Shira Laucharoen, Author at Sampan

Shira Laucharoen

Housing July 23, 2021 0

Chinatown Braces for the end of the Eviction Moratorium

The federal eviction moratorium, established by the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC), will expire on July 31, leaving many to grapple with an unstable housing situation. While residents have been facing the risk of displacement prior to the lifting of the moratorium, executive director of the Chinese Progressive Association Karen Chen said that when the end of the month comes around, many will be losing their safety nets. Chinatown residents, many of whom are working class people, will […]

Health June 25, 2021 0

Gyms provide lifeline during pandemic, contribute to physical health

Photo courtesy of Hongyu Liu While many gyms temporarily closed down at the onset of the pandemic in 2020, they incorporated many innovations to continue serving their communities during the past year. Spaces like the Wang YMCA and Downtown Crossing’s Planet Fitness are no exception. Although many Chinatown residents may have been reluctant to leave their houses during this time, representatives from these gyms acknowledge that physical wellness leads to mental health and that workout facilities can foster social interaction. […]

Boston's Chinatown in A Tale of Three Chinatowns Film

Arts June 25, 2021 0

“A Tale of Three Chinatowns” raises concerns about neighborhoods’ survival

Photo courtesy of ArtsEmerson “A Tale of Three Chinatowns” is a documentary film screened through the Roxbury International Film Festival, in partnership with the Shared Stories series at ArtsEmerson. The movie, which focuses on the survival of Chinatowns in Boston, Washington D.C., and Chicago, will be played from June 23-27. It explores the persistence of Chinatowns in these cities, examining their roles as cultural gateways and as homes to communities of immigrants. Due to urban development and gentrification, many of […]

Features June 11, 2021 0

New report highlights the nail salon workers’ struggle to recover from COVID-19

On May 26, Vietnamese American Initiative for Development (VietAID) and Greater Boston Legal Services (GBLS) launched a report as part of the Massachusetts Nail Salon Project. The report, titled “From Our Own Voices,” sheds light on the experiences of Vietnamese nail salon workers in Massachusetts before and during the pandemic. It is a collection of findings from 52 qualitative interviews with workers from 2016-2020, survey responses from 51 workers and 15 owners, and informal stories from community partners. “Nail salon […]

Pak and Hoi elderly gentlemen form a relationship

Arts June 11, 2021 0

ArtsEmerson’s Chinese-American Experiences film gives voice to closeted, elderly Asians

ArtsEmerson’s feature film “Suk Suk” depicts the poignant, quietly emotional story of two closeted, married men living in Hong Kong in their twilight years, who secretly begin a relationship together. Carrying a poetically shot and intimate narrative, the film, directed and written by Raymond Yeung, will be featured in ArtsEmerson’s Projecting Connections: Chinese American Experiences series, streaming from June 9-13. Through its sensitive depiction of the characters’ lives, the movie offers insight into what it means to be queer in […]

Washing art installation in Chinatown parking lot two figures with umbrella

Arts June 11, 2021 0

‘Washing’ art installation explores environmental justice in Chinatown

Photo courtesy of Nohemi Rodriguez The multimedia art project “Washing” culminated in a final showcase on May 29 and 30 at Parcel R1, or Tufts Parking Lot. The installation, which incorporated large-scale video projections and audio clips from interviews with Chinatown community members, reflected on the detrimental effects of the hideous I-93 and I-90 highways. The piece was created by Lily Xie, Dianyvet Serrano, Chu Huang, Charlene Huang, and Maggie Chen in collaboration with the Asian Community Development Corporation. “There […]

Boston May 21, 2021 0

UMass Boston students honor deceased at Chinese burial ground

(請點這裡閱讀中文版。) On May 12, students from the University of Massachusetts Boston’s class, Boston’s Asian American Communities, met in person for the first time on a trip to visit the Chinese burial grounds at Mt. Hope Cemetery. Led by Professor Peter Kiang, the class visited the site in part to remember the lost lives of Asian American workers in the Atlanta shootings, while they also discussed the issues of injustice represented by the condition of the tombstones. In more ways than […]

Metro May 21, 2021 0

Massachusetts Advisory Committee speakers give testimonies on racism and hate crimes

(請點這裡閱讀中文版。) On May 6, the Massachusetts Advisory Committee to the United States Commission on Civil Rights held a web conference on hate crimes against Asian American and Pacific Islander individuals. Speakers shared personal experiences of racism and addressed the rise in attacks on AAPI people, with the intention of confronting xenophobia and anti-Asian sentiment in Massachusetts. “As you can see, violence against Asian Americans, racism, and xenophobia are not new phenomena,” said Bora Chiemruom, executive director of the Massachusetts Asian […]

Boston May 21, 2021 0

Immigrants’ Day speakers say no recovery without immigrants

(請點這裡閱讀中文版。) On May 4, the Massachusetts Immigration and Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA) held its 25th annual Immigrants’ Day at the State House, as a virtual speaking program, followed by regional roundtables. Present at the talk were Mayor Kim Janey, Senate President Pro Tempore William Brownsberger, Representative Ruth Balser, and two leaders of MIRA member organizations, Dalida Rocha, political director of Service Employees International Union Local 615, and Gabriel Camacho, political director of United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 1445. […]

Boston May 21, 2021 0

Students to distribute safety alarms for Asian American elderly

(請點這裡閱讀中文版。) In light of attacks against Asian American elderly that have been happening across the country, a group of students are taking matters into their own hands. The youth will be partnering with the Boston Police Department and three senior houses around Chinatown to distribute alarm devices to Asian American seniors. Cindy Ho, her sons Ryan and Kyle Ho, as well as friends Justin Mok, Alexander McKay, and Brendan Szeto held a fundraiser and ordered approximately 700 devices, which will […]

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