June 6, 2025 | Vol. 54, Issue 11

The only bilingual Chinese-English Newspaper in New England

Day: June 6, 2025

Carving Out a Place for the Common Person

Longtime Chinatown-based sculptor and painter Wen-ti Tsen is among three Boston artists recently awarded the Wagner Arts Fellowship. The new arts fellowship – also awarded to L’Merchie Frazier and Daniela Rivera – was created by the Wagner Foundation for artists who incorporate elements of social impact or social change in their work. Each winner is given $75,000 in unrestricted funding that they can use however they want and can access to specialized services. Tsen is currently working on two large-scale […]

Dragon Boat Museum Celebrates Opening

Over 300 people attended the opening of the Dragon Boat Museum in Quincy, Massachusetts on May 31.As part of Quincy’s 400th Anniversary of its settlement, the museum welcomed the public to explore the historical significance of dragon boats and the deep roots of dragon boat racing in Asian cultures. The Dragon Boat Museum is the vision of artist Peter Ng. At the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Matt Seto, CEO of the Dragon Boat Museum and Executive Director of the American Legion Chinatown […]

U.S. Lawmakers Put Asian American History to the Test

Measure would put Asian American, Pacific Islander and Native Hawaiian lessons in nation’s classrooms Two U.S. lawmakers have introduced a measure they say would help better educate U.S. students about the key moments and historical realities of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islander Americans that are often overlooked in U.S. classrooms and textbooks. “At a time when Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander history is under attack, it is more important than ever before to ensure our stories […]

'They All Have Names' vigil held May 27 to May 28 recognized the names of the more than 17,400 children killed in Gaza since Oct. 7, 2023. Courtesy photo.

OPINION: ‘They All Have Names’ Vigil Reveals Moral Failures

As Dr. Lara Jirmanus spoke with the Sampan on the phone on May 28, a scan of the top stories on local newspaper sites around Boston revealed reports about the Karen Read case, the latest in the battle between Harvard University and the Trump administration, and immigration raids. What was missing? The 24-hour vigil that just concluded hours earlier in Cambridge, recognizing the more than 17,400 children killed in Gaza since Oct. 7, 2023. That number, for context, is far […]

‘Learning How to Read’ Gives Touching Glimpse Into Immigrant Child’s Life

“Learning How to Read by Moonlight,” written by Gaven D. Trinidad, is a touching and imaginative play running through June 8. The story follows six-year-old Eddie and his Nanay (mother) as they seek a new beginning in the U.S. after escaping danger in the Philippines. As Eddie navigates the challenges of growing up undocumented, learning English, and discovering his queer identity, he and his imaginary friend create vibrant worlds to make sense of it all. Blending storytelling, dance, music, and […]

How Artist Jaeok Lee Shapes the Space Between Life and Death

Artist Jaeok Lee immigrated from her home in Nak Won Dong, in the heart of Seoul, to the United States in 1974. Now based in Sudbury, 71-year-old Lee has a home and studio atop a hill — a pocket of enchantment. The land bursts with rare flowers and is populated with chipmunks living among deer; punctuating the property are ceramic beoksu — guardian posts — and sotdae — poles topped with birds — rising like guardians. The garden perpetually invites […]

Sheida Soleimani Creates Art of Resistance

Art can be beautiful, art can attack, or it can do both at the same time. It has long been used to challenge the status quo, and Sheida Soleimani, a 33-year-old visual media artist and Brandeis University professor, has made it her mission to shed light on the challenges of her Iranian heritage through her politically-charged work. “I want to leave people a trail of breadcrumbs,” Soleimani said. “I don’t expect anyone to have any crazy epiphanies. But if someone […]

Asian Groups Slam U.S.’ Policy on China Students

Several Asian American groups and leaders are blasting a newly revealed State Department policy to prevent many Chinese international students from studying in colleges and universities in the United States. The U.S. State Department on May 28 put out a notice that it “will work with the Department of Homeland Security to aggressively revoke visas for Chinese students, including those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields.” The department, in the brief note, also said […]

‘Unfair’: Students Speak Up On Visa Policy

First there were the threats of crackdowns on immigration. Then there were the detentions of international students who had done nothing wrong. Then the deletion of many student visas and then … their reinstatements … for now. Amid those actions, a U.S. lawmaker has been pushing a bill to block Chinese students from coming to the U.S. Now, most recently, the U.S. State Department issued a brief statement on how it would “aggressively” crackdown on some students from China and […]

Unverified Reports of Immigration Agents Spread Anxiety in Chinatown

Anxiety is gripping some Chinatown Residents and community leaders after hearing of unconfirmed reports of immigration agents in the neighborhood. “We want to find a balance between keeping people safe without spreading too much fear,” said Karen Chen, who directs the Chinese Progressive Agency. That agency held an emergency meeting for residents on May 27 to discuss reports by two individuals who said they had witnessed what they believed to be Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in the neighborhood. No […]

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