11/30/2024
The Monthly Outlook
POLITICS
Article 1: What Another Four Years With Trump Means for Us
Written by: Rui Zheng
Researched by: Rui Zheng
Edited by: Jessica Kwok
Gone are the days of Donald Trump openly inciting hate toward Asian Americans. This time around, he courted AAPI voters with promises of law and order and economic turnaround. During his campaign, Trump targeted AAPI specifically with the “Unite for Change” rally in October. Held in Las Vegas, the president-elect continued his inflammatory “China virus” rhetoric around COVID-19, yet gave praise to other crucial Asian voter groups. He was accompanied by Tulsi Gabbard, a former House representative and the next director of national intelligence, and Vivek Ramaswamy, co-chief of the new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The rally was hosted by right-wing group Turning Point USA, whose founder stated that AAPI are “poised to resonate powerfully with President Trump’s message of economic empowerment, law-and-order, safe streets and a return to orderly, sane immigration policies.” And it worked — according to exit polls, although Asian Americans favored Harris, they shifted right by five percentage points. But how will the next four years actually impact the AAPI community?
During his campaign, Trump promised to cut taxes and to implement tariffs on foreign goods, but the economic benefits of these policies are contested. Tax cuts are wildly popular, yet much of the government’s money comes from taxes. Thus, significant cuts could increase our national debt unless government spending is curbed — specifically, toward social programs. SNAP benefits are projected to change, with potentially “$30 billion in cuts over a decade.” Tariffs also sound better in theory — Trump has proposed “a 60% tariff on goods from China — and a tariff of up to 20% on everything else the United States imports.” Although tariffs have the goal of increasing U.S. manufacturing and driving domestic growth, economists have determined that its implementation would result in higher prices for Americans. This is because consumers usually end up footing the bill — when faced with tariffs, companies raise prices to maintain their profit margins. Thus, the price of the Asian skincare and snacks we buy will likely increase significantly in the near future. Food prices are projected to increase as well, and with cuts to SNAP and other social services, many low-income Asian families will be at risk of food insecurity.
What about immigration? During his last presidential term, Trump backed the Reforming American Immigration for a Strong Economy (RAISE) Act, which would have reduced family-based pathways for legal immigration. According to the fact sheet issued by the administration in 2017, the bill would “create a merit-based immigration system that protects our workers, our taxpayers, and our economy” and reward “education, English-language ability, high-paying job offers, past achievements, and entrepreneurial initiative.” Although this sounds ideal, the passage of this bill would have prevented many immigrant families seeking to reunite in the U.S. through family-based pathways from doing so. During this year’s campaign, Trump continued his opposition to illegal immigration, focusing on “migrant crime” and proposing some new policies: mass deportations and the end of birthright citizenship. Sources have stated that illegal Chinese immigrants of military age would be among the first targeted, as they may pose a “national security risk.” However, both policies are likely to receive widespread opposition and legal challenges. Both Democrats and Republicans have objected to mass deportations, as the plan is costly and technically illegal due to Posse Comitatus, which prohibits the military from acting as law enforcement. However, this widely unpopular policy can still be enacted with the proper workarounds.
Article 2: A Step Forward for Māori Rights in New Zealand
Written by: Zoe Ng
Researched by: Zoe Ng
Edited By: Selina Chen
WELLINGTON, New Zealand — A viral video featuring 22-year-old New Zealand politician Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke has captured widespread attention on the internet. In a dramatic act of protest, Maipi-Clarke stood up against the parliament and tore up a copy of the controversial Indigenous Treaty Principles Bill. Her act of defiance sparked a powerful display of unity, as she was joined by other Members of Parliament and spectators in the gallery to perform the traditional Māori war dance: the haka. The protest not only interrupted a vote on the contentious bill, but also highlighted the deep divisions and strong emotions surrounding its impact on Indigenous rights in New Zealand.
The Māori are the indigenous Polynesian people of mainland New Zealand (Aotearoa). Their ancestors arrived in canoes (waka) between 1250 and 1300 AD, making them the first human settlers of the island. They quickly adapted to the environment, developing a rich culture and shaping a unique identity for themselves.
The arrival of European explorers in the 18th century marked a turning point for the Māori. Colonization, cultural suppression, and the loss of land brought significant challenges and disrupted traditional ways of life for Māori communities. In 1840, an agreement between the British Crown and the Māori chiefs resulted in the Treaty of Waitangi, which aimed to establish British governance while guaranteeing Māori rights to their land, resources and sovereignty. Two versions of the text exist —- one in Māori and the other in English. Discrepancies in the two versions have led to enduring debates about the treaty’s interpretation and its implications. Despite these historical challenges, New Zealand’s Treaty of Waitangi is still considered to be one of the country’s founding documents.
The Treaty Principles Bill was proposed by David Seymour, the leader of New Zealand’s right-wing ACT Party. He sought to redefine the principles of Treaty of Waitangi in law without changing the text, believing that the existing interpretations give the Māori people special treatment. However, the bill is unlikely to pass as politicians and tens of thousands of New Zealanders have publicly opposed the bill’s ideas. Critics say the legislation will divide the country and restrict the treaty’s influence on preserving Māori culture, language and identity. Both indigenous and non-indigenous New Zealanders have come together to join a national march (hikoi) to demonstrate against the bill.
As New Zealand continues to confront their colonial history, the national debate surrounding the Treaty Principles Bill has highlighted tensions over identity and equity. The bill challenges the country’s commitment to upholding partnership, justice and reconciliation with the indigenous people of the land. However, powerful demonstrations by both Māori and non-Māori communities have shown that they will not accept the Treaty Principles Bill without a fight.
Article 3: The Rise of The 4B Movement
Written by: Fatima Gonzalez
Researched by: Fatima Gonzalez
Edited by: Jonathan Zhang
The “4B” movement originated in South Korea, where traditional gender roles often place the burden of childcare and household tasks mainly on women. Named for four Korean words that all begin with the letter “B,” the 4B movement advocates for life without male involvement, represented by the tenets: “Bihon” which means for not marrying men, “Bichulsan” which means not having children, “Bisekseu” which means denying men s*x, and “Biyeonae” which means not dating. The rising cost of living has compelled many women to seek employment while managing these domestic responsibilities. Both factors have been shown to lead to heightened stress and a sense of exhaustion for women. As a result, many began challenging these norms through the 4B movement.
The movement attained significant momentum in 2016 following the murder of a woman near a Seoul subway station by a man who felt wronged by women's perceived ignorance throughout his life. This incident, later referred to as the “Gangnam Station Murder” ignited widespread outrage among young women in South Korea, catalyzing conversations about gender inequality, the pay gap, revenge p**n and digital s*x crimes.
The movement highlights that women can enjoy fulfilling lives without men, and thus promotes self-prioritization as an empowering choice rather than an act of revenge. 4B activists aspire to resist South Korea's patriarchal traditions while fostering a supportive community for women who challenge societal norms. Additionally, issues such as digital s*x crimes and the cultural pressures surrounding beauty standards have galvanized this feminist wave.
Following the 2024 U.S. presidential election, many women in the U.S. have turned to this feminist movement as a form of resistance to perceived regressions in gender equality. The movement’s global appeal has reached new heights, with millions of viral posts promoting the movement as a symbol of empowerment in a time when many women feel increasingly marginalized by political and cultural forces.
CLIMATE
Article 4: Recent Natural Disasters in Asia Show Climate Change Consequences
Written by: Jonathan Zhang, Eason Zhu
Researched by: Jonathan Zhang, Eason Zhu
Edited by: Rui Zheng
MANILA, Philippines — On Nov. 16, a super typhoon hit the Philippines, tearing through several islands. Typhoon Man-yi was one of six major storms to hit the Philippines in the last month and the fourth typhoon in less than two weeks. It left seven people dead and over 700,000 people displaced. In response, the United States has pledged to donate $1 million USD to the Philippines and provide military support toward the relief effort. Although the Philippines is struck by numerous storms each year, the recent surge of storms has left the country in a dire state. The country continues to be one of the most disaster-prone places in the world, with Typhoon Man-yi being one of the strongest storms to have hit the Philippines this year.
NEW DELHI — The devastating disasters occuring in the Philippines are not the only isolated incident occurring in Asia. Just two days later on Nov. 18, the air quality index (AQI) of Delhi reached a peak of 491 out of 500. The Central Pollution Control Board of India (CPCB), a government organization that monitors and controls air and water pollution, defines a AQI of 0-50 a healthy standard and anything above a AQI of 401 as being hazardous to people’s health. Doctors cite patients complaining of respiratory issues, with elders and children vulnerable to more severe symptoms. Air pollution, though common for people, can have dire health consequences: a BCC article from 2022 cited a study which found the air pollution in India can cut life expectancy by 10 years. As a reactionary measure, the Delhi Government halted all construction, in-person schooling, entry of non-essential trucks, and any source of major pollution producers, resulting in a total shut-down of the Delhi economy.
Now this raises a question: who is responsible for all this air pollution? One of the many sources of the smog is a result of farmers burning their fields down as a way to quickly sow seeds for next year. While harmful to the air quality, it is the fastest and cheapest way for farmers to clear their fields.
Pollution has been increasing throughout the past few decades, with the consequences being more and more apparent especially in the face of climate change. While these consequences affect everyone, recent disasters have only revealed how disproportionately climate change affects poorer equatorial countries. Environmentally-friendly practices tend to be more expensive; while farmers are just acting within their means to survive, they are framed as one of the main sources of pollution in India. As more and more people are more focused on the symptoms of the issue than the roots, more and more people will be caught in the impacts of climate change than groups who hold global responsibility.
ENTERTAINMENT
Article 5: HYBE Internal Audit Exposed and Retracts Statements
Written by: Christine Kim
Researched by: Christine Kim
Edited by: Jonathan Zhang
SEOUL, South Korea — On Oct. 24, Democratic Party Member Representative Min Hyungbae disclosed internal HYBE documents during a National Assembly audit conducted by the Culture, Sports, and Tourism Committee of South Korea. HYBE, one of the biggest K-pop conglomerates in the industry, had multiple documents exposed which contained malicious comments made about idols within the industry from other companies and those from their own labels and were seen in the “Weekly Music Industry Reports,”. The documents that were exposed included comments about NewJeans and how some HYBE employees had wanted to dispose of the group, with most of the comments stemming from the ongoing feud between HYBE and the former CEO of ADOR, a subsidiary under HYBE, regarding the management of NewJeans.
The internal documents revealed comments such as those about idols across the industry regarding their appearances. Some comments discussed plastic surgery being “shockingly unattractive.” One leak that was particularly controversial was the discussion of ENHYPEN, a group under Belift Lab, and their performance at KCON LA 2022. The comments targeted ENHYPEN’s Park Sunghoon regarding his visual status and how he appeared “swollen” during the performance. This comment further angered fans who were already concerned regarding the mistreatment of the group by HYBE, where the members were desperately needing rest after having non-stop activities the past year.
The documents also raised attention to many “under the table” acts allegedly being performed by HYBE, such as album bulk-buying and concept plagiarism involving HYBE’s sublabels. Min Hyungbae accused HYBE of trying to inflate their album sales for their groups through selling albums under a “returnable” condition. This condition would allow for the first-week sales of the physical albums to be boosted and for promotional purposes only. HYBE’s chief operating officer and CEO of sublabel Belift Lab, Kim Tae-ho, claimed that these sales only took place twice during the last year and made up a small portion of the total sales. Kim also stated that this was not the label’s decision, but done by lower-level staff instead. There were also concept plagiarism allegations made towards the group ILLIT, also under Belift Lab, for copying NewJeans, under ADOR. Fans have discussed the similarities between the two groups concepts, along with the similarities in music that was being released. The documents showed that HYBE had noticed that there was more attention being given to ILLIT when they were associated with NewJeans and LE SSERAFIM, another group under HYBE. However Kim denied the plagiarism claims and stated that there is a civil and criminal lawsuit pending against ADOR.
As of now HYBE’s CEO, Jason Jaesang Lee, has issued an apology to the artists, industry insiders and fans. In his apology, he reiterated that the documents were never meant for the public eye and that the contents of the documents were highly inappropriate. Lee stated that HYBE had contacted the different K-pop companies individually and apologized for the damage that had been done.
Article 6: NewJeans Sends HYBE Their Ultimatum
Written by: Anderson Li
Researched by: Anderson Li, Kate Sum
Edited by: Kate Sum
SEOUL, South Korea — On Nov. 13, NewJeans, a leading K-pop girl group under the HYBE label ADOR, issued a formal notice to their agency. The notice demanded action on several issues and mentioned the potential termination of their exclusive contracts with ADOR. These issues centered around several allegations of mismanagement including dismissive treatment by HYBE officials, such as disrespectful behavior toward NewJeans member Hanni by a manager from a different label under HYBE, as well as demands for the reinstatement of the former CEO of ADOR, Min Hee-jin. Min was forced to step down from her role as CEO back in August and recently resigned from her position in ADOR.
NewJeans has given HYBE a 14-day ultimatum to resolve these concerns, emphasizing that without significant corrective action, they would find it impossible to reinstate the trust needed to continue their relationship. While no solution has currently been established between the two parties, ADOR has released a statement stating, “We have received the certified letter this morning and are currently reviewing it to understand the specific requests.”
The situation follows a bigger controversy involving Min Hee-jin and her fallout with HYBE. This controversy first started in April, when HYBE accused Min of attempting to take over ADOR from HYBE. The fallout between the two parties included lawsuits, creative disputes and the previously mentioned allegations of misconduct by HYBE with NewJeans continuously voicing their support for Min. This conflict has sparked fears about the group's future, with their final ultimatum potentially marking the end of NewJeans as a group.
11/30/2024 Update: On Nov. 28, NewJeans announced that they were leaving ADOR.
RESOURCES + ORGANIZATIONS
Want to donate or looking for more information?
Asian-American Advocacy Organizations
- Stop AAPI Hate 📚
A national coalition tracking anti-Asian hate, supporting communities, and advocating for policy change
- Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAJC) 📚
California-based advocacy and legal services group dedicated to supporting vulnerable AANHPI
- Asian American Federation (Asian Immigrants in NY) 📚
Supports Asian immigrants with services and resources to promote inclusion and equity for Asian Americans living in NY
Climate Change Organizations
- Clean Air Fund (Indian Smog) 💰
An initiative working in India to combat air pollution through advocacy and funding
- All Hands and Hearts (Philippines Typhoon Relief) 💰
Volunteer-run organization providing disaster relief and rebuilding efforts, including support for communities affected by typhoons in the Philippines
