Clarissa V. Aljentera

Clarissa Valbuena Aljentera works for Ignatian Solidarity Network as the director of Education for Justice.

 

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Woman and young boy hold hands and walk along sidewalk surrounded by trees.

A child's empathy spurs lessons rooted in Catholic social teaching

NCR contributing writer Clarissa V. Aljentera's young son is curious about the unhoused in Chicago. She and her husband try to teach him respect for all humanity, beginning with their neighbors.

People in Philadelphia attend a vigil in solidarity with the Asian American community in 2021. (CNS/Reuters/Rachel Wisniewski)

'Anti-Asian Racism' names the sin of white supremacy in Catholic Church

"I feel that you need to tell the truth, even if it hurts — especially about a group whose experiences of racism and discrimination have been ignored and dismissed," Joseph Cheah said of his new book.

 

People wearing protective masks and face shields light candles after the first of the nine-day novena Masses for Simbang Gabi at the National Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help in Manila, Philippines, Dec. 16, 2020. (CNS/Reuters/Lisa Marie David)

Simbang Gabi is joyous — and a reminder of Filipinos' complex history with Catholicism

Perspective: To be Filipino American Catholic means to wrestle with a complex, oppressive history, knowing your faith sustains you. It also can mean to walk away from practicing a faith that was shared so aggressively.

From left: Simu Liu ("Jung"), Andrea Bang ("Janet"), Paul Sun-Hyung Lee ("Appa"), Jean Yoon ("Umma"), and Andrew Phung ("Kimchee"), the cast of "Kim's Convenience," arrive on the red carpet at the 7th annual Canadian Screen Awards March 31, 2019, in Toron

'Kim's Convenience' and one last 'OK See You' for the fans

Television review: "Kim's Convenience" was a perfect mix of honesty and humor that felt like home when my own was thousands of miles away. The show built a community that will miss it after Season 5, which premiered on Netflix last week.

Women in Atlanta embrace March 19, after laying flowers at a makeshift memorial outside the Gold Spa following the deadly shootings March 16 at three day spas in metro Atlanta. Commentator Clarissa V. Aljentera received texts from friends and family, rela

I'm a Filipina American and racism makes me afraid for me, for my family

Commentary: The work to become anti-racist is difficult, and people are rightfully afraid. But we Asian Americans are scared too — we fear the violence deployed against our women, men and children.

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