6.30.2015

Tim Lincecum scores an exclusive interview with Bruce Lee

Fun video splices interview footage of legendary martial artist with San Francisco Giants pitcher.



San Francisco Giants pitcher Tim Lincecum recently sat down for an exclusive one-on-one interview with legendary martial artist, actor, philosopher and inspirational human being Bruce Lee. Whaaaaaat?

The Giants recently dropped this hilarious video that features Bruce Lee as a guest on The Tim Lincecum Show, splicing together classic interview footage of Lee from The Pierre Berton Show with some cheeky questions and responses from the Filipino American two-time Cy Young Award winning Freak.

As a lifelong fan of both Bruce and the Giants, this is a glorious combination of all my favorite things:

Justin Lin confirms title of third 'Star Trek' movie

Director tweets image from the set of the next Starfleet voyage.



The latest journey into the final frontier has an official title. Director Justin Lin is currently hard at work at the helm of newest Star Trek movie, and just revealed a little nugget from the set to let fans know what's coming. On Monday, via Twitter, the Fast & Furious director confirmed the title of the film, Star Trek Beyond, and dropped a photo that gives us an idea where this third movie might be boldly going.

Get Your Geisha On at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

Museum-goers invited to do their best impression of Monet's "La Japonaise."



People of Boston, what better way to spend a Wednesday night than with some orientalist cultural appropriation! Plus, ya know, photos. So get this. The Museum of Fine Arts recently invited museum-goers to get their geisha on, à la Claude Monet. Every Wednesday night through the end of July, you're welcome to try on a replica of the kimono worn by Monet's wife, Camille, in his painting "La Japonaise."

Somebody call Katy Perry.

Man fatally struck while walking on San Jose freeway

20-year-old Daniel Nhan was killed when two cars collided with him on Interstate 280.



In San Jose, authorities have identified the 20-year-old man who was killed when two cars collided with him on the freeway on Saturday. Daniel Nhan was apparently struck while walking on the busy highway.

Milpitas man, 20, fatally struck on Interstate 280

On Saturday night, California Highway Patrol officers responded to reports of a pedestrian in the roadway on Highway 280, just north of Highway 101. Nhan was found dead in a northbound lane after being hit by two vehicles. Both drivers reportedly stayed on the scene after the accident.

6.29.2015

Man wanted in murder of Iowa State student arrested in China

Li Xiangnan is accused of killing his girlfriend, hiding her body and fleeing the country.


Memorial service for Tong Shao at Iowa State University.

A former University of Iowa student suspected of killing his girlfriend, hiding her body in the trunk of her car, and fleeing the country last year, has been arrested in southeastern China, where he will be prosecuted.

Chinese student faces prosecution in China for killing in Iowa

According to Iowa City police, 23-year-old Xiangnan Li surrendered to police in Wenzhou last month to face charges in the death of 20-year-old Tong Shao, an international student at Iowa State University.

Shao was reported missing before her body was found in the trunk of her car, parked at Li's apartment complex. An autopsy said she'd been asphyxiated, and authorities said she had been killed after a weekend with Li at a motel. By then, Li, who was a person of interest in the investigation, had returned to China.

ABC Disgusting: An Alphabet Book About Disgusting Things!

"Gross-Out Humor With Heart" from the creative team behind 'The Princess Who Saved Herself'



Here's a cool new project that could use your support. ABC Disgusting is a children's alphabet book about disgusting things, written by Greg Pak with art by Takeshi Miyazawa, colors by Jessica Kholinne, and letters by Simon Bowland, the art team behind The Princess Who Saved Herself and Code Monkey Save World.

ABC Disgusting tells the story of a boy trying to shock his older sister with an alphabetical series of disgusting things -- cockroaches, flatulence, lampreys, mayonnaise milk shakes, nose hair, zombies, et cetera. Groooosss! But in the end, she hits him with what might be the biggest gross-out of all.

They're currently raising funds through Kickstarter to produce the book. Here's a video with more details:

'Twilight' director to film love epic set in ancient China... starring a white person! Of course.

Catherine Hardwicke will direct 'Loulan,' a "sweeping romantic epic" set in an ancient Silk Road kingdom.


Director Catherine Hardwicke

Another Hollywood production tries to get in on that China money. The latest effort comes from Twilight director Catherine Hardwicke, who recently announced that she is making "a sweeping romantic epic" set in an ancient Silk Road city. Of course, the movie will likely star a white person. Because Hollywood.

'Twilight"s Catherine Hardwicke to film love epic in China

Loulan, set in the city of the same name circa 200 B.C., is about a princess caught in the middle of warring kingdoms at the nexus of the Silk Road, now known as the Xinjiang region in present-day western China.

But hey, it wouldn't be a proper Hollywood movie without throwing a white person in there somewhere, even in ancient frickin' China. So how are they going to explain that? In 1980, researchers in the region discovered a remarkably well-preserved female mummy with Caucasian features. She was dubbed the "Loulan Beauty."

Karate students offer final salute to fallen teacher

The students of Karate-Do pay last respects to their sensei, slain Cincinnati police officer Sonny Kim.



On Friday in Cincinnati, thousands of mourners from across the community lined the streets to pay their last respects to Sonny Kim, the veteran police officer and family man who was fatally shot in the line of duty.

Kim, a decorated 27-year-veteran of the Cincinnati Police Department, was killed in a shootout with an armed suspect in the Madisonville neighborhood on June 19. Kim's death sparked an outpouring of community support for his family, from the GoFundMe campaign that has exceeded its fundraising goal, to the University of Cincinnati's offer of a full ride for Kim's three sons, should they choose to attend the school.

Kim was also a beloved martial arts instructor. Among the many tributes to his life and career, this heartfelt final salute from his uniformed karate students at the Japanese Karate-Do dojo in Symmes Township, as the funeral procession passed by the school, brought me to tears.

Andong Song becomes first Chinese player drafted into NHL

New York Islanders select 18-year-old Beijing-born defenseman in the sixth round.



Last week at the 2015 National Hockey League Entry Draft, the New York Islanders made history by selecting the first Chinese-born player to be drafted into the NHL. Yes, there are Chinese dudes who play hockey.

First Chinese player to be drafted chosen by Islanders

18-year-old Andong Song, who was born in Beijing and moved to Canada with his family when he was 10, was selected by the Islanders in the sixth round with the 172nd pick.

The 6-foot, 161-pound defenseman, who was assistant captain with the varsity team at the Lawrenceville School in New Jersey, had three goals and seven assists in 26 games. Next year, he'll play at Phillips Andover Academy as a postgraduate. After that, he expects to play college hockey.

6.28.2015

Read These Blogs



How Injustice Led to Asian America's Early Support for Same-Sex Marriage: When the U.S. Supreme Court's decision on same-sex marriage was announced, it was a moment of vindication for many Asian Americans -- especially members of the Japanese American Citizens League, who, in 1994, become the first non-LGBT national civil rights organization after the ACLU to support marriage equality.

* * *

"No One is Free Until We Are All Free": LGBTQ People of Color Leaders at the White House: The White House's LGBTQ People of Color Leaders Summit is a reminder that while certain voices are now heard in different spaces of power, members of the LGBTQ community still need to fight for access, visibility, and action.

* * *

Of course Dylann Roof thinks Asians are racist. The media has been perpetrating that myth for years.: Before Roof opened fire on the Bible study group in Charleston, he released a racist manifesto, which, among other things, named East Asians as his allies in racism. Jeff Chang disproves Roof's claims, showing how throughout history, Asian Americans have challenged racism in the U.S.

* * *

No, Dylann Roof, Asians Aren't "So" Racist: Race Files' Scot Nakagawa also weighs in on the implications of Dylann Roof's racist manifesto and his professed "great respect for the East Asian races."

* * *

33 Years after Vincent Chin's Death, Our Common Cause Must be Racial Justice For All: This last week marked 33 years after Vincent Chin's death, and the work for justice for all is far from finished.

6.27.2015

This Week's Angriest Posts

Not necessarily the angriest, just the most viewed.




1. These assholes walked through Chinatown wearing the Confederate flag
Fuck these guys.

2. Holy crap, look at this guy's amazing Miyazaki sleeve tattoo
One fan's gorgeous tattoo tribute to the master animation auteur.

3. Man wanted in attacks on Asian women in NYC found dead
25-year-old Tyrelle Shaw, suspected in at least four assaults, apparently took his own life.

4. Badass photos of "Mulan" at Walt Disney World Resort
Photographer re-creates Disney's animated take on the legendary woman warrior.

5. Bobby Jindal announces run for President
Watch the Louisiana governor break the news to his kids in a super-awkward hidden camera video.

6. Susan Ahn Cuddy, First Asian American Woman in U.S. Navy, Dies at 100
Pioneering Korean American servicewoman dedicated her life to family and country.

7. Angry Reader of the Week: Awkwafina
"Rapper, producer, Angry Birds expert."

8. New York City adds Lunar New Year to public school holidays
City becomes only the second major urban school district in the nation to observe the Lunar New Year.

9. Bad Guys Are Awesome, Especially Asian Ones
Character poster gallery features the stars of 'Awesome Asian Bad Guys'

10. Angry Asian America: More Asians on TV?!
We got renewed! We kick off season two of our talk show on ISAtv.

Stay Angry, my friends.


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6.26.2015

Angry Reader of the Week: Awkwafina

"Rapper, producer, Angry Birds expert."



Hi, everybody! You know what's up. It is time, once again, 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 Awkwafina.

Susan Ahn Cuddy, First Asian American Woman in U.S. Navy, Dies at 100

Pioneering Korean American servicewoman dedicated her life to family and country.



A pioneer has passed. Susan Ahn Cuddy, the first female gunnery officer in the United States Navy and the first Korean American to serve in U.S. Naval Intelligence, died Wednesday. She was 100 years old.

'Living Legend' Susan Ahn Cuddy Passes Away at 100

Born in Los Angeles in 1915, Cuddy was the eldest daughter of Korean independence activist Ahn Chang-ho and his wife Helen Ahn, who were among the earliest Korean immigrants to arrive in America.

After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Cuddy enlisted in the U.S. Armed Forces in 1942, becoming the first Asian American woman in the U.S. Navy. She served until 1946, reaching the rank of lieutenant, and went on to work for U.S. Navy Intelligence, the Library of Congress and the National Security Agency, before retiring in 1959.

According to her son Philip Cuddy, she passed away peacefully at her home in Northridge, California.

More on her pioneering life and career, from her bio:

6.25.2015

Angry Asian America: More Asians on TV?!

We got renewed! We kick off season two of our talk show on ISAtv.



What's up, YouTube watchers! We're back! I am pleased to present the premiere of season two of Angry Asian America, our talk show on ISAtv. We got renewed! In this episode, shot from our brand new set, co-host Jenny Yang and I talk about Asian Americans on television -- a look back at the inaugural season of Fresh Off The Boat and some initial thoughts on the upcoming sitcom Dr. Ken.

Check it out:

University of Cincinnati will cover college expenses for sons of slain police officer

University will cover tuition and other costs for the sons of Officer Sonny Kim.



The University of Cincinnati says that it will cover the full cost of tuition and other expenses for the three sons of slain police officer Sonny Kim, who was killed in the line of duty, if they choose to attend the school.

Ono offers full ride to Kim's sons

In Ohio, state universities and community colleges are required by law to offer free tuition to children and spouses of officers killed while on duty. This week, University of Cincinnati President Santa Ono announced that the school will cover other expenses such as room and board and textbooks for Kim's sons.

6.24.2015

Bobby Jindal announces run for President

Watch the Louisiana governor break the news to his kids in a super-awkward hidden camera video.



Louisiana governor Bobby Jindal has announced that he is running for President of the United States in 2016. Jindal, who is Indian American, joins a crowded field of Republican candidates vying for the White House.

Bobby Jindal Enters Presidential Race, Saying 'It Is Time for a Doer'

Jindal, who is the 13th Republican candidate to join the race for President, is the first nonwhite governor of Louisiana since Reconstruction. He was once touted by many in his party as the future of the GOP, but over time he has seen his approval numbers plummet in his state.

This week, a Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll found Jindal at the bottom of a list of 16 candidates. In pretty much everyone's opinion -- even Jindal's supporters -- his candidacy is a longshot.

But Bobby's gonna do what he's gotta do. Starting with this really weird video, posted on Jindal's campaign website, of him and his wife, Supriya, breaking the news to their kids that he's running for Prez. To make it all extra awkward, the whole thing is recorded on a hidden camera.

New York City adds Lunar New Year to public school holidays

City becomes only the second major urban school district in the nation to observe the Lunar New Year.



Hey, kids of New York City! You get another day off. This week, New York Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that the city's public schools will officially recognize the Lunar New Year as a holiday, starting next year.

Lunar New Year Added to New York Public School Calendar

The mayor made good on a promise made during his 2013 mayoral campaign, adding the Lunar New Year as a holiday on the official public school calendar. The move came after de Blasio in March declared school holidays on the most-observed holidays in Islam, Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.

The mayor's office first made the announcement on Twitter, saying it "was working toward a more inclusive city." The tweet also appeared in traditional Chinese characters and in Korean.

6.23.2015

20 Years of Stir-Friday Night

Saturday, June 27 at Stage 773 in Chicago



Chicagooooooo! Stir-Friday Night, the Chicago-based Asian American comedy troupe, is celebrating their 20th anniversary. Established in 1995, the group's notable alumni include the likes of Danny Pudi, Steven Yeun, Mary Sohn Christine Lin and Rasika Mathur. To celebrate two decades of laughs, you're invited to a special one-night-only event celebrating their 20th anniversary. It's happening Saturday, June 27 at Stage 773.

Here are some more details:

Sound and Fury Podcast Episode 19: National Film Society



What's up, podcast listeners! We are back with a brand new edition of the Sound and Fury podcast. Episode 19 features guests Patrick Epino and Stephen Dypiangco, the brainy, offbeat and ridiculously good-looking duo responsible for National Film Society. We talk about how they started working together, how they hooked up with PBS, and at long last, the release of our action/comedy Awesome Asian Bad Guys.

Thank you to all the regular listeners of Sound and Fury. To catch up on previous episodes, check out the archive. To stay up-to-date with future episodes as soon as they drop, 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.

So... here's my conversation with National Film Society:

Holy crap, look at this guy's amazing Miyazaki sleeve tattoo

One fan's gorgeous tattoo tribute to the master animation auteur.



I thought I was a Hayao Miyazaki fan. Nope. This guy is a Miyazaki superfan. Jean-Pierre Saint-Tran's incredible sleeve tattoo, shared on Instagram, is one hell of a tribute to the revered Japanese director's most iconic animated films, including My Neighbor Totoro, Kiki's Delivery Service, Spirited Away and more.

Friggin' gorgeous.

Man wanted in attacks on Asian women in NYC found dead

25-year-old Tyrelle Shaw, suspected in at least four assaults, apparently took his own life.



The suspect wanted in a string of recent attacks on Asian women in Manhattan has been found dead of an apparent suicide. 25-year-old Tyrelle Shaw was found dead inside a basement on the Upper East Side.

In several blog posts, Shaw had expressed an obsessive "infatuation" with Asian women, described a plan to "hit over a million Asian women in the face," and announced his intention to take his own life.

Suspect in Attacks on Asian Women in Manhattan Found Dead of Apparent Suicide: Sources

Shaw was wanted in connection with at least four separate assaults that began on June 10. In each of the attacks, he approached his victims, then hit them in the face with a plastic bag containing a hard object, and ran off. In some of the attacks, he tried speaking to the victims. All of the victims were Asian women.

According to authorities, Shaw's body was found in an elevator shaft. He apparently hanged himself.

6.22.2015

Bad Guys Are Awesome, Especially Asian Ones

Character poster gallery features the stars of 'Awesome Asian Bad Guys'



National Film Society's long-awaited action/comedy Awesome Asian Bad Guys finally gets its digital release tomorrow, June 23. The movie will be released by FilmBuff on all major video-on-demand platforms including the film's website, powered by VHX, Amazon Instant Video, Google Play, iTunes, Vudu and Xbox Video.

To get you sufficiently pumped for the release, here's a gallery of some dope character posters featuring the stars of Awesome Asian Bad Guys: Randall Park, Al Leong, Dante Basco, Tamlyn Tomita, Yuji Okumoto, George Cheung, Aaron Takahashi, Patrick Epino and Stephen Dypiangco.

Check it out:

Badass photos of "Mulan" at Walt Disney World Resort

Photographer re-creates Disney's animated take on the legendary woman warrior.



Last week marked the anniversary of the release of Disney's 1998 animated feature Mulan, based on the Chinese myth of the legendary woman warrior. To celebrate, the Disney Parks Blog posted a series of images by Disney photographer Ryan Wendler featuring Mulan disguised as Ping at the Walt Disney World Resort.

Special Images of Mulan as 'Ping' at Walt Disney World Resort

In the film, Mulan disguises herself as a male soldier to take her father's place in the Imperial Army in the fight against the Huns. It's been a while since I've been to Disneyland, but I'm told that "Mulan" can be seen in real-life at the Disney parks, but usually in "princess" garb. Honestly, she looks waaaay cooler in warrior mode.

Check it out:

American Pathology: A Cartoon by Vishavjit Singh

#charlestonshooting #domesticterrorism


Artist's Statement:

The tragedy in Charleston, South Carolina is troubling enough, but in many ways what has been revealed and transpired since as a response is indicative of a deeper malady. As a cartoonist, there are so many threads to catch on here and beat on a culprit, be it the perpetrator, right wingers, supremacist groups, political forces............ But ultimately it is our collective pathology to acknowledge, recognize and ultimately heal.

Related links:

It’s Media Terrorism to Deny Charleston Was About Race - TIME (June 20, 2015)
White Terrorism Is as Old as America - New York Times (June 19, 2015)
Charleston, Dylann Roof and the racism of millennials - Washington Post (June 18, 2015)


Vishavjit Singh is the nation's first and only turbaned/bearded editorial cartoonist. He got his spark for cartooning following the upheaval filled days after 9/11. He brings turbanful characters to life on the 2-D pages of his computer aided by his right indexed finger on a touchpad. His works can be consumed at Sikhtoons.com.


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These assholes walked through Chinatown wearing the Confederate flag

Fuck these guys.



Oh hell no. Over the weekend, a group of racist assholes, prominently wearing the Confederate flag -- a symbol fraught with historic hate and bigotry -- were spotted walking through the streets of Chinatown in Los Angeles.

Photo: Some Jerks Wear The Confederate Flag Through Chinatown

This photo, posted on LAist, was snapped on Sunday afternoon near the intersection of Broadway and Alpine Streets. This crappy little gang of bros appeared to be engaged in their own public processional of racist pride. But I do wonder if they stopped in anywhere for some dim sum or boba.

Represent, assholes.

6.21.2015

Read These Blogs



Here Is What Appears to Be Dylann Roof's Racist Manifesto: It seems that Dylann Roof, the 21-year-old gunman who killed nine people in a shooting rampage last week in Charleston, South Carolina, wrote a "manifesto" in which he wrote, among other shitty racist ramblings that are not really worth reading, that he was "not opposed at all to allies with the Northeast Asian races." No thank you, and fuck you, man.

* * *

It's not about mental illness: The big lie that always follows mass shootings by white males: When it comes to talking about mass shootings, Arthur Chu says that blaming "mental illness" is a cop-out -- and one that lets us avoid talking about race, guns, hatred and terrorism.

* * *

How security transformed a temple in Wisconsin after bloodshed: For the Sikh community in Milwaukee, last week's shooting in Charleston's Emanual African Methodist Episcopal Church brings back painful memories of the 2012 shooting at the Oak Creek temple.

* * *

I survived college mania at America's most stressed-out high school: The sad saga of "Sara," the Korean high school senior in Virginia whose far-fetched college admissions hoax has become an international scandal, hits home for Hannah Bae, who attended the same high school and witnessed "college mania" firsthand.

* * *

Happy Father's Day: Asian American Dads Write Letters to Their Children: In honor of Father's Day, CAAM asked some Asian American dads to write letters to their children.

* * *

This will probably be the last Father's Day my dad remembers me: As Sarita Gupta cares for her father, who has Alzheimer's, she shares what it's like to care for someone with this disease, and does not consider her time with her dad a complete loss.

6.20.2015

This Week's Angriest Posts

Not necessarily the angriest, just the most viewed.



1. An Open Letter: Why Co-opting "Transracial" in the Case of Rachel Dolezal is Problematic
Members of the adoption community speak out.

2. Suspect identified in attacks on Asian women
In a possible suicide note, Tyrelle Shaw describes the assaults as "The Nose Game."

3. Kids of Asian Immigrants Talk About Their Parents' Sacrifices
This BuzzFeed video had me in tears.

4. Minnesota man wins top poker prize by mistake
Christian Pham accidentally entered the wrong event at the World Series of Poker.

5. Fourth Asian woman attacked in Manhattan
Police release video of suspect wanted in series of assaults targeting Asian women

6. See badass kung fu kids in GENER8ION & M.I.A.'s new music video
"The New International Sound Pt. II," starring the students of Shaolin Tagou

7. Man wanted in attacks targeting Asian women in Manhattan
Suspect struck victims in the face in three separate incidents last week.

8. Teen arrested in home invasion robbery of his own family
17-year-old Simerjeet Singh allegedly "masterminded" the robbery, caught on home surveillance video.

9. Jeremy Lin Speaks Out Against Wobbly Tables
A very important public service announcement from Jimmy Kimmel Live.

10. What If Catcalls Were Cheeseburgers?
"Would you throw a cheeseburger at your mother?"

Stay Angry, my friends.


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6.19.2015

Run River North at Grand Performances

Free outdoor concert on Friday, June 26 in Downtown Los Angeles



If you're in Los Angeles, you're invited to see one of my favorite bands, Run River North, as part of the free outdoor concert series Grand Performances. Come to downtown LA and enjoy the band's wild and warm indie folk sound. It's happening Friday, June 26 at Grand Performances at 350 South Grand Avenue. It looks they're doing a lunchtime show at noon, and then another show in the evening (with The Family Crest) at 8:00pm.

Here are some more details:

Cincinnati police officer killed in shootout

Officer Sonny Kim, a decorated 27-year veteran, was fatally shot while responding to an emergency call.



The city of Cincinnati is mourning a decorated veteran police officer who was shot and killed Friday during a fatal shootout after responding to an emergency call about "an erratic man armed with a firearm."

Cincinnati police officer Sonny Kim fatally shot in Madisonville

48-year-old officer Sonny Kim, was killed in a shootout after responding to a 911 call about a gunman acting erratically in the Madisonville neighborhood. Several shots were fired between the suspect and officers, and Officer Kim, who was wearing body armor, sustained fatal injuries. The suspect was also shot and killed.

Kim, a 27-year veteran of the Cincinnati Police Department, was a husband and father of three boys. He also worked as the owner and main karate instructor at the Japanese Karate-Do dojo in Symmes Township.

He is remembered for his passion, dedication and service.

Angry Reader of the Week: Jennifer Phang

"I want a future where it's still okay to be a good person."


Photo credit: Chuin Phang

Hey, folks! It is my pleasure to introduce you to 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 Jennifer Phang.

Buddhist monk critically injured in butcher knife attack

66-year-old monk stabbed by fellow monk wielding two butcher knives.



Damn. What the hell happened here? This week, an elderly Buddhist monk was hospitalized in critical condition after a fellow monk attacked him with butcher knives at their monastery in Oakland.

Elderly Buddhist Monk Survives Being 'Chopped Up' By Monk Reportedly Wielding Two Butcher Knives

According to Oakland police, the attack occurred Tuesday night at the Branch of International Community of Khmer Buddhist Monks Center, a community "committed to living in peaceful co-existence with one another."

The attack happened on the lower floor of the monastery, where both monks lived. Another monk, Chundoeun Phin, said he heard the attack and rushed downstairs to see the 30-year-old suspect attacking the 66-year-old elder monk with two butcher knives, "just chopping him up."

Interned couple finally receives high school diplomas

Congratulations to George and Miko Kaihara, Tustin Union High School, Class of 1943.



As teenagers, George and Miko Kaihara were among the thousands of Japanese Americans on the West Coast who were forced into internment camps during World War II. Uprooted from their lives, they never got to graduate from high school with their classmates. But this week, over seven decades later, they received their long overdue diplomas from Tustin Union High School.

Tustin couple sent to WWII internment camp receive high school diplomas

George and Miko, who should have graduated from Tustin Union in 1943, received their diplomas at the Poston internment camp in the Arizona desert. On Thursday, at 90 years old -- a week before their 65th wedding anniversary -- the Kaiharas donned caps and gowns and walked with the 550 students of the Class of 2015 to graduate from their original alma mater, now called Tustin High School.

6.18.2015

Family Reunion: A Storytelling Show

Thursday, June 25 at Echoes Under Sunset



All right, Los Angeles. It's time for another night of storytelling. I invite you to join me for 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 is "What I Shoulda Said" -- stories of missed opportunities, shame and regret. The lineup of storytellers includes Elaine Chu, Tara Egnatios, Sierra Katow, Frank Romero-Crockett, Jiavani Linayao, Steve Lim, Satya Vanii and Michi Fu. And I have the honor of serving as the evening's host.

It's happening Thursday, June 25 at Echoes Under Sunset. Here are some more details:

A family reunion, sort of, in the 'Kung Fu Panda 3' trailer

Po is back for the third installment of the hit animated martial arts comedy adventure franchise.



You knew it had to happen. DreamWorks just dropped the first trailer for Kung Fu Panda 3, the upcoming latest installment of the hit animated martial arts comedy adventure franchise. Po and the gang are back for more fuzzy kung fu comedy, in what has surprisingly turned out to be one of my favorite animated movie series.

"When Po's long-lost panda father suddenly reappears, the reunited duo travels to a secret panda paradise to meet scores of hilarious new panda characters. But when the supernatural villain Kai begins to sweep across China defeating all the kung fu masters, Po must do the impossible -- learn to train a village full of his fun-loving, clumsy brethren to become the ultimate band of Kung Fu Pandas!"

Check out the trailer:

How to Be Like Chozen from 'The Karate Kid Part II'

National Film Society gets a lesson in awesome from Yuji Okumoto.



Here's some required viewing for my fellow Karate Kid Part II fans... Just in time for the digital release of the action/comedy feature Awesome Asian Bad Guys, Stephen and Patrick of National Film Society recently invited actor Yuji Okumoto to instruct them with lessons on How To Be Like Chozen, the incredibly mean, pectorally-blessed villain from The Karate Kid Part II. (Specifically, that scene where he takes off his shirt.)

As you'll see, for Patrick and Stephen, it's easier said than done:

Suspect identified in attacks on Asian women

In a possible suicide note, Tyrelle Shaw describes the assaults as "The Nose Game."



The man wanted in connection with a series of attacks on Asian women in Manhattan over the last week has been identified by the NYPD as 25-year-old Tyrelle Shaw. According to relatives, he recently published a blog post describing his infatuation with Asian women, and may have expressed an intention to end his life.

Man Sought in 4 Attacks Is Said to Post Suicide Note

Shaw is suspected in a string of four separate assaults that began last Wednesday, June 10. In each of the attacks, Shaw approached his victims, then hit them in the face with a plastic bag containing a hard object, and ran off. In some of the attacks, he tried speaking to the victims. All of the victims have been Asian women.

Shaw's relatives reportedly stepped forward and contacted police after seeing surveillance video released after the most recent attack on Monday, in which he attacked a woman working at a dry cleaning shop.

With four Asian women assaulted in six days, it was already pretty clear that there was a bias pattern in the suspect's attacks. But Shaw's own writing has revealed the disturbing extent of his sexist, racist hate.

6.17.2015

Kollaboration Los Angeles 2015 Showcase

Saturday, June 27 at The Los Angeles Theatre Center



Hey LA! Kollaboration Los Angeles is back! The 2015 Southern California edition of the world-famous Asian American talent showcase returns to Downtown Los Angeles for an evening of live music, entertainment and community, featuring some of the best up-and-coming local artists. It's happening Saturday, June 27 at the Los Angeles Theatre Center, with an afterparty at the Continental Club.

Here's a quick promo video for the show:

Jeremy Lin Speaks Out Against Wobbly Tables

A very important public service announcement from Jimmy Kimmel Live.



Several current and former NBA stars, including Jeremy Lin, recently appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live to shine a light on one of the most pernicious and under-addressed problems in the world. This is a serious issue that affects us all, and I'm glad that Jeremy lent his voice to this important public service announcement.

Watch and join in this very important cause:

Brooklyn street renamed to honor Detective Wenjian Liu

Liu and his partner Detective Rafael Ramos were fatally shot while sitting in their patrol car.



Over the weekend in New York City, a Brooklyn street was renamed to honor Wenjian Liu, the Chinese American police detective who was murdered in the line of duty last year.

Street named for Detective Wenjian Liu in Brooklyn

On Saturday, the corner of West 6th Street and Avenue T in Gravesend was named Detective Wenjian Liu Way at an emotional ceremony attended by Liu's family, dozens of police officers and city officials, including Mayor Bill de Blasio and Police Commissioner Bill Bratton.

6.16.2015

1st Annual Asian Heritage Jazz Festival

Saturday, June 20 at the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center in Los Angeles


The first annual Asian Heritage Jazz Festival promises to showcase the biggest line up of Asian jazz artists in the United States, and is coming to Los Angeles Saturday, June 20 at the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center. Not only does this event bring together jazz musicians from around the world, but ABC7 Eyewitness News sports anchor Rob Fukuzaki will be your emcee.

Here's some more info:

An Open Letter: Why Co-opting "Transracial" in the Case of Rachel Dolezal is Problematic

Please direct all media inquiries to Kimberly McKee, PhD at mckee.kimberly@gmail.com.



This past weekend the world took to social media to dissect the events surrounding Rachel Dolezal, the former president of Spokane's NAACP chapter who came under heavy scrutiny for falsely representing herself as black. As part of this real-time discussion, the term transracial is being co-opted to describe Dolezal identifying as black despite being born white.

As members of the adoption community -- particularly those of us who identify as transracial adoptees -- we are deeply alarmed by the gross mischaracterization of this term. We find the misuse of "transracial," describing the phenomenon of a white woman assuming perceived markers of "blackness" in order to pass as "black," to be erroneous, ahistorical, and dangerous.

Modern Romance by Aziz Ansari

Comedian's new book explores the pleasures and perils of our new romantic world.



Let's face it: courting, communicating and finding love seems a lot more complicated than it used to be. Technology was supposed to make everything a little easier on all of us, but why does it seem like everybody is just more frustrated? We get some answers from an unlikely modern thinker: Aziz Ansari.

Ansari, standup comedian and star of Parks and Recreation, is your guide to love in the digital age in his new book Modern Romance, on shelves this week. For years, Ansari has been aiming his comic insight at modern romance, but for this book he takes things to another level, teaming up with NYU sociologist Eric Klinenberg to combine his irreverent humor with cutting-edge social science to give us a tour of our new romantic world.

First, here's a clip of Aziz on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, reading some embarrassing first text exchanges between guys and girls. These are actual first attempts at romantic overtures:

Kids of Asian Immigrants Talk About Their Parents' Sacrifices

This BuzzFeed video had me in tears.



Oh man. I am feeling this one so hard right now. In this BuzzFeed video, the children of Asian immigrants open up and talk about some of the sacrifices their parents made for them while growing up -- and take the opportunity to say thank you. Not gonna lie, this one had me fighting back a few tears.

Take a look:

Fourth Asian woman attacked in Manhattan

Police release video of suspect wanted in series of assaults targeting Asian women



In New York, a man suspected in a series of attacks targeting Asian women assaulted a fourth victim in Chinatown yesterday afternoon. Police have released new video of the suspect from the fourth incident.

4th Asian Woman Attacked, Cops Release New Video Of Same Suspect

In each of the attacks, which have all occurred in Manhattan, the man approached his victims, hit them in the face with a plastic bag containing a hard object, and ran off. All of the victims have been Asian women.

The latest attack was reported on Monday in Chinatown, when the suspect tried to strike up a conversation with a 41-year-old woman on Mulberry Street. The woman ignored him and he left, but he later returned and "struck her in the face with a gray bag containing a hard object" before running away.

Here's a clearer view of the suspect from yesterday's incident:

6.15.2015

See Kristina Wong in The Wong Street Journal

World premiere of new solo theater show, June 17-21 in San Francisco



Hey, San Francisco! Performance artist and comedian Kristina Wong invites you to the world premiere of her new solo theater work The Wong Street Journal. Described as "part plushy TED lecture, part amateur hip-hop extravaganza, and part travelogue," Kristina uses her special brand of humor to tackle some pretty big ideas. It's happening June 17-21 at Z Below in San Francisco.

Here are some details about the show:

Watch the new 'Awesome Asian Bad Guys' trailer

National Film Society's action/comedy available June 23 on all major VOD platforms.



Awwww yeah. Hopefully, by now, you've marked your calendars. National Film Society's action/comedy webseries-turned-feature Awesome Asian Bad Guys, from directors Stephen Dypiangco and Patrick Epino, will be released on June 23 on all major video-on-demand platforms including the film's website, powered by VHX, Amazon Instant Video, Google Play, iTunes, Vudu and Xbox Video.

To get you hyped, here is the brand new Awesome Asian Bad Guys trailer:

See badass kung fu kids in GENER8ION & M.I.A.'s new music video

"The New International Sound Pt. II," starring the students of Shaolin Tagou



How awesome is this video? The incredible new music video for "The New International Sound Pt. II" by GENER8ION and M.I.A., was shot at the famed Shaolin Temple Tagou Martial Arts School, the largest kung fu academy in China. It features a few of the school's 36,000 students in various stages of kicking, punching, sweating and training to be more badass than you and I will ever be.

Check it out:

Teen arrested in home invasion robbery of his own family

17-year-old Simerjeet Singh allegedly "masterminded" the robbery, caught on home surveillance video.



Last week in San Jose, a teenager was arrested and charged as an adult for his role in setting up and recruiting gang members for a violent home invasion robbery that targeted members of his own family.

Prosecutors: Harrowing San Jose home invasion caught on video was 'masterminded' by owner's son

17-year-old Simerjeet Singh is accused of "masterminding" the home invasion robbery that targeted his father's home in Evergreen last month, enlisting 17-year-old Moses Herrera, 16-year-old Alvaro Valdivia and 22-year-old Moses Torres, three men he apparently knew from school. All four face felony first-degree robbery and burglary charges, with gang enhancements.

The robbery was partially captured on home surveillance video, and widely circulated on news outlets and social media last month. Investigators reportedly caught a break in the case when one of the teens caught on video turned himself in.

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