2.28.2014

AADP's 7th Annual Laugh For Lives 2014

Friday, March 7 at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco


What's up, San Francisco. On Friday, March 7, the Laugh for Lives comedy show will be happening at the Palace of Fine Arts. Proceeds will benefit the Asian American Donor Program, a non-profit dedicated to increasing the availability of stem cell donors for patients with life threatening diseases. Performers that night include Eli Nicolas, Paul Ogata, Omid Singh, and Tina Kim. Here's a promo for the show:

UCSB Police release sketch of gang rape suspects

Suspects are described as Asian males in their early 20s



UC Santa Barbara police have released sketches of two men believed to have participated in the beating and sexual assault of a female student last Sunday. The suspects are described as Asian men.

Sketches released of suspects in gang rape of UCSB student

Investigators believe there were three suspects involved in the assault, but so far have only been able to get two sketches based on information they received from the victim. The 19-year-old UCSB student was beaten and raped by a group of suspects near campus in Isla Vista last weekend.

Angry Reader of the Week: Evelyn Cheng


Photo: Bo Wang

Good people of the internet! It is my pleasure to introduce you to 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 Evelyn Cheng.

The Diversity Gap in the Academy Awards

You knew it was bad. This infographic shows how bleak it really is.



The 86th Academy Awards, which celebrates excellence in filmmaking, will take place this weekend. It's Hollywood's biggest night! As a movie fan, I used to be avid follower of the Oscars, only to become increasingly disillusioned, year upon year, by the Academy's glaring racial and gender disparities.

The handy infographic above, created by as part of a recently released Diversity Gap study by Lee & Low Books, breaks down the racial and gender representation of the Academy Awards.. I don't think it's going to be a mind-blowing revelation to anyone that Oscar's diversity gap is stunningly awful.

Where's the Diversity, Hollywood? 85 Years of the Academy Awards

You knew it was bad. The numbers show just how bleak it really is. The Producers and Writers branches of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences are both 98% white. Academy voters are 94% white and 77% male. In 85 years, only eight people of color have ever won Oscars in the Best Actress or Best Actor categories. Only one woman has ever won Best Director -- and that was only four years ago.

Lee & Low Books is an award-winning children's book publisher focusing on diversity and stories about everyone, for everyone. To read the rest Diversity Gap study, which includes interviews with independent actors and filmmakers, go here.

Lawsuit seeks removal of 'comfort women' statue

Glendale, California memorial has become a flashpoint for international controversy



There is a battle raging in Glendale, California. The ongoing dispute is over a memorial honoring so-called "comfort women" -- women who were forced into sex slavery by invading Japanese troops during World War II. Last week, a Glendale resident and nonprofit group filed a lawsuit calling for the removal of the statue.

Comfort-women statue dispute continues

The 1,100-pound statue, which sits in Glendale's Central Park, is a memorial for the estimated 80,000 to 200,000 women from Korea, China, Indonesia and other countries who were coerced to work as prostitutes in military brothels against their will. The statue has been a point of international controversy and debate since its installation last July, with multiple delegations of Japanese politicians requesting its removal.

The plaintiffs, Glendale resident Michiko Shiota Gingery and GAHT-US Corp. -- an organization that fights against the recognition of comfort women -- straight up deny that Japan was involved in sexual slavery during World War II. The lawsuit alleges Glendale exceeded its municipal power and infringed on the U.S. Constitution in meddling with foreign affairs by erecting the statue.

Gingery claims she can no longer enjoy Central Park because the statue makes her suffer "feelings of exclusion, discomfort and anger." Sucks for you, Michiko.

2.27.2014

Racist flyers found posted at University of Florida

Some giggling idiot's dog-eating joke



WTF, Florida? Specifically, the University of Florida, where a racist flyer was found posted around campus yesterday. It's basically some giggling idiot's dog-eating joke. Congratulations, you think you're funny. I imagine you squatting in nearby bushes, sadly admiring your handiwork.

Ignorant flyers found on Campus

Who needs social media when you've got good old-fashioned paper-and-ink racism? The flyer, brought to our attention by UF's Asian Pacific Islander American Affairs, was spotted by several students around campus, posted on billboards and the doors of buildings. Calling the phone number gets you a prank line.

2.26.2014

Ignorant sh*t you shouldn't say to an adopted child

Mom creates photo project using the racist comments people have said to her daughters



Quick, name all the thoughtless, insensitive things you can say to an adopted child. Kim Kelley-Wagner's daughters, who were adopted from China, have heard it all over the years, on a daily basis, from the well-intentioned to the downright hateful. In response to the barrage of rude and ignorant comments, Kelley-Wegner created a photo project, starring her daughters, to show the power of these words.

Mom's Photo Series Spotlights Racist Comments Directed at Daughters

The photos series, posted publicly on Facebook and entitled "Things said to or about my adopted daughters," feature 13-year-old Liliana and 7-year-old Meika holding signs bearing actual phrases people have said to them or their mother regarding their adopted identity. The girls actually sat down and made a list of the stupid, inconsiderate and misguided remarks they've endured:

Love Letters to Turbaned Captain America

Guest Post by Vishavjit Singh



A few weeks ago I received a love letter. Not the paramour kind but one with moving affection for my alter-ego. An Afghan war veteran had just discovered my pics from the Captain America in a Turban photoshoot on the streets of New York City. She felt compelled to share her response.

I have been receiving similar letters for months since the pictures went public last September. The overwhelming warm reception has been life affirming for me in turn inspiring What I learned as Captain America in a Turban.

Turbans continue to elicit intense visceral reaction in the American narrative. For many it is still synonymous with the 'other.' I got a rude reminder of this a few days ago as I was about to turn a street corner getting home in New York City.

As I passed a group of high schoolers a voice trailed me, 'Osama.' I turned and asked the young boy, "You think I am Osama?" He denied saying it. I said, at least have the courage to say it on my face. I told them here you are stereotyping me based on my looks. How about if someone responded to their looks with, "Illegals! Go back to your country."

He responded with an apology which I accepted. But not before educating them about where I come from and there being much more to life than meets the eye. He apologized again.

I returned home a little annoyed reminding myself why I had walked out as Captain America on the streets of New York City last summer and even more energized for my artistic endeavors.

In the spirit of Robert Louis Stevenson's words, "Keep your fears to yourself, but share your courage with others," I present to you a sampling of love letters to a Turbaned Captain America from fellow Americans.

Oldboy: The Brutally Honest Bootleg Special Edition DVD

"An unnecessary sub-par remake."



I know a lot of fellow Asian cinema fans hate remakes. To be honest, I find nothing inherently wrong with them. That said, I detested the very notion of a Hollywood remake of Park Chan-wook's Oldboy. I just never saw the point. So I was fairly pleased when Spike Lee's remake stumbled into theaters last fall, was tepidly received, and quietly crawled away. And even better, now we get this freaking incredible bootleg DVD art.

Chinese Bootleg DVD Marketing Needs a Little Work

Oh, I disagree, Slate. If this is indeed a "real" Chinese bootleg DVD of Spike Lee's Oldboy, this brutally honest pull-quote -- seemingly taken from an Amazon customer review -- is right on the money. And I love it. Can somebody get me the bootleg? I don't even want to watch it. I just want this for my collection.

South Dakota House passes racist anti-abortion bill. Because of all the Asians.

NAPAWF calls the sex-selective abortion ban "a wolf in sheep's clothing"


In the heated competition between states over who can pass the shittiest laws... I give you South Dakota, which has created an ugly cocktail of racist, anti-immigrant rhetoric mixed in with anti-choice legislation. Republican legislators are trying to pass an anti-abortion law, arguing it necessary because of the influx of Asian immigrants to the state. Why? Because Asians abort their female children, they say.

GOP Lawmaker: We Need to Ban Sex-Selective Abortions Because of Asian Immigrants

Last week, the South Dakota House voted 60 to 10 to pass HR 1162, a bill that would ban abortions based on the sex of the fetus, or "sex-selective" abortions. Proponents of the bill seem to be leaning hard on the argument that the ban is necessary because of the state's burgeoning populations from parts foreign. Huh?

Because, as state representative Stace Nelson whitemansplained, "the rest of the world does not value the lives of women as much as I value the lives of my daughters." He apparently picked up this wisdom during the many years he spent in Asia as a Marine. Nice try with the faux feminism, Senator.

We call bullshit. The National Asian Pacific American Women's Forum calls the ban nothing more than "a wolf in sheep's clothing," and that sex-selective abortion bans perpetuate negative stereotypes about Asian American women. They've launched an online petition calling on the South Dakota Legislature not to pass HR 1162:

2.25.2014

13th Annual Los Angeles Lantern Festival, March 1

Presented by the Chinese American Museum and El Pueblo Historical Monument


Los Angeles! Join the Chinese American Museum for the 13th Annual Los Angeles Lantern Festival on Saturday, March 1. There will be food and live entertainment from the YouTube comedy duo the Fung Brothers, music from Connie Lim, comedy from our homegirl Jenny Yang, and beats from DJ Phatrick. The event is free. Here's a breakdown of what's happening that day:

Proof that Glenn & Maggie are the hottest couple on TV

If your favorite Walking Dead couple took engagement photos, this is how they would look



Whoooooeeeee! Fans of Glenn and Maggie on The Walking Dead will get a kick out of this. Los Angeles magazine has posted a gorgeous spring fashion spread featuring Steven Yeun and Lauren Cohan, who play your favorite post-apocalyptic couple on AMC's hit zombie drama.

Dapped out in lively florals and subtle pastels, and re-imagined as a hopeful couple before the undead uprising, Glenn and Maggie clean up quite nicely. If the couple took engagement photos (instead of being busy bashing in walker skulls and scavenging for food and supplies to stay alive), this is what they might look like.

Hot. See the rest of the photos here.

Seven selected to run in honor of marathon bombing victim

Runners will race on behalf of Boston University's Lu Lingzi Scholarship Fund



The family of Lu Lingzi, the Boston University graduate student from China who was killed in the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings, has designated seven of its 2014 Boston Marathon invitational entries for members of the BU community, who will run on behalf of the scholarship fund established in Lu's memory.

Runners Selected by Lu Family to Run Boston

Lu, who moved to Boston from China to pursue a Master's degree in statistics, was one of three people killed in the attacks on April 15, 2013. In response to the worldwide outpouring of support, university trustees established the Lu Lingzi Scholarship Fund, which provides financial assistance to BU graduate students.

The Boston Athletic Association, organizers of the Boston Marathon, granted the Lu family 15 invitational entries, which exempt runners from the requirement of meeting the race's strict qualification standards. From 211 applicants, they selected seven runners from the BU community, including three current students from China:

2.24.2014

Kristina Wong's Notes-in-Process: The Wong Street Journal

Wednesday, February 26 at Grand Star Jazz Club



Heads up, Los Angeles. See the awesome Kristina Wong perform/lecture on her work-in-progress, The Wong Street Journal this Wednesday, February 26 at the Grand Star Jazz Club in Chinatown. The year-long process revolves around five weeks she spent in Uganda, mixing personal stories and real facts about life for women in developing nations. Here are some more details

AAJA accepting applications for JCamp 2014

Six-day intensive journalism training for high school students



Attention young journalists! The Asian American Journalists Association is currently accepting applications for JCamp 2014, a six-day intensive journalism training camp for high school students. The all-expenses-paid program brings together students from across the nation to sharpen their journalism skills and work together in a unique learning environment. It's happening July 29 to August 3 at Emerson College in Boston.

Here are some more details about the program:

Kina Grannis teases her new album 'Elements'

Singer/songwriter's latest record drops May 6



Sooooo excited to hear that singer/songwriter Kina Grannis has been hard at work on a new album, Elements, set to hit your earwaves this spring. She recently released this short album teaser, giving us a tiny taste of one of the tracks, "My Dear," plus some footage of her cooking up sounds in the studio. Check it out:

Man charged with murder of 3-year-old adopted son

Prosecutors say Madoc Hyunsu O'Callaghan was beaten to death

Disturbed by this terrible story out of the DC area... In Maryland, a veteran and high-ranking NSA agent is accused of brutally beating his adopted 3-year-old son from South Korea to death.

Montgomery County Man Charged With Murdering 3-Year-Old Adopted Son

36-year-old Brian Patrick O'Callaghan was charged with first-degree murder and child abuse resulting in the death of Madoc Hyunsu O'Callaghan, who was adopted months earlier from Korea. According to authorities, the child suffered a fracture at the base of his skull, bruises to the forehead, bleeding in the brain and other wounds.

O'Callaghan claims that the boy fell and was injured in the shower:

HBO's 'Silicon Valley' is set in the world of tech startups

...so dude, where are all the Asians?



Oh snap! A comedy set in the world of tech startups by Mike Judge, writer/director of Office Space. Count me in. Just watched the trailer for HBO's Silicon Valley, which revolves around quirky characters navigating the high-tech gold rush of Silicon Valley. It's a milieu that's certainly ripe for comedy.

I'm pleased to see one of my favorite comedians Kumail Nanjiani in the cast... but yo, a show set in the Bay Area's tech industry? There should be waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay more Asians on this show. Check it out:

The Return of Arthur Chu, Gangster Gamer of Jeopardy!

In honor of Arthur's return, Jenny Yang and I will be live-tweeting Jeopardy! tonight, 7:00PM PT



The "villain" of Jeopardy! returns! The perennial TV quiz show returns to regular competition tonight, and with it, controversial contestant Arthur Chu, the current champion who's drawn the ire of traditionalists and Twitter haters for his aggressive, unorthodox gaming methods. Also -- let's be real -- because he's Asian.

Asian-American Contestant, 'Villain' of 'Jeopardy,' Set To Return

They're calling him a "despicable human being." They're calling him "the worst Jeopardy! contestant of all time." They're calling him "Asian." Well, he is Asian. In fact, much of the criticism seems to be stemming from the fact that Arthur does sort of fulfill the "Asian nerd" stereotype. The best part? Arthur does not give a f*ck.

It looks like a wizard's bong, but it sounds just like Super Mario

Girls rocks iconic video game theme on an ancient Chinese instrument



Sure, you've heard the original Super Mario Bros. theme hundreds of times. But have you heard it rocked on an ancient Chinese instrument? I give you Nintendo's most iconic video game score played on a sheng.

This Centuries-Old Musical Instrument Sounds Exactly Like Super Mario

The sheng is one of the oldest Chinese instruments, dating back to 1100 BC. But after watching this video, I believe the instrument was created centuries ago, by prophetic Shang Dynasty wizards, in order to one day fulfill its true destiny: playing the sweet sounds of Super Mario Bros. Just watch:

UC Santa Barbara student gang raped, beaten

Suspects described as group of Asian males



In Southern California, police are searching for suspects in the gang rape and brutal beating of a college student in the Santa Barbara area over the weekend. The suspects are described as Asian males.

Police seek suspects in gang rape, beating of UCSB student

According to police, a 19-year-old UC Santa Barbara student was attacked by several men either late Saturday night or early Sunday morning. The victim is unsure where the attack happened, but it was either on the school's campus or in the neighboring community of Isla Vista.

The only description of her attackers, who apparently acted together to commit the crime, is that they're a group of Asian males.

2.23.2014

Read These Blogs



Change.org Crashes After 1.5 Million People Sign Petition To Overturn Olympic Figure Skating Result: Russia's Adelina Sotnikova won the Olympic gold medal in an upset over South Korea's Yuna Kim, and angry figure skating fans lost their shit, flooding an online petition with signatures calling for an official investigation into the controversial result.

Why People Think Adelina Sotnikova's Figure Skating Gold Medal Was Rigged: Whether we're talking about scoring inconsistencies, judging conspiracies or home court advantage, this article breaks down some of the glaring reasons why Adelina Sotnikova's detractors are up in arms.

Adelina Sotnikova hugs judge moments after winning gold: Then there's this conspicuous hug between Adelina Sotnikova and Russian figure skating judge Alla Shekhovtsova that has folks saying hmmmmm...

Yuna Kim Is A Winner For Reasons That Really Count: Whether or not you believe Kim Yuna's silver medal shock was unfair, she walks away from professional figure skating as a true winner. Queen indeed.

2.21.2014

Sound and Fury Podcast Episode 15: Parry Shen



What's up, podcast listeners? We are back with another edition of the Sound and Fury podcast. Episode 15 features actor and longtime friend to the blog, Parry Shen, who stars in the recently released indie sci-fi horror comedy Unidentified, now available on DVD, Video on Demand and Digital Download.

As always, thank you to everyone who's supported the show so far. To catch up on previous episodes, check out the archive. To stay up-to-date with future episodes as soon as they drop, be sure to subscribe. You can also find Sound and Fury on services like iTunes and Stitcher, where you can rate and review the show.

I have to apologize yet again for the sound quality on this one. I messed up the settings while we were recording -- fifteen episodes in and I still don't know what I'm doing -- so the overall levels are rather low and inconsistent throughout the episode. It's rough, but listen-able. And I guess it'll have to do.

So without further ado, check out my conversation with Parry Shen...

Julie Chu will carry Team USA's flag at closing ceremony

Women's hockey veteran won her fourth Olympic medal at Sochi



The U.S. Women's Hockey Team's valiant pursuit of gold at the Sochi Olympics ended Thursday with a heartbreaking loss to Canada. They nearly had it in the bag, but Canada fought back to score two goals with under four minutes remaining, tying it up and dramatically winning in overtime.

Still, a silver medal ain't nothing to shake a hockey stick at. Mad props to forward Julie Chu, who received the fourth Olympic medal of her career. At 31, this will probably be her last Olympics. But the decorated veteran has been tasked with one last duty for Team USA: she'll carry the American flag at the closing ceremony.

UC Irvine student leads police on high-speed chase

18-year-old Yuan Zhou reached speeds up to 122 mph



Asians behaving badly... police chase edition! In Southern California, a college student was taken into custody Thursday night after leading authorities on a high-speed police pursuit through Los Angeles.

UC Irvine Student in Custody After Police Pursuit Ends on PCH

18-year-old Yuan Zhou, a Chinese exchange student at UC Irvine, apparently has the need for speed. And a desire to get the hell away from the cops. He and his BMW led California High Patrol officers on high-speed chase through the city, reaching speeds up to 122 mph and finally coming to a stop in Malibu.

Angry Reader of the Week: Helen Wan


Photo: Anna Campanelli

Good readers, gather 'round. It is time again 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 Helen Wan.

Preview Priscilla Ahn's new album

'This Is Where We Are' has a synth pop edge



Oooh yes. You guys know I adore singer/songwriter Priscilla Ahn. And I can't wait for her latest album This Is Where We Are. Folks in Japan and Korea got their lucky hands on it last summer, but we're finally getting it stateside when it officially drops here next week. Based on the advance tracks she's released so far, Priscilla has adopted some electronic influences to go with her acoustic pop sound.

If you can't even wait until Tuesday to hear it, Billboard's hosting the full preview of the album:

Girl Scout selling cookies outside medical marijuana clinic

13-year-old Danielle Lei's got your cookie fix outside The Green Cross



Got the munchies? Give it up for this savvy, enterprising Girl Scout who picked a prime spot to sell cookies: outside a San Francisco medical marijuana clinic. They say it's all about location. If you stepped outside this clinic, you got an immediate answer to your cookie cravings. Needless to say, girl made a crazy killing.

A Savvy Girl Scout Is Selling Cookies at a Cannabis Clinic in San Francisco

On Monday, 13-year-old Danielle Lei and her mom Carol set up shop outside The Green Cross in San Francisco, enticing munchie-stricken pot partakers with the Girls Scouts of America's famed assortment of Thin Mints, Samoas, Peanut Butter Patties and more. According to Mashable, Danielle cleaned up.

2.20.2014

The Heroic Return of the Green Turtle

Gene Luen Yang & Sonny Liew's six-issue miniseries revives the first Asian American superhero



Look out, criminals! Beware evildoers! Fear the fist justice. This city is protected by the Green Turrrtllllle! Wait... um, who? The Green Turtle. Believe it or not, he's the first Asian American superhero, sort of.

Gene Luen Yang and Sonny Liew's graphic novel The Shadow Hero re-introduces the Green Turtle, an obscure Golden Age comic book character that has fallen into public domain. Created by Chu F. Hing in the 1940s, and first appearing in the pages of Blazing Comics, he is arguably the first Asian American superhero.

Legend has it, Chu Hing wanted the Green Turtle to be a Chinese American superhero, but his publishers didn't find that idea very marketable. So Mr. Hing conveniently got around this by drawing the character so that we never saw the Green Turtle's face -- we could imagine the hero as the artist intended: Asian American.

2.19.2014

President Obama meets Nisei World War II veterans

White House welcomes seven surviving Japanese American veterans



This week marks the anniversary of Executive Order 9066, signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, which enabled the U.S. government to forcibly remove and incarcerate 120,000 persons of Japanese ancestry.

In spite of this monumental injustice, more than 33,000 second generation Japanese Americans volunteered to serve in the United States Army during World War II. The 100th Infantry Battalion and 442nd Regimental Combat Team, composed almost entirely of soldiers of Japanese descent, became the most decorated unit in United States military history for its size and length of service.

In 2010, President Obama awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, to the 100th Infantry Battalion and 442nd Regimental Combat Team in recognition of their dedicated service during World War II. On Tuesday, the president met with seven surviving Nisei veterans -- all in their 90s -- to thank them in person.

Here's some video from their meeting:

2.18.2014

MOCA presents Yellow Peril! and A Is For Arab: Understanding Xenophobia

Thursday, February 20 at the Museum of Chinese in America



If you're in New York City, your'e invited to Yellow Peril! and A Is For Arab: Understanding Xenophobia, a panel and book signing with authors John Kuo Wei Tchen and Dylan Eats (Yellow Peril! An Archive of Anti-Asian Fear) and Jack Shaheen (A is for Arab: Archiving Stereotypes in U.S. Popular Culture), who will discuss xenophobia in America and the impact of stereotypical portrayals of Asians and Arabs in public perception and national policy. It's happening Thursday, February 20 at the Museum of Chinese in America.

Here are some more details:

Anida Yoeu Ali and The Buddhist Bug Project

Artist explores identity by dressing up as a giant orange bug



Got this link passed along to me, and it's so weird and wonderful, I had to share... Artist, activist, friend to the blog (and former Angry Reader of the Week) Anida Yoeu Ali is exploring her cultural and spiritual identity by dressing up as a giant orange bug. Whaaaa? Seriously. A really big bug. And it's pretty awesome.

Artist Dresses Up As A Giant Orange Bug To Explore Her Cambodian Heritage

The Buddhist Bug Project, created with with photographer Masahiro Sugano and Phnom Penh-based Studio Revolt, is rooted in an autobiographical exploration of identity, and Anida's own spiritual turmoil between Islam and Buddhism. Set amongst everyday people in ordinary moments, the Bug "provokes obvious questions of belonging and displacement."

At the very least, you'll get a kick out of seeing this enormously strange orange creature -- the costumes coils can expand to nearly 100 feet -- just chillin' in the most mundane settings. Here's Anida's artist statement:

Patrick Wang to direct 'The Grief of Others'

Family drama starring Rachel Dratch, Wendy Moniz and Trevor St. John


This just jumped to the top of my list of most-anticipated movies. Filmmaker Patrick Wang, who directed, wrote, produced and starred in the critically-acclaimed debut feature In the Family, will direct Rachel Dratch, Wendy Moniz and Trevor St. John in the upcoming drama The Grief of Others.

Rachel Dratch, Wendy Moniz, Trevor St. John in 'Grief of Others'

The Grief of Others is about a grieving family's struggle to return to normalcy after the heartbreaking loss of an infant son. The screenplay, written by Wang, is based on the novel by Leah Hager Cohen.

18MMW presents Bruce Lee vs. Jackie Chan

The battle you've been waiting for, but not quite the battle you expected.



Yesssss. Another crazy-ass, silly stop-motion action figure video from 18 Mighty Mountain Warriors: Bruce Lee vs. Jackie Chan -- the epic battle you've been waiting for. But maybe not quite the battle you expected.

This will be particularly amusing to folks who know a little something about the lore behind the making of Enter the Dragon. Sharp-eyed fans know that Chan was one of the stuntmen who got his ass beat by Bruce in the movie. (Watch this first.) 18MMW imagines what that encounter might have been like on set. Check it out:

9-year-old hailed a hero for life-saving 911 call

His sister was choking on a grape



Give it up for the quick-thinking 9-year-old kid from South Pasadena who called 911 and helped save his little sister's life when she started choking on a grape. Last week at a news conference, police hailed him a hero.

9-year-old, others honored for saving choking girl in South Pasadena

On Thursday, Jaequon Santos and the paramedics who responded to his emergency call were honored by the South Pasadena Police Department. When his 3-year-old sister Yaleona began choking on her afternoon snack, Jaequon kept his cool and called 911, telling the operator that his sister was choking.

The trouble started when a Yaleona began choking on a grape that slipped down her trachea, quickly becoming a life-threatening emergency.

2.17.2014

National AAPI Community Google+ Hangout, February 20

Hosted by the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders



Building on themes discussed in President Obama's recent State of the Union address, the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders will hold a National AAPI Community Google+ Hangout on Thursday, February 20 at 3 PM ET, to outline its national priorities and launch a drive to engage the AAPI community.

WHIAAPI Executive Director Kiran Ahuja, Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center Director Konrad Ng, and White House Office of Public Engagement Advisor Gautam Raghavan will join regional federal officials and community leaders across the country on the Hangout to discuss the Initiative's ongoing work to improve the quality of life of AAPIs and expanding access to federal resources and opportunities.

Here are some more details:

Fund This: The Cotabato Sessions

A film and music album featuring the legacy of the Kalanduyan family in Cotabato City, Mindanao, Philippines



Coming a little late on this, but I want to make sure I drew some attention to this film project that deserves some of your crowdfunding dollars... The Cotabato Sessions is a full-length music album and 30-minute short music film that features the music legacy of one family, the Kalanduyans, in Cotabato City, Mindanao, Philippines.

The Kalanduyans are several generations of musicians from the Maguindanaons, a minority Islamic tribe in the Philippines who perform a beautiful indigenous art form known as kulintang, gong ensemble music as well as lute string music, the kutyapi. The film captures a rare moment as the Kalanduyans get together as three generations of musicians in the family. Who will be the next generation to follow in their footsteps?

Watch this video to learn more:

Music Video: "Falling" by Yuna

Standout track from soulful Malaysian singer/songwriter



Soulful Malaysian singer/songwriter Yuna recently dropped her latest official music video for "Falling," one of the standout tracks from latest album Nocturnal. It's a swirling blend of winged beasts, snakes, modern dance and the beguiling Yuna herself. Gorgeous. I love pretty much everything this lady does. Check it out:

Pregnant woman struck and killed by snowplow

Doctors were able to deliver the baby through emergency C-section



Some really tragic news out of New York City, where a pregnant woman was killed when she was struck and run over by a snow-clearing bulldozer last week in a supermarket parking lot.

Bulldozer Clearing Snow Kills a Pregnant Woman

36-year-old Min Lin was loading groceries with her husband into their car behind the Fei Long Market in Brooklyn on Thursday morning when she was fatally struck by a Bobcat bulldozer driven by the market's owner, 42-year-old Chun Wu. According to witnesses, the machine backed into Lin, hitting her and rolling over her body.

She was rushed to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead on arrival. But doctors were able to save her baby boy, delivered via caesarian section:

Moves like Bruce

See Cole Horibe as Bruce Lee in new photos from David Henry Hwang's Kung Fu



Last week, I had the privilege of seeing David Henry Hwang's latest play Kung Fu, now playing off-Broadway at the Signature Theatre. The premiere production blends dance, Chinese opera, martial arts and drama to tell the story of international icon Bruce Lee, and his journey from troubled Hong Kong youth to martial arts legend. As a Bruce fan, you know I had to see it, and I thoroughly enjoyed myself.

Reviews are on lock until the officially opening on February 24, but here's a cool New York Times article on Kung Fu's unique choreography, and breakdowns of some of the show's elaborate combat/dance sequences:

Fighting (and Dancing) Like Bruce Lee

And while we're at it, check out these cool photos from Kung Fu:

Yellow Peril! An Archive of Anti-Asian Fear

Edited by John Kuo Wei Tchen and Dylan Yeats



Got a new book that you might find interesting... Yellow Peril!: An Archive of Anti-Asian Fear by John Kuo Wei Tchen and Dylan Yeats, is a fascinating, comprehensive new critical archive of one of the most pervasive racist tropes in Western culture: "yellow peril" -- the fear of Asia as an existenstial threat to "the West."

Tchen and Yeats have assembled a vast array of images, essays and ephemera outlining a history of "yellow peril" anxieties tracing back to the 13th century and persisting into the present day. From Fu Manchu fantasies to modern representations of China's economic ascendancy Yellow Peril! is a lively and astute illustrated compendium of anti-Asian racism. This book drops some knowledge.

Baby leukemia patient Isaac needs your help

At six months old, Isaac was diagnosed with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia



Heads up. Passing along this information about a child in need... This adorable baby needs your help. Last summer, 6-month-old Isaac was diagnosed with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia, a form of blood cell cancer. The treatment requires several rounds of chemotherapy and ultimately, a bone marrow transplant. His parents, Sarah and Joel, have essentially lived at the hospital with Isaac since July.

The family lives in Dallas now, but they are looking to move next to a clinic in another part of the country to give Isaac the best treatment he can get. Their community -- "Team Isaac" -- has put together a fundraiser to help cover the medical expenses and associated costs. Here's some more information about Isaac's story:

Baruch College hazing death ruled a homicide

19-year-old Michael Deng suffered major head trauma in a fraternity hazing ritual.



The death of a New York City college student who was repeatedly tackled during a fraternity hazing ritual has been declared a homicide -- which could mean possible criminal charges against some of his fraternity brothers.

Baruch College Hazing Death Ruled A Homicide

18-year-old Chun "Michael" Deng, a freshman at Baruch College, suffered major head trauma while participating in an initiation ritual at Pi Delta Psi's fraternity retreat in Pennsylvania's Pocono Mountains last December.

Deng sustained a fatal brain injury after being tackled during an activity called "The Gauntlet," which required pledges to wear blindfolds and sand-filled packs in the freezing dark. The Luzerne County Coroner's Office has classified the case as a homicide:

2.16.2014

Read These Blogs



Meet Team USA: Maia and Alex Shibutani: Brother-sister ice dance team Alex and Maia Shibutani, who are making their Olympic debut, talk about their early dedication to the sport, the judge-friendly, uncanny unison they share as siblings, and the long road that got them to Sochi.

Foodbeast Discovers What the Sriracha Factory Actually Looks Like Inside, Sadly No Oompa Loompas: A behind-the-scenes look into Huy Fong Foods' 650,000 square-foot factory in Irwindale, California, the sacred lair where they make the magical spicy elixir known as Sriracha.

Arthur Chu Is Playing Jeopardy! the Right Way: Jeopardy legend Ken Jennings gives current contestant Arthur Chu's controversial Daily Double hunting strategy the thumbs up.

Featured Artist: Tanzila "Taz" Ahmed and #MuslimVDay cards: "Yeah, I'd wiretap that." An interview with artist, writer, and activist Taz Ahmed, who designed a collection of #MuslimVDay cards.

Author, N. Va. native Helen Wan on the 'bamboo ceiling': Helen Wa's debut novel, The Bamboo Ceiling follows the life of an Asian American woman as she tries to advance into corporate culture.

The New York Times Take on Japanese Style in Sochi is Off-Base: In a fashion piece for the New York Times, sartorial columnist Guy Trebay lamented the Japanese team's lack of kimonos during the Winter Olympics' opening ceremonies. Jian Deleon tells Trebay to calm down.

2.14.2014

Angry Reader of the Week: Kevin Iwashina



All right, friends. You know what's up. 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 Kevin Iwashina.

Miami Dolphins investigation reveals racial abuse of Asian American trainer

148-page report is an epic, damning chronicle of hazing, bullying, and racist abusive behavior



So we already knew something shitty was going on in the Miami Dolphins locker room, since news broke last November about lineman's Richie Incognito alleged misconduct, including repeated racial slurs and threats of physical violence against former teammate Jonathan Martin. But damn.

An independent investigation commissioned by the NFL reveals that Martin was far from the only person being targeted. Incognito and other members of the Dolphins displayed an ongoing "pattern" of racial and homophobic language and other abuse -- including towards an Asian American assistant trainer.

Report details racial abuse of Dolphins trainer

According to the report, the trainer, who is of Japanese descent, was repeatedly subjected to racial abuse, which included slurs and other racially derogatory language from Icognito, Johny Jerry and Mike Pouncey:

I want to feel all the feelings in this photo

This is what it looks like to learn you are the best


Behold, the face of a man who has achieved his best. A camera caught Yuzuru Hanyu and his coach Yoshiko Kobayashi just as they learned that the 19-year-old Olympian from Japan earned a record-shattering score of 101.45 in Thursday's men's figure skating short program -- the highest score ever recorded. The result is this awesome photo.

A Classic Photo Of The Moment A Figure Skater Realized He Set The World Record

Thirteen Angry Years

This blog finally becomes an Angry Asian teenager.



Hey, everybody. Just wanted to take a moment to say thank you. Today marks the official anniversary of this blog. Believe it or not, thirteen years ago today, I cranked some levers and flipped the switch to launch the very first iteration of Angry Asian Man. With each passing year, I keep thinking I did the math wrong, but my calculations are correct. It is true. Somehow, I've been doing this darn thing for 13 years.

It's been incredible. When I first started it, I didn't even know what I was doing was referred to as "blogging." Nobody had tipped me off to that term yet. I barely knew what I was doing and I sure as hell didn't expect anyone to read it. But slowly, over many years, this site has become a significant destination for a lot of people. I've found a voice and a space and a calling, in a way I never could have anticipated.

So thank you.

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