Celebrating the Year of the Ox, many are hopeful of the year to come, as the Ox represents strength and change. In this time of crisis, due to the pandemic and rise of Asian hate crime, the symbol of the Ox has created an opportunistic outlook for many organizations, schools, and families as they virtually gather to celebrate this year’s Lunar New Year. Remarkably, they have fostered a new sense of creativity and vigor as they seek to provide a safe space for Asians and others within Greater Boston, Quincy, and Malden.
Many of the organizations this year used video to bring Lunar New Year festivities straight to families’ homes. Quincy Asian Resources Inc. (QARI) was prepared to do a virtual celebration, having successfully presented a virtual August Moon Festival a few months prior.
Their Lunar New Year video featured messages from government officials, sponsors, and Chinese Yoyo and dance performances. Improving upon the last event, they found a silver lining to this virtual space. “Because we are now in the virtual environment, we not only improved our skills in technology, but we have to look at what that path provides for us. Before, our in-person events attracted thousands of people to visit, but these were all locals… travel is now no longer a boundary. We can have people watching anywhere as long as they have access to the internet and know about the video,” remarks Rockey Chan, QARI Massachusetts programs and service manager.
Vietnamese American Initiative for Development (VietAID), a community organization serving the Vietnamese community of Dorchester, also celebrated the new years online. Their video featured singing video montages from preschool students, from high school youth leaders wishing a happy new year to the community in Vietnamese, and from the elders of Dorchester’s community thanking VietAID. “There have been so many challenges and struggles for our community members, and amidst all of that, we deserve moments of joy that we can hold onto,” says Huong Pham, Development and Communications team at VietAID.
Lion dances have, unfortunately, found it difficult to adjust to a virtual setting. Wah Lum Kung Fu and Tai Chi, the lion dancers featured within VietAID’s celebratory video, have not practiced lion dance since March of 2020. However, Lunar New Year has brought them together as they held asynchronous safe distanced lion dances at schools, organizations, and even Microsoft. Mai Du, the lead instructor of Wah Lum, comments that, “It was really amazing because at the Murphy school had some of the students […] who saw our lion dance actually made their own lion head with boxes and towels and fabric. It was definitely heartwarming to see engagement across communities and not just the Asian communities.”
Josiah Quincy school held virtual lessons and activities centered around Lunar New Year for its students. Angel Yang, a K2 Sheltered English Immersion teacher’s class read ‘Bringing in the New year’ by Grace Lee, while they talked about their family’s traditions and crafted lanterns to scare away the monster, Nian. Yang comments, “I want my students to be proud of who they are, understand why these traditions exist and be able to continue practicing them. I believe it is my duty to introduce different cultures and traditions to all students.” says Angel Yang. In addition to the lessons taught in class, Josiah Quincy made an accompanying website consolidating Lunar New Year resources. The website features other cultural read-aloud books, coloring pages, and songs.
Lunar New Year is another opportunity to create solidarity within AAPI and reach out to others who do not celebrate the event. Chinese American Citizens Alliance Boston (CACA Boston), the Chinese American Heritage Foundation and Chung Wah Academy of New England kicked off the 1st Lunar New Year Rolling Parade this year. A train of decorated cars visited hospitals, police stations, and other community organizations throughout Massachusetts. “We hope to reach a farther group of people.. of Asian American children who don’t live in Chinatown or Malden or Quincy… I see this Lunar New Year as a catalyst for solidarity. We’re showing solidarity with all other Asian American ethnicities, not just Chinese. If we don’t come together now, we don’t ever come together,” comments Wilson Lee, co-founder of CACA and co-organizer of the parade.
This Lunar New Year is not only an appreciation of Asian culture and heritage, but it has brought together the Asian American community separated by the restrictions of the pandemic. Despite the barriers, it has brought the opportunity for even those outside these communities to learn more about Asian heritage and culture.
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