Dear Subscriber First Name,

For our first newsletter during Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month, we wanted to be celebratory and joyful. But this weekend’s hate-fueled events have us feeling quite the opposite.

On Wednesday, three Korean women were shot at a Koreatown hair salon in Dallas, Texas. On Saturday, 13 people, including 11 Black people, were shot at a supermarket in Buffalo, NY, resulting in 10 dead. On Sunday, a Taiwanese American congregation in Laguna Woods, California were shot during a lunch banquet, resulting in one dead and five injured.

It’s hard to articulate the emotions triggered by these events, especially considering the ongoing, often polarizing debates re: gun control and racism in America. In a recent Instagram post, Minor Feelings author Cathy Park Hong wrote, “to live in this country is to be in constant mourning.” To live in this country is also to wish that we didn’t need to worry about when and where the next shooting might occur. It’s knowing that we deserve to live and navigate our daily lives without fear, and that for BIPOC, this isn’t always an option.

For those with the means, here are some starting points to help out the victims of the Buffalo shooting, and the Taiwanese church shooting. At the time of publishing this issue, we were unable to find a reputable source to support the victims of the Dallas shooting, so if you know of one, please also consider contributing to that cause as well.

May you find support, love, and grounding amongst your communities and within yourself. I hope you are resting as you need, and eating well. This week in particular, many are hurting. Please be kind to yourselves and to each other.

With Love,
Haemee

P.S. - to suggest a theme for an upcoming issue, message us at: newsletter@asianbossgirl.com.

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Referring to one’s work team as a “family” is so common nowadays, but it may not be the healthiest mindset to have. Here’s why a company is not a family, and how companies can still foster connection between their employees.

Our families and the lessons we learned growing up shape us from a young age and well into adulthood. These experiences can influence how we approach work and define success, so it’s no wonder that understanding your family dynamics can improve work.

There are songs grieving the devastating experience of losing a lover, but what about losing friends? Friend breakups can be just as painful, if not more. One writer explores how “The older we get, the more we need our friends—and the harder it is to keep them.”

Girls and women are conditioned from a young age to be apologetic about so much. Work is one sphere where we can actively practice communicating without over-apologizing. Here’s what to say instead of “sorry”.

This pandemic created an environment that led to the Great Resignation, and in parallel, the Great Reflection. During this time, people—especially Gen Z and younger millennials— are “taking stock of what they want out of a job, what they want out of employment, and what they want out of their life.” Read more on why Gen Z does not dream of labor.

In light of Mother’s Day and the spectrum of feelings the day can bring up, Brown Girl Therapy shared 25 Ways to Mother Yourself, “for you, children of immigrant moms, to mother yourself and give onto yourself whatever it is you may need or want in these moments.”

Thinking about the Philippines and its diaspora, who are processing the results from the most recent Philippines election, which marks the return of the Marcoses and Dutertes—two names that represent a painful part of the country’s leadership history.

Reading: Grass by Keum Suk Gendry-Kim - “Grass is a powerful antiwar graphic novel, telling the life story of a Korean girl named Okseon Lee who was forced into sexual slavery for the Japanese Imperial Army during the Second World War”. Thanks to our reader, Claire, for this recommendation!

Watching: Old Enough! on Netflix - this Japanese reality show from the 90’s follows toddlers as they run errands on their own. Each short episode is funny and sweet, and will have you marvel at what a little kid can do with enough confidence, support, and instruction.

Eating: Rou Geng Tong (Taiwanese Meat Soup) - Rou geng tong will warm your soul and fill your belly, just as it warms Mel’s when her mom makes this for her. This version of the recipe was inspired by the blogger, Mrs. Lin’s own mom.

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