It is that time again. It is time for you 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 author Ellen Oh.
Who are you?
Ellen Oh (formerly Ha, now another interjection) - writer, lawyer, college instructor, Mom of 3 amazing daughters, wife to the best husband, daughter to the most supportive parents, sister to another amazing writer.
What are you?
Korean American
Where are you?
I live in Bethesda, MD, right outside of Washington, DC. I miss NY pizza, bagels and Gray's Papaya hot dogs so much that I actually dream about them sometimes. And then I wake up and I am hungry. This makes me angry.
Where are you from?
I am from New York. First Queens and then Brooklyn. But I always wanted to live in Manhattan. My parents moved out of Brooklyn and into Manhattan only after I moved away. This makes me angry.
What do you do?
I'm currently on sabbatical from George Mason University, where I teach advanced research and writing classes for the Bachelor of Individualized Studies program. At first I was only off for a semester so I could work on my first book, but it has extended to over a year now as I write books 2 and 3. I was fortunate enough to get a 3-book deal with HarperCollins Children's publishing. My first book, Prophecy, a young adult fantasy novel set in ancient Korea, is now out in bookstores.
However, I do miss teaching and plan to go back soon. And no, I don't miss practicing law at all. This makes my Mom angry.
What are you all about?
I am about girl power. I am about education. I am about having a voice and being heard.
I am also all about the donuts – Krispy Kreme chocolate glazed to be specific.
What makes you angry?
Racism. Sexism. Ageism. Classism. Homophobia. Liars. Intolerance bugs the hell out of me. Hollywood whitewashing makes me crazy. Young teenagers exposing their ignorance to the world in racist, sexist, hate filled tweets outrages me. Walking into the bookstore and seeing Young Adult bookshelves filled with pretty, thin white girls in flowing dresses breaks my heart. Societal attitude toward women as sexual objects is abhorrent to me. Women who put down other women disappoint the hell out of me. I'm an Angry Asian mother of 3 daughters. Not only do I have to worry about racism and sexism for my daughter's sake, I also have to worry about the sexual exotification of Asian women. So yeah, I have a lot to be angry about.
But at the same time, I have been so blessed in my life that it's hard to stay angry. (Sorry Angry Asian Man!) There have been so many awesome people who have made a positive impact in my life, and I'm grateful to every single one of them! Yes I get angry at all that is wrong in this world, but I do believe in the capacity of any human to change – whether for better or worse. And I keep hoping for the best because life is good.
Website - ellenoh.com
Twitter - elloecho
Facebook - facebook.com/ProphecySeries
Tumblr - elloellenoh.tumblr.com