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.
Indian Restaurant Vandalized with White Supremacist Messages
In Santa Fe, an Indian restaurant was ransacked and vandalized with white supremacist obscenities and hate speech. The unknown vandal or vandals caused an estimated $100,000, damaging the restaurant's kitchen, dining room and storage area. They destroyed bottles of wine, broke tables, and shattered glasses and dishes. They also spray-painted walls and artwork with racist remarks directed at the restaurant's Sikh owners. The incident is being investigated as a hate crime. Oh, the cherry on top: amid the racial slurs, the words "Trump 2020" were spray-painted around the restaurant.
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Why Tina Fey Is in Hot Water With the Asian Community, Too
Tina Fey appears to be taking some responsibility for racially insensitive material in her comedy, but some people online are saying that the multi-Emmy winner still has plenty to answer for. Namely, her shitty track record when it comes to jokes targeting the Asian community. From Mean Girls to Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, folks have not forgotten... and now it's apparently time for a reckoning.
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THE COVID-19 ADULT RESILIENCE EXPERIENCES STUDY (CARES)
Researchers at Boston University are conducting a study of how young people, ages 18-30, are coping with the COVID-19 crisis and the current climate regarding racism and the protests against police brutality. They're recruiting participants to talk about their personal experiences, physical health, and mental well being following the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants will be asked to complete a 30-45 minute online survey. Take part and help an all-Asian team of researchers doing important work. Find out more here.
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Sandra Oh layers in her ethnicity on ‘Killing Eve’ because white Hollywood does not
Sandra Oh on how an Asian character subtly affects sound design: "I remember talking to the sound people, it's like, 'Hey guys, you are layering in the sound of me wearing shoes in the house. I don't wear shoes. My character doesn't wear shoes. I know you don't see the feet. But don't layer in the sound of shoes in the house, because that doesn't happen,'" she adds. "But maybe these people, mostly white English dudes, don't know that. It's something that you might not even think is important, but it is because that's how we start building the nuance of a character."
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'Claudia Kishi Club' to Premiere on Netflix
Just in time for Netflix's adaptation of hit book series The Baby-Sitters Club, they'll also premiere the short documentary The Claudia Kishi Club next month. Directed by Sue Ding, the 16-minute film features interviews with Asian American creatives about the influence Claudia Kishi -- the Japanese American member of The Baby-Sitters Club -- had on their lives and work. The short drops on Netflix on July 10.
And Other Things to Know From Angry Asian America.
Trump Calls the Coronavirus 'Kung Flu'
Donald Trump remains shamelessly steadfast in his quest to blame China for this country's troubles. Over the weekend at a campaign rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, he used racist language to describe the coronavirus pandemic by terming the virus as the "kung flu." Because fuck you, right? And the crowd ate it up. Racist, garbage human beings go together. Trump has repeatedly referred to Covid-19 as the "Chinese virus" or the "Wuhan virus," but this was a new one (though apparently not new within the walls of the White House.) As history -- hell, the very immediate present -- has shown, this aggressive scapegoating is dangerous news for Asian American, only throwing gas on the current shitfire state of the nation. Like Trump gives a shit.
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K-Pop Stans Successfully Sabotaged Trump's Tulsa Rally
Speaking of Trump's sad, so sad rally, you can thank K-pop fans (along with TikTok users) for apparently sabotaging the gathering at the BOK Center in Tulsa. The campaign originally projected that the rally would fill the 19,000-seat stadium, with Trump scheduled to make an address to the overflow crowd outside. Instead, the outdoor address was canceled, and the stadium was more than half empty. Political commentators deduced that K-pop fans as well as TikTok users had mobilized to reserve tickets to the rally -- with no intention of show up -- skewing the Trump campaign's projections and securing the empty seats. As I've said before, and will probably say many times again: don't fuck with K-pop fans.
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Kellie Chauvin and a History of Asian Women Being Judged for Whom They Marry
As more details around the death of George Floyd are revealed, other developments, including that the ex-officer charged with murder in the case was married to a Hmong American woman, have prompted discussion. It's also led to a spate of hateful online remarks in the Asian American community around interracial relationships.
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What It Means to Understand Bruce Lee
"Lee is the most influential martial artist in modern history, just one facet of the legend he became after his untimely death in 1973 at age 32. Nearly five decades later, the world is still reckoning with the momentum he generated in his brief life, and with the ways culture has reinvented him."
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The Baby-Sitters Club
Netflix just dropped the trailer for The Baby-Sitters Club, a new series based on the best-selling children's book series. The show follows the friendships and adventures of Kristy Thomas, Mary-Anne Spier, Claudia Kishi, Stacey McGill, and Dawn Schafer as they start their babysitting business and all while navigating middle school and growing up. Oh, and check out the shirt that Claudia, played by Momona Tamada, is rocking. The Baby-Sitters Club premieres July 3 on Netflix.
And Other Things to Know From Angry Asian America.
Andrew Yang Says Asians Need To Show 'American-ness' To Avoid Racism
In a Washington Post op-ed published Wednesday, former presidential candidate Andrew Yang attempted to address the increasing incidents of harassment and racism against Asians amid the coronavirus pandemic, encouraging Asian Americans to "embrace and show our American-ness in ways we never have before." Yang called on Asian Americans to combat coronavirus-related racism by helping to end the public health crisis, urging them to "help our neighbors, donate gear, vote, wear red white and blue, volunteer, fund aid organizations" and "demonstrate that we are part of the solution." It was not well-received.
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Self-Care Tips For Asian Americans Dealing With Racism Amid Coronavirus
"Whether you've been subjected to discrimination or not, simply hearing about the widespread xenophobia can affect your mental health. We asked therapists who work within Asian American communities to share their best self-care advice for these stressful times."
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Liyna Anwar, L.A. Times Podcast Producer, Dies at 30
Liyna Anwar, a rising journalist who helped the Los Angeles Times expand its digital footprint and waged a public fight to save her own life, has died of complications from acute myeloid leukemia. Surrounded by family, Anwar died March 26 at the City of Hope in Duarte, just weeks after the launch of Asian Enough, an Asian American-focused podcast she produced. She was 30.
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Doctor's Log
In the new podcast Doctor's Log, Dr. Esther Choo, an emergency room physician in Portland, Oregon, delivers a twice weekly report from the front lines of the coronavirus crisis: her own ER. She takes listeners into the real world doctors and nurses are facing now, as they grapple with the most significant health threat in modern history, and helps us all understand what to do to stay safe.
And Other Things to Know From Angry Asian America.
House Lawmakers Unveil Resolution Blaming China For The Coronavirus
A bipartisan pair of House lawmakers on Tuesday unveiled a resolution that blames China for causing a global pandemic and calls on the Chinese government to publicly declare that COVID-19 began there. Yes, while there are people dying in the midst of health crisis, not to mention a disturbing rise in hate crimes in Asians, pointing fingers seems to be the best use of our time, energy and resources.
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"You fucking Chinese, spreading the coronavirus."
In Brooklyn, an Asian man waiting for the subway was accosted by a stranger who spit on him and threatened him in a coronavirus-related hate crime. According to police, the 26-year-old victim was on the Atlantic Avenue 2/3 platform on Tuesday morning when 19-year-old Nicholas Theodore confronted him, saying "You fucking Chinese, spreading the coronavirus. You people got the virus." He then spit in the victim's face and mimicked having a gun, jamming his hand in his coat pocket and pointing his finger. The victim alerted a nearby police officer and Theodore was arrested and charged with aggravated harassment as a hate crime and menacing.
Racism in the Time of Coronavirus
On the latest episode of the podcast Long Distance, host Paola Mardo shares her experience with COVID-19 racism. She also talks to me and Devin Cabanilla about the disturbing rise of anti-Asian racism and xenophobia.
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The Claudia Kishi Club
The documentary short The Claudia Kishi Club, directed by Sue Ding, is a love letter to Claudia Kishi, the iconic Asian American character from The Baby-Sitters Club book series. I'm proud to have a small part in the project.
Trump Trashes Korean Oscar-Winner Parasite at Rally
President Donald Trump is apparently not a fan of Parasite winning the Oscar for Best Picture, his biggest complaint being that the movie was made in South Korea. "What the hell was that all about?” Trump said at a campaign rally in Colorado Springs. "We've got enough problems with South Korea with trade. On top of that, they give them best movie of the year. Was it good? I don't know." Neon, the U.S. distributor of Parasite, shot back: "Understandable. He can't read." And there it is.
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University at Albany Students Hosted a Coronavirus Party
Over the weekend, students at the State University of New York at Albany apparently hosted a coronavirus-themed party. Video from the party reportedly showed a bucket of Corona beers and a person wearing a surgical mask with the caption, "Corona virus isn't gonna stop anyone from partying." Asian American Alliance, a university student organization, condemned the party, calling it insensitive and racist, while the university is investigating whether the party violated the college's student code of conduct.
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Asian American Content Banner Launches With Valence Media Investment
A-Major Media, a new production company focused on Asian American content, has launched with a majority investment from Valence Media. Led by Mary Lee, projects include I Believe in a Thing Called Love, Yulin Kuang's adaptation of Maurene Goo's 2015 YA novel; an untitled autobiographical project based on the high school experiences of Fresh Off the Boat co-executive producer Kourtney Kang; We Stan, about female friends and fellow K-pop stans, penned by Atypical scribe Lauren Moon; an untitled feature film produced by John Cho; and an untitled television series produced by Gemma Chan, among others.
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'The Black Tapes' Co-creator Inks Multi-Series Deal With Spotify
Podcast veteran Paul Bae, co-creator of fiction series The Black Tapes, has inked a multi-series deal with Spotify, with two new fiction projects in development. In Amanda Chi and the Ghost Sessions, he will tell the story of a Korean-Indian girl who moves to a new school and is initiated into a secret society that finds the town's ghosts and expels them. Boyland, meanwhile, will focus on a disgraced K-pop star who finds new life in Los Angeles when he is recruited into a new supergroup poised to take over the American pop scene.
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The Claudia Kishi Club
If you're headed to SXSW next month, don't miss the world premiere of the documentary short The Claudia Kishi Club, directed by Sue Ding. "For many Asian American women—and other women of color—Claudia Kishi was the first time they saw themselves in popular media. A main character in the best-selling Baby-Sitters Club books, Claudia defied stereotypical portrayals of Asian characters: she was creative, popular, and bad at school. As a blossoming artist, she was a role model for aspiring young creators—many of whom are now making groundbreaking work of their own. Asian American artists and writers share their memories of Claudia and read from their favorite books, alongside stop-motion collages that bring the character to life. Nostalgic yet timely, this film highlights the personal and universal importance of representation."
I love Claudia Kishi. Ever since she first emerged on the pages of The Baby-Sitters Club books -- that touchstone series about enterprising tweens who start their own small business and become embroiled in the world of Kid Kits, cruises, and mysteries that involve things like ghost cats -- I've been obsessed with her every move. I related to her creativity, her inability to master math, and her whole Japanese American girl living in the white suburbs thing. I coveted her in-room phone line, her hollowed out books full of candy, and of course... her clothes.
Oh, her clothes. So many bright colors. So many "clashing" patterns. So many bedazzled ankle boots. The endless pages that lovingly describe her outfits (often characterized as "wild") are the most worn and dog-eared in my BSC collection. I wanted every single piece of her wardrobe so very badly.
But I also found myself caught in a classic tweenager-y paradox. I thought I wanted to stand out like Claudia, but I also knew in my heart of hearts that it would probably be better for my whole middle school experience if I did not stand out at all. At least, not any more than I already did, thanks to that "Japanese American girl living in the white suburbs" thing.
I sometimes found myself trying to incorporate a Claudia-esque piece into my look -- oversized men's shirts, scrunchy socks in a Technicolor rainbow of colors, barrettes shaped like animals. But I always ended up feeling self-conscious, the bravado I'd felt when clipping that sparkly giraffe into my hair melting as soon as one of the popular white girls sent me one of those disdainful looks that just seemed to say: really?
Upcoming 'Baby-Sitters Club' series seeks Japanese American actress to play fan-favorite character.
Calling Claudia Kishi! The upcoming Netflix series The Baby-Sitters Club, based on the popular book series, is searching for a young Japanese American actress to play fan favorite character Claudia Kishi.
They're currently holding auditions to find a 12-year-old Japanese American female to fill the series regular role of Claudia. According to the casting call, Claudia is "a bit of a dreamer with her head in the clouds, the result of which is that she's not the greatest student. She's ahead of the curve level cool and always arty, with a fashionable clothes, a friend and neighbor of Kristy and Mary Anne." That sounds like Claudia.
"Claudia went through a phase where she 'decided she'd rather look like a Barbie than play with one,'" the casting call continues. "Even her bedroom is a cool mess, filled with paintings collages and clippings, and everyone agrees it's the perfect place for the newly formed Baby-Sitters Club."
'The Claudia Kishi Club' explores the legacy of Claudia Kishi.
Here's a fun film project that could use your support. The Claudia Kishi Club, by documentary filmmaker Sue Ding, is a love letter to Claudia Kishi, the iconic Japanese American character from the Baby-Sitters Club book series, who inspired a generation of Asian American women and creators of color.
For many Asian Americans who grew up in the 80s and 90s, Claudia was the first time they saw themselves represented in popular culture. A main character in Ann M. Martin's best-selling series, she was one of the only Asian Americans in popular media when the books debuted in 1986. The Claudi Kishi Club explores the character's legacy as a rare Asian American protagonist, a meaningful role model, and of course, a style icon.
The film will feature interview with fans including YA authors C.B. Lee and Sarah Kuhn; comic artist Yumi Sakugawa; and me, Phil Yu, the founder of this website. They also interview producer Naia Cucukov of Walden Media, who is currently adapting The Baby-Sitters Club for a new live-action TV series.
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. 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.
This episode, we welcome CB Lee, author of the YA superhero novel Not Your Sidekick. They discuss the iconic Claudia Kishi of The Babysitters Club, the questionably curious true identity of comic book writer Akira Yoshida, and the complexities of authorship and authenticity.
Remixed and re-titled book covers imagine all the bullshit Claudia Kishi had to deal with.
For a certain generation of young readers, Claudia Kishi is an icon.
Any fan of The Baby-sitters Club will tell you that Claudia is artistic, stylish, fashionable and a terrible student. She's also the Asian one. As the Japanese American member of The Baby-sitters Club, she was a rarity when Ann M. Martin's prolific, mega-popular novel series debuted in 1986. In a literature landscape so often devoid of characters of color, many Asian American readers saw themselves in Claudia.
In Keep Out, Claudia! (Book #56) the Baby-sitters Club is hired by a new family who are totally cold and rude to Claudia when she comes over to babysit their kids, for reasons she can't understand. But when the BSC's white sitters come over, they're cool. Then later, when Jessi, who is African American, comes over to sit, they won't even let her through the door. Turns out, the family is racist!
It was one of the few times the series addressed issues of racial prejudice, albeit clunkily, in its 200+ volume run. But it gets you wondering how that racism might have further affected Claudia, as one of the seemingly few Asian American residents in the fictional town of Stonybrook, Connecticut. As an Asian American character, Claudia busted some stereotypes. But realistically, she probably had to deal with her share of bullshit.
What would those books look like?
Let us imagine a few Baby-sitters Club stories, using re-titled and remixed covers of actual Baby-sitters Club books, that might have seen Claudia realistically and frankly grappling with her identity as a racial minority.
