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.
In this episode, recorded live at The Greene Space at WNYC, we welcome writer/comedian Karen Chee and costume designer Minji Kim to talk about Asian American visibility in fashion and entertainment. Part 2 of the in-studio "RISE Conversations" in celebration of AAPI Heritage Month and inspired by RISE: A Pop History of Asian America from the Nineties to Now. Produced with the generous support of UBS.
And Other Things to Know From Angry Asian America.
Dear Racist
"I'm sorry that when you are faced with the unfamiliar, you can only shut down in terror instead of opening up in curiosity. You see, I won't be afraid to go out into the world for much longer. But you will always be. Xenophobia is, by definition, fear. And phobias cripple those affected."
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Late Night’s Karen Chee on Celebrating AAPI Heritage Month
As you may know, or perhaps did not know, May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, as officially decreed by the United States of America. In observance of the occasion, Late Night with Seth Meyers writer Karen Chee shares the ways she is celebrating her heritage during AAPI Heritage Month.
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First Look at ESPN's "30 For 30" Be Water
Take a sneak peek at Be Water, the upcoming "30 for 30" documentary about the life of martial arts trailblazer Bruce Lee, directed by Bao Nguyen. The films debuts Sunday, June 7 on ESPN.
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So What Now?!
Hosted by Anthony Ma and Roxy Shih, So What Now?! is "a quarantine talk show for creatives who have nothing else better to do on a Saturday afternoon." So quarantine has you feeling isolated, depleted and a little bit crazy. Fear not! Anthony and Roxy are here to bring you a one hour, interactive variety show that features guests to help you remove that block. Join in on the fun live on Saturdays on Facebook and YouTube.
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And... I guess we're writing a book? I am pleased to announce that I'm co-authoring a book with They Call Us Bruce co-host Jeff Yang and Wong Fu Productions co-founder Philip Wang tentatively titled RISE: Asian America from the 1990s to Now, "a visual history of how generations of Asian Americans powered through stereotypes and mainstream exclusion to push their community into the spotlight and make their culture irresistibly cool," according to this blurb from Publisher's Marketplace. They say it's not official until you share an unsightly screenshot from the trade announcement, so here you go.
"It's Clear From the Numbers We're Not Going to Win This Campaign"
Andrew Yang is dropping out of the presidential race. The first Asian American man to run for president as a Democrat, Yang is an entrepreneur who promoted a universal basic income and warned of the perils of automation. After running a long-shot campaign that built unprecedented support and persisted longer than anyone expected, he ended his long-shot bid for president on Tuesday night. "I am the math guy, and it's clear from the numbers we're not going to win this campaign," he announced to supporters in New Hampshire. "So tonight I'm announcing that I am suspending my campaign." You gotta hand it to him for hanging in there as long as he did, and getting so many Asian Americans excited about a candidate like never before.
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Parasite Cookies
Because we're still quite excited Parasite's historic Best Picture win at the Oscars... Cookies! By Judy Kim.
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'Parasite' Won, but Asian-Americans Are Still Losing Parasite's extraordinary Oscar victory is a triumph for South Korean cinema and a huge boost for the Academy's abysmal track record with diversity, but in the long view, Walter Chaw points out that this historic moment still isn't much of a win for Asian American representation.
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Late Night Writer Karen Chee on Parasite's Oscar Wins
Then again, let us Koreans bask in the collective glory and pride of this moment. Check out Late Night writer Karen Chee -- rocking a Bong Joon Ho t-shirt! -- celebrating Parasite's Oscar sweep, her Korean heritage, and her hot Korean grandpa.
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Fresh Off The Boat Series Finale: February 21
It's the end of an era. Time to say goodbye to the Huang family. Mark your calendars, set your DVRs. Fresh Off the Boat will air its special one-hour series finale February 21 on ABC.
'Late Night with Seth Meyers' writer offers some helpful DOs and DON'Ts for white people.
As you may know, May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. To celebrate the occasion properly, Late Night with Seth Meyers recently invited writer Karen Chee to share a short list of helpful Dos and Don'ts for white people who would like to join in on the Heritage Month fun.
For instance, the first one on her list is a microagression classic: "Don't ask me where I'm really from!" Unfortunately, people still need to hear this one. "Because when I say I'm from a suburb of San Francisco, I can tell you're disappointed," Chee says. "Asian American people are descendants of many different countries, which is just a polite way of saying number two. Don't say 'Ni Hao' to me."
