Please join us for APAP's Summer of Change!Whoo. That's a lot of stuff going on. They're taking it all the way to Denver, baby. And beyond. I do want to throw in an extra little plug for the Asian American Civic Project, APAP's newly-launched program that provides recent college/graduate school graduates or those interested in a second career in politics with an introduction into the political process. Learn more about it here.
Aug 18th - Bay Area: Building AAPI Political Power from the Ground Floor
Aug 21st - Chicago: APAP Pipeline Project and Convention Kickoff Mixer
Aug 21st - Los Angeles: Summer Get together and Convention Kickoff!
Aug 24th - Denver: AAPI Colorado Summit at the Democratic Convention
Aug 26th - Denver: AAPI Grassroots Strategy Session with Special Guest Congressman Mike Honda
Building AAPI Political Power from the Ground Floor
Monday, August 18th, 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
The Wine Room, 520 Ramona Street, Palo Alto.
Suggested donation of $10-$20.
You're invited to a fundraiser in San Jose* for the Asian American Civic Project (apapipeline.org), a new political training and placement program for Asian American and Pacific Islander recent college graduates. The project is run by the APA for Progress PAC under the leadership of Clarence Tong.
In collaboration with Emily's List and Annie's List, the Asian American Civic Project funds and trains five Campaign Fellows and places them with campaigns in communities throughout the country with AAPI communities in battleground states such as Illinois, Minnesota, Nevada and Washington State.
Part of the barrier to AAPIs achieving our full political potential is the shortage of AAPI political campaign managers, legislators and civic leaders and as well as the lack of a strategic pipeline to encourage, facilitate and support political participation within AAPI communities. The Asian American Civic Project is intended to serve as one of those pipelines to give recent graduates or those interested in a second career in politics an introduction into the political process.
Join the Host Committee for this event at $100 give/get. Contact Keith Kamisugi at keith@keithpr.com.
For more information, visit http://www.apapipeline.org.
* We're awaiting confirmation from the venue for this event.
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=10874224943
EVITE
http://www.evite.com/app/publicUrl/BMQQENAGOIYICPANAENN/pipeline
APAP Pipeline Project and Convention Kickoff Mixer
Thursday, August 21, 5:30 PM -7:30 PM
Kamehachi (sushi bar and restaurant)
240 East Ontario, Chicago, IL 60610. Valet parking available.
Please join Chicago's APAP chapter members as we welcome Jenna Lee, newly arrived fellow of the APAP PAC's Pipeline Project (http://www.apapipeline.org) who has been placed in Dan Seals' Congressional campaign here in the Chicago area. Meet new people, catch up with friends, and wish farewell to the Illinois AAPI delegates and supporters headed to the Democratic National Convention in Denver. Free for APAP members. $15 for others.
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=64108920303
APAP Summer Get together and Convention Kickoff!
Thursday, August 21st, 6:30-8:30 PM
Blue Dahlia Cafe
738 East 3rd Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013
Come help APAP send off the delegates, volunteers and community leaders from Los Angeles as they head off to Denver for the Democratic National Convention. This will also be a great chance to learn more about volunteer opportunities with both the Obama campaign and APAP PAC's new project, the Pipeline project! Asian Americans for Obama reps will be there to pass out info and sign folks up!
AAPI Colorado Summit at the Democratic Convention
Co-sponsored by Colorado AAPI Democrats, Asian Pacific Americans for Progress, DNC Vice Chair U.S. Representative Mike Honda (CA-15) and the Obama for America AAPI Vote Team
Sunday August 24, 12:00 PM – 4:30 PM
Colorado Convention Center
700 14th Street, Downtown Denver
Come help build upon the activism of AAPIs in the Democratic Party, learn from local and national AAPI leaders and network with people from Colorado and across the country. Open to the public.
APAP's AAPI Grassroots Strategy Session with Special Guest Congressman Mike Honda
Tuesday, August 26th, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Colorado Convention Center
700 14th Street, Downtown Denver
Come join APAP, Asian Americans for Obama and South Asians for Obama for this brainstorming session as we discuss swingstate projects and ways to ensure a Democratic victory this November. Free and open to the public. Please email Apafp@apaforprogress.org to RSVP.
8.13.2008
apa for progress' summer of change
Heads up, mark your calendars. The good people of Asian Pacific Americans for Progress are throwing a number of events this month in various cities for what they're calling APAP's Summer of Change. From the Bay Area to Chicago, Los Angeles to Denver, come on out for various fundraisers, mixers and political organizing events. Here are all the details:
the shine wears off
What are we on—five days? Six days into the Beijing Olympic Games? After a brilliant, jaw-dropping Opening Ceremony, and lots of encouraging talk about international goodwill and healthy competition and sportsmanship... the shine is starting to wear off. Some semi-controversial items in the news...
So... that cute little Chinese girl who sang "Hymn to the Motherland" during the Opening Ceremony? The girl whose voice just melted your heart? Yeah. Cute girl... but not her voice: The Chinese pulled a Milli-Vanilli during the Opening Ceremony.
Turns out, ceremony organizers thought 7-year-old Yang Peiyi didn't have the "right look," and swapped her out at the last minute with a cuter, more telegenic girl, Lin Miaoke, who lip-synced to a pre-recorded tape. That's is seriously messed up. More here: Olympic girl seen but not heard.
Bela Karolyi, the "Vince Lombardi of women's gymnastics," is not cool with the apparent ages of members of the Chinese team. The current minimum Olympic age for gymnastics is 16. While the Chinese team is "officially" old enough (the required documentation checks out), they still look an awful lot younger than 16: Karolyi accuses Chinese of age-old problem.
I'd argue, hey, they're Asian! Asians are blessed/cursed with youthful faces. And they're on the tiny side. But I was watching the gymnastics broadcast... and damn, those kids do look really young! Not that it matters anymore... no one can really do anything about it, and the Chinese team won the gold: Golden girls no more, Americans beaten by China.
Finally, here's a pretty interesting editorial from Yahoo! Sports on Yao Ming's significance to the Beijing Games, and the unfair, unending obligations he's had to the massive "unrelenting Chinese sports machine": Yao has delivered, now it's China's turn. The guy has given so much of himself, throughout his entire life, both on and off the court. It's time for China to lay off some of the pressure and let him be.
So... that cute little Chinese girl who sang "Hymn to the Motherland" during the Opening Ceremony? The girl whose voice just melted your heart? Yeah. Cute girl... but not her voice: The Chinese pulled a Milli-Vanilli during the Opening Ceremony.
Turns out, ceremony organizers thought 7-year-old Yang Peiyi didn't have the "right look," and swapped her out at the last minute with a cuter, more telegenic girl, Lin Miaoke, who lip-synced to a pre-recorded tape. That's is seriously messed up. More here: Olympic girl seen but not heard.
Bela Karolyi, the "Vince Lombardi of women's gymnastics," is not cool with the apparent ages of members of the Chinese team. The current minimum Olympic age for gymnastics is 16. While the Chinese team is "officially" old enough (the required documentation checks out), they still look an awful lot younger than 16: Karolyi accuses Chinese of age-old problem.
I'd argue, hey, they're Asian! Asians are blessed/cursed with youthful faces. And they're on the tiny side. But I was watching the gymnastics broadcast... and damn, those kids do look really young! Not that it matters anymore... no one can really do anything about it, and the Chinese team won the gold: Golden girls no more, Americans beaten by China.
Finally, here's a pretty interesting editorial from Yahoo! Sports on Yao Ming's significance to the Beijing Games, and the unfair, unending obligations he's had to the massive "unrelenting Chinese sports machine": Yao has delivered, now it's China's turn. The guy has given so much of himself, throughout his entire life, both on and off the court. It's time for China to lay off some of the pressure and let him be.
your martial arts movie reference does not amuse me
Here's another article, from Newsweek, on the growing importance and influence of the Asian Pacific American vote this year: Crouching Voter, Hidden Direction. It's informative, and makes a few interesting observations, touching on some recent milestones, but it isn't anything compelling we haven't heard before. Here's my only gripe: what is up with that ridiculous title? They had to try and get creative with the Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon reference. Failure.
8.12.2008
david choi and kina grannis, "my time with you"
Just heard about this great video collaboration, "My Time With You,", featuring two of my favorite YouTube stars, David Choi and Kina Grannis. Cute song.
Okay, so it's actually part of a promotion on Xanga(!) for JCPenney, Get That Look. Funny, because the campaign also features popular YouTubers Natalie and KevJumba—all Asian kids. We run this. Anyway, check out the song and be sure to check out more of their music, because it's great stuff.
more on the spanish basketball team's "chink-eye" photo
UPDATE: Spain's basketball team responds to the international controversy now surrounding their dumbass photo: Gasol, Calderon question fuss over photo. They really don't get it. Says Paul Gasol, "It was supposed to be a picture that inspired the Olympic spirit." I'm baffled as to how they worked out this brilliant idea. More here: Should Spanish Insensitivity Should Be Punished?
This Yahoo! Sports story raises a very interesting question: Spain photo exposing NBA double standard? There are indeed several NBA players on Spain's team, including the Lakers' Gasol and Toronto's Jose Calderon. So where is the NBA in all of this? If the offending photo was of Team USA, wouldn't they be all over this? Maybe.
Oh, by the way, the chink-eye photo pose isn't limited to the men's team. Spain's Olympic women's basketball team got in on the slant-eyed photo pose action too (above).
...
Some follow-up on that racist photo from the other day, of Spain's basketball team giving everybody the "chink eye." The image has since picked up quite a bit of mainstream attention over the last day (it's currently on Yahoo's front page as I write this), and has got a lot of people pretty damn mad: Spanish basketball team poses for offensive picture.
More here: Spain's 'Slant-Eye' Team Photo Stirs Ire. Prior to the Games, the team posed for an advertisement in the Spanish-language newspaper La Marca. In honor of their upcoming trip to Bejing, the entire team pulled their eyes back in a slant—a racist gesture many of us Asians know and unfortunately have had to deal with in our lives. Back on the grade school playground.
The New York Times reports that Spain's basketball team is sponsored by Li-Ning Footwear, a Chinese company founded by Li Ning, the final torchbearer during the Olympic Opening Ceremony: Spanish Ad Spurs Charges of Racism. The ad apparently references the Spanish team recently extending their contract with the footwear giant for another four years. What a nice way to acknowledge that.
Interestingly, Spain beat China in basketball today, 85-75 in overtime: Powerhouse Spain Puzzles on Hardcourt. It's being reported that normally polite, sedate Chinese crowd "vigorously booed" the Spanish basketball team, though it's uncertain whether they were actually reacting to the photo, or just decided to get a little rowdy. Whatever the case, it's generally not a good idea to get a nation of over a billion people mad at you.
There's stupid, and there's insensitive... and then there's what the hell were they thinking? Believe it or not, Madrid is currently considered one of the frontrunners—along with Chicago, Tokyo and Rio De Janiero—to host the 2016 Summer Games. The site will be announced next year.
Last week, Spain appealed to China to support the country's bid to host the Games. Could this supreme display of ignorance jeopardize Madrid's chances? While I don't believe in penalizing an entire country for the idiotic actions of fifteen men... it would certainly be one hell of a lesson.
a first look at john cho as sulu
Yo, Trekkies. We've got our first look at John Cho as Sulu in the upcoming Star Trek movie. Well, 3/4 of Sulu's face, I guess. It's part of a series of teaser posters Paramount Pictures revealed over the weekend at the Star Trek convention in Las Vegas: More Star Trek character posters released.
Each poster poster features one of Trek's iconic character—Sulu, Chekov, Bones, Scotty—and when you place them all together, the image forms the Starfleet emblem. Geektastic. They revealed four similar poster last month at Comic-Con, and I've been looking forward to seeing a Sulu one. You can view all of the posters released thus far here.
cause psa release party in los angeles
For folks in Los Angeles, check this out. On Thursday night, the Center for Asian Americans United for Self Empowerment (CAUSE) invites you to join them in celebrating the release of their new get-out-the-vote PSA starring George Takei and Kelly Hu, aimed at getting more Asian Pacific Americans involved, aware, and at the polls this November. Here are the details:
CAUSE'S PSA WITH KELLY HU AND GEORGE TAKEI RELEASE PARTYCAUSE is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, non-partisan community-based organization, dedicated to the political empowerment of the Asian Pacific Islander American community through voter registration and education, community outreach and leadership development. For more information about the event, go to the CAUSE website here.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
6pm - 9pm
J Lounge
1119 S Olive St
Los Angeles, CA 90015
We invite you to celebrate the release of our get-out-the-vote public service announcement (PSA) "Embrace Your Power" starring Hollywood actors Kelly Hu (X-Men 2) and George Takei (Star Trek)!
Gearing up for the 2008 Presidential Election, CAUSE has teamed up with some of Hollywood’s finest to create an important get-out-the-vote PSA targeting Asian Pacific Americans to vote, participate and lead in America!
Join Kelly Hu, the cast and crew from the PSA, the California Secretary of State Debra Bowen and CAUSE for the launching of this empowering message!
Parking for the event:
Valet is available for $10.00.
Self-parking is available across the street from J-Lounge for $5.00.
For more information, please call CAUSE at 626-356-9838
u.s. men's gymnastics team takes bronze
Yesterday at the Beijing Olympics, the U.S. gymnastics team, largely considered the competition's underdogs, surprised everyone by winning the bronze medal. China took the gold, and Japan nabbed the silver, as expected: China wins gold, US bronze in men’s gymnastics.
The scrappy U.S. team, whose roster includes team captain Kevin Tan and last-minute replacement Raj Bhavsar, overcame the odds with some key performances... and a lot of heart: Comeback leads Artemev and America to bronze. More here: U.S. men believed in this miracle.
By the way, I should add that over the last couple of days, I've noticed a lot of traffic coming to the site from searches for "raj bhavsar girlfriend." Sorry. I don't think I can help you with that information.
The scrappy U.S. team, whose roster includes team captain Kevin Tan and last-minute replacement Raj Bhavsar, overcame the odds with some key performances... and a lot of heart: Comeback leads Artemev and America to bronze. More here: U.S. men believed in this miracle.
By the way, I should add that over the last couple of days, I've noticed a lot of traffic coming to the site from searches for "raj bhavsar girlfriend." Sorry. I don't think I can help you with that information.
tim chiou in eduardo sanchez's seventh moon
This one's for horror movie fans... Check out the trailer for Seventh Moon over on Twitch. It's a rather frightening looking film from Eduardo Sanchez, one of the guys behind The Blair Witch Project. It stars Amy Smart and Tim Chiou (playing a Chinese American dude named Yul), as an American couple on their honeymoon in China. The short version: they get terrorized by ghosts. The long version:
Seventh Moon opens with Melissa (Amy Smart, STARSHIP TROOPERS, BUTTERFLY EFFECT, MIRRORS) and Yul (Tim Chiou) enjoying the first days of their Honeymoon on vacation in China. Yul is an American of Chinese descent, but only has a marginal grasp of the language and culture. He convinced Melissa, however, to forego the tropics for a more adventurous honeymoon: a guided tour of China during the Seventh Moon ghost festival. By the looks on their faces, they made the right choice. Good food, good shopping and a fantastic celebration of Chinese culture replete with music, dancing, drinking and elaborate parades and ceremonial offerings. If you look beyond their happy faces to the corners of the frame, however, you notice that perhaps the Americans are not as welcome as they feel. They are a bit too loud and tipsy for what is clearly a sacred event. Disrespect at a shrine ends in angry glances. An inappropriate loud joke results in a harsh barking rebuke. The tone of unease is subtle but undeniable.Some interesting things about this project... Sure, it revolves around stupid mystical Chinese occult stuff, because, you know, ghosts are scarier when they're Asian. But I kind of like the idea of these Ugly Americans getting what's coming to them, even if it is at the hands of fake-ass ghosts. And dude, one of the protagonists is an Asian American man! That's different.
Intoxicated and exhausted, the newlyweds climb into their chartered taxi and drift off to sleep en route to Yul's grandmother's house in rural Axian. When they awake, their driver has abandoned them in the middle of nowhere and very strange stirrings are audible in the fields near the road.
View the trailer here. The movie will premiere at Fantastic Fest in Austin in September. More on the movie at the Seventh Moon website.
kumar keeps on stumping for obama
Yesterday, Kal Penn continued his efforts in support of Barack Obama for President, attending a South Asians for Obama house party in Northern Virginia: Kal Penn Stumps for Obama, Supporters Look to Make Blue from Red.
The man we know and love as Kumar wished everyone a Happy Macaca Day, recognizing the two-year anniversary the infamous incident that rocked Virginia GOP Senator George Allen's re-election campaign. Caught on tape, the "macaca" speech ultimately led to Allen losing his re-election bid to Democrat Jim Webb.
Though Virginia hasn't voted for a Democratic presidential candidate in the general election since Lyndon Johnson in 1964, the state has gained Democratic traction in recent years in its governors, senators and congressman. And the power of macaca. Can Kumar get South Asian voters to go blue? More here: 'South Asian Americans could make Obama President'.
The man we know and love as Kumar wished everyone a Happy Macaca Day, recognizing the two-year anniversary the infamous incident that rocked Virginia GOP Senator George Allen's re-election campaign. Caught on tape, the "macaca" speech ultimately led to Allen losing his re-election bid to Democrat Jim Webb.
Though Virginia hasn't voted for a Democratic presidential candidate in the general election since Lyndon Johnson in 1964, the state has gained Democratic traction in recent years in its governors, senators and congressman. And the power of macaca. Can Kumar get South Asian voters to go blue? More here: 'South Asian Americans could make Obama President'.
sikh american man gunned down in phoenix
SALDEF reports that a Sikh American man was viciously murdered last week while working at a 7-Eleven in Phoenix. 62-year-old Inderjit Singh Jassal was working behind the counter when Jermaine Canada walked in with his two children, aged 2 and 6. According to the surveillance video, the two individuals had a short conversation, at the end of which Mr. Canada pulled a concealed firearm from his shirt and fatally shot Mr. Jassal. Here's SALDEF's press release:
Sikh American Gunned Down in Phoenix, ArizonaWhat the hell happened here? Who shoots a man like that, right there in front of his kids?! The motive remains a mystery: Victim's family baffled by motive in fatal shooting of 7-Eleven clerk. More here: Gunman's kids watch clerk's murder.
SALDEF urges swift police response and community vigilance
Washington, DC – August 10, 2008: On August 4, 2008, SALDEF was alerted to the vicious murder of 62 year old Mr. Inderjit Singh Jassal, in Phoenix, Arizona.
Last Monday, Mr. Jassal was working at a 7-11 store in West Phoenix when a black male, later identified as 27 year-old Jermaine Canada, walked in with his two children, aged 2 and 6. According to the surveillance video, the two individuals had a short conversation, at the end of which Mr. Canada pulled a concealed firearm from his shirt and fatally shot Mr. Jassal.
The Phoenix Sikh American community is in a state of shock this week as a motive has not been found. Nothing was stolen and there is no confirmation that this killing was something other than a heinous crime motivated by hate.
"The Phoenix community has experienced a tremendous amount of hardship over the past seven years, since the attacks of 9/11" said SALDEF Western Regional Director Kavneet Singh. "This shooting is an utter tragedy and we hope that this case is prosecuted in a swift and appropriate manner."
SALDEF has contacted the Phoenix Police Department about the incident as well as expressed concerns with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Justice to ensure the thorough investigation of this case. SALDEF will continue to work with leaders in the Phoenix community to ensure aggressive action in this matter.
We also urge all Sikh Americans to immediately report any incidents of harassment, bullying or assault to SALDEF and your local authorities. If you or someone you know has been a victim of any racially motivated crime, please contact SALDEF directly toll free at 877-917-4547 or via email at info@saldef.org
8.11.2008
this week on the asian hip hop summit tour
The Asian Hip Hop Summit Tour continues its 27 city journey across the country, featuring the talents of Dumbfoundead, Lyraflip, Chosen 1, Youthinasia and DJ Dstrukt bringing you some of the best in underground Asian American hip hop. This week on the Tour:
Monday, August 11: ASIAN HIP HOP SUMMIT CHARLOTTE
@ Pho Real
440 E. McCullough Drive, Suite 206
Charlotte, NC 28262
all ages, $10, doors @ 7pm
MC Battle + Open Mic
Local Performers: Black Dragon, VTEC, Mondega, Dante Fawkes (ATL), Kato (ATL)
Tuesday, August 12: ASIAN HIP HOP SUMMIT VIRGINIA
@ Outback Lodge
917 Preston Avenue
Charlottesville, VA 22903
18+, $7-$8, doors @ 9:30pm
Local Performers: Endless Mic (Chapel Hill), Illville Crew
Wednesday, August 13: ASIAN HIP HOP SUMMIT BALTIMORE
@ Fish Head Cantina
4802 Benson Avenue
Arbutus, MD 21227
all ages, doors @ 7:30pm
MC Battle + Open Mic
Local Performers: A-Class & Tom Delay, Minlus & McCracken, Lyrical Kingfish, Fresh Competition
Thursday, August 14: 1st ASIAN COMEDY SUMMIT
@ Crash Mansion
199 Bowery
Manhattan, NYC 10002
21+, $15, doors @ 9pm
Host: Dumbfoundead (Los Angeles)
Comedians: Eliot Chang, Air Tabigue, Jen Kwok, Helen Hong, Anu Kalra, Pete Isip
Guest Performers: Flowsik, Explicit Linez, Sang Moon, Elijah Kuan Wong
Friday, August 15: ASIAN HIP HOP SUMMIT BOSTON
@ All Asia Bar
334 Mass Ave.
Cambridge, MA 02139
21+, $10, doors @ 11pm
Open Mic
Local Performers: Shuman, DJ Rugged One, DJ Nomadik, Metaphorick
Saturday, August 16: ASIAN HIP HOP SUMMIT NEW YORK
@ Public Assembly (Galapagos Art Space)
70 North 6th Street
Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NYC 11211
Local Performers: Magnetic North, Koba, Misnomers, Deep Foundation, Heather Park, DJ Boo, Hydroponikz, Cynthia Lin
Sunday, August 17: ASIAN HIP HOP SUMMIT @ Sulu Series Open Mic
@ Bowery Poetry Club
308 Bowery Street
Manhattan, NYC 10012
Sunday, August 17: ASIAN HIP HOP SUMMIT @ End of the Weak Open Mic
@ Pyramid
101 Avenue A (btw 6th and 7th)
Manhattan, NYC 10009
MC Skills Challenge
This weekend, the tour hits New York City, with a special comedy night on Thursday, featuring comics Eliot Chang, Air Tabigue, Jen Kwok, Helen Hong, Anu Kalra, Pete Isip. Saturday night's show at Public Assembly will also feature the likes of Magnetic North, Koba, Misnomers, Deep Foundation, Heather Park, DJ Boo, Hydroponikz, and Cynthia Lin. Good stuff! For more information about the tour, go here.
obama on vacation in the "foreign, exotic" state of hawaii
Oh, please. As you might know, Senator Barack Obama was born in Hawaii, which—last I checked—is a state. One of those United States, actually. Of America. But it turns out, according to political analyst Cokie Roberts, Hawaii is too "foreign" and "exotic" a locale for a campaigning presidential candidate to go to for vacation. Huh?
On yesterday's edition of ABC's This Week, Roberts criticized Senator Obama for "going off this week to a vacation in Hawaii," which she said "does not make any sense whatsoever." Funny, it makes perfect sense to me. Can't a guy go back to his home state to chill? According to Roberts:
You see, I had no idea that Myrtle Beach, for whatever reason, is the Presidential vacation spot of choice. Much less foreign or exotic or elite than the great state of Hawaii, apparently. Tell that to the more than two million Americans who go on vacation in Hawaii every year. Or the 1.2 million Americans—with the largest percentage of Asian Americans—who actually live there. Including members of my own family. And Obama's family.
Here's a good take on this nonsense: Barack Obama Joins 2.5 Million Fellow Americans In Vacation Elitism. And more at Daily Kos: Sen Akaka (D-HI) response to Cokie's stupidity... Write NPR Please and tell them to send her to Fox.
On yesterday's edition of ABC's This Week, Roberts criticized Senator Obama for "going off this week to a vacation in Hawaii," which she said "does not make any sense whatsoever." Funny, it makes perfect sense to me. Can't a guy go back to his home state to chill? According to Roberts:
"I know his grandmother lives in Hawaii and I know Hawaii is a state, but it has the look of him going off to some sort of foreign, exotic place... He should be in Myrtle Beach, and, you know, if he's going to take a vacation at this time."Media Matters has the video and transcript of Roberts' remarks: Cokie Roberts on Obama's vacation: "I know his grandmother lives in Hawaii and I know Hawaii is a state," but it looks "foreign, exotic."
You see, I had no idea that Myrtle Beach, for whatever reason, is the Presidential vacation spot of choice. Much less foreign or exotic or elite than the great state of Hawaii, apparently. Tell that to the more than two million Americans who go on vacation in Hawaii every year. Or the 1.2 million Americans—with the largest percentage of Asian Americans—who actually live there. Including members of my own family. And Obama's family.
Here's a good take on this nonsense: Barack Obama Joins 2.5 Million Fellow Americans In Vacation Elitism. And more at Daily Kos: Sen Akaka (D-HI) response to Cokie's stupidity... Write NPR Please and tell them to send her to Fox.
south korean swimmer makes history
You gotta admit, this is pretty cool. One of the big stories of the Beijing Olympics is U.S. swimmer Michael Phelps' pursuit of a gajillion medals. Yay. But over the weekend, South Korean swimmer Park Tae-hwan captured the gold medal in the men's 400-meter freestyle swim. It was Korea's first Olympic swimming medal of any kind and its third gold in Beijing: An epic moment for Korean swimmer.
18-year-old Park finished the 400 in in three minutes, 41.86 seconds, the second-fastest time ever in the 400-meter freestyle behind Ian Thorpe's 3:40.08 in 2002. The feat makes him the first Asian to win any Olympic freestyle swimming event since Noboru Terada of Japan won gold in the men's 1,500-meter freestyle at the 1936 Berlin Olympics:
18-year-old Park finished the 400 in in three minutes, 41.86 seconds, the second-fastest time ever in the 400-meter freestyle behind Ian Thorpe's 3:40.08 in 2002. The feat makes him the first Asian to win any Olympic freestyle swimming event since Noboru Terada of Japan won gold in the men's 1,500-meter freestyle at the 1936 Berlin Olympics:
"I think my victory will help break the stereotype that freestyle swimming is the domain of Americans and Europeans," Park said. "I hope this gold medal gives Koreans and other Asians confidence that they can do it, too."Not bad, kid. Call it a sort redemption for Park, who, as a 14-year-old at the 2004 Athens Olympics disqualified for a false start in the men's 400-meter heat. I gotta admit, I was pretty thrilled to see the kid win. That that, Australia! More here: Park takes on Thorpe's mantle. And here: Park tops childhood hero, claims first gold.
stir-friday night presents "horry kow, that's lacist!"
Stir-Friday Night, Chicago's premiere Asian American sketch comedy and improv troupe, presents its latest original revue, "Horry Kow, That's Lacist!" running Fridays from August 8 through September 5 at Second City's Donny's Skybox Theatre, Piper's Alley. Here are the details:
Stir-Friday Night! presentsHell yeah. Sketch comedy and racist sports paraphernalia. Sounds like my kind of show. You all know how much I loved those stupid bootleg Fukudome t-shirts. Glad to see someone is trying is to address the damn things and make a point in a funny, creative way.
Horry Kow, That's Lacist!
An Original Comedy Revue, Written, & Performed by Stir-Friday Night!
Directed by Jason Chin
Opens: Friday, August 8th, 2008, 7:30 p.m.
Runs through September 5th, 2008
Fridays @ 7:30 p.m.
Donny's Skybox Theatre
Pipers Alley
4th Floor
1608 N. Wells St., Chicago, IL
For reservations call (312) 337-3992
Tickets: $12 General Admission, $10 Students
Even as Kosuke Fukudome, fellow Asians and Asian Americans, and the Cubs publicly denounced the "Horry Kow" t-shirts, these t-shirts continue to sell. The vendors claim that they just want to make a living and that they are not deliberately trying to hurt or offend. While anyone could honor an honest living, their excuses would ring hollow should these vendors choose a derogatory stereotype of another ethnicity to place on a t-shirt.
Stir-Friday Night! (SFN) examines the issue with the t-shirts as well as other topics: high gas prices, reconciliation of Asian American adoptees and their genetic parents, Asian representation in the media, America's foreign policy, and the subtle difference between South and East Asians. Artistic Director Harrison Pak says, “Even though Stir-Friday's been in existence for 13 years, it's just now that I feel that we're getting into a groove in terms of what we want to say as an Asian American collective. No longer will being on stage be enough for us; we have to say something and we're looking forward to offering Horry Kow to our audiences, both old and new.”
In its 13th year of existence, SFN continues its mission to provide a voice for the Asian American comedic actor. The cast of Horry Kow, That's Lacist! is Brijul Bhakta, Melissa Canciller, Neal Dandade, Jin Kim, Andy Lee, Christine Lin, Ron Mok, Harrison Pak, Freddie Sulit, and Steven Yeun.
Musical Director is Shane Sharrifskul and the Technical Director is Jason Flowers.
iO faculty member, Jason Chin directs this show.
theme website re-launch
I've always liked Theme Magazine. Among all the Asian American publications out there, it's one of the cooler, design-driven Asian lifestyle magazines. Last week, Editor-in-Chief John H. Lee informed me that the publication recently relaunched its website with a complete re-design from the ground up. And it looks good. They've got a blog-roll, a really nice photo gallery section, and a whole bunch of posted stories. Take a look at the new site here.
joseph kahn is directing neuromancer
Whoa. Okay, not only did I not know that somebody was actively working on a movie adaptation of William Gibson's sci-fi novel Neuromancer, I had no idea that Joseph Kahn is directing it.
The book is considered a classic work of cyberpunk fiction, and has seen several unsuccessful attempts to bring it to the big screen over the last 20 years. But it looks like the movie is indeed currently in the works, with major backing and Kahn set to direct. Variety broke the story over a year ago: Hoffman to produce 'Neuromancer'. The teaser poster above surfaced on the web a couple of weeks ago. Cool!
But will it be any good? I don't know. The project apparently has a lot of the book's purist fans up in arms. Kahn has a made a name for himself as a high-profile director of music videos, as well as the feature film Torque... credits that, not surprisingly, aren't very comforting to fans of Neuromancer—a book many consider unfilmable. It's also rumored that Hayden Christensen is being considered for the lead. Yeah.
Still, I'm just pleased to hear such an awesome movie property is being taken on by an Asian American director. I guess we'll have to see what happens, if this ever gets off the ground.
get ready for the cho show
The New York Times has an interesting profile on veteran comedian Margaret Cho (I think she's been in this game long enough to be considered a veteran), whose new TV series The Cho Show, premieres this month on VH1: Returning in Her Favorite Role, Herself.
While most folks would probably want to forget her now-infamous failed 1994-95 network sitcom All-American Girl, she brings it up right away to make the point that she's spent the last 13 years reinventing herself, she's not the same person, and this is not that show.
The Cho Show is a seven-episode, half-hour series billed as a "reality sitcom", described as a blend of unscripted dialogue and sequences based on her own life. The show features Cho's quirky entourage, which includes her 3-foot-10 assistant Selene Luna and a gay "glam squad" of stylists.
But best of all, the show features Margaret's parents, Seung Hoon and Young Hie Cho, who get to be in on the action and speak for themselves after years and years of only being known through Margaret's comic impersonations. Awkward... but funny. They could end up being the runaway stars of The Cho Show.
I have seen the first episode, and while it's a little rough, I generally liked it. I'm looking forward to seeing more. The Cho Show premieres August 21 on VH1. For more information about the show, go here, and visit Margaret Cho's official website here. And watch a "supertrailer" for The Cho Show here.
While most folks would probably want to forget her now-infamous failed 1994-95 network sitcom All-American Girl, she brings it up right away to make the point that she's spent the last 13 years reinventing herself, she's not the same person, and this is not that show.
The Cho Show is a seven-episode, half-hour series billed as a "reality sitcom", described as a blend of unscripted dialogue and sequences based on her own life. The show features Cho's quirky entourage, which includes her 3-foot-10 assistant Selene Luna and a gay "glam squad" of stylists.
But best of all, the show features Margaret's parents, Seung Hoon and Young Hie Cho, who get to be in on the action and speak for themselves after years and years of only being known through Margaret's comic impersonations. Awkward... but funny. They could end up being the runaway stars of The Cho Show.
I have seen the first episode, and while it's a little rough, I generally liked it. I'm looking forward to seeing more. The Cho Show premieres August 21 on VH1. For more information about the show, go here, and visit Margaret Cho's official website here. And watch a "supertrailer" for The Cho Show here.
south asians for obama fundraiser in nyc
New York Obama supporters... South Asians for Obama invites you to what they're calling "THE can't-miss" event of the summer this Tuesday, a benefit for Senator Barack Obama and the Obama Victory Fund featuring the likes of Kal Penn, Mira Nair, Karsh Kale, DJ Rekha, Trendroid, Bollygirl v. Dimm, DJ Nihal and others. Here are the details:
New York Event with Kal Penn, Maulik Pancholy, Aasif Mandvi and Others!It's Tuesday, August 12 at the Hiro Ballroom & Lounge at the Maritime Hotel in New York. Should be a pretty cool evening. For more information about the event, go to the South Asians for Obama website here. Also see the SAFO Facebook group here.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
South Asians for Obama, along with the Asian American Finance Committee, the DNC South Asian American Leadership Council, Generation Obama and the DNC Trailblazers Council invite you to join
Kal Penn
Maulik Pancholy & Aasif Mandvi
Karsh Kale, DJ Rekha & Falu
Trendroid, Bollygirl v. Dimm, DJ Nihal & others
for an event benefiting the Obama Victory Fund
WHEN: Tuesday, August 12, 7:00pm (VIP reception at 6:30pm)
WHERE: Hiro Ballroom & Lounge at the Maritime Hotel, 363 W. 16th St., New York, NY
Tickets will go fast. Reserve your spot today at:
http://my.barackobama.com/nycSA?custom1=South_Asians_for_Obama.
8.10.2008
spain's basketball team gives us the chink-eye
"Irresponsible" would be one way to put it... but to me, it just looks racist. Oh look, Spain's basketball team is headed to Beijing for the Olympics. What better way to mark the occasion than posing for a photo with the entire team making an offensive racist gesture? We honor you, China, with our chinky eyes.
Spain's Basketball Federation has published a good luck advertisement featuring the men's team pulling at the sides of their eyes: Spain basketball team pictured in controversial pose. You know, the international gesture for ching chong. Yes. We know it well. That's racist!
Talk about disrespecting the host nation. Not to mention just plain juvenile racist mockery. So much for bringing people together in the name of international peace and respect. It's like grade school all over again. Someone, please teach these arrogant fools a lesson.
the invisible asian
John Ridley has a great piece in the Huffington Post on the general exclusion of Asian Americans from everyday conversation about race in America: Are Asians the New Invisible Man? To be filed under Things We Already Know. Indeed, we have opinions about race tooooo.
A new USA Today/Gallup Poll reveals that most Americans believe "racism is widespread against blacks in the United States." That's one of the things we already know. But here's the other thing... This survey, which is supposedly about how "most Americans" feel about racism and minorities, only bothered to poll blacks, whites and Hispanic people—and no responses from Asian Americans.
Ridley writes, "You'd think if the survey had room to include views on the pervasive systemic oppression whites suffer through (now go back and read that sentence sarcastically), they'd take the time to chat up an Asian or two." It seems that no one really cares about attitudes of Asian Americans. And that's the other thing we already knew.
How about a survey on the racial attitudes towards Asian Americans in the United States? And would it be too much to ask that Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders actually be included in those responses? Maybe, just maybe, we could be included—both as participant and as subject—in the conversation about race in America for once. Ya think?
A new USA Today/Gallup Poll reveals that most Americans believe "racism is widespread against blacks in the United States." That's one of the things we already know. But here's the other thing... This survey, which is supposedly about how "most Americans" feel about racism and minorities, only bothered to poll blacks, whites and Hispanic people—and no responses from Asian Americans.
Ridley writes, "You'd think if the survey had room to include views on the pervasive systemic oppression whites suffer through (now go back and read that sentence sarcastically), they'd take the time to chat up an Asian or two." It seems that no one really cares about attitudes of Asian Americans. And that's the other thing we already knew.
How about a survey on the racial attitudes towards Asian Americans in the United States? And would it be too much to ask that Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders actually be included in those responses? Maybe, just maybe, we could be included—both as participant and as subject—in the conversation about race in America for once. Ya think?
8.09.2008
tragedy and inspiration
I watched the broadcast of the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing Olympics like everyone else. And it was awesome. Really, really stunning. View some fantastic photos here.
Meanwhile, some bizarre, tragic news... The father of a former U.S. Olympian was murdered at a Beijing landmark on Saturday: Father of former Olympian killed in Beijing. Todd and Barbara Bachman of Lakeville, Minnesota—parents of 2004 volleyball Olympian Elisabeth "Wiz" Bachman and in-laws of U.S. men's volleyball coach Hugh McCutcheon—were attacked by a Chinese man while visiting the 13th-century Drum Tower.
The U.S. Olympic Committee confirmed that Bachman died from knife wounds and that Barbara Bachman suffered life-threatening injuries. She and their Chinese tour guide, who was also injured in the attack, were being treated in a Beijing hospital.
According to the Xinhua News Agency, the assailant, 47-year-old Tang Yongming, leapt to his death from a 130-foot-high balcony on the Drum Tower, just five miles from the main Olympics site. There was no indication that he knew that his victims had any connection to the games. It appears it was just a senseless, violent act by a deranged man.
On a more inspirational note, here's a story on how the Games are a symbol of hope and recovery for the millions who suffered and lost during the devastating Sichuan earthquake: An Olympics of hope for earthquake victims.
8.08.2008
vote for our sxsw panel
Check it out. Blogger pal Carmen Van Kerckhove of Racialicious has proposed a panel idea for next year's SXSW Interactive conference, and it looks like it could be pretty cool, but it needs your votes if it's going to happen: Vote for my South by Southwest panel!.
The panel, titled Can Social Media End Racism?, aims to examine "the ideas of race in the digital environment with a specific focus on social media." I'm tentatively committed to participate in the panel, so if everything works out, I could be there alongside Carmen, Jay Smooth of Ill Doctrine and other cool bloggers next March at SXSW.
So... please take a moment to rate the panel (0 to 5 stars). You'll need to create a Panel Picker login account, which only takes about a minute. Your help is appreciated!
The panel, titled Can Social Media End Racism?, aims to examine "the ideas of race in the digital environment with a specific focus on social media." I'm tentatively committed to participate in the panel, so if everything works out, I could be there alongside Carmen, Jay Smooth of Ill Doctrine and other cool bloggers next March at SXSW.
So... please take a moment to rate the panel (0 to 5 stars). You'll need to create a Panel Picker login account, which only takes about a minute. Your help is appreciated!
man sentenced to 150 days in jail for hate crime death
How can this be? You might remember the hate crime killing of Satender Singh, who died after an assault at Lake Natoma last year. Last week, a 22-year-old Sacramento man was sentence to 150 days in jail for his role in the fight that led to Singh's death: Sacramento man given jail in immigrant's death.
150 days for killing a man! Aleksandr Shevchenko, who had been charged with a hate crime before a jury deadlocked on that charge in June, was convicted of disturbing the peace and simple assault: Mistrial declared as jury can't agree on hate-crime charge in fatal fight. The Sacramento District Attorney's Office said they would not retry Shevchenko on the hate crime charge.
150 days for killing a man! Aleksandr Shevchenko, who had been charged with a hate crime before a jury deadlocked on that charge in June, was convicted of disturbing the peace and simple assault: Mistrial declared as jury can't agree on hate-crime charge in fatal fight. The Sacramento District Attorney's Office said they would not retry Shevchenko on the hate crime charge.
Authorities previously said Shevchenko was involved in the feud because he believed Singh was gay.In addition to the prison time, Shevchenko was sentenced to three years probation and fined $100. According to investigators, Andrey Vusik, the man suspected of throwing the fatal punch that killed Singh, fled the country and is still being sought by the FBI. More on the case: Jail term given Sacramento man in fatal fight at lake.
Singh was among a group of people drinking and dancing to Indian music by the lake in July 2007. Singh was the only one without a date and was seen hugging and dancing with other men, according to witnesses.
Shevchenko was also with a group of people, who allegedly aimed racial and homophobic slurs at Singh's group.
Witnesses testified that a group with Singh also provoked Shevchenko and his friends with racial slurs and lewd dancing, Shevchenko's attorney, Michael Long, said.
texas bus crash kills 14
Crazy and tragic news out of Texas... A charter bus carrying a Vietnamese church group to an annual Catholic gathering slammed onto its side and then skidded off a freeway early this morning, killing at least 14 people and injuring more than 40: Charter bus crash north of Dallas kills 14.
The bus smashed into a guard rail on a bridge that's about 15 feet above a creek, apparently skidding along the guard rail before sliding off the highway at the far end of the bridge. Investigators suspect that a blown tire might've been the cause of the wreck.
The bus was carrying 55 people, many of whom were from the Vietnamese Martyrs Church of Houston, on their way to a religious festival honoring the Virgin Mary in Carthage, Missouri. Sixteen of the survivors were reported in critical condition.
More here: Vietnamese families search for loved ones after Sherman bus crash. According to federal regulators, the company operating the bus, Iguala BusMex, was not legally authorized to carry passengers out of Texas: Bus company in fatal Sherman crash was operating illegally.
If you would like to help with translations in response to this crash, please contact Mario Chapa with the American Red Cross of Central Texas at 512-929-1222.
The bus smashed into a guard rail on a bridge that's about 15 feet above a creek, apparently skidding along the guard rail before sliding off the highway at the far end of the bridge. Investigators suspect that a blown tire might've been the cause of the wreck.
The bus was carrying 55 people, many of whom were from the Vietnamese Martyrs Church of Houston, on their way to a religious festival honoring the Virgin Mary in Carthage, Missouri. Sixteen of the survivors were reported in critical condition.
More here: Vietnamese families search for loved ones after Sherman bus crash. According to federal regulators, the company operating the bus, Iguala BusMex, was not legally authorized to carry passengers out of Texas: Bus company in fatal Sherman crash was operating illegally.
If you would like to help with translations in response to this crash, please contact Mario Chapa with the American Red Cross of Central Texas at 512-929-1222.
let the games begin
It's finally here! The 2008 Beijing Olympics kicked off today with a spectacular Opening Ceremony of pageantry and pyrotechnics: China strides onto Olympic stage. Nearly two years in the making, the man behind the spectacle is acclaimed Chinese filmmaker Zhang Yimou: Gritty Renegade Now Directs China’s Close-Up.
We in the United States with regular televisions don't get to watch it until tonight on NBC, but Yahoo has posted a pretty decent photo gallery from the event. These two photos kind of stood out for me:
A view of the Opening Ceremony from inside the "Bird's Nest."
A view of the Opening Ceremony for Chinese migrant workers.
We in the United States with regular televisions don't get to watch it until tonight on NBC, but Yahoo has posted a pretty decent photo gallery from the event. These two photos kind of stood out for me:
A view of the Opening Ceremony from inside the "Bird's Nest."
A view of the Opening Ceremony for Chinese migrant workers.
america's best dance crew season 2: week eight
Alas, it was time to say goodbye to one of my three favorite crews. At the point in the competition, with three great crews left, I knew it was going to be sad to see one of them go home last night. At the same time, I would've been happy with any of three remaining crews—Super Cr3w, SoReal Cru, or Fanny Pak—going all the way. That said, it really really sucked to see Fanny Pak go, especially after seeing them give their performance of the entire season.
On last night's episode, each crew did two routines themed around "the '80s." By the way, they really played it loose with their definition of 1980s. Some of the songs they threw in there definitely ventured into early 1990s territory, particularly in that first set of performances. But anyway, here are may favorite performances of the night from the three crews:
Fanny Pak, "Maniac." After watching this crew climb their way all from the bottom this season, I really didn't want to see them go. They're easily the most innovative and creative group on the show, and they were made for the performance they gave last night. Cara Horibe, front and center, was freakin' fantastic. Farewell, Fanny Pak.
Super Cr3w, "Footloose." Has there ever really been any doubt that these guys were going to the finals? Sure, the votes landed them battling in the bottom two a couple of times, but that just made it easy to decide who was going home that week—the other team. Things are looking good for Super Cr3w.
SoReal Cru, "Breakin.'" I thought this performance was brilliant, but completely overshadowed this week by the other two groups. It didn't help that one of the judges specifically called them out as the group that didn't deserve to be there this week. That's gotta be a blow in the votes. But I'm rooting for you, SoReal!
On last night's episode, each crew did two routines themed around "the '80s." By the way, they really played it loose with their definition of 1980s. Some of the songs they threw in there definitely ventured into early 1990s territory, particularly in that first set of performances. But anyway, here are may favorite performances of the night from the three crews:
Fanny Pak, "Maniac." After watching this crew climb their way all from the bottom this season, I really didn't want to see them go. They're easily the most innovative and creative group on the show, and they were made for the performance they gave last night. Cara Horibe, front and center, was freakin' fantastic. Farewell, Fanny Pak.
Super Cr3w, "Footloose." Has there ever really been any doubt that these guys were going to the finals? Sure, the votes landed them battling in the bottom two a couple of times, but that just made it easy to decide who was going home that week—the other team. Things are looking good for Super Cr3w.
SoReal Cru, "Breakin.'" I thought this performance was brilliant, but completely overshadowed this week by the other two groups. It didn't help that one of the judges specifically called them out as the group that didn't deserve to be there this week. That's gotta be a blow in the votes. But I'm rooting for you, SoReal!
shanghai restoration project on npr's day to day
NPR's Day to Day has a great story on musician Dave Liang, the guy behind Shanghai Restoration Project, whose sound blends traditional Chinese instruments with hip hop and electronica: Shanghai Restoration Project: Hybrid Backbeats. It's a great piece that examines some of the ideas and impressions that went into the music, in Dave's own words.
I finally got a chance to meet Dave in person the other night, and heard him play a few songs live. Very cool stuff. The Shanghai Restoration Project has released several albums of original music, as well as a record of remixed 1930 jazz from Shanghai. If you haven't heard any of music, I highly recommend checking it out. To learn more, visit the website here.
I finally got a chance to meet Dave in person the other night, and heard him play a few songs live. Very cool stuff. The Shanghai Restoration Project has released several albums of original music, as well as a record of remixed 1930 jazz from Shanghai. If you haven't heard any of music, I highly recommend checking it out. To learn more, visit the website here.
8.07.2008
american cinematheque's tribute to wayne wang
Kind of short notice, but here's a cool screening opportunity for folks in Los Angeles... I just learned that the latest two films from Wayne Wang, A Thousand Years of Good Prayers and Princess of Nebraska, were screening this week at American Cinematheque at the Aero Theatre in Santa Monica as a tribute to the veteran director.
A Thousand Years of Good Prayers played last night, along with a new cut of 1985's Dim Sum: A Little Bit of Heart. You missed that one, but Princess of Nebraska screens tonight, along with 1997's Chinese Box (blech).
Wayne Wang will be at the screening in person for a discussion in between the films. It's tonight, August 7, at 7:30pm. For more information, visit the American Cinematheque website: Wayne Wang In-Person Tribute.
thehill.com's 50 most beautiful people on capitol hill
I was just perusing TheHill.com's list of the 50 Most Beautiful People of Capitol Hill, and spotted a few Asian faces in the mix: Crystal Chiu (who works for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi), Jonathan To (New Jersey Democratic State Committee's 7th Congressional District), Laura Swett (aide to Rep. Frank Wolf, R-Va).
Sure, it's a silly list, but they've been doing it for five years, and it's apparently one of The Hill's most popular features. Behold, the beautiful people who help run our country. To see the full list, go here.
Sure, it's a silly list, but they've been doing it for five years, and it's apparently one of The Hill's most popular features. Behold, the beautiful people who help run our country. To see the full list, go here.
u.s. diver to watch in beijing: haley ishimatsu
One of the most promising U.S. prospects for a gold medal in diving at the Beijing Olympics is 15-year-old former gymnast Haley Ishimatsu, rockin' it out at 4 feet 9 inches and 83 pounds... and the skills to do one of the most difficult dives in the world: Calif. Teen Is Olympic Medal Hopeful.
She's fourth-generation Japanese American, and her grandparents were among the 120,000 Americans of Japanese ancestry who were sent to internment camps during World War II. Here's more about her background: Fascinating family history for Olympic diver Ishimatsu.
more on knollenberg and the "asian invaders"
Some follow-up on Rep. Joe Knollenberg and his "Asian Invaders" blog entry from last week. Several Asian American organizations are asking Knollenberg for a public apology after using briefly using the term in the title of a blog entry, "Protecting Our Families From Asian Invaders," about consumer protection legislation. The title was later changed to "Protecting Our Families From Harmful Products." Looks like someone let it slip how they really feel: Asians demand apology from Knollenberg.
A letter to Knollenberg asking for an apology was sent Monday morning from Asian & Pacific Islander American Vote-Michigan in Royal Oak, along with Asian American Center for Justice/American Citizens for Justice and the Association of Chinese Americans:
Perhaps you feel like getting in touch with Representative Knollenberg. Here's some contact information readily available on the Congressman's website. Let Joe know how you feel about "Asian Invaders":
Farmington Hills Office
30833 Northwestern Hwy
Suite 100
Farmington Hills, MI 48334
Phone: (248) 851-1366
Fax: (248) 851-0418
Washington Office
2349 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-5802
Fax: (202) 226-2356
A letter to Knollenberg asking for an apology was sent Monday morning from Asian & Pacific Islander American Vote-Michigan in Royal Oak, along with Asian American Center for Justice/American Citizens for Justice and the Association of Chinese Americans:
"We appreciate that you changed the title of our blog post to one that is more appropriate, but we demand that you issue a public apology to the Asian-American community acknowledging the harmful impact of the original title."According to Knollenberg spokesman Nate Bailey, the "Asian Invaders" blog title was an error, and the office apologizes if it offended anyone:
"I can tell you that Congressman Knollenberg is very concerned that Oakland County children don't have tainted toys in their hands," Bailey said. "That's what he was trying to convey.So I have to ask, how exactly does concern over kids and tainted toys equal "Asian Invaders"? That's a loooong way from what they claim they were trying to convey. It takes quite a few logical leaps to start at taintd toys and end up at "Asian Invaders," and my guess is, the Congressman was trying to invoke a little bit fear and xenophobia in the hearts of his constituents. That's racist!
"As that blog entry passed through multiple hands at a staff level, the title ended up conveying something it wasn't intended to, and it was immediately corrected.
"Obviously not fast enough for Google, but it was changed immediately when it was discovered."
Perhaps you feel like getting in touch with Representative Knollenberg. Here's some contact information readily available on the Congressman's website. Let Joe know how you feel about "Asian Invaders":
Farmington Hills Office
30833 Northwestern Hwy
Suite 100
Farmington Hills, MI 48334
Phone: (248) 851-1366
Fax: (248) 851-0418
Washington Office
2349 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-5802
Fax: (202) 226-2356
no dog meat for you
If you're headed to Beijing for the Olympics, and hoping to get a taste of some dog meat (yum!), you might be disappointed. The Beijing Catering Trade Association has ordered all 112 designated Olympic restaurants to take dog off the menu, and has strongly advised other establishments to stop serving it until September. Waiters have been urged to "patiently" suggest alternative dishes to customers who ask for dog. It's all part of a wider campaign to avoid offending foreigners during the Games.
Here's an interesting opinion piece in the New York Times on the sticky issue of canines as cuisine, pointing out the Western fascination (and hypocrisy) with the "exotic" Chinese diet, as well as the Chinese government's own hypocritical image consciousness: It's Too Hot for Dog on the Menu.
Here's an interesting opinion piece in the New York Times on the sticky issue of canines as cuisine, pointing out the Western fascination (and hypocrisy) with the "exotic" Chinese diet, as well as the Chinese government's own hypocritical image consciousness: It's Too Hot for Dog on the Menu.
traveling pants 2, pineapple express in theaters
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2, sequel to 2006's girl-bonding movie classic, opens in theaters this week. Having never seen the first Pants, I imagine if I go to see this one, I'd be totally lost. No, none of the said Sisters are Asian American. However, I do know for a fact that Leonardo Nam reprises his role as Amber Tamblyn's gamer friend-turned-boyfriend Brian McBrian. Judging from the trailers, it looks like they get intimate.
Also in theaters, the stoner action/comedy Pineapple Express. I heard a while back that comedian Ken Jeong, aka Dr. Ken (the tempermental gynecologist from Knocked Up), has a role in the movie as the member of an Asian crime syndicate. According to one review, his performance is described as "wonderfully deadpan." I do not know what that means, but I think it's good. I'm told that Ken's also got a brief cameo in the Will Ferrell/John C. Reilly comedy Step Brothers. Look at you, Dr. Ken! Hangin' with the Apatow crowd.
triple murder suspect held on $5 million bail
This week in New Jersey, Kang-Hyuk Choi, the man accused of stabbing three people to death in their home, was ordered by a judge to be held on $5 million bail: $5M bail for man charged in triple murder.
Choi had been held without bail at the Bergen County Jail ever since he was arrested in May and charged with the triple murder. Unless he's got $5 million in poker winnings stashed away somewhere, it looks like he's staying put.
He is accused of killing Sean Kim, 27, Yoo Bok Kim, 57, and Doo Soo Seo, 70, with an 8-inch knife, before fleeing to California, where he was caught in a casino resort. If convicted, it's likely he'll go to prison for the rest of his life.
Choi had been held without bail at the Bergen County Jail ever since he was arrested in May and charged with the triple murder. Unless he's got $5 million in poker winnings stashed away somewhere, it looks like he's staying put.
He is accused of killing Sean Kim, 27, Yoo Bok Kim, 57, and Doo Soo Seo, 70, with an 8-inch knife, before fleeing to California, where he was caught in a casino resort. If convicted, it's likely he'll go to prison for the rest of his life.
8.06.2008
how to tell people they sound racist
Check it. This is Jay Smooth of ill doctrine, dropping some kickass knowledge on How To Tell People They Sound Racist. It's really intelligent, helpful video explaining how to respond to racist statements.
Because really, when you encounter stuff like that in everyday life, it's not necessarily helpful to yell you're racist! in someone's face at the top of your lungs (as awesome as that might feel). Here, Jay Smooth breaks it down in a way that just makes sense. Definitely worth watching. Big props, Jay. (Thanks, Tim.)
80-20 initiative endorses obama for president
On Saturday, the largest Asian American political action committee, the 80-20 Initiative, formally endorsed Sen. Obama for president: Largest Asian-American PAC Endorses Obama.
They decided on the endorsement after a day-long convention and discussion among 33 delegates of various ethnicities, ages and party affiliations. The delegates represent a national, nonpartisan organization of 700,000 supporters.
Whoop-dee-doo.
They decided on the endorsement after a day-long convention and discussion among 33 delegates of various ethnicities, ages and party affiliations. The delegates represent a national, nonpartisan organization of 700,000 supporters.
Whoop-dee-doo.
samantha chanse's lydia's funeral video at fringenyc
I recently heard from San Francisco-based writer/performer Samantha Chanse, who tells me about her "future-y hapa solo play" Lydia's Funeral Video, going up at the New York International Fringe Festival, August 8-24. What's it about? Here's Samantha's description, in her own words:
the show takes place in the not-so-distant future, and is about a pregnant hapa woman (Lydia) who's been ordered to make her own funeral video before terminating her pregnancy and, presumably, dying. It's the future, so there are new laws in place (abortions are legal only within the first 28 days of pregnancy), and there are some reflective surfaces on the costume (ahem: key). Also, Lydia has to do some standup comedy as part of the funeral video (dead baby jokes, natch).Yes, it sounds kind of crazy and provocative, but apparently, it works. Here's a review from earlier this year over at the Hyphen blog: Lydia's Funeral Video. See the East Coast premiere throughout this month at The Milagro Theatre at CSV Cultural Center in New York City. For dates and times, visit FringeNYC.org. To learn more about Lydia's Funeral Video, go here.
skeptical about shanghai
As much as I like John Cusack as an actor, and I love a cast that boasts Gong Li, Chow Yun-Fat, Ken Watanabe and Rinko Kikuchi, I just can't seem to get excited about their latest movie Shanghai, now filming in Bangkok. The production, which we first heard about last year, recently invited press for a set visit: Cusack calls 'Shanghai' unique opportunity.
Cusack plays an American intelligence official who investigates a friend's death in Japanese-occupied Shanghai in 1941 in the months before the attack on Pearl Harbor that brought the U.S. into World War II. Don't know much more than that, except that Gong Li plays "a mysterious woman who deals with the underworld." Oooh.
Yes, once again, it goes to show that you can have a movie set in any part of the world, in any era of human history... and still find a way to make the protagonist a white American guy. You gotta love it.
Cusack plays an American intelligence official who investigates a friend's death in Japanese-occupied Shanghai in 1941 in the months before the attack on Pearl Harbor that brought the U.S. into World War II. Don't know much more than that, except that Gong Li plays "a mysterious woman who deals with the underworld." Oooh.
Yes, once again, it goes to show that you can have a movie set in any part of the world, in any era of human history... and still find a way to make the protagonist a white American guy. You gotta love it.
los angeles' thai town awarded "preserve america" status
Last month, First Lady Laura Bush awarded Los Angeles' Thai Town neighborhood federal recognition as a "Preserve America" community, signifying its value as a cultural and historic asset: First lady puts Thai Town on the map.
The designation will make Thai Town eligible for up to $250,000 in Preserve America grants, along with $250,000 in other public and private matching funds. Sounds like the neighborhood is getting a boost. But will it mean preservation... or gentrification?
Chinatown was also awarded Preserve America status last month. The two communities were part of a guided effort by the city of Los Angeles to win the federal designation for its five central Asian American enclaves—Thai Town, Chinatown, Little Tokyo, Koreatown and Historic Filipinotown. Little Tokyo was the first to win recognition back in March. Applications are pending for Koreatown and Historic Filipinotown.
The designation will make Thai Town eligible for up to $250,000 in Preserve America grants, along with $250,000 in other public and private matching funds. Sounds like the neighborhood is getting a boost. But will it mean preservation... or gentrification?
Chinatown was also awarded Preserve America status last month. The two communities were part of a guided effort by the city of Los Angeles to win the federal designation for its five central Asian American enclaves—Thai Town, Chinatown, Little Tokyo, Koreatown and Historic Filipinotown. Little Tokyo was the first to win recognition back in March. Applications are pending for Koreatown and Historic Filipinotown.
8.05.2008
limited edition graffiti print for earthquake relief
This is a really cool limited edition screen print by Beijing graffiti artist "Soos" to benefit Chinese earthquake relief efforts. It's available from Red Star Press: Unity is Strength. It's a sweet-lookin' piece of art, for sale for a great cause, so get it while you can.
One hundred percent of all proceeds from this sale will be donated to Mercy Corps, which is working together with its long-time local partner, China Foundation for Poverty Alleviation (CFPA), in emergency response efforts to the most devastated areas.
martin bashir jokes about "asian babes" at aaja
The Asian American Journalists Association recently hosted Martin Bashir, co-anchor of ABC's Nightline, as the keynote speaker at its annual Gala Scholarship and Awards Banquet in Chicago. It probably seemed like a good idea when they invited him, considering his high-profile list of credits as a journalist (though most folks probably know him from his infamous documentary on Michael Jackson).
So I'm guessing the organization was rethinking their invitation right about when Martin started joking about "Asian babes" to a ballroom full of Asian American journalists: Bashir Blunders While Addressing 'Asian Babes'
So I'm guessing the organization was rethinking their invitation right about when Martin started joking about "Asian babes" to a ballroom full of Asian American journalists: Bashir Blunders While Addressing 'Asian Babes'
"I'm happy to be in the midst of so many Asian babes," he said onstage, with his 20/20 colleague Juju Chang nearby. "In fact, I'm happy that the podium covers me from the waist down." He then noted that a speech should be "like a dress on a beautiful woman -- long enough to cover the important parts and short enough to keep your interest -- like my colleague Juju's." ("See what I have to put up with?" she responded.)Yes. No fancy gala is ever complete without boner jokes. What the hell was he thinking? Pretty damn tasteless. I'm told that some folks in the room actually booed him. Anyway, Bashir has apparently apologized for his "moment of stupidity": Martin Bashir sorry for 'Asian babes' comment in US speech. More here: Martin Bashir apologises for sexist 'Asian babe' comments.
fundraiser for jay chen
If you're in Southern California this week, come on out for a fundraiser for Jay Chen, School Board Member for the Hacienda La Puente Unified School District. In April, Jay was elected to be the 38th Congressional District's sole Pledged Delegate for Barack Obama, making him the only Asian American Obama delegate elected in Southern California.
Join Jay's friends and supporters as they send him off to Denver for the historic 2008 Democratic National Convention. This Thursday, August 7, 6:00-9:00pm at e3rd Steakhouse and Lounge in Los Angeles. Here are the details:
Join Jay's friends and supporters as they send him off to Denver for the historic 2008 Democratic National Convention. This Thursday, August 7, 6:00-9:00pm at e3rd Steakhouse and Lounge in Los Angeles. Here are the details:
Please join Assemblymember Ted Lieu (53rd district) and MC Archie Kao for a Los Angeles fundraiser for:The event will be emceed by Archie Kao, former congressional aide and star of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, and will feature a special performance by The Shanghai Restoration Project's Dave Liang (Jay's old roommate, apparently). To RSVP, email Karen Chang at hikarenchang@gmail.com. For more information about the event, go here.
Jay Chen
School Board Member for the Hacienda La Puente Unified School District and the sole Pledged Delegate for Barack Obama from the 38th Congressional District.
A proud product of Hacienda Heights public schools, Jay Chen graduated with Honors from Harvard University, where he was the recipient of the Marine Corps NROTC and John Harvard Scholarships. In 2007, Jay was elected to the Hacienda La Puente school board with the top vote on a platform of enhancing access to higher education and creating a greener district. An early Obama endorser, he participated in the Los Angeles Elected Officials for Obama and the Asian American Community Leaders for Obama press conferences that kicked off Super Tuesday. In April, Jay was elected to be CD38's sole Obama delegate, making him the only Asian American Obama delegate elected in Southern California. Please join us in sending Jay off to Denver for the historic 2008 Democratic National Convention!
Master of Ceremonies: Archie Kao, former congressional aide and star of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
Featuring a special performance by: The Shanghai Restoration Project courtesy of Producer Dave Liang
Host Committee: Anthony Rendon, Cate Park, Clark Lee, Curtis Chin, George Yin, Miguel Santiago, Preeti Kulkarni, Ronald Wong, Yvonne Hsu, Hyo Kwon (Dots Cupcakes)
August 7, 2008 from 6 pm - 9 pm
e3rd Steakhouse and Lounge
734 East 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90013
Please RSVP to: Karen Chang
hikarenchang@gmail.com, 562-631-9519, donations accepted online at www.electjaychen.com
more on the stupid six flags ads
We've known about that stupid series of Six Flags commercials featuring the screaming, accented Asian man. You know. "More Flags! More Fun!" The summer ad campaign now seems to be picking up some attention in mainstream press: 'Six Flags' TV ads get thumbs down from some Asian Americans.
According to the story, New York's Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund, which has received several email complaints about the ads, will be contacting other activist groups as it considers taking action against Six Flags. I sense a counter-campaign coming.
As I've noted before, it's no coincidence that the crazy dude in the commercials happens to be an Asian man. The campaign was apparently designed specifically with a stereotypical Banzai-esque Asian guy in mind. The unfortunate thing is, the backlash from idiotic stuff like this could discourage future advertising featuring "normal" Asian people, for fear of stereotyping. Why is it so hard to get it right?
According to the story, New York's Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund, which has received several email complaints about the ads, will be contacting other activist groups as it considers taking action against Six Flags. I sense a counter-campaign coming.
As I've noted before, it's no coincidence that the crazy dude in the commercials happens to be an Asian man. The campaign was apparently designed specifically with a stereotypical Banzai-esque Asian guy in mind. The unfortunate thing is, the backlash from idiotic stuff like this could discourage future advertising featuring "normal" Asian people, for fear of stereotyping. Why is it so hard to get it right?
matcha: drunken fist, august 7
All right, Bay Area friends. Once again, it's time for MATCHA, the Asian Art Museum's monthly art/music/mixer series. This is the one I've been waiting for: Drunken Fist, featuring a martial arts demonstration from international champions Philip Wong and Zhang Hong Mei, the museum's summer exhibition Power and Glory: Court Arts of
China's Ming Dynasty, and fresh tunes from DJ Phatrick. Here are the details:
MATCHA: Drunken FistWushu, booze and tunes. Hey, just another night out for you and your friends. Good times. It's all happening this Thursday, August 7 at the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco. For more information about the event, visit the museum's website here.
Thursday, August 7, 5:00-9:00 pm
$5 Admission
Asian Art Museum
You've seen Jet Li do it in movies---now watch international champions Philip Wong and Zhang Hong Mei lead members of their martial arts school Pacific Wushu in an electrifying jaw-dropping performance of fierce fighting infused with complex movements, speed, and artistic expression.
View our summer exhibition Power & Glory: Court Arts of China's Ming Dynasty, jump on guided gallery tours of Asian weaponry, make a rank badge or brush painting, tune in to a talk on shaolin martial arts, drop in on a tai chi demonstration (or try it yourself), sip on a cocktail with friends, and "kick it" with DJ Phatrick (of APEX Express and Native Guns) who'll be spinning a fresh mix of hip hop, funk, and soul.
MATCHA is the perfect way to get your monthly arts and culture fix. Watch performances, stroll the galleries, create art, mingle over cocktails, and enjoy music.
Check out the season schedule.
Want to win tickets? Click here.
Click here to watch our MATCHA 2008 trailer!
If you're on Facebook, be a part of our group.
P.S. - Were you at our last MATCHA? Please fill out this survey. We'd love to hear from you.
remembering an internment camp's teen volunteer
This is an interesting story on the late Ruth Mix Campidonica, who more than sixty years ago, at age 15, volunteered at the Gila River Internment Camp for Japanese Americans, 50 miles southeast of Phoenix: Teen witnesses a wartime injustice.
During World War II, Ruth worked as a nurse's aide in the maternity ward of the hospital at Butte camp, one of three at Gila River. Among the internees, the 5-foot-8 redhead was known as "the girl whose hair touches the sun," or "Taiyo" for short.
After the war, Ruth put the experience behind her, until the early 1970s when she and her daughter attended a lecture by none other than George Takei. A conversation with Star Trek's Sulu reawakened memories of her past—memories she had blocked out because of her guilt that she couldn't do more.
Today, her daughter, Claire Mix, is putting together a documentary about her mother's experience. She hopes to talk to Japanese Americans who remember Ruth. For more information, go here.
During World War II, Ruth worked as a nurse's aide in the maternity ward of the hospital at Butte camp, one of three at Gila River. Among the internees, the 5-foot-8 redhead was known as "the girl whose hair touches the sun," or "Taiyo" for short.
After the war, Ruth put the experience behind her, until the early 1970s when she and her daughter attended a lecture by none other than George Takei. A conversation with Star Trek's Sulu reawakened memories of her past—memories she had blocked out because of her guilt that she couldn't do more.
Today, her daughter, Claire Mix, is putting together a documentary about her mother's experience. She hopes to talk to Japanese Americans who remember Ruth. For more information, go here.
the ramen girl trailer
Lots of folks talking about The Ramen Girl trailer today. It was posted on YouTube a couple of months ago, but this ramen blog recently posted something about the trailer and got the ball rolling. And boy, the movie looks like a whole lotta fun!
Brittany Murphy stars as an American girl stranded in Japan after her boyfriend dumps her. She reinvents herself by learning how to make ramen under the tutelage of a master chef. Expect lots of crazy culture clashes and wacky white-girl-in-Asia antics. Comic gold!
The movie first registered on our radar a couple of years ago, before the project started filming, when it was announced that Murphy had signed onto the project. I was skeptical back then, but after watching this trailer I have little doubt—this movie sucks ass. It looks baaaaad. Someone described it to me as an awful, weird cross between Tampopo, Lost in Translation and The Last Samurai. And that's not a good thing.
Someone I know saw it at one of the film markets, and apparently it's pretty awful. The project was filmed over two years ago, but I'm not sure if the movie's been picked up by a theatrical distributor, or if it'll ever see the light of day. Hopefully it'll end up being dumped to DVD, if at all. Of course, maybe this is your thing...
family brings wrongful death suit against cnn's nancy grace
Last week in Florida, a federal judge refused to dismiss a lawsuit that claims CNN's Nancy Grace pushed the mother of a missing toddler to suicide through aggressive questioning: Lawsuit against Nancy Grace, CNN moves ahead.
The wrongful death lawsuit was brought by the family of Melinda Duckett, who was on Grace's show after her son Trenton went missing from her apartment in August 2006. Grace grilled Duckett, accusing her of hiding something because she didn't take a lie detector test and answered vaguely regarding her whereabouts.
Shortly after, Duckett killed herself before CNN aired the pre-taped interview.
The family claims Grace's intense questioning caused severe emotional distress that led to the suicide. The lawsuit also claims that the decision to air the interview after her suicide caused the family to suffer severe emotional distress and media and public harassment. They're seeking a jury trial, unspecified damages more than $15,000 and punitive damages.
The wrongful death lawsuit was brought by the family of Melinda Duckett, who was on Grace's show after her son Trenton went missing from her apartment in August 2006. Grace grilled Duckett, accusing her of hiding something because she didn't take a lie detector test and answered vaguely regarding her whereabouts.
Shortly after, Duckett killed herself before CNN aired the pre-taped interview.
The family claims Grace's intense questioning caused severe emotional distress that led to the suicide. The lawsuit also claims that the decision to air the interview after her suicide caused the family to suffer severe emotional distress and media and public harassment. They're seeking a jury trial, unspecified damages more than $15,000 and punitive damages.
8.04.2008
fareast movement's "dance like michael jackson" video
FarEast Movement has teamed up with Wong Fu Productions to produce their new video, "Dance Like Michael Jackson." It features the cool moves of Quest Dance Crew, and the not-so-cool moves of Brian Tee. Ya dig? The track is from FM's upcoming album Animal. View the video here.
couple pleads guilty in beating of indian american man
Last week in Placerville, California, a husband and wife accused of beating a San Francisco man at a Lake Tahoe beach while shouting racial slurs have pleaded guilty to misdemeanors after a judge dismissed hate-crime charges against the husband: Couple plead guilty in beating of Indian man, judge finds no evidence of hate crime. How exactly was this not a hate crime?
Joseph and Georgia Silva were charged with assaulting Vishal Wadhwa, an Indian American, in July 2007. Police said Wadhwa approached them after they yelled racial insults at his fiancee and her cousin. Georgia Silva then knocked Wadhwa to the ground and her husband kicked him in the face three times, calling him names while they attacked him. Wadhwa suffered facial fractures and a broken orbit bone in one eye.
Silva was initially charged with felony assault and hate crimes, but the judge ruled that prosecutors had failed to produce enough evidence that the attack was motivated by racial prejudice or that it involved enough force for a felony charge. Ah, I see. So they just happened to be shouting racial slurs at Wadhwa while they were beating the crap out of him. That's racist!
Joseph Silva pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor count and his wife to four, each punishable by up to six months in jail. They're scheduled for sentencing on September 24. What a load of crap.
Joseph and Georgia Silva were charged with assaulting Vishal Wadhwa, an Indian American, in July 2007. Police said Wadhwa approached them after they yelled racial insults at his fiancee and her cousin. Georgia Silva then knocked Wadhwa to the ground and her husband kicked him in the face three times, calling him names while they attacked him. Wadhwa suffered facial fractures and a broken orbit bone in one eye.
Silva was initially charged with felony assault and hate crimes, but the judge ruled that prosecutors had failed to produce enough evidence that the attack was motivated by racial prejudice or that it involved enough force for a felony charge. Ah, I see. So they just happened to be shouting racial slurs at Wadhwa while they were beating the crap out of him. That's racist!
Joseph Silva pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor count and his wife to four, each punishable by up to six months in jail. They're scheduled for sentencing on September 24. What a load of crap.
the "asian invaders" are coming to get you, knollenberg
I recently heard from a bunch of folks who saw this disturbing post on Daily Kos, about Congressman Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) who appears to have some very deep concerns about protecting our children and families from "Asian Invaders": MI-07, MI-09: If It's Not Witches, It's Asian Invaders.
It takes a very special kind of politician to embrace this kind of blatantly racist fearmongering. On Friday, this is the informative little result that came up when you did a Google blog search for Knollenberg:
Of course, by now, if you go to the article, you'll see that Knollenberg has removed any indication of the original title, and has renamed it "Protecting Our Families From Harmful Products." Totally the same thing.
You're kidding, right? Not feeling so bold anymore? Stand by your original headline, Joe. Tell the world how you really feel! Because guess what, Congress Man? I am the Asian Invader. Be concerned. That's racist!
If you have something you'd like to say to Rep. Knollenberg concerning this sad and feeble attempt to stir up anti-Asian sentiment, there's info for contacting his office here.
It takes a very special kind of politician to embrace this kind of blatantly racist fearmongering. On Friday, this is the informative little result that came up when you did a Google blog search for Knollenberg:
Of course, by now, if you go to the article, you'll see that Knollenberg has removed any indication of the original title, and has renamed it "Protecting Our Families From Harmful Products." Totally the same thing.
You're kidding, right? Not feeling so bold anymore? Stand by your original headline, Joe. Tell the world how you really feel! Because guess what, Congress Man? I am the Asian Invader. Be concerned. That's racist!
If you have something you'd like to say to Rep. Knollenberg concerning this sad and feeble attempt to stir up anti-Asian sentiment, there's info for contacting his office here.
two u.s. gymnasts to watch in beijing
Kevin Tan, of Fremont, California. Team Captain: Tan set to lead team.
Raj Bhavsar of Houston, Texas. Replacing Paul Hamm: Bhavsar added to 2008 U.S. Olympic Team for men’s gymnastics.
l.a. county fire dept's first asian american deputy chief
Last week, the Los Angeles County Fire Department officially promoted Helen Jo to deputy chief, making her the first woman and Asian American to achieve a rank in the history of the department: L.A. County Fire Department honors its first Asian American deputy chief. She received her shiny new badge at a promotional ceremony on Thursday.
Jo, who is Korean American, assumed her new position in April. She joined the Fire Department in 1998 as a budget officer and became chief of the financial management division in 2002. During her tenure in that division, the department's budget grew from $500 million to more than $910 million. She is one of the department's seven deputy chiefs. Cool.
Jo, who is Korean American, assumed her new position in April. She joined the Fire Department in 1998 as a budget officer and became chief of the financial management division in 2002. During her tenure in that division, the department's budget grew from $500 million to more than $910 million. She is one of the department's seven deputy chiefs. Cool.
the idiotic english-only commencement proposal
Here's a good editorial by Minh Nguyen and Tony Tran protesteing the Terrebonne Parish School Board's proposal requiring all high school valedictorians to give their commencement speeches in English only: Speaking out against English-only rule. Yes, let us stamp out all traces of any language or culture other than Caucasian American English.
The proposal came in response to a recent graduation ceremony at Terrebonne Parish's Ellender High School, where the Vietnamese American co-valedictorians, Hue Vo and Cindy Vo, honored their parents by speaking a few words of their address in Vietnamese. It was a moment to acknowledge the sacrifices and hard work of their loved ones. Unfortunately, some cranky members of the school board turned it around and used it as an excuse to show just how intolerant and xenophobic they could be.
As I've said before, this proposal is a load of crap. Would anyone have given a damn if the language in question had been French, Italian or Latin rather than Vietnamese? No. You know this. Anyway, read the editorial here, and let's hope the Terrebonne Parish School Board members get their heads out of their asses.
The proposal came in response to a recent graduation ceremony at Terrebonne Parish's Ellender High School, where the Vietnamese American co-valedictorians, Hue Vo and Cindy Vo, honored their parents by speaking a few words of their address in Vietnamese. It was a moment to acknowledge the sacrifices and hard work of their loved ones. Unfortunately, some cranky members of the school board turned it around and used it as an excuse to show just how intolerant and xenophobic they could be.
As I've said before, this proposal is a load of crap. Would anyone have given a damn if the language in question had been French, Italian or Latin rather than Vietnamese? No. You know this. Anyway, read the editorial here, and let's hope the Terrebonne Parish School Board members get their heads out of their asses.
8.01.2008
the mummy: tomb of the dragon emperor in theaters today
The new Mummy movie, which I have been pretty much dreading all summer, opens in theaters today. The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, stars Brendan Fraser as an American adventurer who must stop Jet Li—the titular evil Dragon Emperor—and his resurrected undead army from taking over the world. Greeaaat.
Based on what I can tell from trailers, this movie features: 1) Michelle Yeoh. 2) Russell Wong. 3) An army of living statue terracotta warriors. 4) A multi-headed dragon. 5) Abominable snowmen. 6) Jet Li in a funny headband, as the villain. 7) An unreal, mystical fantasy version of China.
Now, in any other movie, all of these elements might've actually added up to something cool. But man, this movie really looks like stinker, and I have no desire to see it. But hey, have no fear. Once again, a brave group of white people are in the movie to save us from destruction... yet again. I'll pass.
Check out this great blog entry from TIME's Ling Liu, who I think is owed a story credit from someone at Universal: The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor. Ling, they stole your ninth grade idea!
cary-hiroyuki tagawa pleads guilty to harrassment
Asians Behaving Badly... scary actor guy edition! This week, actor Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa pleaded guilty in Family Court in Hawaii on a misdemeanor charge of harassing his girlfriend back in November. Tagawa was arrested on suspicion of abusing his girlfriend after cops were called to his house.
Never heard of Cary Tagawa? One look, and you'll probably recognize him. The guy made a name for himself in, oh, just about ever movie and TV show in the 1990s requiring a scary-looking Asian villian—everything from Rising Sun to Nash Bridges to Baywatch. Maybe you saw him recently in Balls of Fury as "Mysterious Asian Man." The guy has a made a career playing some pretty bad dudes... and now, it seems he is a girlfriend harasser.
According to the Honolulu Advertiser he's agreed to donate $1000 to the Ala Kuola, a nonprofit agency that helps victims of domestic abuse file temporary restraining orders with Family Court on O'ahu. He will also have to write a letter of apology to his girlfriend: Actor Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa pleads guilty to harassment. Not cool, Shang Tsung.
Never heard of Cary Tagawa? One look, and you'll probably recognize him. The guy made a name for himself in, oh, just about ever movie and TV show in the 1990s requiring a scary-looking Asian villian—everything from Rising Sun to Nash Bridges to Baywatch. Maybe you saw him recently in Balls of Fury as "Mysterious Asian Man." The guy has a made a career playing some pretty bad dudes... and now, it seems he is a girlfriend harasser.
According to the Honolulu Advertiser he's agreed to donate $1000 to the Ala Kuola, a nonprofit agency that helps victims of domestic abuse file temporary restraining orders with Family Court on O'ahu. He will also have to write a letter of apology to his girlfriend: Actor Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa pleads guilty to harassment. Not cool, Shang Tsung.
family denied visas to attend funeral
This is a really sad story out of North Carolina... Last week, Joel Valente lost his wife, Romina, after she gave birth to their second child. Now he says the U.S. is denying her family, who live in the Philippines, an emergency visa to attend the funeral: Family denied visas to attend funeral.
According to Valente, Romina's siblings were denied visas because "they couldn't get her name on the internet and they were looking at the death certificate and they were doubtful." The implication is that they've fabricated those documents, and are lying about her death in order to procure visas. How about a little sensitivity? How about allowing her family some closure? The situation is tragic as it is. No need to make it worse.
According to Valente, Romina's siblings were denied visas because "they couldn't get her name on the internet and they were looking at the death certificate and they were doubtful." The implication is that they've fabricated those documents, and are lying about her death in order to procure visas. How about a little sensitivity? How about allowing her family some closure? The situation is tragic as it is. No need to make it worse.
shanghai restoration project shows in la and nyc
Here's something cool for fans of The Shanghai Restoration Project. In celebration of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the Shanghai Restoration Project will be performing two live shows in Los Angeles (August 5) and New York (August 13), combining its unique sound with video footage of historical and modern day Shanghai. Check it out:
LOS ANGELESThe evening will feature producer Dave Liang on keyboard accompanied by vocalists Amos Winbush, Di Johnston, Heath Brandon, Natural Fact, Shayna Steele and Taleen. For more information on the shows, go here.
Tuesday, August 5th @ THE VIPER ROOM
7:30 pm (doors open at 7:00PM)
8852 Sunset Boulevard
West Hollywood, CA 90069
NEW YORK
Wednesday, August 13th @ THE CANAL ROOM
8:00 pm (doors open at 7:30PM)
285 W. Broadway
New York, NY 10013
Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door. Click to buy for LA and NY.
Note: Both shows are 21+
If you're unfamiliar with The Shanghai Restoration Project, its unique sound draws inspiration from the old 1930s Shanghai jazz bands, blending Eastern instruments with the Western sounds of hip-hop and electronica. Instrumentals Day And Night, the new double-disc instrumentals album, will be out on August 5. For more information, and to hear some samples, visit the website here
yes, the bus beheading guy is asian
This is a crazy story that people are all over this morning... In Canada, Police have charged 40-year-old Vince Weiguang Li with second-degree murder in connection with the stabbing and beheading death of his seatmate on a Greyhound Canada bus: Suspect in bus beheading identified.
The victim, identified by the Canadian Press as 22-year-old Tim McLean of Winnipeg, Manitoba, was repeatedly stabbed and then decapitated by Li, who was sitting next to him on a Greyhound bus yesterday.
Nobody knows why the hell he did it, or what prompted the attack. All they know is, this guy went crazy with a "large butcher-type knife." And when that happens, you get the hell out of there. Passengers exited the bus, and a trucker who stopped apparently provided wrenches and crowbars to several of them so they could keep the suspect on the bus until police came.
According to the story, Li was taken into custody after an hours-long standoff, during which he remained in the bus with the victim's body. He was eventually seized by police after he broke a window and attempted to jump from the vehicle. Crazy.
The victim, identified by the Canadian Press as 22-year-old Tim McLean of Winnipeg, Manitoba, was repeatedly stabbed and then decapitated by Li, who was sitting next to him on a Greyhound bus yesterday.
Nobody knows why the hell he did it, or what prompted the attack. All they know is, this guy went crazy with a "large butcher-type knife." And when that happens, you get the hell out of there. Passengers exited the bus, and a trucker who stopped apparently provided wrenches and crowbars to several of them so they could keep the suspect on the bus until police came.
According to the story, Li was taken into custody after an hours-long standoff, during which he remained in the bus with the victim's body. He was eventually seized by police after he broke a window and attempted to jump from the vehicle. Crazy.
america's best dance crew season 2: week seven
My top three are in the top three! Early on this season, I called out Super Cr3w, SoReal Cru and Fanny Pak as my favorites. I think it was pretty clear from the beginning that Super Cr3w and SoReal were destined for great things, but Fanny Pak started out as the dark horse crew, and have clawed and scrapped their way to the top. I love it. But no doubt, they deserve to be here. Based on last night's performances, these are indeed the top three crews, each bringing their own distinct flavor to the competition.
Which of course, leaves out the Boogie Bots, who really should've gone home a long time ago. The judges made it pretty clear that they didn't think much of their standing in the top four, and basically just tore them to shreds after last night's performance. No mercy. Somehow, their fans have kept them this far in the competition. But no more.
Here are last night's performances from my three favorite crews, who now are the remaining three crews. At this point, I'd be happy with any of them going all the way. The only question is, who's it going to be? I'll be sad next week when one these crews has to be eliminated.
Super Cr3w, "We Run This." Finally, the b-boys get a b-boy track to dance to, and they completely kill it. Has there ever been any doubt that these guys were headed to the finals? And yet these guys perform every week like it's their last. Skills. True skills.
Fanny Pak, "Get Ur Freak On." As I've been saying since the premiere, this crew brings something completely unique to the competition, and last night was no different. I've said this before, but this could've been their best performance yet. Somehow, they keep topping themselves. Big props to Cara for holding it down.
SoReal Cru, "One Minute Man." How can you not like these kids? They've got style. They've always smooth. And best of all, you can tell they're having fun. I love it. Sure, as the all-Asian American crew, I've had a soft spot for them from the very beginning, but they've always delivered.
Which of course, leaves out the Boogie Bots, who really should've gone home a long time ago. The judges made it pretty clear that they didn't think much of their standing in the top four, and basically just tore them to shreds after last night's performance. No mercy. Somehow, their fans have kept them this far in the competition. But no more.
Here are last night's performances from my three favorite crews, who now are the remaining three crews. At this point, I'd be happy with any of them going all the way. The only question is, who's it going to be? I'll be sad next week when one these crews has to be eliminated.
Super Cr3w, "We Run This." Finally, the b-boys get a b-boy track to dance to, and they completely kill it. Has there ever been any doubt that these guys were headed to the finals? And yet these guys perform every week like it's their last. Skills. True skills.
Fanny Pak, "Get Ur Freak On." As I've been saying since the premiere, this crew brings something completely unique to the competition, and last night was no different. I've said this before, but this could've been their best performance yet. Somehow, they keep topping themselves. Big props to Cara for holding it down.
SoReal Cru, "One Minute Man." How can you not like these kids? They've got style. They've always smooth. And best of all, you can tell they're having fun. I love it. Sure, as the all-Asian American crew, I've had a soft spot for them from the very beginning, but they've always delivered.
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