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.
In this this episode, we welcome the legendary Tsai Chin, star of the feature film Lucky Grandma, along with writer/director Sasie Sealy and co-writer Angela Cheng. We discuss why a 85-year-old Chinese grandma was the perfect star for a Chinatown gangster caper. Special thanks to our producer Nick Song for resurrecting and salvaging this episode from audio limbo.
And Other Things to Know From Angry Asian America.
Racist Cyclist Hurls Slurs at Asian Man For Honking
Look! Another guy caught on video doing racist shit! This incident, filmed in Brooklyn, was sparked when an Asian motorist, Zane Tang, honked at a cyclist because he was swerving in the middle of the road. The guy on the bike responded by flipping him off, brake checking and hitting Tang's vehicle, then getting into a verbal altercation when Tang got out of the car. The guy launched into a racist and homophobic tirade, telling Tang, "You yellow bitches shouldn't be here, this is my country, I was born here," and "You guys are the weakest race on the planet," among other things. Tang posted the video to Facebook, where it unsurprisingly went viral. [UPDATE: The cyclist has been identified as Harry Tzianakis, who apparently has a history of anti-Asian harassment in the area.] Yes, internet. You know what to do.
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All 50 States Have Issued Warnings About Mysterious Packages of Seeds
All 50 states have now issued warnings about mysterious, unsolicited packages of seeds that people across the nation have received in the mail in recent weeks. The packages appear to be coming from China, which has prompted fears that the seeds could be some sort of invasive plant species. And that's how those sneaky bastards get us! A literal attack on American soil! Actually, the leading theory is that the seeds are part of a "brushing scam" -- when third-party sellers send people items they didn't order and write glowing product reviews on their behalf. It's a thing. I don't know, they look like sunflower seeds.
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NAVARRO: "The China virus. The CCP virus."@JohnBerman: "You know what? We let you say that once, Peter. Please don't say that again on this show."
CNN Cuts Off Trump Adviser for Saying "China Virus"
CNN host John Berman shut down White House economic adviser Peter Navarro for repeatedly referring to COVID-10 as the "China virus" during an interview on Wednesday morning -- noting that Asian Americans have told the network they have become "the source of crimes" amid the pandemic.
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Adaptation of 'Number One Chinese Restaurant in the Works
Kerry Washington's Simpson Street Productions is developing an adaptation of Number One Chinese Restaurant, based on Lillian Li's novel of the same name. Li and writer/director Jessica Yu are attached to work on the series. The ensemble drama follows a Chinese family's obsession over legacy, power and money. The restaurant in question is inhabited by waiters and kitchen staff who have been fighting, loving, and aging within its walls for decades. When disaster strikes, this working family's controlled chaos is set loose, forcing each character to confront the conflicts that fast-paced restaurant life has kept at bay.
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Definition Please
Check out the trailer for Definition Please, the feature directorial debut of Sujata Day, who also wrote, produced and stars in the film. It's been 15 years since Monica Chowdry won the national Spelling Bee, and life hasn't quite panned out as expected for the young champion. When her estranged older brother returns home to help care for their sick mother, the siblings must find a way to reconcile in this late bloomer coming-of-age family dramedy. Definition Please will have its virtual world premiere at the Bentonville Film Festival in August.
And Other Things to Know From Angry Asian America.
89-Year-Old Woman Slapped In Face, Set On Fire In Brooklyn
What is wrong with people? In New York, police are looking for two men accused of slapping an 89-year-old Asian woman and setting her shirt on fire. The incident happened on July 14 in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn. Police said the suspects approached the victim and slapped her in the face. When she moved away, they allegedly lit her shirt on fire with a match or lighter, then ran away. Fortunately, the woman didn't suffer any serious injuries. Anyone with information about the attack is asked to call the NYPD;s Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). You can also submit a tip via their website or on Twitter, @NYPDTips.
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Did This Good Morning America Host Interviewing Kristina Wong... Think She Was Talking to Ali Wong?
Comedian and performance artist Kristina Wong was a guest on Good Morning America to talk about her incredible efforts with the "Auntie Sewing Squad," which has created and distributed thousands of masks for vulnerable communities. Awesome, right? Except... the opening moments of the interview seem to indicate that host Amy Robach thought she was talking to comedian Ali Wong. Am I tripping?
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Man arrested for incidents targeting Asians in Torrance, West Carson
Torrance again. Last week, a man was arrested on assault and vandalism charges after being accused of two attacks on an Asian man and a Japanese restaurant this month. 36-year-old Aaron Sutton Angeles allegedly approached an Asian man on the street and asked him multiple times if he was Asian before attacking him with a knife. Upon his arrest, deputies learned Angeles was also suspected of vandalizing a nearby Japanese restaurant a day before the assault, when he was seen throwing a rock through the restaurant's window. He was reportedly also overheard saying, "The Japanese caused 9-11." Yeah.
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After Lesko mispronounces Pramila Jayapal's name the first time, she butchers the pronunciation the second time and Jayapal was not having it.@RepJayapal: "Jayapal, if you're going to say my name, please say it right. It's Jayapal." pic.twitter.com/hiw0yEDbz6
Rep. Jayapal Asks Colleague to Properly Pronounce Her Name
It's pronounced JYE-ah-paul. Rep. Pramila Jayapal interrupted Rep. Debbie Lesko to correct how Lesko pronounced her name during a Judiciary Committee hearing Tuesday about protests and the use of federal intervention in major cities. "Jayapal," she said. "If you're going to say my name, please say it right. It's Jayapal." You're damn right it is. Make them say your name. Make them say it right.
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The Master of Martial Arts Battles an Army in Arthur Adams' 'Shang-Chi' #1 Cover
Here's a preview of the cover of Marvel Comics' upcoming new Shang-Chi series, written by Gene Luen Yang with art by Dike Ruan. The awesome cover art for the first issue, above, is by industry legend Arthur Adams. Shang-Chi #1 hits shelves in September.
And Other Things to Know From Angry Asian America.
Baseball Bat Attacker First Accused Asian Muni Driver of Being COVID-19 Positive
Last week in San Francisco, when a bus operator asked three passengers to wear masks aboard the bus, one of the men spat at the driver -- who is Asian -- called him racial slurs and accused him of having coronavirus, before attacking him with a baseball bat. When the driver managed to grab hold of the bat, the man then punched the driver twice in the face. The driver suffered a fractured finger, bruises and pain where he was struck. While bus union insists this was a hate crime, San Francisco police are saying the incident did not appear to be racially motivated. What?
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Caught on Camera: Woman Calls Postal Worker a "Chink"
In Los Altos, California, a woman was caught on camera calling an Asian American postal employee a "chink." In the video, shot by another customer, the woman yells at the USPS worker, "Can you just do your job?! It's simple!" After some more shouting the woman can be heard saying "chink" under her breath. Bystanders in line quickly jump in to denounce the slur. A few seconds later, the woman looks directly into the phone camera and says "chink" again, much louder, and storms out. And now that it's blown up, be on the lookout for the inevitable tearful apology, in which the woman claims she was "having a bad day," and that's "not who she is."
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‘Daredevil’ Actor Peter Shinkoda Claims Jeph Loeb Made Anti-Asian Comments Daredevil actor Peter Shinkoda took a stand on Sunday during #SaveDaredevilCon as he claimed that former head of Marvel Television Jeph Loeb said anti-Asian comments during the production of the series. Shinkoda, who played Nobu Yoshioka, talked about how a potential storyline delving into his character's relationship with Madame Gao (Wai Ching Ho) got scrapped. "Jeph Loeb told the writers room not to write for Nobu and Gao," Shinkoda said. "He said, 'Nobody cares about Chinese people and Asian people. There were three previous Marvel movies, a trilogy called Blade that was made where Wesley Snipes killed 200 Asians each movie. Nobody gives a shit so don't write about Nobu and Gao.'" As a result, the storyline was dropped. From what I remember about Daredevil... yeah, all this sounds about right.
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SAG-AFTRA Asian American Anti-Hate PSA
In this new public service announcement, SAG-AFTRA members from the Asian American community raise their voices about the current social climate in the country and call for a change.
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The Cowboy Bebop Soundtrack is Now Streaming on Spotify
The entire series soundtrack of Shinichirō Watanabe's Cowboy Bebop, composed by Yoko Kanno, is now available on Spotify. Fans know what's up. (If you want to watch or re-watch the series, it's available on Hulu.)
Three Portraits of Bruce Lee
Nearly 50 years after his death, the legend of actor and martial artist Bruce Lee has grown into a massive tale. In the United States, Hong Kong, and everywhere in between, he has gained renown as a polymath and icon of near-peerless popularity. But how much of Lee’s story is true? And how much does that even matter?
Traveling while Asian during the pandemic
"I hope we don't get sick from these chinks." With the increase of reports of anti-Asian hate across the world, many Asian travelers are feeling more vulnerable than ever -- in their own neighborhoods and on the road. CNN talked to Asians who travel for a living to see how they have been affected by the pandemic.
BoJack Horseman's Diane Problem Is Now an Industry Problem
From Big Mouth to The Simpsons, high-profile white voice actors are expressing regret and relinquishing their roles as characters of color. But the departures have caused divisions among their peers.
Anti-Asian and anti-Black racial housing covenants can still be found in the Bay Area. Why?
Racial covenants were common in the U.S. during the 1930s and 1940s, embedded in property deeds as a way to keep nonwhite people from purchasing or occupying land. While such convenants may be perceived as a relic of the past, home buyers in the Bay Area are still experiencing racism as a barrier to housing.
When It Comes to a Recipe, What's in a Name?
What do we lose when paratha is called "flaky bread," or bibimbap a "rice bowl"? What we call a dish can either ground it in a particular culinary history, or it can remove a dish from that culture entirely. Recipe developers explain why names matter.
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Indian Matchmaking Is Just Telling It Like It Is
"At least on this show, people state things in reflection of the warts-and-all truth. Hindus are largely casteist. Much of India, today, leans Hindu supremacist. Marriage is a business and a game, whether in India or America, and grotesque from many angles."
And Other Things to Know From Angry Asian America.
President McRobbie addresses IU’s WWII-era Japanese American student ban
This week, Indiana University formally apologized for a World War II-era policy banning admission of Japanese American students between 1942 and 1945. The official apology, issued in a letter from President Michael McRobbie, follows several years of advocacy and a petition delivered to the university in February. The statement expresses regret that the university "ailed to recognize the needs of the 12 Japanese American students who were seeking a new academic home during a time when they were unjustly excluded and removed from their home institutions, in violation of their civil rights." McRobbie also outlines several official actions the university will take to address the issue. Read the letter here.
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Suspect in 'racially motivated' attack on elderly man charged with assault
In Vancouver, a man has been charged in the racially motivated assault of an elderly Asian man. Cameras caught Jamie Allen Bezanson shoving the 92-year old victim, who suffers from severe dementia, in a convenience store on March 13. Store employees were trying to help the victim when the suspect started shouting anti-Asian remarks. The altercation continued outside, where the Bezanson shoved the victim, who fell to the ground and hit his head. Bezanson has been charged with one count of assault. I don't know, I feel like there should be another separate charge for being a Totally Despicable Racist Piece of Shit.
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Police, FBI Investigating Death of Professional Poker Player Susie Zhao
Police in Michigan have identified the woman whose badly burned body was found in a state recreation area as professional poker player The body was discovered at a parking area near the Pontiac Lake Trail the morning of July 13, according to police. Investigators say the case could be connected to Zhao's travels in the poker circuit around the country, or could be the result of meeting someone in the area when she returned recently. Anyone with information or who might have seen Zhao between July 11 and 13 is asked to contact the White Lake Township Police Department at 248-698-4400.
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Two Teens Charged in Murder of Arizona State University Professor
Two teenagers have been charged with murder in the death of an Arizona State University professor who was reported missing in March. Junseok Chae, an associate dean for research and an engineering professor, was reported missing on March 25 after he did not return home from work. The break in the case came after police in Shreveport, Louisiana, responding to a suspicious vehicle call, encountered Javian Ezell and Gabrielle Austin, both 18, and determined they were in Chae's car. Upon further investigation, deputies determined that Chae was killed at an intersection north of Phoenix, and his body was placed in a dumpster. Ezell and Austin were extradited to Arizona, where they were arrested on July 15 and charged with first-degree murder, armed robbery and theft of means of transportation.
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Promotional Image For Disney’s 'Raya and the Last Dragon' Has Debuted
Disney has released the first promotional image for the upcoming animated feature Raya and the Last Dragon, giving us our first good look at the title character. Raya and the Last Dragon will be an epic fantasy adventure with southeast Asian themes, set in a realm called Lumandra, described as "a reimagined earth inhabited by an ancient civilization." Five clans form the land of the dragon, and Raya is determined to find the last dragon. Featuring the voices of Cassie Steele and Awkwafina, the film is due out in theaters on March 12, 2021.
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.
In this special crossover episode, we join forces with Becoming Less Racist: Lighting the Path to Anti-Racism with host Simran Jeet Singh. We talk about anti-Asian racism in the time of COVID, the model minority myth, and The Good, The Bad and The WTF of becoming less racist.
And Other Things to Know From Angry Asian America.
DA Charges Suspect With Bias-Motivated Crime After Attack On Sikh Man
Nearly three months after Lakhwant Singh was brutally assaulted in Lakewood, Colorado, the district attorney has finally decided to add a hate crime charge against his assailant. Eric Breemen verbally accosted Mr. Singh and his wife in their store, repeatedly telling them both to "go back to your country," before running over Mr. Singh with his car and leaving him for dead. He later described Mr. Singh as an "older Arab" to the officers who arrested him. Up until this week, the Jefferson County District Attorney's Office publicly stated they didn't believe the assault on Mr. Singh was biased, because "go back to your country" is "not racial." I don't know, I thought it was pretty damn racial. But I guess they changed their minds. Moving forward, Breemen will be charged with multiple counts -- now including a bias-motivated crime.
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Fort Hood Soldier's Remains Are Found At A Nearby Lake
Police are investigating the death of a Fort Hood soldier whose body was found at a nearby lake -- the third service member from the Texas base to be found dead in the past month. Pvt. Mejhor Morta was found unresponsive on July 17 in the area of Stillhouse Hollow Lake. His death is currently being investigated by the Bell County Sheriff's Department. Preliminary autopsy results show the cause of death is "consistent with drowning." Police officials have not said whether they consider Morta's death to be suspicious, or if it might be connected in any way to the two other deaths, but three deaths at the same base is not normal.
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Austin DJ says he was threatened, called anti-Asian slur near UT campus
In Austin, G. Michael Pendon — the artist better known as DJ Jester, the Filipino Fist -- was out for a nighttime bike ride on Saturday near the University of Texas campus when he was repeatedly harassed by a group in a pickup truck, who threatened him and called him racist and homophobic slurs. Thankfully, he wasn't hurt. The Austin Police Department says there's an open investigation into Pendon's report. Meanwhile, Pendon is seeking security camera footage from the condo development and nearby businesses to help identify the men who harassed him.
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100 Miles Apart
In this documentary short by Garveaux Sibulboro, a love story: Two newly engaged Filipino American healthcare workers are forced to shelter in place 100 miles away from each other during the Coronavirus pandemic as one nurse volunteers to work a COVID unit, leaving their immediate future in ambiguity.
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Race & Storytelling: Asian American Voices
SAG-AFTRA hosted a livestream panel discussion, "Race & Storytelling: Asian American Voices," featuring veteran actor Clyde Kusatsu, The Good Doctor's Christina Chang, ABC News' Nightline co-anchor Juju Chang, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend's Parvesh Cheena, Fresh Off The Boat's Hudson Yang, casting director Leslie Woo, and moderator Jeff Yang. They discussed the ways in which better representation and three-dimensional portrayals of Asian American characters can counter stereotypes and result in larger societal impact.
And Other Things to Know From Angry Asian America.
Alan Yang Teams With Ad Council To Racism Against Asians During COVID-19
As we all know, there's been a surge in racism against Asians Americans since the start of the coronavirus pandemic. To combat the wave of harassment and discrimination Tigertail director and Master of None co-creator Alan Yang has partnered with the Ad Council's Emmy-winning "Love Has No Labels" for a new PSA titled "Fight the Virus. Fight the Bias," which looks to dispel racism against the Asian American community.
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Little noticed, Filipino Americans are dying of COVID-19 at an alarming rate
For a variety of reasons, Filipino Americans have been hit hard by the novel coronavirus. People with roots in the Philippines account for about one-quarter of the Asian Americans in California, yet data shows that Filipino Americans account for at least 35% of COVID-19 deaths in the state's Asian population.
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Man Arrested For Racist Attack on Calgary Woman
And up in Canada... Calgary police arrested a man on Sunday after a video surfaced of him spitting on an Asian woman and using a racial slur against her. The video shows the woman, who identified herself as Jessica Lau on Instagram, being filmed from behind while longboarding along a park path. Moments later, a cyclist coming from the opposite direction spits at Lau and calls her a "fucking chink." The cyclist was later identified as Justin Williams, who was reportedly arrested with charges pending. According to police, it's too soon to say whether the incident will be charged as a hate crime (really?) but it could also possibly be a case of aggravated assault due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Hey Canada, stop trying to top our American racism.
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Woks for Washington
"Woks for Washington aims to support the Asian restaurant community in the DC area during COVID-19 by purchasing and delivering meals from restaurants to essential workers. Preserving Asian cuisine serves as a major way for the Asian community to continue to share what makes us so diverse with the rest of the world, since it's often one of the easiest and most palatable ways (pun intended) in which people can experience our culture. This is an effort to help preserve Asian American culture and cuisine, while supporting the heroes keeping our families safe." Find out more at woksforwashington.com.
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HIFF @ Home Summer Fest
The Hawaii International Film Festival presents its first-ever HIFF@Home Summer Fest, a mini film festival available entirely online. Scheduled for August 7-14, they've got a killer lineup of the latest award-winning films fresh from the film festival circuit. Titles include Alice Gu's Donut King, Shiro Tokiwa The First Supper, Yi Chen's First Vote, Unjoo Moon's I Am Woman and Hong Khaou's Monsoon, among many others. A Summer Fest Pass is $40 and gets you online access to the full slate of films. For more information, go here.
And Other Things to Know From Angry Asian America.
Fight caught on camera after restaurant customer tells worker 'get back to China'
In Carmichael, California, a customer at a BurgerIM restaurant location was caught on camera starting a fight, yelling racial slurs and throwing a drink at the employee working behind the counter. But the employee, Stephen Tran, wasn't taking that shit. He leapt over the counter and started throwing punches at the guy. Video of the incident was recorded on the store's camera, but there's no audio. According to Tran, the man refused to stand outside to wait for his food, then said, "Fuck you and your chinky policy," told him to go "back to China" and other racial slurs, before throwing his cup. I'm not condoning violence... but sometimes you have to jump over a counter to make a damn point.
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We are United in our effort to defeat the Invisible China Virus, and many people say that it is Patriotic to wear a face mask when you can’t socially distance. There is nobody more Patriotic than me, your favorite President! pic.twitter.com/iQOd1whktN
"We are United in our effort to defeat the Invisible China Virus..."
This fucking guy finally suggests that wearing a mask might be a good idea (under the ridiculous pretense of "patriotism")... while in the same breath still being unsurprisingly racist, referring to the "Invisible China Virus."
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Trader Joe's Working To Remove Product Branding Criticized As Racist
Grocery chain Trader Joe's announced Monday that it will eliminate "ethnic" product names following criticism that the branding perpetuates harmful stereotypes. An online petition is calling for the removal of racist packaging, including "Trader Ming's" for Chinese food, "Arabian Joe" for Middle Eastern foods, "Trader José" for Mexican foods, "Trader Giotto's" for Italian food and "Trader Joe San" for Japanese cuisine.
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Filipino Nurses: New York's Frontliners
"An estimated 150,000 Filipino nurses work in the U.S., earning up to 30 times more than they could back home. But at what cost? Many nurses work long hours, some juggling multiple jobs to support their families. Others are exploited, intimidated and forced into indentured labour. Now Filipino nurses are on the front lines of New York's COVID-19 crisis, some losing their lives as they battle to keep Americans alive. Meanwhile, the Philippines is facing a dire shortage of medical workers at this critical time. 101 East investigates the price of chasing the American Dream."
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Indian Matchmaking hints at happily ever after. Did the couples last?
SPOILERS! Netflix's Indian Matchmaking follows Sima Taparia, who offers her traditional matchmaking services in today’s world of hyphenated identities, niche dating apps and career-driven women. Many of the storylines in the series wrap up with a hint at happily ever after. But did these couples last? The Los Angeles Times checked in with each of the arranged matches via email to see if the couples remained together.
I’m Asian American. The pandemic showed me why black people feel so unsafe.
"The pandemic has made me more aware of racism — how it bubbles beneath the surface of everyday life and can erupt at any time, even in a cosmopolitan place like New York. It also has given me a new sense of some of the anxiety that black people face on a regular basis."
What We Can Learn From Bruce Lee's Fight Scenes
A closer look at Bruce Lee's biggest movies -- now available in a new Criterion Collection box set -- reveals the many dimensions of a man best known as a fierce action hero.
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 facilitate a deep appreciation of an Asian American icon: Claudia Kishi of The Baby-Sitters Club. We welcome Naia Cucukov, executive producer of the new Netflix series; Jade Chang, writer of "Claudia and Mean Janine"; and Sue Ding, director of the documentary short The Claudia Kishi Club.
And Other Things to Know From Angry Asian America.
A comedian’s tour was canceled. So she started the Auntie Sewing Squad.
Los Angeles comedian Kristina Wong was planning to take her new one-woman show on tour in the spring when it was suddenly canceled because of the swiftly spreading novel coronavirus. Wanting to put her time to good use, she reached out to the homeless population in her community and donated tents and air mattresses, and also paid to have two washing stations installed so people could keep their hands clean. Then a friend showed her a news story in March about Los Angeles-area hospitals pleading for face masks. Wong knew it was time to pull out her Hello Kitty sewing machine and leftover fabric scraps.
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Trump administration rescinds foreign students rule
The Trump administration on Tuesday rescinded a policy that would have stripped visas from international students whose courses move exclusively online amid the coronavirus pandemic. The move comes after the policy announcement last week sparked a flurry of litigation, beginning with a suit brought by Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, followed by California's public colleges and later a coalition of 17 states, among other challenges.
Shang-Chi Concept Art
This is totally unofficial, but still kind of interesting. As we all know, Shang-Chi will make his cinematic debut in next year's Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. While we've nearly nothing of what Simu Liu will look like as the Master of Kung Fu, Marvel Studios' co-founder and former Co-Head of Visual Development Charlie Wen recently shared his own unofficial fan design for Shang Chi. I'm not crazy about the head gear.
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Kelly Marie Tran Boards 'Monsterland' Anthology Series at Hulu
Kelly Marie Tran, best known for playing Rose Tico in Star Wars, has signed on to appear on Hulu's upcoming anthology series Monsterland. Based on the collection of stories from Nathan Ballingrud, the eight-episode series will feature encounters with mermaids, fallen angels, and other strange beasts which drive broken people to desperate acts. According to Variety, Tran will play the character of Lauren in an episode titled "Iron River, MI." Her character has just returned to her small hometown to be married. Lauren managed to build a new life for herself after her best friend, Elena, went missing when they were 16.
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'Ravi Patel's Pursuit of Happiness' Moves To HBO Max, Gets Premiere Date
The CNN Original Series Ravi Patel's Pursuit of Happiness is a four-part buddy comedy docuseries that follows actor/documentarian/philanthropist Ravi Patel as he travels the world seeking answers surrounding life's universal questions. At each stop throughout his journey, Patel is joined by a friend or family member, with whom he shares a big conflict or question about life. Driven by an obsession to constantly learn and grow, the series offers an unfiltered look at Ravi's personal struggles with each topic and the earnest comparison of social norms domestic and abroad. Ravi Patel's Pursuit of Happiness premieres August 27 on HBO Max.
And Other Things to Know From Angry Asian America.
Grant Imahara, Host of 'MythBusters' and 'White Rabbit Project,' Dies at 49
Grant Imahara, an electrical engineer and roboticist who co-hosted the popular TV science show MythBusters and Netflix's White Rabbit Project, has died following a brain aneurysm. He was 49. On MythBusters, Imahara used his technical expertise to design and build robots for the show and also operated the computers and electronics needed to test myths. As one of the few Asian American faces on television, he was a bright light for a lot of viewers who were inspired to pursue their interests science and technology. Rest in peace.
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N.J. Police Chief Accused of Making Bigoted, Sexist Comments Steps Down
A New Jersey police chief accused of making derogatory comments about the nation's first Sikh attorney general and the state's first Asian American county prosecutor is stepping down. On July 4, an audio recording was posted to YouTube in which Trigo allegedly says former acting Union County Prosecutor Grace Park -- the first Asian American county prosecutor in New Jersey -- "is pretty hot" and "she got wide ones." Trigo also allegedly refers to New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal, the nation's first Sikh state attorney general, as "that fucking guy with the turban" and says, "I wanna pull him like a top." Yeah, get this guy the fuck out.
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Business owner targeted with death threats after buying Black Lives Matter billboard
A Houston business owner is facing backlash after purchasing a Black Lives Matter billboard in Houston. Le Hoang Nguyen, who is Vietnamese American, says he stands in solidarity of Black people and those who face racism in America. So he used his personal funds to purchase a bilingual billboard, located in southwest Houston, declaring public support of Black Lives Matter. But now he's facing backlash from people calling for a boycott of his business, and even calls for his lynching -- from his own Vietnamese community.
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'Dungeons & Dragons' Book 'Oriental Adventures' Gets a Disclaimer
"We... recognize that some of the legacy content available on this website does not reflect the values of the 'Dungeons & Dragons' franchise today." Yeah, no shit. The company behind the role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons has added a disclaimer to old titles on its online marketplaces -- most notably "Oriental Adventures," a book originally published in 1985 that has long been criticized by Asian fans. I'm not into role playing games, but I've been hearing about "Oriental Adventures" for years. It took this long to include a friggin' disclaimer... but how about just discontinuing the damn thing? I think the gamers will be okay.
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Daniel Dae Kim Attached to Produce, Star in Rom-Com 'A Sweet Mess'
Daniel Dae Kim will produce and star in the film adaptation of the new novel A Sweet Mess a romantic comedy from writer Jayci Lee. The novel follows a pampered socialite turned small-town baker, who loves her secluded life, but a cake mix-up and a jaded celebrity food critic threatens her hard-won freedom. The fix? Go to California's wine country and guest star on the critic's cooking show. Kim's 3AD banner will produce. Somehow, this will be the first time in DDK's three-decade career where he'll be playing the romantic lead in a feature film.
And Other Things to Know From Angry Asian America.
Tammy Duckworth Bursts Into VP Contention
"Tammy Duckworth is no longer an afterthought in the Democratic veepstakes. The Illinois senator and Purple Heart recipient has landed squarely in the conversation after a high-profile clash with Tucker Carlson last week and her advocacy against politicization of the military in the weeks prior. The attention hasn't escaped Biden's vetting team. It has stepped up information-gathering on Duckworth recently, scrutinizing her legislative record and talking to her colleagues, according to three sources familiar with the matter."
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Michael Lofthouse Resigns as CEO of Solid8 After Racist Video
Michael Lofthouse, that asshole who was caught on camera harassing an Asian American family with racist remarks at a restaurant, is reportedly resigning from his position as the head of the tech startup Solid8, according to a statement to Fox Business. I find this this rather funny, considering that internet research has turned up the fact that Solid8 is basically a company of one employee, run out of this guy's house. Who the hell got into their head that this dude was the "CEO" of anything? What's also hilarious is Lofthouse claiming that in addition to resigning, he has "enrolled in an anti-racist program with immediate effect." I'm sorry, but what in the hell is an "anti-racist" program? Is it a Learning Annex class? Is it like rehab? Sounds like a lot of bullshit.
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Two-thirds of Asian American health, food workers fighting COVID-19 are immigrants
Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders who are immigrants are critical in supporting essential industries during the COVID-19 crisis, particularly in the health care and food supply industries, where more than two-thirds of AAPIs helping fight the virus are immigrants, according to data released late last month.
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Bath and Body Works Employee Fired After Yelling 'Fuck Donald Trump' at Customer
An employee at a Bath and Body Works in Arizona was out of a job last week after cursing at a man wearing a "Trump 2020" face mask. Jeremiah Cota, a strategic initiatives director for the Trump Victory Committee, was walking past the store at a shopping center in Scottsdale, when the employee -- a manager named Karren -- allegedly told him, "Fuck Trump." After Cota tweeted about the incident, Bath and Body Works responded... and Karren was apparently out of a job. Thank you for your service, and where do I donate to the GoFundMe?
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Cardi B Used a Racial Slur To Describe Her Daughter's Eyes
Over the weekend on social media, Cardi B posted a photo of her daughter and commented that she had "chinky eyes." Let's just let that sit for a moment. She said it so casually, you have to assume... she had no idea how offensive it was? Fans jumped in to educate the rapper and explained that the term is considered to be a racial slur. Catching wind of the backlash, Cardi took to Twitter to admit that she "didn't know" the term was offensive. Seriously? How, in the year of our Lord 2020, do people now know that "chinky" is a damn slur?
