This Week's Angriest Posts

Not necessarily the angriest, just the most viewed.



1. 10-year-old boy killed in Miami nail salon robbery

2. Watch Kristina Wong in the most awesome TV interview ever

3. This law firm specializes in personal injury... and really racist commercials.

4. Katy Perry gets her geisha on at the American Music Awards

5. Time to start your Sriracha stockpile

6. Hear the one about the naked racist hotel guest who was caught masturbating with a fire extinguisher hose up his ass?

7. 72-year-old man shoved onto subway tracks in Harlem

8. President Obama delivers remarks on immigration reform in San Francisco's Chinatown

9. Music Video: Tokyo loneliness in Spazzkid's "40 Winks"

10. Casting Call: MYX TV's I'm Asian American and...

Happy Thanksgiving. Stay thankful. And Stay Angry.

Jeremy Lin is out for two weeks with a knee injury

Rockets guard sidelined with grade-1 sprain and constusion in his right knee



Awww nooo. Jeremy Lin is out with an injury just the latest player on the Rockets roster to go down in a health-plagued season for the team: Lin knee sprain latest in season-long run of injuries to Rockets backcourt

Jeremy will sit out at least two weeks with a grade-1 sprain and contusion in his right knee, which he sustained when he collided with forward Paul Millsap in the first quarter of Wednesday's game against the Atlanta Hawks. His knee will be re-evaluated in two weeks to see if he can return to action. Fingers crossed.

Jeremy, who has played in 98 consecutive games -- the longest active streak on the team -- has had an excellent start of the season for Houston, averaging 15.3 points and 4.5 assists in 16 games this season. I think most observers would agree he was really finding his groove, so this is an unfortunate setback.

Wishing Jeremy a speedy recovery!

More here: Rockets’ Jeremy Lin (knee sprain) out at least two weeks.

Angry Reader of the Week: Eliza Noh

All right, check it out! You know what time it is. 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 Eliza Noh.

Hey, kids! Aren't the Japanese totally weird and wacky?

I liked it better when it was called Double Dare.



I suppose it was only a matter of time before Disney did a take on the Japanese game show.

Disney XD's Japanizi: Going, Going, Gong! is an adaptation of the ABC reality show I Survived A Japanese Game Show, which was mostly built on the premise that Japanese people/television/culture are sooooo weird! And wacky! So now they've got the kids' version, complete with craaazy costumes, messy challenges, ninjas(?!) and a barking Japanese host. So wacky!

Here's a promo for the show, which gives you the general idea:

Call for Submissions: 3rd Annual Project Catalyst

Project showcase seeks narrative feature films and original television pilots

Attention, filmmakers! Visual Communications, the nation's premier Asian Pacific American media arts organization, is now accepting submissions for the 3rd Annual Project Catalyst, to be held at the Directors Guild of America, May 3-4, during the 2014 Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival.

Project Catalyst provides a unique opportunity for media creatives of Asian descent to showcase their project to studios, networks, financiers, producers, production companies, agents and managers. They are currently seeking submissions for narrative feature films and original television pilot projects.

Up to ten narrative creatives will be chosen for Project Catalyst. In addition to participating in the panels, a pitch session with the jury and one-on-one industry meetings, selectees will have the opportunity to meet with industry participants from the new media and interactive world looking for distinct and new voices.

The early submission deadline is December 20 (submit early and take advantage of the discounted entry fee). For further information and detailed submission guidelines, go to the LAAPFF website.

Time to start your Sriracha stockpile

Judge rules hot sauce must stop production. Srirachapocalypse now.


Noooooo! Hot sauce fans, the unthinkable has happened. A Los Angeles Superior Court judge has ordered the Sriracha plant in Irwindale, California to shut down in response to odor complaints from nearby residents: Sriracha plant must cease operations that cause odors, judge rules

Last month, the city of Irwindale filed a lawsuit against Huy Fong Foods, the sorcerers behind the popular spicy red elixir, after nearby residents complained of burning eyes, irritated throats, headaches and other ailments caused by the odor emanating from the Sriracha production facilities. The request for a temporary restraining order was denied, allowing the factory to grind the chilis needed for next year's sauce supply.

But on Tuesday, Judge Robert H. O'Brien ruled in favor of the city and ordered Huy Fong to cease all operations that could be causing odors, calling the smell "extremely annoying, irritating and offensive to the senses warranting consideration as a public nuisance."

Call for Session Proposals: Boston Korean Adoptees Anniversary Conference

Save the Date: August 14-17, 2014 #BKA14



This call out is waaaay last minute, but I'm catching up on old emails and want to make sure the right folks get the chance to take part in this... Boston Korean Adoptees, Inc. (BKA) is hosting an international conference for Korean adoptees in Boston, August 14-17, in celebration of BKA's 10th anniversary.

They're currently looking for artists, poets, scholars and others to submit workshops, panels and presentation proposals for the conference. But the deadline is this Sunday, December 1, so you'll have to hustle a little.

Here's some more information on what they're looking for:

LA Loves The Philippines, December 1

#LAlovesPH



For all you folks in Los Angeles, here's another typhoon fundraiser that could use your support. Some awesome musicians are getting together to put on a relief benefit show for victims of Typhoon Haiyan. LA Loves The Philippines features a lineup of some pretty awesome Asian American artists such as Bahwee, June Marieezy, Low Leaf, Spazzkid and more. It's happening Sunday, December 1 at The Downtown Independent. Here are some more details:

Usagi Yojimbo creator Stan Sakai is in need of help

Comic book creators organizing benefit auction to assist with Sharon Sakai's medical expenses


A legendary comic book creator is in need of help. Can you lend a hand?

Writer/artist Stan Sakai, the prolific creator behind Usagi Yojimbo, is in need of some financial assistance. His wife Sharon has been battling a debilitating illness that has included a long hospital stay and convalescence. She is home now but needs 24-hour care and several costly medications -- more than their insurance covers.

Watch Kristina Wong in the most awesome TV interview ever

"Suck it, white ladies!"



Oh, what's this? It's our friend Kristina Wong being ridiculously awesome. Our favorite comedian/performance artist recently appeared on a segment for Fusion's Alicia Menendez Tonight, talking about dating website data that says -- yaaaaawn -- Asian women are preferred by men of almost every race. This topic bores the hell out of me, but this clip is incredible, thanks to Kristina's craaaaazy awesome antics. Check it out:

Sound and Fury Podcast Episode 13: Gene Luen Yang

Greetings, podcast listeners! We've got the latest episode of the Sound and Fury Podcast, and it's a good one. My guest this time around is award-winning graphic novelist Gene Luen Yang, author of American Born Chinese and Boxers & Saints. I've wanted to have Gene on the show since I first started the podcast, so this was a real treat. We had a really fun, nerdy time talking about comic books.

Thank you to everyone who has supported the show so far. To catch up on previous episodes, they're all available here. To stay up-to-date with future episodes, be sure to subscribe. You can also find Sound and Fury on services like iTunes and Stitcher, where you can rate and review the show.

All right, so gather 'round, geeks. Here's my conversation with Gene Luen Yang:

Hear the one about the naked racist hotel guest who was caught masturbating with a fire extinguisher hose up his ass?

And then he urinated on the lobby carpet.



Honestly, sometimes you see a headline, and you just can't not click on it: Man convicted of urinating on hotel carpet while shouting racist abuse, while masturbating with a fire-extinguisher hose up his ass.

In London, 20-year Joseph Small was arrested after CCTV cameras caught him stripping naked in a hotel corridor, urinating on an elevator door, inserting a fire extinguisher hose up his ass, and touching himself.

Gross, and then things got racist. When a hotel employee, who is of Bangladeshi descent, covered him with a towel and escorted him to the lobby, Small screamed at him, "This country has been taken over by al-Qaeda -- go back to Pakistan." Dude, right now, al-Qaeda is not your problem.

Save Music in Chinatown, December 8

A benefit concert for music education at Castelar Elementary School



The poster alone makes this event worth posting. If you're in Los Angeles, check it... Save Music in Chinatown is the first in a series of fundraising concerts organized to pay for music education at Castelar Elementary School, located right in the middle of Chinatown. This event for local kids and community will feature sets by Bob Forrest, Lucky Dragons, Deradoorian and LA Fog, plus a raffle.

It's happening Sunday, December 8 at Human Resources. Here are some more details about the event:

Casting Call: MYX TV's I'm Asian American and...

Reality series looking for "unique" Asian Americans



Got this casting call sent my way for a new series on MYX TV...

They're looking for interesting and noteworthy personalities to profile on I'm Asian American and..., a new show spotlighting Asian Americans who defy the stereotypes, have an unusual story, lifestyle, or secret obsession. Are you someone who is out-of-the-box or living in a unique situation? You should be on television.

The show is looking for Asian American subjects, 18-35 years old who live in Southern California area. Here are some more details:

Music Video: Tokyo loneliness in Spazzkid's "40 Winks"

"Loneliness in a crowded city. A girl is abandoned with a mysterious suitcase."



I'm a big fan of electronic musician (and former Angry Reader of the Week) Mark Redito, also known as Spazzkid. He recently released the official music video for "40 Winks," one of my favorite tracks for his album Desire. Four months in the making, and shot entirely in Tokyo, it's a gorgeous, mysterious and mesmerizing accompaniment to the song. Check it out:

72-year-old man shoved onto subway tracks in Harlem

Shou Kuan Lin is in critical condition with a skull fracture and crushed collarbone.



In New York City, a 72-year-old man was seriously injured after he was allegedly shoved onto the subway tracks in Harlem, leaving him in a coma with a skull fracture and a crushed collarbone.

72-Year-Old Allegedly Pushed Onto Subway Tracks In Harlem Is In Critical Condition

Shou Kuan Lin was standing with his wife on the northbound platform of the A and C line at the W. 145th St. and St. Nicholas Ave. subway station last Friday when he was approached by Rudralall Baldeo, who is described as a 57-year-old homeless man. According to authorities, Lin was then either shoved or fell onto the tracks:

President Obama delivers remarks on immigration reform in San Francisco's Chinatown

Protestors call on the President to halt all deportations.



President Obama was in San Francisco this morning, delivering remarks at the Betty Ong Recreation Center in Chinatown, where he called on Congress to pass commonsense immigration reform. His speech included a shout out to Batkid, an acknowledgement of some of the city's earliest Asian immigrants by way of Angel Island, and a challenge to House Republicans to pass comprehensive immigration reform.

Obama's Speech Disrupted by Undocumented Student Calling to Halt Deportations

But President Obama's visit to the city by the Bay would not be complete with some spirited protests, including an exchange with an outspoken audience member -- identified as undocumented student Ju Hong -- who disrupted his speech and called on the President to halt all deportations. When security attempted to escort Hong out, the president stopped them, saying he wanted Hong to stay.

Here's a clip of Hong's exchange with Obama:

10-year-old boy killed in Miami nail salon robbery

Aaron Vu was at his parents' nail salon when he was shot and killed by armed robbers.



Tragic news out of Miami, where a young boy and died Friday night after he and his father were shot during a robbery at their nail salon: Miami-Dade Police search for killers of 10-year-old boy in nail salon robbery

10-year-old Aaron Vu was at his parents' nail salon when two armed men burst in, demanded money, and then opened fire before fleeing. Aaron was killed, and his father, 42-year-old Hai Nam Vu, was critically wounded.

Security video caught the two men entering the salon, guns drawn. The video clearly shows the face of one of the gunman, while the other has a red shirt draped around his head like a ski mask. They reportedly got away in a black Dodge Ram pickup truck.

Here's the security footage:

This law firm specializes in personal injury... and really racist commercials.

The shit could not be more racist if it tried.



What the fuuuuhuuuhhhck. Is this for real? This claims to be an actual commercial for a law firm, McCutcheon & Hamner, based in Florence, Alabama. The firm specializes in personal injury... and apparently, making really shitty racist commercials. This piece of garbage could not be more racist if it tried:

Katy Perry gets her geisha on at the American Music Awards

Because geishas will apparently love your ass unconditionally. Get it?



If you were watching the American Music Awards on Sunday night, no, that wasn't a big Oriental-flavored dream -- Katy Perry did indeed open the show with an all-out cultural dragfest. Baby, it was Geishapalooza 2013. Her performance of "Unconditionally" was complete with kimonos, giant-ass fans, cherry blossoms and more. Why? Because geishas will apparently love your ass unconditionally. Get it?

And 'cause, like, random Asian-looking stuff is totally cool. Here's the video:

Read These Blogs

This Is The First Recorded Use Of #Selfie On Instagram: Like it or not, "selfie" is Oxford Dictionaries' international word of the year. Meet Jennifer Lee, a life and business coach in Oakland. On January 27, 2011 at 2:18pm ET, she became the first Instagram user ever to tag her photo as a "#selfie."

The Banality of Televised Anti-Chinese Racism: Recent incidents on Jimmy Kimmel Live! and on Holland's Got Talent reveal the persistence of casual bigotry -- intended or not -- toward China and Chinese people.

Star Types and Stereotypes: Maggie Q and Lucy Liu each play multidimensional lead characters on prime time television shows -- an opportunity many actresses don't get. But have they escaped being stereotyped as Asian women?

What I'd Say To The Students Who Organized The "Catch An Illegal Immigrant" Event: The "catch an illegal immigrant" event was deeply offensive not only to undocumented immigrants like Jose Antonio Vargas, but also to American citizen relatives, allies, and supporters, because it struck the kind of ignorant, dissonant chord we fight against every day.

This Week's Angriest Posts

Not necessarily the angriest, just the most viewed.



1. The Most Racist Talent Show Judge Ever

2. Kanye West says Zappos sells shit products. It's true.

3. Man kills wife, baby twin sons in murder-suicide

4. Racist Party Alert: "Madam's Wu's Good Luck Banquet"

5. Steven Yeun is one of People's Sexiest Men of 2013

6. Angry Reader of the Week: Christine Minji Chang

7. Your first look at Arden Cho in Teen Wolf

8. File Under Badass: Donut shop owner fights off armed robbers with pepper spray

9. Rep. Grace Meng mugged in Washington

10. Doug Baldwin flies Philippines flag before Seahawks game

Shout out to all who came out to my talk at UC Riverside this week. Stay Angry, my friends.

AAIFF13 National Festival Tour

Ready to bring great independent cinema to your hometown?



Want to bring a feature from this year's Asian American International Film Festival to your town? The AAIFF National Festival Tour is happening now, and you can book your favorites of the six features or nine shorts for a conference or nonprofit gathering. The programs cater to Asian American history and representation, queer culture, youth culture, and much more:

Fund This: They Call Us Viet Kieu

A 28-page illustrated book about a trip to Vietnam that transformed an artist and her family



Minnie Phan is a Bay Area artist in her final year of art school, currently working on a senior thesis project about her family and the Vietnamese American community, based on her own experiences. They Call Us Viet Kieu is a 28-page illustrated book about a trip to Vietnam that transformed Minnie and her family.

She recently launched an Indiegogo campaign to fund the printing of the book. Thanks to generous funders, she's already blown way past her initial goal, plus several stretch goals allowing her to print copies of the book in both English and Vietnamese. The book is definitely getting published, and it looks great.

The campaign is in its final days, and if the project reaches its next goal, she'll be able to print a thousand English copies to send to libraries, universities and community centers across the country. Here's some more information on the project:

AAPI leaders fasting for immigration reform

Our communities want inclusive and humane immigration reform now.



Asian American and Pacific Islander leaders, including representatives from the National Korean American Service & Education Consortium, are currently engaged in a daily fast with immigrant rights, faith and labor leaders to send a message to elected officials: our communities want inclusive and humane immigration reform now. They're fasting right now, sitting in a tent in Washington DC.

Fast for Families: A Call for Immigration Reform and Leadership is intended to put pressure on congressional leaders and to get them to bring legislation that would improve our nation's broken immigration system to the House of Representatives floor.

One of the main fasters, NAKASEC Executive Director Dae Joong Yoon, is in his tenth day of the fast and has lost more than ten pounds in the last week. Here's a video of Dae Joong talking about why he's fasting for immigration reform:

Angry Reader of the Week: Christine Minji Chang

What's up, folks? You know what's up. It's time for you to meet the latest 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 of Christine Minji Chang.

Steven Yeun is one of People's Sexiest Men of 2013

It's a tough job, but somebody's gotta do it.



And now for some Very Important news... Steven Yeun is one of the Sexiest Men Alive? You're damn right he is. Sexy Steven, who stars as Glenn on AMC's hit zombie drama The Walking Dead, has made it into the pages of People magazine's much-hyped annual "Sexiest Man" edition. He's not the Sexiest Man of the year, but he did make the coveted cut -- the sexy short list, if you will -- for the 2013 issue.

This should come as no surprise for fans of The Walking Dead. Whether he's swinging a machete at the undead, getting steamy with his lady love, or just generally looking sweaty and in need of a shower, the show's devoted know that your favorite Asian American zombie apocalypse survivor is pretty darn sexy is his own right.

He cleans up pretty nicely too. Here's a video of Steven -- shirtless! -- stripping down for his People photo shoot, where he defines sexiness as "how you exude your presence in the world." Do tell:

Spoken word for all the "Miss America" haters

Meet Ramya Ramana, 2014 New York City Youth Poet Laureate



Thanks to TWO-BROWNGIRLS for the heads up... Some powerful, moving spoken word for your Friday. Here's 18-year-old Ramya Ramana, 2014 New York City Youth Poet Laureate, performing her personal poem, "Miss America" last month at the NYC Votes 2014 Slam Final. For anyone who had words and clenched fists for all those racist haters after Nina Davuluri was crowned Miss America, this is for you:

File Under Badass: Donut shop owner fights off armed robbers with pepper spray

These guys did not know who they were messing with.



This story out Tennessee is a couple of weeks old, but hey, I thought you'd really want to know about the badass donut shop owner who fought off three armed robbers with pepper spray -- and it was all caught on tape: Caught On Camera: Donut Shop Owner Pepper Sprays Armed Robbers.

Earlier this month, three would-be robbers walked into Nina's Donut Cafe in Southeast Memphis and pulled a gun on owner Sohka Chin, demanding all the money in the cash register. Big fat mistake, suckas.

Instead of money, Chin gave them each a face full of hurt, courtesy of the can of pepper spray she conveniently keeps in arm's reach from the register. She got all three of the guys in the face, and they ran off crying.

The whole incident was caught on surveillance video. Here's the news clip:

HOPE for Typhoon Haiyan, November 24

100% of proceeds will be donated to International Rescue Committee and BKP California



Another great fundraising event for disaster relief... For folks in Southern California, you're invited to Hope for Typhoon Haiyan, a benefit event featuring live performances from the Pharcyde, Mike Relm, DJ Rhettmatic and many more, plus music, food, and a raffle with great prizes including Lakers tickets. It's happening Sunday, November 24 at the Spirit House in Monterey Park. Here are some more details:

Buy a Dragon Boy t-shirt for Philippines typhoon relief

Martin Hsu will donate 200% of all proceeds to Doctors Without Borders



Our friend Martin Hsu, who makes wonderful, whimsical illustrations, recently launched his own campaign to raise funds for typhoon relief in the Philippines. Now until Thanksgiving, 200% of all proceeds from sales of his signature "Dragon Boy" t-shirts (available in both men's and women's styles) will be donated to Doctors Without Borders' emergency response fund for Philippines typhoon relief. Just like the flyer says.

Head over to Martin's website to do a little shopping for a good cause.

Music Video: Priscilla Ahn hops a desert bus in "Leave It Open"

New album due out in February 2014



YES. New stuff from singer/songwriter Priscilla Ahn, one of my absolute favorites. We have a new album in sight. This Is Where We Are is scheduled for release on February 25 from SQE Music. In the meantime, you can enjoy the music video for her single "Leave It Open." I am really digging the new Casio beat/chillwave synth sound she's got going on in this track:

Your first look at Arden Cho in Teen Wolf

New cast photo for the upcoming season of MTV's supernatural drama



Yooooo! Check out homegirl Arden Cho looking good in this new promo photo for the upcoming season of MTV's supernatural drama Teen Wolf. She plays Kira Yukimura, the new girl who arrives at Beacon Hills and finds herself "propelled into the world of the supernatural."

I've never seen MTV's Teen Wolf -- my favorite teenage wolf is Michael J. Fox, and this show doesn't look like it has anything to do with werewolves playing basketball -- but I know this show is mad popular. I just might tune in to see our pal Arden. Teen Wolf returns in January and airs Mondays on MTV.

(Thanks, Hannah.)

Cynthia Kadohata wins National Book Award

The Thing About Luck wins in the category of young people's literature

Congratulations to Cynthia Kadohata, who won the prestigious National Book Award in the category of young people's literature for her novel The Thing About Luck.

The annual awards, presented by the National Book Foundation, honor American authors for works published in the past year in fiction, nonfiction, poetry and young people's literature. : 2013 National Book Awards Go to McBride, Packer, Szybist, Kadohata .

James McBride won the award in fiction for The Good Lord Bird, George Packer won the award in nonfiction for The Unwinding: An Inner History of the New America, and Mary Szybist won in the category of poetry for Incarnadine.

The Thing About Luck is the story of 12-year-old Summer Miyamoto, who must make her own luck to save her intergenerational Japanese American family:

Kanye West says Zappos sells shit products. It's true.

And Zappos wins the internet. Zing!



Hey, Kanye. Zappos has got your "shit products" right here. The hip hop provacateur and master narcissist recently threw shade at Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh for selling "shit products." Guess he's not a fan.

But it's all good. Hsieh took it as a cue to start selling some quality shit products. In fact, Zappos.com has posted an actual Sh-t Product page -- a $100,000 toilet plunger -- perfect for Kanye's high-class tastes. And like all of Zappos' products, shipping is free!

Check Tony's tweet, Kanye:

Rep. Grace Meng mugged in Washington

Queens congresswoman was attacked from behind and robbed

Holy crap. Rep. Grace Meng (D-NY) was assaulted and robbed in Washington DC on Tuesday night: Rep. Grace Meng Attacked, Robbed In Washington.

The congresswoman, who represents the 6th congressional district in Queens, was walking home from dinner when she was hit over the head at Sixth Street and Pennsylvania Avenue near Capitol Hill. As she fell to the ground, the assailant grabbed her handbag and fled on foot.

Thankfully, Rep. Meng wasn't seriously injured. She had bruises from the blow to her head and on her chin, which slammed into the ground, as well as a skinned knee:

Cool kid inventors rock an awesome Rube Goldberg machine

Toy company out to show the world that girls deserve more choices than dolls and princesses.



Helllz yeah. Check out these awesome girls doing their thing in an awesome video promoting GoldieBox, a toy company out to show the world that girls deserve more choices than dolls and princesses. Set to a revamped version of Beastie Boys' "Girls," kid inventors Sabrina, Reese and Raven show off an awesome, massive, magical contraption made from household items:

The Most Racist Talent Show Judge Ever

"Which number are you singing? Number 39 with rice?"



Who knew? If you want to see some blatant-ass racism, look no further than Dutch television. Meet Cornelis Willem Heuckeroth, a judge on the TV talent show Holland's Got Talent who recently went well out of his way to be a racist asshole: Shockingly Racist Got Talent Judge Makes Howard Stern Look Tame.

Xiao Wang, who is currently getting his PhD in economics and business, happens to be an amazing opera singer on the side. He recently took the Holland's Got Talent stage and stunned the audience with his rendition of a Verdi aria, receiving a standing audition. Heuckeroth, however, is more interested in dumbing down the entire moment with racist jerkface Chinese food jokes.

Let's go to the video:

Fund This: L.A. Heat: Taste-Changing Condiments

A spicy art exhibition inspired by Sriracha and Tapatio.



This is a worthy crowd-funding campaign if I've ever seen one. Presented by the Chinese American Museum, L.A. Heat: Taste-Changing Condiments is an upcoming exhibition that offers a curated selection of artwork inspired by Sriracha and/or Tapatío from established and emerging Los Angeles artists. Are you hearing me? An art exhibition inspired by hot sauces. Say no more. I'm in.

This spicy exhibition is coming to the Chinese American Museum in March 2014 and will run through July 2014. In order to make this happen, they've launched an Indiegogo campaign with a variety of support levels. Here are some more details about the exhibition:

Gary Locke to step down as U.S. Ambassador to China

Ambassador will leave Beijing post in early 2014 to rejoin family in Seattle



Gary Locke, the American ambassador to China, has announced that he intends to step down from his post early next year to rejoin his family back in the United States: U.S. Ambassador to China Gary Locke to step down, rejoin family in Seattle.

Locke, the first Chinese American ambassador to China, has held the post since August 2011. He reportedly informed President Obama of his decision when they met earlier this month.

The Atlantic praises Locke's service in China as "a blueprint for managing Sino-American relations." Among his accomplishments during his tenure as ambassador, Locke is credited with cutting waiting times for U.S. visas to three to five days, down from 70 to 100 days when he took over.

But Ambassador Locke might be best remembered in China for an awesome photograph of him at the airport, carrying his own backpack and getting his own coffee. The photo, taken before he even arrived in China, caused a social media stir, painting the new ambassador as a down-to-earth dude.

Here's Ambassador Locke's statement on his decision to step down as U.S. Ambassador to China:

CAPE presents Typhoon Relief Fundraiser Buffet Dinner

100% of donations will go to the Red Cross towards Philippines Typhoon Relief



For those of you in Los Angeles, the Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment (CAPE) invites you to a buffet dinner to raise funds for Typhoon Haiyan relief. CAPE is foregoing its annual Holiday Party and hosting his fundraiser instead. Make some plans, invite friends and eat for a good cause.

It's happening this Thursday, November 21 at Fu's Palace in Los Angeles. 100% of donations will go to the Red Cross for Philippines typhoon relief. Here are some more details about the event:

Filipino American Museum presents Bayanihan Spirit, Nov. 21

A benefit to raise funds for Typhoon Haiyan relief



If you're in New York City, join the newly launched Filipino American Museum (FAM) for a benefit to raise funds for Typhoon Haiyan relief efforts. FAM has rallied an impressive group of individuals, businesses, local government officials, and community organizations to create an evening celebration of the Bayanihan Spirit. It's happening Thursday, November 21 at the Galapagos Art Space in Dumbo, Brooklyn.

All proceeds will go to the National Alliance for Filipino Concerns (NAFCON) whose "Taskforce Haiyan" is a grassroots relief effort coordinated directly between Filipinos in the U.S and those in affected areas of the Philippines. Funds will be spent on food, water and medical supplies.

Here are some more details about the event:

CNN acquires Jose Antonio Vargas' documentary Documented

Film follows former Washington Post journalist's life as an undocumented immigrant



CNN Films has acquired the U.S. broadcast rights for Documented, the feature-length documentary by Jose Antonio Vargas, about his experiences as an undocumented immigrant, activist and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist: CNN Films Acquires Jose Antonio Vargas' 'Documented'

Documented will be broadcast nationally in the spring of 2014 as a CNN Films broadcast, following its international premiere this month at the 2013 International Documentary Film Festival and its theatrical distribution in the U.S. It screened last week as the closing night film of the San Diego Asian Film Festival.

Here's the trailer for Undocumented:

Doug Baldwin flies Philippines flag before Seahawks game

Seattle wide receiver has family in the Philippines



Thought I'd share this striking Instagram photo that came my way... That's Doug Baldwin, wide receiver for the Seattle Seahawks, flying the flag of the Philippines before Sunday's game against the Minnesota Vikings, in an effort to honor victims of Typhoon Haiyan and draw attention to disaster relief efforts (yes, the flag is upside down -- to signify the country in a state of emergency).

The Seahawks partnered with the American Red Cross to collect cash donations from fans at Sunday's game. Fans are also invite to donate online through the American Red Cross' disaster relief fund here.

Baldwin has numerous relatives ("too many to count") living in the Philippines, including his mother's mother: Philippine crisis hits Seahawks WR Baldwin personally.

Man kills wife, baby twin sons in murder-suicide

Scott and Mei Kum Jones were apparently planning to divorce

Tragic news out of the Boston area... In Arlington, a married couple and their twin baby sons were found dead inside their home on Monday afternoon in an apparent murder-suicide: Murder-suicide seen in deaths of parents, two babies, in Arlington.

According to officials, it's likely that 43-year-old Scott Jones strangled his wife, 43-year-old Mei Kum Jones, and slashed the throats of their twin sons Colt and Cameron, before taking his own life. The boys would have have turned one-year-old next week. Investigators have reportedly found the knife used in the murders.

The couple was apparently going through marital problems, and were planning to divorce. Police were previously called to the residence because Scott Jones once threatened to kill himself.

Before I Die by Candy Chang

Artist asks strangers to complete this sentence: "Before I die I want to..."



Artist and designer Candy Chang is best known for her thought-provoking, interactive installations that re-imagine public spaces for introspection. In 2011, she re-purposed a wall on an abandoned house in New Orleans with a simple prompt, Before I die I want to..., plus some chalk and plenty of blank space. It was invitation for strangers to say whatever they wanted, and the results were breathtaking.

Since then, Chang has created public art projects in New Orleans, Hong Kong, Las Vegas and New York City, over 400 "Before I Die" walls have now been created in over 25 languages and over 60 countries around the world. Her recently released book, Before I Die, is an inspirational celebration of these public walls and the stories behind them.

Here are some awesome photos from the project:

Conservative Texas student group to stage "Catch an Illegal Immigrant" event

Students are encouraged "catch" volunteers wearing "illegal immigrant" labels

UPDATE: The UT chapter of the Young Conservatives of Texas has canceled the event, apparently out of fear of retaliation (and not because they realized they were being assholes): After Uproar, Mock Immigration Sting Canceled.

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Campus-wide discussion, my ass. This week at the University of Texas, a conservative student group is planning to stage a mock immigration "sting" in which participants will be encouraged to "catch" undocumented immigrants: Conservatives to Hold Mock Immigration Sting at UT.

On Wednesday, the UT campus chapter of Young Conservatives of Texas will offer students $25 gift cards if they can apprehend one of the volunteers wearing "illegal immigrant" labels.

They say the event is intended to "spark a campus-wide discussion about the issue of illegal immigration and how if affects our everyday lives." That's bullshit. It's mean-spirited, tasteless, hateful bulllllssshiiiit.

From the group's Facebook event:

Racist Party Alert: "Madam's Wu's Good Luck Banquet"

"Last Ride on the Orient Express"



People, can we please cut it out with these shitty Asian theme parties? Several people have forwarded me this ridiculous invitation for Madam Wu's Good Luck Banquet of the Senses, happening next weekend in Brooklyn. Basically, it's an excuse for ignorant, misguided people to get their Orientalist thrills for the night.

Presented by hipster party purveyor Rubulad, the evening promises there will be "Open Sesame Noodles," "Ancient Chinese Secrets" and other culturally insensitive bullshit, and guests are encouraged to dress in "coolie couture, dragon dancing, silk pajamas" -- whatever the hell that means:

Socialist Kshama Sawant elected to city council

Sawant defies city's political establishment and defeats prominent incumbent.



Well, that's what's up. In Seattle, voters have elected a socialist to the city council for the first time in modern history: Socialist Kshama Sawant Elected To Seattle City Council.

Kshama Sawant, a 41-year-old college economics professor who participated in the Occupy Wall Street protests, defied the city's political establishment and defeated prominent 16-year incumbent Richard Conlin, taking 50.3 percent of the vote to Conlin's 49.4 percent.

And while "socialist" is a label often flung around at politicians like a dirty word -- usually by people who have no idea what it actually means -- it's a banner that Sawant openly flew during her campaign:

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