged, but the museum has since been closed. Despite its setbacks, MOCA remains one of the most important and vital arts and cultural institutions for all Chinese of many nationalities in America. While MOCA rebuilds, there are numerous virtual exhibits and programs and an ongoing speakers series accessible online.

Visit mocanyc.org.

 

Korean American National Museum in Los Angeles

Following several years of fits and starts, the first-ever museum in the U.S. dedicated to the history and myriad contributions of Koreans in America is scheduled to open in 2022. Located in Los Angeles, home to the largest community of ethnic Koreans outside of Asia, the Korean American National Museum was established to interpret and preserve Korean American history, culture, and achievements. One of the Museum’s primary objectives is to introduce audiences to the sources of Korean culture, enabling younger members of the Korean American community and its neighbors from other ethnic communities to gain a greater understanding of this rich and complex civilization.

Visit kanmuseum.org.

Manzanar National Historic Site in Independence, CA

Between March 1942 and November 1945, more than 120,000 Japanese Americans were incarcerated in one of 10 American concentration camps. Located at the foot of California’s Sierra Nevada mountains 230 miles north of Los Angeles, the internment camp at Manzanar was identified by the United States National Park Service as the best-preserved of the 10 former internment sites, and today serves as a national historic site that seeks to preserve and interpret the legacy of Japanese American incarceration in the United States. While the visitors center and exhibits are currently closed, the grounds are open, and visitors may take a self-guided tour around the grounds, accessible by foot or by car.

Visit nps.gov/manz.

 

Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center in Washington D.C.

Founded in 1997, the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center (APAC)  is a moving “museum without walls” that shares Asian Pacific American history, art, and culture through its innovative in-person and online museum experiences throughout the U.S. and beyond. Programs include a wide range of activities such as art exhibitions, cultural festivals, public programs, and research in support of Asian, South Asian, and Pacific Islander people in the U.S. Part of the Smithsonian Institution—the world’s largest museum, education, and research complex—APAC aims to preserve and celebrate Asian Pacific Americans’ cultures and contribution to America in an accessible way through a variety of programs, including an online video series, resources for educators, and digital storytelling.

Visit smithsonianapa.org.

 

Virginia Museum of Fine Arts South Asian Collection in Richmond, VA

Home to one of the country’s premier collections of Greater Indian and Himalayan art, the South Asian Collection at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts features stunning examples of sculptures, paintings, textiles, and decorative art from across South Asia. The museum is open year-round and some of the collection is viewable online. Currently on view is “Krishna: The Blue-Skinned Lord,” which showcases art inspired by the mischievous and enchanting Hindu deity.

Visit vmfa.museum/collection/south-asian-art.

 

Pu'uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park

Situated along the lava flats of the Kona Coast on the Big Island of Hawaii, Pu’uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park is home to some of the most significant traditional Hawaiian sites in the Hawaiian archipelago. Originally established in 1955 as City of Refuge National Historical Park, it was renamed in the late-1970s. Until the early 19th century, Hawaiians who broke kapu (one of the ancient Hawaiin laws) could avoid the death penalty by fleeing to this place of refuge or pu’uhonua and seeking absolution from a priest. Today, the 420-acre national park includes sacred and historical sites as well as exhibits and performances that illustrate the history of the peoples of Hawaii. Pu’uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park is one of the only places in Hawaii where the flag of Hawaii can officially fly alone without the American flag. The park is undergoing a phased reopening, with select exhibits and services currently suspended.

Visit nps.gov/puho.

 

Pacific Island Ethnic Art Museum in Long Beach, CA

The Pacific Island Ethnic Art Museum was founded in 2010, with a mission to amplify the collective wisdom of the people of Oceania through a permanent collection, educational programs, rotating exhibits, and living arts. By connecting the community to resources and foster intercultural exchanges with appreciation and respect, PIEAM seeks to engage visitors and share the rich history and contributions of people from the Pacific Islands. Although the main museum is currently closed, an outdoor exhibit—titled “ALA MAI: An Awakening of Mental Health Awareness”—is currently installed on the exterior of the museum garden and viewable through the end of May.

Visit pieam.org.

The Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience in Seattle

courtey Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience

This Seattle stalwart takes an unflinching look at the Asian Pacific American experience: from Chinese settlement in the 1880s and Japanese internment camps during WWII to the current anti-Asian hate across the U.S. Housed in an impressive 60,000 square foot facility, the Wing Luke Museum is known for creating provocative, community-driven exhibitions and programs that reflect the multiplicity of AAPI identity. Named after pioneering Chinese American politician Wing Luke, the museum’s mission is to connect people to the dynamic histories, cultures, and arts of Asian Pacific Americans through vivid storytelling and inspiring experiences to advance racial and social equity.

Visit wingluke.org.

 

USC Pacific Asia Museum in Pasadena, CA

As one of the few internationally recognized U.S. institutions dedicated to the arts and cultures of Asia and the Pacific Islands, USC Pacific Asia Museum’s vast collection of more than 15,000 objects that span more than 4,000 years of history traverse through the regions of Persia to the Pacific Islands. Founded in 1971, the museum seeks to further intercultural understanding through its focus on classic and contemporary arts of Asia and the Pacific Islands. Housed in the Grace Nicholson building in Pasadena, California, the Chinese-inspired architecture is a registered California State Historic Landmark. The museum is scheduled to reopen on May 29, 2021, and admissions will be “pay what you wish” through June 6, 2021. Advanced ticket purchases and time reservations are required for admittance.

Visit the pacificasianmuseum.usc.edu.

—Kipp Jarecke-Cheng

 

Featured image: Kate Loweth

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What Happens When You Learn Your Child Has Special Needs

By Reena B. Patel

 

 

Before parents ever have a child, most have already imagined what they would look like, where they would take their first steps, and what sports they will play. No parent dreams of having a child with a disability. The fact is that the prevalence of having a child with a disability is growing. The American Community Survey (ACS) estimates the overall rate of people with disabilities in the US population in 2016 was 12.8 percent. When you learn that your child has a disability, you lose some of that dream and may have feelings of grief kick in. Yes, grief. It is still a loss of a child, one that is still typically developing.

Grief is a natural response to loss. Before one can get to a sense of acceptance, one has to understand that each stage of this process is natural and acceptable. It is also important for those around you to understand what grief can look like to better support you. Let’s go through the stages of grief as it relates to learning your child has a disability.

Stage 1: Denial: A common defense mechanism. “This can’t be happening. This Is not real.” Being in denial helps us cope and protect us from the immediate shock of the loss, numbing us to our emotions.

Stage 2: Anger: Once the denial wears off, parents begin to feel angry. These intense emotions are redirected to inanimate objects, complete strangers, friends or family. During this stage, there are many stresses on marriage and family.

Stage 3: Bargaining: The third stage involves the hope that the parents can somehow cure their child. The normal reaction to feelings of helplessness and vulnerability is often a need to regain control through a series of “If only” statements. This is an attempt to bargain. Guilt often accompanies bargaining. We start to believe there was something we could have done differently to have helped change the outcome.

Stage 4: Depression: During the fourth stage, the parents start to blame themselves. They think they did something to cause their child to have a disability. In this stage, parents also start to worry about the costs of support services, medical bills, etc. They think about the future and who will care for their child when they are gone.

Stage 5: Acceptance: Parents begin to look ahead but in a positive light. They commit to do whatever it takes to achieve the skills that the child needs to be independent. They begin to understand that it is more important to find what it means for their child. Parents see the baby steps of success and understand how these achievements are much bigger. They see their child as they are and not defined by their preconceived ideas. Yes, they may struggle with certain activities, like sports, but they might flourish in music. Looking at your child, not only will you see how happy he/she is, you will realize the simplest things that make your child smile will make you smile too.

I have seen, by working with families of children with disabilities, that humans are emotionally resilient when faced with adversity. The greatest gift is having a child with special needs. It is also important to know that there are resources available to help support at every stage of grief. It is critical to understand that your grieving process is unique to you. It may hard, but do reach out to those around you who care about you and see them face to face for emotional support. It is also imperative that you take care of yourself psychically, by eating well and sleeping.

Above all, recognize the difference in grief and potential depression and or anxiety. Seek out specific professionals, such as psychologist, counselors, or physicians or sites like AutiZm& More who can help you through the grieving process. Also check out books that help children with anxiety coping strategies like, “Winnie & Her Worries,” and books about autism awareness and acceptance, like, “My Friend Max: A Story about a Friend with Autism,” both available on Amazon. It’s okay to take baby steps, just make sure to seek support and remember you are not alone.

Reena B. Patel (LEP, BCBA) is a renowned parenting expert, guidance counselor, licensed educational psychologist and board-certified behavior analyst. For more than 20 years, Patel has had the privilege of working with families and children supporting all aspects of education and positive wellness.

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