Olympians Speak Out Against Trump's "Loser" Remarks

And Other Items of Note from Angry Asian America.

Chloe Kim, Eileen Gu speak out after President Trump calls Olympian 'a loser'

A day after President Donald Trump called the Olympian Hunter Hess "a real loser" over the freestyle skier's comments about representing the United States, two of the biggest stars at these Winter Olympics, snowboarder Chloe Kim and freestyle skier Eileen Gu, have spoken out in a Games that is becoming ever more politically charged. As a general rule, whenever Trump goes out of his way to call someone a "loser," they are usually, in fact, quite the opposite.

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Councilmember Nithya Raman to run for L.A. mayor, challenging onetime ally Karen Bass

Nithya Raman has entered the Los Angeles mayoral race in an eleventh-hour bid, challenging former ally Karen Bass in the June primary. The progressive councilmember announced mayoral run on Saturday, just three hours before the filing deadline for the June election and less than two weeks after endorsing Bass' reelection.

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A Hmong child bride who killed her husband years ago dreads her next ICE check-in

Nou served nearly seven years in prison for killing her husband in self-defense, after suffering years of abuse. She pleaded no contest to voluntary manslaughter, her green card was taken away, and she has to regularly check in with ICE. Now 50 and disabled, she lives in fear that she'll be deported under the current surge in immigration enforcement in Minnesota.

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How Yerin Ha Became the Belle of Bridgerton's Ball

Yerin Ha never thought she’d get top billing when she sent her audition tape. "When my agent told me it was for Bridgerton, I thought it was a supporting role. Then I realized, oh no, this is for the lead. They’re going to cast an East Asian woman for the lead."

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The Rose: Come Back To Me

Hitting theaters this week: The Rose: Come Back to Me. Directed by Eugene Yi, the award-winning documentary feature follows the inspiring journey of The Rose -- the Korean alt-pop indie band who have quickly risen as one of Korea's most in-demand groups, captivating audiences worldwide with their soul-stirring, genre-blending sound.

Elizabeth Warren Says She's Got a Plan For Asian America

Things to Know From Angry Asian America



Elizabeth Warren: A Working Agenda for AAPIs
From the Elizabeth Warren Campaign: "We need to collect comprehensive disaggregated data if we are going to make big structural changes so that our democracy works for everyone. This document is a work in progress and will continue to be updated based on input and insight from Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AAPI) activists, community leaders, organizers, policy experts, and stakeholders."

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U.S. Funding Reintegration Program for Laotian and Hmong Refugees
Laotian and Hmong refugees are preparing to face a possible increase in deportations, in part because the U.S. government is funding a reintegration program to help Laos accept nationals with final orders of removal.

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Larry Itliong and the Great Delano Grape Strike
At 15, Larry Itliong came to America with a dream. His plans changed when he learned the truth about his new home. In 1965, he led Filipino farmworkers in a historic fight for their rights. Episode 12 of Long Distance tells the story of the influential labor leader and the Delano Grape Strike.

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The Green Knight
Oh damn. Check out the teaser trailer for The Green Knight, a new cinematic twist on the Arthurian legend -- starring Dev Patel. The medieval fantasy adventures tells the story of Sir Gawain, King Arthur's reckless and headstrong nephew, who embarks on a daring quest to confront the eponymous Green Knight, a gigantic emerald-skinned stranger and tester of men. Dev's got a sword. Dev's on a quest. And I am here for it.

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Netflix to Serve Documentary Series on Naomi Osaka
Japanese tennis star Naomi Osaka is set as the subject of a Netflix documentary series. The series will cover Osaka's pivotal year, from the US Open in August last year, on tour as Osaka plays in each of this year's Grand Slam tournaments, and prepares for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Meet Minnesota's first Hmong American judge

Sophia Vuelo sworn in to become the first Hmong American to serve as a judge in Minnesota.



This week in Minnesota, Sophia Vuelo was sworn in as the 29th member of the Ramsey County District Court bench, becoming the state's first Hmong American judge, and only one of a few in the country.

Minnesota swears in state's first Hmong-American judge

Vuelo has nearly 20 years experience as an attorney in both the private and public sectors, working as both a prosecutor and public defender. She was running her own law firm specializing in juvenile protection, family and criminal law when Gov. Mark Dayton appointed her to replace retired Judge Margaret Marrinan.

She is the first Hmong American to serve as a judge in Minnesota, and believed to be only the third Hmong American judge in the United States.

Hmong family's home targeted with racist graffiti

Vandals spray-painted "CHINKS" on the garage door.



There's nothing quite like someone asshole spray-painting "CHINKS" in giant letters across the front of your house to make you feel welcome in the neighborhood. Over the weekend in Minnesota, a Hmong family's home was targeted by vandals who defaced their garage door and car with hate graffiti.

Police investigate racist graffiti in Oakdale

The incident occurred early Sunday morning at a home in Oakdale, a Twin Cities suburb. The vandals spray-painted the racial slur on the garage door, and "Lick my bulls" [sic] across the side of a car. Really?

TL Xiong, who lives at the home with this parents, posted photos of the vandalism on Facebook. He noted that his family moved in to the house only two months ago and warned the vandals that "karma will get you."

Elderly woman attacked by police dog in her own backyard

Coon Rapids Police mistook 81-year-old Choua Xiong for a burglar.



In Minnesota, community members are demanding answers and accountability from the Coon Rapids Police Department after an elderly Hmong woman was attacked and bitten by a police K-9 in her own backyard.

Coon Rapids police unleash dog on 82-year-old grandma cleaning her shed

81-year-old Choua Xiong was doing some work in her backyard shed early Sunday morning when officers, responding to a burglary call, unleashed a police dog on her. Note: she was in her own shed, in her own backyard. Xiong suffered bites to her arm and was hospitalized.

Police say officers received a 911 call from a woman who said she saw an intruder in a black coat in her backyard, and heard a loud noise coming from somewhere in the back of her residence. Officer arrived on the scene and spotted someone in a shed next door with a flashlight.

Suspecting a burglary was underway, they yelled to the shed and ordered the "suspect" to come out, but got no response. So they unleashed to police dog to take down whoever was inside.

The "suspect" turned out to be Xiong. She apparently does not speak English, is hard of hearing, and didn't understand the officer's commands. Congratulations, officers. You and your friggin' attack dog just busted an 81-year-old grandma "intruding" on her own property.

Sheriff accused of intimidating Hmong voters

Siskiyou County Sheriff Jon Lopey is under investigation for alleged voter intimidation.



In California, the state Attorney General's Office is investigating reports that Hmong residents in Siskiyou County were being intimidated by the Sheriff's Office to keep them from voting in Tuesday's election.

Attorney General's Office in Siskiyou County after reports of sheriff intimidating voters

Sheriff Jon Lopey is under investigation for alleged voter intimidation during this week's primary election. Civil rights activists say that Lopey and his deputies set up a checkpoint outside a subdivision and stopped cars being driven by Hmongs only and asked them whether they were registered to vote.

Hmong residents say that county and state officials showed up at their homes carrying assault rifles and threatened to arrest anyone who tried to illegally vote. As a result, many Hmong resident reportedly did not turn out to vote in Tuesday's primary because they were afraid.

Poet Mai Der Vang wins 2016 Walt Whitman Award

Awarded by the Academy of American Poets for best debut poetry book.



Hmong American poet Mai Der Vang has been awarded the prestigious national 2016 Walt Whitman Award, which is given annually by the Academy of American Poets for an outstanding debut poetry book.

Hmong American poet Mai Der Vang wins prize for best debut

Vang will receive a $5,000 cash prize and her submitted manuscript, titled Afterland, will be published in April 2017 by Graywolf Press. In addition, she'll receive an all-expenses-paid six-week residency at the Civitella Ranieri Center in the Umbrian region of Italy.

Hmong man assaulted in hunting dispute

Family and community members demand justice for the attack on 64-year-old Sao Lue Vang



Last month in Wisconsin, a Hmong hunter was severely injured after he accidentally wandered on to private land and was assaulted by the son of the property owner. The victim's family and members of the Hmong American community are demanding answers for the vicious attack on 64-year-old Sao Lue Vang.

Family speaks out about Hmong hunter assault

Vang was hunting with friends on public land in Pepin County. At some point, Vang separated from the group and was approached by another hunter, 43-year-old Kevin Elberg, who started harassing, yelling, and accusing him of being on his property. Vang apologized, but the confrontation escalated.

When Vang tried to walk away, Elberg allegedly assaulted him from behind, knocking him to the ground, and kicking and hitting him in the stomach and body. Vang suffered lacerations to his liver and injuries to his hand.

Here's more information on what happened:

Paul Lo sworn in as nation's first Hmong American judge

Judge Lo takes his spot on the Merced County Superior Court bench



Last week in California, the Merced County Superior Court swore in its newest judge to the bench and made history. Paul Lo is the first person of Hmong descent to become a judge in the United States.

Merced County's Paul Lo becomes first Hmong judge in U.S.

Gov. Jerry Brown appointed Lo, a veteran attorney, to the Superior Court bench in late December.

On Friday, in front of packed audience of family, friends and community members at The Merced Theatre, Lo took the oath of office, put on his official judge's robe, and shared the emotional story of his family and the people who paved the path for him to become the first Hmong American judge:

Nation's first Hmong American judge appointed in California

Paul C. Lo appointed to a judgeship in the Merced County Superior Court

Last week in California, Governor Jerry Brown appointed Paul C. Lo to a judgeship in the Merced County Superior Court. The historic appointment makes Lo the first Hmong American judge in United States history.

First Hmong American judge in U.S. appointed in Merced County

Lo, 45, has been a practicing attorney for twenty years. He says that when he first arrived to the United States with this family at age 11, as refugees from the Vietnam War, he didn't speak any English. He eventually graduated from the University of California at Davis and UCLA School of Law.

Here's some more information from the Office of the Governor's press release:

Job Opportunity: Lecturer in Asian American Studies

Responsible for teaching Hmong American Experiences in the U.S.

I got this academic job listing passed along to me, and figured one of you smart somebodies out there would be qualified for it...

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is a looking for a lecturer in Asian American studies to teach a course next semester on Hmong American Experiences in the U.S. That sounds like it could be a pretty cool class.

Here are some more details on the position:

UWEC Hmong students respond to racist "problems" sign

A couple of weeks ago, I shared this note that was posted in a dorm bathrooom stall by someone who obviously had some "problems" with her Hmong floor-mates at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.

I recently heard from he resident assistant on the floor where the sign was posted. After waiting a month to see whether and how school officials would react, she and her peers decided to write a public statement to the university administration and the greater UWEC community.

Here's the letter: