"I literally knew I was gay before I knew I was Asian."

Comedian Joel Kim Booster performs standup on 'Conan.'



New York writer and standup comedian Joel Kim Booster performed on Conan the other night and kicked ass. He talked about, among other things, the challenges of growing up as a Korean American adoptee in the Midwest, which Joel explains is "just as racist as the South; it just has none of the personality."

Check it out:

Congressional candidate wants to 'Make America White Again'

Rick Tyler is running for Tennessee's 3rd Congressional District.



At least you know where he's coming from. In Tennessee, a congressional candidate has put his own spin on Donald Trump's inane campaign slogan with a billboard that calls to "Make America White Again."

'Make America White Again': A politician's billboard ignites uproar

Rick Tyler, an independent candidate in the race for Tennessee's 3rd congressional district, put up the billboard off Highway 411 in Polk County, prompting a wave a criticism. It has since been taken down.

Tyler claims he has no hatred in his heart for "people of color," and believes that American should go back to a "1960s, Ozzie and Harriet, Leave it to Beaver time when there were no break-ins; no violent crime; no mass immigration." So he's citing fictional TV programs while yearning for an era that never actually existed.

In a Facebook post, Tyler elaborates, explaining that "It was an America where doors were left unlocked, violent crime was a mere fraction of today's rate of occurrence, there were no car jackings, home invasions, Islamic Mosques or radical Jihadist sleeper cells." He actually calls it "Norman Rockwell America."

Meet the Asian characters in 'Star Wars: Rogue One'

New character details from the Star Wars saga's latest film.



Yes, there are Asians in a galaxy far, far away. Excited about Star Wars: Rogue One? EW's new cover story reveals some new details about the Star Wars saga's latest film, which takes place before the events of A New Hope and tells the story of resistance fighters who unite to steal plans to the dreaded Death Star.

EW has the official lowdown on Rogue One's new characters, including previously unreleased details about Chirrut Imwe, Baze Malbus and Bodhi Rook, played by Donnie Yen, Jiang Wen and Riz Ahmed, respectively.

Just an "Asian Girl" getting a drink

Ah, the racial receipt. It drops into our lives when we least expect it.



Ah, the racial receipt. It drops into our lives when we least expect it. A reader named Grace recently encountered one during a recent visit to a bar in New York City. Upon receiving her check at Faces & Names Lounge & Bar in midtown, she noticed that she had been identified simply as "Asian Girl."

Grace tweeted that when she called out her waitress about the receipt, she responded, "I can't be racist. I dated an Asian guy." (As a general rule of life, let it be known that "I can't be racist, I dated a _______ girl/guy" is not an appropriate or compelling response in any situation.)

Fund This: 'The Two Kids That Blow Shit Up'

Help Artists at Play present the world premiere of Carla Ching's play.



This year, the Los Angeles-based Asian American theatre collective Artists at Play will present its sixth mainstage show, the world premiere production of Carla Ching's The Two Kids That Blow Shit Up, directed by Jeremy Lelliott. I mean, come on, the title alone has got you intrigued, right?

The play follows Diana and Max who meet at 10 years old -- "the day their parents start fucking." Over the next 18 years, their parents break up, get back together, marry and divorce. And they see each other through it all, trying not to make the same mistakes their parents did. It's a play about "trying not to fall in love with your best friend so you end up hating them."

The Two Kids That Blow Shit Up will have a 4-week run at Hollywood's Lounge Theater in August/September 2016. Artists at Play is currently trying to raise funds for the production through Indiegogo.

Here's a video with some more details:

Forrest Wheeler stars in the action short 'Power Play'

Vote for Rock Chang's film in the My Rode Reel filmmaking competition.



Forrest Wheeler, who plays Emery Huang on Fresh Off The Boat, stars in this fun three-minute action short Power Play, in which a pair of fierce combatants face off in a deadly battle... sort of. Directed, produced and edited by Rock Chang, the film is currently a contender in the My Rode Reel 2016 filmmaking competition.

Check it out:

That Time Kumail Nanjiani Crapped His Pants

The 'Silicon Valley' star comes clean on 'Conan.'



Comedian and Silicon Valley star Kumail Nanjiani was back as a guest on Conan on Monday, sharing stories about doodoo and Beyonce. He was recounting a childhood memory of a kid who pooped in his pants at a birthday party, which is always fun, but was then suddenly inspired to come clean with his own recent story about crapping his pants... like, two years ago, as an adult.

Misguided Protesters Target NYC's Chinatown Over Dog Meat Festival in China

Cross-posted from Reappropriate.


Animal rights protesters gather in NYC's Chinatown to protest the Yulin Lychee and Dog Meat Festival, which opened today in Southern China. (Photo Credit: NY Daily News / Susan Watts)
Since 2009, one festival in China has caused a stir in the animal rights community. The festival -- the Yulin Lychee and Dog Meat Festival -- was inaugurated that year, and immediately resurrected controversy over the ethics of consuming dog meat. Pictures of dogs crammed into tiny wire cages have shocked netizens for the last several years, along with reports that as many as 10,000 dogs are slaughtered annually at the festival.

The festival -- which is not sanctioned by the local government -- is intended to celebrate a centuries-old tradition in parts of China where dog meat is considered a delicacy. Government officials insist that the festival is attended by a small minority of local residents. This doesn't stop outraged animal rights activists, however, from protesting the festival as outrageous and unethical.

New York lawmakers ask Obama for official U.S. apology for Chinese Exclusion Act

"To Chinese Americans, their descendants, and all whose lives were affected by the Chinese Exclusion Act."


A soap advertisement from the 1880s, sub-titled 'The Chinese Must Go'
In New York, a group of state lawmakers have sent a letter to President Barack Obama asking him to issue a government apology for the passage and enforcement of the Chinese Exclusion Act, which specifically targeted and barred Chinese immigrants from entering or becoming citizens of the United States.

Signed into federal law by President Chester A. Arthur in 1882, and fueled by widespread anti-Chinese sentiment, the Chinese Exclusion Act was one of the most significant restrictions on free immigration in U.S. history, prohibiting all immigration of Chinese laborers. It was the first law implemented to prevent a specific ethnic group from immigrating to the United States, and lasted for over sixty years.

The letter, written by state Assemblyman Ron Kim and signed by twenty other state legislators, calls for the President to issue an official apology on behalf of the United States Government "to Chinese Americans, their descendants, and all whose lives were affected by the Chinese Exclusion Act."

These Action Figures Recreate The Walking Dead Comic Book's Most Terrible Moment

Negan & Glenn 2-Pack Action Figure Set will be available at 2016 San Diego Comic Con.



Even as an action figure enthusiast and a fan of The Walking Dead, here are a pair of a figures that I'm not so sure I want to add to my collection. If you're heading to this year's San Diego Comic Con, you might be able to get your hands on this Negan & Glenn 2-Pack Action Figure Set, straight out of The Walking Dead issue number 100 -- and possibly the most infamous, most shocking moment from The Walking Dead comic book.

If you've read the issue, you know what I'm talking about. SPOILERS AHEAD...

Three arrested in racist assault on sushi restaurant owners

"Go back to your own country!"



Three drunken racists walk into a bar... Last week in Boston, two men and a woman were arrested on assault charges after beating up the Asian owners of a sushi restaurant while shouting racial slurs at them.

Cops: Quincy trio assaulted Asian restaurant owners while shouting racial slurs

40-year-old James Mulhern, 54-year-old Colleen McDonough and 50--year-old Timothy O'Sullivan were arrested after police responded to calls about a large fight outside Royal Hotspot Sushi & Bar in Quincy.

According to police, the three walked into the restaurant drunk and repeatedly asked what the special was. When they were told there was no special, they became irate, yelled racial slurs -- because they apparently needed an excuse to yell racial slurs -- and stormed out, slamming the door and damaging the restaurant wall.

One of the owners followed them out and told them she was calling the police, when McDonough punched her and swung a pocketbook, striking the owner in the face and yelling, "Go back to your own country!"

Read These Blogs

Where the fierce Asians at? From Margaret Cho to Constance Wu to Ken Jeong to Jon M. Chu, eight breakthrough Asian Americans talk candidly to Mashable about their experiences in Hollywood.

* * *
Why Constance Zimmer, Steve Zissis Have Better Emmy Oddzzz This Year: How good are Constance Wu's chances of getting an Emmy nomination this year? Believe it or not, the alphabetical order of names listed on the Emmy ballot might make a difference.

* * *
Mourning on Ramadan: Breaking My Fast With Queer Muslims After the Orlando Shooting: Tanzila Ahmed on holding sacred safe spaces in the wake of the Orlando shooting just last week. "How do you invite Muslims into your non-Muslim spaces? How do you center the narratives of the LGBTQIA community while holding their lives and secrets precious?"

* * *
George Takei: How the LGBT Community Can Lead America to a Sane Gun Policy: The longtime actor and activist writes about how, in the wake of the Orlando gay club massacre that left 49 people dead, the LGBT community can lead the charge on gun reform.

* * *
Before Megyn Kelly, Connie Chung Was the Female Anchor Trump Hated Most: Twenty-five years later, it seems that not much has changed... except that this guy is now running for President of the United States.

This Week's Angriest Posts

Not necessarily the angriest, just the most viewed.



1. Fox Sports reporter fired over racist remarks
Fox Sports Florida sideline reporter Emily Austen made jokes about Mexican, Jewish and Chinese people.

2. She thought the robber's gun was fake. It wasn't.
Fearless Virginia restaurant owner fights off armed robber with her bare hands.

3. John Cho meets the guy who started #StarringJohnCho
"Turns out it was not my mom." Meet William Yu.

4. Oklahoma bed-and-breakfast accused of human trafficking
Owners of the Whispering Pines Inn allegedly held a Cambodian woman as an indentured servant.

5. Angry Reader of the Week: Kathy Khang
"I went from being the meanest mommy in the whole wide world to the family ATM and short-order cook."

6. Mitski's new music video has a terrifying twist
"Happy," directed Maegan Houang, is anything but.

7. Hasan Minhaj rips Congress to shreds over gun control
"Is this what you want your legacy to be?"

8. Want to see some 'Pretty Dudes'?
Comedy webseries explores masculinity, race, colorism, sexuality, friendships and the rules of attraction.

9. A Nightmarish Neon Apocalyptic Japanese Fever Dream... Starring Donald Trump
Mike Diva's "Japanese Donald Trump Commercial" feels like a warning from the future.

10. An Open Letter about Orlando from Asian American Parents Who Love Our LGBTQ Kids
Cross-Posted from NQAPIA

Stay Angry, my friends.


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Family Reunion: A Storytelling Show

Geek Edition: Save Me, Thursday, June 23 at Lyric Hyperion Theatre & Cafe



What's up, Los Angeles? It's story time! Disoriented Comedy invites you to the latest edition of Family Reunion, a monthly live storytelling show co-presented by Angry Asian Man, Tuesday Night Project, Mishthi Music and KAYA Press, featuring regular everyday folks talking story. No notes.

This month's theme is "Save Me" -- it's a special Geek Edition of Family Reunion, guest co-curated by writer Sarah Kuhn in celebration of her upcoming Asian American superhero book series Heroine Complex. This evening's lineup of featured storytellers includes Marc Bernardin, Julia Cho, Javier Grillo-Marxuach, Sarah Kuhn, Dr. Andrea Letamendi, Jenelle Riley, Trinity Shi, Atsuko Okatsuka and host Jenny Yang.

It's happening Thursday, June 23 at Lyric Hyperion Theatre & Cafe. Here are some more details:

CAAM seeks Festival, Media Fund and Memories to Light Interns

Intern with the Center for Asian American Media this summer.



The Center for Asian American Media in San Francisco is seeking skilled, enthusiastic individuals who are interested in interning with their Festival, Media Fund and Memories to Light teams in Summer/Fall 2016.

These are part-time and unpaid positions that provide hands-on training and professional development for individuals seeking to develop a career in programming, marketing, fundraising, event planning, media arts and the non-profit sector. Interns also have the opportunity to meet and network with film and media makers, industry professionals and community organizations.

Here are some more details about the internships:

Angry Reader of the Week: Kathy Khang

"I went from being the meanest mommy in the whole wide world to the family ATM and short-order cook."



Hello! Internet friends, it is time again 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 Kathy Khang.

Phillipa Soo to star in 'Amelie, A New Musical' on Broadway

Breakout Broadway star to leave 'Hamilton' on July 9.



Breakout Broadway star Phillipa Soo, who is leaving her Tony-nominated role as Eliza Schuyler in the blockbuster musical Hamilton next month, will star in the stage musical adaptation of Amelie.

Phillipa Soo to Leave 'Hamilton'; Eliza Will Become Amélie

Soo will play the title role. Based on the hit French romantic comedy, Amélie, A New Musical tells the story of Amelie Poulain, an inquisitive and charmingly shy young woman who turns the streets of Montmartre into a world of her own imagining, while secretly orchestrating moments of joy for those around her.

Hasan Minhaj rips Congress to shreds over gun control

"Is this what you want your legacy to be?"



While Democrats were in the middle of a marathon filibuster on the Senate floor over gun control legislation on Wednesday, comedian Hasan Minhaj was unleashing his own impassioned call to action before a room full of congress people and pundits at the Radio and Television Correspondents Association Dinner.

After delivering the usual barrage of jokes about the likes of Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton and Fox News, the The Daily Show correspondent devoted the last few minutes of his speech to address Sunday's shooting massacre that killed 49 people at a popular gay nightclub in Orlando, ferociously calling out the complicity and inaction of the "do-nothing Congress" -- and all of us, really -- that led to this horrific moment.

Watch as Hasan Minhaj destroys the room with truth and hilarity -- and damn, looks good while doing it:

Explaining Net Neutrality is Easier on a Giant Roller Coaster

Professor Tim Wu explains net neutrality to Stephen Colbert while riding Six Flags' Nitro.



I know everybody's been following the issue of net neutrality pretty closely. But for those who need an update: this week, a U.S. court upheld the so-called Open Internet rules that require Internet providers to treat all content equally in terms of speed. The ruling means that phone and cable companies can't block or slow down users' access to content just because they use a lot of bandwidth, and they can't charge more people or companies that can pay more. The decision is considered a major victory consumers.

But you know, the issue of net neutrality, while important, can be a little boring. Stephen Colbert recognizes this. So he recently invited Columbia University Law professor Tim Wu, who coined the term "net neutrality," to appear on The Late Show and offer his expert take on the net neutrality conversation.

While riding on a roller coaster.

Because any topic explained while riding on a roller coaster is automatically way more thrilling. Watch as Professor Wu breathlessly explains the concept of net neutrality to Stephen Colbert while the two are strapped into the front seat of the Nitro roller coaster -- sorry, "Hypercoaster" -- at Six Flags Great Adventure.

Dear Cable News Networks: AAPIs Are Tired of Your Bullshit.

An open letter regarding the persistent underrepresntation of AAPIs on MSNBC, CNN and FOX News.



A coalition of prominent Asian American and Pacific Islander civic and civil rights organizations has united to deliver an open letter to MSNBC, CNN and Fox News -- the country's three largest providers of cable news -- demanding that the networks address the persistent underrepresentation of the AAPI community in their programming.

The coalition's letter, organized by the National Council of Asian Pacific Americans and Reappropriate, responds to recent incidents that involve news hosts and guests who made disparaging remarks about the AAPI community on air. The letter highlights research by Media Matters that shows that Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders make up less than 3% of invited nightly news or Sunday morning political talk show guests, even though AAPIs are nearly 7% of the United States population.

"Networks need to ensure that Asian American and Pacific Islander voices and perspectives are heard and that issues of importance to our communities are discussed," said NCAPA National Director Christopher Kang. "If we are invisible in the media, racial slurs and inaccurate portrayals of AAPIs will persist, but when Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are better represented -- in particular, in the news--it allows for a more diverse understanding across all communities. All Americans -- including AAPIs -- deserve more accurate representation in our media."