Siouxland Magazine - Volume 5 Issue 3

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Siouxland Magazine | Conversing /14 A Celebration of Culture By Peggy La Group photo of Asian Fest’s amazing attendees and volunteers. A celebration of culture, life, and community is something that is both appreciated and necessary in the eyes of those who aren’t always able to showcase what defines them. In the warmth of the June sun and under the always caring eyes of George Sayavong watching from above, the annual Asian Fest blooms and breathes along with the culture celebrated there. George Sayavong, one of the co-founders of Asian Fest, is affectionately referenced as the balance and mediation with the group. Without him, my fellow co-founder, I would’ve given up multiple times due to the difficulty they faced organizing the event. Many people they contacted were hesitant to volunteer for the event, and finding people to perform, cook, and attend became even more daunting. However, George didn’t give up. George had a butterfly effect. Everything he touched, blossomed. With his kind touch, the festival became something to be proud of. The Fest began as an idea that stemmed from my college life in Des Moines, where I volunteered at CelebrAsian. After returning to Siouxland and realizing that the community didn’t have the same type of gathering, I brought the idea up to George. With a broad smile and endless positivity, he said, “Let’s do it!” and the planning began. One of the challenges that presented itself was the layout. How would they find a place where both food and entertainment could be offered at once? Where would the community be able to join together and feel connected? I admit it took some time to figure out exactly how to lay out the festival. It started with separate shelters that offered different aspects of the festival. Still, it was difficult for guests to grasp the entirety of the celebration when they had to travel between two different shelters. The committee and I realized that we bring the festival closer by creating a circle with a single shelter so everyone could enjoy the festivities. While Asian Fest is a day of fun, food, and performance, the ultimate goal is to create an understanding and unity between the Asian and non-Asian communities. As our younger generation becomes Americanized, we typically lose our culture. With the loss of culture and the gap between nationality and traditions, Asian Fest aims to bridge the gap and continue the traditions passed down from generation to generation in various Asian cultures. Siouxland is home to multitudes of Asian ethnicities: Chinese, Vietnamese, Laotian, Indian, and others call Siouxland their home. With the festival, we hope to connect them in a community they can be proud of. The Fest will also reach those who don’t have ties to the Asian community. Pulling them into the festival creates an understanding they might not have seen before and, with the many opportunities to experience the culture, brings them closer to a community they may not know. FREE TO ATTEND Saturday, May 27 | 12 pm to 4 pm Yummi Blox Food Truck Lot 700 West 7th Street Food available for purchase Kids activities Caricatures Family fun event Peggy La, owner of Yummi Blox and Hong Kong Supermarket. Peggy is also the co-founder of the Siouxland Asian Festival, serves on the Commission of Asian and Pacific Islanders for the State of Iowa, is a member of the Inclusive Sioux City Advisory Committee, and board member of Siouxland Public Radio. Photo provided by Peggy La.
Juneteenth What is Juneteenth? By Malia Swaggerty-Morgan Siouxland Magazine | Conversing /15 Juneteenth is a federal holiday celebrating the commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States. It lasts one day, and that special day is June 19th. You may keep reading if your interest has peaked about this amazing day; if not, this is your warning. Now, back to our main topic, back on June 19th, 1865, all slaves in the United States were free. Two and a half years prior to that, Lincoln decided that the emancipation was much needed due to their battlefield loss. You may wonder, “how does the military’s loss affect slaves?” I’d be glad to tell you. Lincoln knew it was time for slaves to fight for their Union. This was because it would push over border states, such as Missouri, right over to the Confederacy. And in case you didn’t get an 8th grade education in American history, a border state or a “slave state” were US states that did not secede from the Union during the Civil War. One hundred and fifty-six years later, President Biden signed into law the Senate Bill making Juneteenth a federal holiday. Which I do think deserves a whoop whoop! The name Juneteenth comes from the two words June and nineteenth. However, Juneteenth has many other names such as Emancipation Day, Second Independence Day, Jubilee Day, and more. Juneteenth is such an important holiday, not only for African Americans, but for the entirety of the United States. After the abolishment of slavery, there was an increase in America’s economy and the labor stock grew. Don’t believe me? Look at Brazil. Brazil hadn’t gotten rid of slavery until the 1880’s and it was worse than America. Overall, Juneteenth is a meaningful holiday with a wonderful background. Malia Swaggerty-Morgan, Freshman at West High School Why Celebrate Juneteenth? By Flora Lee Juneteenth is as much of United States History as George Washington being the first President of the U.S., yet the story of Juneteenth has only recently been a holiday in America. The importance of Juneteenth is not only to celebrate the freedom of enslaved people, but to celebrate the many contributions enslaved, free Black/African Americans have contributed to this country and the world. The invention of the cotton gin, the stop light, ironing boards, food and spices (tasty southern cooking), and the list continues. Black/African American people have been the backbone of this country as well, and due to our ability to march, fight, go to court for civil rights, human rights, education, women rights and the war on poverty, so others are able to benefit from laws and policies supporting equitable rights for all American Citizens. Flora Lee, Community Advocate
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Page 3 and 4: Starting Conversations Podcast with
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Page 7 and 8: Editors Note Siouxland Magazine / 7
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Page 19 and 20: Inclusive Peek - Interview with Mir
Page 21 and 22: in start-ups before, and I knew how
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Page 25 and 26: However, if chocolate isn’t your
Page 27 and 28: take to local events. The experienc
Page 29 and 30: Sioux City Kicks Off 50th Ragbrai S
Page 31 and 32: Experience Downtown By Carly Howrey
Page 33 and 34: Council Connection By Matthew O’K
Page 35 and 36: Siouxland Growth Organization (SGO)
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Page 39 and 40: Which doesn’t mean not feeling it
Page 41 and 42: Neuroplasticity and Resilience The
Page 43 and 44: TCM teaches us many ways to take he
Page 45 and 46: Dare 2B Great By Cody Rininger Summ
Page 47: mindful classroom spaces, we all fe

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