About a half-dozen Asian American Pacific Islander groups made history in Anchorage on Saturday. They held the city’s first AAPI mayoral forum at the Asian Alaskan Cultural Center.
Seven of the ten candidates accepted the invitation. Only three did not attend: Nick Danger, Dustin Darden and Jenny Di Grappa.
First, a little disclosure. As a Japanese American, I was invited to moderate this forum, but the committee that organized this event came up with the format and crafted all of the questions. All I had to do was make the introductions and keep the dialogue going..
Our timekeeper, Saraj Bhattarai, was nervous.
“I’ve never done anything like this before,” said Bhattarai, who, like many at this event, was excited to be a part of this first-of-a kind forum.
(Here’s a link to watch the entire forum. )
Lucy Hansen, a representative of the Samoan community, read the first question in her Samoan language. It was about a minute long and set up to be a “trick” question. After Lucy finished reading her question, I was instructed to go immediately to the first candidate in cue, which was Phil Isley.
“Would you go over the question again? I’m not sure I understood it at all,” Isley said.
Phil Isley was a good sport. I quickly translated the question. It was about the city of Anchorage’s language access policy, which requires city departments to learn how to assist citizens with language barriers.
Forum organizers wanted to spring this moment on the candidates, so they could experience the frustration immigrants feel when they face language barriers.
Bill Popp says he has a plan for implementing the municipality’s language access policy.
“Under my administration, we’d be working hard, first and foremost, to inventory the language skills with the municipal staff to know where they’re located,” Popp said, “and to make sure every department is aware of those individuals, to immediately be able to tap them as a resource.”
Most of the candidates agreed that the program needs work. Chris Tuck said he would like to see an app for bus service translated into different languages. Mayor Bronson said the best way for immigrants to access to government is to learn English but believes the city still needs to offer translation services.
For the most part, the candidates had similar positions on many of the issues, except when they were asked about reports that Asians in Anchorage were targeted by hate crimes during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Candidates Chris Tuck and Suzanne LaFrance said the mayor has a role to play in preventing hate crime.
“Well, it does begin with public education. We need to educate one other,” Tuck said. “We need to share and celebrate our differences — and rather than use it to divide us, really use it to bring us all together.”
Suzanne LaFrance apologized for how Asians were treated.
“Racism, we know, it exists,” she said. “I am truly sorry for those in our community, who experienced that during COVID.”
Breck Craig said he heard first-hand accounts of racism.
“I remember talking to some of my Asian friends, and it was a real problem,” he said.
Mayor Dave Bronson wasn’t sure about whether Asians were the targets of racism during COVID.
“I don’t recall racism as a consequence of COVID. If it happened, I’m happy to be informed,” the Mayor said.
Phil Isley says preventing racism begins with access and posed a question to the audience about their comfort level in approaching city government.
“How many of you have gone down to City Hall,” he said, “and failed to get what you were asking for, because they didn’t understand you?”
Only one hand in the room went up.
The answers did vary widely on the last question: What was each candidate’s favorite Asian food?
“Thai Kitchen in Midtown is pretty dang good,” said Mayor Bronson, who said he also has a love of Japanese food.
“Keema Curry is near and dear to my heart,” Craig said.
“Well, a sushi roll over (at) Ronnie 2 is really, really good,” said Pop, who gave a long list of favorites, as well as Tuck, “My dad is half Mexican and Irish, so I can eat and drink anything.”
“I’m going to go with Bombay Deluxe,” LaFrance chimed in.
Isley said he had just eaten dinner at an Asian restaurant. “I like the Fuka Maru, myself,” he said, adding that he liked the teriyaki.
The whole forum was permeated with the smell of an Asian Pacific Islander potluck prepared for the candidates, so their answers segued nicely to the reception, where you could find Filipino Pancit, Indian Curry Chicken, spicy Thai Papaya Salad and much more.
“I volunteered to make the Filipino Rice Cake,” said Evelyn Abello, one of the organizers of the forum.
Abello said the reception was a chance for voters to not only meet the candidates but also do away with the stereotype that Asians and Pacific Islanders are a silent minority.
“They can mingle, interact, ask questions of the candidates,” she said. “This would be the best opportunity for them to do that.”
Abello hopes the forum will inspire some of the young adults in the audience to run for city office someday, perhaps even for mayor.
“I would love to see that during my lifetime,” she said.
About 70 people attended the forum at Northwood Elementary School, home of the Asian Alaskan Cultural Center. Organizers hope will be the first of many.
The Cultural Center was one of the main hosts for the event. It is made up of eight member countries: China, India, Japan, Korea, Laos, the Philippines, Thailand and Nepal.
Other groups that were involved include: The Polynesian Association of Alaska, the Pacific Community of Alaska, the Alaska Federation of Filipino Americans, the Alaska Chapter of the Filipino American National Historical Society, Rise AAPI Alaska, and Make Us Visible Alaska.
