First Cambodian American judge elected in Georgia

Meng H. Lim elected Superior Court judge for the Tallapoosa District



Last week in Georgia, voters in Polk and Haralson County made history, electing Meng H. Lim as Superior Court judge for the Tallapoosa district. The win makes Lim the first Cambodian American -- ethnically Chinese Cambodian, actually -- and the first Asian Pacific American ever elected to a Superior Court judgeship in Georgia.

Polk, Haralson voters choose Lim for Superior Court Judge

Lim was in first place but didn't win a clear majority for the seat in the May 20 election. In last week's runoff, he took a majority of the vote in Polk County -- 1,812 votes to 1,544 for Polk County attorney Chuck Morris. In his home county of Haralson, voters turned out 2,174 to 927 in favor of Lim.

Lim's family immigrated to the United States from Cambodia when he was 9. Here's a little more background on the newly elected judge, according to his campaign's Facebook page:

Harry Shum Jr. joins 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' sequel

Martial arts drama also stars Michelle Yeoh and Donnie Yen



Harry Shum Jr., whose moves (and abs) you know and love from Glee, has been cast as one of the leads in the sequel to Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon which started production this week.

'Glee's' Harry Shum Jr. Joins 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' Sequel

Yes, there is Crouching Tiger sequel in the works. Directed by master action choreographer Yuen Wo-Ping, the movie is set twenty years after the events of Ang Lee's award-winning martial arts drama. The sequel's cast includes Donnie Yen and Michelle Yeoh, reprising her role Yu Shu-lien.

Houston psychiatrist charged in human trafficking scheme

Four men are accused of luring dancers from India and forcing them into prostitution

A Houston psychiatrist and three men in New York are accused of human trafficking after luring several dancers from India with the promise of legal jobs, then forcing them into the sex trade once they arrived.

Houston doctor accused of luring Indian dancers to US in sex trafficking scheme

Riyaz Mazcuri, Rashmikant "Sam" Patel, Sabja Khimani and Mehmood Hassanali Dhanani were charged with forfeiture (forced labor conspiracy), visa fraud conspiracy and fraud in procuring foreign labor.

According to a federal indictment, the men hired female dancers in India and brought them to the United States under the false pretense that they would perform Indian cultural programs. Instead, when they arrived, the women were forced to dance in night clubs in Houston and New York for 12 to 14 hours per night, seven nights a week, and some were pressured into prostitution.

Jeremy Lin Goes Hollywood

Phil Wang, AJ Rafael and Harry Shum Jr. sing, dance and read mean tweets to cheer up Jeremy Lin



So we all know Jeremy Lin has joined the Los Angeles Lakers. Who knew that mean he'd be getting into the Hollywood game so quickly? In this video, your favorite Asian American point guard is joined by Phil Wang, AJ Rafael and Harry Shum Jr. for a little bit of supportive edification that quickly turns into a singing, dancing, musical extravaganza. Plus, some beautiful piano playing by number 17 himself.

Just watch:

Two men charged in fatal attack on UNC professor

59-year-old Feng Liu was robbed and fatally beaten in broad daylight



In North Carolina, two men have been arrested and charged with first degree murder and armed robbery in the fatal attack on a professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

2 charged with murder in UNC prof's death

59-year-old Feng Liu, a research professor in the Eshelman School of Pharmacy at UNC, was walking near campus Wednesday afternoon when he was robbed and beaten by two suspects. Liu was struck in the head with a landscaping stone and died at the hospital the next day.

23-year-old Derick Davis II and 27-year-old Troy Arrington Jr. were arrested and charged in the attack.

Showtime 2014: AADAP's 42nd Anniversary Benefit

Saturday, August 2 at the David Henry Hwang Theatre



Since 1972, the Asian American Drug Abuse Program (AADAP) has been providing prevention education, substance abuse treatment, and job skills and economic development programs for men, women, and children. To celebrate its 42nd year, AADAP is holding a benefit concert. Showtime 2014 is happening on Saturday, August 2 in L.A.'s Little Tokyo and includes a silent auction and live performances.

Here's more info:

'Ghost Month' by Ed Lin

Latest mystery from the author of 'Waylaid' and 'This is a Bust'



Here's one for your reading list. I'm excited to pick up Ghost Month, the latest novel from Ed Lin, now on shelves from Soho Crime. I'm a big fan of Ed's previous books, which include the coming-of-age novel Waylaid and the Robert Chow mystery series This is a Bust, Snakes Can't Run and One Red Bastard, which followed the exploits of a Chinese American detective through the dark corners of New York City's Chinatown.

Ed's newest mystery changes gears and goes international, taking the action to Taiwan during the titular superstitious "Ghost Month." We follow a young man named Jing-nan who runs a food stand in a Taipei night market, but becomes an unlikely sleuth when he learns his ex-girlfriend from high school has been murdered.

Here's a trailer for the novel that gives some deeper background on the book:

Fan Bingbing in talks to star in Anna May Wong biopic

Based on the life and career of the first Chinese American movie star



Some interesting movie news... Chinese actress/singer Fan Bingbing, most recently seen as the mutant Blink in X-Men: Days of Future Past, is reportedly in talks to star in a biopic about legendary screen icon Anna May Wong, the first Chinese American movie star.

Anna May Wong Biopic Planned at Fundamental Films

According to Variety, Shanghai-based Fundamental Films is developing Dragon Lady, based on the life and career of the Asian American silent era star. Jonathan Keasey and Brant Boivin are writing the script, which will recall Wong's poverty-stricken upbringing in downtown Los Angeles and her rise to fame in Hollywood.

YouTube star surprises parents by paying off mortgage

Rapper/comedian Timothy DeLaGhetto presents mom and dad with $210,000 check



Wow. This week's number one son: Timothy DeLaGhetto. On Monday, the YouTube star posted a video in which he presented his parents with a check of $210,000 to pay off their mortgage.

YouTube celebrity thanks parents by paying off their mortgage

Tim, a rapper and comedian whose YouTube channel has more than 2.4 million subscribers, dropped out of college five years ago to pursue a career in entertainment. This probably wasn't Mr. and Mrs. Chantarangsu's preferred plan for their son, but he reassured them that he would make it big and pay off the house.

Looks like he made good on that promise:

Four suspects arrested in deadly assault of USC student

24-year-old Xinran Ji was struck in the head with a baseball bat



In Los Angeles, four teen suspects have been arrested in connection with the deadly assault and robbery of a USC graduate student whose body was found in his apartment near campus last week.

USC student fatally beaten with baseball bat; 4 teens arrested in case

Four were arrested on suspicion of murder and assault with a deadly weapon, while one was also faces a charge of robbery. The suspects included two adults and two juveniles, including a 16-year-old female.

24-year-old Xinran Ji, a second-year electrical engineering graduate student from China, was walking home from a study group a few blocks from campus when he was attacked and struck with a baseball bat. He managed to walk back to his apartment where he died of a head injury.

Pioneering actor James Shigeta dies at 85

Leading man in such films as The Crimson Kimono, Flower Drum Song and Bridge to the Sun



Sad news. Pioneering Asian American actor James Shigeta, who was a leading man in such films as The Crimson Kimono, Flower Drum Song and Bridge to the Sun, died Monday in Los Angeles. He was 85.

James Shigeta, Top Asian-American Actor of Early '60s and 'Die Hard' Co-Star, Dies at 81

Handsome and charming, Shigeta was one of the first prominent Asian American actors. He made his film debut in 1959 starring as a detective caught up in a love triangle in Samuel Fuller's The Crimson Kimono, kicking off a solid two-year run of film roles, including Walk Like a Dragon (1960), Cry for Happy (1961) and Bridge to the Sun (1961). He won a Golden Globe Award in 1960 for "Most Promising Male Newcomer."

Tindog Tacloban II featuring AJ Rafael, Tim Atlas, Melvin

Friday, August 1 at Sol Collective in Sacramento



Sacramento! Two sisters in your 'hood have put together a benefit concert to help raise funds towards education equipment for survivors of Typhoon Haiyan: Tindog Tacloban II.

The next one is happening on Friday, August 1 at Sol Collective, and will feature AJ Rafael (who, we have been told, will go on an indefinite hiatus soon), Tim Atlas, Melvin Sings, and more.

Here are some more details about the benefit:

Couple arrested for leaving 3-year-old in hot car

Daughter left unattended in 104-degree van outside shopping mall



Lots of folks passing along this news out of Southern California, where a couple faces child endangerment charges after allegedly leaving their 3-year-old daughter inside a hot parked car outside an Orange County shopping mall.

Orange County Parents Accused of Leaving 3-Year-Old in Hot Car

Police were called when witnesses spotted a small child alone inside a locked vehicle parked outside the Brea Mall on Sunday afternoon. Officers showed the girl how to unlock the doors. According to police, the outside temperature was 91 degrees, while the temperature inside the van was 104 degrees. Thankfully, she was okay.

The parents, 33-year-old Ho Kim and 35-year-old Tae Kim, were arrested on suspicion of felony child endangerment.

Hari Kondabolu is the A/P/A Institute at NYU Artist-in-Residence

Kickoff event planned for October 15



This is some pretty awesome news. The Asian/Pacific/American Institute at New York University recently announced comedian Hari Kondabolu as its 2014-15 Artist-in-Residence. Hari, who is based in Brooklyn, has had one hell of a year, between appearances on NPR's Fresh Air, Conan, Late Show with David Letterman, the release of his debut album Waiting for 2042, and now hooking up with NYU.

But what does it actually mean? Each year, New York University hosts an artist to hold residency with its Asian/Pacific/American Institute. Artists-in-Residence are invited to bring their notoriety, artistic work, and history of involvement with the APA community to NYU. The Artist-in-Residence uses his or her time at A/P/A to create important new work, artistic retrospectives, forums, or conferences.

Hari is A/P/A Institute's first Comedian-in-Residence. Here's his statement:

Glenn is still alive in 'The Walking Dead' Season Five Trailer

New season premieres October 12 on AMC



For fans of The Walking Dead... In case you missed it, AMC recently posted Comic-Con trailer for the upcoming fifth season. When we last left our zombie apocalypse survivors, after spending the last half-season scattered by the Governor's prison attack, the group found themselves mostly reunited but held captive by the inhabitants of Terminus. If you haven't been following the show, and none of that makes sense to you, it's okay.

All you need to know is that Glenn is still alive.

Here's the season five trailer:

File Under Badass: Gas station clerk thwarts robbery with mixed martial arts

These thieves picked the wrong gas station. The one with a MMA fighter working behind the counter.



Crime doesn't pay. In fact, sometimes it hurts like a kick in the face. Some would-be thieves in Houston learned that the hard way when they tried to rob a gas station employee... and got their asses kicked by a convenience store clerk who also happens to be a muthaeffin' mixed martial arts fighter.

Gas station clerk with MMA training surprises thieves

Mayura Dissanyake was working behind the counter at Fuel Depot when he saw two men outside jump out of an SUV and attack his co-worker, who was returning to the store after a run to the bank. Dissanyake, who is trained in mixed martial arts and apparently was a champion in Sri Lanka, sprung into action.

"The first guy I saw, I just kicked him in the face. Then I punched the other guy."

An effective strategy. Let's go to the tape:

Congressman mistakes U.S. officials for Indian nationals

"I am familiar with your country. I love your country."



If you missed this embarrassingly awkward moment from last week, here you go. It's simultaneously awful and amazing... During a House hearing on Friday, Rep. Curt Clawson, a freshman Republican congressman from Florida, mistook two senior U.S. officials for representatives of the Indian government. Oops.

Freshman Congressman Mistakes Senior Government Officials for Foreigners

You have to give a tiny bit of credit to Clawson. He seemed eager to show that he's a fan of India and its culture. He told Nisha Biswal and Arun Kumar as much: "I am familiar with your country. I love your country."

But you see, that's the thing, Rep. Clawson. Their country is your country -- the United States, of which Biswal and Kumar are citizens and hold high-ranking positions in the State and Commerce Department, respectively.

Here's video of the ass-awkward moment:

Read These Blogs

Jeremy Lin Introductory Press Conference: In case you missed it, here's video of last week's conference with Jeremy Lin, introduced as the newest member of the Los Angeles Lakers.

When It's Okay to Use Ethnic Slurs: A Guide: Is it ever acceptable to say "Chinamen"? Writer Eric Liu, author of A Chinaman's Chance, lays out some rules about when it's appropriate to use ethnic slurs.

We need Asian-American superheroes: "The fact is, the only way to really make the superhero universe look like America (and by extension, the world) is to create fresh, new heroes who represent us in all our vibrant diversity, with origin stories that are authentic to their identities."

It's time to stop using "exoticism" as an excuse for opera's racism: From context to staging to casting, how theater houses can improve on equating exoticism with tradition in productions such as The Mikado.

I have "A Little List" too -- buckle up. Actress/writer Erin Quill lays down the smack with an epic take down of the Seattle Gilbert & Sullivan Society's ridiculous yellowface staging of The Mikado.

This Week's Angriest Posts

Not necessarily the angriest, just the most viewed.



1. Ice cream customer told to "go back to China"

2. Clothing store receipt calls Asian customer "Yoko Ono"?

3. Fund This: recess

4. Angry Reader of the Week: Keiko Agena

5. Christina Chong joins the cast of 'Star Wars: Episode VII'

6. USC graduate student found dead after attack

7. Kristina Wong has launched a Kickstarter to marry Jeremy Lin

8. Jim Lee is giving away 50 sketches at Comic-Con

9. 'The Walking Dead' Prison Glenn Pop! Vinyl Figure

10. The Electronic Sriracha Festival is happening.

Stay Angry, my friends.

Angry Reader of the Week: Keiko Agena

"Having a connection with another person is a precious thing. It's my favorite thing."



Heeyyyyyy everybody! Once again, it's my pleasure to introduce you to 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 Keiko Agena.

Kristina Wong has launched a Kickstarter to marry Jeremy Lin

If potato salad can get funded, so can the future Mrs. Wong-Lin



Performance artist and comedian Kristina Wong's affection/obsession for Jeremy Lin is well-documented. Now that the basketball star is coming to Los Angeles, Kristina intends to get married to Jeremy Lin. To make that happen, she has launched a Kickstarter, and is asking for your help funding the nuptials.

Wait, what? Kristina explains in this creepy video:

USC graduate student found dead after attack

24-year-old Xinran Ji was assaulted and struck by a "blunt force object"



Tragic news out of Los Angeles, where a Chinese graduate student at the University of Southern California was found dead in his apartment after being assaulted while walking home a few blocks from campus.

USC says grad student found dead was attacked near campus

24-year-old engineering student Xinran Ji was walking home from an off-campus study group when he was attacked by three suspects. According to police, he was struck by a "blunt force object."

Ji apparently managed to make it back to his fourth floor apartment, leaving a trail of blood. His roommate found him dead on Thursday morning.

Generation VLT by Fung Bros

SPONSORED POST



The Fung Brothers are at it again with a hilarious and heartwarming glimpse into the struggles of young Asian Americans growing up in immigrant households: Generation VLT.

Four different scenarios (including one starring the Fung Brothers themselves) depict the battles young Asian Americans sometimes face while pursuing what they love to do. The Fung Brothers hope its message can empower today's Asian American youth:

Jim Lee is giving away 50 sketches at Comic-Con

Fifty lucky attendees will get a drawing by the legendary comic book artist


Today kicks off the massive annual celebration of geekdom known as San Diego Comic-Con. For four days, sweaty legions of thousands of eager fans -- costumed and non-costumed alike -- will descend upon the pop culture mecca. Heads up: if you're headed to the San Diego Convention Center, and you're extremely lucky, you might walk away with a rare free sketch by legendary artist Jim Lee.

Lee, the Co-Publisher of DC Entertainment, is celebrating his upcoming 50th birthday (August 11) by giving away 50 sketches of various characters at his Comic-Con spotlight panel on Sunday. Lee's Batman art -- commemorating the character's 75th anniversary -- also graces the cover of the convention's souvenir book.

Check out this great interview with the comic book industry icon:

Ice cream customer told to "go back to China"

Ruining ice cream with racism. Not cool, Scoop Coop.



I love ice cream. I shake my fist at anyone who ruins ice cream. In the case of this particular incident, the ice cream was ruined by racism. How dare you ruin ice cream with racism?

Earlier this month at a New Jersey ice cream counter, the mother of a teenage employee told an Asian American customer to "go back to China." The racially charged incident, and subsequent attempts to address and resolve the issue, resulted in a blowup on Facebook and in the local newspaper.

Mother of Scoop Coop employee tells patron to 'go back to China'

Laura Lim, who is Korean American, was at the Scoop Coop ice cream window in East Hanover on July 12 when the employee at the counter gave her "attitude." The mother of the teenage employee, who was seated near the window, heard the conversation and told Lim to "go back to China." Classy, yo.

Fund This: recess

A sleek and slim wallet that doesn't create a bulge in one's pocket



Here's a pretty good project to get behind. Ravi Bhanot, Daniel Zing, and Tim Chang are the team behind recess streamlined leather bulk-free wallets. The proposed designs look pretty fresh, and they need your help to jumpstart the manufacturing process -- which is where recess wallets get interesting.

The recess team, which is based in San Francisco, is looking to change the practices and perceptions of producing abroad. They have traveled across China, carefully selecting the best factories to ensure quality product and quality treatment of workers, and bring transparency behind the manufacturing of these wallets.

Check out this video to see these handsome wallets in action:

Christina Chong joins the cast of 'Star Wars: Episode VII'

There will be at least one Asian character in a galaxy far, far away



Catching up on some casting news... It looks like there will be Asians in a galaxy far, far away. Well, at least one. News broke last week that British actress Christina Chong has joined the cast of Star Wars Episode VII.

'Star Wars: Episode VII' Casts Christina Chong

The Disney and Lucasfilm franchise's newest recruit, most recently seen in Fox's 24: Live Another Day, joins fellow Star Wars newcomers Adam Driver, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac and Daisy Ridley, among others. Original cast members Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford are also set to return.

There's no word on who Chong will play, but it's said to be a fairly minor character. According to insiders, she's already wrapped filming her role. Which possibly explains this tweet from the first day of filming?

'The Walking Dead' Prison Glenn Pop! Vinyl Figure

New and improved vinyl version of your favorite Asian American zombie apocalypse survivor



Glenn's all growns up! The Walking Dead fans will get a kick out of this. Funko will be releasing a new Pop! Vinyl figure in the likeness of Glenn, our favorite Asian American zombie apocalypse survivor. Different from the previously released Glenn figure, this one reflects an older, more mature Glenn. This is Prison Glenn.

Over the last four seasons, fans of AMC's hit undead drama have been able to watch the growth and development of Glenn, played by Steven Yeun. So it's appropriate that Funko would release a new figure reflecting the character's updated look, complete with tussled hair and a big-ass rifle.

I think it's an improvement over the Short Round-inspired style he used to rock.

Clothing store receipt calls Asian customer "Yoko Ono"?

Maybe not, but something shady is going on at bebe.



Got this passed along to me from a friend of a friend, who gives us our latest edition of Racial Receipts.

A recent shopper at the clothing chain bebe was handed this receipt after buying an item. As you can see, the customer, who is Asian American, is identified on the receipt as "Yoko Ono." This is not the customer's name.

The transaction took place last week at the bebe location at South Bay Galleria in Redondo Beach, California. As you can see, the customer purchased a sleeveless tie-front top for $69.00 plus tax. She paid in cash. She apparently didn't even notice the name on the receipt until she got home.

Read These Blogs

"The word is you are a cool cat." In observance of actor James Garner's passing, here's a clip from the 1969 movie Marlowe with Garner as the titular sleuth, getting paid a visit by Bruce Lee, who died 41 years ago today.

Opinion: Yellowface staging of 'Mikado' has to end: Jeff Yang on why sticking to tradition is not a valid excuse for yellowface in productions of Gilbert & Sullivan's The Mikado.

How 'Ching Chong' Became The Go-To Slur For Mocking East Asians: If you're of East Asian descent, you've probably heard it before: "ching chong." Where did it come from, anyway? NPR's Code Switch digs up the origins, which trace as far back as the late 1880s.

Model Minority Rage: Why the Hulk Should Be an Asian Guy: Captain America is black. Thor is a woman. The ideal Bruce Banner is a cuddly teddy bear, an adorkable loser, likable in a wussy kind of way. He's totally harmless -- until he isn't. Arthur Chu on why he thinks the Hulk should be an Asian guy

A Handy Template for Online Trolls: Anyone who has ever read the comments of an internet article is familiar with the ubiquitous troll. Jeff Yang, who is received his fair share of trolling, has written up a handy template for "a simple template that they can use to instantly post the perfect incoherent blurt of hate-filled rage."

This Week's Angriest Posts

Not necessarily the angriest, just the most viewed.



1. Real-life yellowface! Now playing in Seattle.

2. Hey, Jeremy. Need a place to stay in LA? Try Craigslist.

3. Yuki Togashi is a fan favorite at NBA Summer League

4. Couple arrested for having sex on roof of Chipotle

5. Canadian sitcom producer apologizes for offensive tweets

6. Beware the "Chinamen" learning "how to do computers"

7. Disney announces voice cast and characters for 'Big Hero 6'

8. Jose Antonio Vargas detained at Texas airport

9. Bruce Lee never thought about the guy with the Groupon

10. Big bouncy robot fun in the first full trailer for 'Big Hero 6'

Also, be sure to watch our latest episode of Angry Asian America. Stay Angry.

'Just Know That I Love You' by Priscilla Ahn

New album inspired by the Studio Ghibli film 'When Marnie Was There'



Very cool! One of my favorite singer/songwriters, Priscilla Ahn, just released a new album Just Know That I Love You. It's a sister album written for and inspired by the new Studio Ghibli film When Marnie Was There, which was just released in Japan. The album includes the movie's theme song "Fine On The Outside."

Here's the movie's trailer (sorry -- no English translation), which includes Priscilla's tune:

Angry Reader of the Week: Eric Liu

"We've all inherited a great experiment in mass, multiracial democracy."



Hey, folks! You know what time it is. Please allow me to introduce you to 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 Eric Liu.

The Electronic Sriracha Festival is happening.

A Sriracha-themed eletronic dance music festival. This is a real thing.



For those who love electronic dance music, but think it could use just a little more hot sauce, I give you the Electronic Sriracha Festival. I'm not kidding. A Sriracha-themed dance music festival. This is a real thing.

A Sriracha-Themed EDM Festival Is Coming

Presented by Moveable Feast, it's going down Labor Day Weekend, August 30 at St. James Park in San Jose. It's the combination you didn't know you were missing. But somebody thought it would be a good idea to mix sound and spice, so there you go. Sensory overload. Your ears will be ringing and your tongues will be burning.

Mai Duong needs your help.

Leukemia patient urgently needs a bone marrow or umbilical cord stem cell transplant



Mai Duong is a 34-year-old woman from Montreal who is fighting for her life. Last year, she was diagnosed with acute leukemia, and beat it. But 10 months after being given a clean bill of health, she relapsed. Leukemia. "For the second time, because life's a bitch." But she is not going down without a fight.

Leukemia patient calls on visible minorities to donate stem cells

Mai, the mother of a 4-year-old, is currently in the hospital receiving chemotherapy treatment, but her chances of survival will be greatly increased by a stem cell donation, either through cord blood or a bone marrow transplant -- most likely, from a compatible donor of Vietnamese descent, like herself.

Unfortunately, only 19 percent of bone marrow donors in Quebec are non-white. And just one percent of the bone marrow registry is composed of Vietnamese people. Mai's brother, who had a 30 percent chance of matching, was not a match. So she's turning to you, good people of the internet, to get the word out.

Ai Wei Wei: The Seed, July 24

New multimedia spoken word performance mash-up at the Brooklyn Museum



If you're in New York City, you're invited to a new multimedia performance next week in Brooklyn... Ai Wei Wei: The Seed is a live music, video, dance and spoken word performance mash-up about the early roots of political artist Ai Wei Wei and his emergence as one of the world's foremost artists and thinkers.

The show goes up Thursday, July 24 at the Brooklyn Museum. The creative team behind the performance includes some of our friends, like Kelly Zen-Yie Tsai (Creative Direction, Spoken Word, Video), Jessica Chen (Choreography), Jason Kao Hwang (Music), Adriel Luis (Spoken Word, Video, Music), and Kit Yan (Spoken Word).

Here are some more details about the performance:

Apply to the Muslim Youth Voices Project

Free summer filmmaking workshop presented by the Center for Asian American Media



The Muslim Youth Voices Project is a national initiative of the Center for Asian American Media. This three-year initiative is an effort to amplify the expressions and celebrations of Muslim youth ages 12-18 by providing the tools to tell their stories -- stories often invisible to the national public.

This round, CAAM is offering free filmmaking workshops for youth in the Bay Area and New York City. But heads up -- the application for the one in Fremont is due this Friday, July 18. (Sorry for the short notice.)

Here's some more info:

Fund This: Armed With a Camera 2015

Help Visual Communications raise up the next generation of Asian Pacific American filmmakers



Do you want to help the next generation of Asian American filmmakers tell their stories?

Visual Communications, the nation's premier Asian Pacific American media arts center, recently launched its first-ever crowdsourcing campaign through Indiegogo to raise funds for the 2014-15 Armed With a Camera Fellowship for Emerging Media Artists (AWC). And they could use your support!

Since 2002, the Armed With a Camera Fellowship has nurtured a new generation of Asian Pacific Americans to articulate their experiences and perspectives through the medium of film. Fellows are provided with funding, mentorship, training, resources and an elite presentation venue -- the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival.

Watch this video for more information about Armed With a Camera:

Peter Shinkoda joins the cast of 'Daredevil'

Marvel's upcoming superhero series will debut exclusively on Netflix



Some cool casting news... Actor Peter Shinkoda has been cast for a major recurring role in Netflix's upcoming drama series Daredevil, based on the popular Marvel Comics superhero.

Peter Shinkoda Joins Netflix's Marvel Drama Series 'Daredevil'

Marvel has been busy at work rapidly expanding its universe in movies, television and beyond. Daredevil is the first four 13-episode superhero series that the studio is producing exclusively for Netflix, in addition to Jessica Jones, Luke Cage and Iron Fist. All four shows, set in the Hell's Kitchen neighborhood of New York City, will eventually culminate in a miniseries uniting all these characters as The Defenders.

According to Deadline, Shinkoda will play a man named Hachiro, an original character created for the series who is described as a "major recurring role." Screen Rant offers some speculation on the character's role:

Bruce Lee never thought about the guy with the Groupon

Comedian Ian Edwards asks the hard questions about 'Fists of Fury' and 'Enter the Dragon'



Fellow Bruce fans, have you ever watched a Bruce Lee fight scene and felt a little sorry for one of the many guys whose ass got kicked? I have. So has this guy. Check out this hilarious short, animated by Dilara Karabas, in which comedian Ian Edwards asks some of the hard questions about Fists of Fury and Enter the Dragon:

Yuki Togashi is a fan favorite at NBA Summer League

20-year-old guard attempting to be the second Japanese player to make an NBA roster



Basketball fans, keep your eye on this cat Yuki Togashi. The 20-year-old 5-foot-7 point guard from Japan has been turning heads and quickly becoming a fan favorite at NBA Summer League.

Togashi Turns Heads at Summer League

Togashi, a top player for the bj league's Akita Northern Happinets, was invited to the Dallas Mavericks' tryout camp earlier this month, and made his Summer League debut with the team last week in Las Vegas, where the crowd has apparently been going crazy for him.

Here's a short video of some Togashi highlights:

Beau Sia: A One of a Kind Poetry Experience

Friday, July 18 at Art Share LA



If you're in the Los Angeles area this Friday, acclaimed spoken word artist Beau Sia will be sharing new work and classic poems in his first solo play, described as a show filled with "dance, love, and the empowering potential of words." Well, that sounds awesome. Who wouldn't want to be a part of something like that? It's happening July 18 at Art Share LA.

Here are some more details about the show:

White House hosts AAPI Youth Forum

Tune in Thursday, July 17 at 9:00am EDT

This is pretty short notice, but if you see this in time, the White House Office of Public Engagement and White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are hosting an online AAPI Youth Forum tomorrow morning.

Tune in Thursday, July 17 at 9:00am EDT to see various members of the administration talking about issues affecting young AAPI leaders, including education, mental health, pathways to public service, and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals.

Here are some more details about the webcast:

Angry Asian America Ep. 7: Australian Woman's Racist Train Rant Caught on Video!

With co-host Jenny Yang and special guests Timothy Delaghetto and Rasika Mathur



Hello, video watchers! I am pleased to present the latest edition of my web talk show Angry Asian America on ISAtv. In episode seven, co-host Jenny Yang and I are joined by comedians Timothy Delaghetto and Rasika Mathur of Wild N Out. We sound off on a couple of recent posts from this blog, including that Australian woman's racist train rant, hipster retail racism, and big Punjabi basketball fire, among other things.

Check it out:

Emily C. Chang joins the cast of 'The Vampire Diaries'

Joins the CW drama as "the quintessential girl next door with an unexpected wild side"



Super-excited to pass along this casting news... My good friend Emily C. Chang has joined the cast of the CW supernatural drama The Vampire Diaries as "a new character who may not be who she seems."

'Vampire Diaries' Adds 'Unexpected' Character for Season 6

Emily will play the recurring character of Ivy, who is described as "sweet and sincere," and "the quintessential girl next door with an unexpected wild side." And that's about all the information we've got. Maybe she's a vampire! I don't know. I guess we'll find out, because I will definitely be tuning in to see homegirl Emily.

See you at the New York Premiere of Awesome Asian Bad Guys

July 25 & 26 at the Asian American International Film Festival



New York City! Make some plans, because the Awesome Asian Bad Guys are coming to get you.

Next week, National Film Society's action/comedy webseries makes its East Coast premiere as part of Asian CineVision's Asian American International Film Festival. It will screen on Friday, July 25, 6:00pm at City Cinema Village East and Saturday, July 26, 2:00pm at the Made in NY Media Center by IFP.

Want to win free tickets? Scroll down to the bottom for details.

Filmmaking duo Stephen Dypiangco and Patrick Epino direct and star as Stephen and Patrick, down-and-out filmmakers who must recruit an unlikely team of Asian American heroes -- a motley crew that includes Al Leong, Yuji Okumoto, Tamlyn Tomita, George Cheung and Randall Park -- to take down a ruthless crime lord. The series is an homage to your favorite nameless Asian movie character actors of the 1980s and 90s.

Community rallies for victims of deadly apartment fire

Seven people -- including three young children -- killed in fatal blaze in Lowell, MA



This is a terrible story out of the Boston area... Last week in Lowell, seven people -- including three young children -- were killed in a deadly apartment fire that has devastated the local Cambodian community.

Lowell fire hits heart of Cambodian community

33-year-old Ellen Vuong and her boyfriend Torn Sak, and three of the couple's children, Anthony, 12, Ryan, 9, and Sayuri, 7, perished in the fire early morning Thursday when they became trapped in their third floor apartment. Two of their young children were able to make it out alive. Two unrelated adults, 38-year-old Tina Christakos and an unidentified 70-year-old man, died in an apartment on the other side of the building.

According to the Lowell Fire Department, the three-alarm blaze was an accidental electrical fire.

Over the weekend, hundreds of community members gathered for a memorial service and collected donations for the families of the victims:

The Green Turtle (who?) returns in 'The Shadow Hero'

New graphic novel tells the story of the first Asian American superhero



At long last! Evildoers cower and flee! It's the triumphant return of the masked crimefighter known as the Green Turtle! Wait... who? What, you mean you've never heard of the first Asian American superhero? Then you must read The Shadow Hero by Gene Luen Yang and Sonny Liew, on shelves this week from First Second.

Okay, if you've never heard of the Green Turtle, I can't really blame you. He's an obscure Golden Age character that briefly appeared in the pages of Blazing Comics during the 1940s. While the character's run was short-lived, what makes the Green Turtle interesting is his creator, Chinese American artist Chu F. Hing.

Big bouncy robot fun in the first full trailer for 'Big Hero 6'

Disney's animated feature based on the Marvel Comics superhero team



Hot off the recent character reveals and voice cast announcement for Walt Disney Animation Studios' first Marvel Comics feature adaptation Big Hero 6, here's the first full trailer for the animated superhero adventure:

Jose Antonio Vargas detained at Texas airport

Undocumented journalist and immigration activist taken into custody by Border Patrol



Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, filmmaker and immigrant rights activist Jose Antonio Vargas -- arguably the most visible undocumented immigrant in the country -- was detained at a Texas airport this morning.

Reporter Jose Vargas, symbol of immigration debate, detained at airport

Vargas, who started the campaign Define American and has been outspoken about being undocumented, was detained in McAllen, Texas while trying to go through airport security. He was in McAllen to cover the children migrant crisis and show solidarity for the youth who have been recently crossing the border from Central America.

Only after arriving in McAllen, where the security procedures are much stricter, did he realize how challenging it might be to return home. As an undocumented immigrant, Vargas does not have a U.S. government-issued ID, and expressed uncertainty about getting through the numerous Customs and Border Protection checkpoints.

This morning, Vargas tweeted that he was about to go through airport security: