That Random Asian Guy

Guest Post by Konrad Ng



Two terms. Two terms of that random Asian guy. The one in the background, usually walking a few steps behind the President. Why is he there? What does he do? Who is this guy?!?

Well, that guy could have been me; he probably was. My hope for the random Asian guy is that he does not end up becoming Allison Ng in any movie about the life and times of Barack Obama because there is a long list of talented actors who are more than capable of background acting.

Happy Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month 2015

Watch a video message from the White House and read President Obama's proclamation.



It's May. Happy Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month! Of course, around here, that's pretty much every month. But I appreciate the dedicated thirty-one day gesture, America. Let's celebrate.

In June 1977, Reps. Frank Horton of New York and Norman Y. Mineta of California introduced a House resolution that called upon the president to proclaim the first ten days of May as Asian-Pacific Heritage Week. Twelve years later, the week was extended into a month-long celebration. In 1992, the official designation of May as Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month was signed into law. And here we are.

Here's a video message from Kiran Ahuja, Executive Director of the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, and Konrad Ng, Director of the Smithsonian Asian Pacific Center:

Hangout for Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, May 1, 12:00pm ET

In case you didn't know, May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. To kick things off, I've joined forces with the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center for a very special Google Hangout happening Wednesday, May 1 at 3:00pm EST.

Come join in on a Hangout with Lisa Ling, journalist, writer and host of Our America with Lisa Ling; Kiran Ahuja, Executive Director of the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders; Konrad Ng, Director of the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center; moderator Gautam Raghavan, Associate Director of Public Engagement at the White House. And me! Here are some details about the Hangout:

historic election night for asian americans

Good morning, America. Recovering from Election Night 2012? Of course, voters re-elected President Barack Obama, giving us another confetti-obscured glimpse of Konrad Ng (aka "that Asian guy with Obama's family") in the First Family victory huddle. That's always fun.

Early national exit polls data suggests that Asian American overwhelmingly voted for President Obama, with 73 percent pulling for a second term, while only 26 percent supported Mitt Romney: Exit Polls Show Asian Americans Backed Obama by Wide Margin .

Elsewhere, around the country, it was a historic night...

angry reader of the week: konrad ng

Aloha! It's time to meet another Angry Reader of the Week, spotlighting you, the very special readers of this website. Over the years, I've been able to connect with a lot of cool folks, and this is a way of showing some appreciation and attention to the people who help make this blog what it is. This week's Angry Reader is Konrad Ng.

Who are you?
Director of the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Program. A professor in the Academy for Creative Media at the University of Hawaii. Mister to the sister. Dad of Monkey and Rat.

What are you?
To some in the galaxy, a bag of mostly water.