We might wear a mask to fit in, to fulfill someone else’s expectations, or to navigate a white-centric world. For Shin Yu, the mask was real. It was a white plaster mold of her face that hung on her in-laws’ wall, a reminder of all the “saving face” she has done trying to fit in. Last year, she decided to ask for the mask back. This is a personal interview with Shin Yu about learning how to let down the mask, while embracing vulnerability and our true selves. 



Ten Thousand Thingsis produced by KUOW in Seattle. Our host, writer, and creator is Shin Yu Pai. Whitney Henry-Lester produced this episode. Jim Gates is our editor. Tomo Nakayama wrote our theme music. Additional music in this episode by Wild Pony.

And of course, we don't exist without listeners like you. Support Ten Thousand Things by donating to KUOW.

We might wear a mask to fit in, to fulfill someone else’s expectations, or to navigate a white-centric world. For Shin Yu, the mask was real. It was a white plaster mold of her face that hung on her in-laws’ wall, a reminder of all the “saving face” she has done trying to fit in. Last year, she decided to ask for the mask back. This is a personal interview with Shin Yu about learning how to let down the mask, while embracing vulnerability and our true selves. 
 
<a href="https://www.kuow.org/podcasts/bluesuit">Ten Thousand Things</a> is produced by KUOW in Seattle. Our host, writer, and creator is<a href="https://shinyupai.com/"> Shin Yu Pai</a>.<a href="https://kuow.org/authors/whitney-henry-lester"> Whitney Henry-Lester</a> produced this episode.<a href="https://www.kuow.org/authors/jim-gates"> Jim Gates</a> is our editor.<a href="https://www.tomonakayama.com/"> Tomo Nakayama</a> wrote our theme music. Additional music in this episode by Wild Pony.
And of course, we don't exist without listeners like you. Support Ten Thousand Things by<a href="https://www.kuow.org/donate/tenthousandthings"> donating to KUOW</a>.

An award-winning podcast about modern-day artifacts of Asian American life, hosted by poet and museologist Shin Yu Pai.

Ten Thousand Things with Shin Yu Pai

Mask

This is an episode from a podcast called Inheriting from our friends at LAist Studios and the NPR Network. Hosted by NPR's Emily Kwong. Inheriting is a show about Asian American and Pacific Islander families, exploring how a single event can ripple through generations.

Bảo Trương’s parents both fled Vietnam in 1975 following the war. His father Thuận was a pilot for the South Vietnamese Air Force and left the day before the Fall of Saigon, evacuating almost 100 people to Thailand on a plane. Thuận has now been settled in the U.S. for decades, but he still writes songs mourning the Vietnam of his childhood – a country that, to him, no longer exists because it is still under a communist government. On the flipside, his son Bảo wants to live in the Vietnam of today, a yearning his father doesn’t understand. In this episode, the father and son sit down for a frank conversation about the country they both long for, in different ways. 

This is an episode from a podcast called <a href="https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510380/inheriting">Inheriting</a> from our friends at LAist Studios and the NPR Network. Hosted by NPR's Emily Kwong. Inheriting is a show about Asian American and Pacific Islander families, exploring how a single event can ripple through generations.
Bảo Trương’s parents both fled Vietnam in 1975 following the war. His father Thuận was a pilot for the South Vietnamese Air Force and left the day before the Fall of Saigon, evacuating almost 100 people to Thailand on a plane. Thuận has now been settled in the U.S. for decades, but he still writes songs mourning the Vietnam of his childhood – a country that, to him, no longer exists because it is still under a communist government. On the flipside, his son Bảo wants to live in the Vietnam of today, a yearning his father doesn’t understand. In this episode, the father and son sit down for a frank conversation about the country they both long for, in different ways.

Inheriting (Special Episode)

The E. Kong Yick building houses the only pan-Asian Pacific American community-based museum in the country, The Wing Luke Museum. And it’s an anchor in Seattle’s Chinatown-International District. The Wing began in an old mechanic’s garage, exhibiting old folk-art relics from Asia. This episode tells the story of how The Wing transformed from a traditional museum into a BIPOC-owned building, community, and movement … and how people responded when it was threatened. 

***

This episode of Ten Thousand Things is about the Wing Luke Museum in Seattle. It was recorded before 26 members of its 52-person staff walked out on May 22nd, in protest of a new exhibition entitled “Confronting Hate Together.” 

Staff returned May 29and leadership continues to work to resolve the dispute. As of June 18, the museum is operating with limited hours. 

As you’re about to hear, The Wing is a beloved Seattle institution that has been no stranger to turmoil and disruption. Regardless, its strong relationship to the community has allowed it to grow and thrive.

If you want to learn more:
Wing Luke exhibit shows how Black, Asian, and Jewish Seattleites confront hate together
With 'heart, sensitivity, and delicacy,' Wing Luke Museum plans to re-open after staff walkout
Seattle’s Wing Luke Museum closed after staff say exhibit 'frames Palestinian liberation' as antisemitism

Ten Thousand Thingsis produced by KUOW in Seattle. Our host, writer, and creator is Shin Yu Pai. Whitney Henry-Lester produced this episode. Jim Gates is our editor. Tomo Nakayama wrote our theme music. Additional music in this episode by Ben Noble, Christopher Wohrle, From Somewhere Quiet.

And of course, we don't exist without listeners like you. Support Ten Thousand Things by donating to KUOW.

The E. Kong Yick building houses the only pan-Asian Pacific American community-based museum in the country, The Wing Luke Museum. And it’s an anchor in Seattle’s Chinatown-International District. The Wing began in an old mechanic’s garage, exhibiting old folk-art relics from Asia. This episode tells the story of how The Wing transformed from a traditional museum into a BIPOC-owned building, community, and movement … and how people responded when it was threatened. 
***
This episode of Ten Thousand Things is about the Wing Luke Museum in Seattle. It was recorded before 26 members of its 52-person staff walked out on May 22nd, in protest of a new exhibition entitled “Confronting Hate Together.” 
Staff returned May 29 and leadership continues to work to resolve the dispute. As of June 18, the museum is operating with limited hours. 
As you’re about to hear, The Wing is a beloved Seattle institution that has been no stranger to turmoil and disruption. Regardless, its strong relationship to the community has allowed it to grow and thrive.
If you want to learn more:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/wing-luke-showcases-how-black-asian-and-jewish-seattleites-confront-hate-together">Wing Luke exhibit shows how Black, Asian, and Jewish Seattleites confront hate together</a> </li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/with-heart-sensitivity-and-delicacy-wing-luke-muse">With 'heart, sensitivity, and delicacy,' Wing Luke Museum plans to re-open after staff walkout</a> </li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/seattle-wing-luke-museum-closed-staff-exhibit-palestinian-liberation-antisemitism-Israel-Gaza">Seattle’s Wing Luke Museum closed after staff say exhibit 'frames Palestinian liberation' as antisemitism</a> </li>
</ul>
<a href="https://www.kuow.org/podcasts/bluesuit">Ten Thousand Things</a> is produced by KUOW in Seattle. Our host, writer, and creator is<a href="https://shinyupai.com/"> Shin Yu Pai</a>.<a href="https://kuow.org/authors/whitney-henry-lester"> Whitney Henry-Lester</a> produced this episode.<a href="https://www.kuow.org/authors/jim-gates"> Jim Gates</a> is our editor.<a href="https://www.tomonakayama.com/"> Tomo Nakayama</a> wrote our theme music. Additional music in this episode by Ben Noble, Christopher Wohrle, From Somewhere Quiet.
And of course, we don't exist without listeners like you. Support Ten Thousand Things by<a href="https://www.kuow.org/donate/tenthousandthings"> donating to KUOW</a>.

East Kong Yick Building

Some trees are just special. One tree in Seattle’s Chinatown-International District has reached legendary status. The loquat tree is an artifact of the Engs, a pioneer Chinese-American family who planted the fruit seed in their front yard. The tree has thrived for over 60 years, nourishing the family and the community. Now, it stands as a legacy tree in the C-ID, accessible to a new generation and the tree’s arboreal descendants grow all over the city, forming their own non-human diaspora.



Ten Thousand Thingsis produced by KUOW in Seattle. Our host, writer, and creator is Shin Yu Pai. Whitney Henry-Lester produced this episode. Jim Gates is our editor. Tomo Nakayama wrote our theme music. Additional music in this episode by Ben Noble, Christopher Wohrle, From Somewhere Quiet.

And of course, we don't exist without listeners like you. Support Ten Thousand Things by donating to KUOW.

Some trees are just special. One tree in Seattle’s Chinatown-International District has reached legendary status. The loquat tree is an artifact of the Engs, a pioneer Chinese-American family who planted the fruit seed in their front yard. The tree has thrived for over 60 years, nourishing the family and the community. Now, it stands as a legacy tree in the C-ID, accessible to a new generation and the tree’s arboreal descendants grow all over the city, forming their own non-human diaspora.
 
<a href="https://www.kuow.org/podcasts/bluesuit">Ten Thousand Things</a> is produced by KUOW in Seattle. Our host, writer, and creator is<a href="https://shinyupai.com/"> Shin Yu Pai</a>.<a href="https://kuow.org/authors/whitney-henry-lester"> Whitney Henry-Lester</a> produced this episode.<a href="https://www.kuow.org/authors/jim-gates"> Jim Gates</a> is our editor.<a href="https://www.tomonakayama.com/"> Tomo Nakayama</a> wrote our theme music. Additional music in this episode by Ben Noble, Christopher Wohrle, From Somewhere Quiet.
And of course, we don't exist without listeners like you. Support Ten Thousand Things by<a href="https://www.kuow.org/donate/tenthousandthings"> donating to KUOW</a>.

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