When Angry Asian America showed up to march

Reader-submitted photos from the Women's March on Washington and beyond.



You may have heard that some people got together and marched on Saturday. In Washington DC and cities across the nation, an estimated 3.7 million took the streets -- the biggest one-day protest in U.S. history -- in widespread, vocal defiance of Donald Trump's presidency. This is the first day of the next four years.

I knew a lot of friends and readers of this blog would be participating, and I thought it might be fun to create a photo gallery of faces and sights from the Women's March. So I put a call out on social media asking for folks to send photos of themselves and their signs in action...

... And I got flooded with photos. People showed up. I received hundreds of amazing photos from people who participated in marches in cities all around the country. I received so many, I couldn't keep track, and there was no way I could process all of the photos into a gallery in any reasonable amount of time.

But here is a small sampling of the reader-submitted photos from the march. Thank you to everyone who sent one in. I apologize; not every photo I received made it into the gallery. People are still sending them as I write this, and I just had to cut it off. But I appreciate your support and enthusiasm. Stay Angry!

Professor claims university forced him to teach stats because he's Asian

Seung-Whan Choi is suing the University of Illinois at Chicago.



A professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago is suing the school, claiming that he was discriminated against because he is from Korea. His lawsuit alleges, among other things, that he was forced to teach courses in statistics because he was told "Koreans are very good at mathematics and statistics."

Professor sues University of Illinois at Chicago for racial discrimination

Seung-Whan Choi, a professor in international relations, says that school administrators unfairly fired him in 2011, only to reinstate him and force him to teach statistics. He was also forced to teach a course in Korean politics, despite having no formal education in the field.

Choi, a Korean-born U.S. citizen, claims he experienced years of discrimination and retaliation due to his race and national origin. His lawsuit, filed last week in U.S. District Court in Chicago, alleges that he was ostracized and denied raises comparable to his peers in the department of political science.

Air passenger busted with 38 pounds of drugs

Khoua Vang landed at O'Hare International Airport with opium and methamphetamine pills in her luggage.



Asians behaving badly... drug smuggling air passenger edition! A Minnesota woman was arrested after more than 38 pounds of drugs were discovered in her luggage at O'Hare International Airport.

Woman arrested at O'Hare with 38 pounds of drugs had traveled to Laos

On Saturday morning, 49-year-old Khoua Vang landed in Chicago, where U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers found more than 3,500 methamphetamine pills and about 37 1/2 pounds of opium in her luggage.

McDonald's employee fired for coffee cup racism

Employee wrote "chino" and drew a racist face caricature on an Asian customer's coffee cup.



Oh look, this shit again. Last week in Chicago, a McDonald's employee was fired after writing "CHINO" and drawing a racist caricature -- referring to an Asian American customer -- on a coffee cup order.

McDonald's worker fired for writing 'chino' on coffee cup

Paul Kim, who is Korean American, was at the McDonald's Kedzie and Foster when he noticed that "CHINO" -- a Spanish slang term for Asian -- was written on his uncle's coffee cup, along with a racist caricature of an Asian face. Yes, those three lines are supposed to be a face.

Kim shared a photo of the cup on Twitter:

Hate crime charges added to beating of Sikh man

Inderjit Mukker was repeatedly punched in the face and called "terrorist" and "Bin Laden"



In Illinois, the DuPage County State's Attorney announced Tuesday that the teen who beat a Sikh man in the face in Darien last week, calling him "terrorist" and "Bin Laden," has been charged with a hate crime, in addition to the previous charges of felony aggravated battery. Turns out, it wasn't just a "road rage incident."

Hate crime added to charges in beating of Sikh man in Darien

Last week in the Chicago suburb of Darien, 53-year-old Inderjit Singh Mukker, who wears a turban and a beard in observance of his Sikh faith, was viciously beaten in his car after being called "terrorist" and "Bin Laden" and told to "go back to your country." He was repeatedly punched in the face and lost consciousness.

State's Attorney Robert B. Berlin announced that his office has filed an amended juvenile petition to include one count of hate crime, a Class 4 felony, in addition to the five counts of aggravated battery. The decision was made after further investigation and the discovery of additional evidence in what was previously described as a "traffic altercation." Public outcry over the missing hate crime charge probably didn't hurt either.

No hate crime charges in attack on Sikh man

Inderjit Mukker was repeatedly punched in the face and called "terrorist" and "Bin Laden"



In Illinois, charges have filed against the teenager who brutally beat a 53-year-old Sikh man last week, calling him "terrorist" and yelling "Go back to your country, Bin Laden!" However, inexplicably, the assailant is not being charged with a hate crime. Prosecutors are calling the incident a "traffic altercation." The hell?

Charges filed against Willowbrook teen in Darien beating

The 17-year-old assailant, who was not named by the state's attorney's office, is charged with five counts of aggravated battery for the "traffic altercation," in which he punched Inderjit Mukker multiple times in the face last Tuesday evening in the Chicago suburb of Darien.

Mr. Mukker, who wears a turban and beard in observance of his Sikh faith, was on his way to the grocery store when another driver began yelling at him, calling him a "terrorist" and "Bin Laden." After repeatedly cutting off Mukker's vehicle, they pulled over to the side of the road. The other driver got out of his car and repeatedly beat Mukker in the face, knocking him unconscious.

How is this not a hate crime?

Sikh man called "terrorist," assaulted in hate attack

"Go back to your country, Bin Laden!"



I'm sorry for posting this upsetting photo, but I have to. This week in Chicago, a Sikh man was attacked in his car and violently beaten by an assailant who allegedly yelled "Terrorist, go back to your country, Bin Laden!"

'Terrorist, go back to your country,' attacker yelled in assault of Sikh man

53-year-old Inderjit Singh Mukker, who wears a beard and turban in observance of his Sikh faith, was driving to the grocery store in the Darien suburb of Chicago on Tuesday night when another driver pulled up to his car yelling racial slurs. The assailant then reached into Mukker's car and repeatedly punched him in the face.

Mukker lost consciousness and was taken to the hospital, where he received treatment for a fractured cheekbone, bruising and blood loss and six stitches for the lacerations on his face.

NQAPIA 2015 National Conference, August 6-9

Thriving Together: Queer APIs Building Community, Solidarity, & Movement



You are invited to join the National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance for their largest, most diverse gathering of LGBTQ Asian Americans, South Asians, Southeast Asians, and Pacific Islanders next month at the NQAPIA 2015 National Conference. It's happening August 6-9 in Chicago.

With the help of over 100 workshops with presenters who have worked around the world, NQAPIA hopes to press a progressive agenda that will bring all LGBTQ racial and ethnic minority groups into the full-fold of their families, society, the LGBTQ movement, and the AAPI community.

Here are some more details about the conference:

20 Years of Stir-Friday Night

Saturday, June 27 at Stage 773 in Chicago



Chicagooooooo! Stir-Friday Night, the Chicago-based Asian American comedy troupe, is celebrating their 20th anniversary. Established in 1995, the group's notable alumni include the likes of Danny Pudi, Steven Yeun, Mary Sohn Christine Lin and Rasika Mathur. To celebrate two decades of laughs, you're invited to a special one-night-only event celebrating their 20th anniversary. It's happening Saturday, June 27 at Stage 773.

Here are some more details:

Goodbye and good riddance, Chop Chop Chinaman

Chicago restaurant's racist name sparked a vandalism arrest. Now it is closed.



The Chicago restaurant that made headlines and sparked outrage with its controversial name -- getting one woman arrested for defacing the restaurant's window in protest -- is apparently closed, at least for now.

Chop Chop Chinaman, The Controversial Local Restaurant, Closed For Now

Boystown eatery Chop Chop Chinaman has reportedly been closed for several days, just four months after opening. In addition to using an actual racial slur in its name, the restaurant's logo features an Asian caricature, complete with pointy hat, pulling a rickshaw. This is supposed to be on that ironic racism tip, right?

Owner Larry Lee says he hopes the restaurant's closure will be temporary. I, on the other hand, am I hoping Chop Chop Chinaman's closure will be permanent. Because this shit is racist.

Asian American Studies Strikes Back!

Wednesday, May 6 at Northwestern University's Hardin Hall



In 1995, student activists at Northwestern University organized a hunger strike to pressure the administration to establish an Asian American Studies program. The hunger strike lasted 23 days, not only raising awareness and support from Northwestern students, but also from campuses around the country. Four years later, in 1999, the Asian American Studies Program was introduced as a minor in the College of Arts and Sciences.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the hunger strike at Northwestern. Next week, Asian American Studies is holding an event, Asian American Studies Strikes Back! in celebration of the student protest that led to the establishment of the program. It's happening Wednesday, May 6 at Northwestern's Hardin Hall.

Here are some more details about the event:

20th Annual Asian American Showcase

Presented by FAAIM, April 3-16 at the Gene Siskel Film Center in Chicago



Chicago film fans, it is on. The Asian American Showcase, presented by the Foundation for Asian American Independent Media, celebrates its 20th anniversary as a platform for new work by established and emerging Asian American filmmakers. The festival kick runs April 3-16, and kicks off this Friday with the Opening Night screening of the critically acclaimed thriller Man From Reno at the Gene Siskel Film Center.

Here's a rundown of their awesome program:

Would you drink a beer called "Happy Ending"?

Retailer refuses to carry beer over racist, sexist bottle label.



Would you drink a beer called "Happy Ending"? This one comes courtesy of Atlanta-based SweetWater Brewing Co., who apparently have no problem marketing their beverages with sexist, racist stereotypes. One Chicago retailer has a problem with it, and has made headlines for refusing to carry the beer.

Does craft beer have a sexism problem? Binny's rejects Happy Ending

SweetWater's Happy Ending imperial stout label art features a box of tissues, the silhouette of a geisha and that "O-face" guy from Office Space. The beer is subtly described as "sporting a huge dry hopped stiffy resulting in an explosive finish!" Well, I'm sure someone thought they were being clever.

4th Annual AAPI Policy Research Summit

Wednesday, April 22 at Loyola University Chicago



Policy people where you at? Next month, stakeholders and smart people from the non-profit sector, government, and higher education will be convening in Chicago for the 4th annual AAPI Policy Research Summit, Navigating Alliances with AAPIs: Ethical Dilemmas and Values of Community-Based Research. It's happening Wednesday, April 22 at Loyola University Chicago, just around time for the Association of Asian American Studies Conference, happening that same week in Evanston.

Here are some more details about the event:

Who the hell calls their restaurant "Chop Chop Chinaman"?

Chicago woman arrested for defacing racist restaurant sign.



In Chicago, a woman was arrested for defacing a restaurant storefront because she felt the restaurant's name and logo were racist. "Chop Chop Chinaman" -- this is the eatery's actual name -- features an illustrated logo of an Asian caricature, complete with pointy hat, pulling a rickshaw.

In red lipstick, Jeannie Harrell offered her critique: "FUCK THIS HATE CRIME SHIT. IT'S 2015."

'Chop Chop Chinaman' Defaced by Insulted Woman, but Restaurant Defends Name

The Cantonese/Szechwan eatery opened in Boystown last month. After passing by the "aggressively racist" restaurant sign one too many times, Harrell, who is Japanese American, decided to let the owners know how she felt about the name. Via lipstick. She figured it wasn't permanent, she'd sent her message, no harm done.

But last week, the cops showed up at her door.

NBC's 'Chicago PD' is looking for Asian American extras

You can play a gangster, or a sewing shop worker, or a dead body. It's The Chinatown Episode!



TV watchers know it well. Sooner or later, every cop show gets around to doing The Chinatown Episode, in which the show's respective law enforcement team must solve some sort of Asian-themed crime. (It is also known as The Koreatown Episode or The Little Saigon Episode.) And that week, a bunch of Asian Americans actors get some work as guest stars and background extras. It's a time-honored TV tradition.

(The exception is Hawaii Five-0. I'd argue that every episode of Hawaii Five-0 is The Chinatown Episode.)

So it looks like NBC's cop drama Chicago PD is the latest show to take on The Chinatown Episode. I got this casting call passed along to me, seeking Asian American extras in Chicago area for an upcoming shoot. It looks like they need folks to play gangsters, sewing shop workers, grieving mothers, dead bodies, and general background set dressing for Chinatown scenes. They even need a young girl to play a gunshot victim!

Here's the rundown:

Improv performer and teacher Jason R. Chin dies at 46

Chicago's comedy community mourns an integral longtime member of the iO Theater.



Sad news out of Chicago, where the comedy community is mourning veteran improv performer, director and instructor Jason R. Chin, a longtime member of the iO Theater, who passed away last week. He was 46.

Jason Chin, iO performer and teacher, dies at 46

Chin was io Chicago's Associate Artistic Director and previously served as head of the comedy theater's training center. He coached, managed and helped create a number of shows, including the long-running "Whirled News Tonight," which uses current events as a springboard for improvisation.

He was scheduled to teach a class at iO on Thursday night, but didn't show up, which was unusual. Friends went to Chin's apartment to check on him, and when he didn't answer, they called police. According to the Cook County medical examiner's report, the cause of death was heart disease.

Chin was born in New York City in 1968. After watching a friend perform at the famed Second City, he was inspired to move Chicago to pursue improv comedy in 1995. Taking classes at the Improv Olympic, he worked his way up the ranks and became a regular performer and teacher.

Here's a particularly fun clip of Jason Chin performing on stage:

A-Squared Theatre Workshop Presents 'China Chong Chinaman'

September 27 - October 19 at The West Stage of The Raven Theatre Complex



Hey, Chicago. From now until October 19, you can watch a performance of Lauren Yee's Ching Chong Chinaman, a satire of Asian American identity that explores what happens when a Chinese American family loses all sense of their cultural heritage. Performances will be held at the Raven Theater Complex.

Here's some more info:

Stir-Friday Night Presents Turn Down Pho Wok

A Sketch Comedy Revue, Saturdays at Theater Wit, September 13 - October 11



Hey, Chicago! Stir-Friday Night is one of the nation's premier Asian American comedy troupes. Established in 1995, SFN is an ensemble made up of Asian American actors, writers, and improvisers. From now until October 11, you can catch their latest sketch comedy revue, Turn Down Pho Wok, at Theater Wit.

Here's more info:

Chicago to settle police abuse lawsuit for $150,000

Surveillance video caught a cop abusing a handcuffed woman during a raid.



Last year, security camera footage caught a police officer slapping and verbally abusing a handcuffed, kneeling woman during the raid of a Chicago tanning salon. This week, the Chicago City Council Finance Committee approved a $150,000 settlement of a lawsuit filed by the woman against the Chicago Police Department.

City Poised To Pay $150,000 To Salon Manager Cop Berated During Raid

The footage, which became the center of the federal lawsuit, showed a shrieking Jianqing "Jessica" Klyzek, manager of Copper Tan and Spa, pushed face down, dragged onto the floor, handcuffed, and struck in the head by an officer. Another officer is heard screaming racially-charged at her: "You're not a fucking American! I'll put you in a UPS box and send you back to wherever the fuck you came from!"