Dear 285 South friends,
Our community is growing. In the last week, we’ve had many more people join 285 South as newsletter subscribers - welcome and wonderful to have you here!
You’ve just subscribed to be a part of a community of folks who are invested in seeing an increasingly diverse Georgia, thrive. 285 South is the only publication in metro Atlanta where you’ll learn about under-reported issues impacting diverse immigrant communities, events and resources around town, inspiring people and businesses to support, and receive news roundups like these. (Know someone who may want to subscribe? Send them this link.)
That’s my plug :)
Ok, let’s get started.
News:
After a train accident in Duluth, family launches fundraiser for support: Chunyan Xu has launched a fundraiser and is asking community members to help cover funeral costs and living expenses for her family after the death of her husband, 39 year old Guangyun Jin. Jin died one week ago when his SUV got stuck at the train stop on Peachtree Street in Duluth. Read more about it here. And info about the fundraiser here.
Find out if your employer owes you money: If you missed work for a COVID-related reason in 2020 you may be eligible for back pay from your employer. Check out this explainer on the Employee Paid Sick Leave Act, compiled by the brilliant Sonam Vashi of Canopy Atlanta, or this Twitter thread in Spanish from Sur Legal. And read 285 South’s story - “It’s money they’re entitled to…and it’s worth fighting for” about how many Georgia residents may be eligible for this money, but don’t know much about it or how to get it.
The Black immigrant population in ATL has grown by 165% in the last decade, and that’s had an impact on immigrant rights work: For Women’s History Month, 285 South’s intern Ayoko Kodjovi spoke to Lovette Kargbo Thompson of the Black Alliance for Just Immigration (BAJI) to learn more about her work to support Black immigrants in the South. Read Ayoko’s piece here.
Lovette Kargbo Thompson, Atlanta organizer for the Black Alliance for Just Immigration (BAJI) Photo Credit: BAJI
Water spinach no longer banned in Georgia: Did you know the import of water spinach was banned in Georgia up until 2 weeks ago? Water spinach isn’t actually in the spinach vegetable family, but it is a healthy green, and is a common side dish in cuisine across Asia. “We eat it a lot because it’s cheaper. You know, anybody can grow it and eat it,” Thy Duong, owner of the Cambodian restaurant Bowl of Flames told NPR in a recent interview. “But once you plant it, it spreads. It grows everywhere.”
That’s why it’s been considered a “plant pest” in Georgia, and in most states around the country. But now, thanks in part to years of petitioning by customers of the Asian grocery store, City Farmers’s Market, the Georgia Department of Agriculture has agreed to allow the import and sale of water spinach. Now, water spinach can be sold and consumed here without fear! I’ve called and emailed the GA Department of Agriculture for an official list of where you can expect water spinach to be available - and I’ll update you once they’ve responded.
Shortages of items at Korean grocery stores: Speaking of food, you might have noticed a shortage of sweets in metro Atlanta’s Korean grocery stores. Atlanta K reports that “Korean sweets coming to LA from Korea are imported using container ships, but imports are being delayed due to a surge in container costs.” Read the full article in Atlanta K here.
And finally, Indian mangos available in U.S. after a 2 year pause: Yes, that’s right. You can put in an order for Indian mangoes now, and they’ll arrive at your door in the next few weeks. Last summer I was sniffing around metro Atlanta for South Asian mangoes and learned that there had been a freeze on imports because of the pandemic. I’m hoping this development is a sign that the worst of the pandemic is behind us.
The famous Indian Alphonso mangoes. Now available in the U.S. - here's the link to buy a box (very expensive!). Photo Credit: Getty Images
You can order a box of mangoes from Fresh Mangoes, by clicking here. The Fresh Mangoes associate I spoke to suggested buying a mixed box of mangoes (not all alphonso), because it’s more likely the mangoes will stay fresh in the shipping process. But this pitch for mangoes comes with a warning - a box of 12 mangoes could cost you between $60 and $80. I KNOW. (Maybe we should start a 285 South mango fundraiser and use the money to throw a mango party?).
Ok, I’m hungry!
Until next time,
Sophia
