November 22, 2024 | Vol. 53, Issue 22

The only bilingual Chinese-English Newspaper in New England

Boston

Palestinian-American Speaks Out After Library Photo Reception Taken Over

Laila Kassis had never heard of Skip Schiel’s photography before she was asked to talk at the reception in mid-May for the exhibit “The Ongoing and Relentless Nakba, the Palestinian Catastrophe of 1948 to the Present.” Kassis, a Palestinian-American, said when she did see the 14 or so photos in the show, she noted how underwhelming it all was, given the subject. “It was very simple and innocuous.” There was no big statement or in-your-face message, just photos of the […]

Pride Month, and a Ways to Go for Some

Two decades after Massachusetts legalized gay marriage and after decades of battles for equal rights for gays and lesbians, the struggle for acceptance still continues for some, especially in Asian American communities. “I came out to my parents in high school, where I hoped that they would be accepting of the fact that I had a girlfriend, instead of their Christian Korean boyfriend standard,” a Korean-American Boston College student, who wishes to keep her name private, told the Sampan recently. […]

AstraZeneca’s Jab Ends; Officials Urge Getting Covid Boosters

AstraZeneca is pulling its Covid-19 vaccine, Vaxzevria, which had been OKed in several nations in Europe and elsewhere.The U.K. company’s official reason for withdrawing the vaccine was a lack of demand, as the pandemic has largely cooled since it first flared up in China after the first cases were detected in late 2019. The vaccine was granted full marketing authorization in the European Union in 2022.But just before the vaccine’s run was to end, AstraZeneca publicly admitted in court documents […]

Preview: Immigrant History Trail Paves Way for Chinatown’s Legacy

The Immigrant History Trail celebrates Boston Chinatown’s resilience and enduring cultural heritage on June 8 at 1 p.m. with its launch, marking a significant milestone toward efforts to designate Chinatown as a cultural district.Following decades of urban renewal, zoning injustice, and institutional expansion, Chinatown faces one of its biggest threats yet: the erosion of cultural identity. As luxury developments encroach, surging housing prices and rising rents are displacing long-standing residents and small businesses. Consequently, both the immigrant, working-class residential and […]

Gov. Healey Honors Asian Heritage Month, Community Leaders

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey and leaders from communities across the state gathered on May 20 at the State House to commemorate Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Secretary Yvonne Hao from the Office of Economic Development presided over the event as the master of ceremony. Gov. Healey and Sec. Hao recognized the significant contributions of five community leaders: Lydia Lowe, director of the Chinatown Community Land Trust; Helen Chin Schlichte, co-founder and president emeritus and current board […]

AACA Forum Tells of Gambling’s Perils, Resources

Jodie Nealley has had a tumultuous history with gambling. Her addiction started in 2005 following a work excursion to a casino, Nealley explained late last month at a panel discussion at the Asian American Civic Association on problem gambling. After winning money at a slot machine, Nealley was at a “tipping point.” Gambling was an escape from family and work stress. She was gambling online and in person. Feeling devoid of responsibilities and pressures, she explained that this dopamine effect […]

Editorial: How Free Speech Gets Canceled

“Many people feel that when they hear views that they deeply disagree with, that’s threatening to them. That’s not how universities operate. You are not entitled to feel intellectually safe. You are entitled to be physically safe.” That quote is from attorney and former Brandeis University president, Frederick M. Lawrence, as he spoke to Democracy Now! recently about the military-like response we’ve been watching at universities nationwide. Actual threats should be protected against, said Lawrence, but police in riot gear […]

Mental Health Among Immigrants, Minorities Often Gets Overlooked

National Minority Health Awareness Month was in April, bringing awareness to the challenges immigrants and people of color in the U.S. face when seeking access to health care. But what’s less often discussed is mental health support. Psychologists, researchers, and governmental institutions are increasingly calling attention to the mental health of immigrants, asylum seekers, and refugees, as studies and statistics have shown that they experience extreme stress, consistent vulnerability, and life-long health consequences due to the inability to receive psychological […]

Opinion: Beware TikTok Medicine

Americans are increasingly turning to the internet for health advice. A 2022 study by CharityRx found that 65% of Americans use Google to get answers to health questions before they consult doctors. Around 20% try TikTok first, with the numbers higher for millennials and Gen-Z. As the demand for information grows, so does the supply of online “health influencers” ready to peddle products, supplements, and questionable treatments. According to the CharityRx study, 37% of Americans seek advice from online health […]

Rats in Boston: A Rising Concern and the Push for a New Pest Control Office

As Boston grapples with a surging rat population, officials and residents alike are increasingly concerned about the ramifications of this persistent problem. The city, renowned for its rich history and cultural significance, now faces a less savory challenge that could affect its public image and quality of life. Rats are not just a nuisance but a costly hazard as they get into homes, vehicles and elsewhere. In response to the escalating problem, Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn is advocating for […]

404 Not Found

404 Not Found


nginx/1.18.0 (Ubuntu)