1.19.2010
kim jong il & peggy for cpaf
Another video video on behalf of the Center for the Pacific Asian Family. This one's a little more irreverent, with our friends, comedian Danny Cho and Grace Su reprising their roles from that infamous eHarmony parody, in an effort to get your votes for CPAF.
If you haven't heard, there's campaign going on -- a campaign to Silence the Violence. Please vote for CPAF in Chase Community Giving on Facebook. You could help the organization win a million dollars. (Yes, I am posting one of these every day this week... until you all vote.)
The community response as been awesome, but as it stands, the Center for the Pacific Asian Family is currently hovering at number 16 in the rankings with 7736 votes. It needs a lot of help to win. Let me be clear: you don't have to give any money. You just have to click a button on Facebook -- think about all the buttons you clicked today. It literally takes seconds.
Also, if you're in Southern California, join AA EOW and Kollaboration this Wednesday, January 20 at Wokcano in Santa Monica to celebrate CPAF being selected as a finalist in the Chase Community Giving program. It's a chill get-together for folks to celebrate and raise awareness about the voting. For more information, go to the Facebook event page here.
CPAF provides a 24-hour hotline, emergency shelter, transitional shelter and counseling services for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. If a woman has the courage to call, let's make sure someone is there to listen. Vote.
harold hongju koh: "why diversity matters to me"
Last week, in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the State Department held a program entitled, "Why Diversity Matters to Me." Several Department principals spoke and shared about diversity, including Legal Advisor Harold Hongju Koh. Here's the full text from his inspiring remarks reflecting on Dr. King's legacy:
Why Diversity Matters to MeIndeed, we're all in the same boat now. (Thanks, Patty.)
Harold Hongju Koh
I am Harold Koh; I am the Legal Adviser.
Why does diversity matter to me? Because although my face is yellow, I am a child of Brown, Brown vs. the Board of Education. I first began to understood why diversity mattered by feeling its absence. When I was five, my family moved to Takoma Park. My brother came home from school to tell us that his third grade class was half white and half black. When recess was called, the black kids and the white kids silently divided into different baseball teams and started playing separately. As an Asian, my brother literally did not know what team he was on. So he sat alone for all of recess, isolated by segregation.
During my sixth-grade year, students from an inner city school were bused to our classroom. A short, wiry African-American boy named Richard was seated next to me. For two days, we sat inches apart, eying one another. On the third day, he leaned over and said, "Man, this classroom is much nicer than the one we were in." For the first time, I understood how unequal separate but equal facilities can be, and by the end of the year, we were friends.
One day, Richard asked me who was the greatest baseball player of all time. I told him, "Babe Ruth." He said, "Man, you're wrong!" (For some reason, he always called me "Man," even though I was only 10 years old!). I asked him, "So who do you think is the greatest baseball player of all time?" He answered, "Why, Number 42. Jackie Robinson!" When I asked why, he answered, "Because Jackie did everything the Babe did, but at a time when everyone wanted him to fail." I had never looked at it that way before. Richard's different perspective changed my mind. And ever since, whenever someone asks me who was the greatest, I say "Number 42. Jackie Robinson."
I remembered that story in law school, when I read a book by Richard Kluger called Simple Justice. I read about the stirring partnership between African-American lawyers like Thurgood Marshall and Spotswood Robinson and white attorneys like Jack Greenberg and Charles Black. I read about how the lawyers in Brown argued cases in towns where they could not eat at the local restaurants, where they could not sleep at the local hotels, how they typed briefs in the back of their cars, cited cases from memory because they could not use the libraries, but still won case after case, culminating in the unanimous victory in Brown. I decided that like Jackie Robinson, Thurgood Marshall must have been the greatest lawyer of all time, because he did everything Daniel Webster did -- and won equality for millions -- at a time when so many wanted him to fail.
As a law clerk, I was thrilled to actually meet Justice Marshall and Judge Spotswood Robinson, and to hear them tell stories of their days litigating Brown. As I traveled the world as Assistant Secretary for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, I learned that Brown is viewed globally as America's finest hour. And as a lawyer and law professor, I came to see Brown as a model of how lawyers committed to human rights can do simple justice by pressing for change we can believe in. I learned about the nearly invisible struggle of the Asian American community for equality: the battle by Chinese and Japanese immigrants for basic legal protections, equal treatment, and the right to become naturalized citizens; the tragedy of Korematsu, where thousands of loyal Americans were interned during wartime simply because of their race. Many of our core constitutional protections for foreign nationals resulted from civil rights struggles that arose out of discrimination against Asians in America: a struggle like that experienced by so many other groups, which reminds us -- as Dr. King said -- that though we may have come in different boats, we're all in the same boat now.
Now that I am Legal Adviser, my job is to ensure, as a matter of law, that diversity is respected, as what our Supreme Court has called a "compelling governmental interest." As the Department's lawyer, my job is not simply conducting business as usual, but pressing for even more progress and inclusion.
Is progress really possible? When I was a student, my school had only a handful of Asians, African-Americans, Latinos, and no openly gay and lesbian students. But as a law teacher and dean, I have seen the law school classes of today become strikingly more diverse. So too is today's State Department, which is so much more diverse a place than it was even ten years ago. Because we represent every race, religion, gender, and sexual orientation, we as a department are so much better able to understand and communicate with the diverse world in which we live. Fittingly, it was Jackie Robinson who put it best, when he said, "Baseball became a much, much better game, when everyone could play."
Let me close with this story. A few years ago, my mother met a man named Don James. After talking, they realized that they had both graduated from Boston University in 1955. When they looked together at their yearbook, they realized that the man who had marched between them at graduation -- between James and Koh -- was none other than Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., whose birthday we celebrate today.
Picture that day more than fifty years ago, a Korean immigrant woman, an African-American man, and a Scandinavian man, all marching onto an American stage to get their degrees. Dr. King and my mom were both 26. Thirteen years later, he was dead. But in between, he had changed the world. But my mom lived on.
Then flash forward to today. Consider that the son of that woman, an Asian-American lawyer, is now Legal Adviser to a woman Secretary of State who serves in the cabinet of a president who is the first African-American since Dr. King to win the Nobel Prize. And all three of these people hold their jobs in a country where not so long ago, none of them would have had the right to vote.
So progress may not come quickly, but as Dr. King said, "the arc of the moral universe is long but it bends toward justice." Deep in my heart, I do believe that we shall overcome some day. But for that to happen, we must believe -- we must insist -- that diversity matters. And we cannot rest until the dream of diversity, and the aspirations of so many who fought for it, have been fully realized.
"bruce lee" nikes available on february 6
Quick tip. Though if you're a true sneakerhead, you're probably already well aware of this... Remember those sweet Bruce Lee-inspired sneakers I mentioned last month? They'll be officially available on January 22 at select retailers like Niketown, House of Hoops, Foot Locker, etc.
As you can see, the Nike Zoom Kobe V is colored up to match Bruce Lee's famous yellow and black jumpsuit in Game of Death. It also has four red "scratches" in the lateral toe area, resembling the wounds Bruce receives at the end of Enter the Dragon. Here's some more info: Zoom Kobe V "Bruce Lee" at House of Hoops Saturday, January 22nd.
Some pairs have already been available at some specialty outlets (a quick check on eBay shows that they're going for around $200), and I'm told they look pretty awesome. But they're relatively limited, so if you're interested in getting them, better get in line. (Thanks, Rich.)
UPDATE: Slight change on the release date... The Nike Kobe V will be available exclusively at House of Hoops on January 22. It'll be available at other locations on February 6. As I said before, quantities are limited, so you might want to call stores about availability before rushing out to get your pair. More info here: The Collection 3.0: Nike Zoom Kobe V Bruce Lee.
UPDATE 2: No, wait. The date has been pushed back to February 6 for all locations: Nike Zoom Kobe V Release Date Changes: Dark Knight and Bruce Lee.
national aapi text-in day
I mentioned before that we're currently in the midle of the National Asian American and Pacific Islander Week of Action (January 12-20) for immigration reform, a collaborative effort among national, state and local AAPI organizations and allies.
Today, January 19, happens to be National AAPI Text-In Day, a simple way to take action -- text messaging. Just text "AAPI" to 69866. By texting in together, you are showing that AAPIs have unique needs in Immigration Reform and that we are going to fight for them.
During the last National Text-In Day, only 300 out of 74,500 supporters texted the word "AAPI" (different communities text different words). Surely, more than 300 people in our community care about immigration reform. And really, how much effort does it take to pull out your phone and punch a few numbers?
For more information on the National AAPI Text-In Day, visit the Asian Pacific Americans for Progress blog here and the Facebook event page here. Remember: just text "AAPI" to 69866 on your cell phone.
Today, January 19, happens to be National AAPI Text-In Day, a simple way to take action -- text messaging. Just text "AAPI" to 69866. By texting in together, you are showing that AAPIs have unique needs in Immigration Reform and that we are going to fight for them.
During the last National Text-In Day, only 300 out of 74,500 supporters texted the word "AAPI" (different communities text different words). Surely, more than 300 people in our community care about immigration reform. And really, how much effort does it take to pull out your phone and punch a few numbers?
For more information on the National AAPI Text-In Day, visit the Asian Pacific Americans for Progress blog here and the Facebook event page here. Remember: just text "AAPI" to 69866 on your cell phone.
conan vs. jay fight
The much-publicized battle over NBC's late night slot took an ugly turn yesterday when Conan O'Brien and Jay Leno got into a dirty street fight.
Yesterday outside Universal Studios, there was a giant "I'm With Coco" rally in support of Conan O'Brien on The Tonight Show. The action soon moved down the street where a staged fight between two Conan and Jay impersonators broke out. Watch the video (shot by YouTube user joemagiv) here.
If you can see through the ugly wigs, the two combatants are both Asian American dudes. In fact, the guy playing Conan is none other than professional stuntman and regular Tonight Show guest Steven Ho. It's all very fun and ridiculous, and best of all, Conan wins. (Thanks, Elson.)
stanford student activist's email attacked from china
By now, you might have heard that Google was hit by a "sophisticated" cyber-attack on its network last month, resulting in theft of its intellectual property. Yes, that Google. Google, as in the world's most popular search engine.
The attack's origins? China, of course. In fact, the company is apparently now investigating if the attack may have been facilitated by people working Google China's office: Google probing possible inside help on attack.
Google, which is just one of 20 large companies that were targeted, said it will stop censoring search results in the nation over the next few weeks, even if the decision means the company is forced to shutter its Chinese operations.
Also among the victims of the attack: Tenzin Seldon, a 20-year-old Stanford University student activist who just happens to be a coordinator for the group Students for a Free Tibet: Stanford student was targeted in Google cyberattack.
Seldon is one of the dozens of human rights advocates whose e-mail accounts were accessed in these cyber-attacks. She was informed by Google that someone from China was logged onto her e-mail account at the same time she was.
While Google has threatened to pull out of China, it has stopped short of directly accusing the Chinese government of involvement in the digital spying... but I think that's fairly obvious. More here: Tibet activist's e-mail attacked from China.
The attack's origins? China, of course. In fact, the company is apparently now investigating if the attack may have been facilitated by people working Google China's office: Google probing possible inside help on attack.
Google, which is just one of 20 large companies that were targeted, said it will stop censoring search results in the nation over the next few weeks, even if the decision means the company is forced to shutter its Chinese operations.
Also among the victims of the attack: Tenzin Seldon, a 20-year-old Stanford University student activist who just happens to be a coordinator for the group Students for a Free Tibet: Stanford student was targeted in Google cyberattack.
Seldon is one of the dozens of human rights advocates whose e-mail accounts were accessed in these cyber-attacks. She was informed by Google that someone from China was logged onto her e-mail account at the same time she was.
While Google has threatened to pull out of China, it has stopped short of directly accusing the Chinese government of involvement in the digital spying... but I think that's fairly obvious. More here: Tibet activist's e-mail attacked from China.
awesome photo: third-grader "barry" obama
Saw this awesome photo on Jeff Yang's blog a couple of weeks ago and have been meaning to share... This little Asian kid is Scott Inoue, when he was in elementary school almost forty years ago, with his third-grade classmate "Barry" Obama: Third-grade photo captures Obama's grin.
Inoue found the photo stashed away in his childhood home and sent it to President Obama requesting an autograph. He received the signed photo back, along with a personally signed thank-you note from his old buddy Barack. How cool is that? You can bet your ass Sarah Palin doesn't have any photos like this.
philadelphia students march to end violence
Yesterday in Philadelphia, about 250 people commemorated Martin Luther King Jr. Day by marching through Center City, demanding an end to violence in the Philadelphia schools: Center City marchers demand end to Phila. school violence.
Yesterday at South Philadelphia High School, more than 120 people attended a midmorning "Gathering of Unity," reflecting on Dr. King's work and words and pledging to strive for peaceful change. Superintendent Arlene Ackerman, who has been criticized for responding slowly to the December attack, told students that she "knew their pain":
Old and young, male and female, black, white, brown, and Asian, they staged a boisterous traffic-stopping trek to celebrate and emulate the work of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., whose birthday was celebrated in Philadelphia and around the country today.This is great, but I'd still like to know what's going on to address the injustice at South Philly High. As you know, early last month, 26 Asian students were targeted and attacked at the school. There's been a lot of talk and little action.
"If Dr. King had a choice of where he would be, he would be right here with you," the Rev. LeRoi Simmons told the crowd, as people gathered outside the Philadelphia School District offices on North Broad Street, from there marching to the Arch Street Methodist Church.
Dr. King was moved to action "by the injustice he saw, by the injustice you see," Simmons said.
Yesterday at South Philadelphia High School, more than 120 people attended a midmorning "Gathering of Unity," reflecting on Dr. King's work and words and pledging to strive for peaceful change. Superintendent Arlene Ackerman, who has been criticized for responding slowly to the December attack, told students that she "knew their pain":
To the Asian students, she said, "I really do understand what it feels like when people make you feel like you're not welcome," because she had attended a segregated school where black students were cursed and spat upon.These are powerful sentiments, and certainly appropriate for the day and occasion. But Superintendent Ackerman's actions thus far have brought little reassurance to the victims of last month's attacks. I hope Ackerman's plan for healing and unity extends beyond a stirring speech on MLK Day.
"My heart aches for you," she said.
To the African American students, she said, she understood the frustration of being "painted by the media and the larger community, by some not all, as thugs, based on what you look like."
She told the crowd, "We want to put this painful episode behind us. We really do. But we really want to learn from what happened on Dec. 3."
1.18.2010
vote for the center for the pacific asian family
Please watch this video with Alison De La Cruz, speaking on behalf of the Center for the Pacific Asian Family, then vote for CPAF in Chase Community Giving on Facebook. You could help the organization win a million dollars. (Yes, I will be posting one of these every day this week... until you all vote.)
While momentum seems to be gathering, as it stands, the Center for the Pacific Asian Family is at number 16 in the rankings with 7067 votes. It needs a lot of help to win. Let me be clear: you do not need to give any money. All you have to do is click a button on Facebook. It literally takes seconds.
Also, if you're in Southern California, join AA EOW and Kollaboration this Wednesday, January 20 at Wokcano in Santa Monica to celebrate CPAF being selected as a finalist in the Chase Community Giving program. It's a chill get-together for folks to celebrate and raise awareness about the voting. For more information, go to the Facebook event page here.
No one can deny that CPAF does important work for the community -- life-saving work. But due to cuts in funding, that work will seriously be hampered. CPAF is only the organization that provides multilingual hotlines and emergency shelters for the APA community in Los Angeles County. What happens when no one is on the other end of the line, and victims and survivors have no one else to turn to? Vote.
new blacklava site! daily deal! angry asian america!
Check out Blacklava's fancy new website, filled with all sorts of awesome Asian American-empowerment apparel. Wasn't sure if the re-launch was going to happen this week or next week, but it looks like the new site is up and running now. And now, you've got a chance to get in on the Daily Deal -- a featured product available at a discounted price for a limited time only.
I'm proud to share a new shirt design, Angry Asian America, featured right now as the Daily Deal. I've had the idea for this shirt for a while. It primarily comes out of the dreaded "Where are you from?" question all Asians in America seem to have to deal with at one point or another. You know -- "No, where are you really from?" This is sort of a snarky answer back to that annoying inquiry.
With apologies to my Canadian readers, I hope folks can wear this and get an interesting conversation started. It's on sale today (Monday, January 15, 2010) at the discounted price of $15.00. Get it here. And check out this "One Hot Minute" video I shot briefly explaining the shirt.
things to do in 2010: become a member of caam
The Center for Asian American Media is a non-profit organization dedicated to presenting stories that convey the richness and diversity of Asian American experiences to the broadest audience possible. They do this by funding, producing, distributing and exhibiting works in film, television and digital media.
But they can't do it alone -- they need help from folks who care about Asian American media arts and its role in the community. The easiest way for you to support CAAM's mission is by becoming a member.
Your membership supports talented Asian American filmmakers and allows CAAM to continue being the largest presenter of Asian American films worldwide, the sole producer of Asian American programming for public television, and the largest Asian American media resource for schools, colleges and libraries around the nation.
Not only are you supporting the work of Asian American filmmakers, you'll also receive some pretty cool benefits, including advance screenings, festival tickets and other free goodies. I'm a member, because I love the Center for Asian American Media, and I believe in the work they do. To learn more, and to become a member, visit the CAAM website here.
But they can't do it alone -- they need help from folks who care about Asian American media arts and its role in the community. The easiest way for you to support CAAM's mission is by becoming a member.
Your membership supports talented Asian American filmmakers and allows CAAM to continue being the largest presenter of Asian American films worldwide, the sole producer of Asian American programming for public television, and the largest Asian American media resource for schools, colleges and libraries around the nation.
Not only are you supporting the work of Asian American filmmakers, you'll also receive some pretty cool benefits, including advance screenings, festival tickets and other free goodies. I'm a member, because I love the Center for Asian American Media, and I believe in the work they do. To learn more, and to become a member, visit the CAAM website here.
filipino veterans still waiting for payments
Last February, the U.S. said it would pay a lump sum -- $9,000 or $15,000 -- to Filipino veterans who fought for the United States during World War II, in lieu of pensions it had promised during the war but later reneged on paying.
Since then, more than 11,000 surviving veterans have received this much delayed monetary recognition of their service and sacrifice. But thousands of others are still waiting to receive their money: Filipino WWII veterans still waiting for payments.
Blame the backlog of applications the Department of Veterans Affairs has had to deal with. While it's great to see this injustice finally made right after all these decades, this is not something the government should be taking their time with.
Frankly, a lot of these veterans, now in their 80s and 80s, are running out of time. Some fought and waited all this time to finally be recognized, only to die in the last year while waiting for their payment. That's an injustice all over again.
Since then, more than 11,000 surviving veterans have received this much delayed monetary recognition of their service and sacrifice. But thousands of others are still waiting to receive their money: Filipino WWII veterans still waiting for payments.
Blame the backlog of applications the Department of Veterans Affairs has had to deal with. While it's great to see this injustice finally made right after all these decades, this is not something the government should be taking their time with.
Frankly, a lot of these veterans, now in their 80s and 80s, are running out of time. Some fought and waited all this time to finally be recognized, only to die in the last year while waiting for their payment. That's an injustice all over again.
1.17.2010
vote for the center for the pacific asian family
Please watch this video, featuring a bunch of our friends. Every 15 seconds a woman is beaten in the United States. Ever two minutes someone in the U.S. is raped or sexually assaulted. On in three women will be abused in her lifetime.
Support the Center for the Pacific Asian Family (CPAF), a nonprofit agency specializing in assisting Asian and Pacific Islanders who are surviving sexual assault and/or domestic violence. They need your help!
Vote for CPAF, January 15-22, in the Chase Community Giving on Facebook. With your help, CPAF could win $1 million in the fight against domestic violence and sexual assault. And please spread the word.
1.16.2010
this week's angriest posts
Not really the angriest, just the most viewed.
- japanese sleeping bag with legs
- kylie is a pc and she's on ellen
- sam tsui's lady gag medley
- the chink-eye: et tu, jackie?
- m.i.a. turns two-hour tech support call into an album track
- research study on asian american women
- ray lee's "audition" video for glee
- the kogi guy's new eatery
- ed hardy swimwear: just add geisha
- man attacks fast food manager over ice cream cone
1.15.2010
in theaters: they spy next door, the lovely bones
Opening in theaters this weekend... the godawful looking family action comedy The Spy Next Door, starring Jackie Chan, who once made good movies a long, long time ago. This movie looks like something Vin Diesel passed on, but The Rock didn't want it, so it fell to Jackie Chan. I hope he got paid well.
Also opening in wide release, director Peter Jackson's adaptation of The Lovely Bones. It tells the tale of Susie Salmon, a 14-year-old girl who is raped and murdered by a neighbor, then watches over her family from heaven. Nikki Soohoo is in the movie as Holly, Susie's best friend and roommate in heaven. Um, that's her in the photo above, on the right.
3rd annual celebration of asian pacific american womyn
If you're in the Bay Area, you are cordially invited to UC Berkeley's 3rd annual Celebration of Asian Pacific Womyn, "a night dedicated to recognizing the struggles, hystory, and achievements of APA womyn," happening February 7 at Pauley Ballroom. This year's theme is "Mosaic: Piecing Together Our Stories." Here are some details:
Celebration of Asian Pacific American WomynShould be a really special evening. So mark your calendars, put on your shiny shoes (semi-formal attire, please), and join in the celebration. For more information, go to the Facebook event page here. And to register for the event, go here.
Mosaic: Piecing Together Our Stories
Sunday, February 7, 2010
5:30-9:30pm
Pauley Ballroom
Bancroft Avenue
Berkeley, CA
You are cordially invited to Cal's 3rd annual CAPAW, the Celebration of Asian Pacific American Womyn, a night dedicated to recognizing the struggles, hystory, and achievements of APA womyn, which is a subject that is often excluded or marginalized in American society and discourse.
This year's theme is Mosaic: Piecing Together Our Stories. We decided on this theme because we think that every Asian American womyn's history has a place in the bigger collective history. This collective story is powerful and profound-- and worth recognizing.
We are so excited to be having FUIFUILUPE NIUMEITOLU and ANNIE FUKUSHIMA as our speakers for this festive night. Moreover, JAMAICA, JOYCE KWON, 5TH ELEMENT, YER YANG, and SKIM will fill the night with music, dance, art, and spoken word.
john yoo on the daily show
In case you missed it, here's video of "torture memo" author John Yoo appearing on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, promoting his new book Crisis and Command. Here's part two and party three.
It's really interesting, because you get the sense that Stewart really wants to tear into him, but remains a very civil host, instead trying really hard to get at what this guy is all about. And Yoo keeps cool. It's fascinating. The guy's a pro -- he could talk in circles like this for days, and has an answer for everything.
I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'm actually kind of interested in reading his book. Not because I agree with anything he's saying, but because I'm a little bit fascinated with what makes this guy tick. Because honestly, he makes my head hurt.
call for entries: 2010 san diego asian film festival
Attention filmmakers! Our friends at the San Diego Asian Film Festival have announced the call for entries for their 2010 film festival. They're seeking entries in the following categories: narrative feature, narrative short, documentary feature, documentary short, and animation.
Films/videos submitted must be directed or principally acted by an artist of Asian or Pacific Islander descent; or whose subject matter relates to Asian or Pacific Islander culture. The early deadline is April 30, 2009 ($25 Submission Fee), and the late deadline is June 11, 2009 ($40 Submission Fee)
An independent jury selects winners in each category, along with the Grand Jury award, which are announced at the Festival's Gala Awards Night. Festival programmers also select a first-time filmmaker to receive the George C. Lin Emerging Filmmaker Award, which is accompanied by a $1,000 prize.
The 11th San Diego Asian Film Festival is schedule for October 21-28, 2010 at the Mission Valley UltraStar Cinemas at Hazard Center. For more information, including all submission rules, entry forms, application, and details about the festival, visit the San Diego Asian Film Foundation website here.
Films/videos submitted must be directed or principally acted by an artist of Asian or Pacific Islander descent; or whose subject matter relates to Asian or Pacific Islander culture. The early deadline is April 30, 2009 ($25 Submission Fee), and the late deadline is June 11, 2009 ($40 Submission Fee)
An independent jury selects winners in each category, along with the Grand Jury award, which are announced at the Festival's Gala Awards Night. Festival programmers also select a first-time filmmaker to receive the George C. Lin Emerging Filmmaker Award, which is accompanied by a $1,000 prize.
The 11th San Diego Asian Film Festival is schedule for October 21-28, 2010 at the Mission Valley UltraStar Cinemas at Hazard Center. For more information, including all submission rules, entry forms, application, and details about the festival, visit the San Diego Asian Film Foundation website here.
dj green tea x ninja scroll video
Just for the hell of it, because it's Friday, and it's been a long week, here's a random video of Green Tea's "Dew Drops in the Garden" set to clips from the classic anime flick Ninja Scroll. Whaaaaat? Strange things often land in my mailbox.
You know, ninjas aren't the first thing that came to mind when I heard this track. But hey, why not? Told you it was random. If you haven't heard Green Tea's debut album, Places and Spaces, you should definitely check it out.
apartment eviction attorney stereotypes "these people"
Here is the situation, as I understand it... A group of people recently bought a 6-unit apartment building that primarily houses elderly Asians near San Francisco's Chinatown. And of course, they want to evict the tenants and sell the units on the open market. Because many of the tenants have lived there prior to the 1970s, their units were covered under rent control. But now, they're fighting the eviction.
The whole situation sucks, but here's where it gets really infuriating. The lawyer representing the new owners was recently interviewed on the local news and made an ass of himself, effectively saying that "these people" need to get the hell out and move on. Then he goes on, doing his best to completely stereotype Asians:
The whole situation sucks, but here's where it gets really infuriating. The lawyer representing the new owners was recently interviewed on the local news and made an ass of himself, effectively saying that "these people" need to get the hell out and move on. Then he goes on, doing his best to completely stereotype Asians:
Lawyer: "That's why we have families. If these people are as old as you say they are, then they have 2, 3 generations younger than them. I meet these people - you went to school with these people - they're brain surgeons. Okay? These are Asian Americans. They're smart, hard-working industrial people, addicted to the acquisition of real estate..."The attorney's name is Steven MacDonald, who as "a private citizen," has every right to speak in broad stereotypes about "these people" and make an ass of himself. It should be noted that the new owners of the apartment building happen to be Asian American. And this is the guy they chose to represent them? More here: SF Low Income Seniors May Soon Be Evicted. And watch video of the story here. (Thanks, Bobby.)
Reporter: "...You have swept with a broad brush there..."
Lawyer: "Well, I have but, you know, I'm just a private person, not a politician."
...
Lawyer: "...Now I don't have any evidence of what these people's family connections are and financial wherewithal. But out of five units, I bet you, that 4 out of 5 of them have 2 or 3 generations of decedents, children, and grandchildren that are hard-working professionals, with real estate holdings! They like it living up there in the border line between Chinatown and Telegraph Hill. We all would, its nice weather and so forth. Times change. When you look at any neighborhood in the city, times change, Okay?"
angry reader of the week: lillian chan
Gather 'round, good people. It's time to meet another Angry Reader of the Week, spotlighting you, the very special readers of this website. Over the years, I've been able to connect with a lot of cool folks, and this is a way of showing some appreciation and attention to the people who help make this blog what it is. This week's Angry Reader is "doodler & dreamer extraordinaire" Lillian Chan.
norm chow staying put at ucla
It looks like UCLA football's offensive coordinator Norm Chow will be staying put with the Bruins, and passing up the opportunity to return to USC on the staff of newly hired head coach Lane Kiffin: Chow rebuffs USC, stays at UCLA.
The fierce crosstown rivalry has taken some twists and turns over the last week, with Kiffin ditching Tennessee to take the USC job following Pete Carroll's decision to become the coach of the NFL's Seattle Seahawks. And you thought NBC's late night TV talk show shuffle was drama.
For a minute, the media jumped the gun, erroneously reporting that Chow, widely respected as an offensive mastermind, had accepted a lucrative contract offer back at USC. But it seems he's sticking around. Much to UCLA's relief, I'm sure. More here: Chow gave USC 'some consideration' before staying at UCLA.
The fierce crosstown rivalry has taken some twists and turns over the last week, with Kiffin ditching Tennessee to take the USC job following Pete Carroll's decision to become the coach of the NFL's Seattle Seahawks. And you thought NBC's late night TV talk show shuffle was drama.
For a minute, the media jumped the gun, erroneously reporting that Chow, widely respected as an offensive mastermind, had accepted a lucrative contract offer back at USC. But it seems he's sticking around. Much to UCLA's relief, I'm sure. More here: Chow gave USC 'some consideration' before staying at UCLA.
do not try this at home
Check out this video of this guy, AZO, doing some amazing-ass stunts and tricks -- it's a crazy mix of martial arts, parkour, juggling and other random insanity. This guy has some incredible skill and agility... and obviously, a lot of free time on his hands.
koreans are the fastest texters in the world
Ah yes. Another competitive arena in which South Koreans are determined to dominate: texting. Speed texting, to be precise. Yesterday in New York City, two South Korean teenagers were crowned the fastest texters in the world: SKoreans named world texting champs
In the end, among a field of competitors from dozens of countries, 17-year-old Bae Yeong Ho and 18-year-old Ha Mok Min emerged as the team with the fastest thumbs in the LG Mobile World Cup -- in a challenge of both speed and accuracy -- taking the top prize of $100,000.
Second place and $20,000 went to the U.S. contestants -- 16-year-old Kate Moore of Des Moines, Iowa, who is the 2009 U.S. National Texting Champion, and 14-year-old Morgan Dynda of Pooler, Georgia, the 2009 runner-up. An Argentinian team came in third and the Brazilians took fourth.
In the end, among a field of competitors from dozens of countries, 17-year-old Bae Yeong Ho and 18-year-old Ha Mok Min emerged as the team with the fastest thumbs in the LG Mobile World Cup -- in a challenge of both speed and accuracy -- taking the top prize of $100,000.
Second place and $20,000 went to the U.S. contestants -- 16-year-old Kate Moore of Des Moines, Iowa, who is the 2009 U.S. National Texting Champion, and 14-year-old Morgan Dynda of Pooler, Georgia, the 2009 runner-up. An Argentinian team came in third and the Brazilians took fourth.
1.14.2010
vote for the center for the pacific asian family
It is on! People are coming together to help out the Center for the Pacific Asian Family (CPAF), and they're calling on you for help. Time to use our collective energy and internet power to make a difference for a very worthy organization.
Every 15 seconds a woman is beaten in the US. Ever two minutes someone in the US is raped or sexually assaulted. On in three women will be abused in her lifetime.
Based in Los Angeles, CPAF provides a multi-lingual 24-hour call center, emergency shelter, transitional housing program, counseling services and community outreach programs that focus on the needs of API survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. To learn more about what they do, go here.
CPAF finished in the top 100 out of a half million eligible groups in the first round of the Chase Community Giving contest on Facebook. As a result, they received $25,000 and a chance to compete for a grand prize of $1 million or one of five runner-up awards of $100,000 in the final round of voting.
Voting is on now, January 15-22. Thus, community members are coming together in full force with an effort to spread the word, get out the vote and help CPAF win. With your help, they can continue to better serve the community.
Any and all proceeds earned will be used by CPAF to reach beyond the API community to unify all 24-hour call centers in Los Angeles County. The badly needed funding will be used to create a sustainable joint hotline for 20 domestic violence shelters and 6 rape crisis centers. Additionally, CPAF will extend the hotline services to include online chat to make services more accessible to victims.
If a woman has the courage to call, we must make sure there will be someone there to listen. Want more info? Check out the videos on CPAF's YouTube channel, and visit their Facebook page here. And most importantly, vote for CPAF here. And spread the word.
apply to the hbs4a's scholarship
Do you know of any non-profit organizations that benefit the Asian American community? If so, you should encourage their Executive Director to consider spending a week at Harvard to sharpen their leadership skills and make their organizations more effective.
For the fifth consecutive year, the Harvard Business School Asian American Alumni Association (HBS4A) will be sponsoring a full tuition, room, board, and materials scholarship for a non-profit organization executive director to attend the Strategic Perspectives in Non-Profit Management program at Harvard this July.
Previous organizations which have benefited from the HBS4A scholarship include the New York Asian Women's Center in 2006, the Chinese Community Center in Houston in 2007, the Southeast Asian Mutual Assistance Association of Philadelphia in 2008, and the Chinese Information and Service Center of Seattle in 2009.
There are a lot of really great Asian American non-profit community organizations out there, and a lot of executive directors who could benefit from this program. Maybe you, or someone you know fits the bill. Wouldn't it be great to go to HBS for free? For more information, go to the HBS4A Scholarship Program website here.
For the fifth consecutive year, the Harvard Business School Asian American Alumni Association (HBS4A) will be sponsoring a full tuition, room, board, and materials scholarship for a non-profit organization executive director to attend the Strategic Perspectives in Non-Profit Management program at Harvard this July.
Previous organizations which have benefited from the HBS4A scholarship include the New York Asian Women's Center in 2006, the Chinese Community Center in Houston in 2007, the Southeast Asian Mutual Assistance Association of Philadelphia in 2008, and the Chinese Information and Service Center of Seattle in 2009.
There are a lot of really great Asian American non-profit community organizations out there, and a lot of executive directors who could benefit from this program. Maybe you, or someone you know fits the bill. Wouldn't it be great to go to HBS for free? For more information, go to the HBS4A Scholarship Program website here.
asian women giving circle presents so the arrow flies
If you're in New York, you want to check this out... Asian Women Giving Circle, a group of Asian American women pooling their money to fund other Asian women in New York City who use the tools of art to further a social equity goal, presents So the Arrow Flies, a solo performance by Esther Chae happening January 27.
In its four years of raising resources and philanthropists, the Asian Women Giving Circle has raised and distributed $270,000 in New York City to thirty individual artists and community based organizations. Esther Chae received a grant from the AWGC in 2009. Here are some details about the show:
The Asian Women Giving Circle presentsTo see a video trailer of So the Arrow Flies, go here. It looks like a really fascinating show, and it's all Esther. To purchase tickets for the event, and/or to make a donation to AWGC, go here. If you have questions, please call 646-300-6173 or email angie@asianwomengivingcircle.org. And to learn more about the work the Asian Women Giving Circle is doing and supporting, go to their website here
SO THE ARROW FLIES, a solo performance by Esther Chae
A North Korean spy. A Korean-American FBI agent. Who will be taken down first?
Introduced by Jeannie Park
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Cherry Lane Theater, 38 Commerce street, NYC
6:30 Doors Open with Cocktails
7:30 Show (performance approx. 1 hour 15 min.)
Reception immediately following show
SO THE ARROW FLIES is based on real events and is about double agent Catherine, a North Korean National Actor who is exiled to South Korea and FBI Agent Park who discovers and exposes Catherine's espionage scheme. The play also includes Catherine's 12 year old daughter Mina, and Agent Park's elderly mother Mrs. Park, who has survived the Korean war.
With only a turn on one chair, the actor plays all 4 roles to tell the stories of each individual. SO THE ARROW FLIES touches on the post-9/11 themes of political ideology, national identities, allegiance, torture, hubris and ultimately love for one’s family, and blazes the way for a dynamic new voice in solo performance.
This play was featured at the at the prestigious TED (Technology, Entertainment and Design) Conference, CUNY Martin Segal Theater Center, and NYU’s Tuesday Forum Series in 2009 and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Ars Nova Theater Festival (NY) and the World Women’s Forum (Seoul) in 2008.
how to help haiti
By now, you've seen and heard about the cataclysmic earthquake that hit Haiti on Tuesday, devastating Port-Au-Prince and killing an estimated 45,000 to 50,000 people. While the destruction and suffering might seem far away, it's hard to watch and read the news about what's happened, without wanting to help.
For those interested in lending a hand in some way, here's a solid list of resources and organizations you can get involved with and donate to: How To Help. The Huffington Post also has a helpful, detailed list: Haiti Earthquake Relief: How You Can Help.
It seems to me that the most immediate, effortless way to help is to donate through Wyclef Jean's foundation, Yele Haiti. Simply text "Yele" to 501501 and $5 (charged to your phone bill) will go to relief projects through the organization. You don't even have to reach for your wallet.
UPDATE: Donate at your own risk. A lot of folks have pointed out that Wyclef's organization doesn't have a great track record of managing money wisely: Is Wyclef Jean's Charity the Best One to Help Haiti? That doesn't mean they're not doing good work, and it certainly doesn't mean it's a scam. Just be aware of where your donation is going.
For those interested in lending a hand in some way, here's a solid list of resources and organizations you can get involved with and donate to: How To Help. The Huffington Post also has a helpful, detailed list: Haiti Earthquake Relief: How You Can Help.
It seems to me that the most immediate, effortless way to help is to donate through Wyclef Jean's foundation, Yele Haiti. Simply text "Yele" to 501501 and $5 (charged to your phone bill) will go to relief projects through the organization. You don't even have to reach for your wallet.
UPDATE: Donate at your own risk. A lot of folks have pointed out that Wyclef's organization doesn't have a great track record of managing money wisely: Is Wyclef Jean's Charity the Best One to Help Haiti? That doesn't mean they're not doing good work, and it certainly doesn't mean it's a scam. Just be aware of where your donation is going.
things to do in 2010: see tim be told live
I know I mentioned Tim Be Told last week -- the band is offering a free song download -- but I've been listening to their EP From the Inside over the last few days, and I wanted throw out another plug for their tour, which runs through the rest of this month and February. Here are the dates:
Jan 14 2010 @ 5:00 pm Kick Butt Coffee, Austin, TXThis is just one of those bands you need to hear live. If they're playing in or near your town, I highly recommend checking them out. In the meantime, you can listen to all the tracks from From the Inside using the handy widget above. For more information about the band, visit the Tim Be Told website here.
Jan 15 2010 @ 7:00 pm Fort Bend Community Church, Missouri City, TX
Jan 16 2010 @ 7:30 pm Houston Chinese Church, Houston, TX
Jan 17 2010 @ 11:00 am Fort Bend Community Church, Missouri City, TX
Jan 19 2010 @ 7:00 pm The Living Room, Los Angeles, CA
Jan 20 2010 @ 7:00 pm University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA
Jan 22 2010 @ 7:45 pm Hollow Body @ TRiP, Santa Monica, CA
Jan 23 2010 @ 7:00 pm Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA
Jan 24 2010 @ 5:00 pm South Bay Sa Rang Community Church, Torrance, CA
Jan 28 2010 @ 7:00 pm Livingwater Church, Berkeley, CA
Jan 31 2010 @ 7:00 pm Bay Area Chinese Bible Church, San Leandro, CA
Feb 3 2010 @ 7:00 pm Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR
Feb 4 2010 @ TBA Skagit Valley College, Oak Harbor, WA
Feb 5 2010 @ 7:00 pm Ethnic Cultural Theatre w/ New Heights, Seattle, WA
Feb 6 2010 @ 7:00 pm Evangelical Chinese Church, Seattle, WA
Feb 9 2010 @ 3:00 pm University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, Colorado Springs, CO
Feb 10 2010 @ 7:00 pm Chinese Evangelical Church of Denver, Denver, CO
Feb 12 2010 @ 7:30 pm The Chapel w/ Fundamental Elements, St. Louis, MO
Feb 15 2010 @ 9:00 pm Elbo Room w/ Lucrezio, Chicago, IL
Feb 17 2010 @ 6:30 pm The Canopy Club w/ special guests, Urbana, IL
Feb 18 2010 @ TBA Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
Feb 20 2010 @ 7:00 pm Ishan Gala Benefit Concert, Charlottesville, VA
national aapi week of action for immigration reform
All this week, our friends at the Asian Pacific Americans for Progress blog will be featuring articles on the National Asian American and Pacific Islander Week of Action (January 12-20), a collaborative effort among national, state and local AAPI organizations and allies.
The effort aims to show the collective power and voice of AAPIs in the comprehensive immigration reform debate and to engage with the broader Reform Immigration FOR America campaign.
The Reform Immigration FOR America campaign is mobilizing in all 50 states to show Congress that Americans want action now. So head over to the APAP blog to read posts from people like Congressman Mike Honda, staff from organizations like APALC, NAKASEC, AAJC and more.
The effort aims to show the collective power and voice of AAPIs in the comprehensive immigration reform debate and to engage with the broader Reform Immigration FOR America campaign.
The Reform Immigration FOR America campaign is mobilizing in all 50 states to show Congress that Americans want action now. So head over to the APAP blog to read posts from people like Congressman Mike Honda, staff from organizations like APALC, NAKASEC, AAJC and more.
moon bloodgood cast in faster
Some movie casting news... You know I love Moon Bloodgood. Not only is she gorgeous, she also has the coolest name ever. According to The Hollywood Reporter, she will star alongside Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson in the revenge drama Faster: British actor cast in Dwayne Johnson pic.
The movie is about an ex-con who is pursued by cops and killers as he sets out to avenge his brother's death. Moon will play the ex-con's girlfriend. Filming begins next month. More here: Moon Bloodgood Signs On For Faster.
Last year was kind of an up-and-down year for Moon. While I liked her in Terminator Salvation, her role wasn't particularly mind-blowing. She had a cool little guest stint on Burn Notice, but I never even bothered watching Street Fighter: The Legend Chun-Li. (Who did?) Let's hope 2010 is a better year for her.
mapid now accepting group submissions for osoji
Ken Choy and Mavericks of Asian Pacific Islander Descent (MAPID) announce an open call for submissions for OSOJI, an innovative theater experience which will premiere at Breaking the Bow 2 in October 2010.
Artistic groups will develop individual pieces which will then be weaved together to create a larger theatrical extravaganza exploring spiritual, political, cultural, and physical cleansing. Based on the Japanese ritual of housecleaning prior to the start of the new year, OSOJI will implement a multitude of artistic forms and genres.
Asian Pacific Islander groups, organizations, companies, troupes, collectives, and ad hoc formations working in theater, dance, improvisation, comedy, music, API cultural expressions, and performance are encouraged to submit general proposals. Large and small; established and new are desired to collaborate on the work.
Groups should be able to create short pieces that can be performed by 3-4 representatives of the group; representatives must be able to attend full rehearsals with the larger collective in order to blend the pieces together. Representatives also must be willing to share and teach artistic form to the larger collective, if applicable, as well as be open to learn other techniques and artistic expressions.
Due to venue size, a maximum of 25 individuals will participate in this endeavor.
Full details on focus of individual pieces will be released once participating companies are chosen, but a general idea surrounds the 108 sins. Artistic tone is both highly comedic, dramatic, and theatrical; more relatable than esoteric; socially significant. There will be pay.
Deadline for proposals is January 31 but earlier submissions are encouraged. Proposals should include biographical, artistic focus, and previous work information and ideas on how the project will benefit from the submitting organization. High consideration will also be given to those who demonstrate the ability and willingness for the business side of the project such as advertising, promotion, and audience attainment. If sending work samples, please send either link or attachments in a separate email. Only general concepts of pieces are asked for at this time.
For more information, please contact Ken Choy at ken@mapid.us.
Artistic groups will develop individual pieces which will then be weaved together to create a larger theatrical extravaganza exploring spiritual, political, cultural, and physical cleansing. Based on the Japanese ritual of housecleaning prior to the start of the new year, OSOJI will implement a multitude of artistic forms and genres.
Asian Pacific Islander groups, organizations, companies, troupes, collectives, and ad hoc formations working in theater, dance, improvisation, comedy, music, API cultural expressions, and performance are encouraged to submit general proposals. Large and small; established and new are desired to collaborate on the work.
Groups should be able to create short pieces that can be performed by 3-4 representatives of the group; representatives must be able to attend full rehearsals with the larger collective in order to blend the pieces together. Representatives also must be willing to share and teach artistic form to the larger collective, if applicable, as well as be open to learn other techniques and artistic expressions.
Due to venue size, a maximum of 25 individuals will participate in this endeavor.
Full details on focus of individual pieces will be released once participating companies are chosen, but a general idea surrounds the 108 sins. Artistic tone is both highly comedic, dramatic, and theatrical; more relatable than esoteric; socially significant. There will be pay.
Deadline for proposals is January 31 but earlier submissions are encouraged. Proposals should include biographical, artistic focus, and previous work information and ideas on how the project will benefit from the submitting organization. High consideration will also be given to those who demonstrate the ability and willingness for the business side of the project such as advertising, promotion, and audience attainment. If sending work samples, please send either link or attachments in a separate email. Only general concepts of pieces are asked for at this time.
For more information, please contact Ken Choy at ken@mapid.us.
priscilla ahn sings "the boob song"
Here's another great video from Priscilla Ahn's recent session for KoreAm, produced by The Mighty Fifty. This one's "The Boob Song" -- a super cute kazoo-laced ditty with an even cuter story behind it. I love it! Watch the video to hear it all, and enjoy. To hear more from Priscilla Ahn, visit her website here.
prop 8 defendant wants out of federal trial
Don't know if you're aware, but one of the most vocal proponents of Proposition 8, California's gay marriage ban, is a guy named Hak-Shing William Tam. But last week, Tam filed a motion to withdraw himself from the federal Prop 8 trial: Federal Prop 8 defendant Bill Tam wants out - not so fast.
Citing personal safety reasons and racial discrimination, Tam filed the motion on January 8 to be removed from the defense team. He claims that he's received threats on his life, his property vandalized, and that he's now recognized on the street due to his association with Prop 8.
In short, Tam "does not like the burden of discovery and the privacy invasion associated with being a defendant." The racist comments leveled at Tam on message boards and the like are deplorable and no one should have to feel their safety threatened. But it seems to me that the man has made his bed -- now he has to lie in it.
Call me crazy, but shouldn't a man who worked that hard on behalf of Prop 8 -- a measure that affects the lives of a lot of people -- have the conviction to stand in a court of law and justify his actions and beliefs?
If Tam believes that Prop 8 is so worth defending, the guy needs to suck it up. I'm sorry, but I don't have a lot of sympathy for someone who seriously believes that legalizing same-sex marriage is part of "a broader gay agenda" to legalize having sex with children: Prop. 8 backer questioned about child sex comment.
Citing personal safety reasons and racial discrimination, Tam filed the motion on January 8 to be removed from the defense team. He claims that he's received threats on his life, his property vandalized, and that he's now recognized on the street due to his association with Prop 8.
In short, Tam "does not like the burden of discovery and the privacy invasion associated with being a defendant." The racist comments leveled at Tam on message boards and the like are deplorable and no one should have to feel their safety threatened. But it seems to me that the man has made his bed -- now he has to lie in it.
Call me crazy, but shouldn't a man who worked that hard on behalf of Prop 8 -- a measure that affects the lives of a lot of people -- have the conviction to stand in a court of law and justify his actions and beliefs?
If Tam believes that Prop 8 is so worth defending, the guy needs to suck it up. I'm sorry, but I don't have a lot of sympathy for someone who seriously believes that legalizing same-sex marriage is part of "a broader gay agenda" to legalize having sex with children: Prop. 8 backer questioned about child sex comment.
1.13.2010
learn to see: 14th annual asian american issues conference
Next week, Stanford University's Asian American Students' Association hosts Listen to the Silence, its 14th annual Asian American issues conference. It's happening Saturday, January 23 at Cubberley Auditorium.
The event will feature keynote speaker Shahid Buttar, current executive director of the Bill of Rights Defense Committee, and a concert from Tim Be Told. Here are some details:
14th Annual Listen to the Silence Conference:Speakers, workships, entertainment... and yes, the whole thing is free. If you're in the area, head over to Stanford and check it out. For more information about the conference, and to register, visit the Listen to the Silence website here.
Learn to See...
Jan 23rd 2010
Cubberley
Register NOW at aasa.stanford.edu/lts
Listen to the Silence (LTS) is an annual full day conference sponsored by the Asian American Students Association (AASA) that seeks to educate individuals from all over the West Coast on issues facing the Asian American community. The conference will feature workshops run by various student groups and community organizations. It also offers an opportunity to network with people from all over the West Coast and beyond, including our keynote speaker, Shahid Buttar, the current executive director of the Bill of Rights Defense Committee. After a long day, unwind with a concert featuring Tim Be Told.
If that's not enticing enough, the conference is entirely FREE!
Direct any questions to the Conference Chair
Michael To (mto1@stanford.edu)
oca accepting applications for 2010 summer internships
Here's a great opportunity for student interested in social justice and Asian American issues, and looking for a summer internship.... OCA, a national organization dedicated to advancing the social, political and economic well-being of Asian Pacific Americans, is now accepting applications for its 2010 Summer Internship Program.
Celebrating its 21th year, the OCA Internship Program. seeks to cultivate future leadership by providing students from all over the country an opportunity to be involved in the political process through a national organization. The program has successfully led past interns to become more active on their college campus and increased the presence of the APA community in local, state and federal governments.
Summer interns will be placed at a paid full-time position in a federal agency, nonprofit, or congressional office that matches their interest. Interns can also be placed at the OCA National Center. In addition to their placement, summer interns will be highly involved in many OCA activities and gain experience with grassroots organizing.
In addition to connecting interns with the APA community and developing their leadership, OCA also brings summer interns to the OCA National Convention, the largest APA conference in the country. The 2010 National Convention will be in Houston from June 17-20.
For the summer session, interns are expected to commit to working full-time for ten weeks between the dates of May 24 – August 13, 2010. For more information on the OCA Summer Internship, and how to apply, visit the OCA website here. Applications for internships need to be postmarked or submitted online by March 1, 2010 for the summer session.
Celebrating its 21th year, the OCA Internship Program. seeks to cultivate future leadership by providing students from all over the country an opportunity to be involved in the political process through a national organization. The program has successfully led past interns to become more active on their college campus and increased the presence of the APA community in local, state and federal governments.
Summer interns will be placed at a paid full-time position in a federal agency, nonprofit, or congressional office that matches their interest. Interns can also be placed at the OCA National Center. In addition to their placement, summer interns will be highly involved in many OCA activities and gain experience with grassroots organizing.
In addition to connecting interns with the APA community and developing their leadership, OCA also brings summer interns to the OCA National Convention, the largest APA conference in the country. The 2010 National Convention will be in Houston from June 17-20.
For the summer session, interns are expected to commit to working full-time for ten weeks between the dates of May 24 – August 13, 2010. For more information on the OCA Summer Internship, and how to apply, visit the OCA website here. Applications for internships need to be postmarked or submitted online by March 1, 2010 for the summer session.
the show must go on: support slant
Fellow film fans, a call for help... Slant: Bold Asian American Images, the annual festival of short films presented by the Aurora Picture Show in Houston -- now in its tenth year -- is in need of your support. For the short, cute version, watch this little video explaining the situation.
Due to cuts to arts organizations this year, Slant doesn't have the budget it has usually has gotten in past years. But the show must go on! So they're turning to you, the Asian Amerian cinema-supporting public, to help close the gap. While they have some money raised, they need some more to maintain programming for the
10th anniversary of the festival.
Melissa Hung, Slant's curator, explains, "It's not a huge amount of money, I'm trying to be realistic -- but I can really do some great programming on just a little bit more money." Donations go towards paying filmmakers and performers (something that makes this film festival unique), venue rentals, travel costs, etc.
They're trying to raise $1,500 from the public. All things considered, I don't think it's a lot of money. It's a completely realistic goal that can be reached with your help. For more information, and to make a donation, go here. Oh, and if you're a filmmaker, the deadline to submit a film to Slant is January 30.
man arrested in little tokyo hotel murder
In Los Angeles, police have arrested a suspect in the stabbing death of 74-year-old Hideko Oyama, a Little Tokyo hotel manager who was found dead in her building last week: Man arrested in stabbing death of downtown L.A. hotel manager.
According to the LAPD, Jian Hong Li, a 39-year-old Chinese national who lived in the Chetwood Hotel, was taken into custody yesterday on suspicion of murder. Investigators said the motive for the stabbing was robbery.
Li, who had abandoned his room the day of the murder, became a person of interest for investigators. Detectives apparently followed leads from Los Angeles to Camarillo, only to discover him walking on 1st Street: Suspect Arrested In Hotel Manager's Slaying Was Found Walking Nearby.
He is being held in jail in lieu of $1 million bond. The police will be presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office in a couple of days. More here: Man Arrested in Hotel Murder. And last week's story on the murder here: Police pursue leads in Little Tokyo hotel manager's slaying.
According to the LAPD, Jian Hong Li, a 39-year-old Chinese national who lived in the Chetwood Hotel, was taken into custody yesterday on suspicion of murder. Investigators said the motive for the stabbing was robbery.
Li, who had abandoned his room the day of the murder, became a person of interest for investigators. Detectives apparently followed leads from Los Angeles to Camarillo, only to discover him walking on 1st Street: Suspect Arrested In Hotel Manager's Slaying Was Found Walking Nearby.
He is being held in jail in lieu of $1 million bond. The police will be presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office in a couple of days. More here: Man Arrested in Hotel Murder. And last week's story on the murder here: Police pursue leads in Little Tokyo hotel manager's slaying.
m.i.a. turns two-hour tech support call into an album track
Everybody knows what it's like to get crappy tech support over the phone. No one is immune. Even M.I.A. Except she apparently turns her experiences into songs.
The globe-trotting hip hop star was recently having issues with her cable connection, and was subjected to a three-hour tech support call. The experience resulted in a track on her upcoming album: M.I.A. Writes Song Inspired by Three-Hour Verizon Tech Support Call.
The track is called "I'm Down Like Your Internet Connection" and actually features Filipino Verizon workers singing the hook. I am absolutely not making this up:
I was having issues with my cable and wireless, and I was on the phone [with tech support] for three hours, and I thought, 'Maybe this needs to be part of my music, could you just learn these lyrics and sing it down the phone to me?' Ten phone calls later, I have Internet that sticks and a song."That's pretty badass. The track will appear on her new album, recorded with producer Blaqstarr, and due out this summer. More here: M.I.A. Teams With Blaqstarr, Verizon Workers for Summer Disc.
You know what's also badass? Cursing out the New York Times: "Fuck the New York Times" For Saying Sri Lanka is 2010's #1 Tourist Destination.
contribute to the imaginasian fundraising exhibition
In celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month and to generate funding for materials and sources for Asian American Studies collections at the Purdue University and Indiana University libraries, Kate Agathon, the Council on Asian American Studies, the Tippecanoe Arts Federation, and the Asian American Network of Indiana are sponsoring a fundraising installation/exhibition of donated art addressing identity and experience within contemporary Asian Pacific America.
The exhibition, ImaginAsian (not to be confused with the Asian American entertainment network), is intended to raise awareness and understanding of the Asian American community as articulated through a variety of art including photography, visual, and literary.
Open to everyone, submissions are being solicited nationwide. Celebrity contributors include writer Maxine Hong Kingston, director Michael Kang, actor Parry Shen, hip hop group Far East Movement, Congressman Mike Honda, artist Stella Lai, illustrator/graphic designer Jerry Ma, poet Bao Phi, writer Tao Lin, comic legend Larry Hama, and many other prominent stakeholders within the Asian American community. Contributors do not need to be of Asian descent to participate!
For a donation of $5 or more, contributors are asked to fill an 8.5 x 11" space with creative art, writing, photography or any other artistic medium that addresses contemporary Asian Pacific American identity or the Asian Pacific American experience. Each submission will be vetted by a team for common themes and appropriateness.
Inspired by the Greater Lafayette Art Museum's Mosaic, ImaginAsian will comprise of a display of 8.5 x 11" creative gifts celebrating the contemporary Asian Pacific American experience. The exhibit will be displayed April 2 - May 9, 2010 at the Tippecanoe Arts Federation located at 638 North Street, Lafayette, IN 47901.
Bidders can bid on their favorite pieces of work by taking part in a silent auction that will take place throughout the duration of the exhibit. Submissions must be received by February 28, 2010 and can be sent to:
Kate Agathon
1809 Bengal Place
Lafayette, IN 47909
Checks made payable to the Asian American Network of Indiana are welcome. The Asian American Network of Indiana is a not-for- profit organization. All gifts are tax exempt. For more information, contact Kate Agathon at kate.agathon@gmail.com.
The exhibition, ImaginAsian (not to be confused with the Asian American entertainment network), is intended to raise awareness and understanding of the Asian American community as articulated through a variety of art including photography, visual, and literary.
Open to everyone, submissions are being solicited nationwide. Celebrity contributors include writer Maxine Hong Kingston, director Michael Kang, actor Parry Shen, hip hop group Far East Movement, Congressman Mike Honda, artist Stella Lai, illustrator/graphic designer Jerry Ma, poet Bao Phi, writer Tao Lin, comic legend Larry Hama, and many other prominent stakeholders within the Asian American community. Contributors do not need to be of Asian descent to participate!
For a donation of $5 or more, contributors are asked to fill an 8.5 x 11" space with creative art, writing, photography or any other artistic medium that addresses contemporary Asian Pacific American identity or the Asian Pacific American experience. Each submission will be vetted by a team for common themes and appropriateness.
Inspired by the Greater Lafayette Art Museum's Mosaic, ImaginAsian will comprise of a display of 8.5 x 11" creative gifts celebrating the contemporary Asian Pacific American experience. The exhibit will be displayed April 2 - May 9, 2010 at the Tippecanoe Arts Federation located at 638 North Street, Lafayette, IN 47901.
Bidders can bid on their favorite pieces of work by taking part in a silent auction that will take place throughout the duration of the exhibit. Submissions must be received by February 28, 2010 and can be sent to:
Kate Agathon
1809 Bengal Place
Lafayette, IN 47909
Checks made payable to the Asian American Network of Indiana are welcome. The Asian American Network of Indiana is a not-for- profit organization. All gifts are tax exempt. For more information, contact Kate Agathon at kate.agathon@gmail.com.
rice field of dreams trailer
Check out the trailer for Daron Ker's Rice Field of Dreams, an upcoming documentary on the first national Cambodian baseball team as they compete in the Sea Games, a South Asian equivalent of the Olympics.
The film focuses on team founder Joe Cook, a Khmer Rouge survivor, and his relationship with the players, the American coaches he recruits, and American Major League Baseball. Things start out okay, but as the trailer indicates, fireworks fly when Joe and his collaborators disagree on how the teams should be coached.
I don't know much more about the film, but this video gives a little more context for the film, providing a little history on the dark legacy of the Khmer Rouge, what Cambodian society looks like today, and how baseball fits in. Look for the film sometime this year.
children of invention + white on rice theatrical release
Good news for indie film fans.... the people behind the hit festival favorites Children of Invention and White on Rice are teaming up for DIWO ("Do It With Others") joint theatrical release in New York City. The double bill will debut on March 12 at the newly renovated BIG Cinemas Manhattan. Here's the press release:
FESTIVAL DARLINGS "CHILDREN OF INVENTION" AND "WHITE ON RICE" JOIN FORCES FOR JOINT THEATRICAL RELEASE IN NEW YORK CITYCool, right? So, if you're in New York, you get two great films screening together on March 12. Children of Invention will also screen simultaneously in Los Angeles on March 12, as well as open for a hometown run in Boston on February 26. For more information about the joint theatrical release, as well as the two films, visit the Children of Invention website here and the White on Rice website here.
Award-Winning Filmmakers Embrace "DIWO Distribution" and
Shifting Release Windows in the Current Independent Film Revolution
New York, NY - The creators of the award-winning independent films CHILDREN OF INVENTION and WHITE ON RICE are collaborating for a unique joint theatrical release in New York City. The double bill will debut on March 12, 2010 at the newly renovated BIG Cinemas Manhattan (formerly the ImaginAsian Theater), sharing the facility's single screen. Dylan Marchetti of theatrical distribution company Variance Films proposed the alliance and negotiated the pact with the theater. The Big Cinemas run will mark the New York theatrical debut for both films. Audience members will be offered a significant discount for purchasing tickets to both films.
Of the joint run, CHILDREN OF INVENTION producer Mynette Louie said, "We kept running into the WHITE ON RICE folks on our festival run, so we all became good friends. It makes perfect sense for us to buoy each other's promotional efforts in true ‘DIWO' style. DIWO means ‘Do It With Others,' and it's much more fruitful than DIY, particularly in this hostile climate for indie films." CHILDREN OF INVENTION will also open simultaneously in Los Angeles on March 12 at the Downtown Independent. It will first open in Boston for a hometown run on February 26 at the Brattle Theatre.
Written and directed by Tze Chun, CHILDREN OF INVENTION is about two young children outside Boston who are left to fend for themselves when their mother gets embroiled in a pyramid scheme and disappears. The 2009 Sundance Film Festival selection has amassed 15 festival awards, screened at over 40 festivals, and was named one of the Top 13 Films of 2009 by Hammer to Nail. Chun and Louie recently made Ted Hope's list of "21 Brave Thinkers Of Truly Free Film" for their DIWO festival/DVD distribution strategy.
WHITE ON RICE is a raucous comedy about Hajime "Jimmy" Beppu (Hiroshi Watanabe, LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA), a recently divorced lovable loser crashing on his 10-year-old nephew's bunk bed. A chance encounter with a distant relative leads him to plot his romantic comeback. After a six-month long festival run, the film has been released theatrically in ten cities through Variance Films, grossing over $60,000, and has been shown as part of Range Life Entertainment's college tour. The film, which has been declared "a cinematic milestone" by the San Francisco Chronicle, won two Special Jury awards at the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival, as well as the Audience Award at the San Diego Asian Film Festival. WHITE ON RICE will have its Japan premiere at the 2010 Osaka Asian Film Festival.
Also a DIWO pioneer, WHITE ON RICE director Dave Boyle said, "In the new indie filmmaking landscape, we've got to become more proactive about helping each other build an audience. I'm very proud to be working with my friends from CHILDREN and I hope these kinds of collaborations become the norm."
Dylan Marchetti, president of Variance Films, a theatrical distribution company dedicated solely to the DIWO philosophy of working directly with filmmakers to help them get their films into theaters while keeping full control of all of their rights, said, "We believe there is one single rule in the world of distribution that actually needs to be followed, and that is that good films belong in movie theaters. Any other rules can, and likely should, be ignored. This is a prime example. Why can't two great films team up for a release in New York? Why can't filmmakers sell their own DVDs by the exit? Why can't filmmakers take ownership and contribute to the success of their films? Dave, Tze, and Mynette are some of the most forward-thinking people I've met in 14 years in this industry, and I'm delighted to have the chance to help the get their films out into the world."
In a sign of shifting distribution windows, both CHILDREN OF INVENTION and WHITE ON RICE are currently available on DVD in a limited edition, directly from the films' websites. Screening times, theater directions, and other information can also be found on the sites:
www.childrenofinvention.com
www.whiteonricethemovie.com
ed hardy swimwear: just add geisha
Remember those ugly-ass Ed Hardy flip flops? Turns out, Victoria's Secret has a matching Geisha girl triangle top, recently spotted in the 2010 swimwear catalog. Still rather ugly. Pretty Asian model not included. (Thanks, MC.)
stop the deportation of qing wu
This is a really frustrating story by Kendrick Nguyen in the Huffington Post about 29-year-old Qing Hong Wu, who faces deportation to China on the basis of crimes committed when he was 15-years-old -- crimes he already served time for: Halting the Exile of an American.
Young people make mistakes. It comes with the territory of being young. As a teen, Qing aided in committing various robberies, for which he was arrested. He went to jail, but vowed to turn his life around, earning his GED and getting released early on good behavior.
As an adult, he's rebuilt his life to become a different man, achieving professional success and contributing to society, ultimately applying for American citizenship. Unfortunately, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement had different ideas:
Be sure to read the rest of the article on Qing Wu's situation, then sign the petition: Public Petition to Pardon Qing Wu. And voice your support for Qing Wu by emailing the Governor of New York and his staff here.
Young people make mistakes. It comes with the territory of being young. As a teen, Qing aided in committing various robberies, for which he was arrested. He went to jail, but vowed to turn his life around, earning his GED and getting released early on good behavior.
As an adult, he's rebuilt his life to become a different man, achieving professional success and contributing to society, ultimately applying for American citizenship. Unfortunately, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement had different ideas:
Qing loves his country and has been proudly identifying himself as an American for as long as he could remember. To formalize this relationship, Qing submitted an Application for Naturalization with the U.S. Immigration Service in 2007. ICE unexpectedly responded with a notice requesting that he attend a meeting with a deportation officer. At a November 2009 meeting, Qing was detained by ICE and has since been held at an immigration detention facility in New Jersey. He is now facing deportation to China on the basis of his convictions as a minor -- considered aggravated felonies under U.S. immigration law.None of this makes any sense. This is a guy who committed a crime, paid for it, and has otherwise led an exemplary life -- it's what's supposed to happen when criminal justice works. So why is all that now being derailed by bureaucratic, knee-jerk immigration policy? More here: Qing Wu Deserves a Second Chance.
We live in the America of redemption and renewal. And Qing was a perfect example of the promise of its human laws. In the eyes of the justice system, Qing has more than paid his debt to society. In fact, our criminal law does not even recognize deportation as a form of additional punishment reserved for non-citizens alone. Yet, the immigration system now operates separately to derail the future of a person who has been leading an exemplary adult life. It is hard to imagine how someone at ICE, even with just a cursory familiarity with Qing's life story, could make such an onerous decision. Whatever the reasons may be, federal immigration agents clearly did not consider countervailing family and fairness considerations. In addition, the apparent lack of any legitimate public interest behind uprooting a person's life makes ICE's action all the more unjust.
Be sure to read the rest of the article on Qing Wu's situation, then sign the petition: Public Petition to Pardon Qing Wu. And voice your support for Qing Wu by emailing the Governor of New York and his staff here.
1.12.2010
25th asian pacific american awareness conference at uci
This Saturday, the Asian Pacific Student Association at the University of California, Irvine invites you to its 25th annual Asian Pacific American Awareness Conference. This year's theme is "(A-Z)Nology: Contemporary Asian America, from A to Z." Here are some details about the conference:
Asian Pacific American Awareness Conference (APAAC)Looks like it's going to be really great conference, with keynote speakers Suzanne Whang and Will Tiao, and entertainment from Danny Cho, afterschoolspecial and JK Films. For more information about the event, including the schedule, directions and speakers bios, visit the APAAC 2010 website here.
(A-Z)Nology: Contemporary Asian America, from A to Z
Saturday, January 16, 2010
10:00am - 7:00pm
UCI Student Center
Pacific Ballroom D
Moss Cove A&B
This year marks the 25th annual Asian Pacific American Awareness Conference -- an enormous milestone. This is a day-long event devoted to addressing the issues and redressing the questions raised in contemporary social America.
Also, we have free food for the first 150 who attend.
This event is co-sponsored by the Taiwanese American Organization and refreshments with be provided by Daphne's Greek Cafe at the Newport Beach Bluffs.
Come out January 16th, 2010 as we ring in the 25th annual APAAC. This year's theme is (A-Z)Nology: Contemporary Asian America, from A to Z. This year we are focusing on how the Asian American mythos came into being, and how it is currently being played out. It will include everything you need to know, from A to Z. For more information on the event speakers, click below to view their profiles.
universal music group goes k-pop
Saw this interesting bit of news on Billboard.com last week... Universal Music Group has signed a strategic partnership with Korean artist and music production company Play Cube Entertainment, in an effort to boost the Korean pop business domestically and internationally: UMG Partners With Korean K-Pop Firm.
The strategic alliance covers licensing and distribution rights to strengthen Universal Music Korea's presence in the domestic market, while increasing the exposure of Play Cube's K-Pop artists in regional and international markets.
The agreement kicks off with the release of an enhanced version of the EP For Muzik by Play Cube's all-girl group 4Minute. The enhanced EP, in physical and digital formats, will be released this week in eight countries across South-East Asia, with Japan to follow soon The K-Pop global takeover continues! (Thanks, Eugene.)
The strategic alliance covers licensing and distribution rights to strengthen Universal Music Korea's presence in the domestic market, while increasing the exposure of Play Cube's K-Pop artists in regional and international markets.
The agreement kicks off with the release of an enhanced version of the EP For Muzik by Play Cube's all-girl group 4Minute. The enhanced EP, in physical and digital formats, will be released this week in eight countries across South-East Asia, with Japan to follow soon The K-Pop global takeover continues! (Thanks, Eugene.)
another update on the jin/dizaster battle situation
In this video, Lush One, the President of Grind Time's West Division, breaks down what's currently going on with the much-anticipated Jin/Dizaster battle situation, which started when Dizaster issued a challenge to Jin several months ago.
It basically still boils down to what all parties have been saying for months -- everybody's excited and down to it and it's eventually going to happen. It's just a matter of getting the details together... whatever that means.
I'm sure I'm not the only one who's tired of all the back-and-forth. I kind of just wish they'd get it over with, whatever the outcome, so we don't have to see/hear any more of Dizaster's childish, racist rants. (No, I have no intention of writing about the the recently posted video where he blatantly insults Jin's family.)
hmong charter school proposed in sacramento
This news is several weeks old, but I wanted to share it... In Sacramento, a group of parents, educators and business professionals want to open a charter school that will focus on teaching Hmong children, who they say have largely fallen through the cracks at regular public schools: Charter school focusing on Hmong children proposed in Sacramento.
Hmong students in the Sacramento City Unified School District had the lowest scores –- collectively –- of all the district's ethnic groups on the English language arts section of standardized tests last year and the year before. Here's a brief breakdown of the numbers:
The Sacramento City Unified School District's staff is expected to make a recommendation about approval of a charter for the Yav Pem Suab Academy at a special board meeting tonight. The board is scheduled to vote on the matter at its regular meeting on January 21. More here: Editorial: Sac Unified: Give Hmong schools a look.
Hmong students in the Sacramento City Unified School District had the lowest scores –- collectively –- of all the district's ethnic groups on the English language arts section of standardized tests last year and the year before. Here's a brief breakdown of the numbers:
BY THE NUMBERSThe Yav Pem Suab Academy would serve kindergartners through sixth-graders. It would focus on teaching methods tailored to helping Hmong students learn but, as a public school, will be open to all students.
30,000 - Hmong in the Sacramento region.
18 – Percentage of Hmong third-graders in the Sacramento City Unified School District who were proficient in English in 2009.
14 – Percentage who were proficient in 2008.
17 – Percentage of the district's 1,791 Hmong students in kindergarten through sixth grade not enrolled as English language learners.
2010 – Year the Yav Pem Suab Academy would open.
300 – Initial enrollment.
The Sacramento City Unified School District's staff is expected to make a recommendation about approval of a charter for the Yav Pem Suab Academy at a special board meeting tonight. The board is scheduled to vote on the matter at its regular meeting on January 21. More here: Editorial: Sac Unified: Give Hmong schools a look.
man attacks fast food manager over ice cream cone
A bunch of folks have written in to tell me about this crazy-ass video out of China of some dude going berserk and beating the crap out of a fast food restaurant manager. Be warned: it's pretty violent.
Multiple surveillance cameras caught the guy chewing her out then just completely losing it, coming over the counter to attack her. What's even more shocking, none of the people standing around -- neither customers nor fellow employees -- do a damn thing to stop the guy.
All this, over ice cream? The guy was apparently mad the restaurant didn't deliver cones. Details all about the incident here: Exposed: Chinese Man Attacked Pregnant Store Manager Over Ice-Cream Cone.
research study on asian american women
UPDATE: Due to the overwhelming response, Asian American participants are no longer needed for this study. Thank you to everyone who participated.
...
I recently heard from from Jane Oh, a PhD student at Alliant International University, who is doing research for her dissertation looking at how factors such as cultural values and attitudes/beliefs about relationships influence well being in Asian American women. She's looking for people to participate in her study:
...
I recently heard from from Jane Oh, a PhD student at Alliant International University, who is doing research for her dissertation looking at how factors such as cultural values and attitudes/beliefs about relationships influence well being in Asian American women. She's looking for people to participate in her study:
Participation in the study will involve completing five questionnaires asking a series of questions about age, gender, education level, etc. A majority of the questions ask about perceptions of self and attitudes/beliefs about relationships. Completing all five questionnaires will take between 20-30 minutes of your time. Participation is up to you and you can withdraw from the study at any time.If you're interested in helping Jane out, and are willing to take part in her study, go to the survey here (password: women). All participants who complete the surveys will be eligible for a drawing of a $50 gift card to their choice of Target, Walmart, Starbucks, or Coffee Bean. And of course, your help is appreciated.
Your participation in this study will contribute to our knowledge base in the area of Asian Americans, women, cultural values and relationships. Additionally, it will spur further research in the area. If interested you can receive a summary of the results of this study by indicating this request in the appropriate area on the consent form.
Also, please forward this info to anyone else you think may be interested.
Thank you so much for your time and participation. I really appreciate it!
The link to the survey is: http://alliant.qualtrics.com/SE?SID=SV_abXgLVh4VW5vZCA&SVID=Prod
The password is: women
win tickets to comedy zen, january 30
Gather 'round, comedy fans. Make plans for a night of laughs with the latest of the standup comedy showcase ComedyZEN, with Sugar Sammy, Danny Cho, Edwin Li and Dwayne Perkins. It's happening Saturday, January 30 at the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles' Little Tokyo. Here are the details:
Comedy ZenThat's a good lineup of some really funny people. Wanna get in for free? I'm giving away a free pair of tickets to one of you lucky readers. All you have to do is email me with your name, contact info, and the name of your favorite Asian American (or Canadian) comedian by the end of Friday, January 15. Be sure to include "COMEDY ZEN TICKETS" in the subject line. I'll throw all the names in a hat, pick a random winner, and you'll be set to go.
Saturday, January 30
8:00pm - `10:00pm
Japanese American National Museum
369 East First Street
Little Tokyo, Los Angeles
Comedy Zen is back at the Japanese National American Museum in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles on Saturday, January 30th.
Your headliner is Sugar Sammy, whose HBO concert special "Sugar Sammy Live in Concert" sold out audiences in Canada. The Hollywood Reporter placed him on the 10 Comics to Watch list.
We also have Danny Cho from MadTV, who you may remember as Bobby Lee's sidekick Pongo.
Edwin Li, who hails from San Francisco has been invited to the prestigious LAS VEGAS COMEDY FESTIVAL.
Dwayne Perkins who has appeared on Late Night with Conan
O' Brien and is a correspondent on the new Jay Leno Show at 10 pm (NBC), and can also be found on his own half hour special on Comedy Central.
Yes, my friends. Asians are funny. You just have to look in the right places. For more information about ComedyZen, and to learn more about all the featured comics, visit the website here. And to purchase tickets to the show, go here.
conducive mag and asian american suicide
I recently heard from the folks at Conducive Mag, who, in an effort facilitate dialogue and bring attention to the too-often ignored issue of suicide within the Asian American community, are running an ongoing feature on the topic.
First, they've got an interview with Dr. Y. Joel Wong, Assistant Professor of Counseling Psychology and Counseling/Counselor Education at Indiana University Bloomington, who is one of the few researchers working to fill the gaps in public discourse through his research on suicide among Asian Americans. Wong discusses his current research on the topic and his recommendations for future research: What Can We Do About Suicide Among Asian Americans?
In addition, Conducive Mag has a new advice columnist, Dr. Mai Kieu-Loan. Besides working as a psychologist for the past decade, Dr. Mai Kieu-Loan has also done research on community service, and advocacy work on improved access to care: Your Thoughts for Mai Thoughts.
There's also lots more interesting content throughout Conducive Mag, so take a look and explore the site. And while we're on the subject of suicide in Asian American communities, here's another article from the Pacific Citizen: The Growing Rate of Depression, Suicide Among Asian American Students .
First, they've got an interview with Dr. Y. Joel Wong, Assistant Professor of Counseling Psychology and Counseling/Counselor Education at Indiana University Bloomington, who is one of the few researchers working to fill the gaps in public discourse through his research on suicide among Asian Americans. Wong discusses his current research on the topic and his recommendations for future research: What Can We Do About Suicide Among Asian Americans?
In addition, Conducive Mag has a new advice columnist, Dr. Mai Kieu-Loan. Besides working as a psychologist for the past decade, Dr. Mai Kieu-Loan has also done research on community service, and advocacy work on improved access to care: Your Thoughts for Mai Thoughts.
There's also lots more interesting content throughout Conducive Mag, so take a look and explore the site. And while we're on the subject of suicide in Asian American communities, here's another article from the Pacific Citizen: The Growing Rate of Depression, Suicide Among Asian American Students .
Japanese Sleeping Bag... with legs!
Forget the Snuggie. That thing looks like a reject wizard robe. What you need is this awesome sleeping contraption, courtesy of our favorite purveyors of the awesome, Japan: The Japanese Snuggie Happened. The photo is pretty hilarious.
Okay, so it actually has little to do with the Snuggie. It's more like a sleeping bag with legs, which is friggin' ingenious. And convenient! Think of all the great ways you can utilize your legs while warmly tucked, snug as a bug inside a sleeping bag.
As the article points out, this will definitely come in handy if you should suddenly get attacked by a bear while camping. Though, in that case, if you think about it, arms would be pretty nice too. Because if you fall down, you're kind of screwed... (Thanks, Emily.)
call him 'mr. comptroller'
Just read this odd story in the New York Post about New York City's comproller, John C. Liu, who has apparently put some strict formalities in place for his new position: All rise for Liu, the prima donna!
According to sources, in new guidelines laid out of during a series of meetings last week, Liu's staff has been ordered to rise whenever he enters the room and to address him as "Mr. Comptroller." The new rules apply to everyone.
Though it's not a formal policy, staffers are generally complying with the practice. But according to the Post, the ultra-formal new behavior apparently has veteran denizens of the Municipal Building snickering behind his back.
You have to admit -- it has to be pretty weird for folks who have been working closely with Liu for a long time to suddenly have to address him as "Mr. Comptroller." Awkward. But if it makes the comptroller's office more professional, and doesn't get in the way of what's important -- getting crap done -- why the hell not?
According to sources, in new guidelines laid out of during a series of meetings last week, Liu's staff has been ordered to rise whenever he enters the room and to address him as "Mr. Comptroller." The new rules apply to everyone.
Though it's not a formal policy, staffers are generally complying with the practice. But according to the Post, the ultra-formal new behavior apparently has veteran denizens of the Municipal Building snickering behind his back.
You have to admit -- it has to be pretty weird for folks who have been working closely with Liu for a long time to suddenly have to address him as "Mr. Comptroller." Awkward. But if it makes the comptroller's office more professional, and doesn't get in the way of what's important -- getting crap done -- why the hell not?
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