Happy 50th Anniversary, Jeet Kune Do

"Using no way as way; having no limitation as limitation."


Photo Credit: Bruce Lee Enterprises
Fans of Bruce Lee know that in addition to being a movie star and perhaps the most influential martial artist ever, he is the founder of a groundbreaking philosophy and expression of martial arts known as Jeet Kune Do, or "Way of the Intercepting Fist." But did you know that this week marks the 50th anniversary of Jeet Kune Do?

Fifty years ago, on July 9, 1967, Bruce Lee made his very first mention of something called "Jeet Kune Do," scrawled in the hand-written notes of his day planner. It was apparently his first attempt to put a name or label to his evolving martial expression -- something he was initially reluctant to do.

"Lee wrestled with putting a name to his art as he constantly veered away from any type of crystallization (and thereby limitation) of its essence," according to the official Bruce Lee Facebook page. "However, the simple need to refer to it in some concrete way won out and Jeet Kune Do was born."

There will be a vigil tonight outside the home of Vincent Chin's killer

Vincent Chin died on June 23, 1982.



Thirty-five years ago today in Detroit, four nights after being severely beaten in the head with a baseball bat, Vincent Chin died. The case would become a seminal rallying point for the Asian American community. And tonight, concerned community members plan to gather for a vigil outside the home of Chin's killer.

For those unfamiliar with the case: Chin was out at a strip club celebrating his bachelor party when he got into a fight with a couple of disgruntled auto industry workers, Ronald Evens and his stepson Michael Nitz. Witnesses say they heard Ebens yell "It's because of you little motherfuckers that we're out of work!" -- referring to U.S. auto jobs being lost to Japanese manufacturers. Vincent Chin was Chinese American.

The fight was broken up, but Ebens and Nitz weren't finished. They searched for Chin outside the club, tracked him down to a McDonald's and attacked him. Nitz held Chin in a bear hug while Evens repeatedly bludgeoned him with a baseball bat until his head cracked open. Vincent fell into a coma and died on June 23, 1982.

NPR's Morning Edition aired a Story Corps interview Vincent Chin's best friend, Gary Koivu, who talks about his lifelong friendship with Vincent and hauntingly recounts the night he witnessed his murder.

The Worst Lynching in American History

Chinese American Museum commemorates the anniversary of the Chinese Massacre of 1871.



Monday marks the 145th anniversary of the Chinese massacre of 1871, one of the worst mass lynchings in U.S. history. On October 24, 1871, racially motivated riots resulted in the massacre of 19 Chinese men and boys in the streets of downtown Los Angeles -- one of the darkest chapters in the city's history.

On the evening of October 24, 1871, several white policemen entered Chinatown to break up an argument between members of rival Chinese tongs. Whether by anger or accident, a white man was shot to death. Shortly thereafter, a mob of 500 entered Chinatown and assaulted every Chinese person they saw.

Eleven white men, including Sheriff James Burns and prominent Los Angeleno Robert Widney, attempted to protect the Chinese and stop the violence, but they were also attacked. After five hours, the vigilantes had tortured and hanged 19 Chinese men and boys, and looted Chinese homes and businesses.

The incident drew national attention and provoked a grand jury investigation. Seven men were held responsible and convicted for the riots, but only one actually served any jail time.

On Monday in Los Angeles, the Chinese American Museum will join with other community organizations and local leaders for a vigil observing the anniversary of the Chinese Massacre of 1871.

20 Years of Angry Little Asian Girl, 1994-2014

Congratulations on two decades of Anger



One of the repeat questions I've gotten over the years: "Angry Asian Man? Are you at all related to Angry Little Asian Girl?" No. Not in any sort of trademarked affiliation. But I consider her a true sibling in Anger with a capital A. And definitely a major spiritual inspiration for the earliest iteration of this blog.

So, a massive congratulations goes my friend Lela Lee, creator of the comic strip Angry Little Asian Girl, which is celebrating twenty years of anger. Two decades of the baddest little foul-mouthed, middle finger-wielding Asian girl born of paper and ink, who spoke for a generation of Asian American women.

Lela Lee created Angry Little Asian Girl back in 1994 as a short video, made in reaction to some offensive cartoons she saw at an animation festival. Later, she took on the form of an online comic strip, which spawned books, merchandise, and a legion of fans -- including this Angry Asian blogger.

To celebrate these two glorious decades of anger, Lela has posted an online art show featuring some of the earliest renditions of ALAG, and the evolution of her comic strip. Check it out here. And for more on Angry Little Asian Girl, check out the website and follow updates on Facebook.

Again: congratulations, Lela. We salute you!