Christina Yuna Le is a poet from Asia who published her first novel, Songs and Stories of the Asian American Experience.
She is a member of AAPI Artist Collective as well as an educator at University of California, Los Angeles. The inspiration for her poem “Assamad Nash” was the artist’s experience living in New York City as a Japanese American. The piece was featured on “Yuna’s Corner,” her blog.
Christina Yuna Le poem’ Assamad Nah
Christina Yuna Lee died in New York City’s apartment after being attacked by a suspect with a criminal history. Her family has been calling for the city to do more.
Nash’s criminal record included numerous arrests including robberies, and attacks on Asians. Seven times he was arrested in the last five year. He was last reported to have been living in a homeless men’s shelter at The Bowery.
Police claim that Nash had stabbed Lee at least forty times. He tried to flee on the fire escape but was stopped. After brief negotiations with the police, he was brought back inside.
The authorities stated that Lee was located on the sixth floor at a walkup apartment. A neighbour heard screaming and screams, and dialled 911. Also, she heard an unidentified voice asking for her help.
A female voice said that the police needed to move out of an apartment. Finally, they gained entry to the apartment. The found Nash hidden under a mattress. He was bleeding and had cuts on his hands and torso.
Investigators were able to identify Nash as the attacker. He was later arrested.
Christina Yuna Le Memorial exhibition
The Eli Klein Gallery is honoring Christina Yuna Lee with a group show in the wake her untimely passing in February. It is an exhibition celebrating Lee’s work and life, organized by stephanie méi huang.
Lee has included an original painting and a gold embossed joss-paper huang. An altar is also featured. It’s all in memory of the 35-year-old artist.
The exhibition was conceived in collaboration with the Lee family. Angela Lee, the director of the gallery, said her goal was to provide a platform for Lee’s art.
Huang, who was the curator of the exhibition, chose carefully the pieces. She wanted to give the impression of an event to honor Lee and her achievements in the art world.
The large sculpture is one of the highlights of the exhibit. Titled “August 4-6,” the piece is an intricately crafted sculpture that appears to be a hollow, partly-burnt candle.
Another impressive item is the gun-shaped sculptures by South Korean artist Haena Yoo. These paper guns are made of newspapers that feature anti-Asian violence. These paper guns are a play on Chinese custom of giving cigarettes as goodwill gestures to other people.
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Christina Yuna Le Representation of AAPI
In the recent years, there has been a lot of progress in the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. They have also been hit hard by the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. While mass incarceration has been the subject of much attention, there is still a significant threat from xenophobia.
The number of hate crimes against Asian Americans rose significantly in the first half of this decade. Stop AAPI Hate was notified of over 5,700 hate crimes. This figure is far higher than those of other ethnicities who are subject to racism.
Nevertheless the rising incidence of anti-Asian aggression has had a negative impact on the mental health in AAPI communities. Surveys show that women are the victims of two thirds of all attacks.
In the face of this reality, a group of New Jersey residents are working to raise awareness and address safety concerns for their community.
Another group of New Yorkers is using the medium of art to shine a light on the subject of diversity. An exhibition featuring artwork from Asian-American women is being held.
They are made of newspaper articles and then folded into guns-shaped sculptures. All the artists identify as Asian-Pacific Islander women.
Christina Yuna Lee is also honored in the group exhibit. She was a Korean-American creative producer who dedicated her life to inclusive art.
