Man Makes COVID-19 Related Anti-Asian Remarks and Breaks Woman's Cell Phone
In Queens, police are looking for a man wanted in connection with a racist attack on an Asian woman in Rego Park last weekend. On Sunday morning, a man made coronavirus-related anti-Asian statements to a 36-year-old woman. The woman then tried to use her cell phone to take a photo of the man, but he slapped it out of her hand, causing it to fall to the ground and shatter. Then the man ran off. Real brave, asshole.
Director Jon M. Chu 'Disgusted' By 'Crazy Rich Asians’ Sequels Casting Scam
A Twitter user named Alan Baltes, claiming to be an actor and casting associate, posted a notice saying that the supposed Crazy Rich Asians sequels, China Rich Girlfriend and Rich People Problems, were casting Asian actors, ages 20s through 40s, for lead roles via "live Zoom auditions." Director Jon M. Chu says they haven't started casting yet, the casting call is bogus, and this scam targeting hopeful Asian actors is "disgusting."
Koreatown's Restaurants Struggle to Survive During Pandemic
Since California's dining room shutdown began in mid-March, the restaurants and bars in Los Angeles' Koreatown have struggled alongside the rest of the restaurant industry hoping to come out on the other side of the pandemic. Unlike Manhattan's Koreatown, which is dominated by corporate ownership, LA's Koreatown is a mosaic of small businesses, so most have chosen to stay open to earn whatever revenue they can by offering pickup, delivery, or both.
Fighting COVID-19 Anti-Asian Racism with Research
Chuck Liu is a clinical psychologist and researcher at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa, where his team is launching a study examining the effects of COVID-19 stressors on the mental health of both Asian Americans and the broader population to help understand the formation and impact of racism during this critical time. It's a unique study that looks not just at COVID-related racism and its effects on Asians, but tries to understand the factors that shape racist anti-Asian attitudes among non-Asians as well. However, this is a large study with 3000 participants and five waves of data recruitment, so they're raising funds and could use your help. Find out more here.
Watch Over 50 Asian American Documentaries on Public Television in May
In honor of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month this May, World Channel will showcase the stories of Asians and Pacific Islanders in the U.S. with 52 documentary films. With themes of social justice and courage, these films highlight the myriad of ways in which Asian Pacific Americans have triumphed and impacted history.