Is Your Halloween Costume Racist?

A handy flowchart. Though honestly, if you have to ask if it's racist, it probably is.



This graphic is a couple of years old, but it's making the rounds again, and with Halloween upon us again, it's worth revisiting... Are you deciding on a costume to wear for Halloween? Putting the final touches on your spooky ensemble? But wait, maybe you're wondering if your costume is racist. This handy flowchart from College Humor will tell you what's up: Is Your Halloween Costume Racist?

More Than Half of Asian American Teens are Bullied in School

Saw this infographic posted on the Giant Robot's Twitter last week... We've seen this statistic shared before, but it's worth repeating and reinforcing. And seriously, it hasn't become any less upsetting.

According to survey data released in 2011 by the US Justice Department and Education Department, Asian Americans endure far more bullying in U.S. schools than any other ethnic group, and compared to other teens, Asian American teens are three times as likely to face bullying on the internet.

A report released last year by the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund and The Sikh Coalition revealed that half of all Asian American students surveyed in New York City have been the target of bias-bullying and harassment, mirroring national statistics.

And according to a report released earlier this month, more than half of Sikh school children are bullied.

Throw in the scores of stories I've posted the years about young Asian Americans who have taken their lives after enduring bullying, violence and harassment in school, and it's all a stark, powerful reminder that we need continued efforts to confront and combat this issue.

Stand up and speak out!

The Diversity Gap in the Academy Awards

You knew it was bad. This infographic shows how bleak it really is.



The 86th Academy Awards, which celebrates excellence in filmmaking, will take place this weekend. It's Hollywood's biggest night! As a movie fan, I used to be avid follower of the Oscars, only to become increasingly disillusioned, year upon year, by the Academy's glaring racial and gender disparities.

The handy infographic above, created by as part of a recently released Diversity Gap study by Lee & Low Books, breaks down the racial and gender representation of the Academy Awards.. I don't think it's going to be a mind-blowing revelation to anyone that Oscar's diversity gap is stunningly awful.

Where's the Diversity, Hollywood? 85 Years of the Academy Awards

You knew it was bad. The numbers show just how bleak it really is. The Producers and Writers branches of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences are both 98% white. Academy voters are 94% white and 77% male. In 85 years, only eight people of color have ever won Oscars in the Best Actress or Best Actor categories. Only one woman has ever won Best Director -- and that was only four years ago.

Lee & Low Books is an award-winning children's book publisher focusing on diversity and stories about everyone, for everyone. To read the rest Diversity Gap study, which includes interviews with independent actors and filmmakers, go here.

Still no Asian Americans on Saturday Night Live

38 years of SNL's diversity problem, all in one chart



After a recent revival of criticism over a lack of diversity on Saturday Night Live, this weekend marked the much-hyped debut of Sasheer Zamata, the show's first black female cast member in seven years.

In honor of the occasion, here's an interesting and informative Huffington Post infographic outlining the sketch comedy institution's legendary lack of racial diversity in its 38-year run. It specifically points out, as I am reminded every time we inevitably revisit these discussions of SNL's notorious race problem, still no Asians.

Check it out:

AAPI Voters Overwhelmingly Support Immigration Reform

Tell Congress to strengthen family reunification in comprehensive immigration reform.



Haven't our families waited long enough? Just sharing this infographic, created by Asian Americans Advancing Justice, in support of commonsense and compassionate immigration reform that reunites families and creates a path to citizenship. For further information, and to learn how you can get involved in the fight for immigration reform, join the Reuniting Families Campaign. #AAPIS4CIR

should I cast an asian? a handy flow chart by julia kim smith

Should you cast an Asian/American-American/Brit-Asian in your next movie or music or play? I know, it can be a tough decision.

Based on some recent examples of yellowface/whitewash/racebending, artist Julia Kim Smith has created a handy flow chart to guide any director or casting director through the tricky process. Cheeky.

Go here for a larger version, as well as a downloadable PDF of the chart.

get off your ass and vote, asian america

Election Day, my friends. Time to get off your ass, find your polling place, and exercise your right to vote. It's not just votes for who will lead this country, but also for the issues and offices that affect you on the state and local level. If you don't think your vote matters, then you are dumb.

The cute Dragon Boy image above, created by artist Martin Hsu, is meant to encourage you to vote. If that doesn't compel you, here are some infographics about the Asian American vote, courtesy of 18 Million Rising.