Asian American Town

Our existence in the United States has always been political. Politics impact us whether we are visible immigrants, able to blend in, or the descendant of immigrants and all the identities we hold. Even one injury can put us in a different class that comes with brand new challenges.

When things happen to us or those in our communities it is easy to feel powerless and the ways we can mobilize are not enough but every action is absolutely important.

It is also critical we think both think about immediate action and the foundation for a more just future. That starts with local elections. In particular for judge positions.

After taking time to get to know Joanna Perini-Abbot I am confident that they understand the power and responsibility of the role. They will not succumb to politics and can hold a steady line as different politicians attempt to undermine the spirit of the law and things that make this country great.

Please pay attention to this election and everything else on the ballot this month.

This is going to be one transformative year! Happy Chinese & Lunar New Year, Seollal, Tết, and any way you choose to celebrate I hope you do so in community.

Even though our own activations are on pause it is always incredible to see how the local to the Portland, Oregon Metro Asian communities consistently come together to celebrate. Here are a few of the many events you can check out.

I have been proactively watching and participating in the local Portland, Oregon Asian American community since 2020 and the ways different people have showed up was both beautiful and disappointing at times. If you are building your brand off of Asian identity and community I implore you to take responsibility for the same community now to do what you can to keep people safe.

has made a resource guide at their website and will need funds to keep up with those in need.

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Since 2020 I have seen us reinvest back into Asian owned businesses and cultural enterprises to the point we have basically built our own economy attracting others to provide new pathways for Asian entrepreneurs to flourish.

I also saw many grassroots groups form and come together to address gaps that never had enough momentum to be filled.

The spotlight shown on Asian stories in media and professionals got seen in ways like never before an actors career was revived due to languishing during less forward thinking eras.

However, I also saw lot of organizations naming harm to people in the community while throwing their own donation buttons up instead of providing ways to directly support individuals and businesses harmed or direct action and mutual aid or chase after causes to sell their wares or self promote.

I also have seen a lot sell our own communities out or access to cultural for a leg up and have in many ways become tools of systemic oppression. I truly believed that last year cashing in culture finally supplanted the beauty I was seeing in the mostly relationship based activity I was seeing. That part is not gone but overshadowed. It was why closing the chapter on some projects for a while feels right. We need something else now.

It becomes more pronounced how things have changed now when we see big name Asian Americans and brands partnering with corporations contributing to harm in sharp contrast to the people using their platforms to continue advocating for Asians in the US.

Unfortunately, it looks like the fact that Asian business owners are being strategically targeted was happening and confirmed in one of the articles below did not become common knowledge until it impacted someone we know which makes sense considering the cascading challenges our communities are currently facing.

This is a good reminder of just how fast a burglary can happen and vulnerable your valuables are even when you do everything right. Most importantly they lost valuable documents.

We of course love having good news to spread and don’t want to be a click bait type of platform but we were asked to share this to help other people take steps to protect themselves if they can. Please share to amplify awareness around this issue.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-or/pr/seven-charged-multi-state-burglary-ring-targeting-asian-business-owners

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/14/world/asia/asian-immigrants-burglaries.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share