9.30.2013

Page Turner: The AAWW Food & Books Festival, October 5

Twelve reasons to get your literature lovin' self to Page Turner.



New York City, this looks legit. On Saturday, October 5, the Asian American Writers' Workshop presents the Page Turner Food and Books Festival. Readings, performances, dumpling-making sessions, a DIY poetry booth, and much more. And it's all free to the public and fun for everyone. Here's AAWW's list of all the reasons you should go:

Research Study: Asian Americans caring for aging parents

Seeking participants for a Virginia Tech graduate thesis study

I recently heard from May Kanti, a master's student in the Marriage & Family Therapy program at Virginia Tech. Her thesis research is about the experience of 1.5- and 2nd-generation Asian Americans caring for elderly parents, and she's looking for folks to participate in a research study.

The study entails a 10-minute telephone screening, a brief demographic questionnaire, and one-hour interview (in-person, over the phone or via Skype) about your experience as an Asian American caring for your parent.

Here's some more information about the study and who is eligible:

[UPDATE: The participation criteria has been changed. They are now recruiting both single and married individuals for this study. I've updated the details below.]

Tessanne Chin spins all four chairs on The Voice

The don't call it The Voice for nothing.



I haven't been watching the new season of The Voice, but I guess that's why they invented the internet, yo. And the internet has caught me up with the incredible singing talents of Chinese Jamaican vocalist Tessanne Chin. Belting a soulful killer take on Pink's "Try," she easily got all four coaches to spin their chairs around during her blind audition. Check it out:

Man arrested for impersonating Indianapolis police officer

Asians behaving badly... serial police impersonator edition!

Last week in Indianapolis, a man was arrested for impersonating a cop -- in a full police uniform complete with two guns -- during the funeral procession for a fallen police officer: Police arrest impersonator during officer funeral procession.

38-year-old Minh V. Nguyen was arrested just before the procession and services for Officer Rod Bradway, who was killed in the line of duty earlier this month. Nguyen was seen at the Northwest District Headquarters wearing a police-type uniform and photographing the funeral events. An IMPD officer recognized Nguyen as a person he had warned several times before about impersonating a police officer.

And Nguyen apparently takes his cop cosplay seriously. His faux police getup included a fake badge, patches identifying himself as an officer, two firearms, a radio with shoulder microphone, two sets of handcuffs and a stun gun. Police -- real police -- also found a a rifle and a stash of other stolen IMPD items in his car.

LINSANITY documentary opens in theaters this Friday

Have you made your plans yet? Tickets are available now.



Sports fans! Movie lovers! Jeremy Lin devotees! The feature documentary Linsanity, directed by Evan Jackson Leong, hits select theaters nationwide this Friday, October 4. The film is an in-depth look at the unlikely underdog story of Jeremy Lin, from one kid's humble hoop dreams to his meteoric rise to global NBA stardom. But this is not an overnight success story. This is a story about family, faith and perseverance.

Since even before its world premiere earlier this year at the Sundance Film Festival, I've talked a lot about this movie. This is your chance to relive the Linsanity. Have you made your plans yet? Tickets are available now. The important thing to remember is that first weekend ticket sales are really important to ensure that the film's theatrical run has a better chance in the weeks to come.

First, here's the theatrical trailer again to get you psyched:

Driver chased down by angry mob of motorcyclists

Alexian Lien was dragged out of his car and beaten in front of his wife and child.



Craziness on the road yesterday in New York City, where a wild freeway chase between a motorist and a pack of motorcyclists ended in a violent altercation: Pack of motorcyclists chase man in SUV, attack him on upper Manhattan street after fender bender on West Side Highway.

It all started with a fender bender. 33-year-old Alexian Lien was out for drive with his wife and 2-year-old child when his Range Rover was surrounded by several bikers on the West Side Highway. When one of the bikers cut him off, Lien hit the brakes, but his SUV hit the motorcycle's rear tire.

Lien stopped, but when several the bikers began to damage his car, he says he feared for his safety and took off, plowing through at least three motorcycles -- breaking one rider's leg -- and triggering a frightening freeway chase. When the vengeful motorcyclists caught up with Lien, they based his SUV with their helmets, dragged him out of the vehicle, beat him, and slashed his face with a knife.

The bikers were out with hundreds of other motorcyclists taking part in an annual ride from Brooklyn to Times Square. One biker's helmet camera caught part of the scary incident on video:

My Favorite Racist Costumes From the Fun World Catalog

Not too early to start thinking about your racist Halloween costume.



Last week, Walmart pulled a Osama bin Laden-themed Halloween costume from its website under pressure from members of the Sikh community who say the product is offensive to 9/11 victims and perpetuates stereotypes and spreads further ignorance about turbans and beards: Osama Bin Laden Halloween Costume Removal Demanded By Sikh Advocacy Group In Letter To Walmart And Amazon.

In letters to Walmart and Amazon, the Sikh Coalition -- the largest Sikh American advocacy organization in the United States -- requested removal of the product, saying the costume "perpetuates negative stereotypes about turbans and beards that have led to violence and discrimination against Sikhs and other minorities."

Think that's bullshit? Tell that to Prabhjot Singh, the Sikh Columbia University professor was assaulted last weekend in a violent hate crime, by attackers who called him "Osama" and "terrorist."

The Turban & Beard Instant Costume is manufactured by Fun World Costumes, which makes outrageous outfits of all varieties, including the super-fun racist ones. I skimmed through the Fun World website's wide selection of Halloween costumes, and picked out just a few of my racist favorites:

Candlelight vigil for Pvt. Danny Chen

Join OCA-NY for the two-year commemoration of Danny Chen's death



On October 3, 2011, 19-year-old Pvt. Danny Chen was found dead with a bullet to his head after enduring weeks of hazing and racial harassment from his supervisors. In the wake of his tragic death, community advocates fought for justice and to ensure that Pvt. Chen's legacy would never be forgotten.

If you're in New York City this week, join OCA-NY for a candlelight vigil commemorating the 2-year anniversary of Pvt. Chen's death. It's happening Thursday, October 3, 6:30-7:30pm, on Elizabeth St. between Canal and Bayard in Chinatown. Danny was a native of New York's Chinatown, and the location marks the upcoming street co-naming, "Danny Chen's Way," in his honor.

9.29.2013

Read These Blogs



Most Congressmen Are Boring. This One is Funny - On Purpose: Meet Rep. Mark Takano, the man who trolls Republicans with "Breaking Bad" and Kanye West references.

Harlem hate crime victim Prabhjot Singh: I'm feeling gratitude: Professor Prabhjot Singh was attacked in a hate crime in his Harlem neighborhood. Here, he writes about his intention to stay in the neighborhood, the 'gratitude' he feels about the timing of the attack, and his desire to teach his attackers.

A Message of Hope in Response to the Attack on Prabhjot Singh: A Columbia University professor and doctor who happens to be an American Sikh was attacked in Harlem over the weekend. His wife responds to this ugly and hateful episode with a message of hope and strength.

Opinion: The Washington Redskins Should Follow the Pekin Chinks and Fighting Coons and Change Their Name: With football season well underway, here's Ling Woo Liu on why Washington D.C.'s football team needs to change its racist name to something more appropriate for the 21st century.

9.27.2013

The Musical That Refuses to Die

"Asian America has its own story to tell. Don't Buy Miss Saigon."



The hit musical Miss Saigon is the longest running and most enduring pop culture representation of Vietnamese people in the Western world. It's also full of racist, sexist and colonialist lies. Now, twelve years after closing on Broadway, everybody's favorite musical me-love-you-long-time is attempting to make a comeback.

With upcoming runs of the show in Minneapolis and several other cities, the Don't Buy Miss Saigon campaign aims to create awareness about this shitty Orientalist musical that refuses to die:

Hero dog dies while protecting child from oncoming car

An Atlanta family mourns the loss of a loyal seeing-eye dog.



Oh man. Getting a little choked up reading this story out of Atlanta about a guide dog that was struck by a car and fatally injured, but saved the life of his owner's child: Guide dog dies after saving owner's child.

On Monday, David Furukawa, who is legally blind, was walking his 4-year-old son William to school with the help of his seeing-eye dog Simon. They were crossing the street when a car ran a stop sign and plowed into them, striking Furukawa and the 80-pound boxer.

But according to witnesses, Simon jumped up and pushed William out of the path of the car.

Enter ISA's Fly Away & Trick Photo Contest

Take your best trick photo and enter to win a trip to see Far East Movement in Florida



Just helping our friends Wong Fu and Far East Movement spread the word about their contest... ISA invites you to enter the Fly Away & Trick Photo Contest for a chance to win a special X-mini prize pack. An X-mini, for your information, is a pretty awesome little capsule speaker.

But wait, there's more! One lucky Grand Prize winner from all the entries will receive two tickets to see Far East Movement at Scream Fest in Sunrise, Florida -- flight, accommodations and backstage passes included. Awesome, right? But you'll have to take some photos... and you'll have to be creative.

Watch this video:

Yet Another Hateful Act Against Sikhs: Mississippi Judge, Cops Harass and Unlawfully Detain Sikh Man

By Rohin Guha. Cross-posted from The Aerogram.

Not all hate crimes necessarily involve bloody noses and broken jaws. Some combine the one-two punch of hateful language and government-sanctioned bullying. What happened to Dr. Prabhjot Singh in Manhattan last Saturday is terrifying — and his ability to recover with grace is inspiring. A little bit trickier to parse is the Sikh man in Mississippi who earlier this year was harassed, humiliated, and arrested by several police officers and a judge in that state. We'll tell you now that this one at least ends with a little bit of justice.

In January of this year, Jageet Singh (no relation), a commercial truck driver, was pulled over for a flat tire by several cops. They then proceeded to mock him for his appearance, searched his vehicle without just cause, and even tried to get him to remove his kirpan -- laughing when he explained the significance of the article in the Sikh faith. Eventually, they arrested him -- not for the kirpan or even for the flat tire, but for "disobeying an officer." When Singh returned to Mississippi in March 2013 for a court date, he was waiting in the back of the courtroom for his attorney to arrive and was again accosted by four highway officers who told him to leave. They were acting on the orders of Judge Aubrey Rimes who wanted Singh ejected because he "didn't like his turban."

But wait, it gets better.

Angry Reader of the Week: CHOPS



Hey, everybody. Gather 'round, because 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 Scott Jung, aka CHOPS.

Albert Kim developing new conspiracy drama for CW

Nikita writer will executive produce the show for Eva Longoria's UnbeliEVAble Entertainment.

Got any Nikita fans out there? Albert Kim, co-executive producer/writer on the CW action drama, is working on a new show for the network with Eva Longoria's production company UnbeliEVAble Entertainment: 'Nikita' Writer, Eva Longoria Developing Conspiracy Drama for CW.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, Kim will executive produce and write the untitled conspiracy drama, which centers on a woman who earns a law degree while behind bars for a double murder she didn't commit. After getting out of the joint, she sets out for some payback. Sounds juicy.

Albert's been working on the current version of Nikita, starring Maggie Q, since the beginning. The show's fourth and final season will premiere sometime midseason.

Chin Ho is not happy.

The Camaro is on fire.



This is for all my fellow Hawaii Five-0 fans. In honor of tonight's premiere of season four (now on Friday nights on CBS), here is a badass photo of Daniel Dae Kim and a burning car. That is all.

School board member accused of possible wrongdoing in foreign student recruitment

If there's new money to be made -- particularly from China -- someone is going to find a way to exploit it.

What the hell is going on in the Hacienda La Puente Unified School District? A recent investigation in the school's international students program lays out serious problems, including host homes with no heat and inadequate food, students subject to verbal abuse, as well as a board member's potential conflict of interest: Report outlines problems with foreign student recruitment at Hacienda La Puente schools.

Here is the situation as I understand it... Basically, a recruiting company has been making a ton of money by bringing over Chinese students who want to study in the United States. But when they get here, the students are completely neglected and even abused. An employee of the recruiting company blew the whistle on what's been going down, prompting the district to conduct an independent investigation that verified his claims.

You can read the full report here. (It's long.) But that just got the ball rolling...

9.26.2013

Music Video: Dumbfoundead is in "Brooklyn For A Month"



Some new music from our homie Jonathan Park, aka Dumbfoundead, aka Parker, who recently left his native Los Angeles to spend the month of September in Brooklyn. Hence, the title of this track: "Brooklyn For A Month." Check out the music video, featuring cameos by Akwafina and Rekstizzy:

Sound and Fury Podcast Episode 12: Evan Jackson Leong



Hey there, podcast listeners! The Sound and Fury podcast is back with something new for your ears. Episode 12 features a cool conversation with filmmaker Evan Jackson Leong, whose latest feature film Linsanity, about inspirational basketball star Jeremy Lin, hits theaters on October 4.

As always, thank you to everyone for listening, and helping us get to a dozen episodes. Your feedback and encouraging words are greatly appreciated. To catch up on previous episodes, get the rundown here. To get new episodes delivered to your device as soon as they're released, be sure to subscribe.

But check it, here's my conversation with Evan Jackson Leong:

Comedian arrested for punching journalist over tweets

"Dan Nainan just punched me in the face."



Boom. Last night in Washington DC, a comedian punched a journalist in the face. Because of something he posted on Twitter. Come on, we've all wanted to punch someone over a tweet at one point or another: Comedian Dan Nainan arrested after journalist punched in face over tweets.

Indian American Standup comedian Dan Nainan was performing Wednesday night at the DC Improv Comedy Club in Dupont Circle. Daily Beast senior correspondent Josh Rogin was in the audience, gathered for the semi-annual "Funniest Celebrity in Washington" contest. By the end of the night, one guy would get a punch in the face, and one guy would get arrested.

Rogin apparently wasn't much of a fan of Nainan's comedy and live-tweeted some mild criticism of his act, which included a bad George W. Bush impression and jokes about how Asians confuse "L" and "R." Ugh.

9.25.2013

San Diego Asian Film Festival Kick-Off Party, October 4

Friday, October 4 at Qualcomm Hall



What's up, San Diego film fans? The 14th San Diego Asian Film Festival is coming up soon, and they're officially announcing the lineup next week at the annual Pre-Festival Kick-Off Celebration, happening Friday, October 4 at Qualcomm Hall. There will be food, drinks, friends and the inside scoop on what's hot at this year's festival.

Here are some more details:

Music Video: Mountain Brothers back together in "Keep On"

Groundbreaking group reunites for Asian American music project's lead single



Hell yeah. It's on. Pioneering Asian American hip hop group Mountain Brothers recently got back together for a new track, "Keep On," the lead single from the upcoming compilation project Strength in Numbers.

Once upon a time back in the day, the Mountain Brothers were the first Asian American rap group ever signed to a major label. Here, Chops, Peril-L and Styles Infinite are back together, with the vocal assist from Ann One, to show you what's up. Check out the music video:

CNBC host Joe Kernen can't resist the dumbass Indian jokes

"Are they good at 7-11?" Is it really that hard not to say the stupidest shit possible?



Come on. Can we please cut it with the stupid 7-11/Indian jokes? Last week on CNBC's Squawk Box, co-host Joe Kernen decided to go there, asking if Indian currency was good at 7-11: CNBC's Kernen Reacts To Indian Central Banking Decision With Racial Stereotypes.

Kernen and co-hosts Becky Quick and Andrew Ross Sorkin were discussing recent changes in the Indian central bank's interest rates and their effect on exchange rates. When the discussion turned to the rupee, the tone of the conversation definitely shifted into oh-those-silly-Indians mode, mostly led by Kernen.

When Quick realized that she still had rupees in her wallet from her last trip to India, Kernen couldn't resist going Full Apu, using a stereotypical Indian accent and asking, "Are they good at 7-11?"

Let's go to the video:

One dead, suspect at large in Long Island office shooting

Police manhunt underway for alleged shooter Sang Ho Kim

Dammit. In Long Island, authorities are searching for a suspect who opened fire this morning at an office building, killing one person and seriously injuring another: Man Shoots 2, Killing 1, in Long Island Office Building Near Mall.

64-year-old Sang Ho Kim, described as a "disgruntled business associate," walked into the office of the SavEnergy light fixture company in East Garden City and opened fire, shooting two people over an apparent business deal gone bad. One employee was killed, and the company's owner, John Choi, was critically injured.

As of Wednesday night, a massive manhunt involving local and state police, as well as the Federal Bureau of Investigation, had not located Mr. Kim. He is considered armed and dangerous.

9.24.2013

Fund This: Asian American music project Strength in Numbers

Producer Chops brings together "more names than you can fit in your homie's Honda Civic."



Here is an awesome music project worthy of your crowdfunded dollars... Hit producer Chops, who once upon a time made music as part of the pioneering hip hop trio the Mountain Brothers, has spent the last two years working on Strength in Numbers, an epic collaboration with over 30 Asian American artists from across the U.S. (with special appearances from Japan and Korea) -- including former cohorts Peril-L and Styles Infinite.

That's right -- Mountain Brothers reunion! The project also includes "more names than you can fit in your homie's Honda Civic," including Ann One, Baiyu, Bambu, Catzie of Yellow Race, Connie Lim, Decipher, DJ Bonics, DJ Neil Armstrong, DJ Roli Rho, Dumbfoundead, El Gambina, Erika David, Hopie, Hoya, J-Key, Joanlee, Kiwi, Lil Crazed, Matt Cab, Mic Barz, Nikko Dator, Paul Kim, Prometheus Brown, Rekstizzy, Rocky Rivera, Ruby Ibarra, Yoonmirae, Thai, Tiger JK, Timothy Flu, Verbal of M-Flo/Teriyaki Boyz and Yellow Boyz.

This is a big deal. Watch this video for more information:

California woman survives Kenya mall attack



By now, you've heard of the terrorist siege in Nairobi, where Islamist militants stormed the Westgate Premier Shopping Mall, lobbing grenades and firing weapons. More than 60 people were killed, and at least 175 were injured in the attack, which ended after a four-day standoff. It was deadliest attack in Kenya since 1998.

One of the survivors was an American woman named Elaine Dang, whose bloodied condition was captured in the frightening Reuters photo above. A graduate of UC Berkeley, Dang is working in the Kenyan capital as online manager of the online restaurant guide Eat Out Nairobi. She was meeting with co-workers at the mall when gunfire broke out: Cal Grad Injured in Nairobi Mall Terrorist Attack.

Thankfully, Dang made it out okay, and posted a photo of her bandaged head on social media on Sunday:

12th Annual Voters Education Forum, September 29

Saturday, September 29 at California State University - Sacramento



Are you a young professional or a student? The Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs Association is holding its 12th Annual Voter Education Forum this Sunday, September 29 at CSU Sacramento. This free forum will address the Affordable Care Act and how it will affect you, the new path to citizenship and merit-based immigration, and tips to help first-time home buyers save money. Here's more information:

Ken Jeong to star in TV medical comedy based on his own life

Dr. Ken is still a licensed physician. Might as well put that knowledge to more use.



More TV news... Ken Jeong will star in and produce Dr. Ken, a multi-camera medical comedy for NBC based on his own life: 'Community's Ken Jeong To Star In & Produce Medical Comedy Project For NBC.

As folks might be aware, Jeong is an actual medical doctor -- he did the whole dutiful Korean American son thing, went to med school and was practicing medicine before pursuing his Hollywood dreams and hitting it big. He's still a licensed physician in the state of California. Might as well put that knowledge to more use.

Watch the trailer for Aziz Ansari's Buried Alive

New standup special premieres November 1 exclusively on Netflix



Check it out. Here's comedian Aziz Ansari (with an assist from Seth Rogen) in the official trailer for his third standup comedy special Buried Alive, which premieres exclusively on Netflix on November 1. Filmed live at the Merriam Theater in Philadelphia, special promises lots of laughs as Aziz offers his unique viewpoint on pending adulthood, babies, marriage and love in the modern era:

Dear Pastor Rick Warren, I Think You Don’t Get It

Guest Post by Kathy Khang, More Than Serving Tea



You know it's going to be an interesting day when you wake up to FB tags and messages about "something you would blog about."

My dear readers, you know me too well.

This photo is currently on Rick Warren's FB page and his Twitter feed. [EDIT: The photo has since been removed.] Apparently the image captures "the typical attitude of Saddleback Staff as they start work each day." Hmmm. I didn't realize Saddleback was akin to the Red Army. Warren's defense (and that of his supporters) is one that I AM SO SICK AND TIRED OF HEARING! It goes something like this:

Nerds Rejoice: Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. premieres on ABC

And so my fanboy love of Ming-Na Wen continues.



All right, fellow nerds. The wait is over. Marvel's Agents of SHIELD premieres tonight on ABC. The show follows of the adventures of the international law-enforcement organization introduced in the blockbuster movie The Avengers. Set in the same continuity as Captain America, Hulk, Thor, Iron Man and the rest of the gang, this show is more about regular folks who populate the Marvel universe.

Agents of SHIELD, Mavels first television series, is from fan favorite executive producers, Joss Whedon, Jed Whedon and Maurissa Tancharoen, who co-wrote the pilot episode. The cast includes Ming-Na Wen as Agent Melinda May, expert pilot and martial artist, and Chloe Bennet as Skye, a mysterious computer hacker.

Here are some behind-the-scenes videos to get you pumped for tonight's premiere, including the trailer:

Sikh professor speaks out about hate crime attack

"What happened to Dr. Singh did not happen in a vacuum."



Some more on Dr. Prabhjot Singh, the Sikh Columbia University professor who was brutally beaten in a hate crime attack on Saturday night in New York City. Yesterday, he spoke out a press conference, calling on the greater community to break down barriers and work towards further understanding between people of different background and faiths: Columbia Assistant Professor Hospitalized After Hate Crime

"It's clear that the associations between beards and turbans and terrorism are devastating for an entire community, so I want to continue working to show that core American values are core Sikh values as well," said Dr. Singh. "Most importantly, I want it so that my 1-year-old has nothing to fear in this neighborhood."

And if he could speak to his attackers, Dr. Singh says he would invite them to his house of worship, try to get to know them, and see if they had any questions about his faith. Talking about being a true advocate for peace and understanding. Here's video from Monday's press conference:

9.23.2013

Dis/orient/ed Comedy in Portland, October 5

Use the promo code STAYANGRY to get discount tickets.



Portland! Are you ready for a good time? This one's for you. Coming off a successful sold-out show in San Francisco, Disoriented Comedy comes to Portland for another night of all-Asian, all-female standup comedy. It's happening Saturday, October 5 at the Helium Comedy Club.

Join comedians Katie Nguyen, Mona Concepcion, Jenny Yang, Atsuko OKatsuka and D'Lo for a night of laughs. Proceeds from the evening will benefit South Asian Women's Empowerment and Resource Alliance (SAWERA) and the Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon's Reproductive Justice Work.

Here are some more details about the show:

CAPAC Twitter Town Hall: Demystifying the ACA, September 25

Got questions about how the Affordable Care Act will affect you?



The Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health, will host a Twitter Town Hall on Wednesday, September 25 from 3:00-4:00 PM EST on the implementation of the Affordable Care Act.

Got questions about how the Affordable Care Act will affect you? The Twitter conversation will include remarks from Congresswoman Judy Chu, Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Congressman Mike Honda and Congressman Bobby Scott. Join in on the conversation by using the hashtag #AAPI_ACA.

Here are some more details about the Twitter Town Hall:

Watch the new trailer for Jason DaSilva's When I Walk

Award-winning documentary opens in New York City on October 25 and Los Angeles on November 1



Please take a moment to check out the new theatrical trailer for When I Walk, the award-winning Sundance documentary, which opens in New York City on October 25 and Los Angeles on November 1.

In 2005, 25-year-old filmmaker Jason DaSilva was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, a disease that affects the central nervous system, leading to loss of vision and muscle control, as well as a myriad of other complications. There is no cure. As his condition worsened, Jason decided to turn the camera on himself.

In When I Walk, we witness the deterioration of Jason's body and his attempts to cope and make sense of this devastating disease. But we also take part in his emotional honest, life-affirming journey in search of healing, self-discovery and love. Take a look:

U.S. Navy commander charged in bribery scheme

Asians behaving badly... military secrets-for-sex (and other perks) edition!

A high-profile U.S. Navy commander faces federal bribery charges for schemes involving hundreds millions of dollars in Navy contracts with payoffs that included prostitutes and luxury travel in exchange for classified information: High profile U.S. Navy commander charged in bribery case.

According to the U.S. attorney's office, Navy Cmdr. Michael Vannak Khem Misiewic sent classified information, including ship movements, and used his position as deputy operations officer for the U.S. commander of the Seventh Fleet to help schedule visits of Navy ships to ports where a defense contractor, Leonard Glenn Francis, provided services including tugboats, security, transportation, supplies, fuel and waste removal.

In exchange, Francis provided Misiewicz with paid air travel, luxury hotel accomodations, prostitution services and other entertainment -- including five tickets to a Lady Gaga concert.

Stream the new Deltron 3030 album

Event II reunites Del The Funky Homosapien, Dan The Automator and Kid Koala.



Awwwwww yeah. Del The Funky Homosapien, Dan "The Automator" Nakamura and Kid Koala, the mad genius trinity behind Deltron 3030, have reunited for the long-awaited follow-up to their seminal 2000 underground hip hip concept album collaboration. Deltron 3030: Event II drops next week on October 1.

The album continues Deltron 3030's out-of-this-world, technophobic sci-fi narrative, with an eclectic roster of featured guests, including Joseph Gordon-Levitt, David Cross, Amber Tamblyn, Zach De La Rocha, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, The Lonely Island, Black Rob, Damon Albarn and more.

You can stream the entire album right now on Pitchfork.

Here's the tracklist:

Ian Anthony Dale cast in TNT's Murder in the First

Executive producer Steven Bochco's crime drama to premiere in summer 2014.

Some TV casting news... Just saw that Ian Anthony Dale is in the cast of Murder in the First, a new scripted series picked up by TNT from executive producer Steven Bochco: TNT Orders Steven Bochco Drama Murder in the First.

The cable network as has ordered ten episodes of the crime drama, which is a murder mystery set in San Francisco and Silicon Valley, and will follow a single homicide case across an entire season.

The cast also includes Taye Diggs, Kathleen Robertson, Tom Felton, Mimi Kirkland, Raphael Sbarge, Bess Rous and Steven Weber. Ian will play Lt. Jim Koto, because every cop squad needs a supervisor.

Here's some more information about the show:

Hockey's first Asian player inducted to BC Hall of Fame

Larry Kwong's pioneering pro hockey moment was brief but historic.



Sports news from the north... Last week, the first person of Asian descent to play in a NHL game was inducted into the B.C. Sports Hall of Fame: 1st Chinese-Canadian in NHL inducted to B.C. Hall of Fame.

On March 13, 1948, Larry Kwong got called up from the minor leagues and laced up his skates to play for the New York Rangers. He only played for less than a period in one game against the Montreal Canadiens, but in that moment, this Chinese-Canadian kid from Vernon BC broke professional hockey's color line.

He never played in another pro game again. But on Thursday, Larry Kwong, now 90, was immortalized for his pioneering contribution to the sport:

Sikh Columbia University professor attacked in hate crime

Prabhjot Singh's attackers called him "Osama" and "terrorist" as they beat him.

Outrage. Over the weekend in New York, a Sikh Columbia University professor was brutally beaten in a violent hate crime: Prabhjot Singh, Sikh Columbia Professor, Attacked In Possible Hate Crime.

Dr. Prabhjot Singh, an observant Sikh who wears a turban and has a beard, was walking on the street in upper Manhattan on Saturday night when he was attacked by a group of young men on bikes who surrounded him. The suspects shouted anti-Muslim statements, knocked the professor down and beat him.

According to Dr. Singh, the assailants called him "Osama" and "terrorist" as they punched him in the head repeatedly. He suffered a fractured jaw and bruising and swelling across his face.

Simran Jeet Singh, Dr. Singh's friend and colleague, recounts visiting him in the hospital after the attack:

9.22.2013

Read These Blogs



Is It Time To Retire Apu?: Spelling Bee competitions, leading roles in comedies, Miss America titles. It's been a big year for Indian Americans, but one man has stayed the same for nearly a quarter-century: Apu Nahasapeemapetilon, of The Simpsons infamy.

Seth MacFarlane's 'Dads' Is Bad - But Could It Have Been Worse?: Jeff Yang reveals how, believe it or not, Fox's new comedy Dads could have been even MORE racist.

8 Reasons People Of Color MUST Rally For A Long Overdue "White History Month": Kristina Wong does it again -- this time, with a satirical approach on why the U.S. really needs a White History Month.

Why Do We Describe Asian Eyes As 'Almond-Shaped'?: Kat Chow of NPR's The Code Switch looks into how Asian eyes got to be described as "almond-shaped." Turns out, the term goes back as far as 1700.

Jeremy Lin: 'Journey has just begun': Though Jeremy Lin conceded he has "a lot of holes" in his own game, the Houston Rockets' point guard said he believes the free-agent signing of Dwight Howard makes the team a dangerous threat as an NBA championship contender.

9.20.2013

Jeremy Lin goes one-on-one with the mayor of Palo Alto

Jeremy christens a new community court with a high-stakes showdown.



This week, the city of Palo Alto, California opened a new basketball court at the Mitchell Park Library. Who better to help celebrate the new community hoop than hometown hero Jeremy Lin?

To properly initiate the court, in front of a cheering crowd of middle schoolers, the Houston Rockets point guard was on hand and tasked with shooting a few hoops, facing off against defender Greg Sharff, Mayor of Palo Alto: Jeremy Lin attends Mitchell Park court christening.

And there were some stakes. If Jeremy could score a point against the mayor, the Mitchell Park Library and Community Center would erect a sign that read, JEREMY LIN PLAYED HERE. No problem, right? Truth be told for Jeremy, it was easier said than done. Let's go to the tape:

Angry Reader of the Week: Veronica Thao

Hey, everybody. Here's 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 Veronica Thao.

Who are you?

My name is Veronica Thao, but some people known me as Vero, V, Chia. I am first generation Hmong-American woman. I am also a 22 year old college student from University of Wisconsin-Madison, go badgers! I am a sister to my four brothers and one sister-in law, and my parent’s only daughter.

The Truth with Hasan Minhaj: Nina Davuluri is the New America

A few words for the haters.



This week has been all about the new Miss America, Nina Davuluri, and the considerable energy that has been devoted to freaking out over the fact that she is Indian American. There's been a lot of great commentary, but no one quite tells it like The Truth with Hasan Minhaj: Nina Davuluri is the new America.

Hey, San Diego! Want to go to a racist party?

Celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival with some racist costume mockery.



If you're in San Diego this weekend, you're invited to take part in some racist bullshit known as the Asian Bar Crawl & Costume Party, described as "a celebration of modern Asian cuisine and the Mid-Autumn Festival in downtown San Diego." Basically, it's an excuse for folks to get dressed up in racist Asian shit and get drunk.

I can imagine how someone got the bright idea for this. They thought, you know, we've thoroughly exploited Cinco de Mayo and St. Patrick's Day... but there's just still aren't enough proper holidays to appropriate as an excuse to get their blind-ass stupid drink on. And if we can add racist costumes, even better.

What? Mid-Autumn Festival? That's a thing? What is it? Never mind, who cares? Racist party time!

9.19.2013

Kenichi Ebina wins America's Got Talent!

From losing his head to battling himself, Kenichi takes the TV talent competition's top prize.



Well, it's been quite a week for televised competitions with "America" in the title. First, Nina Davuluri wins Miss America 2014, becoming the first Indian American woman to wear the crown. (And, as you may have heard, drawing the vocal hate of online racists. But whatever, haters.) But wait! There's more.

Last night, Japanese dancer Kenichi Ebina was named winner of the NBC talent competition America's Got Talent. From the moment he stepped on stage for his first audition, he consistently wowed the judges and charmed the crowd with an earnest attitude and show-stopping style -- the kind of act that deserved $1 million and a Las Vegas show. And America agreed, voting him the winner of Season 8.

Here a recap of Kenichi's journey on the show. His audition, where he famously lost his head:

Navy Yard gunman had a history of failed relationships with Asian women

So f%$king what.

This week, as we mourn and try to make sense of the mass shooting at the Washington Navy Yard, which took the lives of thirteen people, the media has turned its attention to the background of gunman Aaron Alexis... including his relationship history. And so we have this "exclusive" report that tells us what nobody really needed to know: Aaron Alexis apparently had a thing for Asian women.

According to The Telegraph, Alexis had a string of failed would-be relationships with Asian women over several years before Monday's massacre, including "a young Thai girl, a Japanese woman in Tokyo, and a Filipino nurse in America." That is some crack journalism. And the point of this revelation is...?

All the Asian women made him do it? And video games. Bullshit.

Alexis apparently pursued a lot of relationships with Asian women. And he wasn't very good at it. The end. Yes, we've known many of those dudes. Maybe that made him creepy, or perhaps unlucky in love. But a "string of failed relationships with Asian women" is neither headline-worthy, nor explains why he shot twelve people to death. Try again, Telegraph. Next time with something relevant.

9.18.2013

George Takei's Next Step in World Domination: YouTube

Takei's Take teaches tech to an older generation.



In recent years, George Takei has pretty much solidified his status as an elder statesman for the Asian American community. Who would have thought that the guy best known for playing Sulu on Star Trek -- an iconic identity in its own right -- would go on to become the most famous, most active senior American on social media?

But that's why Takei's Take, his new webseries in partnership with AARP, make so much sense.

On Takei's Take, the 76-year-old social media superstar explores the world of technology, trends, current events and pop culture. Of course, he's hoping his entire legion of fans will watch it, but the YouTube show is definitely aimed to encourage the over-50 set to embrace next generation technology. And Uncle George, with his sweet, sweet voice, can be the guy who will help guide them there.

Here's the trailer for Takei's Take:

Boxers & Saints makes the National Book Awards Longlist

Gene Luen Yang is the first graphic novelist to be nominated twice for the prestigious award.

Awesommmmme! I've already told you how much I love Gene Luen Yang's latest graphic novel Boxers & Saints. It seems that the good people at the National Book Foundation like it too. The epic, two-volume book has made the prestigious 2013 National Book Award Longlist for Young People's Literature.

Boxers & Saints is the only graphic novel to make the list. Gene previously nominated back in 2006 for American Born Chinese, the first graphic novel ever to be a finalist for the National Book Awards. And now Gene is the first graphic novelist to be nominated twice. Double awesome.

Boxers & Saints is a powerful, brilliant work of historical fiction set during China's bloody Boxer Rebellion, told in two parallel stories from opposite sides of the conflict. It balances action, humor and spirituality in a masterful way that has really become Gene Luen Yang's trademark. The longlist recognition is well deserved.

The National Book Foundation will reveal the award finalists on October 16. If you haven't read Boxers & Saints yet, you gotta get on it now. Congratulations, Gene! For further information, check out his website.

More here: 2013 NATIONAL BOOK AWARDS: 'Boxers & Saints' graphic novelist Gene Yang calls long-list honor 'mind-blowing'

Hari Kondabolu wants TSA reparations

Brown Man's Payback



The Transportation Security Administration recently unveiled a program allowing air passengers to be pre-screened, avoiding the usual airport security inconveniences -- for a small fee. Okay, great. The TSA is loosening up. But that's not good enough for Totally Biased correspondent Hari Kondabolu. In this edition of The KondaBulletin, Hari outlines what he'd like to see: TSA Reparations

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