Kent Lee

Vietnamese refugees arrive at Camp Pendleton in 1975. (San Diego History Center)

Opinion: 50 years later, why the fall of Saigon resonates in San Diego

April 29, 2025 at 6:24 a.m.

This April, known as Black April in the Vietnamese American community, marks 50 years since the fall of Saigon — the day South Vietnam’s capital fell to communist forces on...

Kent Lee with family during a Lunar New Year celebration.

Uplifting, diverse Lunar New Year celebrations generate comion and understanding

January 21, 2023 at 1:23 a.m.

Lee is a new San Diego City Council member representing District 6. He lives in Mira Mesa.Sunday officially marks the beginning of the Lunar New Year. Celebrated by over 2...

A woman prays on the first day of the Lunar New Year of the Ox outside the Thien Hau Temple, temporarily closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, in the Chinatown neighborhood of Los Angeles, California on February 12, 2021. - Los Angeles is home to one of the largest Asian-American communites in the United States but high Covid-19 infection rates have led to cancelled events and curtailed gatherings. (Photo by Frederic J. BROWN / AFP) (Photo by FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images)

A year into the pandemic, Asian Pacific Islanders still face racism and xenophobia. It must end.

February 13, 2021 at 2:29 a.m.

Lee is the co-chair of the San Diego Asian Pacific Islander (API) Coalition and executive director of Pacific Arts Movement (presenter of the San Diego Asian Film Festival), and lives...

Opening Night 2019 San Diego Asian Film Festival at Conrad Prebys Concert Hall.

Pac Arts proudly shares stories from the Asian Pacific Islander community. We’re not stopping now.

April 28, 2020 at 1:27 a.m.

Just over 11 weeks ago, the world was celebrating the historic Oscar wins of the film “Parasite” and heralding the rare but welcome Hollywood spotlight on Asian cinema. The surreal...

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