Anti-Asian Racism Isn't New; It's Just Got the Green Light

Things to Know From Angry Asian America



When Xenophobia Spreads Like A Virus
The global response to COVID-19 has made clear that the fear of contracting disease has an ugly cousin: xenophobia. As the coronavirus has spread from China to other countries, anti-Asian discrimination has followed closely behind, manifesting in plummeting sales at Chinese restaurants, near-deserted Chinatown districts and racist bullying against people perceived to be Chinese. NPR asked its listeners whether they had experienced this kind of coronavirus-related racism and xenophobia firsthand. Here are some of the responses.

* * *


Dealer Drops Asian Assistant from Art Fair Due to Coronavirus 'Anxiety'
A Vietnamese curator was dropped by an exhibitor at a London art fair because she would be "seen as carrying the virus." An Nguyen posted a screenshot of an email she received from Raquelle Azran, a dealer and curator specialising in contemporary Vietnamese(!) fine art, cancelling her role as an assistant for the exhibit at the Affordable Art Fair "because your presence on the stand would unfortunately create hesitation." After this all blew up on social media, the dealer was disinvited from the art fair.

* * *


Assembly Staffer Fired Over Anti-Asian Coronavirus Comments
This week, a Brooklyn assemblywoman's receptionist was fired for making xenophobic, anti-Asian remarks regarding the coronavirus outbreak. Assemblywoman Mathylde Frontus reportedly let go of Marilyn Franks after the staffer posted a Facebook message stating, in part: "We urge citizens to stay away from Chinese supermarkets, shops, fast food outlets, Restaurant, and Business. Most of the owners went back to China to celebrate the Chinese New [Year] Celebrations. They are returning and some are bringing along the Coronavirus. Rather be safe than sorry." And now you are fired.

* * *


Apply to JCamp 2020
Hey, student journalists! The Asian American Journalists Association is now accepting applications for JCamp, an all-expenses-paid journalism training program for talented freshman, sophomore- and junior-level high school students of diverse backgrounds. JCamp will celebrate its 20th year in 2020 at Georgetown University in Washington DC, July 5-10. The six-day camp brings students together for intensive training in writing, photography, broadcast, online media and reporting led by professional journalists. Travel, lodging and meals will be covered for the selected students. The deadline to apply is March 29. For more information, go here.

* * *


Surrija Retells Picasso Muse Lydia Corbett's Story With New Song
Check out "Sylvette," the new track from Surrija (aka Jane Lui), from her forthcoming self-titled album.

Hey student journalists! Apply to JCamp 2019.

An all-expenses-paid journalism program for high school students.



Calling all student journalists! The Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA) is now accepting applications for JCamp 2019, a six-day intensive, expenses-paid, multicultural journalism training program for talented freshman, sophomore- and junior-level high school students of diverse backgrounds.

Hey student journalists! Apply to VOICES 2017

All-expenses paid multimedia journalism training program for college and graduate students.


Hey student journalists! Here's a great opportunity. VOICES is an annual all-expenses paid multimedia journalism training fellowship for college and graduate students, sponsored by the Asian American Journalists Association. The program is a recruiting tool to increase diversity in newsrooms. The most promising students will be selected and given the opportunity to build skills and develop their published work.

Up to twenty applicants will be selected to cover the AAJA Convention this July in Philadelphia, with travel and hotel accommodations provided. Students will be paired with professional journalists as their mentors and be expected to produce and complete news assignments in advance of the convention in July.

The deadline to apply is Friday, March 31.

JCamp: Free Journalism Program for High School Students

AAJA's all-expenses paid journalism training program for high school students of diverse backgrounds.

Attention student journalists! The Asian American Journalists Association is now accepting applications for JCamp, an all-expenses paid journalism training program for high school students of diverse backgrounds.

JCamp will celebrate its 17th year at the Temple University School of Media and Communication in Philadelphia, July 22-27. The six-day camp brings students together for intensive training in writing, photography, broadcast, online media and reporting led by professional journalists.

This program is free and open to current freshmen, sophomores and juniors in high school. Students of all races and ethnicities are encouraged to apply before the March 12, 2017 deadline.

I repeat: JCamp is an all-expenses paid program. Your travel, meals and lodging will be covered by AAJA.

The Asian American Journalists Association is a nonprofit educational and professional organization with more than 1,600 members across the U.S. and Asia. Part of AAJA's mission is to provide encouragement, information, advice and scholarship assistance to AAPI students who aspire to professional journalism careers.

For further information about JCamp, including eligibility and required materials, visit the AAJA website.

Apply to AAJA's 2016 Voices Fellowship

Multimedia journalism training fellowship for college and graduate students.


Hey, student journalists! The Asian American Journalists Association is accepting applications for the 2016 VOICES program, an multimedia journalism training fellowship for college students, graduate students and recent grads, taking place August 8-13 during the week of the 2016 AAJA National Convention in Las Vegas.

VOICES is a multimedia journalism training fellowship for college and graduate students, as well as a leadership program for mid-career journalists. Students will be mentored by professional journalists and be expected to produce and complete news assignments at the 2016 convention. Transportation, convention registration and hotel expenses will be covered for the students selected.

Here are some more details about the fellowship:

Hey Student Journalists! Apply for JCamp 2016

AAJA is accepting applications for its annual multicultural journalism training program for high school students.



The Asian American Journalists Association is accepting applications for JCamp, an all-expenses-paid annual multicultural journalism training program for talented high school students of diverse backgrounds.

The program will celebrate its 16th year in 2016 at the George Washington University School of Media and Public Affairs in Washington, DC, August 1-6. The six-day camp brings students together for intensive training in writing, photography, broadcast, online media and reporting led by professional journalists.

JCamp is free and open to current freshmen, sophomores and juniors in high school. Students of all races and ethnicities are encouraged to apply. Here's some more information about the program:

2015 V3 Digital Media Conference

Saturday, June 27 at the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles



Heads up, my fellow bloggers. The Los Angeles chapter of the Asian American Journalists Association presents the latest edition of the annual V3 Digital Media Conference, a one-day conference happening Saturday, June 27 at the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles.

Panelists slated to attend include staff from the Los Angeles Times, FOX 11, MSNBC, NBC, KPCC and more. There will be free food, gadget demos and networking opportunities. Whether you're a seasoned blogger or social media professional, or just interested in learning more, there's something at this conference for you.

Here are some more details about the conference:

AAJA speaks out on Ferguson

Asian American Journalists Association urges local authorities to respect the rights of journalists



The Asian American Journalists Association, of which I am a dues-paying member, has issued a statement on the events happening in Ferguson, Missouri in response to the fatal police shooting of Michael Brown.

AAJA urges authorities in Ferguson, Mo., to respect the rights of journalists

In particular, AAJA condemns the actions taken by local authorities against journalists covering the unfolding events in Ferguson, citing threats, arrests, and violence against reporters and photographers who have been trying to cover the story on the ground as it unfolds. According to the statement, authorities have "disrupted the work of getting out the facts in a challenging environment."

Here's the full statement:

V3Con 2014: V3 Digital Media Conference

June 20-21 at the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles



Heads up, bloggers. The V3 Digital Media Conference, presented by AAJA-LA, returns to Los Angeles for a unique gathering dedicated to AAPI online journalists, creative social media communicators and those interested in engaging on digital platforms. It's happening June 21 at the Japanese American National Museum.

The conference kicks off with an Opening Awards Reception honoring NBC News' Ann Curry with the "Vision Award," Los Angeles Times food critic Jonathan Gold with the "Visibility Award," and singer Judith Hill with the "Voice Award." That's going down Friday, June 20. Full registration gets you access to both the reception and the all-day conference. Want to go for free? I'm giving away tickets. Scroll to the bottom for details...

First, here's some basic info about the conference:

AAJA accepting applications for JCamp 2014

Six-day intensive journalism training for high school students



Attention young journalists! The Asian American Journalists Association is currently accepting applications for JCamp 2014, a six-day intensive journalism training camp for high school students. The all-expenses-paid program brings together students from across the nation to sharpen their journalism skills and work together in a unique learning environment. It's happening July 29 to August 3 at Emerson College in Boston.

Here are some more details about the program:

AAJA demands apology for Current TV's "rice ball" remark

I am the last person who'd come to the defense of Michelle Malkin. In fact, it hurts me a little to write this, as I detest her views. But sometimes pundits go too far, even in jest, and need to get called out: AAJA MediaWatch seeks apology for 'rice ball' comment on "Talking Liberally with Stephanie Miller."

The Asian American Journalists Association is demanding an apology for an incident that occurred last week on Current TV's Talking Liberally with Stephanie Miller, in which host Jacki Schechner used to term "rice ball" in reference to conservative pundit Michelle Malkin, who is Filipno American:

Student Journalists! Apply to AAJA's 2013 CIC/Anna Chenault Scholarship

Hey, student journalists! Here's an opportunity for you... The Asian American Journalists Association is currently accepting applications for the 2013 Council for International Cooperation/Anna Chennault Scholarship. The scholarship is open to college freshmen going into their sophomore year.

The winner will receive a $3,900 scholarship and an opportunity to be a Voices student news project participant at the 2013 AAJA National Convention in New York with all travel, lodging and registration costs covered. Here are some more details about the scholarship: