This Is, As They Say, Some High Effort Racism

And Other Things to Know From Angry Asian America.



Woman Arrested for Posting Racist Notes on Homes
On Friday, a Bay Area woman was arrested for posting racist notes on homes in San Leandro. 52-year-old Nancy Arechiga is accused of taping up messages on trees and the doors of at least five homes in the Heron Bay neighborhood. The full-page hand-written notes begin with the preamble of the U.S. Constitution, then demand that the recipient "go back" to their country of origin. One of the notes ends with a very specific ultimatum: "You have until the day May/23/2020 Saturday 10:30 AM to leave this country. In this country no Asian allowed. My country U.S.A." Arechiga was arrested for distributing threatening messages that "instilled fear and intimidation upon those residents," according to police. Like I said, this is some high effort racism.

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Seattle Police Search for Suspect in 3 Bias Incidents targeting Asians
In Seattle, police are investigating three separate incidents of bias targeting people of Asian descent that were reported on Saturday, possibly all committed by the same suspect. Two of the incidents occurred at Golden Gardens Park: a woman was accosted by a man who demanded her identification and yelled, "Chinese disease.. they bring it here!" Later, a couple was targeted by a man who yelled, spat on them and demanded to know where they ere from. In another incident at a restaurant, a man yelled racist remarks about Asians, knocked on the restaurant's windows, kicked a sign inside the business, then threatened to throw a table at an employee. Yeah, these all sound like the same guy.

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CNN's Natasha Chen Describes Beachgoer's Racist Taunt
CNN correspondent Natasha Chen says a man yelled racist comments at her while she was on location working on a story about people headed to the beach on Memorial Day, despite the coronvirus pandemic. Chen was filming a segment at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina when a man approached her and started "yelling expletives" about her wearing a mask and blaming her for the pandemic. By blaming her, of course, he meant Asians. Honestly, given the circumstances, I would have been surprised if she didn't encounter some racist bullshit.

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100 Writers Call for an End to Anti-Asian Hostility
More than 100 prominent writers, including several top Asian American authors, have called for an end to a surge in anti-Asian hostility in the US which they say has been “egged on” during the pandemic by the Trump administration’s pandering to racist tropes. The authors of the joint statement, coordinated by Pen America and the Asian American Writers’ Workshop, say that "the time to turn back this wave of hate is now. Reports of any individuals being spat on, stabbed, beat up, or verbally assaulted are disturbing enough when they are isolated incidents. When such attacks are collectively driven by hate, in such large volume, the onus lies heavily on civil society and our elected representatives to condemn them."

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Lion's Share Live: But Where Are You From?
Heads up. I'll be moderating a panel, "But Where Are You From?" as part of Lion's Share Live, a week-long live-streamed experience celebrating culture, creativity and community during Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. We'll be talking Asian stereotypes with Eugene Lee Yang, Tracy Chou, Kayvan Daragheh, Jenny Yang. It's happening Friday, May 29 at 12:00pm PT on Twitch. All proceeds from the event will be donated to the American Immigration Council.

Just some everyday racism in the supermarket checkout line

"Go back to your country."



Another day, another encounter with everyday racism in the U.S.A., caught on camera. This one comes to us from a supermarket in Northern California, where over the weekend, a family encountered a fellow shopper who told them to -- take a wild guess -- "go back to your country," among other racist remarks.

The scene unfolded Sunday at the Lucky supermarket in Daly City, where a Filipino American family got into some kind of altercation with a woman in the checkout line. In an Instagram video posted by user @jennyveladera, you can see the woman behind them going off on her own little racist mutter tirade.

"Licky licky licky." She taunts them with some kind of gibberish, then asks, "You don't want me to talk Philippine?" Then, putting her groceries onto the belt, she says to no one and everyone listening, "Come on. Look at all the groceries they buy. Steal our food, steal our money, our jobs." (By the way, accusing someone of stealing food makes absolutely no sense when they are literally paying for their food right in front of you.)

Jenny, holding the camera, is understandably exasperated, and can only comment, "So racist. Oh my God."

Racist train attack caught on camera

Man calls Asian passenger racial slurs before repeatedly hitting him on a BART train.



Can't a guy just ride the train in peace without being accosted, called racial slurs and getting punched?

In the Bay Area, a man was caught on camera attacking an Asian passenger on a BART train, calling him racial slurs before punching him multiple times. The video, recorded Monday night, has since gone viral.

The assault happened on the Richmond line going south to Fremont around 10:00 PM. A man in a blue shirt boarded the train at the Coliseum station and got into a verbal altercation with another passenger, San Francisco Chronicle as Charles Wu, who was sitting down. According to a witness, the man was saying the n-word repeatedly on the train, and Wu stepped in and told him to stop. Blue shirt apparently didn't like that.

Video of the incident, recorded and posted to social media by fellow passenger Wiseley Wu (no relation), shows the man calling Charles Wu a "Chinese n**ger," among other profanities, and threatening to punch him. Things escalate when he reaches over and hits Wu in the shoulder and head.

Video: Motorist calls woman "Fucking Cambodian n**ger"

Things got real racist real fast on the streets of Sunnyvale.



Protip: If you get the feeling something racist is about to happen, it doesn't hurt to pull out your camera and start recording. This one comes to us from Sunnyvale, California, where a woman recorded a racist encounter with an asshole motorist who called her a "bitch" and a "fucking Cambodian n**ger."

Paula Nuguid says she riding her bike with her 9-year-old daughter, attempting to make a legal left turn, when a man in a Nissan Altima started honking at her and calling her a "bitch." She confronted the man, rolling up to his window and demanding, "How fucking dare you, you entitled white prick?"

"Oh, shut the fuck up," he cleverly retorted.

When Nuguid told him, "I can tell you're not from California," the man responded, "You fucking Cambodian n**ger, get out of here." Aaaaaaand there it is. Smile, asshole. You're about to become internet famous.

Nuguid posted video of the encounter on Facebook, saying "I hope his friends, family, and employer see this."

Police turn to social media for help solving 2001 murder

21-year-old Maria Hsiao was fatally shot outside Q-Cafe in Palo Alto on June 10, 2001.


Maria Hsiao (far left) was enjoying an evening out with friends when she was fatally gunned down.
In Palo Alto, police are asking for the public's help and turning to social media for assistance solving a 16-year-old homicide case, in which a young woman was gunned down outside a downtown night club.

Police look to public, social media, for help in cracking Palo Alto cold case

21-year-old Maria Hsiao was shot once in the head while standing outside the now-defunct Q-Cafe in Palo Alto, located at 529 Alma St., just after midnight on June 10, 2001. Hsiao, a student at the Academy of Art in San Francisco, was enjoying an evening out with her sister and some friends when she was gunned down.

Police never recovered the weapon nor developed a motive for the fatal shooting.

Over the weekend, on the anniversary of the shooting, the Palo Alto Police Department re-circulated a 10-minute video about the case, calling for anyone with information about the killing to come forward. The video, first released in 2015, includes interviews with police and Hsiao's loved ones.

Win tickets to CAAMFest 2017

March 9-19 in San Francisco and Oakland



Bay Area film fans! This one's for you. The Center for Asian American Media presents CAAMFest 2017, the nation's premiere event showcasing and celebrating bold and vibrant Asian American stories and storytellers. The 11-day festival, celebrating its 35th year, runs March 9-19 in San Francisco and Oakland.

The festival kicks off on Thursday, March 9 with the Opening Night Gala screening of Lena Khan's comedy The Tiger Hunter, starring Danny Pudi as an ambitious young man who leaves his small Indian village in pursuit of the American dream. Anybody want to go? I'm giving away some free tickets. Scroll down for details.

But first, here's the CAAMFest 2017 trailer:

Mall security robot injures toddler

16-month-old Harwin Cheng was knocked down and run over by a robot security guard in Palo Alto.



Last week in Palo Alto, a young boy was knocked down and run over by a robot security guard at Stanford Shopping Center. Thankfully, the kid is okay, but his parents are mad as hell. Wait, did I just read that right?

Parents upset after Stanford Shopping Center security robot injures child

Yes, there are robot mall security guards. And their people skills are apparently not so great. Last Thursday, 16-month-old Harwin Cheng had a frightening collision with the Stanford Shopping Center's robot.

"The robot hit my son's head and he fell down facing down on the floor and the robot did not stop and it kept moving forward," Harwin's mom Tiffany Teng told ABC7. The robot ran over Harwin's right foot, causing it to swell, but luckily didn't break any bones. He also had a scrape on his leg from the incident.

Stand Up for Books: 2nd Annual Comedy Night

A Fundraising Event for Eastwind Books of Berkeley - Friday, June 3 at the Oakland Asian Cultural Center



If you're in the Bay Area and up for some laughs for a good cause, Eastwind Books of Berkeley invites you to celebrate its 20th anniversary at Stand Up for Books, a fundraiser showcasing some of the best Asian American comedians from the Bay Area and Los Angeles. There will be food, drinks, raffle tickets and standup comedy featuring Jenny Yang, Dhaya Lakshminarayanan, Andrew Orolfo, and host Irene Tu.

It's happening Friday, June 3 at the Oakland Asian Cultural Center. Here are some more details:

Kearny Street Workshop presents Celebrate Your Body 2016

A Body-Positive Fashion Show & Expo Featuring POC Designers and Stylists, March 5



Bay Area! This Saturday, March 5 in Oakland, catch the Kearny Street Workshop's "Celebrate Your Body," a body-positive fashion show and expo featuring POC designers and stylists. This night features the work of eight designers and a lineup of models who represent the diversity and range of bodies mainstream fashion ignores. There will also be performances by the drag troupe Rice Rockettes and folk trio Los Sirenas.

Here are some more details:

Man wanted in sexual assaults targeting Asian women

Police have released video of a suspect linked to three assaults in the last week near UC Berkeley.



In Berkeley, police have issued a warning and released images of a suspect linked to three sexual assaults in the last week. All of the victims have been Asian women assaulted near UC Berkeley.

Berkeley Police Release Video of Possible Suspect in Series of Sexual Assaults

On Thursday, the Berkeley Police Department released video of a man identified as a possible suspect in three sexual assault cases targeting college-aged Asian women. In one of the assaults, the suspect violently knocked the woman to the ground and forcibly grabbed her from behind.

Here are two versions of the surveillance video, at regular speed and slowed down:

Sheriff's deputy arrested for DUI after brandishing gun

Benjamin Lee pointed a gun at Jack-in-the-Box employees because the drive-thru line was too slow.



Asians behaving badly... firearem-brandishing drunken cop edition. In the Bay Area, a sheriff's deputy was arrested for allegedly brandishing a gun while drunkenly ordering food at a fast food drive-through window.

Deputy brandished gun at Santa Clara drive-through, officials say

33-year-old Santa Clara County sheriff's deputy Benjamin Lee was arrested early Sunday morning on suspicion of driving under the influence and brandishing a firearm. Why? Why did he pull out his gun?

The drive-through line was apparently taking too long.

Missing: 22-year-old Shuqin Zhang, last seen Thursday

UC Berkeley graduate student's belongings were found near Point Reyes Lighthouse.



In the Bay Area, search crews are looking for a missing UC Berkeley graduate student, last seen Thursday, after her car and some of her belongings were found near Point Reyes Lighthouse in Marin County.

Belongings of missing UC graduate student found on cliff near Point Reyes

22-year-old Shuqin Zhang, who reportedly suffered from depression, was last seen on Thursday at around 1:30 am in Berkeley and was believed to be headed to Bodega Bay two hours later.

According to Berkeley police, park rangers found her car near the lighthouse at Point Reyes on Saturday morning, and searchers later found some of her belongings on a cliff overlooking the ocean.

Poet Justin Chin taken off life support after stroke

Award-winning writer was a prominent figure in the Bay Area's literary scene.



Sad news out of San Francisco. Award-winning writer and poet Justin Chin, a prominent figure in the Bay Area literary scene, was taken off life support Tuesday after suffering a massive stroke last week.

S.F. Poet Justin Chin Taken Off Life Support After a Stroke

On Friday, a neighbor discovered Chin, 46, unconscious after hearing a loud sound from his apartment. After several days in the intensive care unit, doctors said Chin was unlikely to recover, and his family requested to remove him from his ventilator, according to friends.

Born in Malaysia and raised in Singapore, Chin made his way to the United States, eventually settling in San Francisco. Chin's prolific writing -- he wrote and published seven books -- often explored his identity as a gay Asian American.

School to be renamed for Larry Itliong and Philip Vera Cruz

Itliong-Vera Cruz Middle School will be the nation's first school named in honor of Filipino Americans.


A mural in Los Angeles' Historic Filipinotown honors Larry Itliong and Philip Vera Cruz.
This week, a Bay Area middle school will be officially renamed in honor of labor leaders Larry Itliong and Philip Vera Cruz. It is believed to be the first school in the nation to be named in honor of Filipino Americans.

Union City school first in nation named for Filipino-Americans

On Friday, Alvarado Middle School in Union City will be renamed Itliong-Vera Cruz Middle School. Itlong and Vera Cruz were key figures in the west coast labor movement, working with Cesar Chavez in the 1960s to organize agricultural laborers and improve working conditions.

The name change was approved by the school board in 2013 after a vigorous community debate over whether to retain the name Alvarado, in honor of a 19th century Mexican governor.

Hyphen & Asian Art Museum present Hella Asians on TV

Screening/Discussion on Thursday, October 8 at the Asian Art Museum



Hey, Bay Area. Have you noticed that there are hella Asians on TV? No, really. This is an unprecedented time for Asian Americans on television. Hyphen and the Asian Art Museum invite you to join them for Hella Asians on TV, a screening of an advance episode of Fresh Off The Boat, followed by a conversation about APIA representation in mainstream media with panelists Jenny Yang, Kristina Wong and Jeff Chang. It's happening Thursday, October 8 at the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco.

Here are some more details about the event:

Missing: 35-year-old Chris Mayrena

Daly City resident was last seen early Sunday, September 27



In the Bay Area, family and friends are asking for help looking for 35-year old Daly City resident Christian Mayrena, who was last seen early in the morning on Sunday, September 27. Mayrena stands 5-foot-3 and weight 130 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. Have you seen him?

CAAMFest San Jose Artist Spotlight: Greg Pak

A conversation with the acclaimed comic book writer and filmmaker, September 20 at Camera 3



If you're in the Bay Area, head out to the South Bay and don't miss your chance to hang out and hear from award-winning comic book writer and filmmaker Greg Pak. CAAMFest San Jose invites you to a special conversation with Greg on his remarkable work and career, moderated by acclaimed writer and cartoonist Gene Luen Yang. It's happening Sunday, September 20 at Camera 3 in San Jose.

Here are some more details about the event:

Plate by Plate San Francisco, September 19

Project by Project's 6th Annual Tasting Benefit



San Francisco, are you ready to get your eat on? Project by Project SF presents its sixth annual Plate by Plate, a tasting benefit featuring over 40 acclaimed restaurants and beverage purveyors. In addition to the food and beverages, the evening includes a silent auction, live music, photobooth, hashtag competitions and an afterparty. It's happening Saturday, September 19 at The Village in San Francisco.

Here are some more details about the event:

CAAMFest San Jose, September 17-20

See you at CAAM's annual South Bay showcase of sneak peeks and film premieres.



San Jose film fans! The Center for Asian American Media announces the return of CAAMFest San Jose, its annual South Bay showcase of exclusive sneak peeks and film premieres, conversations with celebrated media makers and lively parties. It's happening September 17-20 at Camera 3 Cinemas.

CAAMFest San Jose officially opens on Friday, September 18 with a special presentation welcoming the start of Season Two of the ABC hit comedy Fresh Off The Boat, with the show's Executive Producer Melvin Mar in attendance. Festival programming will continue with screenings and other events through the weekend.

Here's a rundown of some of the CAAMFest San Jose program highlights:

News crew robbed at gunpoint during live broadcast

KTVU reporter Cara Liu was going live when a nearby news crew was attacked.



Whoa. When the news becomes the news... On Thursday morning in San Francisco, two local television news crews were attacked and robbed -- live on the air -- while reporting on a homicide at Pier 14.

News crews robbed in S.F., camera operator pistol-whipped

KTVU reporter Cara Liu was live on the air when someone ran up to a nearby news crew from KNTV, which was also reporting from the scene, and robbed them at gun point. The assailant held a gun to a camera operator's head, pistol whipped him, and ran off with a camera and tripod.