Year of the Ram: Chinese New Year Feature (Feature) Washington Journal: Is War Good for Asian Pacific Americans? (in National News) Cheu Steps Down as Executive Director of LGBT Center (in Bay Area News) U.S. Opens Door to Shanghai Club (in Sports) Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend (in A&E) Emil Amok: Internment? No, Harrassment is Enough (in Opinion)

‘Gung Hay Fat Choy’ and Happy Black History Month, too

Yes, we have been reveling in the joys of Lunar New Year for a week now — firecrackers, pomelos, lion dancers and more. In fact, this issue has a full 40 pages dedicated to traditions, mythology, party ideas, history and tips to make your final weekend of Chinese New Year a blast. Celebrations like Chinese New Year (or the Indian Diwali, Pakistani Eid or Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival) are an important part of our lives as Asian Pacific Americans. These are the times to proudly proclaim our cultures and traditions in this country. Many of us, especially those of us who grew up in the Midwest, remember when cultural celebrations were small, held in makeshift gathering places. Meanwhile, in San Francisco, nearly one million people will come out to see the Chinese New Year Parade. So, this year, wherever you may be celebrating, take a moment to feel proud to be a part of the APA heritage.

But don’t let Chinese New Year make you forget the other significance of this month: Black History Month. After spending the first couple of weeks engrossed in Chinese American history and traditions, be sure to tap into local Black History Month events. In San Francisco, you could check out an exploration of discoveries by African American scientists at the Exploratorium on Saturday, Feb. 15 or the Black Independent Film Fest at the Koret Auditorium in the Main Library on Saturday, Feb. 22.

Take time this month to investigate the many connections between our communities, both the positivity and the complexity. Look up the lives of Yuri Kochiyama, Richard Aoki and Grace Lee Boggs — APA activists who got their start with Malcolm X, the Black Panthers and marching in Alabama. As APAs continue to struggle today for civil rights (in this issue alone, we report on hate crimes, a politician who believes Japanese Americans should have been interned and the FBI intimidation of activists), remember that our community has always learned a great deal from and worked hand-in-hand with the African American community. Working across broad coalitions is the only way to continue this struggle today.