nwasianweekly.com
Feb. 11, 2006

Ones to watch in 2006

Used to be that the only times you could find Asian Americans in mainstream daily newspapers was in articles about the Lunar New Year or Chinese restaurants, or when there was a major crime, like a murder or robbery. We’re not exaggerating; 20 years ago, the mainstream press’ coverage of Asian Americans and the Asian community was pathetically lacking and incomplete.

Today, Asian Americans are poised to be among the top newsmakers of 2006. Whether nationally or locally, in sports or technology, politics or the arts, Asian Americans are at the forefront of some of the most interesting developments of contemporary society. We are among the leaders, innovators and newsmakers of America and the world.

Keep your eyes on these people. Don’t be surprised to learn more about them as 2006 progresses.

In the local political scene, we’re keeping our eyes on newly elected officials Lloyd Hara and Cindy Ryu. Both made big promises during their 2005 campaigns to represent the “people’s interests,” so we are interested in how they fare in their first year in office. Hara is already falling under extra scrutiny, given the Port’s financial problems and his campaign platform to make the Port more fiscally responsible. The Port must also make itself more competitive in the global economy. Ryu, for her part, must learn to work with a Shoreline council that she has criticized often in the past.

Also be on the lookout for Sharon Maeda and Stella Chao, the Asian American women who came oh-so close to being appointed to the Seattle City Council earlier this month. Both have expressed an interest in running in the future. They may be spending the next year feeling out their chances.

In the technology world, everyone is waiting to see what the highly regarded former Microsoft vice president Kai-Fu Lee will do as president of the new Google China. With the lawsuit between Microsoft and Google settled, Lee has tremendous opportunities ahead of him to expand the Google empire into a nation thirsty for technology and advancement.

Who says Asian Americans aren’t good at sports? Ice skater Michelle Kwan and speed skaters Apolo Ohno and Hyo-Jung Kim will go for the gold at the Olympics in Turin, Italy, this month. We’ll be sure to root for Kwan, who after all these years still hasn’t won her first Olympic gold. Pittsburgh Steeler Hines Ward, who is part Korean, deserves applause for winning the MVP award at last week’s Super Bowl, as does Troy Polamalu, the Samoan Steeler whose agility, speed and intelligence made him a threat to all his opponents throughout the season. And don’t forget Michelle Wie, the teenage golfing phenom who’s made it her goal to beat the men of the PGA.

In arts and entertainment, 2006 already seems to be the breakout year for director Ang Lee and actress Sandra Oh. Lee is the hands-down favorite to win the best-directing Oscar for his gay-cowboy romance “Brokeback Mountain.” Oh, coming off a successful 2004 with rave reviews for her role in the film “Sideways,” has won even more praise for her work in the ABC drama “Grey’s Anatomy,” for which she won the Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild awards. It seems the sky’s the limit for these two.

In the national scene, U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao is expected to take the spotlight to address such issues as employment in the aftermath of hurricanes Katrina and Rita, America’s labor needs in the 21^st century and what the education system must do to prepare students for the workforce of the future. John Yoo, a conservative scholar at the University of California, Berkeley, and former Justice Department lawyer, has written a book that justifies the Bush administration’s treatment of terror suspects and other wartime actions. As the political debates heat up even more, Yoo could become an important voice in the dialogue.

In law and global business, look for Gary Locke and David Tang to make waves. Locke, who joined the firm Davis Wright Tremaine after eight years in the governor’s mansion, is a partner in the China and governmental relations practice groups. Locke’s expertise and clout in China could make him a big player in U.S.-China affairs. Tang, a partner at Preston Gates & Ellis, recently began his chairmanship of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, where he will have an important say in the formulation of U.S. monetary policy. He also leads the group in charge of monitoring the Asian economies.

Seattle Public Schools Superintendent Raj Manhas will no doubt be a focus in 2006, what with a contract set to expire next year and the return possibility of school closures due to budget constraints.

Get ready to see and hear more about these folks as the year progresses. Don’t be surprised to see them share front-page space with perpetual newsmakers George W. Bush, Bill Gates, Oprah Winfrey, Christine Gregoire and Brad Pitt.

“2006: The Year of the Asian American” has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it?

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