I Agree + MSNBC + Al Sharpton

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Sharpton on Newt Gingrich's racist code phrases:

“He’s going after a southern mentality, and racial allusions, always wrapped around when he refers to the president, when he talks about this food stamp stuff,” MSNBC anchor Rev. Al Sharpton observed. “These are — Newt Gingrich is many things, stupid is not one of them. He knows exactly what he’s saying, he knows exactly who he’s playing to, when you look at that map, when you deal with the northern border of Florida, which is southern Alabama, he knows what card he’s playing.”

You Want To See This: White Frog + Quentin Lee + SFIAAFF

Tuesday, January 31, 2012



If there's one film I hope to get to see in 2012 -- this is it.

Because You Definitely Want To Know More

White Frog will have its World Premiere as the Opening Film of the San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival (http://caamedia.org/festival/) on Thursday March 8th, 2012 at 7PM. The film will play at the historic Castro theater (http://www.castrotheatre.com/history.html).

An emotional teen drama with comedy and heart, White Frog stars Booboo Stewart (The Twilight Saga) as high-school freshman Nick, a young boy with Asperger's syndrome who is often neglected and misunderstood by his seemingly perfect family. When tragedy suddenly strikes, Nick is forced out of his comfort zone, and into finding the strength he needs to survive. This powerful drama by the director of The People I've Slept With and Shopping for Fangs, boasts some of the most influential and recognizable Asian American talent today, including B.D. Wong (Law and Order), Harry Shum Jr. (Glee), and Joan Chen (this year's Festival Spotlight Honoree). The stellar cast also includes Gregg Sulkin (Wizard of Waverly Place), Tyler Posey (Teen Wolf) Justin Martin (The Soloist), Manish Dayal (Beverly Hills 90210) and Kelly Hu (Hawaii Five O, X-Men2).

The screening will be followed by the Opening Night Gala Reception at 9:30pm and promises to be a star-studded affair at the Asian Art Museum and attended by many of White Frog's cast and crew. The Gala will feature delicious food and drink from some of the Bay Area's best restaurants, including Bushi-Tei, Chotto, Dosa, Serpentine, and Yoshi's.

Early Bird Presale tickets for White Frog Opening Night & Gala go on sale today at 10AM PST on through February 9th via http://caamedia.org, the day of our official press conference. General Public: $55 ($60 after February 9), CAAM Members: $45 ($50 after February 9).

"As the director I'm thrilled to open the 30th San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival with the world premiere of White Frog. I can't imagine a better place and audience in the world to launch the film as the festival has supported all my films since I was a film student at UCLA," said Director Quentin Lee. "My producer Chris Lee (former president of Tristar Pictures) has come full circle as he first started in the industry as the assistant director of Wayne Wang on Dim Sum and worked with Joan Chen on his very first project and decades later Chris was back working with me and Joan on another independent film."

It's The Korean American Democratic Committee's 2012 Voter Registration Kickoff

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Because you wanted to know.

Really.

When:Saturday, January 28th, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Where: City Center 3500 W. 6th Street
Contact: Ann Lee (annslee71@gmail.com)
*For RSVPs and questions

Trailer: Wong Fu, Randall Park + "Home Is Where The Hans Are"

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Retro Brian McKnight

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Wednesday Night Live Al Green

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

The Gap's Bait-And-Switch: Now You See The Asian Face, Now You Don't

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Bait.



Switch.



Sure there's a cute little girl on one of the main section pages,



But where the hell did the original women in the Ad go?

Suck me in with an Asian face and then kill their pixels at a molecular level so they can't be found anymore.

Meet Mansimran+Restore Fairness

Wednesday, January 25, 2012



Wanted to post this up from the site restorefairness.org.

Get In Early: The 8th Annual Asian Heritage Street Celebration

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Seems they are looking for volunteers, sponsors and others of that ilk.

Go now or forever be forgotten.

Music For Good: LEO37+Fire Dance+Livestrong

Tuesday, January 24, 2012



Music for a good cause - what more do you want?

From January 16th - January 31st, 2012, LEO37 will be donating all sales from his newest single ‘FIRE DANCE’ to LIVESTRONG. Head over to his Bandcamp page, and pick it up.

For more information on LIVESTRONG visit their website @ LIVESTRONG.org

Lorna Schofield: You Could Be A First

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

I always like firsts. And when I'm feeling a little under the weather, I also like to simply print from the press release (because I'm lazy).

WASHINGTON - Today, the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) and the Asian American Justice Center (AAJC) welcomed the news that Senator Charles Schumer of New York has sent the name of Lorna Schofield to the White House to serve as a federal district court judge for the Southern District of New York.

"Lorna Schofield is exceptionally well-qualified to serve as a federal district court judge," said Tina Matsuoka, executive director of NAPABA. "If nominated by President Obama and confirmed by the Senate, Ms. Schofield would be the first Filipino American in the history of the United States to serve as a federal judge. NAPABA applauds Senator Schumer for putting forward her name and once again confirming his strong commitment to advocating for the greater representation of well-qualified, diverse nominees to the federal judiciary."

Asian Pacific Americans are significantly underrepresented in the federal judiciary. In the New York City area, approximately ten percent of the population is Asian Pacific American yet of the over 90 active and senior Article III judges currently serving the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York, none is Asian Pacific American in the Southern District and only one is Asian Pacific American in the Eastern District.

"We commend Senator Schumer for recognizing both Ms. Schofield’s qualifications and the importance of diversity to the judiciary," said Karen K. Narasaki, president and executive director of AAJC. "Ms. Schofield has the experience to be an excellent district judge in the Southern District of New York, and we hope that she has the opportunity to do so."

For almost 20 years, Ms. Schofield has been a litigation partner at the firm of Debevoise & Plimpton LLP, where she has focused on white collar criminal defense and general civil litigation. She became the firm’s first minority partner in 1991 and since January 2012 has served as Of Counsel. Prior to joining Debevoise, she was an Assistant United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York (Criminal Division) for four years. In 2008, Ms. Schofield was named one of the nation’s 50 most influential minority lawyers by the National Law Journal. She was the first Asian Pacific American to chair the Litigation Section of the ABA, which is the ABA’s largest section with over 60,000 members, and has also served as a member of the ABA’s Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary.

Ms. Schofield is a second-generation Filipino American whose life story is a testament to the American story of hard work and perseverance that beats the odds. She was the only child of a Filipina mother who came to the United States during the post-World War II reconstruction of the Philippines. Mother and daughter remained in the Midwest after Ms. Schofield’s father left the family when she was only three years old. She grew up in a blue collar community and received a full tuition scholarship to attend Indiana University, where she graduated Phi Beta Kappa and magna cum laude in three years. She went on to attend New York University Law School, where she was an editor of the Law Review and a Pomeroy Scholar.

NAPABA and AAJC applaud Senator Schumer for putting forward Ms. Schofield’s name to serve as a federal district court judge in the Southern District of New York.


I'll be crossing my fingers (and toes).

Jason Chen + Megan Nicole Go "It Girl"

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Mee Moua Leads The AAJC

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Nice.

WASHINGTON - The Board of Directors of the Asian American Justice Center (AAJC), a member of the Asian American Center for Advancing Justice (Advancing Justice), has named Mee Moua as president and executive director of one of the nation's premier civil rights organizations. On March 19, Moua will succeed Karen K. Narasaki, who announced in June she is stepping down after 20 years of service.

"The board of directors selected Mee Moua following a national search," said Paul W. Lee, chair of AAJC's board of directors. "We are very excited to have Mee join with the board and staff to build on the excellent work of AAJC and continue to lead our efforts to advance equality and justice for the Asian American community."

AAJC is a nonpartisan, nonprofit national organization whose mission is to advance the human and civil rights of Asian Americans, and build and promote a fair and equitable society for all. It is respected for its effectiveness in national advocacy and public education through the use of policy development, community education and litigation. AAJC is recognized for its expertise on affirmative action, broadband and media diversity, census, voting rights, immigration, immigrant integration and immigrant rights. AAJC has a network of 125 community-based organizations in 29 states and the District of Columbia.

As president and executive director, Moua will lead AAJC's efforts to promote civic engagement, forge strong and safe communities and create an inclusive society. She will work with the AAJC board and staff, as well as the other Advancing Justice affiliate members-Asian American Institute in Chicago, Asian Law Caucus in San Francisco and Asian Pacific American Legal Center in Los Angeles-to empower Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, Native Hawaiians and other underserved communities. The Asian American population is the fastest growing minority community and now comprises 6 percent of the total population.

"I am inspired by AAJC's accomplishments of the last 20 years," said Moua. "I am excited, yet truly humbled and honored to have this opportunity to work with the board, staff and all our partners to advance human and civil rights for our growing and diverse communities."

Moua comes to AAJC after serving as the vice president for strategic impact initiatives at the Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum (APIAHF), where she was the executive administrator of the Washington, D.C. office and managed the communications, government relations, policy analysis and research functions of the organization.

Before joining APIAHF, Moua served three terms in the Minnesota Senate, where she chaired the Judiciary Committee, and had oversight responsibility for all state agencies in matters related to criminal, civil and administrative law and procedures. As a policymaker, Moua enacted laws to expand greater protection for Minnesota's children and youth, vulnerable adults and crime victims. She tackled challenging issues such as collateral sanctions, second chance and the disproportionate impact of the criminal justice system, privacy protection, and championed stricter enforcement of the state's sex and labor trafficking laws. She was the first Hmong American woman to be elected to a state legislature.

"Mee already has an impressive record as a strong civil rights advocate," said Narasaki. "Her tremendous experience, insight, passion and outstanding reputation make her a wonderful choice to lead an organization that has become so important to ensuring the voices of the nation's growing Asian American and Pacific Islander communities are heard."

"We have had the pleasure to work closely with AAJC over the years and have always respected its great work and leadership," said Kathy Lim Ko, president and CEO of APIAHF. "While we are sad to see Mee go, we congratulate her on this wonderful opportunity and look forward to our continued partnership with her and AAJC on civil and human rights issues."

Born in war-torn Laos, Moua and her family fled to a refugee camp in Thailand when she was five years old and moved to the United States when she was nine. Moua graduated with a bachelor's degree in public policy from Brown University, a master's degree in public affairs from the University of Texas-Austin and a juris doctorate from the University of Minnesota Law School.

Uploaded: The Asian American Movement

Tuesday, January 24, 2012



If you haven't already seen this trailer for the documentary "Uploaded: The Asian American Movement" definitely check it out (the team has already been asked to be on the Anderson Cooper Show) and if you're so inclined - and inspired after watching it - get on down and help them out so they can finish post-production on IndieGoGo.

Because You Want To Know More

A documentary that explores the increased visibility of Asian Americans in popular culture since the advent of new media such as YouTube.

It aims to uncover the extent to which Asian Americans have utilized the Internet and Youtube to infiltrate American popular culture and where this momentum will lead. It will focus on the current struggles and successes of important Asian Americans in entertainment, from both new media creators to long time industry professionals.

Directed by: Kane Diep
Executive Producers: Farah Moriah & Julie Zhan
Lead Editor: Rommel Andaya
Assistant Editor: Mark Anthony Gadia
Starring: AJ Rafael, Clara Chung, David Choi, Jennifer Chung, Feats in Inches, Ross Ching, Paul J Kim, George Shaw and more
http://uploadedtaam.com/
http://www.uploadedtaam.tumblr.com
http://twitter.com/uploadedtaam

MAMA: Motherhood Around the Globe!

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

From the PR to my e-mail and now on to you.

The International Museum of Women is thrilled to announce the launch of our new, flagship exhibition MAMA: Motherhood Around the Globe!

MAMA explores the realities and ideas of a new global generation of mothers through art, stories, and powerful new voices. The exhibition aims to turn inspiration into action, helping fuel a worldwide movement for mothers’ human rights and advances in maternal health. Check it out today! In MAMA, you’ll find:

Our debut Topic Gallery, Mama to Be?, which is rich with art, stories, essays, and ideas about how women around the world are addressing the issue of if, how, and when to become a mother. New Topic Galleries will launch monthly—stay tuned!

An opportunity to Take the Maternal Health Pledge to improve maternal mortality rates globally, an initiative between IMOW and the maternal health organization Every Mother Counts.

Our online Community Choice Award contest! Out of nearly 600 submissions, we have six finalists; Vote for your favorite piece and help us choose a winner!

Help us broadcast this dynamic new exhibition as far and wide as possible! Please share it on facebook, comment on your favorite stories, and help us spread the word!

Viennie V, For You, ARC Records, And Clear Channel

Tuesday, January 24, 2012



I got sent in some information by ARC Records that pop singer Viennie V is going to be played on North Dakota's KKXL this Thursday (Jan. 26) and since KKXL is owned by Clear Channel, if the single is successful on the #1 station in that market, it stands a good chance of being played in bigger markets.

And while you may not be all about the pop - you at least have to admit that it's nice seeing that she chooses the Asian guy in the end.

Here's a little more from ARC Records:

We are asking for support from the Asian American community. You only need to go to www.xl93.com and click a rating of "5 stars" on the XL93 live stream box when "For You" plays (at the top center of site). We suggest tuning in a little before 6pm PST/8pm CST so that you don't miss it!

American Idol: Ashley Robles

Tuesday, January 24, 2012



In case you missed it.

Happy Lunar New Year

Monday, January 23, 2012

I think that's it.

From The Mouth Of White People...

Saturday, January 21, 2012

"I've never had a reason for trying Kimchi."

Yes. Because you need a specific reason to go to the store and get you some kimchi.

And you're so White that apparently you don't have any friends that eat said kimchi...

See It Local: Norwegian Wood

Wednesday, January 18, 2012



Opens January 27th at St. Anthony Main Theatre.

Keiko Agena + What FUR?! Puppet Improv at Bang Theater

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Saturday, January 28, 2012
8:00pm until 11:00pm
457 N Fairfax Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90036


Puppets.

Improv.

Keiko Agena.

What more could you want?

Writers Gallery Reading Of RANGOON by Mayank Keshaviah

Monday, January 16, 2012

Thursday, January 26, 2012 - 7:30pm until 9:30pm
Tateuchi Democracy Forum of the National Center for the Preservation of Democracy
111 North Central Avenue, Los Angeles, CA

East West Players & Japanese American National Museum present the Writers Gallery reading of RANGOON by Mayank Keshaviah

This new work revisits Arthur Miller’s take on the American Dream from an Indian point of view, updating it for the new millennium and its unique challenges. On a more personal level, the play gives us insight into a Gujarati family whose patriarch, Dhiraj, manages a 7-Eleven and is desperately trying to succeed in America to offset both personal and familial shortcomings from his past.

When: THURSDAY, January 26, 2012 - 7:30pm
Where: Tateuchi Democracy Forum of the National Center for the Preservation of Democracy
111 North Central Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90012
www.eastwestplayers.org
www.janm.org

For more information or questions, please call (213) 625-7000.

Admission is FREE.

MAYANK KESHAVIAH is a playwright and screenwriter. In 2007, his play THOSE WHO CAN’T received a workshop production in the USC School of Theatre’s Blueprints festival. In April 2011, ANGELS FIGHT premiered as part of L.A. Views IV, the annual short-play festival produced by Company of Angels, and in November 2011, his play RECYCLING was produced as part of Single Servings, Cornerstone Theatre’s One-Minute Play Festival. He holds a B.A. in Economics from Dartmouth College, an M.A. in Teaching ESOL from American University, and an M.F.A. in Dramatic Writing from the University of Southern California.

RANGOON will receive its World Premiere at Pan Asian Repertory Theatre in New York City, May 25-June 17, 2012.

Wing Young Huie And Getting In The (k)now: A Blog Launch Party Featuring Douglas Hartmann, Ph.D.

Monday, January 16, 2012

Blog love.

To celebrate the launch of Wing Young Huie’s blog (k)now, Wing will be dialoging with sociologist Douglas Hartmann, Ph.D. about their respective online projects and a new collaboration where Wing and Doug will react to each other’s past and current projects, exploring the nexus of photography and sociology. This partnership grows out of a profile of Wing’s landmark images that Doug published for the final Minnesota issue of Contexts called “Up Close and Communal.” Wine, beer and light refreshments will be served.

Douglas Hartmann, Ph.D. is Professor of Sociology at the University of Minnesota. He is the author of Race, Culture, and the Revolt of the Black Athlete: The 1968 Olympic Protests and Their Aftermath and co-author of Ethnicity and Race: Making Identities in a Changing World. Hartmann just completed a term as Editor (with Christopher Uggen) of Contexts, the award-winning American Sociological Association magazine that brings sociology to broader public attention, and is currently finishing a book called Midnight Basketball: Race, Risk, and the Ironies of Sport-Based Crime Prevention in Neoliberal America. Professor Hartmann was the recipient of the Midwest Sociological Society’s inaugural Early Career Scholarship Award in 2008, and his work and comments on sport, race, popular culture, religion, and multiculturalism have been featured media around the world. His newest venture is TheSocietyPages.org, an online hub designed to make social science accessible and relevant for the public, including reporters, pundits, policy makers, educators and students.

Wing Young Huie is an award-winning photographer whose work focuses on diverse urban environments, especially those in his home state of Minnesota. He is best known for large-scale public installations of his photos, most recently The University Avenue Project (2010) in Saint Paul, which was produced by Public Art Saint Paul. Wing has authored five books and recently opened The Third Place, a gallery/community gathering space in South Minneapolis. He is launching (k)now, his first blog, which will present new work centering around a serialized photographic novel as well as work from Wing’s extensive archive of images.

Address: The Third Place
3730 Chicago Avenue S, Studio B, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Date: January 20, 2012
Time: Doors open at 6:30pm (7:00pm until 12:30am)
Presentation starts at 7pm, followed by discussion, followed by ping pong and karaoke (8:30ish).

Suggested Donation: $5 - 10

Asian Pacific Americans For Progress + Nominate an Unsung Hero for 2011

Monday, January 16, 2012

Nominate an unsung hero for 2011 - but do it quick because the deadline is this weekend.

With the 2012 national and congressional elections looming, we must continue advocating for the 99%, champion fair immigration policies, defend our civil liberties and address our warming climate. Once again, we'd like to recognize the amazing work of Asian Pacific American progressive heroes around the country. Please submit your candidate by Friday, January 21, 2012. For additional questions, please e-mail unsunghero@apaforprogress.org
Do it now.

An Open Letter To The Golden Globes

Monday, January 16, 2012

Dear Golden Globes,

While this probably comes as no surprise to you (or me for that matter) I just have to ask the question again about all the major category nominees and why there's almost no People Of Color, and *gasp* no members from the APIA community?

Sure, maybe you can say that it's because of the lack of APIA faces in television and movies, but you know what? It's your job to seek them out. It's your job to elevate - make another major category if you have too so at least I can see some people that look like me in the coverage of your awards show and maybe (it's a slight maybe), people might start to go "Hmmm...I should cast them in my film, or television show".

But then again, maybe I'm in la la land (which some will say I am), because at the end of the day, I guess it's just the Golden Globes?

Not Really Yours (Unless You Want To Give Me A Handjob And Even Then I'd Still Probably Throw You To The Curb),

Slanty

Jason Chu + R.I.P. (Pvt. Chen)

Friday, January 13, 2012

The Dichotomy Of New Jersey (Trying To Get Over Marriageaphobia And WTF Happened To Common Sense)

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Ummm...

N.J. court reverses conviction of former state employee who printed racist fliers at work
Ohhh...
N.J. Legislature to introduce bill legalizing gay marriage

World Stuff: Apple + Beijing = A Bunch 'O Angry People

Thursday, January 12, 2012


Source: AP

I guess there's a lesson to be learned here.

Don't fuck around in Beijing with a tech hungry crowd.

Apple fans waiting overnight in the freezing cold turned angry and at least one pelted the store façade with eggs when it failed to open Friday morning as expected. The store never opened, and by midmorning authorities wielding megaphones roped off the store and told the crowd of hundreds to disperse to break up the tense scene.
And yes.

Apple has left the building.

David Henry Hwang + Golden Child

Thursday, January 12, 2012



Tix info.

Dates

First: Saturday Feb 04, 2012 7:00 PM
Last: Saturday Feb 25, 2012 7:30 PM

Prices

$15.00 - $30.00

Location

10th Ave Theatre- 4th Floor CABARET (View Venue)
930 10th Ave
San Diego, CA 92101
United States

People Really Are Trying To Kill Me And The U.S. National Library of Medicine Backs Me The Fuck Up

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Don't believe me? Say I'm just paranoid with a shot of erotomanic-ness (which technically has nothing to do with anything but I just figured maybe it kind of sounded sexy?).

Blurb this doubters:

Asian-Americans are more likely to die in the hospital following a heart attack than whites, new research reveals, although this disparity was reduced over time in hospitals participating in a quality improvement program. In the study, doctors examined certain measures of care -- such as whether a patient was prescribed aspirin or ACE inhibitors (heart drugs) at the time of discharge -- on 107,403 Asian-American and white heart attack patients. The study encompassed five years, from 2003 to 2008. Asian-Americans were less likely to be given aspirin or counseling on how to quit smoking after they left the hospital [...] "Health disparities are a serious public health concern in the United States and we've seen that different racial and ethnic groups often receive unequal treatment for the same diagnosis," Qian said.
Sure. Maybe the article also talks about possible age differences and other random factors (damn them) - but the overall theme here is that if you look like us you won't get good care and if someone isn't giving me good care than I say they're trying to MF kill me.

Michael Patrick King (Aka When White People Tell Me Shit Isn't Racist - Because You Know, They're The Authority)

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

After kind of skimming this article down at Seattle PI I just have two random thoughts:

1. When you need to keep on defending your show isn't racist - that might be a MF clue.

2. When you need to keep on defending your show isn't racist and you're a White Guy? That might be another one.

Oldboy Still Can't Find A Villain (I Guess That's Some Good News)

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

I saw the remake of Girl With The Dragon Tattoo just for the hell of it, and guess what - it wasn't even close to being as good as the original with exception to the intro credits (and that should tell you a lot of shit) - and while we've all been hoping this MF'ing remake stops dead in its tracks (because why would you want to remake Oldboy is beyond even the best false collective White People think we subscribe too) - well - we all hope this helps stop the remake dead in its tracks.

Again.

Ron Paul + Jon Huntsman = Being A Racist Dick

Wednesday, January 11, 2012



I'll just let the Nikkei View tell it like it is:

Seen in such historical context, this ad and other uneducated, overwrought anti-Chinese propaganda appear not just ludicrous, but frightening … they’re much scarier than the fear they try to instill about the Chinese.
Damn straight.

Giant Robot: Printed Matter 10

Wednesday, January 11, 2012



Go FB. Go.

Yellow Boyz + SHAWTY (feat Lyricks)

Wednesday, January 11, 2012



Some may like it. Some may not. I'll post it anyway.

Your Random Vanessa Hudgens Picture For The Month

Wednesday, January 11, 2012



From that awesome thing almost no one watches called "The People's Choice Awards".

P.S.

I'd also like to go out an a limb and say no one will watch "Journey 2: The Mysterious Island" Hudgens will be starring in with Dwayne Johnson (out this year), but we all know that won't be true (and don't even get me started on how that oringal craptacular piece of, well, craptacularness earned $241+ million worldwide).

Colbert Report + Papa Johns

Wednesday, January 11, 2012



Caught this down at BCB and wanted to make sure and post it up here too.

Dreamers: DANakaDAN + afterschoolspecial

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Best Damn YouTuber Who Took Me A Little Time To Warm Up Too (Hopefully He Won't Ever Shoot Me...Even With A Fake Gun)

Wednesday, January 11, 2012



I have to admit that I didn't always get Freddie Wong, and sometimes I wondered if maybe he was playing the fool for an audience that maybe was playing us for the fool -- but I really couldn't have been more wrong because if there's one thing that Freddie Wong does - and does extremely well - it's imagination in the most fantastical of ways - guntastic some might even say (okay, maybe just me...).

And if nothing else - you have to respect that.

It's The Live Stream: White House AAPI Youth Leadership Briefing

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Sweet sweet White House Briefings.

On Thursday, the White House Office of Public Engagement will host a leadership briefing for AAPI youth. This event is a conversation with college and high school AAPI students about access to higher education, community service and civil rights. It will include remarks from White House officials, two panel discussions with Administration officials, and breakout sessions to discuss specific issues.

The briefing is designed to inspire AAPI youth to think about how they would address issues that affect them. It will also allow them to meet White House and government officials who can provide real guidance and mentorship for those who are interested in a career in public service/government. The opening remarks, panel discussions and closing remarks will be live streamed online.

Thursday, January 12, 2012
Time: 9:00 a.m.--12:30 p.m. EST & 3:30 p.m.--5 p.m. EST
Streamed live on WhiteHouse.gov/Live
Tweet your questions using the hashtag #AAPIWH


We hope you are able to join us online!

Thursday Morning: 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Greetings and Setting the Agenda
Eddie Lee – Associate Director, White House Office of Public Engagement

Welcome Remarks
Jon Carson – Director, White House Office of Public Engagement

Obama Administration Accomplishments in the AAPI Community
Kiran Ahuja – Executive Director, White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (WHIAAPI)

Importance of AAPIs in Public Service
Raj Shah – Administrator, US Agency for International Development

Panel of AAPI Federal Leaders
Moderator: Chris Lu – Cabinet Secretary and WHIAAPI Co-chair

Panelists:
    Je Yon Jung – Senior Counsel, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

    Parag Mehta – Special Assistant to the Director of the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP), Department of Labor

    Mira Patel –Secretary’s Office of Policy Planning, Department of State
Panel on AAPI issues in higher education
Moderator: Konrad Ng – Director, Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Program

Panelists:
    Tuyet Duong – Advisor, WHIAAPI

    Ramey Ko – Commissioner, President’s Advisory Commission on AAPIs

    Don Yu – Special Advisor to the Secretary, Department of Education
Thursday Afternoon: 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Sharing the Wisdom
Large group reconvenes after breakout sessions and students share the action agendas created in their breakout sessions

Closing Remarks
Ronnie Cho – Associate Director, White House Office of Public Engagement

Don't Teach Math With Slavery References

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

I'm am all for helping the children learn math better - don't get me wrong on that - because little Ang and Judy need to learn some addition and subtraction to survive in the world economy, but I just don't think math problems like "Each tree had 56 oranges. If eight slaves pick them equally, then how much would each slave pick?" or "If Frederick got two beatings per day, how many beatings did he get in one week?" are the questions to really get our young students back on track.

Call me crazy.

B.D. Wong + NBC's Awake

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

I don't know how much airtime B.D. Wong is going to get in NBC's new show Awake - but he is on the main cast page (so here's to hoping at least a little).

David So On Ugly Girls

Tuesday, January 10, 2012



Yeah - you know you laughed.

Covers: AJ Rafael, Krisy & Ericka + Taylor Swift - Sparks Fly

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

MR.A - Tell Me Why ( Live )

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Random G.I. Joe: Retaliation Trailer

Tuesday, January 10, 2012



Directed by Jon M. Chu and coming to a theater near you this summer.

You're Suing Amazon (IMDb To Be Exact): Junie Hoang

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Yes, you may like your Kindle Fire (I hear it's all the rage), but that doesn't mean you should succumb to their issues with privacy - and really - don't you want to support some Vietnamese American actors and their quest to stay ageless?

Not every actor or actress can have the prestige of a Dustin Hoffman or a Helen Mirren. And when you don't, age can be a huge factor in landing a role, or losing one.

That's the argument Junie Hoang is pushing out there in her lawsuit against the popular Hollywood directory Internet Movie Database, amending her lawsuit against the site's parent, Amazon, to reveal her identity.

Hoang originally filed anonymously, claiming that IMDb revealed her age, 40, without her permission. According to her lawsuit, the site accessed her age using billing information she submitted to become a member of IMDb Pro, a subscription service that provides further details about television and film projects, as well as the cast and crew involved.

"We are very disappointed that the judge required the plaintiff to identify herself by name," Hoang's attorney, John Dozier, told The Hollywood Reporter. "But her willingness to do so should be a strong indication that my client is willing to see this case to its conclusion, however long that road may be."

Just as she did before she revealed her identity, Hoang won the support from the Screen Actors Guild in her efforts against IMDb.

Son Ye Jin + Spellbound

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Korean Adoptees Like To Have Lots Of Sex In Seoul?

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Got sent in this link and thought I'd post a little bit of it up.

Those of us who live in Korea know that this exists amongst adoptees. Both visitors and residents of Korea participate in this silent exchange of fucking or amongst some, making love. Some might call it a cultural exchange; as we come from different parts of the world, America, Germany, France, Scandinavia, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Australia, etc [...] I speculate that one of the reasons why adoptees fuck hard here is because it is the most basic primitive way of connecting, maybe other than hunting and killing a dinner together. Also, in our adoptive countries, many of the visitors have white partners and by coming to Korea are allowed to explore what it is like to have a Korean body. To be with another Korean body, explore an unknown territory that has been suppressed by the normalized white society where it is so easy to fall into this routine of whiteness or mediocrity.
Read it in full here.

From Wat Misaka To Jeremy Lin

Tuesday, January 10, 2012



From ESPN:

"I wish him luck," Misaka said Tuesday from his home in Salt Lake City, Utah. "I don't know exactly what kind of player he is, except for what I've read about him. I sure hope that he can stick. New York could be a great place for him, although Oakland would've been great too with all of the Chinese people that are in California. I think it was one of the reasons why they drafted him. He should have a big following [in New York] if he gets a chance to play."


And just in case you were wondering, in the first five games that Lin has been on the roster with the Knicks, he's played in 1 game (against Detroit), playing 4 minutes with 4 points and one turnover.

In Post Production: Yes, We're Open + Lynn Chen, Parry Shen, And H.P. Mendoza

Tuesday, January 10, 2012



From the FB page.

Luke and Sylvia are the very models of modern individuals in a metropolitan relationship. Enter Elena and Ronald, the free spirited polyamorous couple who are hellbent on getting Luke and Sylvia into bed. A fun slice of liberal San Francisco life told as a sex comedy, the but much more sophisticated than a bedroom farce, YES WE'RE OPEN throws our unlikely heroes Luke and Sylvia into a hotbed of sex, jealousy, politics, sexual jealousy, sexual politics, sex and sex. And if they all play their cards right, there might even be some sex somewhere along the way.

Papa John's Manager Blames Korean American For Racist Receipt

Tuesday, January 10, 2012



If you haven't heard by now Papa John's has some serious issues that they need to deal with including not only referring to Asian American customers as "Chinky eyes", but also having their managers blame the bad press on *gasp* the victim of the racism:

A manager from Papa John’s — only identified as Jerome — told the New York Post the teenaged cashier had meant no harm, and the name was just “a way to identify her and her order.”

“I think the lady put it out there just to get some attention — some people like that type of attention. I truly don’t think it’s fair. It’s been taking up all our time. It’s been very disruptive.”
It's bad enough that an employee did that - and they should be fired because I don't care what you say - everyone knows they shouldn't be doing that. But when you have the manager taking up for them and pushing the blame on Minhee Cho - that goes above and beyond.

Then again...maybe I'm just being too sensitive.

Maybe that really was her problem and she should be ashamed of herself for trying to get some attention. I mean if I think about it maybe Gordon Hirabayashi was just out there getting some attention. Maybe the family of Pvt. Danny Chen is just trying to get some attention (because that was clearly his issue of course) and now that I think of it - when it really comes down to it - if you're a POC and you have an issue because of racism -- you better shut the fuck up and just take it like they want us too and forget what anyone else says - because if you don't - clearly - you're just out there trying to get some attention and cause some good people in a good company to do extra work that they really shouldn't be doing anyway.

I'll take some Pizza Hut instead?

Most Notable Network News Television Happening Of The Year

Monday, January 09, 2012



Honestly, if this would have happened any other way I'm not really sure what I would have done, but I do envision something about being completely naked, some pigeons, and holding Matt Lauer hostage.

But really - who else would they have gotten except Ann Curry to co-host the Today Show?

Exactly.

And in case you care about ratings - well - they held up too.

The Today Show is still #1 (take that Ben Sherwood).

The Best Wedding Proposal Of 2011 (And Possibly Also The Worst Responses Ever. Yes That Was Plural)

Friday, January 06, 2012



Even the most jaded of people should have shed a tear when Nam Tran broke into dance to serenade Trang Vu the love of his life (or possibly the love of his life in the past tense), because when you put that much time and choreography into that - you just know one thing: he must have really loved her (or possibly really screwed things up before).

But even if he did screw things up and maybe it wasn't perfect before I just couldn't help but think that the words "embarrassed", "you should have told me so I could put on make-up", "cheesy", and instead of saying "yes" saying "duh" to the question of the moment when Tran was down on one knee that somehow - well - these were possibly the worst responses to one of the most awesome Flash Mob Wedding proposals I've ever seen.

Maybe that's just the cynic in me though as everything looked fine on the news.

Except that they haven't actually set a date...

Here's hoping that I'm just an ass and they have a great wedding.

And an amicable divorce.

Direct Arts + Take Two

Friday, January 06, 2012

Because you always need something to do.

Take Two 1/10

7:00 SOCIAL (HALF) HOUR

Theater artists, filmmakers and social activists unite! And get slightly tipsy together.


7:30 INJA (DOG)
Written & Directed by Steve Pasvolsky

Set during and after Apartheid in South Africa, this powerful 2003 Academy Award-winning short film explores the devastating consequences of colonial domination in the life of a black South African boy and a white landowner.


8:00 DESHIMA
By Ping Chong, directed by Victoria Linchong

Obie Award-winner Ping Chong invokes Dutch colonialism, Van Gogh and Japanese internment camps in his epic, poetic and brilliantly eclectic documentary theater piece spanning Japan's 400 year relationship with the West.

Kollaboration Atlanta 5 Auditions!

Friday, January 06, 2012



Audition now.

Thursday Night Covers: Dixon + Crazier

Thursday, January 05, 2012

You're A First: Mayor Conrad Lee

Thursday, January 05, 2012



Awesome.

Lee, who has been on the council since 1994, was the deputy mayor under outgoing Mayor Don Davidson. Bellevue has a council-manager system of government, which means that the mayor and deputy mayor are chosen among the council members. In Bellevue, the positions are chosen every two years.

Lee's appointment is a historical one for Bellevue, which has become increasingly diverse in the past 10 years, according to numbers generated by the U.S. Census Bureau.

"It's important to note that Bellevue just chose our first Asian-American mayor in our history, and that is an important milestone," said Jennifer Robertson, who also was elected by the council unanimously Tuesday night to be the city's Deputy Mayor.

What Barbie Possibly Tells Me About Women Of Color And Women Of Non-Color

Tuesday, January 03, 2012



While some of you might say the Barbie in back isn't a woman of color, some would say she is so let's just leave it at that - but just remember - if Barbie tells us anything it's that that one that's all jointed up and easy isn't the one in the back.

And yes - obviously this has nothing to do about anything with absolute nothing scientific about it (again, obviously, and yes, that is redundant, but sometimes I have to be).

I just really wanted to upload that picture because I'm still a man-child.

And some would say pervert.

Jeff Yang + The WSJ + 2011

Monday, January 02, 2012

I guess it's that time of year for the best and worsts of 2011, and while I was only a 1/2 time blogger last year, yup - mine's coming too - but since you should be reading more eruditic people (other than myself of course and yes, eruditic isn't actually a word) -- here's a sampling of Jeff Yang's "The Best in Asia and Asian American 2011".

Smart young women: A trio of Asian American teens singlehandedly — triplehandedly? — flipped the script on stereotypes of females in science, while scoring major wins in the fight against the most insidious of killer diseases. Seventeen-year-old Shree Bose of Fort Worth, TAXwon the $50,000 grand prize in the inaugural Google Science Fair with a project that solves a weakness in current chemotherapies for ovarian cancer, while 17-year-old Angela Zhang of Cupertino, CA scored the $100,000 top award in the 2011 Siemens Competition in Math, Science and Technology for designing a nanoparticle that could potentially be the “Swiss Army knife” of cancer drug delivery. Meanwhile, 16-year old Amy Chyao of Richardson, TX sat next to the First Lady at the State of the Union in January, while basking in the President’s praise of her as the face of America’s STEM-studies future; Chyao won last year’s Intel Science and Engineering Fair with her own groundbreaking nanotech anti-tumor treatment. Cancer better hope these three don’t team up.
Read it in full here.

Jhameel: Shut Up

Monday, January 02, 2012