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12.15.2017

Angry Reader of the Week: Jess Ju

"This interview probably should have been typed in ALL CAPS."



Hello, good people of the internet. 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 Jess Ju.


Who are you?

I'm Jess Ju, a self-proclaimed raging liberal, feminist killjoy.

What are you?

I'm an overly passionate, easily excitable second-generation Chinese American/Asian American raised by the best parents in LA.

I'm a theater kid, a pop culture fanatic, a Food Network-educated chef, a proud Slytherin, an overly enthusiastic tour guide, a car rapper, a lover of justice, a hustler for good, a professional amateur podcast guest, and the chairwoman of #teamextra.

Also, I'm LOUD. This interview probably should have been typed in ALL CAPS.

Where are you?

Currently back in LA after a 6-year detour in Berkeley. I'm sitting at my work desk, waiting for traffic to die down. #soLA

Where are you from?

The best place to be from, Monterey Park, which I also loving refer to as the MPK/the 626/SGV/the better Valley. Now apparently TIME Magazine's #3 Best Place to Live in America. I mean, I always knew that, but who let the cat out of the bag?

What do you do?

Right now, I’m the Director of Programs and Operations at CAPE, The Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment, a non-profit organization that works to improve AAPI representation in entertainment. That’s a lot of words to say I support and uplift AAPI creative voices. One way in which we do this is through the CAPE New Writers Fellowship, which is now taking submissions through January 7, 2018. (Shameless plug!) Our Fellows get invaluable insider knowledge on how to play the game and access to a vast professional network. It's truly an amazing program, and the writers get an added bonus of spending 6-8 weeks with me!

What are you all about?

I'm all about treating yourself, knowing your worth, standing up for what you believe in, and enjoying your life in the present.

What makes you angry?

The list includes but is not limited to: the patriarchy, sexism, racism, white feminism, broientals, hypocrites, the patriarchy again, whitewashing, people who disparage millennial for taking selfies, people who want to live in areas with lots of culture but won’t support cultural institutions financially, people who cut in line, people who don’t offer their seats to old people on public transportation, bikers who flip-flop between following vehicular and pedestrian traffic laws, ethnic food not getting respect unless its cooked by a white chef, LA LA LAND, and the patriarchy. Like Bruce Banner said in The Avengers (2012), "I'm always angry."