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Page 8 n THE ASIAN REPORTER SPORTS / U.S.A. February 4, 2019 Senator Kamala Harris says the powerful seek to divide America By Juana Summers The Associated Press O AKLAND, Calif. — Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris said those in power are trying to turn people against each other, which she says is “not our America.” Harris, a first-term U.S. senator from California who recently announced her candidacy, rallied supporters outside City Hall in Oakland, her hometown and where she served as a prosecutor before becoming the state attorney general. The event was the formal kickoff for her campaign. “We are here because the American Dream and our American democracy are under attack and on the line like never before,” she said. “And we are here at this moment in time because we must answer a fundamental question: Who are we? Who are we as Americans? So, let’s answer that question to the world and each other right here and right now. America, we are better than this.” Harris also said that racism, sexism, anti-Semitism, homophobia, and trans- phobia are real in the U.S. “They are age-old forms of hate with new fuel. And we need to speak that truth so we can deal with it,” she said. Harris cast herself as the kind of leader who can unify the country and would fight for the needs of all Americans. “I’m running for president because I love my country. I’m running to be a president by the people. Of the people. For all the people,” she said and echoed the words she Naomi Osaka wins Australian Open for second major, top ranking Continued from page 7 in the hand by an intruder at her home in the Czech Republic a little more than two years ago. Kvitova needed surgery, missed the first 4 1/2 months of the 2017 season, including the Australian Open, and couldn’t be sure she’d ever get back to the top of tennis. “You’ve been through so much,” Osaka told Kvitova during the trophy ceremony. “I’m really honored to have played you in the final of a Grand Slam.” On a somewhat cloudy, rather comforta- ble evening, with only a slight breeze and the temperature around 75º Fahrenheit, both women hit the ball as hard as can be. Exchanges were mostly at the baseline and filled with flat, powerful groundstrokes that barely cleared the net and made retrieving and replying as much about reflexes as anything. Here’s one measure of how even it was: Each finished with 33 winners. Points were swift and blunt; of 86 in the first set, only four lasted nine strokes or more. There was plenty of strong serving, clean hitting, and good movement. It was Osaka who was the first to get ahead, tearing through the tiebreaker by grabbing five points in a row — four via winners — to go up 5-1. When Kvitova sailed a backhand wide moments later, ceding a set for the first time all tournament, Osaka pumped her fist and screamed, “Come on!” How pivotal was that moment? Kvitova had won her last 22 Grand Slam matches after winning the first set. Osaka, meanwhile, entered the day having won 59 matches anywhere after going up by a set. When Osaka broke to lead 3-2 in the second set, and then got to 5-3, the outcome seemed to be a foregone conclusion. Turned out, that wasn’t the case. Not at all. All that really matters, of course, is that Osaka righted herself in time to win. “It didn’t really take that long,” she said. “I didn’t have a choice.” has used in courtrooms and has adopted as her campaign’s slogan: “My whole life, I’ve only had one client: The people.” The daughter of immigrants from Jamaica and India, Harris entered the race on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Campaign aides say she has drawn inspiration from Shirley Chisholm, who in 1972 became the first black woman to run for president from a major party. If Harris were to win the White House, she would be the first African-American woman and first person of Asian descent to be president. Her first news conference as a candidate was on the campus of Howard University, the historically black college in the nation’s capital that she attended as an undergraduate. Later she was in South Carolina speaking to members of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, of which she is a member. Harris’ campaign is expected to high- light her career as a prosecutor as part of her rationale for seeking the presidency. Harris was the first black woman elected district attorney in California, as well as the first woman, first African American, and first Asian American to hold that job. Some of her tenure as attorney general, particularly relating to criminal justice, has come under early scrutiny. Harris is among the first major Demo- crats to jump into what is expected to be a FEARLESS FIGHTER. Democratic senator Kamala Harris of California waves to the crowd while formally launching her presidential campaign at a rally in her hometown of Oakland, California. (AP Photo/ Tony Avelar) crowded 2020 presidential contest. Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey has entered the race. Senators Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Kirsten Gil- librand of New York have set up explora- tory committees. Former Maryland representative John Delaney and Julian Castro, federal housing chief under President Barack Obama and a former San Antonio mayor, are also in the race. Senators Sherrod Brown of Ohio, Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, and Bernie Sanders of Vermont may also run. In her Oakland speech, Harris said she sees this year as an “inflection point” in American history and that she is best positioned to unite a divided country. “Even though we have powerful forces trying to sow hate and division, the truth is that, as Americans, we have much more in common than what separates us,” according to her prepared remarks. After the rally, Harris made her first trip to Iowa as a presidential candidate. In the weeks before last November’s elections, Harris travelled to the leadoff caucus state to campaign on behalf of Democrats, and also visited other early-voting states. The campaign will be based in Baltimore and led by Juan Rodriguez, who managed her 2016 senate campaign. Aides say a second office will be located in Oakland. Malaysia defiant despite being stripped of Paralympic event KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Malaysia’s government has remained defiant despite losing the right to host the World Para Swimming Championships after it banned Israelis from competing in the event, a qualifying competition for the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics. Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad was unapologetic. “We stand by our principle, which is that Israel is a criminal nation. It has been breaking international law without anybody saying anything,” he said. “We have a right to voice our feelings and to have our own policies.” Sports minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman said Malaysia will not compromise on its decision “on the ground of humanity and compassion for the Palestinian plight.” The ban prompted the International Paralympic Committee to withdraw Malaysia’s hosting rights. The event involves about 70 countries and was to be staged July 29 through August 4. In January, the government said no Israeli delegates can enter Malaysia for sporting or other events in solidarity with the Palestinians. A mainly Muslim country, Malaysia is a strong supporter of the Palestinian cause and does not have diplomatic relations with Israel. REALISTIC ROLE. An NBC “Superstore” panel is held during the NBCUniversal TCA Winter Press Tour in Pasadena, California. Pictured from front row left are executive producer Justin Spitzer, Ben Feldman, America Ferrera, Mark McKinney, and from back row left, Colton Dunn, Lauren Ash, Nico Santos, and Nichole Bloom. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP) “Superstore” actor relishes true-to-life gay Filipino role PASADENA, Calif. (AP) — For Nico Santos, the role he plays on NBC’s sitcom “Superstore” is personal. “I never thought in a million years I’d be involved in a project that celebrated the fullness of my identity of being queer and Asian,” Santos told a TV critics’ meeting. He also appreciates the comedy’s focus on what his character, Mateo, has faced after learning that he’s an immigrant in the country illegally. “I certainly know a lot of members of my community who are undocumented, and that’s so relevant right now. I’ve gotten so many messages from everybody. People stop me wherever I go who are ... just really appreciative of the fact that we’ve tackled the issue, because they themselves are undocumented or a family member or a loved one is undocumented.” Santos, who played Oliver in Crazy Rich Asians, said he’s grateful the comedy is portraying the character with “dignity and respect.” Colton Dunn, who plays Garrett in the series set in a big-box store, said Mateo is important to the show. Dunn and his castmates, including America Ferrera, took part in a panel promoting the show’s midseason return in March. “A lot of times, the narrative of un- documented workers and undocumented people is that they are criminals,” Dunn said. “That’s a narrative that’s put out there. And the other side is, ‘No, they are not.’ It’s great to have an actual example of a character who is really just living through this time out here. All he’s trying to do is be a floor supervisor at a superstore.” FREE HOME REPAIRS FOR PORTLAND SENIOR & DISABLED HOMEOWNERS Have a safe and prosperous Year of the Pig!! February 5, 2019 to January 24, 2020 TALKING STORY IN ASIAN AMERICA Plumbing Electrical Carpentry Call (503) 501-5719 or visit https://reachcdc.org Portland Housing Bureau Interpretation services available n Polo Polo’s “Talking Story” column will return soon.