Bringing the Model Minority Mutiny Home

By Scot Nakagawa. Cross-posted from Race Files.



This fall, in the wake of the shooting death of Michael Brown, and in the face of the mounting Black body count at the hands of law enforcement, ChangeLab put out a call for a Model Minority Mutiny. We called on Asian Americans to stand up against the model minority myth as an act of self-liberation from a humiliating, trivializing, and dehumanizing stereotype that has, for too long, been used as a justification for labeling Black communities as “problem” minorities, and excluding and criminalizing Black people.

Many Asian Americans were already part of the mobilization. Many more are answering the call.

Jeremy Lin wears "I Can't Breathe" shirt

Joins teammates in gesture of protest against police brutality.



The Los Angeles Lakers have joined the growing number of athletes protesting the deaths of unarmed black people at the hands of law enforcement. Nearly all the players on the team, including Jeremy Lin, wore black shirts with the phrase "I Can't Breathe" -- referring to Eric Garner's dying words at the hands of the NYPD -- during warmups before Tuesday night's game against the Sacramento Kings.

Nearly all Lakers wear 'I Can't Breathe' shirts for warmups vs. Kings

With all but one Laker rocking the shirt, it marks the most complete protest by any one team thus far. Ball Don't Lie's Eric Freeman also notes that Jeremy is the first player who is not black to wear the shirt -- a powerful statement and a significant gesture of support of the movement as "a broader human issue."

Props, Jeremy.

#BlackLivesMatter: No Indictment, No Justice

Cross-posted from 18 Million Rising



Like me, you may have spent the better part of last night and this morning reading about all that's happened – and all that's still happening – after a grand jury failed to indict Darren Wilson of any wrongdoing. Not even involuntary manslaughter.

Despite incredible public outcry and over 100 consecutive days of peaceful protests in Ferguson, Missouri, no charges were brought up against an officer of the law for shooting and killing an unarmed person. Demonstrations expressing frustration, anger, disappointment, and sadness over this decision popped up all over the country last night. Our justice system, yet again, has failed Black America. It has failed America, period.

Fight Back for Ferguson. How You Can Take Action.

Re-posted from Ferguson Action.



This moment is a historic one - Ferguson is everywhere– and we are building a movement for justice for Mike Brown and an end to police violence nationwide. Just like people have done throughout American history, we are making our voices heard, taking to the streets and using our first amendment rights to engage in strong actions of civil disobedience.

The people of Ferguson have boldly faced tanks, tear gas and militarized police forces in their quest for justice. We call on you to stand with us and envision a future where the promises guaranteed under our Constitution are guaranteed to all, without exception.

We have set up the Ferguson Action Information Hotline for people to ask any questions they have regarding actions. The voice recording will reflect the most up to date information: 314-329-7667.

Find out more at Ferguson Action.

CAPAC Statement on Riots in Ferguson

"My heart is with the people of Ferguson, and the family of Michael Brown."

WASHINGTON, DC - Yesterday, a grand jury in St. Louis County, Missouri decided not to indict the officer who shot and killed Michael Brown, leading to riots and violence in Missouri and around the country. Michael Brown was unarmed at the time of the shooting.

CAPAC Chair Judy Chu (CA-27) and CAPAC Chair Emeritus Mike Honda (CA-17) released the following statements:

NAPAWF stands with Michael Brown's family and the community of Ferguson

"We cannot allow and will not permit this system built on fear to be a deterrent to us in this fight for justice."

WASHINGTON - In response to the grand jury decision in the Michael Brown shooting, Miriam Yeung, executive director of the National Asian Pacific American Women's Forum (NAPAWF), released the following statement:

“We are profoundly saddened and outraged by the St. Louis County grand jury's decision. The failure to indict Darren Wilson in the shooting death of Michael Brown, an unarmed black teenager in Ferguson, is a national travesty. As an organization that builds a movement daily to advance social justice, this is an extremely painful moment to bear, as justice was not served.

SAALT Saddened by Grand Jury Decision: Emphasizes Need for DOJ to Reform Racial Profiling Guidance

"We will join with our allies to continue outlining the dangers of discriminatory policing."

South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT) stands in solidarity with the family and friends of the late Michael Brown, and with communities across the United States who are deeply saddened by last night's grand jury decision.

As a national civil rights organization working with communities targeted by hate violence, racial and religious profiling, and surveillance, we understand the damaging ramifications of mistrust between the police and the communities they are sworn to protect.

NAKASEC Outraged. Black Lives Matter.

"Without justice, there can be no peace."

Los Angeles, CA - The National Korean American Service & Education Consortium (NAKASEC) and its affiliates the Korean Resource Center (KRC in Los Angeles and Orange County) and the Korean American Resource & Cultural Center (KRCC in Chicago) are outraged that a grand jury decided to not indict Darren Wilson. Our hearts are heavy. Like anyone who takes a life, Wilson should face open and fair accountability for fatally shooting Mike Brown. Without justice, there can be no peace.

The disturbing and violent truth about the United States: racism still very much girds and informs a prejudiced system of perceptions, attitudes, and institutions. African Americans -- regardless of age, gender, and orientation -- are disproportionately targeted by the police and people acting out of unjustifiable fear. In the case of Mike Brown, Trayvon Martin, John Crawford, Renisha McBride, Akai Gurley, Tamir Rice, and others, their families must grieve an unbearable loss because of that racial profiling.

AA & NHPI Organizations: Justice Denied in Ferguson

"What has happened in Ferguson is not an isolated incident."

Gregory Cendana, Chair of the National Council of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA), released the following statement on the grand jury decision in Ferguson, Missouri:

“Members of the National Council of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA) are saddened and outraged by the failure of the grand jury in Missouri to indict Officer Darren Wilson for the fatal shooting of Michael Brown. We stand with the family of Michael Brown and the peaceful protesters in Ferguson.

Asian Americans Advancing Justice Condemns Grand Jury's Failure to Bring Charges Against Darren Wilson in Michael Brown Shooting Death

"We need answers and justice for Michael Brown's death."

In response to today's announcement that the grand jury in Ferguson, MO, has decided not to indict officer Darren Wilson, Asian Americans Advancing Justice issues the following statement:

As civil rights organizations, we fight daily for racial justice for all communities of color. And as Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders whose community members have also experienced police brutality and discrimination Asian Americans Advancing Justice condemns the grand jury's failure to bring charges against officer Darren Wilson in the shooting death of Michael Brown.

Ferguson, Asian America, & Performative Solidarity: Showing Up, Staying Shown

By PaKou Her. Cross-posted from 18 Million Rising



Just over a week ago, I slid into my car and drove away from #FergusonOctober. Buckled in and gearing up for the 4-hour drive back to Kansas City, all I wanted to do was sing. I sing a lot -- the most when I'm alone -- and singing is often an escape route for my silenced stories and tucked-away emotions.

With my heart full of all I had seen and heard during #FergusonOctober, I immediately called upon the musical companion I most wanted with me on the westward journey home: Richie Havens. Havens' deep, raspy baritone tumbled through the speakers and bounced off the windows like a monarch desperately beating its wings against a wide open world it can see but cannot touch.

Angry Asian America Ep. 8: "What Does Ferguson Mean for Asian Americans?"

With co-host Jenny Yang and special guests Mike Song and Emily C. Chang



All right, folks. It's been a minute, but I'm pleased to share the latest episode of my web talk show Angry Asian American on ISAtv. In episode eight, co-host Jenny Yang and I are joined by our friends dancer/choreographer Mike Song and actor/writer Emily C. Chang. We try to break down the situation in Ferguson, Missouri and why it matters to the Asian American community. Also, Jeremy Lin.

Take a look:

This Ferguson business owner is tired of Darren Wilson supporters and their bullshit

"I am speaking English, do you understand that? You stupid jackass!"



Things have taken weird turns in Ferguson, Missouri, where weeks of community unrest over the fatal police shooting of unarmed teenager Michael Brown have given way to tensions between protestors and supporters of Darren Wilson, the police officer who killed Brown. Today, we tip our hat to one local business owner, who interrupted a TV interview to tell Wilson supporters to get the hell out.

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: