*

2.29.2016

Win tickets to CAAMFest 2016

See you at the Opening Night Gala Screening of 'Tyrus' on March 10.



Bay Area! This one's for you. The Center for Asian American Media presents CAAMFest 2016, an 11-day celebration of film, music, food and digital media from the world's most innovative Asian and Asian American artists, running March 10-20 in San Francisco and Oakland.

The festivities kick off next Thursday with the Opening Night Gala screening of Tyrus, a documentary portrait about the art, life, and enduring impact of 105 year­-old pioneering Chinese American artist Tyrus Wong. Anybody want to go? I'm giving away some free tickets. Scroll down for details.

First, here's the CAAMFest 2016 trailer:

On Hollywood's biggest night, Asians are the joke. As usual.

I'd like to thank the Academy for inviting Asians to serve as comic props for tired, terrible jokes.



By now, you've heard that the 88th Academy Awards were a hot fiery garbage pile of ignorance and bad taste.

Even with all of scrutiny and lip service paid to rectifying the glaring whiteness of the Oscars, the show was stunningly ignorant about what real inclusion means. The Academy is apparently going to do this "diversity" thing kicking and screaming. When it comes to Asians in Hollywood, invisibility is pretty much expected. But sometimes, if we're lucky, we get to be the butt of some tired, shitty joke. Some things never change.

I'm referring, of course, to that awkward-ass moment where host Chris Rock trotted out a trio of Asian children on to the stage to make a cheap joke about Asians being good at math.

The kids were supposed to be accountants. "They sent us their most dedicated, accurate and hard-working representatives," Rock said of the kids. "Please welcome Ming Zhu, Bao Ling and David Moskowitz."

And then Rock doubled down, as if daring us to see if anyone gave a shit about what he just said: "If anybody's upset about that joke, just tweet about it on your phone that was also made by these kids."

Because Chinese child labor is hi-larous!

2.28.2016

Read These Blogs



Asians not spared by Chris Rock at Oscars: That awful accounting joke involving Asian kids was one of a multitude of cringeworthy moments during the 88th Academy Awards.

* * *

There is No "Chinese" Side of Justice: "It's a slick and convincing video that uses the kind of politically correct, in vogue language that typically appeals to many Chinese and Asian American progressives like myself. The message is also absolutely wrong."

* * *

Chinese social media platform plays a role in U.S. rallies for NYPD officer: A crucial factor in the significant turnout for rallies in support of Peter Liang was the Chinese social media platform WeChat.

* * *

Peter Liang Was Justly Convicted- He's Not A Victim, Says This Niece of Vincent Chin: Annie Tan says that Asian Americans who compare Peter Liang and Vincent Chin as similar victims are misguided -- "Injustice is injustice. We should all agree that 1. People should not be killed, and 2. People who kill other people should be held accountable and face the consequences of their actions."

* * *

Jenny Yang and Ijeoma Oluo talk about Peter Liang and racial justice: Comedian Jenny Yang chats with writer Ijeoma Oluo about Peter Liang's recent conviction, the surrounding controversy, and the state of Black-Asian American relations today.

2.26.2016

Angry Reader of the Week: Alex Hwang

"I'd like to thank Baby Jesus, my parents and Lord Voldemort..."



All right, folks. You know what's up. It is time, once 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 Alex Hwang.

Judge Lucy Koh nominated to federal appeals court

President Obama nominates Judge Koh to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.



As expected, San Jose-based U.S. District Judge Lucy Koh, one of the most influential federal judges in Silicon Valley, was nominated Thursday to the nation's largest federal appeals court.

San Jose Judge Lucy Koh nominated to federal appeals court

News broke earlier this month that the White House intended to nominate Koh, who has served as a United States District Judge for the Northern District of California since 2010, to the San Francisco-based U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. President Barack Obama officially nominated Koh on Thursday.

"Judge Lucy Haeran Koh has distinguished herself as a first-rate jurist with unflagging integrity and evenhandedness," President Obama said. "I am grateful for her service to the state of California and look forward to adding her considerable wisdom and experience to the Ninth Circuit Court."

2.25.2016

This is the classiest cover of "Thong Song" you've ever heard.

Jen Kwok's '69*' combines 90s R&B and classical piano.



Ohhhh yes. This is pretty damn marvelous. Comedian/actress/musician Jen Kwok's latest project *69 combines two of her greatest passions: 90s R&B and classical piano. Girl, you're speaking to my heart.

The six-song EP and video series features Jen's smoothed-out vocals and a Rachmaninoff-esque spin on some popular hits of yesteryear, including classics like "Thong Song" by Sisqo, "My Lovin'" by En Vogue, "My Boo" by Ghost Town DJs, and "Are You That Somebody" by Aaliyah. This is so good.

Check out these videos of Jen doing her thing:

Molly brings home the boyfriend on 'Dr. Ken'

Episode 110: "Meeting Molly's Boyfriend" airs Friday, February 26 at 8:30pm on ABC



On this week's Dr. Ken, Allison reveals she had an overlapping when she first started dating Ken.

Inspired by executive producer/star Ken Jeong's real life and career as a medical doctor, the multi-camera comedy Dr. Ken follows Dr. Ken Park, a physician with bad bedside manner trying to juggle medicine and being a family man to his wife and kids -- and not quite succeeding on either front.

Dr. Ken also stars the awesome Suzy Nakamura as Ken's wife Allison, Krista Marie Yu as daughter Molly, and Albert Tsai as his son Dave. They're all great. The cast is rounded out by Tisha Campbell-Martin as Damona, Jonathan Slavin as Clark, Kate Simses as Julie and Dave Foley as Pat.

Here's some more info about this week's episode, "Meeting Molly's Boyfriend":

2.24.2016

Missing father of the bride found dead

55-year-old Prasad Moparti was last seen alive at his daughter's wedding reception near Sacramento.



Tragic news out of California... In Sacramento, authorities have recovered the body of a 55-year-old man who disappeared earlier this month during his daughter's wedding reception while visiting from India.

Father Who Went Missing After Daughter's Grand Island Mansion Wedding Found Dead

The Sacramento County Corner confirmed that the body of Prasad Moparti was found floating in a waterway downstream from the wedding reception where he was last seen alive on February 13.

Elektra cuts some fools in the new 'Daredevil' teaser

Elodie Yung stars as the sai-wielding assassin in season two of Netflix's 'Daredevil'



All right, Marvel fans. Up to now, we'd only seen brief glimpses of Elodie Yung as Elektra in the upcoming second season of Netflix's Daredevil. But in this new 15-second teaser, we get to see her cut a fool. It's quick, but we see her wielding those signature sais and demonstrating some lethal rooftop badassery.

Check it out:

What are we fighting for? White Privilege or Racial Justice in the death of Akai Gurley

Guest Post by OiYan Poon



Second-degree manslaughter. Manslaughter is legally defined as an "unintentional homicide from criminally negligent or reckless conduct. It can also refer to an unintentional killing through commission of a crime other than a felony."

As I witness fellow Chinese Americans, including family, protest former NYPD officer Peter Liang's manslaughter conviction in the death of Akai Gurley, I struggle to make sense of it all.

Family elders tell me to have compassion for Liang. "It was an accident. He was a rookie cop. Don't lump him together with bad cops. The bullet bounced off the wall and into Gurley's body," they say. They question why white officers like Darren Wilson and Daniel Pantaleo, who killed unarmed African Americans like Michael Brown in Ferguson and Eric Garner in New York City, get to walk free. "Liang is being used by a racist system as a scapegoat for bad policing," they say.

On the specifics of the case, I disagree with my elders. Liang unintentionally shot Akai Gurley, the father of a 2 year-old girl, but then did not try to save his life, and called his supervisor instead of an ambulance. His reckless behavior fits the definition of manslaughter.

While my elders believe Liang should not have been convicted in the death of Akai Gurley, I disagree that Liang should be granted the same unjust immunity that white officers have received in the killings of unarmed Black men. Liang is not the only police officer who has taken an innocent life, and he should not be the only one held accountable for doing so. Those who are angered by the double standard between how the state holds white and Chinese American officers accountable must fight in solidarity with African Americans and other people of color to transform a broken justice system.

I am surprised by my elders' sudden political engagement, and have so many questions.

2.23.2016

Teen suspect arrested in viral video attack on delivery man

Police arrest 13-year-old who messed with the wrong Chinese takeout guy.



In New York, a 13-year-old boy who was caught on camera attacking and robbing a Chinese food delivery man has been arrested. Police caught the teen suspect after a video of the incident went viral this week.

Suspect Nabbed In Viral Video Attack On Chinese Food Delivery Man

In the video, the teen is seen tormenting a 38-year-old delivery man. As the man comes out of a building, the teen shoves the victim to the ground, then tears the food out of his hands. As the man tries to gather the bags, the teen kicks a container. That's when the delivery man loses it and goes off on the kid, fighting back.

The incident occurred in the Wagner Houses in East Harlem last November, but the video went viral after being posted by Mediatakeout earlier this week:

Ken Jeong to guest star on 'Fresh Off The Boat'

'Dr. Ken' star will play Randall Park's fraternal twin brother.



The Asian American family sitcom exchange continues. With Randall Park set to guest star on Dr. Ken, Ken Jeong is returning the favor by guest starring on Fresh Off The Boat... as Randall's twin brother?

Ken Jeong To Play Randall Park's Twin Brother On 'Fresh Off The Boat'

Jeong will play Gene, the fraternal twin brother of Fresh Off The Boat patriarch Louis Huang, who arrives in town to personally invite Louis and Jessica to his wedding. The episode is set to air sometime in May.

Surprise! Hollywood is a Straight White Boys Club.

New report on diversity in the entertainment industry tells us all the things we already knew.



Surprise: Hollywood is a "straight white boys club," according to a new study of the entertainment industry. File this one under shit we've known forever, but it's certainly always nice to have the numbers to back it up.

From C-Suite to Characters on Screen: How inclusive is the entertainment industry?

A new report from USC's Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism takes an exhaustive look at the state of diversity in Hollywood, and determines that films and television produced by major media companies are "whitewashed" and that there is an "epidemic of invisibility" in the industry when nit comes to women, minorities and LGBT people. Again: shit we already knew, but thank you for confirming.

The study, entitled The Comprehensive Annenberg Report on Diversity, includes an "inclusivity index" based on 414 stories produced by ten companies through movies, television and digital platforms. It involved more than 11,000 speaking characters as well as 10,000 behind-the-scenes creators and 1,500 executives.

The report paints a portrait of pervasive underrepresentation.

2.22.2016

The Huangs get "Michael Chang Fever" on 'Fresh Off The Boat'

Episode 212: "Michael Chang Fever" airs Tuesday, February 23, 8:00pm on ABC.



ABC's hit Asian American family sitcom Fresh Off The Boat airs Tuesday nights at 8:00pm. 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 1990s suburban Orlando, in pursuit of the American dream. If you missed this season's episodes, they're 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 from Lucille Soong as Grandma Huang. This week, Michael Chang Fever takes hold of the Huang family.

Here's a preview of episode 212, "Michael Chang Fever":

Chloe Kim wins two gold medals at Youth Winter Olympics

Is there any doubt that Chloe Kim is the best damn snowboarder in the world right now?



I keep writing posts about Chloe Kim because she continues to be awesome, and shows no signs of stopping. Her latest triumph: winning two gold medals at the Winter Youth Olympic Games in Lillehammer, Norway.

Chloe Kim sweeps halfpipe, slopestyle at Youth Winter Olympics

The 15-year-old snowboarding phenom from La Palma, California kicked off the Youth Winter Olympic festivities by serving as Team USA's flag bearer for the Opening Ceremony, then proceeded to take gold last week in both the halfpipe and slopestyle -- despite dealing with a stomach problem and a sore knee.

On day 3 of Youth Olympic games -- less than a week after she became the first woman to score a perfect 100 in a top-level competition -- Chloe took the gold medal in the women's halfpipe with an impressive overall score of 96.50, ahead of silver medalist Emily Arthur of Australia and bronze medalist Yu-Rim Jeong of South Korea.

Indiana man arrested in hatchet attack on Chinese student

Self-proclaimed white supremacist Dana Ericson said he was trying to "perpetrate ethnic cleansing."



Last week in Nashville, Indiana, a man was arrested after attacking a Chinese high school student with a hatchet, injuring her in the back. The man later told police that he was trying to "perpetrate ethnic cleansing."

Police: Indiana man attacks exchange student with hatchet in apparent attempt at 'ethnic cleansing'

On Thursday afternoon, 18-year-old Yue Zhang was taking photos with her class downtown when a man approached her, said, "I'm going to kill you," and struck her twice in the back with a hatchet.

The teen, an exchange student from China, suffered a substantial two-inch laceration in her back. Thankfully, the injury wasn't life-threatening, but doctors estimate the hatchet came just an inch from the victim's spine. Her thick coat apparently prevented the injury from being fatal.

59-year-old Dana Ericson was arrested on several charges, including attempted murder, aggravated battery causing serious permanent disfigurement and battery by means of a deadly weapon.

2.21.2016

Read These Blogs


Thousands Rally After Conviction of Ex-Cop Peter Liang in Death of Akai Gurley: In New York and around the country, thousands gathered to protest the conviction of former police officer Peter Liang, who was convicted of second-degree manslaughter and official misconduct in the shooting death of Akai Gurley.

* * *

Editorial: Day of Remembrance Is a Reminder to Continue to Fight Injustice: This Day of Remembrace, commemorating President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's signing of Executive Order 9066, Japanese Americans remember not only the events of World War II, but the continued necessity to fight against injustice for all.

* * *

Why Japanese internees want a remembrance plaque at the LA County Fairgrounds: In Pomona, California, several former internees and their descendants are working with the Pomona Historical Society and the Los Angeles County Fair Association to erect a plaque at the fairgrounds to recognize the role the site played during the war and the Japanese internment.

* * *

Why Did Racked Delete an Essay About Asian Style Bloggers and Their 'Racial Ambivalence'? On Wednesday morning, Racked published an article by Lisa Wong Macabasco about the prominence of Asian style bloggers and the purported lack of prominence of their race... and then quickly deleted the story, claiming the piece didn't live up to its "editorial standards."

* * *

"Your manuscript is not a good fit": How "we need diverse books" can move beyond wishful thinking: "'Diversity' has been predicted to be the next big publishing trend, but this doesn't necessarily mean that very much will change on the structural level. Maintaining the status quo is easily accomplished by decoupling characters of color from writers of color, ensuring that well-intentioned white writers still control the narrative."

2.19.2016

Angry Reader of the Week: Forrest Wheeler

"I think I am everywhere but never in my comfort zone."



Why, hello there! People of the internet, 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 Forrest Wheeler.

Randall Park to guest star on 'Dr. Ken'

'Fresh Off The Boat' star will play the "wiiiiiiild" ringleader of the Korean Men's Club.



This one's kind of a no-brainer. Randall Park, who stars as patriarch Louis Huang on ABC's Fresh Off The Boat will guest star on an upcoming episode of the network's other Asian American family comedy Dr. Ken.

Fresh Off the Boat's Randall Park Makes Appointment With Dr. Ken

According to TVLine, Park will play Gary Chon, the seemingly straight-laced leader of the Korean Men's Club that Ken reluctantly joins, in a bid to make friends. But Gary turns out to be the group's wiiiiiiild ringleader.

Sitcom ijinks ensue.

Japanese Americans Look Back On World War II Incarceration

AJ+ talked to people who lived through the injustice of the internment.



This week marks the anniversary of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's signing of Executive Order 9066, which led to the United States government's forcible removal and mass incarceration of thousands of innocent Japanese Americans during World War II. In honor of this Day of Remembrance, AJ+ spoke to former internees who looked back and shared about their incarceration experience.

Man wanted in sexual assaults targeting Asian women

Police have released video of a suspect linked to three assaults in the last week near UC Berkeley.



In Berkeley, police have issued a warning and released images of a suspect linked to three sexual assaults in the last week. All of the victims have been Asian women assaulted near UC Berkeley.

Berkeley Police Release Video of Possible Suspect in Series of Sexual Assaults

On Thursday, the Berkeley Police Department released video of a man identified as a possible suspect in three sexual assault cases targeting college-aged Asian women. In one of the assaults, the suspect violently knocked the woman to the ground and forcibly grabbed her from behind.

Here are two versions of the surveillance video, at regular speed and slowed down:

2.18.2016

Nominate a White House Champion of Change for AAPI Art and Storytelling

The White House is honoring artists and advocates as part of AAPI Heritage Month.



Do you know an artist or advocate whose work has highlighted the unique experiences of AAPIs and brought attention to the pressing issues facing our community? Nominate them as a Champion of Change!

This year, as part of AAPI Heritage Month, the White House will honor Champions of Change for AAPI art and storytelling who have raised the visibility of diverse AAPI experiences and created dialogue and awareness around key issues of our community, and encouraging diversity and inclusion in all sectors of society.

Here are Jason Tengco and Doua Thor of the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders putting the call out for Champions of Change for AAPI art and storytelling:

Ian Chen of 'Fresh Off The Boat' guest stars on 'Dr. Ken'

Episode 112: "The Wedding Sitter" airs Friday, February 19 at 8:30pm on ABC



On this week's Dr. Ken, it's a kid swap! Fresh Off The Boat's Ian Chen guest stars as the kid next door.

Inspired by executive producer/star Ken Jeong's real life and career as a medical doctor, the multi-camera comedy Dr. Ken follows Dr. Ken Park, a physician with bad bedside manner trying to juggle medicine and being a family man to his wife and kids -- and not quite succeeding on either front.

Dr. Ken also stars the awesome Suzy Nakamura as Ken's wife Allison, Krista Marie Yu as daughter Molly, and Albert Tsai as his son Dave. They're all great. The cast is rounded out by Tisha Campbell-Martin as Damona, Jonathan Slavin as Clark, Kate Simses as Julie and Dave Foley as Pat.

Here's some more info about this week's episode, "The Wedding Sitter":

George Takei: Why I Love A Country That Once Betrayed Me

Uncle George talks about Japanese American incarceration.



This week marks the anniversary of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's signing of Executive Order 9066, which led to the United States government's mass incarceration of thousands of innocent Japanese Americans during World War II. One of those internees was famed actor/activist George Takei, whose family was removed from Los Angeles and forced into a camp in Arkansas when he was just a boy.

In this animated mini-version of his TED Talk, Uncle George shares his early recollection of being forced behind barbed wire, and reflects on both the strength and fallibility of American democracy:

2.15.2016

2016 Los Angeles Community Day of Remembrance

Saturday, February 20 at the Japanese American National Museum



If you are in Southern California, the Japanese American National Museum invites you to join them for the 2016 Los Angeles Community Day of Remembrance, the annual commemoration of President Franklin Roosevelt's signing of Executive Order 9066, which authorized the forcible removal and incarceration of thousands of Japanese Americans during World War II.

In light of recent events, this year's Day of Remembrance program will focus on Islamophobia and the backlash Muslim Americans have faced following terrorist attacks in Paris and San Bernadino, exploring parallels between the experiences of those groups and that of Japanese Americans during World War II.

It's happening Saturday, February 20 at the Japanese American National Museum. Here are more details:

Albert Tsai returns to 'Fresh Off The Boat'

Episode 211: "Phil's Phaves" airs Tuesday, February 16, 8:00pm on ABC.



ABC's hit Asian American family sitcom Fresh Off The Boat airs Tuesday nights at 8:00pm. 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 1990s suburban Orlando, in pursuit of the American dream. If you missed this season's episodes, they're 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 from Lucille Soong as Grandma Huang. This week, guest star Albert Tsai returns as Phillip Goldstein.

Here's a preview of episode 211, "Phil's Phaves":

Kelly Marie Tran joins the cast of 'Star Wars: Episode VIII'

Production is officially underway on the next chapter of the 'Star Wars' saga.



We've all felt a disturbance in the Force, as it was announced that filming for Star Wars VIII is officially underway. It has been confirmed that the next chapter of the Star Wars saga will feature several new cast additions, including Benicio Del Toro, Laura Dern and... "talented newcomer Kelly Marie Tran." Yoooooo.

Star Wars: Episode VIII Now Filming

I don't know about you, but I kind of lost my shit when I found out that Kelly was in the cast of Star Wars. While she's a relative newcomer -- at least, to anything as big as Star Wars -- and probably unknown to most, many of us know her as an active member of the improv comedy scene in Los Angeles. And she's really awesome.

2.14.2016

Fifteen Angry Years

Happy Angryversary.



Happy Valentine's Day, however you observe it. Today, by complete coincidence, happens to mark the 15th anniversary of Angry Asian Man. Fifteen years ago on this date, I tapped out some rudimentary HTML code and uploaded the very first iteration of this website on to the world wide web. I barely knew what I was doing, and sure as hell didn't think anybody was going to read it. I had no idea where this thing would take me.

But here we are, fifteen years later. So some thanks are definitely in order.

Read These Blogs


Why do my co-workers keep confusing me with other people? Because I'm Asian. "All my life I've been mistaken for other people of my race. It's a degrading and thoughtless error that boils away my identity and simplifies me as one thing: 'that Asian.'"

* * *

Rent-A-Minority: "We have a minority for every occasion."

* * *

MFA Director On Kimono Controversy: 'I Think That Was Misguided And Apologize': After the kimono f-up from last year, the Boston Museum of Fine Arts held a public forum, bringing together protestors, counter-protestors, and museum administration into one room.

* * *

Who Is Sri Srinivasan? Antonin Scalia's Possible Replacement Is A Renowned Judge: In the wake of Antonin Scalia's death, Sri Srinivasan -- a government lawyer for the United States Court of Appeals in the D.C. Circuit -- is among the names being thrown around as a front-runner to take Scalia's Supreme Court seat.

* * *

Editorial: President Obama, Nominate the First Asian-American Supreme Court Justice: "To leave a truly historic legacy on behalf of Asian Pacific Americans, we must urge the president to take the next step by nominating an Asian Pacific American to the Supreme Court."

2.12.2016

Family Reunion: A Storytelling Show

Thursday, February 25 at Echoes Under Sunset - "Almost Famous"



Los Angeles! It's story time! Disoriented Comedy invites you to the latest edition of Family Reunion, a monthly live storytelling show co-presented by Angry Asian Man, Tuesday Night Project, Mishthi Music and KAYA Press, featuring regular everyday folks talking story. No notes.

This month's theme is "Almost Famous," and I'm in charge. February actually marks the anniversary of Angry Asian Man, so this is one of the ways we're celebrating. Telling stories! The evening's lineup of featured storytellers includes Randall Park, Marcus Poon, Emily C. Chang, Taz Ahmed, tk le, Atsuko Okatsuka, Claire Jia and Stephen Dypiangco. Plus possible special surprise guests. Also me, your host for the night.

It's happening Thursday, February 25 at Echoes Under Sunset. Here are some more details about the show:

Will Glenn survive season six of 'The Walking Dead'?

Steven Yeun is featured on one of six variant covers of Entertainment Weekly.



Entertainment Weekly is clearly excited about the return of The Walking Dead. The hit AMC undead drama returns for the second half of season six this Sunday. To celebrate, EW has devoted six variant "special collector's covers" to the show's zombie apocalypse survivors -- including Steven Yeun as Glenn Rhee.

This Week's Cover: The Walking Dead returns with 6 exclusive EW collector's covers

The magazine has done this before, although last time Glenn shared the cover with his lady love Maggie, played by Lauren Cohan (who also got her own cover this time). This set of covers is decidedly less action-y, but still depicts the survivors in a state of alert, ready for some shit to go down. Because shit's gonna go down.

Two students dead in double shooting at Arizona high school

15-year-old May Kieu and another student were found fatally shot in a possible murder-suicide.



In Arizona, two 15-year-old female students were killed in a double shooting Friday morning at a Glendale high school. Both reportedly died of single gunshot wounds in a possible murder-suicide.

1 of 2 girls shot to death at Independence High School in Glendale identified

One of the students was identified as May Kieu, a sophomore at Independence High School. It is being reported that Kieu's sister, Phuong Kieu, is a teacher at the school.

Police were called to the school just before 8:00 am, and arrived within two minutes to find the two girls dead in an isolated area of campus near the administration building. Both had each sustained a single gunshot wound and a weapon was found beside them. They were declared dead at the scene.

Angry Reader of the Week: D'Lo

"Queer as Raised Fists Punching Through Rainbows."


Photo Credit: Daren Mooko

Hello, my 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 D'Lo.

Chloe Kim selected as Team USA's flag bearer at the 2016 Youth Winter Olympic Games

15-year-old snowboard phenom will compete in Lillehammer.



The United States Olympic Committee announced that teen snowboarder Chloe Kim has been selected as Team USA's flag bearer for the Opening Ceremony of the 2016 Winter Youth Olympic Games, which started Friday and runs through February 21 in Lillehammer, Norway.

Chloe Kim Selected As Team USA Flag Bearer For Lillehammer 2016 Winter Youth Olympic Games

The 15-year-old from La Palma, California is the first snowboarder to serve as flag bearer for Team USA at either the Olympic Winter Games or Youth Olympic Games. In 2014, she qualified for the Sochi Olympics, but at 13 years old she was too young to compete. Now she's one of the top halfpipe snowboarders in the world.

2.11.2016

2016 Seattle Asian American Film Festival

February 19-21 at the Northwest Film Forum



Seattle film fans! It's time to support independent Asian American cinema. Make some plans. The Seattle Asian American Film Festival is going down February 19-21 at the Northwest Film Forum in Capitol Hill. The program includes fifty of the best works in recent independent cinema by and about Asian Americans.

Here are some festival highlights:

NYPD officer Peter Liang convicted of manslaughter

Rookie cop found guilty in fatal stairwell shooting of Akai Gurley.



In Brooklyn, jurors have found NYPD officer Peter Liang guilty of manslaughter and official misconduct in the death of Akai Gurley, an unarmed man who was fatally shot in a public housing stairwell in 2014.

Officer Peter Liang Convicted in Fatal Shooting of Akai Gurley in Brooklyn

On November 20, 2014, Liang and his partner were patrolling the Louis H. Pink Houses in Brooklyn. At one point, Liang opened a door into an unlit stairwell and his gun went off. The bullet ricocheted off a wall and hit 28-year-old Akai Gurley, who was walking down the stairs, piercing his heart.

2.10.2016

East West Players presents 'Criers For Hire'

February 11 - March 13, 2016 at the David Henry Hwang Theatre.



Los Angeles theater fans! East West Players, the nation's premier Asian American theatre, invites you to the world premiere comedy Criers for Hire by Giovanni Ortega and directed by Jon Lawrence Rivera.

In Criers For Hire, Aurora, Remedios, and Eugenia are three of the most sought-after professional funeral criers in Monterey Park. They are eager to welcome Aurora's 14-year-old daughter Ligaya (nicknamed Gaya) from the Philippines into their world and teach her their somber trade. However, they soon realize that Gaya has the opposite effect on people, making them laugh instead of cry.

Preview performances begin this week. Here are some more details:

Waris Ahluwalia flies home, ending standoff over turban

Aeromexico apologizes to Sikh American actor, promising changes in security procedure.



Victory. On Wednesday morning, after a two-day standoff in Mexico City, Sikh American actor, designer and activist Waris Ahluwalia boarded an Aeromexico flight back home to the United States.

Sikh Actor Is Allowed to Fly Home to U.S. Wearing His Turban

The airline initially barred Ahluwalia from flying because he refused to remove his turban, an article of his Sikh faith. But after Waris took a stand, calling for better sensitivity and training regarding passengers with religious headwear -- attracting a ton of media attention in the process -- Aeromexico relented.

After spending two extra days grounded in Mexico City, Ahulwalia was allowed to board a new Aeroméxico flight without removing his turban for a security check. In addition to issuing an apology to Ahluwalia, the airline agreed to initiate staff training about how to deal with passengers wearing religious head coverings.

2.09.2016

CAAMFest 2016 Launch Party

Thursday, February 11 at Mercer SF



San Francisco! Are you ready to get hyped for CAAMFest 2016? Then join CAAM for the official CAAMFest 2016 Launch Party. Drink, dance and mingle with community folks, and be among the first to get your hands on the film festival guide. It's happening Thursday, February 11 at Mercer SF.

Here are some more details about the party:

Did I just see Olivia Munn slice a car in half?

See Psylocke in action in the new 'X-Men: Apocalypse' Super Bowl commercial.



All right, X-fans. In case you missed it, here is the indisputable money shot from the new trailer for X-Men: Apocalypse, which premiered during the Super Bowl. Yes, that's Olivia Munn as Psylocke acrobatically slicing a flying automobile in half with her muthaeffin' psychic blade. Boom. That's all I needed to see. Sold.

Oh, here's the full Super Bowl spot:

Not Your Typical Makeup Tutorial

Spoken word video by Theanne Liu: for those who refuse to be silenced.



This video starts off like one of the ubiquitous makeup tutorials that populate YouTube... but then it becomes something different. Theanne Liu created this thoughtful spoken word piece to share about her personal experiences within Asian America -- "through learning about our history, understanding how we are racialized subjects, being in the diaspora, to dealing with various forms of racism and ethnosexualization."

Created for her Asian American Studies class on Race, Gender, and Sexuality at Northwestern University, the video is produced in the style of a makeup tutorial as a nod to the hypervisibility of Asian women on YouTube in the realm of beauty and fashion, while remaining underrepresented in other non-beauty-related video content.

Take a look:

Australian shopkeeper assaulted in racist attack

Store owner Paul Shin was beaten by a teen who yelled "F*ck off home you Asians!"



News of racist violence out of Australia.... Last month in Terrigal, three days before Australia Day, a Korean shop owner and and his wife were assaulted by a teenager who repeatedly yelled "fuck off home you Asians!"

Terrigal outrage at police reaction after shopkeeper forgives boy who bashed him

Paul and Isabella Shin were viciously attacked outside their convenience store, The Little Shop, on January 23 by a 17-year-old boy who, with three friends, reportedly yelled "Fucking Asians, fucking go home!"

The attack, which sent Mr. Shin to the hospital with a black eye and extensive bruises on his arm and upper chest, came after moAnths of persistent vandalism at the store. In the wake of the attack, the Shins have decided to sell their shop and leave the area.

"My wife is shocked. I want to forget a bad memory," Mr. Shin told The Sydney Morning Herald.

2.08.2016

Three bands, plus magic!

Saturday, February 13 at El Rio in San Francisco



San Francisco indie rock fans! Guitar rock/noise band Largesse -- whose membership includes former members of Scrabbel, the Gold Medalists and Total Shutdown -- are back with their "harmony-laden guitar pop" after a half-year break from the stage. Check out their show this Saturday, February 13 with Kill Death Ratio, Matt & Paul Magic and Some Gifts at El Rio in San Francisco.

Here are some more details about the show:

Hey Student Journalists! Apply for JCamp 2016

AAJA is accepting applications for its annual multicultural journalism training program for high school students.



The Asian American Journalists Association is accepting applications for JCamp, an all-expenses-paid annual multicultural journalism training program for talented high school students of diverse backgrounds.

The program will celebrate its 16th year in 2016 at the George Washington University School of Media and Public Affairs in Washington, DC, August 1-6. The six-day camp brings students together for intensive training in writing, photography, broadcast, online media and reporting led by professional journalists.

JCamp is free and open to current freshmen, sophomores and juniors in high school. Students of all races and ethnicities are encouraged to apply. Here's some more information about the program:

Happy Lunar New Year from the White House

Wishing you happiness, prosperity, fortune and good health in the Year of the Monkey.



Happy Lunar New Year! May you and your loved ones eat delicious food and share in happy times.

In case you missed it, President Obama and the First Lady wished everyone happiness, prosperity, fortune and good health as we celebrate the Lunar New Year and welcome the Year of the Monkey.

Here's the President's message:

Waris Ahluwalia barred from flight because of his turban

Sikh actor and designer denied entry into Aeromexico flight back to New York.



On Monday, celebrity Sikh American fashion designer and actor Waris Ahluwalia was barred from boarding his AeroMexico flight home from Mexico City to New York City because he refused to remove his turban.

Turban-Wearing Sikh American Actor Is Barred From Aeroméxico

Ahluwalia, who wears a turban in observance of his Sikh faith, says he was flagged for a secondary security check. He was held back until all other passengers had boarded the 7:15 AM Aeroméxico flight out of Mexico City. Security personnel searched his bag, swabbed him and patted him down.

When they asked Ahluwalia to take off his turban, he refused.

Love is in the air on 'Fresh Off The Boat'

Episode 216: "Love and Loopholes" airs Tuesday, February 9, 8:00pm on ABC.



ABC's hit Asian American family sitcom Fresh Off The Boat airs Tuesday nights at 8:00pm. 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 this season's episodes, they're 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 from Lucille Soong as Grandma Huang. This week, the Huangs all have big plans for Valentine's Day.

Here's a preview of episode 216, "Love and Loopholes":

Hudson Yang's Hypothetical Image Award Acceptance Speech

Here's what the young 'Fresh Off The Boat' star would have said if he'd won the NAACP award.



Last week, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People presented the 2016 NAACP Image Awards, honoring outstanding people of color in film, television, music, and literature. Our friend Hudson Yang, star of ABC's Fresh Off The Boat, was nominated alongside several talented young performers for Outstanding Performance by a Youth (Series, Special, Television Movies or Mini-series).

Hudson didn't win. Up against Marcus Scribner -- who did win -- Marsai Martin and Miles Brown of ABC's black-ish, and Skai Jackson for Disney Channel's Jessie, he knew his chances were pretty slim.

But on the way-out-of-left-field chance that he might hear his name called and find himself standing at the podium, Hudson actually did prepare some acceptance remarks (with a little help from his pops Jeff).

So, shared with permission, here's what Hudson would have said to the Image Awards audience:

Southwest University's Super Bowl ad promises 'Happy Ending'

Texas college's commercial, which aired during the big game, was set in an Asian massage parlor.



Oh hell no. There were a lot of lousy commercials than ran during Super Bowl Sunday, but this local ad for Southwest University, set in an Asian massage parlor, easily has to be one of the worst.

The one-minute spot features two loser white dudes getting their backs rubbed at a massage parlor. Lanterns, dragons, gongs, wind flutes, all that garbage. The guys complain that carrying around textbooks has done a number on their backs. Meanwhile, the masseuses converse in Mandarin -- white people are always very concerned that we Asians are talking shit about them in our secret language -- suggesting that these idiots should have gone to Southwest, where you don't have to lug around books because everything's on an iPad.

And then the ad ends with the declaration: "Southwest University. HAPPY ENDING INCLUDED." Classy.

Chloe Kim lands back-to-back 1080s, scores perfect 100

15-year-old snowboarder makes history at the U.S. Grand Prix.



Snowboarder Chloe Kim continues her reign of being absolutely awesome. The 15-year-old phenom made history on Saturday, becoming the first woman to land back-to-back 1080s -- and scoring a perfect 100.

Chloe Kim lands back-to-back 1080s, scores perfect 100

A week after taking her second consecutive gold at the Winter X Games, Kim scored a perfect 100 to win the women's halfpipe event at the U.S. Grand Prix in Park City, Utah. Believe it or not, her perfect run came on a "victory lap" -- she had already clinched the win with a 95.60 in an earlier run.