November 22, 2024 | Vol. 53, Issue 22

The only bilingual Chinese-English Newspaper in New England

Top News

Filipino Nurses Share Their Struggle of Working in U.S.

Ofelia Solem is the president of the New England Chapter of the Philippine Nurses Association of America and works for a major hospital in Boston. But not so long ago, she was a frantic caretaker – working per diem in a nursing home, while also working at a long-term acute care hospital in Roxbury. To make more money to send home to the Philippines, she faced long hours, a heavy workload and emotional exhaustion. As a recent immigrant from the […]

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 […]

‘Book of Mountain and Seas’ Opera Tells Magical, Timely Tale

In three magical opera performances, “The Book of Mountain and Seas” at Boston’s Emerson Paramount Center transported packed audiences of theatergoers to another time and place. The 12-member Ars Nova Copenhagen choir, six puppeteers, and two percussionists worked together during the 75-minute-long shows to bring Chinese creation myths to life in an awe-inspiring way. In what is the final show of the Arts Emerson 2023/2024 season, “The Book of Mountain and Seas” breathed life into the ancient tales with its […]

Discover India Events Series Is ‘Taking Shape’

For artist Swati Athale, creating a picture can be as simple as drawing the shapes we all know, such as circles or squares. This is true, she says, even for traditional, intricate Indian works, such as the Warli tribal paintings and well-known Madhubani paintings. “They are more simple and each painting has similarity, relying on the geometry,” Athale, a professional graphic designer, who was trained at the Massachusetts College of Art and Design and in fine arts at Nagpur University […]

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 […]

50 Years After the War: The 1975 Vietnamese Diaspora Commemoration Seeks to Heal

The VietAID Community Center in Dorchester on April 20 hosted the “Intergenerational Cultural Commemoration Event” to mark Black April and look toward healing trauma and creating a cultural and generational bridge for the old and young. The event was led by the 1975 Vietnamese Diaspora Commemoration Initiative, which is creating the “1975: A Vietnamese Diaspora Healing Memorial.” Sampan was there. Black April is viewed as a critical moment in the Vietnamese diaspora and coincides with the fall of Saigon. Since […]

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 […]

‘We Who Produce Pearls’ Fills in What the History Books Left Out Sampan Talks With Author, Artist About Asian Americans’ Shared Story, Resistance and Healing

The quality of a picture book depends on the compatibility of two major elements: the words and the images. How well do the images communicate with the text? Are the images competing with the text, or is there an ideal symbiotic relationship between the two? In “We Who Produce Pearls: An Anthem for Asian America,” the written reflections of Joanna Ho find a perfect balance with the vivid and colorful wall-mural style men, women, children, and beasts from Amanda Phingbodhipakkiya’s […]

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