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, we check in with Christine Chen, Executive Director of Asian Pacific Islander American Vote (APIAVote), and Karthick Ramakrishnan, Executive Director of AAPI Data, to get a pulse on the upcoming midterm elections. They discuss the challenges of voter engagement — including new and ongoing barriers to voting (and how you can take action); significant data trends across Asian American and Pacific Islander voter demographics; some of the urgent issues affecting AAPI voters; and key races to keep an eye on that could shape the future of our democracy. Also: The Good, The Bad, and The WTF of the upcoming midterm elections.
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, we welcome Jay Chen, who is running for the U.S. House of Representatives in California’s congressional 45th district. He talks about why his Daily Show appearance from 2010 still weirdly remains relevant, his opponent’s increasingly shameless xenophobic and red-baiting attacks, and the benefit of running for congress in a super-Asian district that has so many incredible food options.
And Other Things to Know From Angry Asian America.
Boston School Committee Chair Resigns After Mocking Asian Names
Boston Schools Committee chairman Michael Loconto has stepped down after reportedly mocking Asian Americans during a Wednesday night school committee meeting, which prompted calls for his immediate resignation. During the virtual meeting, the moderator can be heard on an audio recording saying the names of upcoming participants from the community. Loconto can then be heard saying a series of names under his breath in a manner most certainly mocking the Asian anmes of thos participants. Yup, he said them racistly. And that shit was broadcast on a Zoom call for all to hear. And then the mayor accepted Loconto's resignation Thursday morning.
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Apple's 'Pachinko' Sets Cast, Directors for International Production
Apple has set the cast and directors for its multilingual international drama Pachinko, based on the novel by Min Jin Lee. The cast includes Lee Min-ho, Jin Ha, Anna Sawai, Minha Kim, Soji Arai and Kaho Minami. Kogonada will direct four episodes, including the pilot, and serve as an executive producer of the series. Justin Chon will also direct four episodes. The big-budget series is set to begin production next week and will film across multiple continents. The eight episodes, told in Korean, Japanese and English, chronicle the hopes and dreams of four generations of a Korean immigrant family.
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Coming Home Again
Acclaimed director Wayne Wang's moving new film, the emotional family drama Coming Home Again, is based on a personal essay by award-winning Korean American writer Chang-rae Lee published in The New Yorker. Justin Chon stars as the main character, also named Chang-rae, who returns to his family home in San Francisco to care for his ailing mother. Wanting nothing more than to fulfill his role as the supportive son, he must come to terms with his own conflicted emotions. The film opens in virtual cinemas on October 23. A free live-stream Q & A will take place on Saturday, October 24 at 4 pm EST, with director Wayne Wayne, writer Chang-rae Lee and 3 Star Chef Corey Lee, moderated by Emmy Award-winning filmmaker and film programmer Robert Rosenberg. Registration for the Zoom event here.
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The Donut King
Have you ever wondered why so many donut shops in California are owned and operated by Cambodian immigrants? It's all because of one guy. The Donut King, directed by Alice Gu, is a feature documentary that tells the incredible rags-to-riches story of Ted Ngoy, a Cambodian refugee who came to America in 1975 and founded an unlikely multi-million dollar empire of donut shops across the West coast. He was living the American Dream. But, in life, great rise can come with great falls. The Donut King opens in theaters and vitual cinemas on October 30.
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BYOB: Bring Your Own Ballot
Join Sherry Cola, Ronny Chieng, Jeremy Lin and Kelly Marie Tran for a conversation about making the APIA vote count. Saturday, September 24. Register at VoteWith.Us.
Raya and the Last Dragon Teaser Trailer
Holy moly. Disney has dropped the first teaser trailer for its upcoming animated feature Raya and the Last Dragon, and it looks amazing. Starring the Kelly Marie Tran, and written by Adele Lim and Qui Nguyen, Raya is an epic fantasy adventure inspired by Southeast Asian cultures. According to Disney's synopsis: "Long ago, in the fantasy world of Kumandra, humans and dragons lived together in harmony. But when an evil force threatened the land, the dragons sacrificed themselves to save humanity. Now, 500 years later, that same evil has returned and it's up to a lone warrior, Raya, to track down the legendary last dragon to restore the fractured land and its divided people. However, along her journey, she'll learn that it'll take more than a dragon to save the world -- it's going to take trust and teamwork as well." Raya and the Last Dragon, originaly set to hit theaters next month, is now scheduled for release on March 12th, 2021.
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Study: People Blame Asian Americans for COVID-19 Because People Are Racist
According to a new study, a blend of racial prejudice, poor coping and partisan media viewing were found in Americans who stigmatized people of Asian descent during the COVID-19 pandemic. But it was prejudice against Asian Americans that was most strongly linked to beliefs that Asians were responsible for the pandemic and most at risk for spreading it, results showed. So... basically this study confirms what we already knew: people are racist.
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Asian Americans Could Play a Crucial Role in the 2020 Election
"Contrary to stereotype, the Asian American electorate is engaged, diverse, and spans the ideological spectrum. Some -- especially some first-generation Asian Americans, as well as some members of certain ethnic subgroups such as Vietnamese Americans and Hmong Americans -- are conservative-leaning. However, most Asian Americans, particularly younger, U.S.-born voters, are strikingly progressive on several issues including health care, the environment, and gun control."
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Why Asian Americans Face Extra Obstacles to Voting by Mail
As more Americans are encouraged to vote by mail amid the pandemic, Asian American voters, especially those who are new to the U.S. or who face language barriers, may encounter extra difficulties with that method of casting a ballot.
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I Will Vote
Today, the Democratic National Committee announced a new multilingual print, digital, and radio advertising campaign to reach 1 million AAPI voters in key battleground states and across the country. The ads will reach voters in Chinese, English, Hindi, Korean, Telugu and Urdu, and Vietnamese in national constituency media, including the Korea Times, Nguoi Viet, and World Journal, as well as local print, digital, and radio outlets in Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Wisconsin.
Where Can AAPI Voters Have the Most Impact in November 2020?
Asian Americans and Pacific Islander voters saw increases in voter registration after the 2016 election. These sizable gains in voter registration could potentially make a noticeable impact this November in battleground states like Arizona, where 173,231 AAPIs comprise 4.6 percent of the state’s electorate. In addition to increases in voter registration, AAPI turnout might also be influenced by other factors, such as the selection of Senator Kamala Harris as the first Asian American person on a major party's presidential ticket.
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'47 Ronin' Sequel Sets 'Mulan's Ron Yuan As Director
Ron Yuan is set direct the upcoming sequel to the Keanu Reeves film 47 Ronin. While the 2013 movie, based on a real-life story of a group of samurai who set out to avenge the death of their master, was set in 18th century Japan, it's being reported that the untitled quasi-sequel re-imagines the tale set 300 years in the future, blending martial arts, action, horror and cyber-punk. You have my attention.
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42 & A-Major Media Team For Movie Adaptation Of 'Good Fortune'
Production companies 42 and A-Major Media are teaming up to produce develop and produce a film adaptation of Megan Chan Meinero's play Good Fortune. Developed in New York with the New Group and Ensemble Studio Theatre, the darkly comic social satire tells the story of Mei-Ling, who was adopted at birth from China by Julie, an American woman who wanted a daughter that would love her and be with her forever. Eighteen years later, Mei-Ling is ready to go to college, but Julie has a different plan.
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Apply to AAWW's 2021 Margins Fellowship
Hey writers! Applications are now open for the Asian American Writers' Workshop's 2021 Margins Fellowship. Every year, AAWW supports four emerging creative writers of color based in New York City with a year-long fellowship that includes a $5,000 stipend; month-long residency at the Millay Colony for the Arts; six-month mentorship with an established writer; career meet-ups with agents, editors, and fellow writers; publication opportunities and more. Applications are due September 7. For more information, go here.
And Other Things to Know From Angry Asian America.
Asian Americans Are the Fastest-Growing Group in the U.S. Electorate
Asian Americans are the fastest-growing segment of eligible voters out of the major racial and ethnic groups in the United States. More than 11 million will be able to vote this year, making up nearly 5% of the nation’s eligible voters (for this analysis, U.S. citizens ages 18 and older). They are also the only major racial or ethnic group in which naturalized citizens -- rather than the U.S. born -- make up a majority of eligible voters, according to a Pew Research Center analysis of Census Bureau data.
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Motoko Fujishiro Huthwaite, 92, Last of the 'Monuments Women,' Dies
Motoko Fujishiro Huthwaite, part of a team of 345 people from 14 countries -- collectively known as the Monuments Men and Monuments Women -- who preserved cultural treasures and artworks during and after World War II, died on Monday in Michigan, from complications of the coronavirus. She was 92.
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The Paper Tigers Official Teaser
Martial arts movie fans, check out the first official teaser trailer for The Paper Tigers, an indie kung fu flick written and directed by Tran Quoc Bao. The action dramedy follows a deadbeat dad, an insurance scammer, and an MMA coach who must avenge their Kung Fu master's death. But first they need to call in sick at their 9-to-5s. The film is currently in post-production. For more info and updates, check out the official website.
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Cambodian Rock Band Cast Recording
New York's Signature Theatre just released the cast recording of its production of Lauren Yee's Cambodian Rock Band, featuring songs by Dengue Fever. The play with music tells the story of a Khmer Rouge survivor returning to Cambodia for the first time in thirty years, as his daughter prepares to prosecute one of Cambodia's most infamous war criminals. Backed by a live band playing contemporary Dengue Fever hits and classic Cambodian oldies, this story toggles back and forth in time as father and daughter face the music of the past. If you've seen the show and love the music, or if you haven't seen the show and just like dope music, check it out. Get it on Amazon, iTunes, Spotify, and wherever music is sold.
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Jimmy O Yang: Good Deal
Comedian Jimmy O Yang's standup special Good Deal is now available on Amazon Prime. Performed live at the Neptune Theater in Seattle, Good Deal covers Jimmy's hilarious interactions with fans, his thoughts on Matt Damon, and whether ghosts will haunt one-bedroom apartments.
Jin Fang is officially an American. The Austin-based artist and illustrator, who was born in Hong Kong, became a U.S. citizen on Thursday -- the first American in her family. Although she's grown up and lived in the United States for most of her life, she only recently went through the tedious, painstaking process of naturalization.
On Twitter, posted a comic sharing with her thoughts on becoming a citizen, the political factors that both worried and inspired her decision, and what pushed her to finally find her voice and take action.
"I'd be lying if I said worry or fear didn't factor into my (and my family's) decision to naturalize," Jin tweeted. "We notice xenophobic and anti-immigrant sentiment rising, we see the consequences of this administration's actions on the most vulnerable communities."
She also embraces her privilege and duty to vote -- and encourages others not to take this responsibility lightly.
"Even if your politics don't align with mine, please go vote. As someone who's had to jump through hoops to get this right, it's frustrating to see voter turnout rates (especially in Texas, wtf!)"
AAPI Data identifies key house races where AAPIs can make a difference.
Your vote counts. Every vote counts. But in some of the most competitive races, our community's vote could actually help tip the balance. With midterm elections quickly approaching, AAPI Data took a look at the numbers and identified the areas where Asian American and Pacific Islander voters can have maximum impact in 2018.
In AALDEF's exit poll of 14,400 Asian American voters, Clinton favored over Trump by wide margin.
In the ongoing assessment of the whos and whats and whys and hows of Election Day, it looks like Asian American voters strongly favored Hillary Clinton over Donald Trump by a wide margin.
Preliminary exit poll findings released by the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF) from 14,400 Asian American voters reveal that Asian American voters in the swing states of Pennsylvania, Michigan, Virginia and Nevada strongly favored Clinton over Trump.
"The extreme anti-immigrant, anti-Muslim, and racist rhetoric in this election was deeply disturbing to Asian American voters, who wanted to support candidates who shared their values and hope for America," said Margaret Fung, Executive Director of AALDEF.
AALDEF collected surveys from Asian American voters at 91 polling places in 14 states with large or fast-growing Asian American populations. Based on Asian American voters polled on Election Day, 79% backed Hillary Clinton, 17% were for Donald Trump, and 3% voted for other candidates.
Don't you want that to be the headline in the news after Election Day? By APIAVote.
On Tuesday, millions of Americans are going to cast their ballots -- not just for the next President, but for our elected representatives from Congress to our city councils.
We want to make sure that Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) are going to make the headlines in the days after November 8th. You can help us by making a plan to vote -- and to remind your friends and family to vote too.
Guest Post by Glenn D. Magpantay, LGBTQ API Activist and Leader
I'm excited to vote for Hillary Clinton for President. Not because Donald Trump is dreadful. Not because it's a choice between "the lesser of two evils." Nor am I making an unqualified and absolute endorsement of her every character trait and position. I genuinely want to vote for Hillary. And I want to speak to the people who feel disillusioned about voting. Who are disappointed in the political campaign. And who may not vote at all. Here are my five reasons:
APIAVote PSA features Hudson Yang, Jessica Sanchez, Sonal Shah, Danny Pudi and Parvesh Cheena.
On Election Day, you have the power. So #PowerUp. Are you ready to get off your ass and vote? This PSA from APIA Vote and Rock the Vote features Hudson Yang, Jessica Sanchez, Sonal Shah, Danny Pudi and Parvesh Cheena coming together to urge you to #PowerUp the vote. Together, our voices and votes as Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders can make a lasting impact in 2016 and beyond.
Volunteers needed for 2016 Asian American exit poll and poll monitoring.
Do you want to help defend Asian American voting rights on Election Day? The Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF), along with other Asian American organizations, seeks volunteers to help monitor elections and conduct non-partisan voter surveys at poll sites in Asian American neighborhoods.
In past elections, Asian Americans have faced a series of barriers in exercising their right to vote. For example, poll workers were hostile and made racist remarks, poll sites had too few interpreters to assist Asian American voters, translated voting materials were missing or hidden from voters, and ballots were mistranslated listing Democratic candidates as Republicans, and vice versa.
Want to help with exit polling and poll monitoring on November 8? Sign up to volunteer. Attendance at one training session is required for all volunteers. All volunteers must be non-partisan and work a 3-hour shift. (CLE trainings are 90 minutes. Attorneys can receive 1.5 CLE credits including 0.5 ethics credit.)
Stars of Fresh Off The Boat, Wrecked and more urge you to get out and vote.
These kids might not be old enough to vote, but they've got an important message for you about getting to the polls. This PSA from Kore Asian Media, Asian Americans Advancing Justice and Los Angeles Councilmember David Ryu gathers together the likes of Hudson Yang, Forrest Wheeler and Ian Chen of Fresh Off The Boat, Ally Maki and Asif Ali of Wrecked, Sydney Viengluang of Z-Nation and Jona Xiao of Keeping Up With the Joneses, to call on you to get out and vote in this super-important upcoming election.
Vishavjit Singh shares an important message at New York Comic Con.
Earlier this month, hordes of fanfolks -- in both cosplay and civilian garb -- converged at New York Comic Con in celebration of all degrees and persuasions of geeky fandom. But Sikh Captain America was also at NYCC with an important mission and message: to remind people to GET OFF YOUR ASS AND VOTE.
Sikh Captain America is cartoonist Vishavjit Singh, the artist behind Sikhtoons, who is always redefining what it truly means to be a patriot. He was on the convention floor taking photos with attendees and rocking this simple, direct and to-the-point sign. Consider it a superheroic kick in the butt to get folks out to the polls.
Here are some photos of Vish, various cosplayers, and a very important message:
A movement that brings together food and music to get out the vote.
Asian America, are you ready to stand and be counted? This upcoming election will be one of the most important in recent history, for many reasons, and it's imperative that we, as the fastest-growing racial demographic in the country, are not defined as a community that sat this one out.
#IAmAsianAmerican is a national campaign to engage Asian American millennials to become active participants in the electoral process. #IAAA aims to register at least 15,000 new voters with a first-ever national concert event taking place on October 16 in four cities with major Asian American populations: New York, Washington DC, Chicago, and Los Angeles.
The free events will combine food, live music and speakers and on-the-ground engagement in each city -- including a flagship red-carpet celebrity event at Los Angeles' historic Wiltern Theater, which will also be live-streamed to the three other participating cities and locations across the country.
"IAAA is about proudly owning our cross-cultural identities, says executive director Uyen Tieu. "By celebrating Asian American civic engagement and pop culture, we want to put a spotlight on the power of our community -- and get everyone to the polls this November."
Here's some more information about the flagship event happening in Los Angeles:
I grew up in an age of mixtape. And by "mixtape" I mean quite literally those plastic cassette tapes that you'd keep in your dual deck boombox and to which you would race over to press record as soon as the radio station started playing the song you wanted to record next on your perfect mixtape. There was no blending, sometimes you'd miss the beginning of the song, and often, you'd get the radio DJ voice. But these mixtapes -- when you were able to put the tracks in an inspiring order, have a theme, and then, if really courageous, you'd be able to give it to your CRUSH.
Well Angry Asian America -- I have a crush on you. And we at 18MillionRising really want you to get out and vote on November 8th. So we made you a mixtape.
Siskiyou County Sheriff Jon Lopey is under investigation for alleged voter intimidation.
In California, the state Attorney General's Office is investigating reports that Hmong residents in Siskiyou County were being intimidated by the Sheriff's Office to keep them from voting in Tuesday's election.
Sheriff Jon Lopey is under investigation for alleged voter intimidation during this week's primary election. Civil rights activists say that Lopey and his deputies set up a checkpoint outside a subdivision and stopped cars being driven by Hmongs only and asked them whether they were registered to vote.
Hmong residents say that county and state officials showed up at their homes carrying assault rifles and threatened to arrest anyone who tried to illegally vote. As a result, many Hmong resident reportedly did not turn out to vote in Tuesday's primary because they were afraid.
New Get-Out-The-Vote PSA urges AANHPI community to vote in this important election year.
George Takei and John Cho want you to vote! Just in time to close out AAPI Heritage Month, the two Sulus have come together for a new video PSA from Asian Americans Advancing Justice and APIAVote urging Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders (AANHPIs) to go vote in this important election year.
The video also features the likes of Constance Wu, Vincent Rodriguez III, Sonal Shah and Joey "Q" Quenga, and highlights both the historic injustices that AANHPIs have faced in the United States, as well as the some of the many contributions our communities have made to this country.
