meet miss subways

Forget Miss USA. I could care less. Here's a fascinating New York Times City Room blog post by Jennifer 8. Lee on New York's Miss Subways pageant, which ran from 1941 to 1977, and was one of the first beauty pagaents in America to become integrated: There She Is, From a Trailblazing Beauty Pageant.

Some 35 years before Vanessa Williams became the first black Miss America, the Miss Subways pageant selected Brooklyn College student Thelma Porter as its first black winner in 1948. The first Asian American Miss Subway, Helen Lee, won in 1949. (Too bad she had to be labeled "Exotic," as pictured above...)

Sure, it's just a beauty pageant. Still, you can't deny the symbolic importance for its time. The photo of Miss Subways was on thousands of subway cars each month, and activists believed that image of a black woman would send a powerful media message. Back then it was a subway car... today, it's the TV.

falsely accused of possessing child pornography

This is a crazy story out of Virginia about Ting-Yi Oei, a high school assistant principal who was accused of possessing child pornography after trying to do the right thing. He recounts the events, in his own words, about the unfounded prosecution and ensuing witch hunt that has turned his life upside down and ruined his reputation and career: My Students. My Cellphone. My Ordeal.

He was actually trying to investigate students at his school who were sending ("sexting") nude cellphone photos of themselves to other students. But a not-so-great understanding of technology got him into an awkward spot, which quickly spiraled into an all-encompassing career-smearing ordeal and serious trouble with the law.

Oei was recently exonerated, with all the charges thrown out of court, but not before his entire life and good standing in the community were dragged through the mud, by a prosecutor who should never have brought charges in the first place. And now he has to pick up the pieces. What a nightmare. More here: Ting-Yi Oei Answers In His Own Words.

chinese gangs for your pocket

I keep forgetting to write something about Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars. You know I'm not much of a gamer, but I've been aware of the game for a while now, since Nintendo announced it last summer at E3. That's "Ling" above, holding the giant frickin' sword.

The game was released last month exclusively for the Nintendo DS, and from what I hear, it's pretty much everything you'd expect -- all of the usual mayhem, violence and mature content of the Grant Theft Auto series, transplanted to the good ol' neighborhood of Chinatown: Death, Drugs and Gangs in the Palm of Your Hand.

This, of course, means lots of Asian gangsters, guns, and thugs, and characters with names like Zhou Ming, Uncle Kenny, Hsin and Chan Jaoming. In the game, following his father's murder, Huang Lee must deliver an ancient sword to his uncle to ensure his family retains control of the Triad gangs of Liberty City. But things do not go as planned.

I honestly don't much more about it than that. For those who have played it, does Chinatown Wars support and reinforce the usual Chinese gangster stereotypes? Or does it offer a more interesting, nuanced depiction (for a video game, that is) of the Chinatown gangster story?

I suspect it's probably a little bit of both... but mostly just the stereotypes. Don't get me wrong -- I love a good Chinese gangster plot. I just hope there's no inkling of Jason Statham running around doing the Crank thing in this game.

kogi on abc news

The Kogi hype continues! ABC News recently ran a segment on Los Angeles' favorite meals-on-wheels sensation, the Twitter-powered Kogi truck, serving up sizzling hot Korean barbecue taco goodness to devoted lines of followers: Cheap Eats at the Taco Truck. Damn, now I'm hungry for a kimchee quesadilla. Better check the Twitter.

no visas for vietnamese

The Los Angeles Times has a story on aging Vietnamese immigrants in the United States who have been separated from their families overseas for years, but prevented from being reunited because of strict visa rules: Visa rules widen the rift between Vietnam and U.S. families.

It's increasingly becoming as issue among Vietnamese immigrants as those who fled as refugees to the United States at the end of the Vietnam War now grow old. Many have been separated for decades from siblings, parents and children still in Vietnam. In recent years, as Vietnam's economy boomed, relatives suddenly had the financial means to travel to the U.S for reunions or final gatherings.

However, they're finding that's not so easy. It's often sad, because many of these families just want to travel to the United States to say their final goodbyes to aging and ailing relatives. But many families find themselves entangled in the long, arduous visa process. And unfortunately from some, time is running out.

treeless mountain opens today in new york

Check it out. The indie film Treeless Mountain, written and directed by So Yong Kim, opens in today at the Film Forum in New York. Inspired by events from Kim's own early childhood, the film tells the story of two little girls, Jin and Bin, who must fend for themselves when their mother decides to go look for their estranged father, and leaves them with an alcoholic aunt for the summer.

The film has already picked up a number of awards on the film festival circuit, and recently screened as the Closing Night film at the San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival. Next month, you'll be able to catch it as the Centerpiece Presentation at the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival.

I actually haven't watched it yet, but everyone I've heard from has said it's a remarkable, amazing, beautifully realized film, with some astonishing performances from the two kid actors. I can't wait to check it out. To learn more about Treeless Mountain, go to the film's website here. And here's an article on So Yong Kim and her husband, fellow filmmaker Bradley Rust Gray: Independently Intimate Directors.

roxana saberi's fiance speaks out

Yesterday, a prominent Iranian filmmaker, Bahman Ghobadi, published an open letter calling for the release of American journalist Roxana Saberi, who was convicted last week of espionage by a court Iran. Turns out, Ghobadi and Saberi are engaged to be married: Iranian Fiance of Jailed American Journalist Publishes Open Letter.

Ghobadi is an acclaimed, award-winning director whose first film, Time for Drunken Horses, won a prize at the 2000 Cannes Film Festival. His letter, written from inside Iran, was translated into English and published on website of the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran.

It's a heartfelt, desperate plea for her release. The guy has obviously been going through hell -- even blaming himself -- since he found out Saberi had been arrested, but remains optimistic that she'll eventually be freed.

Saberi has appealed the decision, and hopefully, it'll be reconsidered. Here's a BBC News interview with Roxana's parents regarding her sentence: Jailed reporter's parents speak out.

this 12-year-old is smarter than you

The Miami Herald introduces us to 12-year-old Sky Choi, the youngest student ever to attend Florida International University, currently double majoring in physics and math and taking a full course load of physics, calculus and Chinese language classes: Pembroke Pines boy, 12, tackling a double major at FIU.

Sky, who is home-schooled, also has a third-degree black belt in tae kwon do and is fluent in Korean. He's dual enrolled and is officially finishing high school at the end of this semester. When he starts classes in the fall as a full-fledged college student, he'll have as many credits as a sophomore.

What were you doing at 12 years old? I was collecting comic books and baseball cards and desperately trying not to fail math. (I did, however, represent my elementary school in the district spelling bee.) The thought of college had barely crossed my mind. Man, that is one smart kid. I hope he grows up to be normal.

paper angels, april 29 - may 2 in nyc

If you're in New York, here's a cool theater performance to check out next week... Direct Arts in conjunction with The Performance Project @ University Settlement presents a workshop production of Paper Angels by Genny Lim, Wednesday, April 29 through Saturday, May 2 -- just four performances. Here are some details:

Paper Angels by Genny Lim
The seminal play about the Chinese Exclusion Act

Exclusive Engagement
Opens April 29, 2009 for 4 nights only

DATE:
Wednesday, April 29th through Saturday, May 2nd
Special Post-Show Discussion on Friday, April 30th with Peter Kwong, author of Chinese America: The Untold Story of America's Oldest New Community.

SHOW TIMES:
Wednesday through Friday at 8:00PM, Saturday at 3:00PM

LOCATION:
Speyer Hall at University Settlement
184 Eldridge Street, bet. Rivington and Delancey

TICKETS:
$18 adult, $15 student/senior

WEBSITE:
www.directarts.org

Set in 1915, the play explores America's historic ambivalence over immigration through a group of Chinese detainees on Angel Island, the Ellis Island of the West Coast. From 1882 to 1943, the Chinese Exclusion Act prohibited the Chinese from immigrating to America. They remain the only ethnic group ever to have specifically been banned against coming to the United States.

Paper Angels was last seen on the New York City stage in 1982 at the New Federal Theatre. Over two decades later, this new production will incorporate archival footage of Angel Island, a 2-piece traditional Chinese music ensemble, Chinese Opera, and an ensemble of 12 multi-ethnic actors.

The cast includes Louis Changchien, Robert Fitzsimmons, Jojo Gonzalez, Wai Ching Ho, Kerry Huang, Ryan King, Victoria Linchong, Doan Ly and Amy Staats. On April 30th, there will be a post-show discussion Peter Kwong, author of Chinese America: The Untold Story of America's Oldest New Community.

Sounds pretty cool, right? And damn, get a load of that postcard art for the show. It's from an actual California laundry detergent ad, circa 1870. This is going to be a really cool production. To learn more about Paper Angels, go to the Direct Arts website here. And to purchase tickets, go here.

the karate kid remake will be kung fu kid

We've been talking about Will Smith's Karate Kid remake for quite some time. It was rumored for the better part of a year, then finally confirmed last fall that the movie would star Will's son Jaden Smith, with Jackie Chan as the Miyagi character.

Looks like it's not quite The Karate Kid anymore. In a recent interview, Chan said that the remake would instead be called The Kung Fu Kid... which makes sense: Jackie Chan says 'Karate Kid' remake will be 'Kung Fu Kid' instead.

Oh, man. Are you ready for this? Flashback to 1984. I'm on the playground, and some punk ass kids who just saw The Karate Kid come up to me, the Asian kid, asking if I know karate. I don't. They make me prove it. Does this scenario ring a bell for you? But today, we live in more enlightened times. Kids don't have to go through ignorant taunting on the playground anymore. Right? No?

intention, attention and action to help roxanne saberi, euna lee, and laura ling

Here's a good blog post by Gotham Chopra, talking about American freelance journalist Roxanne Saberi, who was convicted and sentenced to eight years in prison in Iran for spying, and Current journalists Euna Lee and Laura Ling -- a personal friend of his -- who are currently being held in North Korea on similar charges: You can help Roxanne Saberi, Euna Lee, and Laura Ling.

Like many of us, he's considering what more can be done by people like you and me to help ensure the safe and prompt return of these journalists to their families and homes, and desperately trying to get the word out about their situations. He outlines the process of intention, attention, and action. It's kind of new age-y, but it's a start.

boa's "I did it for love" video

Here's the video for "I Did It For Love," the second single from Korean pop star BoA, continuing her attempt to crack the U.S. market. The video's all right. Shiny black leather, some special effects, dancing in the rain. You know, standard music video stuff. This definitely isn't my favorite track off the new album, but I guess the video does what it needs to do -- make BoA look cool and give you a taste of the music. For more BoA, go here.

apply for cause's 2009 casic internship

CAUSE, the Center for Asian Americans United for Self Empowerment, is looking for qualified candidates for CASIC 2009, the California Asian American Student Internship Coalition, designed to prepare elite student leaders to be in the forefront of California's legislative arena.

This program is especially dedicated to developing leadership skills for college students who are interested in exploring a career in public office, public service or community advocacy, which includes becoming an elected or appointed official. College students with an interest in Asian Pacific American are also encouraged to apply. The deadline is May 1.

The internship lasts eight weeks, full-time, June 20 - August 14. It includes a $1,000 stipend (upon satisfactory completion of the program). It sounds like a really awesome opportunity for young people who are looking to get involved in politics. For applications guidelines and details, go to the CAUSE website here.

vote iris macadangdang for name of the year

This is kind of awesome. Julia informs me that her Filipina American friend, Iris Macadangdang, is a finalist in the running for 2009 Name of the Year. Founded in 1983, it's apparently a yearly event, sort of like a March Madness-styled showdown, in which real, actual awesome names are recognized and honored.

How have I never heard of this before? It is awesome. This year, the competition comes down to Ms. Macadangdang and a dude named Barkevious Mingo. While both are stunning, amazing names, it is clear to me who should be the winner. I am casting my ballot for Iris Macadangdang!

Vote here through April 27. And learn more about the Macadangdang Movement here. You know what would be really cool? If she wins, I think Iris Macadangdang should meet up with Texas state Rep. Betty Brown to discuss names that are "easier for Americans to deal with."

what I've been listening to: the invisible cities' houses shine like teeth

Indie rock fans, gather round. San Francisco-based band The Invisible Cities have released their second album, Houses Shine Like Teeth. I've had it on heavy rotation the last couple of days, and it's making me happy.

I've been a fan of these folks for quite some time -- they were awarded "Best Indie Pop Band" in the 2005 San Francisco Bay Guardian's Reader Poll -- and this new album doesn't disappoint, with their signature dreamy, infectious Bay Area indie pop/rock sound. You should hear it too.

You've got a couple of options to get your hands on the new album. It comes in two formats: the physical CD, and the downloadable mp3 version.

Of course, they'd prefer it if you bought the CD, with its superior sound and lovely packaging. Buy it here. When you buy the CD, you'll also get the mp3s for immediate download so you can listen to the album while waiting for the mail to show up.

You can also just download the mp3s. To celebrate the release of the record, The Invisible Cities are offering the digital version for free to the first 500 downloaders. To download the album, go here. You'll need the special code: PARADE.

But that's not all! Whichever format you choose, The Invisible Cities are also giving you a super-rad, specially-curated mp3 mixtape, featuring the music of their friendly fellow musicians like Alex Caton, The Rhombus, The Matinees, Goh Nakamura, School for the Dead, Pancho-san, Nuclear Waste Management Club, Sonny & the Sunsets, Love is Chemicals, Terese Taylor, The Nightland, and Scrabbel.

The Invisible Cities are an unsigned, totally indie, completely do-it-yourself rock band, so they're counting on friends and fans to help get the word out. to learn more about the band, go to their website, MySpace, Facebook, and Twitter. To get your hands on Houses Shine Like Teeth, go here.

comedian joe wong on the late show

If you watched The Late Show with David Letterman last Friday, you might have caught the network television debut of standup comedian Joe Wong, doing the very awkward Asian man thing. Watch a video of his performance here.

Can't say I was a huge fan of his set, but his story is actually pretty interesting. Turns out, his appearance on the Late Show was four years in the making: Tonight on Letterman: A four-year overnight sensation. You at least have to respect his perseverance.

please excuse my racy facebook photos

Caught with your pants down! Literally. Some news out of Canada... In Vancouver, a New Democratic Party candidate, Ray Lam, has stepped down due to controversy over racy photos posted on his Facebook account. The mistakes of his youth have come back to haunt him. Oops: Vancouver NDP candidate steps down over racy photos.

In one photo, a smiling man tagged as Mr. Lam hugs a woman in a low-cut dress, his hand on her breast. In another, Lam is with friends, his pants pulled down to display his underwear. The photos have since been taken down, but they were posted long enough to get around. This is the internet, after all.

I guess it never occurred to Mr. Lam that his wild and crazy antics somehow might just end up uploaded on the world wide web. Or maybe he never figured he'd be running for public office. Or maybe he stupidly thought no one would ever bother to take a look at his Facebook account. Not very smart, bro.

sex with every u.s. president

What would it be like to go back in time and have sex with every single U.S. president? You don't even want to know. But we now have a strange idea of what it might look like, thanks to this odd art project by Justine Lai: An Alternate Sexual History of the United States.

In a series of paintings called "Join or Die," Lai depicts herself having sex -- in graphic detail -- with every single U.S. president, in chronological order. We're talking Lincoln. Buchanan. Taft. Nixon. She's doing all of them. I am equally fascinated and totally grossed out by these paintings. See it all, at your own risk, here (nsfw).

epik high/far east movement "map the soul" tour

Check it out... Our boys in the Far East Movement have been invited by Korean hip hop group Epik High to perform as special guests on their first ever U.S. tour, Map The Soul. They'll be hitting four cities:

Date: Friday May 15, 2009
Location: SAN FRANCISCO.. Venue TBA
*ALL AGES*

Date: Saturday May 16, 2009
Location: House of Blues Sunset Strip
8430 W Sunset Blvd. West Hollywood, CA 90069
Doors Open at: 8:00pm
*All Ages*

Date: Friday, May 22, 2009 7:00 PM EDT (6:00 PM Doors)
Location: Hiro Ballroom
363 West 16th Street
New York, NY 10001
*21 and Over*

Date: Saturday, May 23rd at 7:00pm
Location: At King Cat Theater
2130 6th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98121
*All Ages*

Looks like details for the San Francisco date are still coming together. To get the update, as well as more information about the Epic High x Far East Movement tour, go here. I only recently started becoming acquainted with the music of Epik High, and I'm digging it. This should be a pretty cool tour.

Meanwhile, FM's single "Girls On the Dance" continues to kill it on the radio. On Power 106 FM in Los Angeles, they're sitting pretty at number 3 on the Power 7@7 countdown. And why not? The single is incredible. You can keep voting daily for FM here and help get them to number one.

thao with the get down stay down's spring tour

The Washington Post has a cool story on musician Thao Nguyen and the Get Down Stay Down, who embarking on a spring tour: She's a 'Brave' Girl. You all know I dig her sound -- especially her soulful, unmistakably kickass voice. Her sophomore album, We Brave Bee Stings and All, was released last year. To hear some more of her music, visit Thao Nguyen's MySpace page here.