"You Indian piece of shit!" yelled the frat boy.

USC's Student Body President speaks out after racist fraternity house altercation.



Well, school's back in session. This week's edition of racist collegiate idiocy comes from the University of Southern California. Unsurprising bonus: It involves a fraternity. Over the weekend, USC's student body president says she was accosted by someone who shouted at her "You Indian piece of shit!"

The shocking racial epithet hurled at USC's student body president

Rini Sampath, who is Indian American, was walking back from a friend's apartment on Saturday night when someone leaned out of a fraternity house window and shouted, "You Indian piece of shit!" In case there was any doubt that his remarks were directed at Sampath, the unnamed fraternity brother then threw a drink at her.

Sampath, a senior international relations major who serves as president of USC's Undergraduate Student Government, shared the account of what happened to her in a Facebook post. She says that one of the assailant's fraternity brothers began to apologize -- after realizing who she was.

"I couldn't quite figure out why their after-the-fact apologies deepened the wound. But one of my friends explained it to me the best this morning: 'Because now you know, the first thing they see you as is subhuman.'"

Her post goes on to make a public plea for compassion and dialogue on campus.

EMW Block Party All-Day Showcase & Fundraiser

Saturday, September 26 at Aeronoaut Brewing Company



Hey, Boston! It's time to party. EMW Bookstore invites you to a Block Party, their first-ever all-day multi-stage showcase and fundraiser, featuring artists, musicians, technologists and activists from all across the world, including the likes of Beau Sia, Magnetic North & Taiyo Na, DANakaDAN, Madame Gandhi, Elaquent, Go Yama and more. It's happening Saturday, September 26 at Aeronaut Brewing Company in Somerville.

Here are some more details:

"This is not the America I thought I knew."

The case against falsely accused scientist Xiaoxing Xi reflects "America's most cherished ideals gone wrong."



Earlier this month, the Justice Department abruptly dropped criminal charges against Xiaoxing Xi, a scientist who was accused of sharing sensitive technology with China. Turns out, the evidence that prosecutors thought they had against Professor Xi was all wrong. In light of "additional information," they dropped the case. But that's after months of dragging his personal and professional reputation through the mud.

Joyce Xi, the daughter of Professor Xi, says the case "reflects some of America's most cherished ideals gone wrong." She has written an op-ed piece for USA Today in which she shares about her family's ordeal and the fallout of the government's false and reckless claims against her father. She's watched as the FBI raided her family's home, led her father away in handcuffs, and stripped away all senses of security and privacy.

She calls the case against her father and other falsely accused scientists "irresponsible government overreach."

'Fresh Off The Boat' Episode 201: "Family Business Trip"

Tune in Tuesday, September 22 at 8:30 PM on ABC. Then join us for Fresh Off The Show.



The Huangs are back! ABC's hit Asian American family sitcom Fresh Off The Boat returns for its second season premiere on Tuesday, September 22 at 8:30pm -- right after The Muppets. The comedy, inspired by the memoir of chef Eddie Huang, tells the story of the Huang family, a Taiwanese American family getting their immigrant hustle on in suburban Orlando, in pursuit of the American dream.

Fresh Off The Boat stars Randall Park as Louis, Constance Wu as Jessica, Hudson Yang as Eddie, Forrest Wheeler as Emery and Ian Chen as Evan. With special assist, as always, from Lucille Soong as Grandma Huang. What adventures await the Huang clan in season two? First, it looks like they're going on vacation.

Ahem. Sorry. A family business trip. Here are some more details about the season premiere:

'Nanjing: The Burning City' by Ethan Young

Graphic novel tells a powerful account of one of the worst war atrocities of the twentieth century.



Writer/illustrator Ethan Young's graphic novel Nanjing: The Burning City is a powerful and moving account of one of the worst war atrocities of the twentieth century. Set during the Second Sino-Japanese War when the Imperial Japanese Army seized the Chinese capital of Nanjing, the story follows two abandoned Chinese soldiers -- trapped and desperately outnumbered inside the walled city -- as they try to escape.

Nanjing, recently published from Dark Horse Comics, unflinchingly delves into one of the most harrowing chapters of the World War II, pulling no punches in its stark, monochrome depiction of the horrors and human cost of conflict, while telling a heart-wrenching tale of bravery, dignity and defiance. It's a remarkable, devastating book that stays with you long after you've finished it.

Here's a trailer for the book:

That band Viet Cong says they're changing their crappy name

"We are not here to cause pain or remind people of atrocities of the past."



About damn time. After protests, petitions, canceled shows and many, many angry conversations, the band of four Canadian white dudes who make music as "Viet Cong" have announced they are changing their name.

Viet Cong Are Changing Their Name

The Calgary-based post-punk band has operating for several years under the shitty band name Viet Cong. Despite hearing from members of the Vietnamese community over the painful historical connotations of the name, and getting several shows canceled over the controversy, the band had refused to change the name.

"It's just a band name. It's just what we called ourselves," frontman Matt Flegel said in an interview.

At some point, I guess they realized it wasn't "just a band name." Over the weekend, the band released a statement explaining that after many "valuable conversations with the members of the Vietnamese community" they have decided to change the name of the band.

Man arrested for hate graffiti targeting tech entrepreneur

46-year-old Billy Samuels was caught on camera writing "FUCK YOU GOOK" on Justin Kan's garage.



Almost missed this bit of news... In San Francisco, the suspect who was caught on video tagging tech entrepreneur Justin Kan's garage with racist graffiti was arrested late last month. Gotcha, sucka.

SFPD Makes Arrest In Duboce Triangle Racist Vandalism Incident

46-year-old Billy Samuels was caught on a surveillance camera writing "FUCK YOU GOOK" with a black marker on Kan's garage in Duboce Park on August 15. According to police, Samuels was arrested after officers recognized him from a crime bulletin with still photos taken from the video.

Read These Blogs

Tell me something about Sikh people: No one should suffer violence and discrimination. For more than a century, Sikhs in America have, whether in Oak Creek, Bellingham, or Chicago. A proud and strong community endures. An informative illustrated essay by Josh Kramer.

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Why video failed Mr. Patel -- and what we can learn from it: "I remember how my body tensed up the first time I watched the dashcam footage of Alabama police officer Eric Parker slamming Sureshbhai Patel to the ground, leaving a man who looks like my grandfather paralyzed. I believed the video spoke for itself, that anybody could look at it and be convinced that something deeply unjust had taken place. I was wrong."

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How Asian-American Voters Went From Republican To Democratic: In the span of two decades, Asian American voters in presidential elections have gone from Republican to Democrat. How did this happen?

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Pao says Silicon Valley is changing in wake of her lawsuit (Q&A): Ellen Pao says her battle with venture capital firm Kleiner Perkins has ignited a discussion that's already changing practices at tech companies.

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Debate over words to describe Japanese American incarceration lingers: For decades, many in the Japanese American community have argued that inaccurate language has been used to describe what happened to Japanese Americans to hide the true nature of their forced removals.

Family Reunion: A Storytelling Show

Thursday, September 24 at Echoes Under Sunset



Hey, Los Angeles! It's story time! You're invited to the latest edition of Disoriented Comedy's Family Reunion Co-presented by Kollaboration, Angry Asian Man, Tuesday Night Project, Mishthi Music and KAYA Press, the monthly live storytelling show series features regular everyday folks talking story. No notes.

The theme of this month's show is "There's No Place Like Home," and will benefit Chinatown Community for Equitable Development (CCED). The evening's lineup of storytellers includes Andrew Ti, Atsuko Okatsuka, Amy Hill, Katie Wang, Dave Ong, Sophat Phea, So Yun Um, Danielle Perez and host Jenny Yang.

It's happening Thursday, September 24 at Echoes Under Sunset. Here are some more details about the show:

Sound and Fury Podcast Episode 22: Jenny Yang Returns

Hello, podcast listeners! We're back with another edition of the Sound and Fury podcast. In Episode 22, I catch up with my good friend, writer and comedian Jenny Yang -- our first return guest! We have some laughs and discuss the travails and triumphs of producing the inaugural Comedy Comedy Festival: A Comedy Festival.

Thank you to all the regular listeners of Sound and Fury. To catch up on previous episodes, check out the archive. To stay up-to-date with future episodes as soon as they drop, be sure to subscribe. You can also find Sound and Fury on services like iTunes and Stitcher, where you can rate and review the show.

So... check it. Here is my conversation with Jenny Yang:

Angry Reader of the Week: Ken Fong

"If anything, I'm a recovering hypocrite."



Hello! Folks, you know what time it is. It's time to meet the 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 Ken Fong.

New York State Assemblyman thwarts purse-snatcher

Queens assemblyman Ron Kim chased down and tackled a street robber in Flushing.



People, what has your local elected official done for you today? This one catches street robbers! In Flushing, a would-be purse-snatcher was thwarted and caught -- tackled, no less -- by a New York state assemblyman.

State assemblyman stops would-be purse snatcher in Queens

Ron Kim, a two-term State Assemblyman from Queens, was walking on the sidewalk in Flushing on Thursday when he saw a woman being robbed. A former high school and college football player, he jumped into action, chasing down the robber and tackling him -- all while on the phone with 911.

New York City production of 'The Mikado' canceled

Because yellowface made everybody really angry.



Well. In response to immense criticism and backlash from the Asian American theatre community, the New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players has announced that it is canceling its upcoming production of The Mikado.

W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan's 1885 comic opera, set in Japan, has endured mounting criticism over the years for its painfully outdated orientalism and stagings that regularly put performers in "yellowface" makeup. NYGASP's production was the latest, set to run this winter at the NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts.

That's not happening. NYGASP Executive Director David Wannen announced on Facebook that they were yanking The Mikado, and will instead run The Pirates of Penzance in its place:

Steven Yeun in new 'Walking Dead' character portraits

Season six of AMC's hit zombie drama premieres on October 11



For all you fans of The Walking Dead... AMC recently released some cool new character portraits for the upcoming sixth season of the hit cable zombie drama, including photos of Steven Yeun as Glenn. Pretty badass.

Have a look:

20th Anniversary Screening: 'Picture Bride'

With Special Guest Tamlyn Tomita, September 25 at New People Cinema



Hey, San Francisco. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the groundbreaking Picture Bride, Kayo Hatta's film about Issei women, anti-miscegenation laws, and Asian immigrants in Hawaii. You can catch two screenings, both on Friday, September 25 in Japantown's New People Cinema. As a special bonus, screenwriter Mari Hatta and actress Tamlyn Tomita, who plays Kana, will be at the second screening to discuss the film.

"Before You Ask Any Stupid Questions," Read This Sign

"I AM FROM INDIA AND A SIKH"



This very direct, let-me-stop-you-right-there sign was spotted at Silversun Liquors in Silverlake, Los Angeles. The sign's author, no doubt fed up with one too many stupid questions from customers about his turbaned, South Asian appearance, was compelled to hand-write and post this mind-your-own-damn-business message.

It reads:

Man sentenced to 13 years for hate crime attack

Gilbert Garcia Jr. beat an 82-year-old Sikh man with a steel pipe.



This week in Fresno, California, a man pleaded no contest to a hate crime and was sentenced to 13 years in prison for brutally beating an 82-year-old man outside a Sikh temple in 2013.

Fresno man sentenced to 13 years in prison for 2013 hate crime

According to police, Gilbert Garcia Jr. was riding a bicycle when he came upon Piara Singh, who wears a turban and bear in observance of his faith, walking out of the Nanksar Sikh Temple in south Fresno. Garcia beat Singh in the head and body with a steel rod.

Singh was found in a pool of blood, and was hospitalized for over a week with broken bones and ribs, lung lacerations and head injuries requiring twenty stitches.

This wasn't a robbery. Singh had never met or seen Garcia before. Police say that Garcia made racial slurs about Muslims and told Singh, "I'm going to destroy your mosque."

Greg Pak's 'Kingsway West' comic book has a soundtrack

Listen to Goh Nakamura's "Sonia," inspired by Greg Pak's tale of a Chinese gunslinger in the Old West.



Kingsway West, writer Greg Pak's upcoming Dark Horse comic book series with artist Mirko Colak, is about a Chinese gunslinger searching for his wife in an Old West overrun by magic.

As part of the book's launch, Greg has enlisted the help of a few of my favorite Asian American musicians, Goh Nakamura, Jane Lui and Adam Warrock, to create songs based on the characters and story. Greg, who says he always has an imaginary soundtrack running through his head as he writes comics, thought Kingsway West would lend itself particularly well to the soundtrack treatment.

"Music is almost completely emotional, and Westerns tend to be stories with big emotions," says Greg. "So there are grand traditions of soaring anthems, heroic themes, and deeply romantic ballads associated with movie Westerns. I love the way Goh, Adam, and Jane have tapped into those traditions but totally made them their own."

We're pleased to present the debut of "Sonia" by our old pal award-winning singer/songwriter Goh Nakamura. The song is inspired our hero, Kingsway Law, and the epic search across the west for his lost love Sonia.

Take a listen:

Five fraternity members face murder charges in hazing death

37 members of Pi Delta Psi will face a range criminal charge in the 2013 death of Michael Deng.



In Pennsylvania, five fraternity members from Baruch College in New York City will face murder charges for their involvement in the death of a freshman during a hazing ritual at a rural retreat in 2013.

5 From Baruch College Face Murder Charges in 2013 Fraternity Hazing

A grand jury recommend that five members of Pi Delta Psi face a range of charges, including third-degree murder, in the death of 19-year-old Chun Hsien "Michael" Deng. A total of 37 members would face a range of criminal charges, including assault, hindering apprehension and hazing in connection with Deng's death.

Deng suffered severe brain trauma while being forced to play a game called "glass ceiling" in an apparent pledge ritual gone wrong during a weekend fraternity retreat to the Poconos in December 2013. To make matters worse, the fraternity members didn't call 911 after Deng was knocked unconscious, and waited hours before someone drove him the hospital.

Texas teen arrested for bringing homemade clock to school

Police say the device -- in the hands of a brown Muslim kid named Mohamed, no doubt --- looked like a bomb.



Okay, this all kinds of levels of bullshit. This week in Dallas, a teenager was arrested for bringing a homemade clock to school. The kid made the clock because he is smart. He was arrested because he is brown.

Irving 9th-grader arrested after taking homemade clock to school: 'So you tried to make a bomb?'

14-year-old Ahmed Mohamed, a freshman at Irving MacArthur High, is the kind of kid who tinkers with electronics and makes his own radios and stuff. He's a nerd. Nothing wrong with that -- he's just one of those guys who would make a homemade clock and bring it to school to impress his engineering teacher.

His teacher was not so impressed. His English teacher was even less impressed. She confiscated the clock and informed the principal, who contacted the cops. Ahmed was pulled out class and interrogated by police officers. To them, the homemade clock, especially in the hands of a brown-skinned Muslim teen named "Mohamed," looked too much like a bomb.