February 21, 2025 | Vol. 54, Issue 4

The only bilingual Chinese-English Newspaper in New England

Boston

AAPI Arts Summit Inspires ‘Hope’

Organizers of the 2nd Annual Asian American and Pacific Islander Arts & Culture Summit on Nov. 15 at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute in Boston say they see the event as bigger than enhancing the arts community itself: It’s about providing hope. “I think in times of uncertainty and crisis, people have always looked to the arts as a source of light and hope,” Danielle Kim, executive director of the Asian Community Fund, told the Sampan during the event.Hosted by […]

Some Immigrant Families Fear 2nd Trump Presidency

Central to President-elect Donald Trump’s victory on Nov. 5 was his harsh stance on immigration.Now that Trump is due to regain the presidency in January, anti-immigrant sentiment has dominated much of the news. Trump has pledged to hire 10,000 more border patrol agents—and it looks like the president-elect will hold true to his promise, as he and his team moves forward on a plan to divest certain Americans of their citizenship, part of a so-called “denaturalization” project has been in […]

Author Charles Yu Talks About His Work on ‘Interior Chinatown,’ His Start as a Lawyer

Writer Charles Yu has seen his career transform from law, to book author and now to television. That latter shift will be further proven when “Interior Chinatown” – his award-winning book – airs on Hulu and Disney Plus on Nov. 19. Produced by Taika Waititi, with a pilot that is also directed by Waititi, the edgy, fast-paced show tackles weighty themes of race, class, and immigration with a sense of humor that left the audience at the recent screening at […]

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 […]

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