Random Words With Hmong

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Hmongalicious.
Hmongadelic.
Hmongtastic.
Hmongerrific.
Huhmongous.
Hmongopoly.
Hmongorarium.
Hmongaholic.
Hmongakenisis.
Hmongology.

I just can't do that with "Korean" - no flow.

The Fabulous Twelve From Iowa State University

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

You can shout out in a crowd - it's easy. But sit in a room with two other people talking about the racism of your school student newspaper - not always as easy as you might think.

The students came forward to express their disappointment in the Daily for publishing two "Just Sayin" comments referring to a “squintey” in last Tuesday’s paper. The uproar over the publication of the comments has ignited discussions on racism at Iowa State and has caused the Daily to stop publishing "Just Sayin" comments. The two "Just Sayin" comments in question, like all other comments, were submitted by the public and chosen by employees in the Daily’s advertising department. The employees said they thought the two mentions of “squintey” referred to ground squirrels. “Squinny” is what some people in Des Moines and nearby areas call ground squirrels, according to "Western Folklore," a book by Gary N. Underwood. However, many in the ISU community said the term “squintey” can have a much more sinister meaning — one that demonstrates and could possibly reinforce racism against Asians and Asian-Americans. “We are expressing our opinion now because this is affecting us,” said Ruth Yang, open-option junior. “This kind of racism and ignorance will build up.”

Ruth’s sister Minah Yang, senior in finance, said she did not want to believe that someone in the ISU community could write something so racially insensitive and how the Daily could publish those comments. “Even if you were talking about a ground squirrel, why would you publish it?” Minah asked. “If you could see that it could offend someone, then the Daily shouldn’t publish the comments.” Minah described how she grew up hating herself because she was not white. She said she used to laugh along when other children made jokes about Asians or Asian-Americans. However, she said she is done being passive about racism.
Good for Minah and the other students out there laying it down.

Just Another Reason To Keep On Hating Glenn Beck

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

From the Huffington Post:

On Monday, he doubled down on his defense of the employees, and slammed ESPN with renewed vigor.

He penned a Blaze column arguing that Federico and Bretos had used the phrase without intending to offend anyone. He lambasted ESPN for punishing the employees, instead of standing up for them. "This is jellyfish capitalism," Beck wrote. "It is business without backbone."

Quotes: Spoelstra On Lin

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

“The fact that he came from oblivion ... it shows his fortitude, his character, his resiliency”.

The Asian American Trivia Championships

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Get a team.

Play to win.

Celebrating 37 years of serving the Asian Pacific Islander community, API Legal Outreach (formerly Nihonmachi Legal Outreach) presents the 24th annual National Asian American Trivia Championship on Saturday, March 3, at 7 p.m. at the Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California, 1840 Sutter St. in San Francisco Japantown.
Go to www.apilegaloutreach.org for all the information and the entry forms or contact Jeannie Choi at jchoi@apilegaloutreach.org.

When Two White Guys Open A Noodle Bar

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

This is what happens.

Awesome Women Of NASA: QuynhGiao Nguyen

Monday, February 27, 2012



From Colorlines via K-girl.

That Was The Oscars (AKA The Right Leg Of Angelina Jolie And Blackface)?

Monday, February 27, 2012

When the Oscar highlights were Billy Crystal in Blackface and Angelina Jolie's right leg, I guess it really was okay that I was strung out on cough medicine and jerking myself off to the All-Star Game.

P.S.

Just kidding. Kobe passing MJ doesn't really get me hard.

Guest Post: Ross Meador, Operation Babylift, And Cab Rides To The Hotel

Sunday, February 26, 2012

I got this sent in via e-mail and wanted to make sure and post it on up.

Guest Post By vietK

I was in a cab one night years ago with Ross Meador, one of the "famed individuals" from that ill conceived wreckage of a plan called Operation Babylift which some people still see as being innocuous. We had all come back from a bar and I had done shot for shot with the people there, which some may say dilute my recollections, but those people only want to see what is edited for sound bites and pull quotes, believing, or standing up, even though they may not realize it, for a White Washed, Colonized, and Systematic way of stepping over People Of Color, never wanting them to go Against The Grain -- all of which remind me that in years past, I wouldn't have been allowed to testify against a White Man in a court of law.

When it was only Ross Meador and I in the cab, the subject (and I don't recall how) of Vietnamese women came up: Meador telling me how beautiful they were and that I should experience two Vietnamese women at the same time because there was nothing in the world like it, not directly speaking to me, but distant, back in his memories, the look on his face I can't quite describe, but I remember feeling uneasy and agitated, even though I should have been half asleep, sinking carelessly into the backseat of the cab.

I wondered why someone I had just met would share that with me. Why someone who was considered a caregiver, a watchful eye of Vietnamese orphans, someone who would later speak at the Smithsonian's Asian Pacific American Program would be so brash as to think I would care to hear that -- a White Man fetishizing women of Vietnamese descent, his tone and look that of a conqueror who felt entitled to all that was around him.

In the coming months, I would later hear through the grapevine that Meador was accused of being inappropriate with a Vietnamese adoptee -- drunken passes and light touches -- all apparently denied by Meador who apologized for any misunderstandings, everyone around those events trying to sweep it under the rug for what was called the greater good.

Except for the Vietnamese adoptee who made the accusation.

I'm writing this because I think you should know about it. Because you put on your blog a film that highlighted these people from Operation Babylift, Meador included, who are exalted and put on a pedestal, sometimes their voices the only ones you hear.

The din of the aftermath still ringing.

Stream It: Operation Babylift: The Lost Children Of Vietnam

Saturday, February 25, 2012

This is a little late, but you can watch this online today only. Check it out here.

SFIAAFF Trailer: Mr. Cao Goes To Washington

Friday, February 24, 2012

Call For Submissions: 35th Asian American International Film Festival

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Calling all filmmakers! You still have time to submit your films to the AAIFF!

Get your show on.

The 35th Asian American International Film Festival (AAIFF) is now calling for submissions. Scheduled to take place July 25 - August 5, 2012, AAIFF is the oldest festival of its kind and the premiere showcase of works by media makers of Asian descent.

We are now accepting works produced, directed, or written by artists of Asian descent of any nationality, or about the Asian community for the following categories: short films, feature films, youth-produced/directed films, music videos, and works-in-progress.

Two weeks left until final deadline (March 7, 2012). We look forward to seeing your work.

For more information on categories and competitions, go to www.Withoutabox.com/login/5751

It's A Petition + Vietnam

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

60,000 + Vietnamese Americans have already signed up, so it might be good to know about.

Within two weeks, over sixty thousand Vietnamese-Americans with the support of human rights advocates from across the country have voiced their concern to President Obama, calling on the Administration to not expand trade with communist Vietnam at the expense of human rights.

The US Trade Representative, which reports directly to the President, is considering Vietnam's efforts to expand trade with the US through the Trans-Pacific Partnership and gain preferential tariffs on goods exported to the US through the Generalized System of Preferences. The petition asks President Obama to not decouple trade from human rights and seek the immediate and unconditional release of all detained and imprisoned champions of human rights as part of the trade negotiation with communist Vietnam. A list of 600 such prisoners is being compiled for presentation to the White House.

"With this petition drive, we would like to demonstrate our community's ability for self-mobilization around a common cause," said Truc Ho, President of SBTN who officially launched the petition drive on Feb 8, 2012.

The online petition drive makes use of the White House's "We The People" website. The petition must collect 25,000 endorsements within 30 days for the Administration to issue an official response. By the fourth day, the petition had already surpassed that threshold.
Read it in full here.

Random Dustin Nguyen

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

On his film "Angels" (set to be released this April in Vietnam), and his project "Lua Phat".

I'm Not As Smart As Thieu Kim Ngan (Monica Thieu)

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

You might have already known this, but I just caught wind that Monica Thieu (Thieu Kim Ngan) took first place in the "Jeopardy!" College Championship winning a cool 100K and becomming the youngest College Championship winner ever since the tournament debuted in 1989.

Damn. That's pretty cool.

See her interview here.

NBC + The Voice + Mathai

Wednesday, February 22, 2012



If you caught it you know it was a great performance.

If you didn't, well, now you have.

Late Night And Early Morning Thoughts On Blogness And 2012

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

As long as I'm introspective I thought if only for myself, I'd go off on a random tangent of, well, introspective thoughts on my blogness and what 2012 has to offer, or not offer for this hack of a thing I call a blog.

I'm now technically in my sixth year of blogging with 4700+ posts and it's been all over the board - just like me somedays (my better half would say I'm kind of manic in that way). Over the time, I've met a lot of people, had extreme anxiety about my personal space and identity, sometimes been a complete asshole, and other times haven't been as much of an asshole as I should have been, and other times, have just been completely idiotic, sometimes hard to work with, and other times, jolly as a jelly bean getting sucked on by a beautiful thumper in the dead of winter while sledding down a hill (and yes, it is early morning and I have no editing skills at the moment and I really have no idea what that means).

Being pseudo anonymous - you take your lumps - but it's been a great thing as well - I get to say exactly what's on my mind and sometimes what's on other people's minds - not without repercussions (because even being anonymous you are known) - but it does give me some safety (I need a MF job and when you've lived life the way I have, you sometimes have a mentality of keeping the things you have close to you and making sure you still have them because at the end of the day sometimes the mentality is that you're the only one who's watching out for you - and you can take that however you want too).

Through the years though I've met a ton of great people - and slowly - as I realized that the people I come into contact with - people from the community - people who take the time to meet with me, e-mail me, make contact in a plethora of ways - that there's nothing there to worry about - there's just passion for the community - I think I've started to become slightly less anxious in that way. I've met folks out in person, use my real name to sign e-mails (because I can only be called Slanty for so long in those types of communications), ended up not caring if people gave me that look because I didn't look like they thought I would - and in some ways - normalized what was sometimes abnormal to me (because sometimes it has been).

So here's to just "being", never having another FB meltdown (it's worked out well so far), kissing K-girl in the middle of the night simply because I can, still meeting great people from the APIA community, randomly posting things for better or worse (kind of like this), checking in with things that might have went awry because of ego or possibly just because I have to pee a lot, cheesy hot dogs with some potato chips, hopefully more blogging than I did in 2011, and of course hardcore porn.

Wow...I have no business being up this late.

I Guess That 2011 Review Thing Didn't Quite Work Out

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Sometimes you just have to call a rotten feline a rotten feline and in this case, the rotten feline was me - but I figure fuck it - I'm only human and at least I got a few up there and while this has no bearing on anything whatsoever except for me (because I do like to document my failures) - fuck it - this is my rotten feline but I'll still link it up eventually just because I can and I figure there's at least some streak then to lack back on.

Yes, I'm a rotten feline.

Jessica Sun Lee + Secret Satellites + Abandoned Property

Wednesday, February 22, 2012



h/t LGA

Asian American Writers' Workshop+ Call For Creative Nonfiction Fellows: New York, NY

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Just in case you didn't know...you still have time.

Call for Creative Nonfiction Fellows: New York, NY

Open City: Mapping Urban Asian America, a new online magazine on Asian American news and culture in New York, is hiring creative nonfiction fellows to produce content on the vibrant immigrant communities of Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens. The new magazine will offer smart takes on Asian American (particularly immigrant) culture as it's lived in New York right now. Imagine stories on: the proliferation of x-rated video stories in Sunset Park, migratory patterns of Little Pakistani residents, karaoke bar culture, gentrification in Chinatown, or how Korean taco trucks define ethnic borders and space.

Applications are now due on March 2, 2012.

How to apply: aaww.org/opencityapply.

For more info., contact Kai Ma, editor, at kma@aaww.org.

Hell Yeah Video: Prometheus Brown & Bambu (The Bar) + Lookin' Up

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Beatrock Music is proud to present the first music video from the album Prometheus Brown & Bambu Walk Into A Bar. The video was shot by Northbound Films at our 2-year anniversary celebration in San Francisco this past December. Included in the video is footage of Prometheus Brown and producer 6Fingers being officially welcomed into the Beatrock Music family.
Pick up Prometheus Brown and Bambu Walk Into A Bar.

From MANAA With Love: MANAA Praises ESPN for Firing of "Chinks" Headline Writer

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Good watching out MANAA. Good watching out.

Media Action Network for Asian Americans (MANAA)--the only organization solely dedicated to monitoring the media and advocating balanced, sensitive, and positive depiction and coverage of Asian Americans--is praising ESPN for its handling of employees who used “chink in the armor” when reporting on New York Knicks point guard Jeremy Lin.

Following the Knicks’ first loss in eight games Friday night, an ESPN mobile headline read: “Chink in the Armor” accompanied by a picture of Lin. Wednesday night, ESPN anchor Max Bretos also used the phrase in asking why Lin failed to perform as well as he’d done in the past.

Saturday, MANAA Founding President Guy Aoki spoke with Rob King, ESPN’s Senior Vice President of editorial, print, and digital media, who was upset that the unfortunate incidents had hurt the reputation of the network. King explained that ESPN executives knew there were two upcoming games involving Lin and wanted to prevent any off-color remarks in reporting, so on Wednesday at the company’s monthly editorial board meeting, they reminded their department heads to be careful. An e-mail to their employees went out that night and early Thursday morning.

It wasn’t clear if Bretos (who later tweeted that his wife is Asian and that he meant no disrespect toward Asians) had seen the memo, but the editor who wrote the Saturday morning article and headline should have. Sunday morning, ESPN apologized to Lin and announced it had fired the editor and placed Bretos on a 30 day suspension.

“We had not asked for anyone to be fired nor suspended,” explained Aoki. “King was supposed to get back to me once he understood the intention of the editor who wrote the headline—was it his attempt at humor? Was he not aware ‘chink’ is a racial slur against Chinese people? But he never called back. The apology should’ve extended to the entire Asian American community, not to just Lin. However, we appreciate how seriously ESPN took these gaffes.”

“Even though ESPN tried to head off any possible problems, somehow, these derogatory phrases still leaked through,” pointed out MANAA board member Miriam Nakamura-Quan. “We want to know what new procedures the network will implement to prevent these kinds of mistakes from happening in the future. There needs to be tighter monitoring of print, radio, TV, and social media. It’s unfortunate that the Asian American community still has to endure these types of derogatory comments at a time when we should be celebrating the success of Jeremy Lin. It makes me sad.”

Racially offensive comments against Lin seem to pop up every other day. On February 10, FoxSports.com writer Jason Whitlock insinuated Lin had a two-inch penis; On Tuesday, MANAA asked the network to apologize, to reprimand the writer, and to initiate firm guidelines for how its reporters would cover Asian Americans in the future but has not received any response.

MANAA is calling on all media companies to have discussions with their employees to prevent future racially insensitive incidents.

Aoki feels that because so much media attention is being paid to Lin, insulting and dismissive attitudes toward Asian Americans will be coming to the surface more often, demonstrating how far this country has to go in its view of the community. “Despite our accomplishments,” asserts Aoki, “there are still two groups that can be joked about with impunity: Asians and gays. Hopefully, the media and general public will be forced to reflect on these issues so that we can become a more sensitive and enlightened society.”

MANAA is part of the Asian Pacific American Media Coalition (APAMC) which regularly meets with the top four television networks--ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX--pushing for better inclusion of Asian Americans in their programming. MANAA, which will be celebrating its 20th anniversary on April 9, launched a nationwide campaign against the 1993 film Rising Sun. In 2001, Aoki debated Sarah Silverman on Bill Maher’s “Politically Incorrect” over her use of “chinks” on a “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” appearance.

Behind The Scenes Video: Kero One Tour w/ Dynamic Duo, Simon D, Myk, Amoebahood Concert - Korea & Japan

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

White House Initiative On Asian Americans And Pacific Islanders + "What's Your Story?" AAPI Video Challenge Voting

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Definitely need to check these all out.

In the fall of 2011, the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders launched the “What’s your story?” video challenge. The challenge aimed to highlight the personal stories of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) across the country who have impacted their community through their dreams, experiences, and dedication to a cause.Ultimately, we received over 200 unique and inspiring stories. Each video shines a light on the important work happening around the country. And they remind us what makes this community so strong. From these submissions, we have chosen the top 11 video entrees based on strength of content and creativity.Now we need your help. Please help us by watching these 11 video submissions at www.whitehouse.gov/whatsyourstory and voting for the story that most inspires you. The deadline for voting is March 1, 2012.After you select your favorite video we will choose a group of these exceptional AAPI leaders to share their stories at the White House as special guests at a White House Initiative event in March. Please take some time to watch and share these inspiring stories.

Hep B Free And Asian Heritage Night!

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

If you're so inclined:

Join Steve Silver's Beach Blanket Babylon for their Asian Heritage Night on Thursday, February 23, 2012 at 8 PM at Club Fugazi located at 678 Beach Blanket Babylon Blvd.! Organized by the AsianWeek Foundation, a portion of each ticket will benefit San Francisco Hep B Free - a citywide effort to screen and vaccinate all Asians and Pacific Islanders for Hepatitis B, which affects 1 in 10 APIs.
More info.

Calling All Contestant​s: Coalition for Asian American Children & Families + You Got Talent

Tuesday, February 21, 2012



It's time to get your groove on.

YOU GOT TALENT IS BACK!

Circle Nightclub
136 W. 41st St.
Thursday, April 12
6:30-10:00 p.m.

We had 12 great performances last year and we're looking for 12 more! Registrations are now open for this year's contestants. If you can sing like Adele, dance like Usher, play guitar like Jimi Hendrix, or perform magic like David Copperfield, we want you on stage! Even if you don't think you're amazing, let us be the judge. Bring out your inner Jeremy Lin. You just need a moment to shine. Make this your moment!

Register here - bit.ly/YGTregistration.

All contestants must be 21 and over. Registration fees are $20 for the initial phase, and an additional $10 per person if you are selected. For example, if you have a group of 4 performers then this will be an additional $40. If you are not selected, then your $20 registration fee will go towards your entrance.

The deadline to register is March 17. Don't delay!

If you have any questions or want more info, please e-mail actioncouncil@cacf.org.

All proceeds from the event will go to the Coalition for Asian American Children & Families (CACF), the nation's only pan-Asian children's advocacy non-profit.

ONE NIGHT, ONE STAGE, ONE WINNER. Do you have what it takes?

Indian Child Welfare Act + Baby Veronica + White People

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

I was combing through e-mails and caught this story on a 2-year-old Cherokee girl who was taken back by her "birth father" on CNN (catch up on an older news story here) and while I'm all for kids having happy homes who don't have parents, and if that means they have to go with White People - so be it - if there's a chance that a parent - and a parent of color - comes out and claims their child - you just can't ignore that.

But what's even more interesting to me is that the news coverage has been all about the adoptive White Parents with the thought of "We all need to think about what's best for the child" with the overal idea that what's best is most likely the White People.

Just find that interesting...and a little appalling.

The Fashion Of Derek Lam

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Triangle Offense: Valentine

Tuesday, February 21, 2012



Sure - this isn't really that timely - but if you haven't heard it - well - it's pretty damn live.

Downloads: Love Is Contagious

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

From Beatrock music. Get it now.

A Lot Going On...

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

And catching back up...prescription drugs (other people's of course) make for a happy and non-sickly blogger (and yes, vicodin helps).

NPR + Casting In NYC

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

A little bit ago I posted up some information on casting in NYC and it's nice to see that NPR did a story as well.

Read it here.

Spike Lee + Asian Profi'Lin

Monday, February 13, 2012

Since it's still flu season (and I'm a wuss) going in and out of consciousness, I'll just send a link.

At Least Jason Whitlock Didn't Say It Wasn't Racially Insensitive

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Unlike a lot of other White People, at least Jason Whitlock apologized for what he said about Jeremy Lin and reflected:

Fox Sports’ Jason Whitlock apologized for an insensitive-at-best, and racist-at-worst, tweet about Knicks guard Jeremy Lin, which Whitlock posted after Lin’s 38-point performance against the Lakers on Friday. In a thinly-veiled reference to a stereotype about Asian men, Whitlock tweeted, “Some lucky lady in NYC is gonna feel a couple of inches of pain tonight.”
And then he at least learned and apologized:
Later Saturday, Whitlock, who is black, wrote on FoxSports.com, “I've cried watching Tiger Woods win a major golf championship. Jeremy Lin, for now, is the Tiger Woods of the NBA. I suspect Lin makes Asian Americans feel the way I feel when I watch Tiger play golf. “I should've realized that Friday night when I watched Lin torch the Lakers. For Asian Americans and a lot of sports fans, his nationally televised 38-point outburst was the equivalent of Tiger's first victory in The Masters. I got caught up in the excitement. I tweeted about what a great story Lin is and how he could rival Tim Tebow. “I then gave in to another part of my personality — my immature, sophomoric, comedic nature.”
Here's to hoping he learned something this time around.

And yes - that was an awesome game - guess Kobe knows how Lin is now...

In Pictures: When White People Attack

Thursday, February 09, 2012



NY Daily.

Lin Gets More Love From USA Today

Wednesday, February 08, 2012

No really, he is.

Washington Does Good

Wednesday, February 08, 2012

Closer...

Washington has moved closer to becoming the seventh state in the nation to legalize gay marriage.

The state House of Representatives on Wednesday voted 55-43 in favor of a bill to allow same-sex couples to wed. The state Senate approved the proposal last week on a 28-21 vote.

"Marriage is the word our society uses to describe committed lifelong relationships," said Rep. Jamie Pedersen, D-Seattle, a gay lawmaker who helped lead efforts to push the bill through the Legislature, The Seattle Times reported.
advertisement

"I would like for our four children ... to grow up understanding that their daddy and papa have made the kind of lifelong commitment to each other," Pedersen said. "Marriage is the word we use in our society to convey that idea."

Matt Damon, The Semi-Talented Mr. Uckley, And Ripping Obama (AKA When White People Have Remorse)

Tuesday, February 07, 2012

Maybe it's the fact that Damon's last string of movies just haven't been that good, or maybe it's the fact that he's just looking a little more like a poochy White Guy and just needs to lash out at someone (and yes I realize that types ad hominem and personal and that also using those two words together is a little redundant but I can't help it on both because I'm feeling a little verbalitastic, or verbalicaustic, whichever you might choose, and yes btw, those are made up words).

Or - maybe it's the fact that he's just another White Guy who only sees it from his POV, which would be a White Guy's POV (and yes, that's also redundant, but maybe there's a reason for all this redundancy?) who maybe doesn't understand what it takes to be the first President Of The United States Of America Who Hasn't Been White? Who not only has to deal with bridging the gap from a political sense, but also a racial sense? And having to do it all while inheriting a fragile economy both here and around the world?

I mean if you think about the studies that have educated us over and over (and over yet again) about how we as POC earn less and have to work harder than our White Counterparts because of stereotypical perceptions and racial bias, doesn't it hold true than that the first President Of The United States Who's Not A White Male still has to work against those same perceptions and racial biases?

That while he can be bold and strong as a leader - as he as - that like it or not he still has to work within the system doing things just a little differently?

Maybe it's just me - but how does a President take out Bin Laden yet still get questioned about "having balls"?

I wonder what the sentiment would be like if this was Clinton instead of Obama?

And maybe it's just me again - but I wonder if Damon is really saying something like this:

"This is what I get for helping to put this Black MF in office. He can't get shit done. He has no leadership and now I look like the stupidest MF because I told all my White friends that you know what - this guy's it. But you know what? He's not. He can't get it done and I should have known better. He's just your typical n*****."

Then again - that's probably just me.

Stats, A Roundtable, And Under-Representation: Asian American Performers Action Coalition

Tuesday, February 07, 2012


Click on the image for a larger version

Definitely sounds like it will be a great event to learn more about what's not being done, the reasons why, and what the future could hold.

ASIAN PERFORMERS GROUP UNVEILS REPORT ON UNDER-REPRESENTATION OF ASIAN ACTORS ON NEW YORK CITY STAGES.

WILL HOLD INDUSTRY ROUNDTABLE ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2012, 7 PM. “CHINGLISH” AUTHOR DAVID HENRY HWANG TO MODERATE.

The Asian American Performers Action Coalition (AAPAC) released preliminary findings today on the representation of minority actors on New York City’s most prominent stages during the last five years. The full report, which will be released on Monday February 13th in conjunction with an industry roundtable, tallies the ethnic make-up of casts from all shows which opened on Broadway during this period and productions from sixteen of the largest not-for-profit theatres in New York City: The Atlantic Theatre Company, Classic Stage Company, Lincoln Center Theatre, Manhattan Theatre Club, MCC, The New Group, New York Theatre Workshop, Playwrights Horizons, Primary Stages, Public Theatre, Roundabout Theatre Company, Second Stage, Signature Theatre, Theatre for a New Audience, Vineyard Theatre and The York Theatre Company. It is the first report on minority casting in New York theatre ever to be released publicly.

Promisingly, the report reveals that the percentage of minority actors in relation to total number of roles has increased, hovering at or near 21 percent for the past four years compared to 14 percent five years ago. In addition, the percentage of minority actors cast in roles which were not racially specific (what is commonly referred to as non-traditional or inclusive casting) rose year to year, an indicator of creativity within the casting process and, possibly, the breaking down of traditional racial stereotypes.

Still, only 10.6 percent of all roles this past year were cast without regard to race and very few minority actors were seen in leading roles. With very few ethnic and minority stories in mainstream New York theatre during this period, expanding non-traditional casting seems to be the best way to secure more employment opportunities for minority actors. Numbers for Native American, Arab American/Middle Eastern and disabled actors were negligible and practically non-existent.

Most of the gains came from African-American performers who far outpaced their minority counterparts. Percentage of African-American performers to total number of roles doubled to 16 percent in the 08/09 and 09/10 seasons compared to 8 percent five years ago, dipping slightly to 14 percent this past year. African-Americans were far more likely than any other minority group to be cast in a role that did not specify race. Though far behind in total numbers, Latino performers also doubled their visibility, accounting for 4 percent of total roles this past season compared to 2 percent five years ago.

In contrast, Asian American performers do not seem to be a part of the trend towards more inclusive casting. Asian American performers saw their numbers drop, from 3 percent of all roles five years ago to 1 percent in the 08/09 and 09/10 seasons with a slight up tick to 2 percent this past year. While they were as likely as their Latino colleagues to be non-traditionally cast five and four years ago, in the past three years numbers of non-traditionally cast roles increased for Latinos while they decreased for Asians.

• Asian Americans comprise 12.9 percent of New York City and is the city’s fastest growing major minority group, yet Asian American actors accounted for only 1.6 percent of all available roles in new productions on Broadway, 3.2 percent of roles at non-profit companies and 2.3 percent of roles when looking at the industry as a whole.
• There were only 18 Principal Broadway contracts for Asian American actors in the last five years.
• Asian American performers are the least likely among the major minority groups to play roles that are not defined by their race.

In response to these findings, AAPAC will hold an industry roundtable with prominent producers, artistic directors, directors, playwrights, agents and casting directors to have a dialogue on access and representation of minority actors on NYC stages and how best to overcome obstacles to more inclusive casting. It will be co-presented with Fordham University and will be moderated by Tony Award-winning playwright David Henry Hwang (Chinglish, M. Butterfly):

AAPAC and Fordham University present
"RepresentAsian: The Changing Face of New York Theater"
Monday, February 13th, at 7:00 pm
The Pope Auditorium at Fordham University
60th St/and Columbus avenue, just inside main entrance

To RSVP, send an email to aapacrsvp@gmail.com Seating is limited.
Roundtable participants are currently being confirmed and announced. For more information check out the FB page.

Asian American Writers' Workshop Call for Creative Nonfiction Fellows: New York, NY

Tuesday, February 07, 2012

Don't say you didn't know.

Open City: Mapping Urban Asian America, a new online magazine on Asian American news and culture in New York, is hiring creative nonfiction fellows to produce content on the vibrant immigrant communities of Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens. The new magazine will offer smart takes on Asian American (particularly immigrant) culture as it's lived in New York right now. Imagine stories on: the proliferation of x-rated video stories in Sunset Park, migratory patterns of Little Pakistani residents, karaoke bar culture, gentrification in Chinatown, or how Korean taco trucks define ethnic borders and space.

Applications are due on February 17, 2012.

How to apply: aaww.org/opencityapply.
For more info., contact Kai Ma, editor, at kma@aaww.org.

2012 SFIAAFF + Become A Ukulele Star

Tuesday, February 07, 2012

You still have time damn it!

And yes - you can also get early bird tickets too.

Calling All Wannabe Ukulele Stars!

Eddie Vedder: “Jake is taking the instrument to a place that I can’t see anybody else catching up with him.”

Brian May: “Amazing uke playing to be relished.”

Calling all wannabe ukulele stars! Are you ready for a little YouTube fame that’ll get you onstage to open for ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro? Jake’s fans will compete in an online ukulele contest and the chance to open for him at the San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival (2012 SFIAAFF) on Wednesday, March 14, 2012 at the historic Castro Theatre in San Francisco.

Jake will be in town for the world premiere of a new documentary on his life and career, so the evening will be very special for all. The film, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Tadashi Nakamura, is a production of the Center for Asian American Media, who has presented SFIAAFF for 30 years.

Millions of fans around the world first discovered Jake through his now-famous YouTube clip performing George Harrison’s “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”:

Now it’s your turn! Much like Jake’s rise to popularity, contestants will submit their own video playing one of Jake’s songs. The winner will take center stage for an once-in-a-lifetime moment and perform one song before Jake Shimabukuro.

Contest Rules:

1. Create your own audition song video and upload it to YouTube.
(tag it Ukulelestar and CAAM. If you’re on Twitter, #Ukulelestar)
2. The song must be originally written by Jake himself.
3. Email the link to jakecontest [at] caamedia [dot] org with your name and phone number. All entries must be submitted by midnight on February 20, 2012.

That’s it! Our panel of esteemed judges will then select five finalists for the final round of voting and that is when we turn to you, the YouTube community, on February 20-26, to help us choose the winner!

We’ll announce the winner on February 27, 2012.

Good luck and start practicing!

Debbie Spend It Now Random Thoughts

Tuesday, February 07, 2012



1. Yes - that's some racist xenophobic take me back to the days of me love you long time bullshit.

2. Not really that surprising that Hoekstra, on Fox News no less (gasp!), denies that it's a racist ad.

It's LINSANITY!

Tuesday, February 07, 2012



Sure, Tim Legler doesn't think Lin will be able to keep it up at "this level" - but that's okay - sometimes we really are the sleeping giants - and no, that wasn't an allusion to anything that you might be thinking, and yes - you know as well as I do that sometimes we chinky MF's just don't get the credit we deserve (and yes, I did use that phrase in that way for all the reasons you can probably guess, but if you can't, there's not much I can do for you).

Some More Random ESPN'ness

Before the game was over, the Madison Square Garden fans were openly cheering "M-V-P!" for Jeremy Lin.

Lin signed with the New York Knicks two days after Christmas and saw little playing time in his first month. However, on Jan. 28, he played 20 minutes and racked up six assists. This Saturday, he played 35 minutes and scored 25 points against the New Jersey Nets. By Monday, he was the starting point guard, putting up career-highs with 28 points, eight assists and eight turnovers to lead the Knicks over the Jazz, 99-88, without either Carmelo Anthony (left in the first quarter with a groin strain) or Amare Stoudmire (mourning the loss of his brother).

One thing that separates Lin from the other point guards on the Knicks' roster is his passing ability, especially in the pick-and-roll. Against the Utah Jazz, Lin repeatedly gave Tyson Chandler and Jared Jeffries the ball in good position to score. The two forwards combined for 23 points, mostly because of Lin's ability to find the dive man.

Open Call: Locating The Sacred Festival

Tuesday, February 07, 2012



I got word from Elana Chang, the Festival Coordinator for this year's Asian American Arts Alliance's "Locating the Sacred" festival Open Calls and wanted to make sure and post up the information.

OPEN CALL FOR ARTISTS & SPACE HOSTS

The Asian American Arts Alliance (a4) is pleased to announce its call for artists & spaces for the 2012 "Locating the Sacred" Festival!

"Locating the Sacred" is a twelve-day, twenty-event festival that brings together artists & spaces in New York for creative explorations of the "sacred". The festival acts as a showcase of the vibrancy of the local Asian American community and aims to provide all New Yorkers with fresh ways to think about what constitutes sacredness today. Artists from all backgrounds and spaces from across the five boroughs are encouraged to apply.

Applications will be open from January 3rd - February 20th, 2012.
The festival takes place September 12th - 23rd, 2012 .

For more information about the festival visit their site.

It's Flu Season

Friday, February 03, 2012

That's all...back to the rock I live under for r&r to get rid of the plague.