Happy Lunar New Year from The Kultura
It's the Year of the Rabbit: reflect, manifest, and honor.
It’s time: dancing and music, flurries of food and mooncakes, and red envelopes. It’s an important celebration, not just to the Chinese community, but to the Asian-American and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) as over 2 billion people across East and Southeast Asia celebrate this holiday. It’s when families travel and reunite and come together, share food and stories and joy, to take the time to reflect and find peace for the coming year, and manifest a long life, wealth, and good luck.
For this Lunar New Year, I wanted to reflect on the accomplishments and memorable moments of Asian-Americans since this past year we’ve made history, seen people make impact, and empowered the community.
Michelle Yeoh told the Golden Globes to “shut up” for interrupting her speech
Michelle Yeoh won a Golden Globe for Best Actress for her role as Evelyn Wang from Everything, Everywhere, All at Once, becoming the first Malaysian actress to win the award. It was truly a historic moment for Michelle, who waited 40 years for the recognition she deserved for the lifetime of work and contributions in international and Hollywood films. During her emotional and empowering speech, where she honoured the Asian-American actors who paved the way for other Asian-American actors and highlighted the issue of ageism women in the industry face, she was cut off by the exit music. But that didn’t stop her from continuing.
“Shut up, please.” She said, “I can beat you up, ok. And I’m serious".” Before laughing and continuing.
The clip became viral and it was a profound moment for Asian-American women - an Asian woman, stereotypically known to stay quiet and smile, telling the Golden Globes to shut up? A boss bitch move.
R’Bonney Gabriel is the first Filipina-American woman to win Miss Universe as Miss USA
A historic win for representation and diversity for the Fil-Am community as R’Bonney Gabriel graces that stage and the Miss Universe crown as the first ever Filipina Miss USA. Although her Miss USA win was clouded with some controversies over accusations that it was rigged in her favor, she still sashays in her own self-designed gowns unbothered and ready to changed the world, one crown at a time.
Steven Raga becomes first Filipino-American to hold office in New York State
In a historic race for the seat of Assembly District 30 (a district representing Astoria, Corona, East Elmhurst, Jackson Heights, Long Island City, Sunnyside, and Woodside and home to many Asian, Southeast Asian, and Pacific Islander immigrants and Americans), Democratic candidate became the first Filipino-American to hold a seat in New York State politics. Previously, he was the Chief-of-Staff for Brian Barnwell, the incumbent politician, as well as did non-profit and advocacy work for grassroots such as Woodside on the Move, National Federation of Filipino American Associations, and Pilipino American Unity for Progress (UniPro).
The Tragic and Senseless Act of Gun Violence in a Lunar New Year celebration in Monterey Park, CA.
On Saturday night, 10 people were tragically murdered by a man who opened fire in a Chinese-owned ballroom in east Los Angeles, where Asian-American families were celebrating. Monterey Park has a high population of Asian-American families, home to Asian-owned businesses, restaurants, and supermarkets. Whether or not this was a hate crime is still at large, but it certainly reverberated fear and trauma from the anti-Asian rhetoric that skyrocketed over the pandemic.
This story is currently in development.
Upcoming Lunar New Year events and festivities in New York!
Welcome to Chinatown: Lunar New Year Fair
When: 1/28 - 1/29
Where: East Broadway Mall in Chinatown, 10002
What: Asian-American owned businesses and eateries (including one of my Pinoy Highlights, Filipino-owned Butterboy Baking Co.!), workshops, scavenger hunts, and more. RSVP for more updates and info.
This is Home: Free exhibition
When: 1/21 - 2/26
Where: 137-35 Northern Blvd, Queens, NY 11354
What: A free photographic exhibition by 3 Asian photographers/artists that tell an intimate visual story on the lives of Asian-Americans in New York City.
25th Annual Chinatown Lunar New Year Parade
When: 2/12
Where: Chinatown/Lower East Side, New York
What: Colourful parade comprising of giant floats, live music, beauty queens and performances, marching bands, and lion and dragon dances.
Do you have any events you know worth sharing? Let us know!