What's up? I'll you what's up: it's 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 Benjamin Fang.
Who are you?
I am a student studying journalism, political science and Asian American Studies at Syracuse University. I am a son of Chinese immigrant parents who worked tremendously hard so their sons could live better lives. I am an open book, a lifelong learner and a friend to all.
What are you?
I am a second generation Asian American. More specifically, I am a second generation Chinese American. I am also male, straight, lower middle class, able-bodied, atheist and privileged.
Where are you?
I am currently sitting in a booth at the S. I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University working on our campus's only Asian-interest publication, A-Line Magazine. In about two weeks, I'll be home.
Where are you from?
I am from Astoria, Queens in New York City. I also call Chinatown, New York my home. Yes, we are REALLY from New York!
What do you do?
At Syracuse University, I am the editor-in-chief of A-Line Magazine, which covers the Asian and Asian American community both here and around the world in news, fashion, entertainment and more. I am also part of the Asian Pacific American Heritage Month planning committee, which plans the annual month-long celebration on campus. In addition, I am a member of the Asian/Asian American Studies Minor committee, advocating for the program and its sponsored events. Finally, I am an executive board member of Asian Students in America (ASIA), the pan-Asian student organization at Syracuse.
Back home in New York City, I have been involved with Chinatown Youth Initiatives (CYI), a for-youth, by-youth non-profit based in New York City's Chinatown aimed to empower New York City youth. I was a facilitator for the summer program for two years and coordinated Chinatown Literacy Project, a year-long program offering free English classes to adults in the community.
What are you all about?
I am all about social justice and progressive movements. I am about organizing and mobilizing communities of color, youth and other communities of need to address issues they care about. I am about carrying on the legacies of Yuri Kochiyama, Grace Lee Boggs and other organizers. I am about fighting for my people.
But I am also about passion. I am passionate about writing. I am passionate about storytelling and truth-telling. I am passionate about covering underrepresented communities who need their voices heard. I am passionate about sports and music, romantic movies and cheesy pick-up lines.
I am also about kindness. I am about humility and compassion. I am about love. Love for our families, friends and communities.
What makes you angry?
I get angry over apathy. I get angry over constant laziness and inaction. I get angry over all forms of racism on all levels. I get angry over misrepresentation in the media and tokenization. I get angry over privileged folks who won't own up to it. I get angry over microaggressions. I get angry over being the "angry minority" in my classes. I get angry over my own inabilities and shortcomings. I get angry over people who hinder me from being all I can be.
