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12.21.2012

Angry Reader of the Week: Wen Hao Wang



All right, everybody. Gather 'round 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 Wen Hao Wang.

Who are you?
Wen Hao Wang. Son of hard working parents. I’m a writer, journalist, short time stand-up comedian in college, and one time Kenka curry champion.

What are you?
American. Asian American. American of Asian Descent. Fujianese. Chinese American.

Where are you?
Queens, New York. You can find me on the 7 train or dollar van to Chinatown.

Where are you from?
I was born in China and came to the U.S. when I was one years old. I grew up in NYC’s Chinatown eating mantous and drinking milk teas on my way to school. (If you’re a weird stranger asking this, I’ll give you a hard time)

What do you do?
I recently interned at the Asian American Writers' Workshop where I wrote for OurChinatown, a hyperlocal news site covering Manhattan’s Chinatown. It’s one of the only English language news sources devoted solely to covering issues relevant to Asian Americans, working class people, and immigrants living in Chinatown.

Stories I reported on include tenants who still lacked power weeks after Sandy hit, voting barriers that residents faced on Election Day, and the work of a youth led group teaching other youths about important issues in their community.

What are you all about?
Social justice, community, friends, family, summer concerts, trying to improve my Chinese, reading more, pork buns, spicy cumin lamb hand-pulled noodles.

What makes you angry?
People who don't check their privilege. Racism, especially hipster racism. Cultural appropriation. Orientalism and exoticism. Yellowface. People who say we’re beyond race. People of color who take part in the oppression of their own community. Stereotypes. Microaggressions ("You speak English well"). General close-mindedness and ignorance. People who spread their legs or blast their music on the subway. And trucks that look like food trucks from afar, but are actually delivery trucks.