Thanksgiving and Chinese Americans: Family, Identity, and Belonging in a Cross‑Cultural Life

— A Collective Footnote to the Question: “Who Are We?” Every Thanksgiving, scenes inside Chinese American households take on a layered quality. At the dinner table, parents try to translate “grateful” into the right shade of Chinese;children explain the meaning of Friendsgiving in fluent English;relatives struggle with the turkey but still insist on adding aContinue reading “Thanksgiving and Chinese Americans: Family, Identity, and Belonging in a Cross‑Cultural Life”

When “Sharing” Meets “Boundaries”: What Toy Stories Reveal About Chinese and American Parenting

A viral social media post recently sparked heated discussion: “American parents teach children to be selfish, while Chinese parents teach them to be generous.” The comment came from a simple observation—whether parents encourage children to share their toys. Yet behind this everyday scene lies something far more profound: two distinct ways of understanding the relationshipContinue reading “When “Sharing” Meets “Boundaries”: What Toy Stories Reveal About Chinese and American Parenting”

When Lights Illuminate the Desert Night — The Asian Lantern Festival Returns to Las Vegas

By Voice in Between As the autumn breeze sweeps across the desert and night slowly settles over the city, the sky above Las Vegas is about to glow once again. On Saturday, October 11, from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., the Asian Lantern Festival will return to the College of Southern Nevada (Charleston Campus), bringingContinue reading “When Lights Illuminate the Desert Night — The Asian Lantern Festival Returns to Las Vegas”

From Chang’e to the Harvest Moon: Where Chinese and American Moon Traditions Meet

Under the same moonlight, we find our shared sense of togetherness The Same Moon, Different Stories Every Mid-Autumn Festival, people look up at the bright moon and think of those far away. For Chinese communities, this sentiment runs deep — from the legend of Chang’e flying to the moon and Wu Gang chopping the laurelContinue reading “From Chang’e to the Harvest Moon: Where Chinese and American Moon Traditions Meet”

Social Security Policy Changes Since 2025: What You Need to Do Right Now

Since former President Donald Trump returned to the White House in 2025, the Social Security Administration (SSA) has rolled out a series of new policies. These changes affect how benefits are paid, how identities are verified, how online accounts are accessed, and how retirement and disability benefits are calculated. Many recipients don’t usually pay attentionContinue reading “Social Security Policy Changes Since 2025: What You Need to Do Right Now”

Claiming U.S. Social Security Benefits in China: A Guide for Retirees and Survivors

Why Does This Matter? Many U.S. citizens choose to retire abroad. For cultural, family, and cost-of-living reasons, China has become a preferred destination for some. At the same time, many Chinese spouses of U.S. citizens may qualify as survivors entitled to Social Security benefits. A practical question arises: Can you still receive U.S. Social SecurityContinue reading “Claiming U.S. Social Security Benefits in China: A Guide for Retirees and Survivors”

Why SSI Benefits May Be Reduced: Understanding In-Kind Support and Maintenance (ISM)

In the United States, Supplemental Security By | Voice in BetweenIncome (SSI) provides important support for many eligible seniors and individuals who need additional assistance. However, some notice their SSI payments are reduced when they live with others or receive free housing and meals. This is due to the rule known as In-Kind Support andContinue reading “Why SSI Benefits May Be Reduced: Understanding In-Kind Support and Maintenance (ISM)”