Angry Reader of the Week: Crystal Duan

"Alas, overthinking feels more like a permanent residence."


Hello, my friends. You know what time it is. 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 Crystal Duan.

They Call Us Bruce - Episode 66: They Call Us Randall Park & Michael Golamco

Jeff Yang and Phil Yu present an unfiltered conversation about what's happening in Asian America.



What's up, podcast listeners? We've got another episode of our podcast They Call Us Bruce. (Almost) each week, my good friend, writer/columnist Jeff Yang and I host an unfiltered conversation about what's happening in Asian America, with a strong focus on media, entertainment and popular culture.

On this episode, we welcome actor Randall Park and writer Michael Golamco to talk about Always Be My Maybe, their new Netflix romantic comedy with Ali Wong. They discuss The Good, The Bad and The WTF of making an awesome Asian American movie with your friends.

Making a Scene: How Claudia Kishi Helped Me and My YA Heroine Find Our Voices

Guest Post by Sarah Kuhn



I love Claudia Kishi. Ever since she first emerged on the pages of The Baby-Sitters Club books -- that touchstone series about enterprising tweens who start their own small business and become embroiled in the world of Kid Kits, cruises, and mysteries that involve things like ghost cats -- I've been obsessed with her every move. I related to her creativity, her inability to master math, and her whole Japanese American girl living in the white suburbs thing. I coveted her in-room phone line, her hollowed out books full of candy, and of course... her clothes.

Oh, her clothes. So many bright colors. So many "clashing" patterns. So many bedazzled ankle boots. The endless pages that lovingly describe her outfits (often characterized as "wild") are the most worn and dog-eared in my BSC collection. I wanted every single piece of her wardrobe so very badly.

But I also found myself caught in a classic tweenager-y paradox. I thought I wanted to stand out like Claudia, but I also knew in my heart of hearts that it would probably be better for my whole middle school experience if I did not stand out at all. At least, not any more than I already did, thanks to that "Japanese American girl living in the white suburbs" thing.

I sometimes found myself trying to incorporate a Claudia-esque piece into my look -- oversized men's shirts, scrunchy socks in a Technicolor rainbow of colors, barrettes shaped like animals. But I always ended up feeling self-conscious, the bravado I'd felt when clipping that sparkly giraffe into my hair melting as soon as one of the popular white girls sent me one of those disdainful looks that just seemed to say: really?

'Always Be My Maybe' is best enjoyed in a big loud theater

Ali Wong and Randall Park's romantic comedy is now playing in select theater before hitting Netflix on May 31.



At long last! The romantic comedy Always Be My Maybe, starring Randall Park and Ali Wong, hits select theaters in ten cities today, May 29, before dropping on Netflix everywhere this Friday, May 31.

Directed by Nahnatchka Khan, and co-written by Park, Wong and Michael Golamco, Always Be My Maybe centers on Sasha and Marcus, childhood best friends who have a falling out. Reuniting fifteen years later, Sasha is now a successful celebrity chef opening a restaurant in San Francisco while Marcus is a happily struggling musician still living at home with his dad. The old sparks are still there but can they adapt to each other's world?

Here's the trailer again:

Security guards still don't believe Jeremy Lin is in the NBA

Jeremy Lin was recently stopped from boarding the player bus in Milwaukee.



The Good News: Jeremy Lin and the Toronto Raptors are headed to the NBA Championship Finals for the first time. The Bad News: Jeremy Lin still gets stopped by security personnel who don't recognize him as a player.

Lin has been candid about this. It happens to him fairly regularly. The latest incident occurred earlier this month in Milwaukee after Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals. A security guard stopped Jeremy from boarding the Raptors' team bus at Fiserv Forum, demanding to see his credentials.

"After game two in Milwaukee, I was trying to get to the team bus and one of the dudes in the Milwaukee Arena just screams at me," Lin recently shared on the Bill Michaels Sports Talk Network. "He's like, 'Where do you think you’re going?!' And I'm like, 'Uh, I’m trying to get to the team bus.' He’s like, 'What? Where's your pass?'"

"'I don't know what you’re taking about,'" Lin recalls saying. "'I don't have a pass.'"

He talks about it at around the 10:20 mark:

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How Keanu Reeves Ended Up in Ali Wong, Randall Park's Romantic Comedy 'Always Be My Maybe'
“I made Netflix spend all this money on this movie just so that, as a 37-year-old mother of two, I could kiss Daniel Dae Kim and Keanu Reeves." Ali Wong really is a genius!

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Breaking My Own Silence
Pachinko novelist Min Jin Lee found the power speak for herself.

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At a Historic Moment for Asian-American Candidates, Andrew Yang Leans In
Andrew Yang, a businessman from New York, is seeking the Democratic nomination for president. His focus on preventing mass unemployment caused by the automation of jobs has made him popular online, but will it be enough to propel him to the White House?

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Asian Americans could be the group most affected by the census citizenship question
As the fastest growing racial demographic in America, even among undocumented arrival, the census citizenship question would have a huge impact on Asian Americans.

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How One Woman's Story Led to the Creation of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
Jeanie Jew, a former Capitol Hill staffer, sought to turn her own family's history into a way to spread public awareness of Asian Pacific American contributions.

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A student in Boston wrote 'I am from Hong Kong.’ An onslaught of Chinese anger followed.
Emerson College student Frances Hui penned a column titled "I am from Hong Kong, not China," which generated backlash from Chinese students -- a backlash that reflects wider questions over identity amid the rapid erosion of the territory's autonomy and promised "one country, two systems" relationship.

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An Artist Who Channels Her Anger Into Pie Charts
Christine Sun Kim on her experimental, sensory-rich process -- and her favorite shoes to wear in the studio.

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The Psychiatrist in My Writing Class and His 'Gift' of Hate
Rani Neutill recalls a literary workshop in which a white man critiqued her ability to write in "proper" English.

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She used to ignore her mother's stories about Vietnam. A professor's class helped change that.
In her valedictory speech to the University of Southern California's Class of 2019, Ivana Giang, the child of Vietnamese immigrants, challenged the school on its diversity.

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Eavesdropping on Ocean Vuong's New Book
The award-winning poet makes his fiction debut with On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous.

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Who Was the First Asian American Author You Read?
Twenty Asian American writers discuss the first time they saw themselves reflected in literature.

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6 Lovely Children's Books About Asian American Culture
A few children's books that talk about Asian American culture.

* * *
How Claudia Kishi Inspired A Generation Of Asian American Writers
The Babysitters Club cast of fictional teens included Claudia, a Japanese American teen known for her bold outfits and love for art. How this character influenced a generation of Asian American writers.

* * *
Chloe Kim on Asian American representation and the pressures of success
Snowboarding wunderkind and Olympic medalist Chloe Kim talks about attending Princeton, navigating the world on her own terms, and ice cream.

* * *
What's It Like to Feel Keanu Reeves's Energy Against Your Leg? John Wick 3's Mark Dacascos Explains.
Best known for playing the Chairman on Iron Chef America, Mark Dacascos talks about his role in John Wick 3.

Taika Waititi is officially directing the live-action 'Akira'

Warner Bros. has set the release date for May 21, 2021.



The live-action adaptation of Akira has been drowning in a special kind of Hollywood hell for years, with many different directors, many false starts, and many white actors attached to star. If you ask most fans of the famed cult manga and animated feature, it was probably best for everyone to just let this one die.

Taika Waititi's 'Akira' Will Take Off In Summer 2021

But Akira is not dead. It lives. Warner Bros. has announced that Taika Waititi is directing Akira. Officially. Finally. Seriously, the rumors started like two years ago. And hey, the script is co-written by Michael Golamco, who co-wrote the upcoming Netflix romantic comedy Always Be My Maybe with Randall Park and Ali Wong.

These are all very positive developments.

Karen Chee's Guide for Celebrating Heritage Month

'Late Night with Seth Meyers' writer offers some helpful DOs and DON'Ts for white people.



As you may know, May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. To celebrate the occasion properly, Late Night with Seth Meyers recently invited writer Karen Chee to share a short list of helpful Dos and Don'ts for white people who would like to join in on the Heritage Month fun.

For instance, the first one on her list is a microagression classic: "Don't ask me where I'm really from!" Unfortunately, people still need to hear this one. "Because when I say I'm from a suburb of San Francisco, I can tell you're disappointed," Chee says. "Asian American people are descendants of many different countries, which is just a polite way of saying number two. Don't say 'Ni Hao' to me."

Ah, the ni hao. Check out the full segment:

USC knew campus gynecologist was preying on Asian patients

Dr. George Tyndall is accused of sexually abusing hundreds of students over several decades.



A former campus gynecologist at the University of Southern California is accused of sexually abusing hundreds of students. Records show that after decades of complaints about Dr. George Tyndall, university administrators hired a team of medical experts to evaluate him. They came back with a disturbing report: Tyndall showed signs of "psychopathy" and preyed on vulnerable Asian students.

Despite these findings, the school did nothing.

Well, that's not entirely true. USC did not fire Dr. George Tyndall and failed to notify the Medical Board of California. But the university's lawyers did arrange a secret deal with the doctor that allowed him to resign with a substantial financial payout and a clean professional record.

They Call Us Bruce - Episode 65: They Call Us Vibrant Asians

Jeff Yang and Phil Yu present an unfiltered conversation about what's happening in Asian America.



What's up, podcast listeners? We've got another episode of our podcast They Call Us Bruce. (Almost) each week, my good friend, writer/columnist Jeff Yang and I host an unfiltered conversation about what's happening in Asian America, with a strong focus on media, entertainment and popular culture.

On this episode, we talk food, authenticity and appropriation with London journalist Angela Hui, the only East Asian person in attendance at a recent preview event for Gordon Ramsay's "vibrant Asian eating house" Lucky Cat. Her take: "It was an actual kitchen nightmare."

Atsuko's Birthday Album Recording

Sunday, May 26 at Dynasty Typewriter



If you're in Los Angeles and looking for something laughs, we have just the thing for you.

Our friend, acclaimed comedian Atsuko Okatsuka, is celebrating her birthday and recording her new comedy album, and needs some bodies in the audience. The evening will feature Daniel Franzese and Baron Vaughn, and proceeds will go to NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness). Best of all, her grandma will be serving up dumplings before the show. I mean, how can you say no to that? You can't.

It's happening this Sunday, May 26 at Dynasty Typewriter. For more info, and to purchase tickets, go here.

At First Light: The Dawning of Asian Pacific America

May 25 - October 20, 2019 at the Japanese American National Museum.



If you're in Los Angeles, check out this exhibit opening this weekend at the Japanese American National Museum. At First Light: The Dawning of Asian Pacific America is a multi-media exhibition that explores and celebrates the emergence of a politically defined Asian Pacific American consciousness and identity.

The exhibition chronicles the transformation of the un-American categorization of “Oriental” to the political identity of "Asian Pacific American" that rejected racist stereotypes, stood up for human rights, recovered lost histories, and created new cultural expressions. The exhibition draws from hundreds of thousands of photographs and more than 100 videos in the collections of VC, the first Asian Pacific American media organization in the country, which formed in Los Angeles in 1970 to capture and cultivate the newfound unity that was Asian Pacific America. In the present-day climate of xenophobia and racial profiling, At First Light seeks to strengthen current resistance and resolve by evoking the legacy of Asian Pacific American activism.

At First Light: The Dawning of Asian Pacific America opens on Saturday, May 25 at the Japanese American National Museum in Little Tokyo. For further information about the exhibition, go here.

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Introducing the 'New Agents of Atlas'
Greg Pak's new Marvel Comics series The War of the Realms: New Agents of Atlas introduces an all-new Asian superhero squad featuring the likes of Luna Snow, Silk, Shang-Chi, Amadeus Cho, and more.

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Chinese Railroad Workers Were Almost Written Out of History. Now They're Getting Their Due.
It's been 150 years since two railroads were joined together to form the first Transcontinental Railroad. At a ceremony in Utah, Chinese railroad workers were recognized for the pivotal role they played in its construction.

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In Constance Wu, Asian Americans Finally Have a Diva to Call Our Own
At last, Asian America has an ambassador in the halls of divadom.

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Why The Asian American Food Movement Complicates What We Think About Authenticity
"But is it authentic?" On the fraught term and the way the Asian American food movement complicates it.

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The Colonial Roots of Cheese Pimiento
An illustrated story about a Filipina American discovering that her favorite snack has a bloody origin story.

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How Vietnamese Americans Took Over The Nails Business: A Documentary
If you've had a manicure lately, chances are you probably had it done at a nail salon run by people of Vietnamese heritage -- in nearly every city, state and strip mall across the United States. So how did Vietnamese entrepreneurs come to dominate the multi-billion dollar nail economy?

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California's future depends on Asian American philanthropy
In order to keep California communities and neighborhoods vibrant, Asian Americans must be meaningfully engaged and active contributors.

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How Venice Boulevard keeps South Asian culture alive in Los Angeles
About 12,000 South Asians live in the surrounding neighborhoods along Venice and Washington Boulevard near Culver City, California, and there are up to 40 South Asian-owned businesses in the area.

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'Origin Story' Filmmaker Kulap Vilaysack Brings Lao Culture to Hollywood Hills

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Nico Santos writes about his personal connection to the Superstore season 4 finale
In the season finale of Superstore, something happens that impacts Mateo's life in the United States -- something familiar to actor Nico Santos, who writes about the personal impact of the episode.

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APAHM - ARTIST INTERVIEW: CHARLYNE YI
Actor/writer/musician Charlyne Yi talks about her recent album release Open Your Heart.

Angry Reader of the Week: Shalini Shankar

"Basically, I want to know what it all means."



Greetings, good people of the internet. It is 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 Shalini Shankar.

AAPI Day Against Bullying and Hate, May 18

On Vincent Chin's birthday, and everyday, stand up against bullying and hate.



Act To Change, a national nonprofit dedicated to ending bullying in the Asian American and Pacific Islander community, is mobilizing the nation around the first-ever AAPI Day Against Bullying and Hate, this Saturday, May 18 -- the birthday of Vincent Chin, who was beaten to death in a hate crime in 1982.

To declare this day, cities and other municipalities across the country have issued proclamations, resolutions, and commendations. Act To Change is also partnering with influencers, elected officials, and other nonprofit organizations to help spread the word on social media.

For further information, and to join the campaign, view the resources here.

Casting Call: Netflix is looking for Claudia Kishi

Upcoming 'Baby-Sitters Club' series seeks Japanese American actress to play fan-favorite character.



Calling Claudia Kishi! The upcoming Netflix series The Baby-Sitters Club, based on the popular book series, is searching for a young Japanese American actress to play fan favorite character Claudia Kishi.

They're currently holding auditions to find a 12-year-old Japanese American female to fill the series regular role of Claudia. According to the casting call, Claudia is "a bit of a dreamer with her head in the clouds, the result of which is that she's not the greatest student. She's ahead of the curve level cool and always arty, with a fashionable clothes, a friend and neighbor of Kristy and Mary Anne." That sounds like Claudia.

"Claudia went through a phase where she 'decided she'd rather look like a Barbie than play with one,'" the casting call continues. "Even her bedroom is a cool mess, filled with paintings collages and clippings, and everyone agrees it's the perfect place for the newly formed Baby-Sitters Club."

Architect I.M. Pei dies at 102

Former real estate developer became one of the most revered architects in the world.



I. M. Pei, the Chinese American architect who began his long career working for a New York real-estate developer and ended it as one of the most revered architects in the world, has died. He was 102.

His son Li Chung Pei said on Thursday that his father had died overnight.

Mr. Pei was probably best known for designing the East Building of the National Gallery of Art in Washington and the glass pyramid that serves as an entry for the Louvre in Paris.

More here: I.M. Pei, World-Renowned Architect, Is Dead at 102

Behold the full 'Always Be My Maybe' trailer. It is glorious.

Randall Park and Ali Wong star in the highly-anticipated Netflix romantic comedy.



Yes. Yesssssssss. We have a full trailer for Always Be My Maybe, the highly anticipated Netflix romantic comedy starring Ali Wong and Randall Park. And it is wonderful. It is beautiful. It is hilarious.

Wong and Park star as Sasha and Marcus, inseparable childhood friends. But when tragedy and hormones (and an awkward moment in the backseat of a Toyota Corolla) put a rift between them, they don't speak for 15 years. Reconnecting as adults, Sasha is now a celebrity chef opening a restaurant in San Francisco, while Marcus is a happily struggling musician still living at home and working for his dad. Though the two are reluctant to reconnect, they soon find the old sparks -- and maybe some new ones -- are there.

Check it out:

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Constance Wu Explains 'Fresh Off the Boat' Renewal Outburst: "I Had to Give Up Another Project"
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Remember the Chinese immigrants who built America's first transcontinental railroad
Friday marked the 150th anniversary of the completion of the nation's first transcontinental railroad. Chinese immigrants contributed mightily to this feat, but the historical accounts that followed often marginalized their role.

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Here's What Happened When My Mom Hid Her Cancer Diagnosis From Her Family
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My Immigrant Mom Hates When I Spend Money on Her. I Do It Anyway.
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Nothing Unites Southeast Asians Faster Than Seeing a White Man Insult Their Food
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W. Kamau Bell: Hmong-Americans redefined patriotism before my eyes
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'I see any dinosaur, I buy it': at home with the embattled owner of the Flintstone house
Florence Fang's colorful home is a landmark for many in California's Bay Area. But the town of Hillsborough is suing her, declaring the property a 'public nuisance'

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'They Don't Know Me': The Joy Luck Club's Tsai Chin Looks Back on Her 6-Decade Career
The legendary Tsai Chin talks about being mistaken for a stereotypically subservient woman early in her career, turning down Japanese-speaking roles, why she cherishes her freedom and independence, and how she feels about "The Blonde Fatso" in the White House.

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'Origin Story' Director Kulap Vilaysack Talks Uncovering Hard Truths, Asian Family Dynamics And Complexities Of Cultural Identity
An argument between a teenage Kulap Vilaysack and her mother led to a discovery of a family secret led to uncovering more truths of her entangled family tree. Vilaysak's Origin Story documents this journey of discovery.

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Maya Erskine Is About to Be Hollywood's Biggest Comedy Star
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'Fresh Off The Boat' renewed for Season 6

The Asian American family comedy will return to ABC for a historic sixth season.



The Huangs will be back! Season 6! ABC has renewed Fresh Off The Boat for the 2019-20 season.

Inspired by the best-selling memoir of food personality and provocateur Eddie Huang, the family comedy follows the adventures of the Huangs, a Taiwanese American family getting their immigrant hustle on in 1990s suburban Orlando, in pursuit of the American dream.

The single-camera comedy, executive produced by Nahnatchka Khan and Melvin Mar, stars Randall Park, Constance Wu, Hudson Yang, Forrest Wheeler, Ian Chen, Lucile Soong, Chelsea Crisp and Ray Wise.

Angry Reader of the Week: Yen Ling Shek

"Our struggles are interconnected, which means our liberation is also interconnected."



Hey, everybody! 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 Yen Ling Shek.

Dustin Nguyen promoted to series regular on 'Warrior'

Chen Tang, Celine Buckens, Miranda Raison and Maria Elena Laas join season two of Cinemax action drama.



Warrior, the Cinemax action drama from Justin Lin and Banshee co-creator Jonathan Tropper, is adding new cast members for its second season. Dustin Nguyen, who recurs as Zing in season one, has been promoted to series regular, and will also direct the sixth episode of season two. In addition, Chen Tang (Bosch), Celine Buckens (Free Rein) and Miranda Raison (Dark Heart) have joined the series regular cast, and Maria Elena Laas (Vida) will recur.

More here: 'Warrior' Casts Four For Season 2 Of Cinemax Drama Series; Promotes Dustin Nguyen To Regular

Surveillance video released in convenience store shooting

44-year-old Gurpreet Singh was working behind the counter when he was fatally shot.



In Southern California, homicide investigators have released surveillance video footage of the suspect sought in the fatal shooting of a clerk at a convenience store during a possible attempted robbery.

Video Released in Search for Gunman Who Shot, Killed Liquor Store Clerk in Downey

44-year-old Gurpreet Singh was working behind the counter at ASL Liquor and Market in Downey on Tuesday night when a man entered the store and shot him with a silver handgun. Singh died at the scene. It's unclear whether the shooter had gone to the store with the intention of robbing it.

Authorities released ten seconds of the store's surveillance footage. One shot shows the suspect entering the store wearing glasses, jeans, black gloves and a black jacket. Another shot shows the man with a gun raised at Singh. The next shot shows the gunman backing away and running from the shop with the gun still in hand.

Stop the Deportation of Cambodian Refugees

Stand with Southeast Asian mothers and join the social media action on May 10.



Cambodian American community members are facing imminent deportation in the next months. A majority of those facing deportation are children of refugees whose families survived and fled the genocide in Cambodia. This is part of an ongoing attack by the Trump administration, with a record year of 100 Cambodian community members deported in 2018, and plans to 200 Cambodian Americans each year over the next several years.

Mothers, and women overall, have led incredible efforts and continue to be at the front lines fighting to reunite with their loved ones separated by ICE. You're invited to join a social media action on the Friday before Mother's Day -- May 10 from 11 am - 2 pm PST -- to stand with Southeast Asian mothers and urge California Governor Gavin Newsom to stop the deportations and #PardonRefugees.

Here's the basic information:

'Birds of Prey' director Cathy Yan to adapt 'Sour Hearts'

Based on the short story collection by Jenny Zhang.



Hot on the heels of helming the upcoming DC movie Birds of Prey, director Cathy Yan has found her next project: A24's Sour Hearts, based on the debut short story collection by Jenny Zhang.

The movie unfolds from the perspective of a girl growing up in the outer boroughs of New York in the 1990s. With parents newly arrived from Shanghai, the family works through the unique trials of ascending to the middle class. A coming-of-age tale told with insight and humor, the story offers a sweeping perspective on the humility and heartache of the immigrant experience, as told from the point of view of children and parents.

Zhang and Yan will co-write the script.

More here: 'Birds of Prey' Director Cathy Yan Finds Next Film

See a different side of Awkwafina in 'The Farewell'

Writer/director Lulu Wang's moving family dramedy is "based on an actual lie."



Rapper and actress Awkwafina, aka Nora Lum, made a name for herself with funny-ass rhymes and scene-stealing performances in last summer's Ocean's 8 and Crazy Rich Asians. Now she's ready to make you cry.

Like, a lot.

In The Farewell, Awkwafina plays Billi, a New Yorker who travels back to China when she learns that her grandmother has been diagnosed with terminal cancer. The problem: grandma has no idea that she's dying. Her family has decided not to tell her, fearing that the knowledge would accelerate her health's decline. (It's a Chinese thing.) Instead, under the guise of a cousin's wedding, the family gathers to say their final goodbye.

Here's the newly released trailer:

Dreams diverge in So Yun Um's 'Liquor Store Babies'

Short documentary explores the lives and dreams of two liquor store owners and their children.



So Yun Um's personal short documentary Liquor Store Babies explores the intersecting lives of two friends and their fathers, each of whom own liquor stores, amidst the unpredictable backdrop of Los Angeles.

The five-minute documentary draws from the director's true-life experience, contrasting two sides of the same coin. As the lives of So, her friend Danny, and their Korean American parents begin to diverge, their differences only work to strengthen their bonds. Liquor Store Babies is a candid and real look at how the lives and dreams of liquor store owners and their children are cyclical and ever connected to one another.

Produced through Visual Communications' 2018 Armed with a Camera program, Liquor Store Babies premiered at the 2018 Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival and subsequently screened at the Palm Springs International Film Festival, San Diego Asian American Film Festival and more.

We're pleased to present the online premiere of Liquor Store Babies.

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Co-workers keep mixing up people of color in the office. It’s more than a mistake.
When people can’t tell their co-workers of color apart, it's a constant reminder that you're an outsider.

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She’s Asian and female. But she’s not me.
"If you just cringed, chuckled or rolled your eyes, I’ve been there. These instances are rarely intentional, and can be more embarrassing for the person who made the error than for me. Sometimes it’s genuinely funny. Other times, it’s just awkward. It took me years to realize that it also stings."

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How Chinese American Women Changed U.S. Labor History
Women workers and organizers remember staging the massive 1982 Garment Strike in Chinatown

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If ABC Cancels Fresh Off the Boat, It Cancels the Most Adorable Show on TV
Fresh Off the Boat is the most adorable show on television -- "the rare sitcom that manages to be cute without ever turning cloying." The show awaits word from ABC about a sixth season.

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13 Asian American & Pacific Islander Authors On The First Time They Saw Themselves In A Book
13 Asian American and Pacific Islander authors talk about the first time they saw themselves in a book.

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What It’s Like To Be Asian In A TV Writers Room
To celebrate the Asian writers behind some of your favorite television shows, Bustle spoke to a handful of gamechangers rewriting the script in Hollywood right now.

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'Warrior': Inside the Episode That Pits Kung-Fu Fighters Against Gunslinging Outlaws
Director Kevin Tancharoen and writer Kenneth Lin discuss fight logistics, representation, and identity in the latest groundbreaking episode of Cinemax's action drama Warrior.

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Meet Marvel's Secret Weapon: 'Avengers: Endgame' Executive Producer Trinh Tran
As an executive producer on The Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame, Marvel's Trinh Tran knows a thing or two about wrangling superheroes, on and off screen.

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Ming-Na Wen, Nancy Kwan Talk Hollywood's New "Awareness" on Diversity: "It's Opening Up"
Reuniting for the first time in 18 years, the former ER co-stars discuss their mother-daughter dynamic and Kwan's "amazing connection" to Crazy Rich Asians and each major studio film with an all-Asian cast.

Angry Reader of the Week: Vinny Chhibber

"Actor, storyteller, creative activist and avid FC Barcelona fan."



Greetings, good people of the internet! 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 Vinny Chhibber.

Google Doodle celebrates artist Ruth Asawa

Acclaimed Japanese American artist was known intricate wire sculptures and works on paper.



As you you may know, May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. To kick off the celebration, Google dedicated its iconic home page Doodle on Wednesday to Ruth Asawa, a Japanese American artist who overcame discrimination during World War II to become a nationally renowned sculptor of wire forms and an arts educator who believed "art will make people better."

More here: May 1, 2019: Celebrating Ruth Asawa

Asians on TV: Do Networks Make the Grade?

Asian Pacific American Media Coalition releases annual diversity Report Card; Fox gets an "F."



Every year, the Asian Pacific American Media Coalition (APAMC) issues "report cards" to the top four television networks grading their progress toward diversity and inclusion of Asian Americans on the air and behind the scenes. This year's report card, evaluating the past 2017-18 season, gives ABC high marks, while Fox gets a failing grade of "F." And you know when it comes to grades, Asians are not messing around.

Since APAMC began meeting with the networks in 1999 to advocate for greater diversity and inclusion of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, there have been gradual (though inconsistent) increases in the number of Asian Americans represented in the categories of Actors (regular and recurring roles in prime time), Unscripted (host/judges and contestants), Writers/Producers, Directors, and Program Development.

This year, they've added a separate grade for each network on its Diversity Department's Relationship with the APAMC, which previously had been included within the "Commitment to Diversity" category. This takes into account the APAMC's dealings with each network's Diversity department as well as the timeliness and quality of data the network provides. I guess you don't add a category like this if your dealings are going particularly well.

Here's the report card for the four networks:

Who are the Most Influential AAPIs of 2019?

Gold House's A100 List honors the most impactful Asians and Asian American & Pacific Islanders in culture.



In celebration of AAPI Heritage Month, Gold House has announced its second annual A100 List honoring the most influential Asians and Asian American & Pacific Islanders in American culture.

The 2019 List honors 100 of "the most esteemed and impactful Asians in media and entertainment, fashion and lifestyle, technology, business, and social activism and politics from the past year," according to Gold House's press release. "These trailblazers are illuminating the path to a future of more inclusion and diverse impact in high positions across various professional sectors."

This year's honorees include creative voices and athletes such as Awkwafina, BTS, Darren Criss, Hasan Minhaj, Marie Kondo, Jon M. Chu, Naomi Osaka, and Sandra Oh; founders and entrepreneurs such as Rise CEO & Founder Amanda Nguyen, chef David Chang and Twitch Co-Founder Kevin Lin; and leaders such as U.S. Senator Kamala Harris, Planned Parenthood President Leana Wen, and Allure Editor-in-Chief Michelle Lee.

Additionally, for the first time, Gold House is launching the A1, a vote among the A100 for the single most impactful Asian in culture from the last year. Votes may be submitted at goldhouse.org/a1 until May 15; the A1 will be announced at the end of May.

Here's the list of this year's honorees: