9.30.2015

Secret Coders by Gene Luen Yang & Mike Holmes

New graphic novel series teaches young readers the magic of computer coding.



Secret Coders, the latest book from award-winning graphic novelist Gene Luen Yang with artist Mike Holmes, imagines an adventure story for middle schoolers that's kind of like Harry Potter, only instead of magic wands, the young students use computers and learn the magic of computer coding.

The series is set at Stately Academy, where the walls and buildings are crawling with mysteries. The founder of the school programmed clues and puzzles into its very stones to challenge his enterprising students. A seventh grader named Hopper and her friend Eni are determined to get to the bottom of it. Using their wits and their growing prowess with coding, they set out to solve the mystery of Stately Academy no matter what it takes.

Here's a preview of Secret Coders:

Nat Wolff to star in live-action 'Death Note' adaptation

Another popular Japanese manga gets the Hollywood whitewash.



Another Japanese manga gets the Hollywood whitewash! Actor Nat Wolff is reportedly in talks to star in Warner Brothers' live-action adaptation of Death Note, based on the popular manga series.

'Paper Towns'' Nat Wolff to Star in Adam Wingard's 'Death Note'

Wolff, whose previous credits include Paper Towns and The Fault in Our Stars, is in final negotiations to star in the supernatural thriller Death Note, adapted from the hit manga series by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata.

In Death Note, a high school student named Light Yagami discovers a mysterious notebook that allows him to kill anyone simply by writing the victim's name. When Light meets the notebook's previous owner, a demon called Ryuk bent on ridding the world of anyone it deems evil or useless, he ends up tracked by Interpol and a world-famous detective investigating the unexplainable deaths of several criminals.

So... Nat Wolff is going to be playing Light Yagami?

ABC confuses Priyanka Chopra with another Indian actress

ABC News apologizes to 'Quantico' star for 'Nightline' segment mistake



File under "You Had One Job." ABC apologized for making a goof this week when it confused Quantico star Priyanka Chopra with another Indian actress in a promo for Nightline. For the record, there is currently only one Indian lead actress on all of network television -- on ABC, for that matter -- and they still got it wrong.

ABC Apologizes for Confusing 'Quantico's' Priyanka Chopra With Another Indian Actress

Chopra was on Nightline to talk about her starring role on Quantico. However, during the introduction to the segment, the show mistakenly showed images of fellow Indian acdtress Yukta Mookhey, who was crowned Miss World in 1999, the year before Chopra won the title. Oops.

The mistake was quickly pointed out on social media:

"We cannot separate the conversation between racial justice and LGBTQ justice."

Cross-posted from API Equality-LA



Content warning: suicide, transphobia

On September 28th, 2015, 16 year-old Skylar Lee of Madison, WI took his own life. Lee was a Korean American transboy who was an active and powerful voice in the LBGTQ community. As we reflect on his passing, we are reminded of the ways that racist and transphobic systems create trauma for our communities and that space must always be created in our work to honor our mental health.

If you are a queer or transgender youth and in need of support or just need someone to listen. Please reach out by visiting translifeline.org or calling 877-565-8860. For 24 hours a day help please visit thetrevorproject.org or call 866-488-7386.

Here is a shared photo from GSAFE, an LGBT organization in Madison, WI dedicated to creating school communities where LGBTQ youth and students thrive. Lee worked for GSAFE and was active in addressing the school-to-prison pipeline. We reflect on his work for intersectionality and the urgency of fighting the school-to-prison pipeline as it directly affects queer trans youth of color. He wrote on this in the Power In Partnerships Publication (full report available here.

Read his words below:

9.29.2015

Music Video: "Princess Diamond" by Kero Uno

Lead single from Kero Uno's upcoming debut full-length producer album.



One of my favorite emcee/producers, Kero One, has been making music these days as Kero Uno. He just dropped this super-sexy music video for "Princess Diamond," the lead single from his forthcoming full-length debut producer album. Featuring vocals from Kelsey Bulkin, lead singer of Made in Heights, the video tells the story of two gun-toting diamond thieves pulling heists in a rural town... until things fall part. As they do.

Check it out:

Fresh Off The Boat: The Complete First Season DVD

Revisit the historic first season of the Huang clan's television adventures.



Hey, Fresh Off The Boat fans. As you know, season two is currently underway and off to a great start. But if you're a collector, and you'd like to go back and revisit the historic first season of the Huang clan's television adventures, the Fresh Off The Boat: Season 1 DVD is now available. All thirteen episodes of season one are collected two discs. Special features include a "Fresh Facts" Trivia Track and Gag Reel.

Rapper Heems is turning 'Eat Pray Thug' into a TV sitcom

Based on the real life of the former Das Racist member, starring Utkarsh Ambudkar.



Some cool TV news... Fox has given a script commitment to Eat Pray Thug, a comedy based on the real life of rapper Himanshu "Heems" Suri (formerly of Das Racist), with Utkarsh Ambudkar attached to star.

Utkarsh Ambudkar To Star In Fox Comedy 'Eat Pray Thug' Inspired By Rapper Heems

Executive produced by Sanjay Shah, who is currently a writer on Fresh Off The Boat, Eat Pray Thug is inspired by Heems' relationship with his parents. The single-camera comedy centers on a successful rapper who, like Heems, lives with his Indian American parents in Queens.

I love it. If this is riding the current wave of people of color on television, keeping bringing it.

Asians projected to become largest U.S. immigrant group

According to a new analysis of census data, Asian immigrants will surpass Latinos by 2055.



Some new immigration data that's got people talking... Asians have become the fastest-growing minority group in the United States. You probably knew this. But in a few decades, Asians are projected to pass Latinos as the largest immigrant group in the country, according to a new analysis of census data.

Asians to surpass Latinos as largest immigrant group in U.S., study finds

According to new demographic projections by the Pew Research Center, Asians are likely to surpass Latinos as the nation's largest immigrant group by 2055, and will make up 38% of the foreign-born population by 2065, as the wave of new arrivals from Latin America slows but trans-Pacific migration continues apace.

Missing: 35-year-old Chris Mayrena

Daly City resident was last seen early Sunday, September 27



In the Bay Area, family and friends are asking for help looking for 35-year old Daly City resident Christian Mayrena, who was last seen early in the morning on Sunday, September 27. Mayrena stands 5-foot-3 and weight 130 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. Have you seen him?

9.28.2015

Chew The Scene: San Diego Asian Film Festival Launch Party

Get hungry for SDAFF, October 1 at the Corky McMillin Event Center.



San Diegooooo! This one's for food and film lovers alike. Our friends at Pacific Arts Movement invite you to join them at Chew The Scene, the official launch party for the 16th San Diego Asian Film Festival, where they'll unveil and announce what's on the menu for this year's film festival. Be the first to see the lineup! It's happening Thursday, October 1 at the Corky McMillin Event Center in San Diego.

Here are some more details about the event:

Apply to the 2015-16 Armed With a Camera Fellowship

For emerging media artists. Application deadline: Friday, October 2



Hey filmmakers! Visual Communications, the nation's premiere media arts center dedicated to the honest and accurate portrayal of Asian Pacific Americans, is putting the final call for applications submissions for its latest cycle of the Armed With a Camera Fellowship for Emerging Media Artists.

The AWC Fellowship nurtures the next generation of APA media artists to capture their world, surroundings and outlook on life. Visual Communications works with the Fellows for seven months and provides special training, mentoring and networking opportunities, access to facilities and equipment, plus a cash stipend to create four to five-minute digital shorts that premiere at the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival.

But heads up: the application deadline is this Friday, October 2. Here's some more information on how to apply:

'Livewire' by Red Baraat

New free EP from one of the best damn live bands in the land.



New music from one of the best damn live bands in the land... Brooklyn-based dhol-and-brass Bhangra party squad Red Baraat, led by Sunny Jain, recently released a free (pay what you want) new five-song EP Livewire, recorded live in-studio earlier this year at KEXP in Seattle. One of the tracks, "Gaadi of Truth," from the album of the same name, features Stewart Copeland of The Police.

Preview and download it from Bandcamp:

Detectives ask for public's help solving park homicide

34-year-old Mark Riveral was found dead in a park in Rancho Cucamonga.



In Southern California, police and loved ones are asking the public's help in finding those involved with the killing of a 34-year-old man who was found dead last week at a park in Rancho Cucamonga.

Family of murdered man found in park makes tearful plea for help

On Wednesday, Mark Riveral left his home to go to the store and never returned. The following morning, his body was found in an open field in nearby Kenyon Park. Authorities are investigating his death as a homicide. Police are not saying how he died, only that Riveral received injuries to his torso.

At this time, investigators don't have a motive or any suspects:

'Fresh Off The Boat' Episode 202: 'Boy II Man'

Tune in Tuesday at 8:30 PM on ABC. Then join us for Fresh Off The Show.



ABC's hit Asian American family sitcom Fresh Off The Boat airs Tuesday nights at 8:30pm, right after The Muppets. The comedy, inspired by the memoir of chef Eddie Huang, tells the story of the Huang family, a Taiwanese American family getting their immigrant hustle on in suburban Orlando, in pursuit of the American dream. If you missed last week's season two premiere, it's available for viewing on the ABC website.

Fresh Off The Boat stars Randall Park as Louis, Constance Wu as Jessica, Hudson Yang as Eddie, Forrest Wheeler as Emery, Ian Chen as Evan and Chelsey Crisp as Honey. With special guest assist, as always, from Lucille Soong as Grandma Huang. In this week's episode, we get a tribute to Boyz II Men. Yessss.

Here are some more details about episode 202, "Boy II Man":

'The Soup' hosted a Brown Guy Summit

Will the real Kunal Nayyar please stand up?



The Soup hosted a Brown Guy Summit of sorts last week. On Friday, actors of Indian descent Kunal Nayyar, Kal Penn, Danny Pudi and Maulik Pancholy all appeared on the E! pop culture recap show to have a little fun with host Joel McHale, and more importantly, prove once and for all that even though they are all brown guys, they are not all the same person.

26 Questions Asians Have For White People

"Why do you always ask me where am I really from?"



BuzzFeed continues to bring it with the Asian American content. In this video, Eugene Lee Yang and the BuzzFeed crew air out some of their everyday racial frustrations and annoyances by asking some questions. Twenty-six questions, actually. Here are 26 Questions Asians Have For White People.

Suspect arrested in vicious attack on 83-year-old man

Assailant was caught on video punching and kicking an elderly man in an unprovoked attack.



Over the weekend in Southern California, police arrested a suspect in the vicious assault of an 83-year-old man last week in a shopping mall parking lot. The seemingly unprovoked incident was caught on video.

Suspect arrested for attack on 83-year-old man in Santa Ana

29-year-old Demarrea Chante Barnes, who is described as a transient, was arrested on suspicion of attacking Tuyen Nguyen, who was hospitalized with a brain hemorrhage and broken facial bones.

The attack was caught on surveillance video, which shows Nguyen unassumingly walking through a parking lot in Santa Ana on Friday morning, when the assailant jumps into the frame and punches him, knocking him to the ground. He then punches Nguyen at least two more times before kicking him and walking away.

Santa Ana police released the video Friday, asking for the public's help identifying the assailant:

9.27.2015

Read These Blogs


Man angered after ordering a mild curry and getting a receipt marked 'white ppl': A London man recently ordered curry at his local Indian restaurant, only to discover that his receipt was marked with the note "VERY MILD, WHITE PPL." Was the restaurant implying that white people can't handle the spice?

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This American Life 567: What's Going On In There? Act Two - RSV-Pa: Larry speaks English. His dad speaks Chinese. They grew up in the same house but Larry could never speak to his dad. After 20 years, with the help of filmmaker Bianca Giaever, he and his dad have their first conversation.

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The Growing Poverty Crisis That Everyone Is Ignoring: Most of the mainstream discourse of Asian Americans focuses on high-achievement and success, but people continue to ignore the growing poverty crisis within the community.

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How The Data On Asian Students Changes Completely When You Look At The Details: Disaggregating data, lingering fears of deportation, and policy changes that could support Asian students who get ignored under the model minority myth.

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Vietnamese Americans stand up for a new cause: Syrian refugees: Documentary filmmaker Duc Nguyen of Fountain Valley was so touched by reports of Syrian refugees dying at sea that he began a campaign to bring attention to the issue.

9.25.2015

Do You Know Bruce? Breaking Barriers

The Bruce Lee Exhibit, October 3, 2015 - September 4, 2016 at The Wing



My fellow Bruce fans, this one's for you. The Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience in Seattle is opening the second phase of its multi-year exhibition on the legendary martial arts icon, Do You Know Bruce? Breaking Barriers. I had the honor of writing the main panel text for the exhibit.

Featuring new and rarely seen memorabilia -- including the largest display ever of The Green Hornet toys and collectibles -- Year 2 focuses on Bruce's larger than life, stereotype-busting impact in the media and film industry. The exhibit opens with a day-long celebration on Saturday, October 3.

Here are some more details about the exhibit:

Angry Reader of the Week: Kaohlee Vue

"Sometimes I tell people, 'My name is Kaohlee, like a cow and Bruce Lee. Cow - lee.'"



What's up, my friends? As always, 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 Kaohlee Vue.

9.24.2015

Woman's racist bus tirade caught on camera

UPDATE: 55-year-old woman arrested after multiple incidents reported around Sydney



Here's another one out of Australia, where videos of people being super f*cking racist on public transportation seem to be a petty regular occurrence... This week on a Sydney bus, a woman was caught on camera screaming a tirade of racist abuse at an Asian woman. And surprise, surprise, nobody stepped in to help.

Racist tirade on Sydney bus rattles Chinese-Australian woman

Lindsay Li was waiting for the bus on Wednesday when she says a woman came up to her, spat on her and struck her with her shopping cart, before pushing ahead of her to get on to the bus when it pulled up. Then, on the bus, the woman turned around in her seat and started talking racist shit.

That's when Ms. Li pulled out her camera phone:

9.23.2015

George Takei will make his Broadway debut in 'Allegiance'

Watch the behind-the-scenes documentary webseries 'Trek to Broadway'


The new musical Allegiance opens on Broadway next month. Inspired by the true-life experiences of star George Takei, who spent his childhood in an internment camp during World War II, Allegiance is an epic multigenerational story of family, love and patriotism. Also starring Lea Salonga and Telly Leung, it will be the first time that an Asian-led cast has been on Broadway since the 2002 revival of Flower Drum Song.

Here's the TV spot that's been playing for Allegiance:

Fund This: "Southern Winds" by Jane Lui

A musical love story with handmade miniature cardboard sets, shot in one-take



Singer/songwriter Jane Lui's latest music video project Southern Winds (from her album Goodnight Company) is described as a love story told with handmade move miniature cardboard sets, shot in one take. It's the kind of project that could only come from the mind of musical mad genius like Jane, and it sounds awesome.

Jane explains:

Music Video: Ann One's got "WhatULike"

First official single from Los Angeles singer/songwriter's forthcoming EP.



Got a hot new tune for you... Really digging this super-sexy new music video for "WhatULike," the cool-as-shit new track from Los Angeles singer/songwriter Ann One. The video, directed by The Social Trust, features lots of blue lips, bare-skin-caressing and a copious quantity of goopy smothery liquid stuff.

Check it out:

Jeremy Lin shows you How to Fit in the NBA

The newest Hornet enlists the help of friends and former teammates for his hilarious latest video.



What does it take to be an NBA player? (Besides the basketball part.) Jeremy Lin has been playing in the NBA for a minute and knows what's up. In this video, dispenses some advice on How to Fit in the NBA, enlisting the help of friends and former teammates like DeAndre Jordan, Tyson Chandler, Dwight Howard, Steph Curry and more. They cover all the league basics, such as communication, greetings, music and fashion.

Take a look. (Make sure you watch all the way to the end.)

Ali Wong is seven months pregnant. And shooting her first 1-hour standup comedy special.

Friday, September 25 at The Neptune Theater in Seattle



Hey, Seattle! Want to see some awesome comedy? Our friend Ali Wong is a standup comic who has performed on The Tonight Show, Comedy Central and Late Night with Seth Meyers, and is currently on the writing staff of ABC's Fresh Off The Boat. She will be shooting her first one-hour comedy special at The Neptune Theater this Friday, September 25. Also, she's seven months pregnant. It's gonna be good!

Ki Hong Lee goes full ajumma in Be Funny's 'Seoul Runner'

Korean American actor returns to the motherland in a pama-powered parody of 'Maze Runner'


Maze Runner star Ki Hong Lee recently returned to the motherland and partnered up with Be Funny -- South Korea's answer to Funny or Die -- to reprise his role as Minho alongside Korean pop stars Kangnam and NS-Yoon-G in a comedic pama-powered parody of his hit adventure movie: Seoul Runner.

Fresh from WCKD's grasp, Minho wakes up in yet another strange place; this time in his homeland of Seoul, South Korea. But WCKD is still hot on his trail, so Minho must disguise himself as an 'Ajumma,' a Korean elderly lady. His flashy Ajumma gear will protect him from sun exposure, low blood sugar, and orthopedic strain, but can it protect him from WCKD? "Ajumma is good..."

Watch it here.

6-year-old drops knowledge on her divorced parents

"If I can be nice, I think all of us can be nice too."



Meet Tiana, the wise little 6-year-old girl whose sage, adorable relationship advice has gone viral. In this video, she sits on the stairs and gives a touching little lecture -- with lots of heartfelt gesturing -- imploring her divorced parents to try to get along and be friends. Tiana's mother, Cherish Sherry, was moved by her conviction and shared the video on Facebook last week. It has since been viewed and shared millions of times.

"Mom, are you ready to be his friend?" Tiana starts.

9.22.2015

'Dr. Ken' Sneak Preview Community Screening

Thursday, September 24 at the Japanese American National Museum



Hey, TV watchers! If you're in the Los Angeles area, join us this Thursday, for a special sneak preview community screening of the new ABC comedy Dr. Ken, presented by the Asian Pacific American Media Coalition. Watch the pilot episode then stick around for a panel discussion with stars Ken Jeong and Suzy Nakamura. It's happening Thursday, September 24 at the Japanese American National Museum.

Here are some more details about the event:

Randall Park talks to Seth Meyers about working with Shaq

Shaq apparently thought Randall's name was "Russell." And nobody wanted to correct him.



With this week's season premiere of Fresh Off the Boat, star Randall Park is making the proper rounds to promote the show. Last night, he was a guest on Late Night with Seth Meyers and shared a funny story about meeting Shaquille O'Neal, who recently filmed a guest appearance on Fresh Off The Boat as himself. Shaq apparently thought Randall's name was Russell... and nobody wanted to correct him.

Also, a weird Katy Perry sing-along. Watch:

"You Indian piece of shit!" yelled the frat boy.

USC's Student Body President speaks out after racist fraternity house altercation.



Well, school's back in session. This week's edition of racist collegiate idiocy comes from the University of Southern California. Unsurprising bonus: It involves a fraternity. Over the weekend, USC's student body president says she was accosted by someone who shouted at her "You Indian piece of shit!"

The shocking racial epithet hurled at USC's student body president

Rini Sampath, who is Indian American, was walking back from a friend's apartment on Saturday night when someone leaned out of a fraternity house window and shouted, "You Indian piece of shit!" In case there was any doubt that his remarks were directed at Sampath, the unnamed fraternity brother then threw a drink at her.

Sampath, a senior international relations major who serves as president of USC's Undergraduate Student Government, shared the account of what happened to her in a Facebook post. She says that one of the assailant's fraternity brothers began to apologize -- after realizing who she was.

"I couldn't quite figure out why their after-the-fact apologies deepened the wound. But one of my friends explained it to me the best this morning: 'Because now you know, the first thing they see you as is subhuman.'"

Her post goes on to make a public plea for compassion and dialogue on campus.

9.21.2015

EMW Block Party All-Day Showcase & Fundraiser

Saturday, September 26 at Aeronoaut Brewing Company



Hey, Boston! It's time to party. EMW Bookstore invites you to a Block Party, their first-ever all-day multi-stage showcase and fundraiser, featuring artists, musicians, technologists and activists from all across the world, including the likes of Beau Sia, Magnetic North & Taiyo Na, DANakaDAN, Madame Gandhi, Elaquent, Go Yama and more. It's happening Saturday, September 26 at Aeronaut Brewing Company in Somerville.

Here are some more details:

"This is not the America I thought I knew."

The case against falsely accused scientist Xiaoxing Xi reflects "America's most cherished ideals gone wrong."



Earlier this month, the Justice Department abruptly dropped criminal charges against Xiaoxing Xi, a scientist who was accused of sharing sensitive technology with China. Turns out, the evidence that prosecutors thought they had against Professor Xi was all wrong. In light of "additional information," they dropped the case. But that's after months of dragging his personal and professional reputation through the mud.

Joyce Xi, the daughter of Professor Xi, says the case "reflects some of America's most cherished ideals gone wrong." She has written an op-ed piece for USA Today in which she shares about her family's ordeal and the fallout of the government's false and reckless claims against her father. She's watched as the FBI raided her family's home, led her father away in handcuffs, and stripped away all senses of security and privacy.

She calls the case against her father and other falsely accused scientists "irresponsible government overreach."

'Fresh Off The Boat' Episode 201: "Family Business Trip"

Tune in Tuesday, September 22 at 8:30 PM on ABC. Then join us for Fresh Off The Show.



The Huangs are back! ABC's hit Asian American family sitcom Fresh Off The Boat returns for its second season premiere on Tuesday, September 22 at 8:30pm -- right after The Muppets. The comedy, inspired by the memoir of chef Eddie Huang, tells the story of the Huang family, a Taiwanese American family getting their immigrant hustle on in suburban Orlando, in pursuit of the American dream.

Fresh Off The Boat stars Randall Park as Louis, Constance Wu as Jessica, Hudson Yang as Eddie, Forrest Wheeler as Emery and Ian Chen as Evan. With special assist, as always, from Lucille Soong as Grandma Huang. What adventures await the Huang clan in season two? First, it looks like they're going on vacation.

Ahem. Sorry. A family business trip. Here are some more details about the season premiere:

'Nanjing: The Burning City' by Ethan Young

Graphic novel tells a powerful account of one of the worst war atrocities of the twentieth century.



Writer/illustrator Ethan Young's graphic novel Nanjing: The Burning City is a powerful and moving account of one of the worst war atrocities of the twentieth century. Set during the Second Sino-Japanese War when the Imperial Japanese Army seized the Chinese capital of Nanjing, the story follows two abandoned Chinese soldiers -- trapped and desperately outnumbered inside the walled city -- as they try to escape.

Nanjing, recently published from Dark Horse Comics, unflinchingly delves into one of the most harrowing chapters of the World War II, pulling no punches in its stark, monochrome depiction of the horrors and human cost of conflict, while telling a heart-wrenching tale of bravery, dignity and defiance. It's a remarkable, devastating book that stays with you long after you've finished it.

Here's a trailer for the book:

That band Viet Cong says they're changing their crappy name

"We are not here to cause pain or remind people of atrocities of the past."



About damn time. After protests, petitions, canceled shows and many, many angry conversations, the band of four Canadian white dudes who make music as "Viet Cong" have announced they are changing their name.

Viet Cong Are Changing Their Name

The Calgary-based post-punk band has operating for several years under the shitty band name Viet Cong. Despite hearing from members of the Vietnamese community over the painful historical connotations of the name, and getting several shows canceled over the controversy, the band had refused to change the name.

"It's just a band name. It's just what we called ourselves," frontman Matt Flegel said in an interview.

At some point, I guess they realized it wasn't "just a band name." Over the weekend, the band released a statement explaining that after many "valuable conversations with the members of the Vietnamese community" they have decided to change the name of the band.

Man arrested for hate graffiti targeting tech entrepreneur

46-year-old Billy Samuels was caught on camera writing "FUCK YOU GOOK" on Justin Kan's garage.



Almost missed this bit of news... In San Francisco, the suspect who was caught on video tagging tech entrepreneur Justin Kan's garage with racist graffiti was arrested late last month. Gotcha, sucka.

SFPD Makes Arrest In Duboce Triangle Racist Vandalism Incident

46-year-old Billy Samuels was caught on a surveillance camera writing "FUCK YOU GOOK" with a black marker on Kan's garage in Duboce Park on August 15. According to police, Samuels was arrested after officers recognized him from a crime bulletin with still photos taken from the video.

9.20.2015

Read These Blogs



Tell me something about Sikh people: No one should suffer violence and discrimination. For more than a century, Sikhs in America have, whether in Oak Creek, Bellingham, or Chicago. A proud and strong community endures. An informative illustrated essay by Josh Kramer.

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Why video failed Mr. Patel -- and what we can learn from it: "I remember how my body tensed up the first time I watched the dashcam footage of Alabama police officer Eric Parker slamming Sureshbhai Patel to the ground, leaving a man who looks like my grandfather paralyzed. I believed the video spoke for itself, that anybody could look at it and be convinced that something deeply unjust had taken place. I was wrong."

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How Asian-American Voters Went From Republican To Democratic: In the span of two decades, Asian American voters in presidential elections have gone from Republican to Democrat. How did this happen?

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Pao says Silicon Valley is changing in wake of her lawsuit (Q&A): Ellen Pao says her battle with venture capital firm Kleiner Perkins has ignited a discussion that's already changing practices at tech companies.

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Debate over words to describe Japanese American incarceration lingers: For decades, many in the Japanese American community have argued that inaccurate language has been used to describe what happened to Japanese Americans to hide the true nature of their forced removals.

9.18.2015

Family Reunion: A Storytelling Show

Thursday, September 24 at Echoes Under Sunset



Hey, Los Angeles! It's story time! You're invited to the latest edition of Disoriented Comedy's Family Reunion Co-presented by Kollaboration, Angry Asian Man, Tuesday Night Project, Mishthi Music and KAYA Press, the monthly live storytelling show series features regular everyday folks talking story. No notes.

The theme of this month's show is "There's No Place Like Home," and will benefit Chinatown Community for Equitable Development (CCED). The evening's lineup of storytellers includes Andrew Ti, Atsuko Okatsuka, Amy Hill, Katie Wang, Dave Ong, Sophat Phea, So Yun Um, Danielle Perez and host Jenny Yang.

It's happening Thursday, September 24 at Echoes Under Sunset. Here are some more details about the show:

Sound and Fury Podcast Episode 22: Jenny Yang Returns



Hello, podcast listeners! We're back with another edition of the Sound and Fury podcast. In Episode 22, I catch up with my good friend, writer and comedian Jenny Yang -- our first return guest! We have some laughs and discuss the travails and triumphs of producing the inaugural Comedy Comedy Festival: A Comedy Festival.

Thank you to all the regular listeners of Sound and Fury. 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.

So... check it. Here is my conversation with Jenny Yang:

Angry Reader of the Week: Ken Fong

"If anything, I'm a recovering hypocrite."



Hello! 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 Ken Fong.

New York State Assemblyman thwarts purse-snatcher

Queens assemblyman Ron Kim chased down and tackled a street robber in Flushing.



People, what has your local elected official done for you today? This one catches street robbers! In Flushing, a would-be purse-snatcher was thwarted and caught -- tackled, no less -- by a New York state assemblyman.

State assemblyman stops would-be purse snatcher in Queens

Ron Kim, a two-term State Assemblyman from Queens, was walking on the sidewalk in Flushing on Thursday when he saw a woman being robbed. A former high school and college football player, he jumped into action, chasing down the robber and tackling him -- all while on the phone with 911.

New York City production of 'The Mikado' canceled

Because yellowface made everybody really angry.



Well. In response to immense criticism and backlash from the Asian American theatre community, the New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players has announced that it is canceling its upcoming production of The Mikado.

W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan's 1885 comic opera, set in Japan, has endured mounting criticism over the years for its painfully outdated orientalism and stagings that regularly put performers in "yellowface" makeup. NYGASP's production was the latest, set to run this winter at the NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts.

That's not happening. NYGASP Executive Director David Wannen announced on Facebook that they were yanking The Mikado, and will instead run The Pirates of Penzance in its place:

9.17.2015

Steven Yeun in new 'Walking Dead' character portraits

Season six of AMC's hit zombie drama premieres on October 11



For all you fans of The Walking Dead... AMC recently released some cool new character portraits for the upcoming sixth season of the hit cable zombie drama, including photos of Steven Yeun as Glenn. Pretty badass.

Have a look:

20th Anniversary Screening: 'Picture Bride'

With Special Guest Tamlyn Tomita, September 25 at New People Cinema



Hey, San Francisco. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the groundbreaking Picture Bride, Kayo Hatta's film about Issei women, anti-miscegenation laws, and Asian immigrants in Hawaii. You can catch two screenings, both on Friday, September 25 in Japantown's New People Cinema. As a special bonus, screenwriter Mari Hatta and actress Tamlyn Tomita, who plays Kana, will be at the second screening to discuss the film.

"Before You Ask Any Stupid Questions," Read This Sign

"I AM FROM INDIA AND A SIKH"



This very direct, let-me-stop-you-right-there sign was spotted at Silversun Liquors in Silverlake, Los Angeles. The sign's author, no doubt fed up with one too many stupid questions from customers about his turbaned, South Asian appearance, was compelled to hand-write and post this mind-your-own-damn-business message.

It reads:

Man sentenced to 13 years for hate crime attack

Gilbert Garcia Jr. beat an 82-year-old Sikh man with a steel pipe.



This week in Fresno, California, a man pleaded no contest to a hate crime and was sentenced to 13 years in prison for brutally beating an 82-year-old man outside a Sikh temple in 2013.

Fresno man sentenced to 13 years in prison for 2013 hate crime

According to police, Gilbert Garcia Jr. was riding a bicycle when he came upon Piara Singh, who wears a turban and bear in observance of his faith, walking out of the Nanksar Sikh Temple in south Fresno. Garcia beat Singh in the head and body with a steel rod.

Singh was found in a pool of blood, and was hospitalized for over a week with broken bones and ribs, lung lacerations and head injuries requiring twenty stitches.

This wasn't a robbery. Singh had never met or seen Garcia before. Police say that Garcia made racial slurs about Muslims and told Singh, "I'm going to destroy your mosque."

9.16.2015

Greg Pak's 'Kingsway West' comic book has a soundtrack

Listen to Goh Nakamura's "Sonia," inspired by Greg Pak's tale of a Chinese gunslinger in the Old West.



Kingsway West, writer Greg Pak's upcoming Dark Horse comic book series with artist Mirko Colak, is about a Chinese gunslinger searching for his wife in an Old West overrun by magic.

As part of the book's launch, Greg has enlisted the help of a few of my favorite Asian American musicians, Goh Nakamura, Jane Lui and Adam Warrock, to create songs based on the characters and story. Greg, who says he always has an imaginary soundtrack running through his head as he writes comics, thought Kingsway West would lend itself particularly well to the soundtrack treatment.

"Music is almost completely emotional, and Westerns tend to be stories with big emotions," says Greg. "So there are grand traditions of soaring anthems, heroic themes, and deeply romantic ballads associated with movie Westerns. I love the way Goh, Adam, and Jane have tapped into those traditions but totally made them their own."

We're pleased to present the debut of "Sonia" by our old pal award-winning singer/songwriter Goh Nakamura. The song is inspired our hero, Kingsway Law, and the epic search across the west for his lost love Sonia.

Take a listen:

Five fraternity members face murder charges in hazing death

37 members of Pi Delta Psi will face a range criminal charge in the 2013 death of Michael Deng.



In Pennsylvania, five fraternity members from Baruch College in New York City will face murder charges for their involvement in the death of a freshman during a hazing ritual at a rural retreat in 2013.

5 From Baruch College Face Murder Charges in 2013 Fraternity Hazing

A grand jury recommend that five members of Pi Delta Psi face a range of charges, including third-degree murder, in the death of 19-year-old Chun Hsien "Michael" Deng. A total of 37 members would face a range of criminal charges, including assault, hindering apprehension and hazing in connection with Deng's death.

Deng suffered severe brain trauma while being forced to play a game called "glass ceiling" in an apparent pledge ritual gone wrong during a weekend fraternity retreat to the Poconos in December 2013. To make matters worse, the fraternity members didn't call 911 after Deng was knocked unconscious, and waited hours before someone drove him the hospital.

Texas teen arrested for bringing homemade clock to school

Police say the device -- in the hands of a brown Muslim kid named Mohamed, no doubt --- looked like a bomb.



Okay, this all kinds of levels of bullshit. This week in Dallas, a teenager was arrested for bringing a homemade clock to school. The kid made the clock because he is smart. He was arrested because he is brown.

Irving 9th-grader arrested after taking homemade clock to school: 'So you tried to make a bomb?'

14-year-old Ahmed Mohamed, a freshman at Irving MacArthur High, is the kind of kid who tinkers with electronics and makes his own radios and stuff. He's a nerd. Nothing wrong with that -- he's just one of those guys who would make a homemade clock and bring it to school to impress his engineering teacher.

His teacher was not so impressed. His English teacher was even less impressed. She confiscated the clock and informed the principal, who contacted the cops. Ahmed was pulled out class and interrogated by police officers. To them, the homemade clock, especially in the hands of a brown-skinned Muslim teen named "Mohamed," looked too much like a bomb.

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