Pre-Order: Auntie Kristina's Guide to Asian American Activism

And Other Items of Note From Angry Asian America.

Auntie Kristina’s Guide to Asian American Activism

I believe the children are our future. Teach them well and let them lead the way. But they need a guide. Kristina Wong has stepped up with a book that connects the youth to Asian American history, community and beyond: Auntie Kristina's Guide to Asian American Activism, a fun and inspiring book that shows young readers "how to love their bodies, fight for social justice, and be proud of the history that's made them who they are."

"Grounded in diverse lived experiences of featured Auntie Heroes and inspiring Young Rebels, this guide discusses the Asian American community, past and present; explores allyship with other communities of color; finds a place in national and global movements; and turns inward so young readers can practice love and self-care. Each chapter includes activism strategies for all kids--from those who love math and statistics to those who can't wait for their next art project."

Auntie Kristina's Guide to Asian American Activism hits shelves on April 14. Pre-order now.

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Vietnamese man living in US since childhood detained by ICE over expunged marijuana charge

A man who has lived in the U.S. since he was a child and has worked in Oklahoma for nearly 15 years is now being held in detention, facing possible deportation over a decades-old marijuana charge that was previously erased from his record. Hai Nguyen, who went in for a routine check-in with immigration officials last week, found himself detained by ICE and sent to a detention facility. Now he's look at deportation, and leaving behind the life, career and family he's built in the United States over the last thirty years. This shit is cruel and broken.

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In 'Bad Asians,' a friend group threatens its reputation with a viral video

Lillian Li's Bad Asians was recently highlighted as NPR's Book of the Day. In the novel, four 20-somethings from a hyper-competitive Chinese American community confront the challenges of the 2008 financial crisis and begin to let loose. Their former classmate documents their frustrations in what becomes one of the first viral YouTube videos. Li talks about the initial privacy of the early internet, exploding Asian American stereotypes, and why she wanted to write about friendship.

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'The Pitt's Isa Briones Joins 'Just In Time' on Broadway

If you heard her sing that lullabye this season on The Pitt, you are aware she had the goods. Isa Briones, who plays Dr. Trinity Santos on the hit medical drama, will be taking over the role of famed ballad singer Connie Francis next month in the Broadway musical Just in Time. The role marks a return to Broadway for Briones, who made her debut in Hadestown in March 2024.

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Newly Created Godfather Prize Will Recognize Asian American Playwrights

The Consortium of Asian American Theaters and Artists (CAATA) has created a new national, annual award for playwrights: The Godfather Prize for Playwriting. Each year, the award will honor one Asian American, Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander (AANHPI), South West Asia and North Africa (SWANA), Middle East and North Africa (MENA), or mixed-race playwright, as well as six to eight finalists. For more information, visit here.

89-Year-Old Woman Set On Fire in Brooklyn Assault

And Other Things to Know From Angry Asian America.



89-Year-Old Woman Slapped In Face, Set On Fire In Brooklyn
What is wrong with people? In New York, police are looking for two men accused of slapping an 89-year-old Asian woman and setting her shirt on fire. The incident happened on July 14 in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn. Police said the suspects approached the victim and slapped her in the face. When she moved away, they allegedly lit her shirt on fire with a match or lighter, then ran away. Fortunately, the woman didn't suffer any serious injuries. Anyone with information about the attack is asked to call the NYPD;s Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). You can also submit a tip via their website or on Twitter, @NYPDTips.

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Did This Good Morning America Host Interviewing Kristina Wong... Think She Was Talking to Ali Wong?
Comedian and performance artist Kristina Wong was a guest on Good Morning America to talk about her incredible efforts with the "Auntie Sewing Squad," which has created and distributed thousands of masks for vulnerable communities. Awesome, right? Except... the opening moments of the interview seem to indicate that host Amy Robach thought she was talking to comedian Ali Wong. Am I tripping?

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Man arrested for incidents targeting Asians in Torrance, West Carson
Torrance again. Last week, a man was arrested on assault and vandalism charges after being accused of two attacks on an Asian man and a Japanese restaurant this month. 36-year-old Aaron Sutton Angeles allegedly approached an Asian man on the street and asked him multiple times if he was Asian before attacking him with a knife. Upon his arrest, deputies learned Angeles was also suspected of vandalizing a nearby Japanese restaurant a day before the assault, when he was seen throwing a rock through the restaurant's window. He was reportedly also overheard saying, "The Japanese caused 9-11." Yeah.

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After Lesko mispronounces Pramila Jayapal's name the first time, she butchers the pronunciation the second time and Jayapal was not having it.@RepJayapal: "Jayapal, if you're going to say my name, please say it right. It's Jayapal." pic.twitter.com/hiw0yEDbz6

— Erick Fernandez (@ErickFernandez) July 28, 2020

Rep. Jayapal Asks Colleague to Properly Pronounce Her Name
It's pronounced JYE-ah-paul. Rep. Pramila Jayapal interrupted Rep. Debbie Lesko to correct how Lesko pronounced her name during a Judiciary Committee hearing Tuesday about protests and the use of federal intervention in major cities. "Jayapal," she said. "If you're going to say my name, please say it right. It's Jayapal." You're damn right it is. Make them say your name. Make them say it right.

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The Master of Martial Arts Battles an Army in Arthur Adams' 'Shang-Chi' #1 Cover
Here's a preview of the cover of Marvel Comics' upcoming new Shang-Chi series, written by Gene Luen Yang with art by Dike Ruan. The awesome cover art for the first issue, above, is by industry legend Arthur Adams. Shang-Chi #1 hits shelves in September.

This Squad Has Made 60,000 Masks for Vulnerable People

And Other Things to Know From Angry Asian America.



A comedian’s tour was canceled. So she started the Auntie Sewing Squad.
Los Angeles comedian Kristina Wong was planning to take her new one-woman show on tour in the spring when it was suddenly canceled because of the swiftly spreading novel coronavirus. Wanting to put her time to good use, she reached out to the homeless population in her community and donated tents and air mattresses, and also paid to have two washing stations installed so people could keep their hands clean. Then a friend showed her a news story in March about Los Angeles-area hospitals pleading for face masks. Wong knew it was time to pull out her Hello Kitty sewing machine and leftover fabric scraps.

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Trump administration rescinds foreign students rule
The Trump administration on Tuesday rescinded a policy that would have stripped visas from international students whose courses move exclusively online amid the coronavirus pandemic. The move comes after the policy announcement last week sparked a flurry of litigation, beginning with a suit brought by Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, followed by California's public colleges and later a coalition of 17 states, among other challenges.

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💥Shang-Chi

Marvel's intro of an Asian superhero couldn’t come at a better time (although postponed due to COVID).
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“Let’s show them the beauty of our culture” - Bruce Lee#shangchi #marvelstudios #marvel #imcharliewen #brucelee #great #asiansuperhero #mcu pic.twitter.com/vvqZV7oC4g

— Charlie Wen (@imcharliewen) July 11, 2020

Shang-Chi Concept Art
This is totally unofficial, but still kind of interesting. As we all know, Shang-Chi will make his cinematic debut in next year's Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. While we've nearly nothing of what Simu Liu will look like as the Master of Kung Fu, Marvel Studios' co-founder and former Co-Head of Visual Development Charlie Wen recently shared his own unofficial fan design for Shang Chi. I'm not crazy about the head gear.

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Kelly Marie Tran Boards 'Monsterland' Anthology Series at Hulu
Kelly Marie Tran, best known for playing Rose Tico in Star Wars, has signed on to appear on Hulu's upcoming anthology series Monsterland. Based on the collection of stories from Nathan Ballingrud, the eight-episode series will feature encounters with mermaids, fallen angels, and other strange beasts which drive broken people to desperate acts. According to Variety, Tran will play the character of Lauren in an episode titled "Iron River, MI." Her character has just returned to her small hometown to be married. Lauren managed to build a new life for herself after her best friend, Elena, went missing when they were 16.

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'Ravi Patel's Pursuit of Happiness' Moves To HBO Max, Gets Premiere Date
The CNN Original Series Ravi Patel's Pursuit of Happiness is a four-part buddy comedy docuseries that follows actor/documentarian/philanthropist Ravi Patel as he travels the world seeking answers surrounding life's universal questions. At each stop throughout his journey, Patel is joined by a friend or family member, with whom he shares a big conflict or question about life. Driven by an obsession to constantly learn and grow, the series offers an unfiltered look at Ravi's personal struggles with each topic and the earnest comparison of social norms domestic and abroad. Ravi Patel's Pursuit of Happiness premieres August 27 on HBO Max.

This Teen Pilot is Flying Medical Supplies to Hospitals in Need

And Other Things to Know From Angry Asian America.



16-year-old Pilot Flies Medical Supplies to Rural Hospitals
"TJ Kim can’t play lacrosse -- COVID-19 took the sport away. And at age 16, he can't drive alone. But Kim can fly. And he's turned his flying lessons into missions of mercy, bringing desperately needed supplies to rural hospitals in need. Each week, he carries gloves, masks, gowns and other equipment to small hospitals." So what did you do over spring break? This kid delivered life-saving medical supplies. No big deal.

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We’ve had SEVERAL customers ask our Asian team members if they have Coronavirus within just the last week.

This is absolutely UNACCEPTABLE. We will not tolerate racism, ignorance or hate.

— OMG Tacos (@OmgTacosTX) April 4, 2020

This Texas Restaurant Will Ban You For Being Racist
A Dallas-Fort Worth taqueria has announced a lifetime ban for any customers making rude or racial comments as tensions grow over the coronavirus pandemic. Richardson-based OMG Tacos, a Southern California-style fusion taqueria, posted a warning on social media last week after two different customers asked a Latino and an Asian American employee whether they had the coronavirus. “We will not tolerate racism, ignorance or hate," OMG Tacos posted on Twitter. "If you are racist, ignorant, aggressive, or threatening toward our staff in any way, we will absolutely refuse to serve you. You will also be BANNED from our establishments FOR LIFE."

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#Dumplings Against Hate x Patriot Act
This Saturday, April 11, #DumplingsAgainstHate will be hosting a behind-the-scenes panel and Q&A session with three members of the Patriot Act team, including showrunner and co-creator Prashanth Venkataramanujam. Get access with a $25 donation to support New York City's Chinatown.

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Community Stepping Up During COVID-19: Kristina Wong
As COVID-19 sweeps the nation, comedian Kristina Wong and a team of volunteer "aunties" are stepping up. Armed with sewing machines, the group is combating a country-wide shortage of coronavirus-preventing face masks by making dozens from home.

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'Doogie Howser' Reboot in the Works from Kourtney Kang
Doogie Howser, M.D., ABC's classic 1989 half-hour medical dramedy series, is making a comeback and getting a makeover. Disney+ is reportedly developing a reboot, Doogie Kealoha, M.D., starring an Asian American female lead, from How I Met Your Mother and Fresh Off the Boat alumna Kourtney Kang.

The Greatest Revolutionary Kids Web Series is Back

Things to Know From Angry Asian America



Radical Cram School Season 2
The greatest revolutionary kids web series is back for a second season. Radical Cram School, featuring performance artist and comedian Kristina Wong, is an award winning digital series where Asian American kids ages 6-12 explore the power of their identities, revolution, and social justice through puppets, community storytelling, and comedy. All six episode of season 2 are available on YouTube now.

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Are Asian Americans White? Or People of Color?
"Borrowing from W. E. B. Du Bois' color-line metaphor, some racial justice activists have asked whether Asian Americans are “left or right of the color line.” How we answer these questions bears important implications for movements for racial justice and equity. These are also questions that we have both confronted as womxn who are a second-generation queer Punjabi American and a second-generation Hong Konger American."

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The Lovebirds
Behold, the trailer for The Lovebirds! This looks like my kind of romcom. Issa Rae and Kumail Nanjiani star as Leilani and Jibran, who experience a defining moment in their relationship when they are unintentionally embroiled in a bizarre crime. As their journey to clear their names takes them from one extreme circumstance to the next, they must figure out how they, and their relationship, can survive the night. In theaters April 3.

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Queens native Awkwafina to be the voice of the No. 7 subway train for a week
Awkwafina, who recently got robbed of an Oscar nomination for her performance in The Farewell, will soon have a starring role as the voice of the No. 7 subway train to Flushing. Riders will hear the rapper/actor, who is a Queens native, handling conductor announcements on the No. 7 train over the next week, in promotion of her new Comedy Central show Nora From Queens.

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A Chinatown Odyssey by Jerry Ma
In New York, Pearl River Mart presents its latest art exhibition, A Chinatown Odyssey, opening Saturday, January 18. Through striking illustrations, graphic novel artist Jerry Ma retells the classic Chinese tale of the Monkey King in a modern, urban setting, and takes us on a journey through the Chinatown of his childhood.

Raise your fist for another season of 'Radical Cram School'

"Sesame Street for the resistance"



Our pal, performance artist and provocateur Kristina Wong, is in the throes of raising money for season two of Radical Cram School, her kid-centric, unscripted web series that empowers Asian American kids and all kids of color to embrace their identities, fight for social justice, and be the revolution. Think that's a bit too much for kids to handle? Just watch season one. Under Kristina's tutelage, these kids are going to save us all.

'Radical Cram School' is Sesame Street for the Resistance

Kristina Wong's kid-centric web series is badass and adorable.



How do we keep girls of color from internalizing the racist and misogynistic rhetoric amplified by the election of a presidential bully? How do we empower them to embrace their identities and become allies to other social movements? Forget Kumon. Your kid needs Radical Cram School.

Radical Cram School is a new web series that seeks answer to these questions through humor and fun. Hosted by comedian Kristina Wong, the unscripted six-episode series features Asian American kids, ages 7-11, eight of who identify as girls and one who identifies as gender fluid. Kristina and the kids play games, put on a puppet show and sing the blues to explore topics such as structural racism, misogyny, identity and bullying.

Grounded in academic research and crafted with comedy, Radical Cram School aims to spark the kinds of conversations not happening in school to explore topics such as structural racism, misogyny, feminism, gender identity, income inequality, and how to practice self-expression to transform negative experiences.

While the subject matter skews mature, the kids' unscripted reactions are hilarious and heartwarming. All six episodes of Radical Cram School are now available on YouTube. Check it out:

They Call Us Bruce - Episode 23: They Call Us Kristina Wong

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. 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.

This episode, we welcome longtime pal, performance artist and culture jammer Kristina Wong. We talk about the art of trolling dudes with yellow fever, How Not to Pick Up Asian Chicks, and the Good, the Bad and the WTF of Dating While Asian.

How To Pick Up Asian Chicks

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7 Ways Asian Americans will TROLL the ART WORLD on September 8

Performances by Tilda Swinton, Shia LeBeouf and Marina Abramovic get Asian American makeovers next week during Kristina Wong's TAKEOVER of the Asian Art Museum. Guest Post by Kristina Wong.



I have a love-hate relationship with the Art World. I love the inventive ideas you don't see on television. I hate how colonial the museum space is with artists of color notoriously underrepresented in major art institutions.

I always thought the most "famous" works of performance art would read COMPLETELY DIFFERENTLY (and be way more interesting) if performed by people of color. So when the Asian Art Museum invited me to TAKEOVER their giant four story museum for a night, I knew I had a rare opportunity to subvert the white institutional gaze of the Art World HEAD ON and make for very funny and layered results.

On September 8, my favorite artists (and the San Francisco Public Defender) give these famous performance pieces the mockery/ re-interpretation/ homage they really deserve. Check out seven highlights from Takeover: Kristina Wong!

Letter to My Younger Self

Guest Post by Kristina Wong.



As part of TEAM (Together Empowering Asian Minds), a new campaign to address mental health among Asian American women, APIA women are publishing letters to their younger selves.

Dear 12-year-old Kristina Wong,

It's me -- your older OLD ASS self writing from the future -- 2016!

If I remember you correctly, you are wearing two pairs of scrunchy socks over tacky bright leggings, your peers shun you as a "weirdo pervert," and you stay awake at night wondering if you'll ever engage in sexual activity.

Surprise Young Kristina! Nothing changes in the future! The difference is... you will actually forge a CAREER out of your awkwardness! That's right! You are going to grow up to be a PERFORMANCE ARTIST!

I know what you're thinking:

What the hell kind of doctor is a "performance artist"?
How will we break the news to Mommy and Daddy?
You mean I really won't have sex in the future... ever?

REDCAT Presents Kristina Wong in 'The Wong Street Journal'

"Part psychedelic TED lecture, part amateur hip-hop extravaganza, and part nonsense," November 12-15



Good people of Southern California! Comedian and performer Kristina Wong invites you to the Los Angeles premiere of her latest solo show The Wong Street Journal, described as "part psychedelic TED lecture, part amateur hip-hop extravaganza, and part nonsense." Four shows only! On a set made from the finest discount felt! It's happening November 12-15 at REDCAT.

Here's a trailer for the show:

See Kristina Wong in The Wong Street Journal

World premiere of new solo theater show, June 17-21 in San Francisco



Hey, San Francisco! Performance artist and comedian Kristina Wong invites you to the world premiere of her new solo theater work The Wong Street Journal. Described as "part plushy TED lecture, part amateur hip-hop extravaganza, and part travelogue," Kristina uses her special brand of humor to tackle some pretty big ideas. It's happening June 17-21 at Z Below in San Francisco.

Here are some details about the show:

Asian Vaginas End Racism!

From the makers of "My Best Friends Is Black!" and "I Treat My Housekeeper Like Family."



Ever heard a guy say, "I'm not racist -- I've dated Asian/Latina/Black women before"? That is some bullshit. Here's a new video, Asian Vaginas End Racism! starring our friend Kristina Wong, who attempts to explode that nonsense to smithereens, complete with costumes, sexy lingerie and a giant set of fabric genitals. I can't even explain it. Just watch. (Not safe for work, um, sort of.)

New York Times video series highlights funny artists of color

'Off-Color' features Hari Kondabolu, Kristina Wong, Issa Rae and Lalo Alcaraz.



The New York Times has launched a really cool four-part video series called Off-Color which highlights artists of color who use humor to make smart social statements about the sometimes subtle, sometimes obvious ways that race plays out in America today. The series features Hari Kondabolu, Kristina Wong, Issa Rae and Lalo Alcaraz. (I had the honor of being interviewed for Kristina's video.)

Check them out:

Kristina Wong has launched a Kickstarter to marry Jeremy Lin

If potato salad can get funded, so can the future Mrs. Wong-Lin



Performance artist and comedian Kristina Wong's affection/obsession for Jeremy Lin is well-documented. Now that the basketball star is coming to Los Angeles, Kristina intends to get married to Jeremy Lin. To make that happen, she has launched a Kickstarter, and is asking for your help funding the nuptials.

Wait, what? Kristina explains in this creepy video:

Kristina Wong wants reparations for Yellow Fever

Watch her tear shit up on Myx TV's reality series 'I'm Asian American and...'



I adore Kristina Wong. From the moment I met her, I've admired Kristina for being fierce, funny and utterly fearless as a performance artist, provocateur, and friend. So I was quite pleased to hear that she's being featured on Myx TV's new reality TV show, I'm Asian American and..., a documentary series focused on the diverse Asian American diaspora. Yes, Kristina Wong... reality television star. And she destroys it.

The episode title alone should get you watching. In "I'm Asian American and... I Want Reparations For Yellow Fever," Kristina sets her target on guys with an Asian fetish. It's pretty darn marvelous. Take a look:

Who will be crowned Mr. Hyphen 2014? Glory awaits.

Saturday, April 19 at Marines' Memorial Theatre



Awwww yeah. Who will be the next Mr. Hyphen? Bay Area, join Hyphen next week to find out. Five transformative Asian American men representing six transformative community organizations will compete for the coveted crown at the 8th annual community fundraiser Mr. Hyphen 2014.

The festivities will be hosted by the one and only Kristina Wong, and will feature performances by Grammy Award winner Hollis and vocal group Anak. I have the honor of serving as a judge. Good times! It's all going down Saturday, April 19 at the historic Marines' Memorial Theatre in downtown San Francisco.

Here are some more details about the night:

Kristina Wong's Notes-in-Process: The Wong Street Journal

Wednesday, February 26 at Grand Star Jazz Club



Heads up, Los Angeles. See the awesome Kristina Wong perform/lecture on her work-in-progress, The Wong Street Journal this Wednesday, February 26 at the Grand Star Jazz Club in Chinatown. The year-long process revolves around five weeks she spent in Uganda, mixing personal stories and real facts about life for women in developing nations. Here are some more details

Kristina Wong's Wong Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest DVD

A comedy about depression



Whether it's professing obsessive love for Jeremy Lin on Totally Biased, or declaring "Suck it, white ladies!" in the most awesome TV interview ever, writer/performance artist/provocateur is full-time awesome.

So if you're a Kristina Wong superfan like me, then you should check out the feature film version of Wong Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, her critically-acclaimed one-woman show about suicide and depression among Asian American women, now available on DVD and VOD from Cinema Libre. Watch Kristina take the stage and use her show to cure all the mentally ill and suicidal Asian American women in just 85 minutes.

Okay, so that's kind of a lofty goal. According to a report from the American Psychological Association, suicide is the second leading cause of death among Asian American women aged 15-34. With this sobering statistic in mind, Kristina tackles taboos and says 'suck it' to stigmas, crafting a razor-sharp, insightful and hilarious show that examines the phenomena and stereotypes associated with Asian American women.

Here's the trailer to Wong Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest: