Why Do Asian Americans Remain Largely Unseen in Film and Television
There have been recent gains in Asian American representation in film and television, but Thessaly La Force thinks that Hollywood can do more. Bonus: classic movie casts re-imagined with Asian American actors.
The War Inside 7-Eleven
7-11, the world's largest convenience store chain, has been battling its store owners for years over franchise matters. The company seems to have found a new tool: U.S. immigration authorities.
Jeff Yang and Phil Yu present an unfiltered conversation about what's happening in Asian America.
What's up, podcast listeners? We've got another episode of our podcast They Call Us Bruce. Each week, my good friend, writer/columnist Jeff Yang and I host an unfiltered conversation about what's happening in Asian America, with a strong focus on media, entertainment and popular culture.
On this episode, recorded live at the Harvard Asian American Alumni Alliance Summit, Jeff -- flying solo without me -- talks to Sharmila Sen, author of the book Not Quite Not White: Losing and Finding Race in America.
If Asian Voter Turnout in the Midterm Elections Is Strong, Everything Could Change
"In an election year when we’re constantly being reminded of the importance of voting, Asian-Americans have the chance to fulfill our potential as a 'sleeping political giant.' With our booming population and growing presence in strategic battleground states like Nevada, Arizona, and North Carolina, we stand to make a critical difference across the electoral board."
The false narrative driving the Harvard affirmative action case
"In suggesting that the admit rate for Asian Americans applying to Harvard would increase with the end of affirmative action, Blum is selling a narrative to Asian Americans that is shockingly similar to the one sold by President Trump to white Americans feeling the pinch of their (perceived) declining status."
The Joy Luck Club
You don't see many Asian leads in Western cinema, that's why The Joy Luck Club's all-Asian cast was so radical. Its portrayal of complicated mother-daughter relationships and the immigrant experience spoke to Amy Choi as a child -- and again as a mother.
There’s a secret about Burning that only Steven Yeun knows
Steven Yeun on his approach to creating his fascinating character in Burning, as well as his own experience moving between different mediums, cultures, and languages as an actor and Korean American.
"I am all about staying at home and taking care of my plants."
Hey, folks! You know what time it is. It's time to meet the Angry Reader of the Week, spotlighting you, the very special readers of this website. Over the years, I've been able to connect with a lot of cool folks, and this is a way of showing some appreciation and attention to the people who help make this blog what it is. This week's Angry Reader is Sylvia Kwan.
Our annual gallery of reader-submitted Halloween costume photos.
How was your Halloween? As you put away your pumpkin decor and tumble down from your candy-induced sugar high, let's look at how everybody dressed up. In what has become a really fun and popular tradition, we put the call out to you, the good readers of this blog, for photos of your totally awesome, culturally-appropriate, non-asshole Halloween costumes to feature in our annual gallery. As usual, you answered the call.
Above, we have Alexa as the littlest Cobra Kai. Thank you to everyone who sent in photos! If you'd like to submit one, send yours in and we'll add it to the gallery. Cute kid photos are always super-welcome.
Pop culture costume suggestions from Asian America (and beyond)
It's official: these little kids win Halloween.
Dressed as your favorite characters from the hit movie Crazy Rich Asians -- Araminta, Peik Lin, Rachel and Bernard -- their costumes boast the lethal combination of hilarious, cute and culturally relevant. Posted on Instagram by Jessica Gueco Klein, the photos have even received a social media seal of approval from the stars of the movie themselves, including Awkwafina and Jimmy O. Yang, and director Jon M. Chu.
That's when you know you're having a cultural moment -- when you've inspired a Halloween costume. When I was growing up, aside from a few notable exceptions, Asian American pop culture-inspired costumes were few and far between. I'm not talking about generic ninjas and stuff. But the past couple of years have given way to some pretty great costume-worthy Asian characters and icons.
Each Halloween, we run a reader-submitted costume gallery that has become a popular annual feature. Given the great pop culture options out there, here's a wish list of some of the costumes we'd love to see this year. Some of you creative and resourceful readers have already got it done. Please, send in your awesome, cute, spooky, fun and non-offensive Halloween costume photos (of course, they don't have to be on this list).
Send them in, and some of the photos will be updated here...
My journey as an undocumented immigrant
When Yin Yin Chan was seven, she and her family came to the U.S. from Taiwan and lived as undocumented immigrants -- an experience that has shaped her entire life.
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My Immigrant Life: Why I'm Here and Why I Fight Back
John Yap sees the danger in the proposed rule changes to Public Charge, which would perpetuate the falsehood that immigrants demand and take more than they give back.
Darker Before They Get Brighter
Director Yen Tan on growing up gay in Malaysia, his journey in America, and how it all relates to his poignant AIDS drama 1985.
