In many Asian cultures, the tiger symbolizes strength. And a music festival called Tiger Tiger seeks to highlight the creativity and strength of Portland’s Asian American and Pacific Islander community this Sunday night in the city’s Fernhill Park.
Tiger Tiger comes at a time when many Asian American and Pacific Islander communities have been reeling from rising Anti-Asian violence.
A recent report by the Oregon Crime Commission revealed that Anti-Asian crime in the state is up 300% by 2021.
On July 2, a man attacked an Asian family at Portland’s EastBank Esplanade. He was later arrested and released the same day.
News of the report made Portland musician Joe Kye fear his two toddlers.
“It’s easy to think that, because we live in a progressive city like Portland, these kinds of crimes and problems would not arise. Unfortunately, it is a happy example of ignorance,” he said.
Musician Joe Kye hosts a festival celebrating the Asian and Pacific Islander community called Tiger Tiger.
Kye wants to channel his feelings into useful actions. That’s when he came up with the festival and his name.
He partnered with a number of Asian American and Pacific Islander groups, including APANO, the Korean American Coalition, and the Japanese American Citizens League, to take down Tiger Tiger.
“The ultimate goal of hate crime is to push us further to the margins and events like this are a way to really stand strong and brave,” Kye said.
Performers scheduled to appear on the Tiger Tiger stage include June Magnolia, Surija, and Joe Kye himself.
Tiger Tiger will also feature food from vendors including Matta PDX, HeyDay Donuts and Grindwittryz.
Kye said the festival was more than just a response to the recent rise in hate crimes.
“For most people, when they think of AAPI, they will automatically head to American East Asia, as opposed to creating space for Pacific Islands for Native Hawaiians, Southeast Asians, Filipino Americans, all of which have easily been condensed into acronyms. ,” he says.
In the end, Kye hopes that people leave Tiger Tiger with two things: a belly full of good food, and a better appreciation and understanding of the AAPI experience.
“The AAPI experience can’t be filtered in one day,” he said. “There are endless experiences and stories that cover the term. We’re here, Portland.”
