Police seek help identifying elderly Chinese woman

She only speaks Cantonese and was found wandering a residential neighborhood in Redondo Beach.



UPDATE: The elderly woman found wandering a residential neighborhood in Redondo Beach has been reunited with her family. After taking her to the hospital, staff with the Department of Adult Protective Services were able to locate the woman’s family and arrange for her to be picked up.

* * *
Heads up, Southern California... In Redondo Beach, police are asking for the public's assistance identifying an elderly Chinese woman who was found wandering a residential neighborhood on Thursday morning.

Redondo Beach police seek family of elderly woman found wandering neighborhood

An elderly adult Chinese woman was found around 6:50 AM on Miramar Drive in Redondo Beach. She speaks only Cantonese and is between 80 and 90 years old, 4-foot-10-inches and between 80 and 90 pounds. She is wearing a tan shirt with light stripes, black pants and grey shoes.

Two families die in fiery car crash as fathers watch in horror

Aaron Ng and Wei Xiong were severely injured trying to rescue their wives and children.



This is an awful, horrifying story out of California... This week, tragedy struck two families who were killed in a fiery car crash while two men could only helplessly watch as their wives and children burned to death.

Two families are ripped apart when children, mothers die in car fire on 5 Freeway near Gorman

Two Bay Area families were on route to a vacation in Southern California on Tuesday when a big rig struck their minivan on the 5 Freeway, sending it off the road where it caught fire. Two women and four children died.

The minivan had gotten into a minor accident with another car, and they pulled over to the shoulder to inspect the damage. That's when a semi-truck slammed into the back of the minivan, propelling it completely off the road. It tumbled down a steep embankment with all eight passengers inside.

The two fathers sitting in the front, 34-year-old Aaron Hon Wing Ng and 45-year-old Wei Xiong Li, jumped out of the two front doors as the car burst into flames and attempted to pry open the back doors, but they were stuck. Both men suffered serious burns to their arms while trying to rescue their loved ones.

Old, discriminatory law used to block wrongful death lawsuit in fatal duck boat crash

Haram Kim was one of five people killed when a Seattle tourist vehicle collided with a bus last September.



21-year-old Haram Kim, an international student from South Korea, was one of five people killed when a popular duck boat tourist vehicle collided with a tour bus last September in Seattle. Her parents are now trying to sue Ride the Ducks, the operators responsible for the fatal crash, but the tour company is citing a racist, discriminatory century-old Washington law in an effort to dismiss the wrongful death lawsuit.

Parents of student killed in 'Ride the Ducks' crash say company is trying to block suit

Kim, a student at North Seattle College, suffered fatal injuries from the impact after a Ride the Ducks boat slammed into a charter bus. A preliminary report by the National Transportation Safety Board determined that a neglected and defective left front axle on the duck boat caused the deadly crash.

Kim's parents, Soon Won Kim and Ju Hee Jeong, have filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Ride the Ducks, but the company says that a 100-year-old Washington statute bars the couple from seeking damages because they were not financially dependent on their daughter and don't live in the United States.

Constance Wu to star in Freddie Wong's 'Dimension 404'

Hulu sci-fi/fantasy anthology series explores "stories that cannot be explained in the world that we know."



Constance Wu, who you know and love as Jessica Huang on Fresh Off The Boat, has joined the cast of Dimension 404, a Hulu six-episode sci-fi/fantasy anthology scripted series from Freddie Wong's RocketJump.

Constance Wu and Megan Mullally Join Hulu's 'Dimension 404'

Inspired by the internet's "404" error code, Dimension 404 aims to evoke "wandering onto the weird side of the web at 3 AM and stumbling upon stories that cannot be explained in the world that we know."

The Twilight Zone-esque series will explore questions like: What if an obscure cartoon held the secret to time travel? What if energy drinks caused the apocalypse? What if the NSA's top analyst was a gigantic, all-knowing cube of sentient meat named Bob? These are questions that I, too, would like answers to.

Papa John's refers to Asian customer as "Ching Ching"

Can I get a large pepperoni with a side of racism?



Ah, this again. A Papa John's Pizza employee in Kentucky apparently couldn't be bothered to write the name of an Asian American customer, and instead decided to designate the recent order's recipient as "Ching Ching."

The incident happened over the weekend at the Papa John's location on Taylorsville Rd. in Louisville. It seems that the customer, who is Korean American, got her pizza with an extra unwanted order of racism. On the box label accompanying her order, someone had identified her as "Ching Ching." (Her name is not Ching Ching.)

Laura M. Cheifetz, whose colleague attends church with the customer, shared a photo of the label on social media, urging folks let Papa John's know how they feel about racism with their pizza.

Read These Blogs

Under Our Skin: What do we mean when we talk about race? The Seattle Times has put together and insightful, thought-provoking interview series examining the words and phrases that people use and interpret very differently when we talk about race and racism.

* * *
Essay: Finding the Courage to Cross the Street Again After Orlando: "I do not understand why we are back where we started, still having the same conversation." One mother's reflection on the fear she felt after the Orlando nightclub shooting.

* * *
Op-Ed: How Orlando and Donald Trump Made Me Come Out Again Fawiza Mirza is a "proud cis-gendered, Pakistani, Muslim, queer woman," and these intersections made it important for her to create the character Ayesha Ali Trump to critique Donald Trump's racist, homophobic rhetoric.

* * *
How do you say 'I'm gay' in Vietnamese? Last summer, staff at Oakland's Asian Health Services had an idea to create a glossary of LGBTQ terms translated in Burmese, Chinese, Vietnamese and Korean. While the guide was originally meant for doctors and translators, it's proving useful in other ways as well.

* * *
A Look Back: The Push to Rally Asian American Support for Marriage Equality: June 26 marked the one-year anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling to legalize same-sex marriage. This excerpt from the anthology "Love Unites Us" reflects on the how same-sex marriage gained support in California among Asian Americans.

This Week's Angriest Posts

Not necessarily the angriest, just the most viewed.



1. "I literally knew I was gay before I knew I was Asian."
Comedian Joel Kim Booster performs standup on 'Conan.'

2. Misguided Protesters Target NYC's Chinatown Over Dog Meat Festival in China
Cross-posted from Reappropriate.

3. Three arrested in racist assault on sushi restaurant owners
"Go back to your own country!"

4. Just an "Asian Girl" getting a drink
Ah, the racial receipt. It drops into our lives when we least expect it.

5. Meet the Asian characters in 'Star Wars: Rogue One'
New character details from the Star Wars saga's latest film.

6. Congressional candidate wants to 'Make America White Again'
Rick Tyler is running for Tennessee's 3rd Congressional District.

7. Where will Jeremy Lin play next season?
Point guard declines $2.2 million player option with the Charlotte Hornets.

8. New York lawmakers ask Obama for official U.S. apology for Chinese Exclusion Act
"To Chinese Americans, their descendants, and all whose lives were affected by the Chinese Exclusion Act."

9. That Time Kumail Nanjiani Crapped His Pants
The 'Silicon Valley' star comes clean on 'Conan.'

10. These Action Figures Recreate The Walking Dead Comic Book's Most Terrible Moment
Negan & Glenn 2-Pack Action Figure Set will be available at 2016 San Diego Comic Con.

Stay Angry, my friends.

Help DAN aka DAN finish his next album

Dan Matthews is working on the follow-up to 'Stuntman.'



Our friend Dan Matthews, who makes music as DANakaDAN, has been busy working on his second album, tentatively scheduled for release later this year, and is raising funds via Kickstarter to make it happen.

The new album is described as a mix of hip hop, alternative rock and electronic and will focus on themes that push notions of identity, race, adoption and self. Dan, a Korean American adoptee, says it's a progression from his last album Stuntman, a personal record inspired by his journey of re-connecting with this birth family.

If you're not familiar with Dan's music, here are a bunch of my favorite tracks from Stuntman:

Angry Reader of the Week: Amy Anderson

"I'm an actor, comedian, reluctant writer, and mother to the raddest, baddest 9-year-old girl."


Hello, everyone! It's about that time to do this thing we call 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 Amy Anderson.

Where will Jeremy Lin play next season?

Point guard declines $2.2 million player option with the Charlotte Hornets.



Jeremy Lin is hitting the open market. After playing one season with the Hornets, Lin declined his $2.2 million team option to return to Charlotte next season and will become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

Jeremy Lin won't take player option, will join free-agent market

The point guard took a two-year, $4.3 million contract with Charlotte last summer, after a less-than-stellar season with the Los Angeles Lakers. But he's now coming off one of his best seasons in years, playing a crucial role off the bench with the 48-win Hornets. Dude has earned himself a raise.

Lin averaged 11.7 points, 3.2 rebounds and 3.0 assists in 26.3 minutes per game with Charlotte. Those are actually comparable numbers to his stint in Los Angeles and with the Houston Rockets, but he clearly brought a different energy to the Hornets last season, proving himself as a valuable sixth man.

"I literally knew I was gay before I knew I was Asian."

Comedian Joel Kim Booster performs standup on 'Conan.'



New York writer and standup comedian Joel Kim Booster performed on Conan the other night and kicked ass. He talked about, among other things, the challenges of growing up as a Korean American adoptee in the Midwest, which Joel explains is "just as racist as the South; it just has none of the personality."

Check it out:

Congressional candidate wants to 'Make America White Again'

Rick Tyler is running for Tennessee's 3rd Congressional District.



At least you know where he's coming from. In Tennessee, a congressional candidate has put his own spin on Donald Trump's inane campaign slogan with a billboard that calls to "Make America White Again."

'Make America White Again': A politician's billboard ignites uproar

Rick Tyler, an independent candidate in the race for Tennessee's 3rd congressional district, put up the billboard off Highway 411 in Polk County, prompting a wave a criticism. It has since been taken down.

Tyler claims he has no hatred in his heart for "people of color," and believes that American should go back to a "1960s, Ozzie and Harriet, Leave it to Beaver time when there were no break-ins; no violent crime; no mass immigration." So he's citing fictional TV programs while yearning for an era that never actually existed.

In a Facebook post, Tyler elaborates, explaining that "It was an America where doors were left unlocked, violent crime was a mere fraction of today's rate of occurrence, there were no car jackings, home invasions, Islamic Mosques or radical Jihadist sleeper cells." He actually calls it "Norman Rockwell America."

Meet the Asian characters in 'Star Wars: Rogue One'

New character details from the Star Wars saga's latest film.



Yes, there are Asians in a galaxy far, far away. Excited about Star Wars: Rogue One? EW's new cover story reveals some new details about the Star Wars saga's latest film, which takes place before the events of A New Hope and tells the story of resistance fighters who unite to steal plans to the dreaded Death Star.

EW has the official lowdown on Rogue One's new characters, including previously unreleased details about Chirrut Imwe, Baze Malbus and Bodhi Rook, played by Donnie Yen, Jiang Wen and Riz Ahmed, respectively.

Just an "Asian Girl" getting a drink

Ah, the racial receipt. It drops into our lives when we least expect it.



Ah, the racial receipt. It drops into our lives when we least expect it. A reader named Grace recently encountered one during a recent visit to a bar in New York City. Upon receiving her check at Faces & Names Lounge & Bar in midtown, she noticed that she had been identified simply as "Asian Girl."

Grace tweeted that when she called out her waitress about the receipt, she responded, "I can't be racist. I dated an Asian guy." (As a general rule of life, let it be known that "I can't be racist, I dated a _______ girl/guy" is not an appropriate or compelling response in any situation.)

Fund This: 'The Two Kids That Blow Shit Up'

Help Artists at Play present the world premiere of Carla Ching's play.



This year, the Los Angeles-based Asian American theatre collective Artists at Play will present its sixth mainstage show, the world premiere production of Carla Ching's The Two Kids That Blow Shit Up, directed by Jeremy Lelliott. I mean, come on, the title alone has got you intrigued, right?

The play follows Diana and Max who meet at 10 years old -- "the day their parents start fucking." Over the next 18 years, their parents break up, get back together, marry and divorce. And they see each other through it all, trying not to make the same mistakes their parents did. It's a play about "trying not to fall in love with your best friend so you end up hating them."

The Two Kids That Blow Shit Up will have a 4-week run at Hollywood's Lounge Theater in August/September 2016. Artists at Play is currently trying to raise funds for the production through Indiegogo.

Here's a video with some more details:

Forrest Wheeler stars in the action short 'Power Play'

Vote for Rock Chang's film in the My Rode Reel filmmaking competition.



Forrest Wheeler, who plays Emery Huang on Fresh Off The Boat, stars in this fun three-minute action short Power Play, in which a pair of fierce combatants face off in a deadly battle... sort of. Directed, produced and edited by Rock Chang, the film is currently a contender in the My Rode Reel 2016 filmmaking competition.

Check it out:

That Time Kumail Nanjiani Crapped His Pants

The 'Silicon Valley' star comes clean on 'Conan.'



Comedian and Silicon Valley star Kumail Nanjiani was back as a guest on Conan on Monday, sharing stories about doodoo and Beyonce. He was recounting a childhood memory of a kid who pooped in his pants at a birthday party, which is always fun, but was then suddenly inspired to come clean with his own recent story about crapping his pants... like, two years ago, as an adult.

Misguided Protesters Target NYC's Chinatown Over Dog Meat Festival in China

Cross-posted from Reappropriate.


Animal rights protesters gather in NYC's Chinatown to protest the Yulin Lychee and Dog Meat Festival, which opened today in Southern China. (Photo Credit: NY Daily News / Susan Watts)
Since 2009, one festival in China has caused a stir in the animal rights community. The festival -- the Yulin Lychee and Dog Meat Festival -- was inaugurated that year, and immediately resurrected controversy over the ethics of consuming dog meat. Pictures of dogs crammed into tiny wire cages have shocked netizens for the last several years, along with reports that as many as 10,000 dogs are slaughtered annually at the festival.

The festival -- which is not sanctioned by the local government -- is intended to celebrate a centuries-old tradition in parts of China where dog meat is considered a delicacy. Government officials insist that the festival is attended by a small minority of local residents. This doesn't stop outraged animal rights activists, however, from protesting the festival as outrageous and unethical.

New York lawmakers ask Obama for official U.S. apology for Chinese Exclusion Act

"To Chinese Americans, their descendants, and all whose lives were affected by the Chinese Exclusion Act."


A soap advertisement from the 1880s, sub-titled 'The Chinese Must Go'
In New York, a group of state lawmakers have sent a letter to President Barack Obama asking him to issue a government apology for the passage and enforcement of the Chinese Exclusion Act, which specifically targeted and barred Chinese immigrants from entering or becoming citizens of the United States.

Signed into federal law by President Chester A. Arthur in 1882, and fueled by widespread anti-Chinese sentiment, the Chinese Exclusion Act was one of the most significant restrictions on free immigration in U.S. history, prohibiting all immigration of Chinese laborers. It was the first law implemented to prevent a specific ethnic group from immigrating to the United States, and lasted for over sixty years.

The letter, written by state Assemblyman Ron Kim and signed by twenty other state legislators, calls for the President to issue an official apology on behalf of the United States Government "to Chinese Americans, their descendants, and all whose lives were affected by the Chinese Exclusion Act."

These Action Figures Recreate The Walking Dead Comic Book's Most Terrible Moment

Negan & Glenn 2-Pack Action Figure Set will be available at 2016 San Diego Comic Con.



Even as an action figure enthusiast and a fan of The Walking Dead, here are a pair of a figures that I'm not so sure I want to add to my collection. If you're heading to this year's San Diego Comic Con, you might be able to get your hands on this Negan & Glenn 2-Pack Action Figure Set, straight out of The Walking Dead issue number 100 -- and possibly the most infamous, most shocking moment from The Walking Dead comic book.

If you've read the issue, you know what I'm talking about. SPOILERS AHEAD...

Three arrested in racist assault on sushi restaurant owners

"Go back to your own country!"



Three drunken racists walk into a bar... Last week in Boston, two men and a woman were arrested on assault charges after beating up the Asian owners of a sushi restaurant while shouting racial slurs at them.

Cops: Quincy trio assaulted Asian restaurant owners while shouting racial slurs

40-year-old James Mulhern, 54-year-old Colleen McDonough and 50--year-old Timothy O'Sullivan were arrested after police responded to calls about a large fight outside Royal Hotspot Sushi & Bar in Quincy.

According to police, the three walked into the restaurant drunk and repeatedly asked what the special was. When they were told there was no special, they became irate, yelled racial slurs -- because they apparently needed an excuse to yell racial slurs -- and stormed out, slamming the door and damaging the restaurant wall.

One of the owners followed them out and told them she was calling the police, when McDonough punched her and swung a pocketbook, striking the owner in the face and yelling, "Go back to your own country!"

Read These Blogs

Where the fierce Asians at? From Margaret Cho to Constance Wu to Ken Jeong to Jon M. Chu, eight breakthrough Asian Americans talk candidly to Mashable about their experiences in Hollywood.

* * *
Why Constance Zimmer, Steve Zissis Have Better Emmy Oddzzz This Year: How good are Constance Wu's chances of getting an Emmy nomination this year? Believe it or not, the alphabetical order of names listed on the Emmy ballot might make a difference.

* * *
Mourning on Ramadan: Breaking My Fast With Queer Muslims After the Orlando Shooting: Tanzila Ahmed on holding sacred safe spaces in the wake of the Orlando shooting just last week. "How do you invite Muslims into your non-Muslim spaces? How do you center the narratives of the LGBTQIA community while holding their lives and secrets precious?"

* * *
George Takei: How the LGBT Community Can Lead America to a Sane Gun Policy: The longtime actor and activist writes about how, in the wake of the Orlando gay club massacre that left 49 people dead, the LGBT community can lead the charge on gun reform.

* * *
Before Megyn Kelly, Connie Chung Was the Female Anchor Trump Hated Most: Twenty-five years later, it seems that not much has changed... except that this guy is now running for President of the United States.

This Week's Angriest Posts

Not necessarily the angriest, just the most viewed.



1. Fox Sports reporter fired over racist remarks
Fox Sports Florida sideline reporter Emily Austen made jokes about Mexican, Jewish and Chinese people.

2. She thought the robber's gun was fake. It wasn't.
Fearless Virginia restaurant owner fights off armed robber with her bare hands.

3. John Cho meets the guy who started #StarringJohnCho
"Turns out it was not my mom." Meet William Yu.

4. Oklahoma bed-and-breakfast accused of human trafficking
Owners of the Whispering Pines Inn allegedly held a Cambodian woman as an indentured servant.

5. Angry Reader of the Week: Kathy Khang
"I went from being the meanest mommy in the whole wide world to the family ATM and short-order cook."

6. Mitski's new music video has a terrifying twist
"Happy," directed Maegan Houang, is anything but.

7. Hasan Minhaj rips Congress to shreds over gun control
"Is this what you want your legacy to be?"

8. Want to see some 'Pretty Dudes'?
Comedy webseries explores masculinity, race, colorism, sexuality, friendships and the rules of attraction.

9. A Nightmarish Neon Apocalyptic Japanese Fever Dream... Starring Donald Trump
Mike Diva's "Japanese Donald Trump Commercial" feels like a warning from the future.

10. An Open Letter about Orlando from Asian American Parents Who Love Our LGBTQ Kids
Cross-Posted from NQAPIA

Stay Angry, my friends.


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Family Reunion: A Storytelling Show

Geek Edition: Save Me, Thursday, June 23 at Lyric Hyperion Theatre & Cafe



What's up, Los Angeles? It's story time! Disoriented Comedy invites you to the latest edition of Family Reunion, a monthly live storytelling show co-presented by Angry Asian Man, Tuesday Night Project, Mishthi Music and KAYA Press, featuring regular everyday folks talking story. No notes.

This month's theme is "Save Me" -- it's a special Geek Edition of Family Reunion, guest co-curated by writer Sarah Kuhn in celebration of her upcoming Asian American superhero book series Heroine Complex. This evening's lineup of featured storytellers includes Marc Bernardin, Julia Cho, Javier Grillo-Marxuach, Sarah Kuhn, Dr. Andrea Letamendi, Jenelle Riley, Trinity Shi, Atsuko Okatsuka and host Jenny Yang.

It's happening Thursday, June 23 at Lyric Hyperion Theatre & Cafe. Here are some more details:

CAAM seeks Festival, Media Fund and Memories to Light Interns

Intern with the Center for Asian American Media this summer.



The Center for Asian American Media in San Francisco is seeking skilled, enthusiastic individuals who are interested in interning with their Festival, Media Fund and Memories to Light teams in Summer/Fall 2016.

These are part-time and unpaid positions that provide hands-on training and professional development for individuals seeking to develop a career in programming, marketing, fundraising, event planning, media arts and the non-profit sector. Interns also have the opportunity to meet and network with film and media makers, industry professionals and community organizations.

Here are some more details about the internships:

Angry Reader of the Week: Kathy Khang

"I went from being the meanest mommy in the whole wide world to the family ATM and short-order cook."



Hello! Internet friends, it is time 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 Kathy Khang.

Phillipa Soo to star in 'Amelie, A New Musical' on Broadway

Breakout Broadway star to leave 'Hamilton' on July 9.



Breakout Broadway star Phillipa Soo, who is leaving her Tony-nominated role as Eliza Schuyler in the blockbuster musical Hamilton next month, will star in the stage musical adaptation of Amelie.

Phillipa Soo to Leave 'Hamilton'; Eliza Will Become Amélie

Soo will play the title role. Based on the hit French romantic comedy, Amélie, A New Musical tells the story of Amelie Poulain, an inquisitive and charmingly shy young woman who turns the streets of Montmartre into a world of her own imagining, while secretly orchestrating moments of joy for those around her.

Hasan Minhaj rips Congress to shreds over gun control

"Is this what you want your legacy to be?"



While Democrats were in the middle of a marathon filibuster on the Senate floor over gun control legislation on Wednesday, comedian Hasan Minhaj was unleashing his own impassioned call to action before a room full of congress people and pundits at the Radio and Television Correspondents Association Dinner.

After delivering the usual barrage of jokes about the likes of Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton and Fox News, the The Daily Show correspondent devoted the last few minutes of his speech to address Sunday's shooting massacre that killed 49 people at a popular gay nightclub in Orlando, ferociously calling out the complicity and inaction of the "do-nothing Congress" -- and all of us, really -- that led to this horrific moment.

Watch as Hasan Minhaj destroys the room with truth and hilarity -- and damn, looks good while doing it:

Explaining Net Neutrality is Easier on a Giant Roller Coaster

Professor Tim Wu explains net neutrality to Stephen Colbert while riding Six Flags' Nitro.



I know everybody's been following the issue of net neutrality pretty closely. But for those who need an update: this week, a U.S. court upheld the so-called Open Internet rules that require Internet providers to treat all content equally in terms of speed. The ruling means that phone and cable companies can't block or slow down users' access to content just because they use a lot of bandwidth, and they can't charge more people or companies that can pay more. The decision is considered a major victory consumers.

But you know, the issue of net neutrality, while important, can be a little boring. Stephen Colbert recognizes this. So he recently invited Columbia University Law professor Tim Wu, who coined the term "net neutrality," to appear on The Late Show and offer his expert take on the net neutrality conversation.

While riding on a roller coaster.

Because any topic explained while riding on a roller coaster is automatically way more thrilling. Watch as Professor Wu breathlessly explains the concept of net neutrality to Stephen Colbert while the two are strapped into the front seat of the Nitro roller coaster -- sorry, "Hypercoaster" -- at Six Flags Great Adventure.

Dear Cable News Networks: AAPIs Are Tired of Your Bullshit.

An open letter regarding the persistent underrepresntation of AAPIs on MSNBC, CNN and FOX News.



A coalition of prominent Asian American and Pacific Islander civic and civil rights organizations has united to deliver an open letter to MSNBC, CNN and Fox News -- the country's three largest providers of cable news -- demanding that the networks address the persistent underrepresentation of the AAPI community in their programming.

The coalition's letter, organized by the National Council of Asian Pacific Americans and Reappropriate, responds to recent incidents that involve news hosts and guests who made disparaging remarks about the AAPI community on air. The letter highlights research by Media Matters that shows that Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders make up less than 3% of invited nightly news or Sunday morning political talk show guests, even though AAPIs are nearly 7% of the United States population.

"Networks need to ensure that Asian American and Pacific Islander voices and perspectives are heard and that issues of importance to our communities are discussed," said NCAPA National Director Christopher Kang. "If we are invisible in the media, racial slurs and inaccurate portrayals of AAPIs will persist, but when Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are better represented -- in particular, in the news--it allows for a more diverse understanding across all communities. All Americans -- including AAPIs -- deserve more accurate representation in our media."

Mitski's new music video has a terrifying twist

"Happy," directed Maegan Houang, is anything but.



The signs are all there. Is he being unfaithful? Turns out, it's much worse. This wild music video for "Happy" by New York-based indie rock artist Mitski, from her new album Puberty 2, starts as a fairly conventional 1950s period romance... and unexpectedly goes to a very weird, dark (and spoiler: gory) place.

Stay for the shocking ending. Check it out:

An Open Letter about Orlando from Asian American Parents Who Love Our LGBTQ Kids

Cross-Posted from NQAPIA


Dear Community,

We, the Asian American Parents Who Love Our LGBTQ Kids, are heartbroken about the Orlando tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families, both given and chosen, especially their parents. Our thoughts are with those who were injured and are still fighting for their lives and those who are suffering emotional trauma. Our hearts go out to our LGBTQ community that is shaken by this horrible news and the loss of their friends and community members, particularly in the Latina/o community.

We support our LGBTQ children and we are proud of who they are. However, we are concerned because we know this world is not 100% safe for them. We condemn this type of unthinkable, senseless violence against the LGBTQ community. Our children are not people to be extinguished, they are loved and cherished and deserve to live their lives fully without hatred and bigotry.

We also stand in solidarity with Muslim families, especially parents with queer Muslim children. Many of our South Asian families are from Muslim backgrounds and they are our siblings in this fight against homophobia and transphobia. Our hearts are with our LGBTQ South Asian and Muslim community members who are reeling in pain from yesterday's attack and feeling the combined pain of Islamophobia, homophobia, and racism. We stand in solidarity with you.

Job Opportunity: Voting Rights Senior Program Coordinator

Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Asian Law Caucus needs you to help protect the vote.



Are you talented, passionate, social justice-oriented individual who cares about creating a more inclusive democracy and help protect the vote for immigrant AAPI and Latino voters this year?

Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Asian Law Caucus, the nation's oldest Asian American civil rights organization, is looking to hire a Senior Program Coordinator for its Voting Rights Program. This role will oversee the civic engagement portions of Advancing Justice-ALC's Election Protection / Language Access project, which protects access to the ballot for immigrant and limited English-proficient AAPI and Latino voters in eighteen Northern California counties.

Here are some more details about the position:

John Cho meets the guy who started #StarringJohnCho

"Turns out it was not my mom." Meet William Yu.



The totally awesome, widely celebrated #StarringJohnCho campaign challenges the dismal lack of diversity in Hollywood, imagining what it would look like if today's blockbusters cast an Asian American actor -- specifically John Cho -- as their leading man. Started by William Yu, the viral web project got the attention of a lot of folks, jamming social media timelines and getting mainstream news shoutouts from outlets across the board.

But what does the actual John Cho think of #StarringJohnCho?

"I thought the idea was fantastic," the Star Trek and Harold and Kumar star told Yahoo7. "I loved that it was sparking this discussion that otherwise we wouldn't be having and it did it in a postive way. It [the campaign] was kind of silly, but then people really did have that discussion, and it did get people thinking about it. I felt like it was me on the poster but it wasn't really about me. I really dig it."

Cho recently got to tell the creator of #StarringJohnCho how much he dug it -- in person. On Monday, he posted a photo he took with Yu, confirming once and for all that it wasn't his own mom behind the campaign.

A Nightmarish Neon Apocalyptic Japanese Fever Dream... Starring Donald Trump

Mike Diva's "Japanese Donald Trump Commercial" feels like a warning from the future.



Behold, Haters and Lovers of Donald J. Trump. What in the hell did I just watch?

The latest video from Mike Diva, simply titled "Japanese Donald Trump Commercial" is a nightmarish neon apocalyptic Japanese fever dream of robots and nukes and fascist iconography, starring your favorite presumptive Republican presidential nominee. It is equal parts beautiful, kawaii and terrifying as fuck.

Take a look:

Oklahoma bed-and-breakfast accused of human trafficking

Owners of the Whispering Pines Inn allegedly held a Cambodian woman as an indentured servant.



In Oklahoma, the owners of a bed-and-breakfast are under federal investigation for allegedly keeping a Cambodian woman as an indentured servant after paying for her passing to the United States.

Norman inn being investigated after report of Cambodian woman held as indentured servant

Last week, FBI agents raided the Whispering Pines Inn in Norman after claims surfaced that they were keeping an employee as an indentured servant. Investigators say the owners, Rany and Thavory Kchao, payed $8,000 for the woman to come to the United States from Cambodia, and in return she would work off her debt.

The woman reportedly worked as a housekeeper at the Whispering Pines Inn for the past two years, working 14 to 15 hour days, seven days a week, and never received a paycheck. The Kchaos did not let her have access to her immigration documents and did not allow her to leave the grounds of the inn on her own.

2016 V3Con Digital Media Conference

Saturday, June 25 at the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles



The fifth annual V3Con Digital Media Conference, presented by the Los Angeles Chapter of the Asian American Journalists Association, celebrates Asian American contributions to media, digital media and culture. The event, which recognizes the "Vision. Visibility. Voice." of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the digital and social media fields, will bring together the biggest influencers and experts for a day of panel discussions and hands-on workshops in which attendees will build and learn about the latest new media skills.

It's happening June 24 and 25 at the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles.

Serve the People: Author Discussion and Activist Panel

Saturday, June 18 at the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles



If you're in Los Angeles this weekend, you are invited to join an author discussion and activist panel on the Asian American Movement, led by Karen L. Ishizuka, author of Serve the People: Making Asian American in the Long Sixties, featuring Warren T. Furutani, Mike Murase, Qris Yamashita and traci kato-kiriyama. It's happening Saturday, June 18 at the Japanese American National Museum in Little Tokyo.

Here are some more details about the event:

AJ Rafael shares a moving tribute to Christina Grimmie

22-year-old singer was fatally shot while signing autographs after a show in Orlando.



Fans and loved ones are still reeling from the shocking murder of musician Christina Grimmie, who was fatally shot in Orlando on Friday night. Witnesses say Grimmie was signing autographs during a meet-and-greet at The Plaza theater when a man approached and opened fire. Grimmie died at the hospital.

The 22-year-old singer made a name for herself on YouTube, where she had a hugely popular following with more than 3 million subscribers. She also won a spot on season six of NBC's vocal competition The Voice, emerging as a fan-favorite contestant and finishing third overall.

On Monday, fellow musician, YouTube personality and frequent collaborator AJ Rafael posted a tearful, moving tribute to his friend, singing "In Christ Alone" in honor of Grimmie and her faith.

Want to see some 'Pretty Dudes'?

Comedy webseries explores masculinity, race, colorism, sexuality, friendships and the rules of attraction.



Pretty Dudes is an upcoming original comedy series that explores the dynamics between a millennial multiethnic group of friends in Los Angeles. Created by Chance Calloway, the series uses humor and truth to explore masculinity, race, colorism, sexuality, friendships, and the ever-changing rules of attraction.

The 12-episode series is currently raising production funds through Seed & Spark.

The project centers on six friends who consider themselves to be "pretty" and claim that the label has ruined their romantic lives. As one of them goes through a breakup, the friends band together -- through a high stakes bet -- to find him the perfect love, discovering the truth about their own relationship struggles in the process.

Here's some more information about the project:

John Cho cast in indie thriller 'Gemini'

'Star Trek' actor to star alongside Lola Kirke and Zoe Kravitz in Aaron Katz's thriller set in Los Angeles.



Add this one to the list of films actually #StarringJohnCho... John Cho has signed on to star alongside Lola Kirke and Zoe Kravitz in the indie thriller Gemini, from award-winning writer/director Aaron Katz.

Lola Kirke, Zoe Kravitz, John Cho to Star in Thriller 'Gemini'

Plot details are currently being kept under wraps, but I'm told that Cho has the most significant male role in the film. So far, all we know is that it's a thriller set in Los Angeles, where principal photography has already begun.

In addition to Cho, there are three other Asian characters in Gemini, played by Greta Lee, Abraham Lim and Levy Tran. The film's ensemble also includes Ricki Lake, Michelle Forbes, Nelson Franklin, Reeve Carney, Jessica Parker Kennedy and James Ransone.

She thought the robber's gun was fake. It wasn't.

Fearless Virginia restaurant owner fights off armed robber with her bare hands.



A badass Virginia restaurant owner fearlessly wrestled a gun out of the hands of a would-be robber because she thought the firearm was fake. She realized later that it was very real -- after it went it off in her hand.

Caught on camera: Business owner fights back with robbery suspect

Last week, an armed robber walked into Crazy Wings in Norfolk and pointed a gun at Keqiu Wang, demanding she open the cash register. Wang, who owns the restaurant with her husband, wasn't having it with this punk-ass robber and his fake-ass firearm. She fought back.

Surveillance camera footage shows Wang struggling with the hooded robber, grabbing his gun by the barrel and refusing to let go. The two wrestled behind the counter until Wang's husband came out of the kitchen with a huge knife and slashed the would-be robber in the back, chasing him off.

Fox Sports reporter fired over racist remarks

Fox Sports Florida sideline reporter Emily Austen made jokes about Mexican, Jewish and Chinese people.



See ya. And good riddance. A Fox Sports reporter was fired last week after making racist remarks about Mexican, Jewish and Chinese people, among other terrible utterances, during an online video broadcast.

Sideline Reporter Gets Pretty Racist On Barstool Sports Broadcast

Emily Austen, Fox Sports Florida's sideline reporter for Tampa Bay Rays and Orlando Magic broadcasts, appeared on Barstool Sports's "Rundown" show on Thursday, where she proceeded to make a number of racist and anti-Semitic jokes during the 35-minute Facebook Live broadcast.

"I didn't even know Mexicans were that smart... That's fucked up," Austen said, referring to news about a recent high school valedictorian who came out as an undocumented citizen. "I didn't mean it like that. You see, you guys know that the Chinese guy is always the smartest guy in math class."

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Asian Americans React to the Devastating Orlando Nightclub Shooting: Early Sunday morning, America experienced the worst mass shooting in its history at Pulse, a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida. YOMYOMF has compiled reactions to massacre from Asian Americans on Twitter.

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7 Reasons Why We Need An Asian-Latino AllianceAs the nation approaches another important election cycle, here are seven reasons why we need to renew Asian-Latino solidarity.

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For LAPD cops, walking the Koreatown beat filled with mystery, confusion, cultural minefields: The LAPD get a few lessons in cultural competency thanks to a volunteer group of Korean Americans and L.A.'s Korean Cultural Center, who came together to demystify Koreans and their singularities.

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China in the American Imagination: A Survey of Ephemera: From Pearl Buck's The Good Earth to the FBI files of HT Tsiang, author Hua Hsu chronicles the inspiration for his new book A Floating Chinaman.

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Bruce Lee Once Said He Thought Muhammad Ali Would "Kill" Him in a Fight: According to legend, Bruce Lee once said he believed that he could never win a fight against the late legendary fighter Muhammad Ali.

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Alan Yang, Kenya Barris on TV's Diversity Boom, the Upside of Awards: Kenya Barris, the creator of ABC's Black-ish and Alan Yang, co-creator of Master of None talk about their recent Peabody Award wins, TV's diversity boom, and why it's a great time to be working in comedy.

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The Director Who Wants To Show You Who Asian-Americans Really Are: For the past decade, Jon M. Chu has directed a slew of major studio films. Now he plans to use his power to correct Hollywood's problems with Asian-American representation, beginning with Now You See Me 2 and next, with Crazy Rich Asians.

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Viola Davis, Constance Wu and 9 Other Actresses on Their Most Challenging Moments and Unexpected Milestones: The Hollywood Reporter spoke with 11 lead and supporting Emmy contenders -- including Fresh Off The Boat's Constance Wu -- about the scenes, arcs and growing pains that have challenged them.


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Angry Reader of the Week: Hua Hsu

"In my writing and teaching, I'm always interested in the circumference of our imaginations."



Hey, everyone. You know what time it is. It's time to meet the Angry Reader of the Week, spotlighting you, the very special readers of this website. Over the years, I've been able to connect with a lot of cool folks, and this is a way of showing some appreciation and attention to the people who help make this blog what it is. This week's Angry Reader is Hua Hsu.

Weird-Ass Craigslist Posting, Part 45: "Seeking an Asian Wife"

"I need a personal researcher/assistant part-time to help me find the perfect female."



File this one under the wacky, weird world of Craigslist... If you're looking for some part-time work, here's a guy looking for an Asian wife -- and he needs your help! He's looking to hire an "Asian Researcher" -- preferably with Chinese or Korean language skills -- to assist him in finding "the perfect female."

Here's the text:

Sheriff accused of intimidating Hmong voters

Siskiyou County Sheriff Jon Lopey is under investigation for alleged voter intimidation.



In California, the state Attorney General's Office is investigating reports that Hmong residents in Siskiyou County were being intimidated by the Sheriff's Office to keep them from voting in Tuesday's election.

Attorney General's Office in Siskiyou County after reports of sheriff intimidating voters

Sheriff Jon Lopey is under investigation for alleged voter intimidation during this week's primary election. Civil rights activists say that Lopey and his deputies set up a checkpoint outside a subdivision and stopped cars being driven by Hmongs only and asked them whether they were registered to vote.

Hmong residents say that county and state officials showed up at their homes carrying assault rifles and threatened to arrest anyone who tried to illegally vote. As a result, many Hmong resident reportedly did not turn out to vote in Tuesday's primary because they were afraid.

New photos from the set of 'Ghost in the Shell'

(Yes, Major Motoko Kusanagi is still white.)



So... if you're ready to get mad at Scarlett Johansson all over again, here's a new crop of unofficial photos from the set of the live-action Ghost in the Shell remake, currently filming in Hong Kong.

New Ghost in the Shell set pics featuring Scarlett Johansson & Pilou Asbæk

You get a glimpse of Ms. Johansson in her Major Motoko haircut, as well as Pilou Asbæk as Batou, in what is presumably supposed to double as street-level dystopian Tokyo. The location shots, from HK01 and Apple Daily, feature a bunch of extras in various future garb and offer a general sense of the film's visual vibe.

Check it out:

Photo project "corrects" Hollywood yellowface

Michelle Villemaire photographed herself as Asian film characters historically performed in yellowface.



With recent high-profile examples like Ghost in the Shell and Dr. Strange drawing the ire of movie fans, the ugly practice of Hollywood whitewashing and yellowface has received renewed scrutiny. But the plain fact is, Asian performers have been regularly scrubbed out of the picture since the beginnings of cinema.

For blogger/actor Michelle Villemaire, enough was enough. Inspired and provoked by "a fit of frustration over the history of Hollywood whitewashing," she recently created her own do-it-yourself photography project to subvert historical Hollywood yellowface and reclaim the image of Asian women in movies.

"Growing up, I didn't see many faces like mine on television and film," Villemaire writes on her blog. "And because I wanted to be an actor it was really hard to believe that I could ever be one. Only women who had a certain skin color and eye shape were really allowed on screen, right? To this day white people are cast as Asians, deepening the message that Asians just aren't wanted."

Villemaire shares a series of photos she took of herself as various Asian characters that were played by non-Asian women in film, from The Good Earth to The King and I to Aloha. As she puts it, these photos are her own unique way of correcting the yellowface. "And it felt sooooo good," she admits.

Take a look:

Kamala Harris finishes first in California Senate primary

State Attorney General will run against Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez in historic November faceoff.



On Tuesday, California primary voters propelled two Democrats -- both minority women -- to a historic runoff. State attorney general Kamala Harris will face off against Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez on the November ballot for the state's open U.S. Senate seat.

Senate candidates Kamala Harris, Loretta Sanchez advance to general election

Harris, the clear front runner, clinched a first-place finish with 40 percent of the vote, emerging from a field of 34 candidates seeking the seat being vacated by retiring Senator Barbara Boxer. Early returns showed Sanchez, a 10-term congresswoman from Orange County, securing second place.

Under California election rules, only two candidates -- the top vote-getters, regardless of party -- advance to the November election. The matchup between Harris and Sanchez will mark the first time in over a century that Republicans will be absent from California's general election ballot for the Senate.