They Call Us Bruce 180: They Call Us Thankful 2022

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 some good friends from the Potluck Podcast Collective: Ada Tseng (Los Angeles Times, Saturday School), Scott Okamoto (Asians in Baseball, Chapel Probation), and Kim Cooper (Asians in Baseball, Korean Drama Podcast) to celebrate friendsgiving and play a very special Thanksgiving edition of their signature segment: Thanks, No Thanks and WTF.

They Call Us Bruce 179: They Call Us Bad Axe

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 filmmaker David Siev, director of the documentary Bad Axe, a pandemic portrait of his own family in rural Michigan as they fight to keep their American dream alive. He talks about telling his family's multi-generational story through the lens of America's very real and very current racial tensions, dealing with actual local white supremacists, and making a film that weirdly folded in on itself partway through production.

They Call Us Bruce 178: They Call Us Maulik Pancholy

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 welcome back award-winning actor and writer Maulik Pancholy, who talks about his latest middle grade novel Nikhil Out Loud, a sweet coming-of-age story about a gay Indian American teen. He talks about the anti-gay backlash he received for his first book The Best at It that inspired this new novel, what it's like to get your book banned by school districts, and the important question at the center of all this controversy that nobody seems to be asking: who's listening to the kids?

They Call Us Bruce 177: They Call Us Raymond lee

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 Raymond Lee, star of NBC's sci-fi drama Quantum Leap. He talks about leaping into the lead role of a lifetime, subverting the notion that time travel is for white people, and why being great at nothing but passably good at a lot of things is perfect for playing Dr. Ben Song.

All The Asians On Star Trek 31: Away Mission with Swapna Krishna

The Podcast In Which We Interview All The Asians On Star Trek.



All The Asians On Star Trek is the podcast in which we interview all the Asians on Star Trek. In Episode 31, we embark on another Away Mission, in which we invite fellow Asian American fans of Star Trek to do a deep dive into an episode of their choosing. For this edition of the Away Mission, we welcome writer and journalist Swapna Krishna to discuss "Lineage" from season seven of Star Trek: Voyager. We discuss the ridiculous lack of privacy regarding pregnancy on the USS Voyager, extremely wise parenting advice from Tuvok, and a lonely night of soulful saxophone in Ensign Harry Kim's quarters.

Your Halloween Costumes 2022

Our annual gallery of awesome reader-submitted Halloween costumes.



All right, good readers. It's that time of year again. In what has become a holiday tradition, I'm putting the call out for your awesome Halloween costume photos. Send in your rad, not-racist costume photos -- cute kids are particularly welcome -- to be considered for inclusion in the annual costume photo roundup. To submit your photos, email angryasianman @ angryasianman.com with the subject line "Halloween Costume 2022" or tag @angryasianman on social media. I'll feature the best ones here in our infamous annual gallery.

Getting things started:

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Bizarre Republican Ad Blames Biden for Anti-Asian Violence Incited by Trump
A new attack ad blames Joe Biden for the spike in racist violence against Asian Americans since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. When I do recall it was Donald Fucking Trump who started calling it "the Chinese virus" and "the Kung flu."

* * *
Can Social Media Rhetoric Incite Hate Incidents? Evidence from Trump's "Chinese Virus" Tweets
The number of anti-Asian incidents sharply increased following Donald Trump's initial "China virus" tweets -- especially in the Trump-supporting counties, where such incidents spiked by an estimated 4000 percent.

* * *
In California, two Asian Americans fight for a seat in the House — and with each other
Democrat Jay Chen is challenging Republican incumbent Michelle Steel in a district where more than a third of voters are Asian Americans. Some of the accusations being hurled, specifically around China and communism, have frustrated voters.

* * *
Asian Americans' Place in the History of Racial Justice
Ellen Wu discusses her forthcoming project focused on the plight of Asian Americans in the U.S. racial divide, as Ellen dives into the diverse cultural backgrounds of the Asian American population.

* * *
Asian Americans had the highest rate of mail-in voting in 2020. New laws could block that progress
"These states are reducing all the great practices of 2020 that made voting more accessible," Christine Chen, executive director of the nonpartisan organization Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote, said.

* * *
A Chinese Immigrant's Fearless Comedy Set Went Viral. Then Came the Backlash.
A Chinese Immigrant's Fearless Comedy Set Went Viral. Then Came the Backlash.

They Call Us Bruce 176: They Call Us Jay Chen

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.

They Call Us Bruce 175: They Call Us Thai Cave Rescue

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 Kevin Tancheroen, executive producer and director of the Netflix series Thai Cave Rescue, which tells the true story of the global rescue effort to save twelve young boys and their soccer coach from a flooded cave. He talks about shooting in absurdly wet conditions, reconnecting with his own Thai roots, and prioritizing the soccer team (and the people of Thailand) at the center of this extraordinary story.

They Call Us Bruce 174: They Call Us 38 at the Garden

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 Frank Chi, director of the documentary short 38 AT THE GARDEN, which chronicles the extraordinary ascendance of Jeremy Lin during his landmark 2012 season with the New York Knicks -- and the fateful game where he dropped 38 points on the Los Angeles Lakers. They look back at the sheer joy of that moment, what Linsanity meant for Asian Americans, and why it still resonates ten years later.

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Jeremy Lin Finally Loves 'Linsanity' Just as Much as You Do
When he went from mostly anonymous to global celebrity in 2012, Jeremy Lin was overwhelmed by the attention and struggled to tune it out. For many people, he suddenly represented many things -- a stereotype breaker, an inspiration -- but he just wanted to play basketball. A decade later, Lin has fully embraced the phenomenon that turned him into a cultural icon.

* * *
Jeremy Lin Is Still Floating
Jeremy Lin's favorite bucket of his career happened right where you’d expect it: in Madison Square Garden, during that legendary stretch in 2012, leading his underdog Knicks over Kobe Bryant and the Lakers.

* * *
The Deadly Collision of Racism and Mental Illness
Talking openly about the role that mental illness may play in racially motivated violence seems overdue and necessary. But there are reasons conversations on this subject are also dangerous and fraught.

* * *
Alice Wong: I Still Have a Voice
Alice Wong can no longer speak. But she still has a voice.

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I always avoided family duties. Then my dad had a fall and everything changed
"For most of my life, I've avoided moments like these -- moments where I have to take on any kind of family responsibility. I'm the youngest."

* * *
How L.A.'s Little Manila Disappeared Without a Trace
Many Filipino establishments between 1924 and 1939 could be found on First and Main streets in downtown Los Angeles. According to researcher Joseph A. Bernardo, "Little Manila" provided new Filipino migrants with a space space to ease the shock of urbanization, isolation and white antagonism.

* * *
The Nuance of Nikkei: Why Los Angeles Is the Epicenter of Japanese American Cooking
Experience LA's Nikkei moment at these four phenomenal restaurants.

* * *
Hasan Minhaj Explores the Darker Sides of Fame in The King's Jester
Hasan Minhaj is back on Netflix with The King's Jester, the comedian's second special following 2017's Homecoming King.

All The Asians On Star Trek 30: Patrick Kwok-Choon

The Podcast In Which We Interview All The Asians On Star Trek.



All The Asians On Star Trek is the podcast in which we interview all the Asians on Star Trek. In Episode 30, we welcome actor Patrick Kwok-Choon, who plays tactical officer Lieutenant Commander Gen Rhys on Star Trek: Discovery. Outside of Star Trek, his credits include Open Heart, Backpackers, Shoot the Messenger, Wynonna Earp and SkyMed, among others. He talks being a part of Discovery's bridge crew, joining the tremendous legacy of Star Trek, and observing a healthy level of respect before putting his butt in the captain's chair.

New Comic Reimagines Lois Lane as an Asian American Teen

First look at 'Girl Taking Over: A Lois Lane Story' by Sarah Kuhn and Arielle Jovellanos.



If you were like me, growing up as an Asian American consumer of comic books, you sometimes had to crane your neck to find representation within those four-color panels. And sometimes, intended or not, it was right there in front of you in plain black ink. I can't be the only one who interpreted Superman's canonically black hair as a signifier of Asian-ness -- by way of Krypton, of course. (Kal-El is an immigrant, don't ya know?)

For writer Sarah Kuhn, it was Lois Lane, intrepid reporter for the Daily Planet.

"Lois Lane is my idol — as a kid, I imprinted on her immediately and dreamed of becoming a hard-charging reporter on a quest for the truth (who also gets burgers and freshly squeezed orange juice delivered to her desk at 9 am)." Sarah says. "I was always desperately searching for some tiny scrap of representation in the stories I loved and Lois had dark hair, so sometimes I'd fantasize that she was Asian American -- like me."

Sarah, whose previous work includes the Cassandra Cain story Shadow of the Batgirl, gets to realize that fantasy in her upcoming original graphic novel, Girl Taking Over: A Lois Lane Story, due out in April 2023. Part of the DC Graphic Novels for Young Adults line, with art by Arielle Jovellanos, the book reimagines Lois Lane as an Asian American teenager -- a small town girl with a big city summer internship trying to get a handle on friendship, romance and a burgeoning career.

I'm pleased to share this first look at preview pages from Girl Taking Over:

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How to Hit Back
The desperate, confused, righteous campaign to stop Asian hate.

* * *
'I Felt Like We Are All Chinese — We Can Take Care of Each Other'
Asians and Pacific Islanders belong to the most economically divided racial group in America, and the need for child care often brings together members from the top and bottom of the ladder.

* * *
From BTS to Zoom therapy, why Korean Americans are seeking more mental health help
Korean Americans are seeking more mental health help than ever before, shifting the stigma.

* * *
The Mixed Metaphor
Why does the half-Asian, half-white protagonist make us so anxious?

* * *
How these Chinese doughnuts helped save my refugee family
Golden crullers, dipped in soy or served with rice porridge, are more than breakfast – for Jean Trinh and her family, they're a symbol of resilience.

* * *
How Carla Ching tells a 'complex, nuanced' story about betrayal, revenge porn in new play
In Carla Ching's play Revenge Porn, leading character Kat Chan has to decide how she'll respond to her ex-husband releasing nude photographs of her.

* * *
Hasan Minhaj Confronts His Own Clout-Chasing and the One Thing He Has in Common With the Crown Prince
Comedian Hasan Minhaj, whose last Netflix foray was censored after Saudi objections, reflects on his decidedly more personal stand-up special, The King's Jester, ahead of its premiere on the streamer.

* * *
How Ali Wong Helped Make Her 'Favorite' Comedian Sheng Wang a Netflix Star
Stand-up comedian Sheng Wang tells The Last Laugh podcast how his friend Ali Wong directed him to new comedic heights in his first hour-long Netflix special Sweet and Juicy.

* * *
James Wong Howe's Way with Light
"Wong Howe's path through Hollywood was not always easy, but in his best work he found a voice that was inimitably his own, imbued with the vulnerability and longing of an outsider trying to find his place in the world."

173: They Call Us Tanuj Chopra

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 back friend and filmmaker Tanuj Chopra, who directed season two of the Netflix series Delhi Crime. He talks about making the leap from indie films to international television, bringing an insider/outsider perspective to get the tone right, and the future of global storytelling.

Sacred Book Honors Japanese Americans Incarcerated During World War II

The Ireichō is on display at the Japanese American National Museum.



Over the weekend in Los Angeles, the Japanese American National Museum invited the public to view and sign the Ireichō, a sacred book that records -- for the first time ever -- the names of over 125,000 persons of Japanese ancestry who were unjustly imprisoned in U.S. Army, Department of Justice, and War Relocation Authority camps during World War II.

Visitors were invited to view the names and use a special Japanese hanko to leave a mark for each person in the Ireichō as a way to honor those incarcerated during World War II. Community participation will "activate" it and rectify the historical record by correcting misspelled names or revealing names that may have been omitted from the record.

The Ireichō will be on display at JANM for one year. A companion virtual monument is available online.

More here: 'There’s our family name': Sacred book honors Japanese Americans incarcerated during WWII

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How Constance Wu Survived That Tweetstorm
In Constance Wu's new book, Making a Scene, the former Fresh Off the Boat star reveals her isolation, racism in her career -- and yes, those tweets -- and how she's moving on.

* * *
At Gracepoint Ministries, 'Whole-Life Discipleship' Took Its Toll
As Gracepoint Ministries, a predominantly Asian American church network, expands to dozens of college towns, former members come forward with claims of spiritual abuse.

* * *
New laws address anti-Asian hate in the long-term, but what about feeling safe right now?
This month, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed two bills seeking to address harassment on public transit and in businesses. Meanwhile, the Citizen personal safety app announced it was providing up to 20,000 Asian Americans in the Bay Area with a free one-year subscription. Both try to address anti-Asian hate, but their differences illustrate the complexity of the issue.

* * *
Talking about substance use can be hard for Filipino Americans. Why it's helpful to share stories
Honest conversations about substance abuse disorders and mental health can be difficult for some Filipino families.

* * *
Hua Hsu on His New Memoir, 'Stay True'
Hua Hsu's new memoir is both a coming-of-age story and an evolutionary step for Asian American literature.

* * *
The Stakes of Dictee
An introduction to Theresa Hak Kyung Cha's famously difficult work.

* * *
Watching Spirited Away Again, and Again
For Nina Li Coomes, each viewing of Miyazaki's animated feature Spirited Away is a gift.

* * *
"The Field Is Open": Ocean Vuong on Minari's Lasting Cultural Legacy
Ocean Vuong, author of On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous, reflects on the history of Asian American farmers in an original essay from A24's Minari screenplay book.

They Call Us Bruce 172: They Call Us Yuji Okumoto

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 actor Yuji Okumoto, who stars in season five of Netflix's Cobra Kai as Chozen Toguchi, the role he originated in 1986's The Karate Kid Pt. II. He talks about stepping back into the Karate Kid Cinematic Universe, his (and ours, and everybody's) love for Kumiko, and getting an unexpected redemption arc for his character over thirty years later. This episode is paid for by the U.S Department of Health and Human Services. Find boosters near you at vaccines.gov.

Kelly Marie Tran to Star in Biopic on Activist Amanda Nguyen

Nguyen founded the non-profit organization Rise, dedicated to furthering the rights of sexual assault survivors.



Kelly Marie Tran is developing a biopic about her friend, civil rights activist Amanda Nguyen, telling the story of her transformation from a survivor of college sexual assault to an activist for survivors' rights.

Tran will star in and produce the biopic about Nguyen, a Nobel Peace Prize nominee who founded civil rights accelerator Rise and wrote the Survivor's Bill Of Rights, which inspired the federal law passed in 2016.

“Over the years, Amanda's activism has changed the lives of billions, as she continues to make our world safer for sexual assault survivors everywhere,” Tran said in a statement. "Her courage inspires me every day, and I am honored to help tell her story."

Tang Yi is in talks to write and direct the film, which is in the early stages of development.

More here: Kelly Marie Tran to Star in, Produce Biopic on Activist Amanda Nguyen

New Documentary Revisits the Legend of Linsanity

'38 at the Garden' premieres October 11 on HBO.



I'll always remember the night Jeremy Lin dropped a stunning 38 points on the Lakers at Madison Square Garden. A new documentary short, 38 at the Garden, chronicles the extraordinary ascendance of your favorite Asian American point guard during his landmark 2012 season with the New York Knicks -- the period that affectionately became known as "Linsanity." You know the story. But I'll never get tired of it.

A decade later, Lin's stature as a groundbreaking, cultural icon stands in stark relief to the recent hate crimes against the Asian American and Pacific Islander community. 38 at the Garden recognizes a pivotal moment in time for Lin and celebrates a phenomenon that was bigger than basketball for the world. The film features a candid, new interview with Lin, as well as journalists Lisa Ling and Pablo Torre, comedians Ronny Chieng, Hasan Minhaj and Jenny Yang, and Knicks teammates Tyson Chandler and Iman Shumpert.

Here's the trailer: