January 3, 2025 | Vol. 54, Issue 1

The only bilingual Chinese-English Newspaper in New England

Boston

Many in Boston Area Express Unease Over Election Results

After former U.S. Pres. Donald Trump secured enough votes for a second term as president, defeating Vice Pres. Kamala Harris, many in the Greater Boston area and Chinatown showed strong emotions about the results. Massachusetts voted heavily for Harris, as she won over 60% of the vote in the state, so it’s no surprise many were upset with the results. Immigration was a center of the Trump campaign, and his rhetoric was widely described as racist and xenophobic, and had […]

Volunteer Annie Lee Honored at ABCD Boston’s Heroes Gala

The Asian American Civic Association, publisher of the Sampan, nominated volunteer Annie Lee as a Community Hero at the Action Community Development Corporation of Boston ‘s Annual Gala this year. Every year ABCD honors individuals who have served their communities. The AACA nominated Lee for her leadership as a founding member of the Voyagers, AACA’s youth services center. Lee, pictured second to left at top right, came to the AACA as a participant of a coding program offered by the […]

Artist Cassie Wang Finds Even Rhythm by Mixing Dance With Computer Tech

When it comes to dance, Cassie Wang, a resident artist at the Boston Center for the Arts, doesn’t shy away from taking a scientific approach. Wang’s work, in fact, blends dance, digital art and technology to explore big themes like identity, nostalgia and longing. Born in Kansas and now based in Boston, Wang started her artistic journey at an early age when her mother enrolled her in ballet classes. Though ballet became a significant part of her life, it was […]

‘Imagine Yourself in My Place’: Palestinian Poet Mosab Abu Toha Asks of MIT Audience

Perhaps Palestinian poet Mosab Abu Toha’s most threatening weapon against Israel in its relentless and devastating bombardment of Gaza is his pen. But that very pen could also be what puts him in the most peril. “I think the fact that I’m a poet and a writer, I should be killed maybe sooner than others,” said Abu Toha to a packed audience late last month near Boston. This was one of several powerful moments during Abu Toha’s talk on Oct. […]

Cuban Diaspora Artist Carves a Space Out in Boston’s Art Scene

New England sculptor and painter Fermin Castro knew he was an artist from the time he was a child, drawing in classes with friends. But he wouldn’t realize that calling until after a detour into the sciences. “Social media is also a good chance to be in contact with different kinds of artists, specifically for an emerging artist today. That’s very important because you will be able to adapt an idea or form and transform it into your own style […]

25-Story Hotel Plan Draws Critical Reviews

A proposal to raze a vacant and dilapidated building in Chinatown to build a 25-story hotel has sparked a debate over whether the project will further boost housing prices around the neighborhood and exacerbate congestion in the already crowded block. The building’s owner, Sing Ming Chan, claims that the 110-room hotel would bring increased tourism dollars, provide job opportunities, and help revitalize Chinatown. Detractors — including activists and current and former residents of Chinatown — claim that the construction of […]

Adoptees Torn Over China’s End to Overseas Adoptions

When Emili Van Volkinburg learned in early September that China is ending international adoptions, she felt conflicted. Van Volkinburg, a 25-year-old Brighton resident, was adopted from southeast China at age two-and-a-half by white parents from Ohio. Growing up, she had open conversations with her mom about being adopted. Her parents enrolled her and her older sister, who was also adopted from China, in Chinese language and culture classes to keep them connected to their Chinese heritage. They took dance classes […]

Story of New Americans from Haiti Lost Amid Election Rhetoric

As immigration has taken center stage in the presidential election, it now feels like all eyes are on Haiti, my home country. That nation in turmoil — like Mexico and Latin America before, and even China in the distant past – has been unfairly singled out as a poster child for all kinds of America’s ills, with immigrants serving as scapegoats. Trump once stated that Haiti was a “shit hole country” and he opposed extending aid to the country as […]

We Must Guard Our Rights to Free Speech and Dissent

This election has been portrayed as critical for the future of our democracy. But a key part of that democracy, our First Amendment rights, will no doubt remain under attack – no matter who wins. Republican candidate and former president, Donald Trump, openly threatens those who do not agree with him. At the same time, vice president and Democratic candidate, Kamala Harris – and Pres. Joe Biden – are guilty of doing little to protect the rights of those who […]

Sampan Readers Give Their Take on Key Election Issues

It’s been over 30 years since famed Democratic strategist James Carville tried to provide a pithy summary to all that concerned the American voting public: “It’s the economy, stupid.” Carville’s way with a slogan helped his candidate Bill Clinton start the first of two terms as president of the United States. Carville remained a feisty political strategist in the decades that followed, and Clinton weathered a notorious sex scandal in his second term that led to his impeachment. By the […]

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