Read These Blogs

A-M-E-R-I-C-A-N, 2015 Edition: Yes, they're back. This Storify collects all the hella racist tweets from the Scripps Howard Spelling Bee after two Indian American kids tied to win the top prize again.

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Spelling Race: "Instead of placing Indian-American spelling champions in a special category or demeaning them as un-American, we should be able to find a place in the middle by pushing back against the misleading race-based narratives that surround the Scripps National Spelling Bee."

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We should stop asking why Indian Americans are so good at spelling bees. Here's why. "In looking for cultural and genetic explanations for the number of South Asian American kids who perform well in the spelling bee, we rob individual kids of the glory they deserve for their hard work and ignore a pressing public-policy matter that their victories illuminate."

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#storyofsunny Justice for Sunny Kim: The family of Sunny Kim is asking for help in sharing her story. On May 2nd, 2015, the suspect, identified only by his surname, Lee (25), murdered his girlfriend Sunny Kim (26) by strangling her to death in her sleep after she broke up with him earlier that day.

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APA Heritage Month: 15 Classics of Asian American/Canadian Fiction: In honor of AAPI Heritage Month, Timothy Yu offers a list of fifteen "classic" works of Asian American (and Canadian) fiction.

Angry Reader of the Week: Chris Dinh

"I learned how to drive stick on my dad's tractor."


Photo: Sthanlee B. Mirador

Hey, everybody! You know what's up. It's time to meet another 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 Chris Dinh.

Carly Fiorina says the Chinese "are not terribly imaginative"

"That's why they're stealing our intellectual property."



Running for public office? First thing you have to do is talk about how awesome America is. A quick and easy way to do that, these days, is to invoke the magic word: China. Specifically, use language pitting Americans agains "the Chinese." Case in point, recent comments by GOP presidential contender Carly Fiorina, who says the Chinese are unimaginative and unable to innovate. "That's why they're stealing our intellectual property."

Carly Fiorina: The Chinese "Can't Innovate, Not Terribly Imaginative, Not Entrepreneurial"

In a video filmed by Iowa political blog Caffeinated Thoughts back in January before Fiorina announced her candidacy, the former Hewlett-Packard CEO explains her opposition to Common Core educational standards, arguing that there is no need for federal benchmarks over concerns that American students are lagging behind Chinese students in science and math.

Why? Because Chinese people lack creativity. "Innovation and entrepreneurship are not their strong suits."

What Asian Country Has The Best Dessert?

Lynn Chen goes on a quest in celebration of Asian Dessert Heritage Month.



Our friend, actress and food blogger Lynn Chen, recently went on a quest to determine, once and for all, What Asian Country Has The Best Dessert? In this BuzzFeed video, she hits the streets of Los Angeles in celebration of Asian Dessert Heritage Month. (Okay, there is no such month. But hell, Asian Dessert Heritage Month should be a real thing. Let's make it a thing. #AsianDessertHeritageMonth.)

Lynn samples desserts from various Asian nations and names her favorite. Let's see the results:

Low-income students banned from school carnival

Kids who didn't pay a $10 fee were forced to sit out on the end-of-the-year festivities.



This heartbreaking news out of a Queens public school has New Yorkers in an uproar... PS 120 in Flushing recently held a carnival for its students, but kids whose parents didn't pay a $10 fee were forced sit out on the fun. Most of the students who were excluded from the carnival are from poor Chinese immigrant families.

No pay, no play! Poor kids banned from school carnival

Nearly 900 kids, from pre-K to fifth grade, took turns participating in the end-of-the-year carnival, enjoying inflatable slides, a bouncing room, a teacup ride and sweet treats. Meanwhile, more than a hundred of their classmates, unable to pay the ten bucks, were forced to sit in the school auditorium and watch a Disney movie.

According to the New York Post, Principal Joan Monroe insisted on getting accurate tallies of who paid and who didn't, and refused to bend her policy because it wouldn't be "fair" to those who paid the fee. Try explaining that to the poor kids who were left out.

ISA! Charity Basketball Game 2015

Friday, May 29 at Mark Keppel High School in Alhambra



If you are in the Los Angeles area -- 626 represent! -- our friends at International Secret Agents, Wong Fu Productions, Far East Movement, and The Fung Bros invite you to eh 2015 ISA! Charity Basketball Game. The event will feature lots of familiar fan-favorite faces and will benefit Nepal Disaster Relief and the Autistic Self Advocacy Network. It's happening Friday, May 29 at Mark Keppel High School in Alhambra.

Here's a promo video for the game:

Call For Submissions: Asians Doing Everything

New blog seeks to celebrate work being done by Asians and Pacific Islanders around the world.

Are you Asian? Do you do something? Asians Doing Everything, a new blog that seeks to celebrate the work being done by Asians and Pacific Islanders around the world, wants you to submit your bio to be featured on their website. Share your work and contribute to their mission of showing the multifaceted voices of this global community.

Here's more info, including submission guidelines:

Justin Lin developing Bruce Lee's 'Warrior' for Cinemax

Crime drama series inspired by the writings of the martial arts icon.



This is awesome. What happens when Justin Lin teams up with Bruce Lee? The Fast & Furious director is developing the drama series Warrior, based on the writings of the late martial arts icon, for Cinemax.

Cinemax Developing Bruce Lee-Inspired Crime Drama 'Warrior' From Justin Lin

Warrior is described as "a visceral crime drama that traces the path of a gifted but morally corrupt fighter thrown into crisis after a lifelong quest for vengeance is undermined." Cinemax has put the project into development, with Lin set to direct the potential pilot, written by Jonathan Tropper, co-creator of Banshee.

Stuntman Steven Ho teaches Conan combat under pressure

Hammer-fist training, parking lot assaults and a bedroom attack.



Our favorite Hollywood stuntman Steven Ho was back on Conan last week demonstrating some awesome stuntman stuff and doing what he does best: kicking Conan O'Brien's ass -- for our television enjoyment! During this appearance, Steven sets up several combat scenarios to take Conan out of his comfort zone.

Check it out:

77-year-old woman dies after Mother's Day assault

San Francisco police seek suspect in fatal Chinatown attack on Lin Leung.



In San Francisco, a 77-year-old woman died Friday after suffering severe injuries from a random attack in broad daylight on Mother's Day. Police are still asking for the public's help searching for the suspect.

Woman, 77, dies after Mother's Day attack in S.F.

According to investigators, the attack happened between noon and 2:30 PM on May 10 after the victim, Lin Leung, got off a MUNI bus in Chinatown, possibly on Stockton Street.

Leung was apparently struck by a female assailant at least twice in the head. Investigators say that a Good Samaritan came to her aid, helping her move away from the side of the bus and sit on the curb until she was able to walk home. Three days after the assault, the woman's family found her unconscious at home.

Here's more information from the SFPD release:

Read These Blogs

10 Beautiful Portraits Of Asian-Pacific American Influencers: To celebrate Heritage Month, artist Jessica Singh drew these beautiful portraits of APA heroes for the digital campaign Sons & Brothers.

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Stop using Asians as role models: Jeff Yang responds to Duke University professor Jerry Hough's recent controversial comments referencing an ugly old trope: Asian Americans as a "model minority" that Africans Americans should emulate.

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Asian American Student Suicide Rate at MIT is Quadruple the National Average: MIT's Asian American suicide rate is quadruple the national average, and, according to recent studies, college-aged students are most at-risk for death by suicide within the Asian American community. How can we change these trends?

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NYT Summer Reading List Finally Achieves 100 Percent Whiteness: "Congrats are in order! Janet Maslin's annual summer reading list for the New York Times has, at long last, achieved peak caucasity."

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An open letter from the family of Lingzi Lu: With the conclusion of the trial of Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, The Boston Globe published an open letter from the family of Lingzi Lu, the Boston University graduate student who was killed in the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing.

Family Reunion: A Storytelling Show

Presented by Disoriented Comedy. Thursday, May 28 at Echoes Under Sunset



Hey, Los Angeles! Make plans for another nice night of storytelling. You are invited to the latest edition of Disoriented Comedy's Family Reunion. The monthly storytelling show, co-presented by Angry Asian Man, Tuesday Night Project, Mishthi Music and KAYA Press, features regular everyday folks talking story. No notes.

The theme of this month's show, co-presented by the Food Chain Workers Alliance and The Restaurant Opportunities Center of Los Angeles, is "Eat Me!" -- stories of food, eating, and sticking it all in people's faces. This evening's storytellers include Faith Choyce, Kazumi Kusano, Erin O'Brien, Fizaa Dosani, Paul PK Kim, Teresa Huang, Golda Inquito, Atsuko Okatsuka, and host Jenny Yang.

It's happening Thursday, May 28 at Echoes Under Sunset. Here are some more details:

Cops: Toddler Disfigured By Grenade in "No-Knock" Raid a "Criminal", To Blame For His Injuries | #JusticeForBouBou

By Jenn Fang. Cross-posted from Reappropriate.


Bounkham "Bou Bou" Phonesavanh. (Photo credit: Phonesavanh family)
(H/T @boygainvillea)

Last year, nineteen month-old Bounkham "Bou Bou" Phonesavanh was sleeping peacefully in his playpen in Habersham County, Georgia. The Phonesavanh family had recently moved to Georgia from Janesville, Wisconsin after their home had been destroyed in a fire, and the family -- including the four young Phonesavanh children -- were temporarily living in a converted guestroom of the house owned by Bounkham Phonesavanh's sister.

At 2 am on May 28, 2014, Bou Bou and his three older siblings were asleep when a team of militarized Habersham SWAT officers -- conducting a "no-knock" raid of the family home -- broke down the door and blindly threw a stun grenade into the room. The grenade landed in Bou Bou's playpen and exploded just inches from the toddler's face. Bou Bou immediately started screaming from the injuries of the devastating explosion: the grenade detached Bou Bou's nose, permanently disfiguring him, and create a gash in his chest that collapsed his left lung and prevented the infant from breathing on his own.

SWAT officers prevented Bou Bou's mother, Alecia Phonesavanh, from approaching her child. Instead, they downplayed the injuries; in a later interview, Alecia Phonesavanh recollects:

Angry Reader of the Week: Susan Chinsen

"I wish I could get everyone to take an Asian American studies course."



Hey, folks. It's that time again. I am pleased to present another 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 Susan Chinsen.

Is the government racially profiling Asian Americans?

Members of Congress call on Attorney General to investigate Sherry Chen espionage case.



Members of Congress, joined by APA community leaders, are calling the U.S. Attorney General to investigate and determine whether race and national origin were factors in unfounded espionage-related charges brought against Sherry Chen, a Chinese American hydrologist with the National Weather Service.

Members of Congress Ask for Review of Dropped Espionage Case

Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch is being asked investigate not only if race was a factor in Mrs. Chen's arrest, but also to determine whether race, national origin, religion or gender are being used by federal agencies in targeting federal employees for arrest, surveillance or other actions.

In October 2014, Chen was publicly arrested at her workplace and charged with four felony charges, largely built on the suspicion that she had been working on behalf of the Chinese government to threaten U.S. infrastructure. But less than one week before trial, the government dismissed all charges against Mrs. Chen.

A letter to Attorney General Lynch, signed by twenty-two members of Congress, expresses concern that Chen's case is indicative of a broader campaign of racial profiling against Asian Americans. It certainly isn't the first time this has happened. Sherry Chen is just the latest example.

Justice and Equity: What's The Asian American Angle?

Digital roundtable hosted by 18 Million Rising, Thursday, May 21


Heads up. Our friends at 18 Million Rising are hosting a Google Hangout, Justice and Equity: What's the Asian American Angle? in partnership with ChangeLab, to talk about where Asian Americans fit in contemporary movements for racial justice. It's happening Thursday, May 21 at 6pm ET/3pm PT.

The online panel will feature Ruben An, organizer with CAAAV's Asian Youth in Action; Subhash Kateel, former immigrant rights organizer and host of Let's Talk About It!; Karin Wang, Vice President for Programs and Communications at Advancing Justice - Los Angeles; and moderated by writer and activist Deepa Iyer.

Here are some more details:

San Francisco police seek suspect in Mother's Day beating

77-year-old woman in critical condition after attack in Chinatown.



In San Francisco, police are asking for the public's help searching for an assault suspect who attacked a 77-year-old woman in Chinatown on Mother's Day, leaving her in critical condition.

S.F. police seek attacker of 77-year-old woman in Chinatown

According to investigators, the incident happened between noon and 2:30 PM on May 10 after the victim, an elderly Asian woman, got off a MUNI bus in Chinatown, possibly on Stockton Street.

The victim was reportedly struck by a female assailant at least twice in the head. Investigators say that a Good Samaritan came to her aid, helping her move away from the side of the bus and sit on the curb until she was able to walk home. Three days after the assault, the woman's family found her unconscious at home.

Helen Gym wins in Philadelphia at-large City Council race

Education activist unseats incumbents in Democratic primary for at-large council seats.



Some big upsets out of Philadelphia's primary elections this week, as two City Council incumbents lost Democratic nominations for "at-large" seats to three relative newcomers -- including school activist Helen Gym.

Some New Faces Win Democratic Nominations For Phila. City Council

Incumbents Ed Neilson and Wilson Goode Jr. were ousted by Helen Gym, real estate investor Alan Domb, and attorney Derek Green in the Democratic battle for City Council at-large seats.

Helen, a vocal public education proponent (and longtime friend and supporter to this blog), was among the top five Democratic vote-getters in the race for a citywide council seat, narrowly beating her nearest competitor, Isaiah Thomas, who came in sixth by about 1,100 votes.

David Ryu wins Los Angeles City Council race

City Hall outsider is the first Korean American ever to win a council seat.



The results are in. In Los Angeles, David Ryu has clinched a seat on the City Council, edging out opponent Carolyn Ramsay in District 4. The victory makes Ryu the first Korean American ever elected to the Los Angeles City Council, and the first Asian American to hold a council seat in over twenty years.

L.A. City Hall outsider Ryu wins City Council race

With 100% of precincts reporting, unofficial results had Ryu securing more than 11,200 votes, giving him a more than 1,600-vote margin over Ramsay in the runoff to replace termed-out councilmember Tom LaBonge.

Ramsay, chief of staff for LaBonge, had endorsements from Mayor Eric Garcetti and a majority of council members. Ryu, however, raised an energized base, casting himself as a City Hall outsider not beholden to entrenched interests.

Filmmaker Prashant Bhargava dies at 42

Award-winning director of 'Patang (The Kite)' passed away of a heart attack.



Over the weekend, I received the sad news that filmmaker Prashant Bhargava, the award-winning writer/director of the 2011 film Patang (The Kite), died of a heart attack Friday in Manhattan. He was 42.

Filmmaker, Artist Prashant Bhargava Dies at 42

Bhargava, a native of Chicago, was a promising filmmaker who primarily worked in music videos and commercials, including TV campaigns for HBO programs like The Wire, OZ, Rome.

His feature film directorial debut, Patang, followed six stories in Ahmedabad, India, all taking place during the country's largest annual kite festival. The film, which took seven years to make, premiered at the prestigious Berlin Film Festival, and was in competition at the Tribeca Film Festival.

Read These Blogs

Clock running out on Korean single mother awaiting deportation: Accused of kidnapping her child, Nan-Hui Jo is jailed and awaiting deportation, with no chance of fighting for custody. Her case has drawn nationwide attention and support from more than 130 women's rights and immigrant rights groups in the United States. But she is running out of time.

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Uncovered evidence shows bullying was factor in Emilie Olsen's suicide: School officials insist that bullying was not a factor in the suicide death of a 13-year-old Ohio girl last December, but a local news investigation has uncovered emails, school reports and other evidence to the contrary.

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Kamala Harris calls Loretta Sanchez's Native American 'war cry' shocking: U.S. Senate candidate and Atty. Gen. Kamala Harris was at a loss for words Saturday when told that her principal opponent, U.S. Rep. Loretta Sanchez of Santa Ana, had been videotaped making a joke about the difference between Indian Americans and Native Americans in which she tapped her hand to her mouth in imitation of a "war cry."

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How The New York Times' Nail Salon Exposé Became 'the Rare Viral Investigative Story': A behind-the-scenes look at Sarah Maslin Nir's expose on the nail salon industry, including why it was released early and the energizing impact it had on the staff.

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Coming Out as Transgender Has Been A Rollercoaster of Euphoria and Guilt, But I'm Still Happier Than I've Ever Been: Comedian Robin Tran writes about coming out as transgender: "As much as I love my friends, my family, and my girlfriend, I never knew what true happiness was until I was willing to throw it all away."

Angry Reader of the Week: Wendy Xu

"I'm a comics artist and writer who moonlights as an editorial assistant by day."



What's up, everybody? It's time to meet another 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 Wendy Xu.

Watch the new trailer for Wong Fu's 'Everything Before Us'

Feature film debuts exclusive on Vimeo on June 3.



Check it, Wong Fu fans. Entertainment Weekly just dropped the new trailer for Everything Before Us, the first official feature film from Wong Fu Productions, which will be exclusively released online next month.

The film, directed by Philip Wang and Wesley Chan, and starring Aaron Yoo, Brittany Ishibashi, Brandon Soo Hoo and Victoria Park, tells the story of two couples experiencing the challenges of romantic relationships, while dealing with the Department of Emotional Integrity, a government organization that assigns publicly viewable relationship scores that affect various aspects of daily life.

Here's the trailer:

Paul Tanaka indicted in jail abuse scandal

Former Los Angeles County Undersheriff pleads not guilty to corruption charges.



Asians behaving badly... jail abuse scandal edition! This week, former Los Angeles Sheriff's Department Undersheriff Paul Tanaka was indicted on federal charges of obstructing an FBI investigation into brutality and corruption in the Los Angeles County jails.

Former LA County Undersheriff Paul Tanaka Surrenders to FBI

Tanaka and former Los Angeles Sheriff's Department Captain Tom Carey pled not guilty to the charges in magistrate court on Thursday. They are two of 22 current or former LASD officials charged in an ongoing federal probe into corruption and civil rights violations by guards at two downtown facilities.

Prosecutors say Tanaka and Carey were aware of rampant abuse at the jail. They are accused of directing a group of deputies who were convicted last year of carrying out the plot to impede the FBI investigation.

Asian Americans Respond to Racist Comments

"Joke's on you. I'm bad at math."



Have you ever gotten a racist comment, and didn't know how to respond? Maybe you were too young to know what to say, or were just shocked and let the moment pass, only to stew over it and come up with a response much later? In this BuzzFeed video, several Asian Americans recall some of the stupid, racist things that have been said to them, and respond to the haters.

AAPIs stand up for equal opportunity in higher education

Over 120 AAPI organizations and individuals sign on to national open letter in support of affirmative action.



More than 120 Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander community organizations and individuals across the country have signed on to a national open letter, released Thursday, strongly supporting affirmative action, racial justice and equal opportunity for all in higher education.

The letter dispels myths about race-sensitive admissions policies and calls out recent "misguided, misleading tactics" attacking equal opportunity. "Our universities should reflect our diverse democracy and expand opportunities for those students who have overcome significant barriers," the letter reads. "Rather than letting ourselves be divided, we must come together to ensure increased opportunities and success for all students."

Here's the full text of the letter:

Watch the trailer for ABC's 'Dr. Ken'

Ken Jeong stars as a doctor balancing medicine, marriage and parenting.



As you may have heard, ABC recently ordered Dr. Ken, starring and executive produced by Ken Jeong, for its 2015-16 lineup. That means between this sitcom and Fresh Off the Boat, which has been renewed for a second season, there will be no less that two Asian American families on network television. How about that?

Inspired by his own experiences as a real-life doctor, Jeong stars as a brilliant but frustrated HMO doctor juggling, medicine, marriage and parenting -- and succeeding at none of them. The multi-camera comedy also stars Suzy Nakamura as Allison, Tisha Campbell-Martin as Damona, Dave Foley as Pat, Jonathan Slavin as Clark, Albert Tsai as Dave and Krista Marie Yu as Molly.

Here's ABC's trailer for the pilot:

Tune In: The White House Summit on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders

Livestream the Summit on May 12, from 9:00-11:30 am and 3:00-6:00 pm ET



On Tuesday May 12, nearly 2,000 community leaders, federal officials, and members of the public will gather in Washington, DC for the first-ever White House Summit on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

The Summit will be an unprecedented and historic all-day convening of senior federal officials and leaders from across the country. The day will include conversations with federal officials and AAPI leaders, artistic presentations by distinguished AAPI artists, and interactive sessions on diverse issues including economic growth, education, health care, civil rights, and immigration.

If you can't make it to Washington DC, but would still like to sit in on the conversation, you can watch a livestream of the Summit here, May 12, from 9:00-11:30am and 3:00-6:00pm Eastern Standard Time. You can also join the conversation online using #AAPISummit.

Read These Blogs

Watch: Basketball star Jeremy Lin raps in Chinese to celebrate upcoming Mother's Day: Straight outta the Lin family kitchen! Jeremy Lin celebrated Mother's Day with a short video of himself rapping in Mandarin.

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'I'm Old Enough To Do What I Like,' 87-Year-Old Tells Family: Kay Wang sat down with her son and granddaughter-- and sassed them! -- for StoryCorps, weeks before she passed away from liver cancer.

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It Takes Guts, and Organ Meats, to Raise a New Mom: "First came the liver, then the kidneys, then pigs feet -- lots and lots of pigs feet." Writer Sharline Chiang, a self-proclaimed foodie, takes on traditional Chinese postpartum food.

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The Price of Nice Nails: Manicurists are routinely underpaid and exploited, and endure racism, discrimination, and other abuse, according to this series by The New York Times.

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Perfect Nails, Poisoned Workers: Some ingredients used in nail products have been tied to cancer, miscarriages, lung diseases and other ailments. The industry has long fought regulations.

This Week's Angriest Posts

Not necessarily the angriest, just the most viewed.



1. ABC orders Ken Jeong's 'Dr. Ken' to series
ABC just doubled the number of Asian American families on prime time network television.

2. Brooklyn kids arrested for harassing Chinese seniors
Groups of teenagers have been terrorizing Asian-owned businesses in Bensonhurst.

3. A Japanese American internee's rejection letter from Yale
Correspondence tells the story of a young man's pursuit of higher education from behind barbed wire.

4. TMZ airs racist segment mocking Kpop group EXID
Reporting includes predictably stupid faux Asian accent.

5. Of course, a white woman played Manny Pacquiao on 'SNL'
'Saturday Night Live' spoofs Maywather/Pacquiao fight... with Aidy Brant as Manny.

6. Watch 11 documentaries on public TV for AAPI Heritage Month
Presented by CAAM. Check your local PBS and public TV stations for schedules.

7. Leaving a guy in a holding cell for five days, nearly killing him, is apparently not bad enough to get you fired.
DEA agents responsible for Daniel Chong's mistreatment got off with a slap on the wrist.

8. Angry Reader of the Week: Akemi Look
"If the system tells us that we do not belong, we need to create our own system."

9. Police fatally shoot suspect after meat cleaver attack
32-year-old Thong Kien Ma was shot by deputies after stabbing his neighbor.

10. Where are the Asian American executives at top tech firms?
New report says Silicon Valley companies are bypassing Asians for exec jobs.

Stay Angry, my friends.

A Conversation with the Mountain Brothers

Thursday, May 14 at the Japanese American National Museum



This is for you LA hip hop fans... Next Thursday in Little Tokyo, join in on an intimate conversation with the legendary Mountain Brothers, the first Asian American hip hop act to sign with a major label. Chops (Scott Jung), Peril-L (Christopher Wang), and Styles Infinite (Steve Wei) sit down with moderator Oliver Wang, associate professor of sociology at California State University, Long Beach, to share about their pioneering journey. It's happening May 14 at the Japanese American National Museum.

Here are some more details about the event:

Angry Reader of the Week: Akemi Look

"If the system tells us that we do not belong, we need to create our own system."



Hey, folks! Welcome to another edition of 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 Akemi Look.

ABC orders Ken Jeong's 'Dr. Ken' to series

ABC just doubled the number of Asian American families on prime time network television.



That's two! ABC just doubled the number of Asian American families on primetime network television. The network's 2015-16 slate of new shows includes Dr. Ken, starring and executive produced by Ken Jeong.

'The Muppets,' 'Dr. Ken,' 'Real O'Neals' Comedies Ordered to Series by ABC

Inspired by his own experiences as a real-life doctor, Jeong stars in the multi-camera comedy as a brilliant but frustrated HMO doctor juggling, medicine, marriage and parenting -- and succeeding at none of them.

ABC's official synopsis:

A Japanese American internee's rejection letter from Yale

Correspondence tells the story of a young man's pursuit of higher education from behind barbed wire.



Saw this fascinating item tweeted out the other day by Slate Vault (though curiously, the tweet is now gone)... The National Museum of American History's online Japanese American Internment Era Collection includes a series of letters that tell the story of a young Japanese American man who applied to Yale University -- and was rejected -- while he was incarcerated in an internment camp.

As a teenager, Kinji Imada was one of thousands of Japanese Americans who were forcibly removed from the West Coast and relocated to an internment camp during World War II. When he graduated from high school at the Gila River War Relocation Center, he applied to colleges, including Yale.

However, as this letter from the Board of Admissions states, while Kinji's application was "carefully considered," he was rejected because the university was "not permitted to accept students of Japanese parentage":

ABC renews 'Fresh Off The Boat'

The Huang clan will be back for a second season.



Well, hey! TV fans, it's official. ABC has renewed Fresh Off The Boat for a second season.

The network has unveiled its slate of dramas and comedies for next season, renewing the vast majority of its existing series, including eight freshman shows. Including Fresh Off The Boat. Yes, the much-hyped comedy, based on the bestselling memoir by Eddie Huang, will be back for another go-round.

'American Crime', 'Castle' 'S.H.I.E.L.D.', 'Agent Carter', 'Galavant', 'Nashville' Among ABC Renewals

When the show concluded its inaugural thirteen-episode season last month, fans wondered if we'd get to see the further TV adventures of the Huang clan. But the show was buoyed by respectable ratings and solid critical acclaim, and it was a key component in ABC's much-publicized commitment to diversity, amidst a larger narrative around one of the most diverse seasons in the history of television. It was a no-brainer.

Big Trouble in Little Tokyo presents 'The Curse of Quon Gwon'

Wednesday, May 13 at the Japanese American National Museum



Los Angeles film fans! Make some plans to experience a unique piece of cinema history. "Big Trouble in Little Tokyo" presents The Curse of Quon Gwon: When the Far East Mingles with the West, a silent black and white film directed by Marion Wong. Produced circa 1916-17, The Curse of Quon Gwon is the earliest known film by an Asian American director, and one of the earliest works directed by a woman.

The evening will include a screening of the film, plus a talk with Mai-Lon Gittelsohn and Dr. Greg Mark, descendants of the film's star Violet Wong, and filmmaker Arthur Dong, who facilitated the restoration of the only known remaining portions of the historic film by the Academy Film Archive. It's happening Wednesday, May 13 at the Japanese American National Museum in Little Tokyo.

Here are some more details about the event:

CAPE launches 2015 #IAm Campaign

Mini-documentaries highlight inspiring stories of Asian Americans artists and entertainers.



In celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, the Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment (CAPE) has launched the second season of the #IAm campaign, a series of mini-documentaries highlighting the inspiring stories of Asian American artists and entertainers.

I had the honor of being part of the 2014 campaign. This year's campaign, sponsored by Verizon, features actors Constance Wu, Arden Cho, Ki Hong Lee and Daniel Dae Kim, musician Jason Chen, lifestyle and fitness guru Cassey Ho, and Seoul Sausage Co. founders Yong Kim, Ted Kim and Chris Oh.

Here's the trailer:

Fox cancels 'The Mindy Project'

But Mindy Kaling's comedy could have a second life on Hulu



Bad news, Mindy fans. Fox has canceled The Mindy Project. However, Mindy Kaling's cult-favorite romantic comedy, which wrapped up its third season in March, could find second life on a digital platform.

Fox cancels The Mindy Project -- but there's hope at Hulu

The Mindy Project, which holds the distinction of being created, written, produced by and starring an Indian American woman, has enjoyed a modest, loyal following, but has been consistently dogged by low ratings.

The show won't see a fourth season on broadcast, but it's possible you haven't seen the last of Dr. Lahiri and Co. The show's producer, Universal Television, is reportedly in talks with Hulu for multiple additional seasons. It makes sense, as Hulu already owns the current streaming rights to all of The Mindy Project episodes.

And Kaling doesn't seem to be worried. Shortly after news broke that Fox would not be renewing her show, she posted this very calm and serene video on Instagram that ends with knowing wink:

Asian American electorate to double in the next 25 years

New report projects 12.2 million Asian American registered voters by 2040.



A new study, The Future of Asian America in 2040, released today by the UCLA Study for the Center for Inequality and the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS), projects that the number of Asian American registered voters will double over the next quarter century.

The study, the first of a series of reports on the future of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, focuses on the growing Asian American electorate, and shows that while the Asian American population will grow by 74% between 2015 and 2040, the Asian American electorate will more than double, and grow by 107%.

Where are the Asian American executives at top tech firms?

New report says Silicon Valley companies are bypassing Asians for exec jobs.



Anyone familiar with the tech industry is well aware that Asian Americans are significantly represented within the ranks of Silicon Valley. However, according to a new study released this week, major technology companies like Google and Yahoo are far more inclined to hire Asian Americans as computer programmers than to promote them to become managers or executives. Raise your hand if you already knew this.

Study: Top tech firms bypassing Asian workers for exec jobs

Asian Americans tech workers make up roughly a third of the workforce at companies like Google, Yahoo and Facebook, but they are severely underrepresented in leadership positions, according to a report released Wednesday by the Ascend Foundation, a nonprofit organization focused on issues of Pan-Asian leadership.

The report, titled Hidden in Plain Sight: Asian American Leaders in Silicon Valley, analyzed 2013 data filed with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission by five Silicon Valley companies -- Google, Yahoo, Intel, Hewlett-Packard and LinkedIn -- found that white employees had a massive advantage (surprise, surprise) over Asian Americans when it came to being promoted to the executive level.

2015 CAPAL Asian Pacific American Heritage Ball

Friday, May 15 at the National Press Club Building



If you're in the Washington DC area, the Conference on Asian Pacific American Leadership invites you to the 2015 Asian Pacific American Heritage Ball, a celebration of public service leaders and advocates, APA Heritage Month and CAPAL's achievements within the APA community.

The evening, hosted by Jason Tengco and Rebecca Lee, will include remarks from featured keynote speaker Nani Coloretti, Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. It's happening Friday, May 15 at the National Press Club Building.

Here are some more details about the event:

Police fatally shoot suspect after meat cleaver attack

32-year-old Thong Kien Ma was shot by deputies after stabbing his neighbor.



Damn. News of a police-involved shooting in Southern California... This week in South El Monte, police shot and killed a man who attacked his neighbor with a meat cleaver. The suspect was apparently high on drugs.

SoCal suspect may have been high during meat cleaver attack

Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies shot 32-year-old Thong Kien Ma, who fatally stabbed his neighbor, 59-year-old Chau Da Ngo. He also attacked Ngo's wife, who was injured with a head wound.

Authorities were called to the scene on Tuesday afternoon and reportedly saw Ma stabbing Ngo in the yard. They ordered him to put down the meat cleaver, but he refused.

Stompin' at the Pauley Ballroom

Online gallery collects dance bids from the Bay Area's era of 1970s Asian American soul bands.


"Together We Have Strength"
Got this passed along to me from Elmer Jan, one of our longtime readers, and it's really cool.

In the 1970s, UC Berkeley's Pauley Ballroom (as well as other venues in the San Francisco Bay Area) hosted dances that attracted largely Asian American audiences and featured dozens of Asian American garage bands playing covers of soul hits of the time. This San Francisco Chronicle article by Annie Nakao, written in 2004, looked back at this fun era of the Bay Area's musical history.

Elmer, who was apparently a regular attendee of these gatherings, has put together an online gallery, entitled Stompin' at the Pauley Ballroom, displaying a bunch of the dance announcements that he collected and preserved from the era. They make for some very cool Asian American community memorabilia.

"We called them 'dance bids' back in the day," Elmer says. "Finding a way to share them had been on my mind for years and I've finally finished this modest project."

Here some images from the gallery:

Khmer Girls in Action's 11th Annual Yellow Lounge

"kNOw History, kNOw Self," Saturday, May 9 at Long Beach School for Adults



If you're in the Long Beach area, you're invited to Khmer Girls in Action's 11th Annual Yellow Lounge: "kNOw HISTORY, kNOw SELF," an arts and culture showcase celebrating the resiliency of the Southeast Asian community through art, music, spoken word,theater performances and traditional and modern dance. It's happening Saturday, May 9 at the Long Beach School for Adults auditorium.

Here are some more details about the event:

'Awkwafina's NYC' is the only guide you need to New York City

"I promise there isn't any boring tourist shit in here."



Rocking those oversized fresh frames, bringing that DGAF attitude and dropping hilarious verses about everything from her ladyparts to flu shots to Janet Reno, Brooklyn rapper Nora Lum, aka Awkwafina, is the unofficial comedy rhyme laureate of New York City. So it only makes sense that she'd expand her growing urban empire with a new book, Awkwafina's NYC.

Awkwafina wrote a collection of ten amazing walking tours around New York City, with a cover that boasts 10 fold-out maps, 50+ places to get your eat or drink on, 10 places to pee, and the author's promise that "there isn't any boring tourist shit in here." Want to know where to get the best dumplings in Flushing? A $2 cup of vodka in Brighton Beach? Awkwafina's got you covered.

Tze Chun and Jon M. Chu team up for 'Escape'

Paramount Pictures picks up action/adventure project from 'Once Upon a Time' writer.



Some cool movie news from our filmmaker friends... Paramount Pictures has picked up Escape, an action/adventure project written by Tze Chun and to be produced by Jon M. Chu and Hieu Ho.

Jon M. Chu, 'Once Upon a Time' Writer Planning 'Escape' for Paramount (Exclusive)

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Escape is about a group of tech-savvy criminals who are recruited for a mission. Say no more. I am a fan of movies about specialists recruited for a mission. Partner up with a cool producer like Jon M. Chu, and this has the makings of a fun movie.

Of course, a white woman played Manny Pacquiao on 'SNL'

'Saturday Night Live' spoofs Maywather/Pacquiao fight... with Aidy Brant as Manny.



By now, if you're like me, you're probably pretty damn tired of Saturday Night Live and its broke-ass track record of diversity. The television sketch comedy institution hasn't had an identifiably Asian American cast member in its entire forty-year history, and every time a sketch calls for an Asian character, it usually devolves into an awkward situation involving a white actor rocking a bad accent. The latest example...

In this past Saturday's show, SNL opened with a spoof on the night's real main attraction, offering a "bootleg" feed of the much-hyped fight between Floyd Mayweather, played by Jay Pharoah, and Manny Pacquiao, played by.... Aidy Bryant? Damn. They're not even trying. Need someone to play a Filipino professional boxer? Eh, might as well just go with a white woman with a fake goatee and a t-shirt. As a matter of fact...

According to the scrolling disclaimer, "Because this is a pirated broadcast of the fight, some of the visuals may appear distorted. For example... Manny Pacquiao may appear to be a white woman with a fake goatee and a t-shirt." Like I said, not even trying.

Leaving a guy in a holding cell for five days, nearly killing him, is apparently not bad enough to get you fired.

DEA agents responsible for Daniel Chong's mistreatment got off with a slap on the wrist.



Remember that UC San Diego student who got swept up in a drug raid and nearly died after being thrown in a holding cell and forgotten for five days without food or water? According to the Justice Department, the federal agents responsible for almost killing Daniel Chong received only reprimands or brief suspensions from the Drug Enforcement Administration. A slap in the wrist, as they say.

DEA agents jail student 5 days with no food, water; get slap on wrist

Chong, then 23, was taken into custody during a DEA raid in April 2012, placed in a cell, then promptly forgotten. He was handcuffed behind his back, locked up for five days without food or water (or access to a toilet), and later found delirious, dehydrated and suicidal. He was never charged with a crime.

Disoriented Comedy Goes South: Texas Tour 2015

May 7-10 in Dallas, Austin, Houston and San Antonio



Get ready for some laughs, Texas. Disoriented Comedy is coming to get you! This week, the first-ever nationally-touring stand-up comedy showcase featuring the fresh and diverse voices of Asian American female-identified comedians is embarking on the "Disoriented Comedy Goes South" Texas Tour. Four cities, five shows, all Texas. It's happening May 7-10, with stops in Dallas, Austin, Houston and San Antonio.

Here are some more details. Follow the links:

Job Opportunity: Editor, Open City Magazine

The Asian American Writers' Workshop is hiring a part-time editor to take over Open City.



The Asian American Writers' Workshop is looking to hire a part-time editor to take over Open City, an online magazine that seeks to tell the stories of low-income Asian American immigrant communities in New York.

The ideal applicant is committed to the mission of the publication, excited about managing and mentoring emerging writers of color, and ready to publish excellent, deeply reported and researched nonfiction.

Over the last few years, Open City has tackled topics ranging from stop-and-frisk in Jackson Heights, Sikh temples in Queens, the underground Chinatown Yu-Gi-Oh! trading card community, the eviction of tenants on 81 Bowery, the Queens hip hop scene, the welfare-to-workfare system, domestic violence in the Afghan community, participatory budgeting in Queens, the last movie theater in Chinatown, Hurricane Sandy's effect on communities of color, and more.

Here are some more details about the position: