"What we saw... was not a protest, it was an attempted coup"

And Other Things to Know From Angry Asian America



U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth Speaks Out Against Trump Demonstrators
U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth spoke out against President Donald Trump and the demonstrators that forced their way into the U.S. Capitol building Wednesday: "What we saw today was not a protest, it was an attempted coup. I refuse to let anyone intent on instigating chaos or inciting violence deter me from carrying out my Constitutional duties. Congress must continue its work certifying the results of the election and turn the page on this shameful chapter in our history. It is the only way to inch closer to healing our nation."

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After 5 hours I’ve been rescued from my hiding place. Now i can show you my DIY barricade and gas masks. Protestors were right outside the door chanting ‘USA USA’ it was scary but i am ok! Thanks all for your prayers. pic.twitter.com/OX3rfM35zH

— Grace Meng (@Grace4NY) January 6, 2021

Rep. Grace Meng Shows Where She Hid Amid Violent US Capitol Protests
As the U.S. Capitol was stormed by a mob of pro-Trump protesters, New York congresswoman Grace Meng took cover for hours in a room that was barricaded shut with office chairs while rioters stormed outside. "After 5 hours I've been rescued from my hiding place. Now i can show you my DIY barricade and gas masks," wrote Rep. Meng. "Protestors were right outside the door chanting 'USA USA' it was scary but i am ok! Thanks all for your prayers."

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I can't contain my rage at Donald Trump and Republicans who invited, incited, and fueled this terror. Our country and our democracy will have to recover from these deep wounds—and it won't be easy.

Thanks to everyone for your prayers and thoughts for our safety and for America.

— Rep. Pramila Jayapal (@RepJayapal) January 6, 2021

'I was closing my eyes and praying'
As pro-Trump mobs stormed the United States Capitol on Wednesday, forcing the building into a lockdown, U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal crouched behind a railing in the House gallery, seeking shelter from a scene that more closely resembled a terrorist attack than a peaceful transfer of power.

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Now is the time for @VP @Mike_Pence to start the 25th Amendment process. https://t.co/GQ0NXhyAK9

— Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) January 6, 2021

Rep. Ted Lieu calls for Trump's immediate removal from office
When Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol building, California Rep. Ted Lieu tweeted that he was evacuated from the building, and called the events a coup attempt. He is calling for the immediate removal of the president. "This assault on our nation's Capitol is a coup attempt and all those involved should be prosecuted as such," he wrote. "Also, for those Dems saying we shouldn't impeach @realDonaldTrump again? You are wrong."

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Rising number of Democrats call for Trump impeachment
Rep. Judy Chu joined calls for impeachment, telling Politico that Trump's "actions qualify for treason, bribery or other high crimes and misdemeanors. I really question, actually, President Trump's mental state," Chu said. "If I were a member of the Cabinet, I would invoke the 25th Amendment to remove him."

Could Tammy Duckworth Be the Next Vice President?

And Other Things to Know From Angry Asian America.



Tammy Duckworth Bursts Into VP Contention
"Tammy Duckworth is no longer an afterthought in the Democratic veepstakes. The Illinois senator and Purple Heart recipient has landed squarely in the conversation after a high-profile clash with Tucker Carlson last week and her advocacy against politicization of the military in the weeks prior. The attention hasn't escaped Biden's vetting team. It has stepped up information-gathering on Duckworth recently, scrutinizing her legislative record and talking to her colleagues, according to three sources familiar with the matter."

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Michael Lofthouse Resigns as CEO of Solid8 After Racist Video
Michael Lofthouse, that asshole who was caught on camera harassing an Asian American family with racist remarks at a restaurant, is reportedly resigning from his position as the head of the tech startup Solid8, according to a statement to Fox Business. I find this this rather funny, considering that internet research has turned up the fact that Solid8 is basically a company of one employee, run out of this guy's house. Who the hell got into their head that this dude was the "CEO" of anything? What's also hilarious is Lofthouse claiming that in addition to resigning, he has "enrolled in an anti-racist program with immediate effect." I'm sorry, but what in the hell is an "anti-racist" program? Is it a Learning Annex class? Is it like rehab? Sounds like a lot of bullshit.

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Two-thirds of Asian American health, food workers fighting COVID-19 are immigrants
Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders who are immigrants are critical in supporting essential industries during the COVID-19 crisis, particularly in the health care and food supply industries, where more than two-thirds of AAPIs helping fight the virus are immigrants, according to data released late last month.

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Bath and Body Works Employee Fired After Yelling 'Fuck Donald Trump' at Customer
An employee at a Bath and Body Works in Arizona was out of a job last week after cursing at a man wearing a "Trump 2020" face mask. Jeremiah Cota, a strategic initiatives director for the Trump Victory Committee, was walking past the store at a shopping center in Scottsdale, when the employee -- a manager named Karren -- allegedly told him, "Fuck Trump." After Cota tweeted about the incident, Bath and Body Works responded... and Karren was apparently out of a job. Thank you for your service, and where do I donate to the GoFundMe?

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Cardi B Used a Racial Slur To Describe Her Daughter's Eyes
Over the weekend on social media, Cardi B posted a photo of her daughter and commented that she had "chinky eyes." Let's just let that sit for a moment. She said it so casually, you have to assume... she had no idea how offensive it was? Fans jumped in to educate the rapper and explained that the term is considered to be a racial slur. Catching wind of the backlash, Cardi took to Twitter to admit that she "didn't know" the term was offensive. Seriously? How, in the year of our Lord 2020, do people now know that "chinky" is a damn slur?

Grande Iced Americano for "Ching"

And Other Things to Know From Angry Asian America.



Starbucks Cup Refers to Asian Customer as "Ching" (That's Not Her Name)
This again. I'm told this occurred last week at the Starbucks location in Arvin, California (along Interstate 5). A group of young Asian American friends got their drink order to discover that the cashier had entered "CHING" on the label where their name was supposed to go. The name was apparently supposed to be "Kim." I don't know how you mishear that. And shit like this has happened at Starbucks before. (Honestly, I've lost count.) According to this Facebook post, the store manager didn't offer an apology or acknowledgement that anybody did anything wrong, and simply offered to refund the cost of the drink. How about telling your employees not to give racist nicknames to your Asian customers?

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Tucker Carlson, Who Can Go To Hell, Suggests Tammy Duckworth "Hates America"
Fox News host Tucker Carlson claimed that Purple Heart veteran Sen. Tammy Duckworth is unpatriotic following her suggestion for a national dialogue about removing historical monuments. Duckworth, who does not take shit from anybody, clapped back at Carlson via Twitter. The war veteran, who lost both of her legs while serving in Iraq and now uses a wheelchair and prosthetic legs, challenged Carlson to "walk a mile in her legs."

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"My Behavior In The Video Is Appalling"
The man caught on viral video making racist comments at an Asian American family in Carmel Valley has been identified as Michael Lofthouse, a local tech consultant. He has issued a bullshit apology: "My behavior in the video is appalling. This was clearly a moment where I lost control and made incredibly hurtful and divisive comments. I would like to deeply apologize to the Chan family. I can only imagine the stress and pain they feel. I was taught to respect people of all race and I will take the time to reflect on my actions and work to better understand the inequality that so many of those around me face every day." Lost control? That racism was the calmest shit I've ever seen. Nice try, asshole.

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Identified: Woman Who Told an Asian American Family 'You Can't Be in This Country'
Aaaand some follow-up on that woman who was caught on video telling an Asian American family "you can't be in this country" while they were hiking last weekend in Marin County. The woman, identified as Beth Taska, was employed as the Chief People Officer at Topa Equities -- up until Tuesday. The company reportedly accepted her resignation as a result of this incident in the park. In a statement she sent to KGO-TV, Taska says she "deeply respects the right of all people and regrets her conversation did not illustrate this and wants to work toward unity." However, she also claims the video "doesn't depict what happened" and that her words were "muffled by the mask" and that what they repeat is not what she said. Sorry, but her words were pretty damn clear to me. Would she have said "you can't be in this country" to a white family?

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Little Jenna here is exactly why #representationmatters . I am so grateful for this show, that so many young people can watch this show and say “It’s me” . Thank you @britbrit1432 for sharing this video ❤️💕❤️💕 @HamiltonMusical #hamilfilm pic.twitter.com/iDbb4orVIs

— Phillipa Soo (@Phillipasoo) July 6, 2020

This Girl's Reaction to Phillipa Soo in 'Hamilton' Shows Why Representation Matters
Hamilton star Phillipa Soo recently shared a heartwarming video of a young Asian girl declaring, "It’s me!" while watching Soo perform as Eliza Schuyler in Disney+'s filmed staging of the hit musical. Do not tell me representation doesn't matter.

Look at all this bullshit Asians put up with this year...

...conveniently summed up in this mannequin challenge video.



It's been a hell of a year with a lot of frustrating and heartbreaking moments. This clever Asian American take on the Mannequin Challenge, entitled "A-Woke," attempts to sum it up with some perspective. Produced by Michael Tow and Teja Arboleda, it plays kind of like a "greatest hits" of some of the high profile issues and pop culture flare-ups that have recently gripped the Asian American community.

It's by no means comprehensive -- it's almost entirely East Asian-focused -- but it manages to jam in references to the Academy Awards, Doctor Strange, "Watters World," Ghost in the Shell and more in less than a minute and a half. It's like a weird wax museum of some of your favorite racist bullshit from 2016.

Check it out:

Illinois Senator mocks Tammy Duckworth's family heritage

"I'd forgotten that your parents came all the way from Thailand to serve George Washington."



Rep. Tammy Duckworth is a congresswoman, war veteran, and candidate for the U.S. Senate in Illinois. She is a dedicated public servant and trailblazer by all accounts. So, of course, as an Asian American woman, she would be attacked by an entitled white politician trying to cast doubt on her military and ethnic heritage.

Sen. Mark Kirk questions opponent's American heritage in Illinois debate

Duckworth is seeking to unseat Republican Senator Mark Kirk. On Thursday night during the Illinois senate debate, Duckworth mentioned her family's history of military service.

"My family has served this nation in uniform, going back to the Revolution," Duckworth said. "I'm a Daughter of the American Revolution. I've bled for this nation. But I still want to be there in the Senate when the drums of war sound. Because people are quick to sound the drums of war, and I want to be there to say this is what it costs, this is what you're asking us to do... Families like mine are the ones that bleed first."

Kirk responded with a snarky dig at Duckworth's heritage: "I'd forgotten that your parents came all the way from Thailand to serve George Washington." The implication: how could a woman who looks like you have any sort of connection to something so purely American as the Revolutionary War?

Well, allow Tammy to explain.

Tammy Duckworth announces bid for U.S. Senate

Congresswoman will challenge incumbent GOP Senator Mark Kirk.



In a YouTube video posted Monday morning, Illinois Democratic Rep. Tammy Duckworth officially announced that she is running for the United States Senate against incumbent GOP Senator Mark Kirk.

Tammy Duckworth launches Illinois Senate bid

"I'm running for the United States Senate in 2016 because it's time for Washington to be held accountable and put Illinois' families and communities first," Duckworth says in the two-minute video, which highlights her humble upbringing and her personal background as a wife, a mother and a combat veteran.

"If you elect me as Illinois' senator I will fight my heart out to represent you with honor and integrity."

Here's the announcement:

CAPAC Twitter Town Hall on Immigration Reform, July 12

The Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) invites you to participate in a Twitter Town Hall on comprehensive immigration reform, happening this Friday, July 12th from 2:00-2:30 pm. You're encouraged to join in the conversation by using the hashtag #AskCAPAC.

Participants will include, Congresswoman Judy Chu, Senator Mazie K. Hirono, Congressman Mike Honda, Congressman Mark Takano, Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth and more. Here are some more details on the Town Hall

Tammy Duckworth is not taking your sh*t.

Do you want to know what congressional fury looks like? On Wednesday, Rep. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), a veteran of the Iraq War, verbally dropkicked the crap out of a federal contractor who used his military disability status -- based on a prep school sports injury -- to receive government contracts reserved for disabled vets: Tammy Duckworth Eviscerates Contractor Who Claimed Veterans Disability.

This is a veteran you do not want to mess with. Rep. Duckworth lost both her legs and use of her right arm during her service as a combat pilot in Iraq. But this fool Braulio Castillo, who broke his foot at the U.S. Military Preparatory School nearly 30 years ago, claimed the injury in his company's application for special status as a "service-disabled veteran-owned small business." Not cool.

Watch as Ms. Duckworth destroys Mr. Castillo. Make sure you watch the whole thing:

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...