Let's celebrate Fred Korematsu Day with a Google Doodle

Sign 18 Million Rising's petition asking Google to honor a civil rights hero.

Fred Korematsu Day honors the life and legacy of Japanese American civil rights hero Fred Korematsu, who, at 23-years-old, stood up against racism and discrimination and refused to be injustly incarcerated by the United States government during World War II. It's the first day in U.S. history named after an Asian American.

This Friday, January 30, people across the country will honoring Fred Korematsu on the fifth annual Korematsu Day. Hopefully, there will be schoolkids getting classroom lessons about Mr. Korematsu and the importance of preserving civil liberties. But wouldn't be great if more people knew about his story?

That's where Google might be able to help. Our friends at 18 Million Rising are leading the charge to request that Google dedicate Friday's "Doodle" to Fred Korematsu:

This family's homemade music video about healthy eating is the lovably dorkiest thing ever

"I LIKE GREEN SHAKES AND I CANNOT LIE."



All right, this is both lovably awesome and pretty much the dorkiest thing I've ever seen.

Meet the Ha family. You could say they are passionate about plant-based diets. So passionate, in fact that Benjamin, Nina, Ashley and Benjamin Jr. -- aka Flexitarian MD, Superha, and The Little Ha Dogs -- put together a super-silly and informative homemade music video parody about healthy eating, to the tune of "Anaconda" and "Baby Got Back." It takes a very special kind of dedication to vegetables to pull this off.

Take a look:

Man killed while trying to protect mother from armed robber

Community rallies to help the family of 33-year-old Da Cong Wu



Some tragic news out of San Francisco, where a community is mourning a family man who was killed while trying to protect his mother from an armed robber. Police are asking for the public's help finding the killer.

Robber Kills San Francisco Man Trying To Protect His Mother

33-year-old Da Cong Wu, a husband and father of two, was visiting a friend in San Francisco's Visitacion Valley neighborhood last Tuesday when a robber "stuck a gun in his mother's face." He hurried his mother into his car and tried to drive away, but the robber fired into the car and shot him seven times.

He was declared dead at the scene.

Documentary 'To Be Takei' available for digital download

Angry Asian Man readers get a special discount off the deluxe digital edition.



The feature documentary To Be Takei is a fun and insightful look at the life and career of celebrated actor, activist and internet personality George Takei. Or, as I like to call him, Uncle George.

If you missed To Be Takei in theaters or have not yet seen it on DVD, it's now available as a direct digital download. Want a discount on the download? I've got you covered. Scroll down for a promo code.

The film, directed by Jennifer M. Kroot, chronicles Takei's seven-decade journey from a World War II internment camp, to the helm of the starship Enterprise, to the daily news feeds of five million Facebook fans. Join George and his husband Brad on this star's playful and profound trek for life, liberty, and love.

Here's the trailer:

Anti-Islam bus ads are being awesomely defaced by Ms. Marvel

Marvel Comics' Kamala Khan battles bad guys and bus banner bigotry in San Francisco



Oh hell yes. This is awesome. In San Francisco, someone has been defacing a series of Islamophobic bus banner ads with images of Marvel Comics' teenage Muslim superhero Ms. Marvel.

Racist, Anti-Islamic San Francisco Bus Ads Have Been Awesomely Defaced With Kamala Khan

The "advertisements," paid for by an organization called the American Freedom Defense Initiative, have been plastered on the sides of several Muni buses with slogans likening Muslims to the Nazis.

Enter some badass, artistically-inclined citizens who took it upon themselves to modify these ridiculous ads with a call to stop the hate, starring superpowered Pakistani American comic book hero Kamala Khan, who battles bad guys (and now, bus banner bigotry) as Ms. Marvel.

Who wants to see a white guy as the King of Siam?

Dallas Summer Musicals' 'The King and I' casts white actor in the role of King Mongkut.



[UPDATE: Dallas Summer Musicals has responded to the casting outcry. See below.]

Yet another theater production is accused of rocking the yellowface. Dallas Summer Musicals' upcoming production of The King and I is drawing criticism for casting a Caucasian actor in the role of King Mongkut.

Dallas Summer Musicals' THE KING AND I Casting Causes Controversy

Rodgers and Hammerstein's popular musical tells the story of Anna Leonowens, a British schoolteacher who is hired as a live-in governess to the children of King Mongkut of Siam in the early 1860s. Despite their many differences, Anna and the King eventually grow to understand and respect one another.

In case you were wondering, the king of Siam was not a white guy.

Chloe Kim is the X Games' youngest gold medalist ever

14-year-old snowboarder beats seven-time gold medalist Kelly Clark.



Dude. DUDE. In case you didn't know, Chloe Kim is the future. Over the weekend in Aspen, the 14-year-old snowboarding phenom made history by becoming the youngest gold medalist ever at the Winter X Games.

Chloe Kim wins Winter X Games halfpipe at age 14

Chloe won the gold in the women's snowboard superpipe on Saturday night, scoring 92 points in her third and final run and pushing seven-time Winter X Games gold medalist Kelly Clark -- arguably the greatest women's snowboarder of all time -- to silver. Two-time Olympic medalist Torah Bright was third.

Consider that Chloe, who won silver in the event last year, was born in 2000 and wasn't old enough to compete last year in the Sochi Olympics. Everybody, get ready. This kid is just getting started.

Here's video of Chloe's gold medal-winning run:

Read These Blogs

How to eat pork, drink booze and be a 'good' Muslim: My pals Taz Ahmed and Zahra Noorbakhsh recently launched a fun, informative and timely podcast entitled "Good Muslim/Bad Muslim."

* * *
Is "Fresh off the Boat" a network sitcom or the rawest, realest TV show about Asian Americans ever? Yes: From Eddie Huang's conflicted feelings about the show, journalists asking about authenticity and chopsticks, and nervously excited Asian Americans, Jeff Yang writes about all the buzz leading up to the series premiere of Fresh Off the Boat.

* * *
The State of the Union and the Invisibility of Pacific Islanders: A new demographic report released by EPIC (Empowering Pacific Islander Communities) and Asian Americans Advancing Justice, highlights the need to disaggregate data on Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders from the broader "AAPI" umbrella.

* * *
Sikh Captain America: The Man Behind the Shield: In 2013, cartoonist Vishavjit Singh put on a Captain America costume for the first time and walked the streets of New York City. The short documentary Red, White, and Beard is about the man behind Sikh Captain America.

* * *
Kindred: Jenna Ushkowitz and Sam Futerman recently launched a blog in support of their non-profit organization Kindred, which provides support and services for adoptees and their families.

* * *


'Train to Crystal City' Tells A Secret Story Of WWII Internments: Jan Jarboe Russell's The Train to Crystal City reveals FDR's secret prisoner exchange program, in which the U.S. detained and traded Japanese, German, and Italian Americans for prisoners of war abroad.

* * *
How L.A. Became A Powerhouse for Chinese Food: Clarissa Wei is a part of the network of food writers and bloggers who help legendary L.A. Times critic Jonathan Gold uncover the city's most under-the-radar restaurants. Here, she unlocks the reasons behind SoCal's Chinese food dominance—and why Flushing and other Chinese enclaves won't be catching up anytime soon.

* * *
Why Cal State Long Beach officials are lobbying support for Cambodian students: According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 13 percent of Cambodian Americans in Los Angeles County have a bachelor's degree or higher. CSULB and Cambodian American students are interested in changing that.

* * *
Plan seeks diversity at SoCal theater companies - but some question it: A group of LA theater leaders have devised a plan to diversify Southern California theater companies, calling for 51% of those employed by companies to be people of color, women, or those younger than 35.

* * *
Roy Choi Reveals Next LocoL Will Open in Watts: Chef Roy Choi has announced that the first Los Angeles location for LocoL, his new fast food concept, will be located in Watts and is set to open later this year.

* * *


Sundance 2015 Preview: A Banner Year for Asian American filmmakers?: The folks from YOMYOMF are in Park City, Utah attending this year's Sundance Film Festival. Here's a list of some Asian American and Pacific Islander indie filmmakers whose work will be this week at the festival.

* * *
Ken Jeong of 'Community' comes to Sundance with drama 'Advantageous': Ken Jeong produced and acts in his first dramatic role in Jennifer Phang's indie sci-fi feature Advantageous, which makes its world premiere this week at the Sundance Film Festival.

* * *
The Secret Behind Mindy Kaling's Success Is Incredible: Mindy Kaling dropped some knowledge over the weekend at the Sundance Film Festival's Power of Story: Serious Ladies panel.

* * *
From YouTube to Victorious: Bing Chen Is a New-Media Mogul: Last year, 'Forbes' named him one of its "30 Under 30 Who Are Changing the World." At the time, he had a high-level position focused on creator development at YouTube. Now 28-year-old entrepreneur Bing Chen is starting fresh with his mobile media company, Victorious.

* * *
Watch Chinese Viral Sensation "Mini Bruce Lee": A video of a Chinese toddler, dressed in the iconic yellow Game of Death jumpsuit and busting out some serious moves like Bruce, has gone viral.

This Week's Angriest Posts

Not necessarily the angriest, just the most viewed.



1. Sorry, that Maroon 5 music video is fake.
Turns out, the band did not crash anybody's wedding. Those weren't even real weddings.

2. Tech entrepreneur Minh Nguyen charged with murder
Plaxo co-founder allegedly shot and killed his ex-wife's husband in domestic dispute

3. Watch some clips and get ready for 'Fresh Off The Boat'
Asian American family comedy premieres February 10 on ABC.

4. Comedian Alingon Mitra performs on 'Conan'
"People say figure skating is the gayest sport but I think it's football."

5. Maybe Bobby Jindal shouldn't do State of the Union commentary
"Your welcome."

6. Woman arrested for vandalizing Buddhist temple
Trang Thu Pham was caught on camera throwing bottles at Buddha statues.

7. Truck crash scatters ramen packages all over highway
Let us remember this day as the Tragic North Carolina Ramen Spill of 2015.

8. Superfan's selfie video captures crazy joy of Seahawks' win
Watch Norbert Caoili's reaction to Seattle's dramatic come-from-behind championship victory.

9. May this video inspire you to fight for someone's honor
The climactic hand drum scene from 'The Karate Kid Part II'... on a ten-hour loop.

10. Angry Reader of the Week: Scott Kurashige
"Model minority ideology will keep biting us in the ass until we demolish it for good."

Stay Angry, my friends.

Angry Reader of the Week: Scott Kurashige

"Model minority ideology will keep biting us in the ass until we demolish it for good."


Greetings! Once again, it's time for everyone 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 Scott Kurashige.

'Sisterhood of Night' is a modern take on the Salem witch trials

Freestyle Releasing has picked up distribution rights to Caeryn Waechter's mystery thriller.



Some interesting movie news... Freestyle Releasing has picked up distribution rights for the mystery thriller The Sisterhood of Night, directed by Caryn Waechter and written by Marilyn Fu, and described as a modern take on the Salem witch trials centered on a group of teenage girls in a small New York town.

Kal Penn Thriller 'The Sisterhood of Night' Picked Up By Freestyle (Exclusive)

In the film, adapted from a short story by Steven Millhauser, a quiet suburban town becomes the backdrop for a modern-day Salem witch trial when a teenage girl says she's the victim of a secret network called The Sisterhood of Night. The cast includes Kal Penn, Georgie Henley, Laura Fraser and Kara Hayward.

Fund This: Starry Kitchen needs your help!

"#SaveOurBalls ..and our Restaurant!"



If you're in Los Angeles, and you've had the pleasure of sampling the food by our friends at Starry Kitchen, you know that it's damn good. The restaurant, which first started as a totally illegal bootleg pop-up inside a North Hollywood apartment, went legit a couple of years ago, and after cookin' up lots of balls -- their famous crispy tofu balls -- they're taking things to the next level. And they're turning to Kickstarter for help.

Watch this silly and entertaining video for more information:

'Gifted Student' by Adam WarRock

Adam WarRock makes indie hip hop about pop culture, and his latest album kicks ass.



Our friend Eugene Ahn, who makes kickass, super-fun geeky hip hop as emcee Adam WarRock, just dropped a new album. The eight-track EP Gifted Student, produced by Mikal kHill with guest vocals by kHill, Sulfur and Mega Ran, is some seriously good shit -- some of the best rapping he's ever done.

And come on, you can't beat that vintage album cover photo, courtesy of Eugene's mom.

Take a listen:

Doug Jung co-writing 'Star Trek 3' with Simon Pegg

I'm just hoping Sulu gets more screen time this time around.



Some more interesting news on Star Trek 3... The next installment of the hit sci-fi movie series has a pair of screenwriters. Doug Jung is co-writing the script with Simon Pegg. (I know, most outlets have been reporting this co-write relationship the other way around, but you know how we do.)

Simon Pegg Co-Writing 'Star Trek 3' With Doug Jung

Simon Pegg, who plays Scotty in the revamped Star Trek franchise, will pull double duty as screenwriter along with Doug Jung, whose previous credits include Cinemax's Banshee, HBO's Big Love and creator/executive producer of the TNT cop drama Dark Blue. He made his feature screenwriting debut on 2003's Confidence.

Celebrate AAPI Filmmakers at Sundance & Slamdance

Asian Pacific Filmmakers Reception, Sunday January 25 in Park City



If you are one of the bundled up cinephiles making the snowy trek to Park City, Utah for the 2015 Sundance Film Festival, you might be interested to know that there is some serious AAPI representation in the programming this year, at both Sundance and the rival upstart festival Slamdance.

Whether you're a filmmaker or film supporter, come help celebrate at the 11th Annual Asian Pacific Filmmakers Reception, happening Sunday, January 25 at Club 301 - The Funn Networks Space in Park City.

Here are some more details about the reception:

Apply to TACL's 2015 Political Internship Program

Eight-week summer program in Washington DC for Taiwanese American student leaders.



Calling all Taiwanese American young leaders! Taiwanese American Citizens League invites you to apply for its 2015 Political Internship Program in Washington DC. Since 1992, the eight-week summer program has placed college students in the offices of elected officials to give them a hands-on experience in the political process. In addition, interns advocate for issues that impact the Taiwanese American and AAPI communities.

Here are some more details:

'In Tokens & Charms' by Prateek Kuhad

Debut full-length studio album from Indian singer/songwriter.



I recently got turned on to the music of Delhi-based multi-lingual indie singer/songwriter Prateek Kuhad, who makes wonderfully warm and soulful folksy pop rock. He just released his debut full-length studio album In Tokens & Charms, and it's pretty darn marvelous. The ten-track album is a thoughtful, inviting conversation about youth, love and liberation. You're gonna love it.

Here's a preview of the whole album:

Nearly $1 million in pot seized in South Carolina traffic stop

Ken Choi Huang and Hue Chung Khee were busted with 167.9 pounds of high-grade marijuana.



Asians behaving badly... million-dollar marijuana bust edition! Last week in South Carolina, two men from Colorado were busted with nearly $1 million worth of weed during a traffic stop.

Ken Choi Huang and Hue Chung Khee were traveling on I-85 in a van when they were pulled over by a sheriff's deputy in Gaffney, purportedly because the vehicle was failing to stay in its own lane.

The deputy reportedly detected the smell of marijuana, and upon searching the van, found boxes and garbage bags full of packages of high-grade marijuana -- 167.9 pounds worth more than $900,000.

Sikh Captain America kicks ass in 'Red, White, and Beard'

Fun short documentary follows the adventures of cartoonist Vishavjit Singh.



Beware, evildoers! A star-spangled superhero walks the streets of New York City, wielding a shield of truth and justice. I'm talking cartoonist Vishavjit Singh, also known by his heroic alter ego Sikh Captain America.

He's the subject of a great new short documentary Red, White, and Beard, which follows Vishavjit and captures people's reactions as he roams around the city dressed as the classic American icon, turban and all.

Watch it here:

Watch some clips and get ready for 'Fresh Off The Boat'

Asian American family comedy premieres February 10 on ABC.



Getting excited about the upcoming premiere of ABC's Fresh Off The Boat? The hype is growing. You may have heard about that awkward/awesome show panel last week at the Television Critics Association's press tour. You'll probably be seeing more uncomfortable conversations like that in the coming weeks. Good.

The new TV comedy, based on the memoir of the same name by chef/food personality Eddie Huang, stars Randall Park, Constance Wu, Hudson Yang, Forrest Wheeler and Ian Chen, as a Taiwanese American family who move from Washington DC to mostly-white suburban Orlando in pursuit of the American dream.

I've seen the first three episodes of Fresh Off The Boat, and I love it. There's never been anything else like it on TV. I can't wait for you everyone else to see it and join in on the conversation. Also, it's just a lot of fun.

Anyway, here are a handful of show clips plucked from YouTube and social media:

Maybe Bobby Jindal shouldn't do State of the Union commentary

"Your welcome."



Before President Obama took the podium to deliver his State of the Union address, Louisiana governor Bobby Jindal hopped on Twitter to publicly denounce and dismiss Obama's speech, offering his version of a summary that absolutely nobody asked for. He even smugly signed it off with "Your welcome."

Um, you mean "you're." Classic.

Truck crash scatters ramen packages all over highway

Let us remember this day as the Tragic North Carolina Ramen Spill of 2015.



Tragedy strikes the roadways of North Carolina! On Wednesday, a tractor-trailer hauling a load of ramen noodles crashed on the southbound I-95 near Rocky Mount when the driver fell asleep behind the wheel.

Ramen noodle truck crash blocks I-95

Thankfully, nobody was hurt. But the truck's trailer ran off the road and hit a bridge support, splitting wide open and scattering thousands of packages of ramen -- various flavors of Maruchan -- all along the highway.

Here are some photos of the devastation:

'Fresh Off The Boat' Screening Party in Washington DC

Presented by DC APA Film & BUL, Tuesday, February 10



For folks in Washington DC who are looking forward to the upcoming premiere of the ABC sitcom Fresh Off The Boat, save the date for a screening party hosted by DC Asian Pacific American Film at DC's first and only Korean-style pojangmacha, BUL. After the viewing, special guests Janelle Wong (UMD), Christian Oh (DC APA Film), and Kat Chow (NPR) will provide insight and comments and lead an engaging audience discussion.

It's happening Wednesday, February 10. Here are some more details:

2015 Youth Leadership Summit, March 26-28

Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC invites students to a three-day leadership program in Washington DC.


Hey, students! Asian Americans Advancing Justice AAJC's Youth Leadership Summit is a three-day leadership development program for college students. The summit provides a unique opportunity for young advocates from across the country to come to Washington DC to network and learn together.

Through interactive workshops and hands-on activities, summit participants will build advocate skills and gain knowledge on policies and civil rights issues affecting AAPI communities. This year's summit will be held March 26-28, with advocate trainings and leadership development workshops focused on racial equity.

Here's some more information about the Youth Leadership Summit:

Red Baraat's 'Gaadi of Truth' is one hell of a jam.

Hear the new record from the Brooklyn-based brass-and-beats band.



Awwwwww yeah. I am seriously digging Gaadi of Truth, the brand-new album that just dropped from Brooklyn-based brass-and-beats band Red Baraat. It is one hell of a jam. With founder and bandleader Sunny Jain rocking the dhol, the new record expands the band's multicultural Bhangra boogie down sound into new directions, with electronic, hip hop and other influences.

Listen to a preview of the album:

13-year-old entrepreneur builds Braille printer with Legos

Shubham Banerjee started a company to develop a low-cost machine to print Braille materials for the blind.



In Silicon Valley, it's never too early to become an entrepreneur. Just ask 13-year-old Shubham Banerjee.

The California eighth-grader has launched a company to develop low-cost machines to print Braille, the tactile writing system for the visually impaired. Tech giant Intel Corp. recently invested in his startup, Braigo Labs.

Shubham built a Braille printer with a Lego robotics kit as a school science fair project last year after he asked his parents a simple question: How do blind people read? "Google it," they told him.

Shubham then did some online research and was shocked to learn that Braille printers, also called embossers, cost at least $2,000 -- too expensive for most blind readers, especially in developing countries.

Read more: Santa Clara teen builds Braille printer with Legos, starts company

Fund This: Super Sikh

Meet turbaned comic book hero Secret Agent Deep Singh.



This is a cool project that could use your support... Super Sikh, by Eileen Alden, Supreet Singh Manchanda and illustrator Amit Tayal, is a kids comic book that follows the adventures of a modern hero in a turban, Secret Agent Deep Singh. In these times, when Sikhs are too often misunderstood, the creators thought it was about time young comic book readers got to see a Sikh superhero. Thus, Super Sikh!

This video's got all the information:

Comedian Alingon Mitra performs on 'Conan'

"People say figure skating is the gayest sport but I think it's football."



Last Comic Standing alum Aligon Mitra was a guest on Conan Monday night with a funny short set joking about, among other things, the Pope, "gay" sports and so-called "first world problems." He says he doesn't know why people complain about first world problems; after all, that's where he lives.

Check it out:

May this video inspire you to fight for someone's honor

The climactic hand drum scene from 'The Karate Kid Part II'... on a ten-hour loop.



The other night, The Karate Kid Part II is on TV again, so of course I'm watching. I've seen like it 800 times. (Longtime readers know I'm a little obsessed with this movie.) But after all these viewings, I still don't quite understand the secret to Miyagi family karate. I've asked the drum, but I haven't unlocked its secret.

I say all this as a dumb prelude to sharing this super-weird video I stumbled across last night. It's a ten-hour-long video created from the climactic hand drum scene from The Karate Kid Part II. That's right. Sato, Yukie and Miyagi rattling those little hand drums on near-endless loop. Well, why not? There's room on the internet for many things.

It's kind of mesmerizing. Play it, watch it, and unlock the secrets of the drum:

Kathy Pham is on Michelle Obama's guest list

Pham, a member of U.S. Digital Service, will be seated in the First Lady's box at the State of the Union.



President Obama will deliver his 2015 State of the Union address tonight at 9:00pm ET. If you're planning on tuning in, keen-eyed viewers might catch a glimpse of Kathy Pham, a computer scientist with a passion for public service, among the guests seated in the First Lady's box during the address.

The 22 guests seated in the box with Michelle Obama, Dr. Jill Biden and Senior Advisor Valerie Jarrett include students, educators, health care officials and recipients, government officials, and a wounded veteran who fought in Afghanistan. The invitees represent some of the key themes of the President's speech.

Ms. Pham is a member of U.S. Digital Service, where she's working to improve health IT for more Americans, expand veterans' access to benefits, and transform how government provides services to families in need.