Good lookin' out.
Hope you defend the title next year.
Linkage
P.S.
"Six of the eight competing dance crews featured one to two members of Asian descent — for a total of nine — whose ethnic backgrounds included Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Filipino, Khazakstani, Bangladeshi and Taiwanese."
I feel like it should have been more.
P.S. Joseph Tran From "Last Samurai"
Wednesday, August 31, 2016Re: Vietnamese Gangs AKA More Than Nails And Rings
Wednesday, August 31, 2016Why is it that everyone reports on Viet gangs and MF nail salons or the people that work there but you don't see them post shit about anything else?
'Cause that's all we are?
Yeah - that's all I'm saying - 'cause that's all that needs to be said.
An Open Letter To My Young Asian Americans Who Like To Drop The N-Word
Monday, August 29, 2016Dear Youngins,
First off, I am going to refer to you as youngins, because you are. And no, Grandpa doesn't have one foot in the grave, in fact, you can just call me Big Daddy. Unlike you, Big Daddy doesn't lose it early when someone takes off their jacket on a date, and yes, by "lose it" I mean cum early.
I just didn't want to startle you.
And sure Mrs. Big Daddy might have some other things to say on those nights when apparently Big Daddy can't make anybody happy, but who the hell knew I was marrying someone who had a phobia about open closet doors and I was so good at not closing them?
But this isn't about me - this is about you.
I feel you. I get you. I understand in some ways you feel a brotherhood because Black men are men of color, men who've overcame things when faced with people who looked at them differently because of the color of their skin. There's a culture and history there that you can relate to and as POC, communities of color, we share some of those same bonds and shared inequities.
But my youngins - my Asian American youngins, dick and no dick alike:
You're not Black.
You can't call me your n___a.
You can't say hey "What's up my n____a?".
Because again - you're not Black.
That's just the way it works.
You're not down with the Black community. You're appropriating from the Black community. The same community in ways that you're trying to pay homage to in your own way, and again,
I get it -
But you gotta find your own language.
You have to be true to who you are.
--BDS Signing Off--
4X: Random Parry Shen And General Hospital
Sunday, August 28, 2016Brad Cooper (Parry Shen) GH Episodes 14-19
Brad Cooper (Parry Shen) GH Episodes 26-34
Brad Cooper (Parry Shen) May & June 2014 - GH Episodes
Brad Cooper (2016-03-21) - Brad & Griffin's Jobs Are Threatened
I can't say I watch GH on a regular basis mostly in part because it's in the day and while I'm not averse to the Soap Opera - I typically don't watch them (and I'm still in the process of working a good DVR solution, but I'm a procrastinator). But I have to say the clips I have seen of GH with Parry Shen are really good.
Real real good.
MIN: Take Me Away (AKA I Can't Help It. There're Just Too Many Great Viet Music Videos This Month)
Saturday, August 27, 2016
MIN always seems to have a different look while retaining that sense of self, but the 28 year-old never seems to step out of her comfort zone - and the music is there. Definitely becoming one of my favorite singers.
That's A Chill Sexy Viet Song + Video + "Chỉ Là" By Trang Pháp ft. Dj Xillix + Close To A Million
Saturday, August 27, 2016Snakehead + Kickstarter
Saturday, August 27, 2016
Snakehead is a feature film about a woman's rise in the international underworld of human smuggling set in New York Chinatown.
Here's a part of the project bio from director Evan Jackson Leong:
I humbly present SNAKEHEAD, a passion project that I've been working on for over 9 years.
Inspired by true events and based in New York's Chinatown, we follow our anti hero, Sister Tse as she rises to one of the most sought after human smugglers in FBI history. From the moment she lands in American waters she quickly learns that the American dream wasn't what she was promised. We will explore the reality of the modern American immigrant through the lens of the Chinatown underworld.
Ultimately, this is a story about a Bad ass Asian woman who finds her community as a feared and respected boss.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/arowanafilms/snakehead?ref=video
This Is My Jam + It's That Good (But Only If You Love Great Dancing And Hooks)
Saturday, August 27, 2016
Seriously.
This is my jam.
NEWDAY | Phan Ngọc Luân ft Mai Ngô | Official MV
Saturday, August 27, 2016
I like the song, but I think I wanted a different video, even though it still kept me watching.
#forgetaboutme #lovethisyourself #mytwocentsisworthapenny
Oh Yes: Mina Oba + Akiko Noguchi + Joy And Sorrow2
Friday, August 26, 2016
This is just four minutes of awesome.
What more do you need?
The Overlooked Consumer Group...Us
Thursday, August 25, 2016
Always good to see some articles talking about how we're overlooked (for the most part).
Yet this fixation may lead some to overlook today’s fastest-growing ethnic consumer group: Asian Americans. In 2015, they had an estimated buying power of $825 billion, which is expected to grow to $1.1 trillion in 2020, according to the Selig Center for Economic Growth at the University of Georgia. In the past 15 years, the Asian American consumer market grew by 199 percent, outpacing gains in the disposable income of Latinos, whites, blacks, and Native Americans. The U.S. Latino population might be three times larger than the Asian American community, but the Asian American population is now growing at a faster rate overall.
Watch It: Annalé + Roses
Tuesday, August 23, 2016
Good soul.
Korean American Soul.
Nice.
Pick up the track @ http://smarturl.it/Roses-Single-iTunes
Labels: Music
Not Lifted: Well...That New CL Video And Song Kinda Sucks Doesn't It? What's Wrong With The Marketing People? Who Does This Shit? I Need Asian Americans?
Tuesday, August 23, 2016
I've been wrong before, but when it comes to Asian stars trying to make a splash in the music biz here in the U.S. - they've all died the death that technically they should - and remember I love my pop of all varieties - but I've been right in knowing that their U.S. singles or the way they were marketed - just suck.
And that's the best way to put it.
Remember BoA's video that got panned? How about Utada going on the morning show (like who got that gig) - and yes Utada is technically Asian American and they should have done a lot more.
Where's Girls Generation now in the U.S. Where's Se7en after he dropped it with Lil Kim?
See - you can't try and make someone U.S. hip hop, when they aren't (although I thought Se7en's single was pretty good).
You need Asian Americans to kick it like that - 'cause you know - we're a part of U.S. hip hop.
And it has to be genuine.
On one hand I'm up for Asian stars trying to do it in the U.S. - I'm down with that. But not when you do it like this, and not when Asian American musicians and artists aren't getting the respect that they deserve.
And this video by CL....it just reeks of appropriation *not* being genuine - even though it wants to be cool.
But we all know you can want things...even if you never get them.
I almost feel like I need to manage someone because no one seems to know how take an Asian star and make them a crossover here. It's like they take the best parts of what made them good, drop it all, and then mold them into something they're clearly not. And sure - I have no experience in this whatsoever - but I feel like I could do a better job then what's been done because the bar keeps getting set pretty MF low.
P.S.
Way to steal that line from Jin. Clearly it is "lifted".
Goodread: I Started A Viral Hashtag For More Asian Representation
Friday, August 19, 2016Then, during my sophomore year of high school, Fresh Off the Boat started to air. It was the first television show I had ever seen that featured multiple Asian-American leads. I was especially inspired by Constance Wu, who expertly played the leading female role of the family matriarch. The show gave me hope that one day more Asian-American stories would be heard, and that more Asian-Americans actors and actresses would be given more opportunities to do what they love. While I had already decided not to pursue acting by the time the show aired, it was still great to finally see people who looked like me on TV, to feel like I was finally represented. Fresh Off the Boat's success also proves that Hollywood’s conviction that only white actors and actresses are "bankable" is a lie (which, in fact, past studies have already proven).
CAAM + "Who is American?" Immigration, Exclusion & The American Dream Educational Outreach Campaign (Now Until September 15th)
Monday, August 15, 2016From the campaign:
The campaign, "Who is American?" Educational Outreach for the PBS Documentary THE CHINESE EXCLUSION ACT will run from Monday, August 15 - Thursday, September 15, 2016. Our goal is to raise $50,000 to distribute free educational resources and host community screenings to reach thousands of students, teachers, and community members in support of the new PBS documentary THE CHINESE EXCLUSION ACT by acclaimed filmmakers Ric Burns and Li-Shin Yu of Steeplechase Films. CAAM is leading the outreach and is one of the co-producers of this landmark project.Check it out and donate here.
Read It: Acting While Asian An Essay by Ann Harada At Stage And Candor
Friday, August 12, 2016I know things are getting better for actors of Asian descent. I know efforts are being made to increase diversity in casting and that awareness is being raised in regards to yellowface and race-specific casting. I know this because I hear white actors complaining that they are losing roles “because of diversity.” I also know this because black actors have made it a point to come up to me and say, “Wow, I thought we had it bad, but you guys REALLY don’t have many opportunities.”
Read it in full.
Some Chasing, Some Lovely, Some Reviews
Friday, August 12, 2016
From Audiofemme:
Hailing from Nashville, sister duo Chloe and Taylor are able to weave a vivid tale with their voices and light acoustic guitar that’ll give you goosebumps. This folky pair advocate working toward positive change, and their music is a fantastic reflection of that. “Always and Never Enough” is an introspective peak into how they process the positive yet tragic elements of the human element and everyday existence.
A Little DNC @ The 8 Of The Asians
Friday, August 12, 2016Just gonna peep you over here down @ 8Asians by one of their longtime bloggers John and his coverage at the DNC.
Nice.
"Seoul Man" Just Feels So White And It Reminds Me Of That Bad C. Thomas Howell Movie Too
Friday, August 12, 2016
So this article down at the Washington Post caught my eye called "Slippers at work? Nonstop alcohol? Tales of an American executive in Korea" and I don't exactly know why I wanted to read it, but I felt like I should, and apparently the article is an excerpt from "Seoul Man: A Memoir of Cars, Culture, Crisis, and Unexpected Hilarity Inside a Korean Corporate Titan".
I'm not saying the author is some rude brash and racist American - he seems like a pretty normal guy - out of his element of course, and it's not like I'm sure he doesn't have a fondness for his time there...I guess it just seems White.
You can hang out with Koreans here in the U.S. and get your soju and mic on --- and replace Korean with a decent amount of Asian ethnicities and the same thing goes (and yes, we are not one monolithic singleton, blah blah blah blah blah, but c'mon - ...you were never singing too loud with someone after a shot?).
He seemed so surprised by everything, and it's just so White to be so surprised by some of those things - if not maybe all of them.
What did we know about South Korea coming in? Little more than most Americans do: It’s the most wired nation on earth, the kids are ultra-high-achievers in academics, and they eat kimchi. Surrounded by our LG flat-screen TVs, Samsung smartphones, and Hyundai and Kia cars, most Americans know Korea for its powerhouse consumer brands — and perhaps for the murderous Kim dynasty in the North, whose periodic outbursts alternate between lethal threats and farce.
I get it.
We play percentages and numbers. But when those numbers and percentages are millions of people, it makes you wonder a little bit about someone's depth of field and what's in focus and what's not. I know it's not quite my right to feel slighted - but I do.
Just a little.
It's kinda like - dude. This is all you knew about SK coming into it?
Did you not have any Asian American friends?
A subscription to DramaFever maybe?
Something?
I feel like you deserve what you get in that scenario - and it's this painted picture of this "unseen" "mysterious" culture that kind of gets to me - perpetuating the myth of the Ancient Chinese Secret which I can use to describe this, because it's the same piece of paper written by the same thought - and in all reality - some of this, is just asking some people over some bubble tea you know?
It's not that ancient and it's not that secret.
I'm not saying I know what it's like to work in his position at Hyundai and that there's not something of educational value there from his POV. But it's a White POV which also doesn't seem to have a lot Asian American or Asian influence - and don't you hate those people sometimes who know the foreign exchange student, or someone's brother's wife is from some country in the Motherlands but other than that they don't actually have any Asian American sphere's of influence in their life?
It's almost as if it's dismissive by omission.
And by omission we don't exist and don't enter the narrative for so many people.
It's like we're forgotten.
I think that's what gets me the most.
#TBT: Racial Stereotyping of Asians and Asian Americans...A Reflection On The Wayne Lo Case
Thursday, August 11, 2016If My Balls Were Famous Temples I Would Call Them Temples, But They're Not, So I Just Call Them Balls
Thursday, August 11, 2016Dear Big Fat Cock Fucker
Thursday, August 11, 2016Honestly, I just wanted to use that in a post title because I don't think I've ever used that exact phrase in a post title.
And yes, I'm sure I can come up with a photo or two, but then I'd digress into a series of posts that are just childish.
And why would I want to do that?
Ok.
I'm going to resume watching bad TV now...
What Does Being The Only Super Regional Korean American Bank Mean? Will There Be A Bank Of Bánh Mì Too?
Thursday, August 11, 2016I read through the press release and I'm still not quite sure what this really means.
They say it will be called the Bank of Hope.
They say "Bank of Hope will serve as a cornerstone for Korean-American communities across the United States, and we look forward to introducing our new brand to our customers, communities and shareholders".
Special loans for Korean Americans?
Dramafever in the lounge while you wait for your personal banker?
Ahjussis getting ready to one hand smack you when you didn't make your payment?
Or just serving the Korean American community?
I'm a little confused but also intrigued.
And as I asked in the title I wonder if BBCN Bancorp and Wilshire Bancorp will create a new subsidiary called the Bank Of Bánh Mì?
Sure it may not be as enticing as Bank of Hope - but I also have to wonder about putting my money into a bank with the word "hope" in it - as in "I hope my money stays safe".
I mean with Bank of Bánh Mì at least you know some White hipsters are gonna ask if they can put some money in ('cause you know - they want to be on the bleeding edge).
Hmmm....I'll have to ponder this for another 5 minutes or so.
Bad Viet. Bad Viet. Bad Viet. AKA Minh Quang Hong
Thursday, August 11, 2016We can't all be as amazing as me I guess (and by amazing I simply mean not sexually assaulting children).
In a case that’s gained international attention, a comedian from Vietnam who traveled to Orange County to make a video was convicted Wednesday of sexually assaulting a boy. Minh Quang Hong, better known by his stage name Minh Beo, or Fat Minh, pleaded guilty to two felonies: oral copulation of a minor and attempting to commit a lewd act on a child younger than 14. He appeared at the West Justice Center in Westminster, grim and thinner than at previous hearings, facing two rows of Vietnamese media documenting his plight to a rapt audience in Little Saigon and across his homeland.Aint nobody ever gonna pray to you MF.
No one.
The Love Life Of An Asian Guy Takes KJ And Cupping To Task
Thursday, August 11, 2016I like this guy, watching his stuff, reading his posts on FB when they hit the feed - some great stuff there.
Particularly liked his take on KJ and cupping (and her name is too hard to spell for me so I'd rather type this all out and just use initials):
Maury: "We checked the use of cupping and cooking raw eggs inside your bowl of instant ramen and found that white people...
YOU...
ARE NOT...
THE FATHER!"
Asian people have BEEN doing this shit before you were even a nut in your dad's pink ballsac. We've BEEN cupping and jazzing up our ramen.
But when we do it, we're "crazy Asians"?
Fuck off lol
I Still Love You Jeannie Mai And All Of Vietnam Loves You Too
Thursday, August 11, 2016
Do even need to say anything else?
Okay...maybe a link to the article down @ http://tuoitrenews.vn.
You're A First (At Least Since 1960): Alexander Massialas
Thursday, August 11, 2016
Direct from the New American Media (because doesn't everyone love them?):
Alexander Massialas who is Taiwanese American took the silver in the men’s individual foil at the Rio games Sunday. He became the first American to win an individual medal in fencing since Albie Axelrod won the bronze in 1960, according to TeamUSA.org.
And yes - that medal was silver - and yes again - silver is fine with me (because you do get points for being in the top 3).
And yes, if silver isn't good enough for you I get to ask the question of what the fuck did you do this week?
Yeah - that's what I thought.
Linkage: Politics, Wealth, Boston, Data, And Scientists Versus Spies
Thursday, August 11, 2016Some random links is you so desire.
The Asian American Wealth Gap: Too Often Ignored
Asian-Americans, Pacific Islanders Gather For Presidential Forum
Connecting Asian-American constituents to state government
White House Initiative, UC Riverside Partner to Improve Asian American, Pacific Islander Data
California's Asian-Pacific Islander community divide over race data bill
Scientists Not Spies: Panel on Asian American Immigrants Brings Historic Perspective on Racial Profiling
You've Been Nominated: Don Nguyen And Maggie Lee
Thursday, August 11, 2016A shout out to my theatre people - nice to see some Asian American representation for Seattle's The Gregory Awards for Outstanding New Play:
OUTSTANDING NEW PLAY
THE ART OF BAD MEN - Vincent Delaney (MAP Theatre)
DAISY - Sean Devine (ACT Theatre)
IS SHE DEAD YET? - Brandon J. Simmons (Annex Theatre)
SOUND - Don Nguyen (Azeotrope)
THE TUMBLEWEED ZEPHYR - Maggie Lee (Pork Filled Productions)
I thought of ending this with something theatre-like, but all I came up with is this...
That never gets old right?
Hello?
Anyone?
Someone?
Do I exist?
Jason Momoa As The New Eric Draven In The Crow Reboot?
Wednesday, August 10, 2016
I may down for this...but then again, I'm not sure either...
I guess I'm sitting on the fence.
Kinda like a crow...
Maybe I should be the next Eric Draven?
Hmmm....intriguing...
But only if he's geeky and walks around town trying to post revenge in the web-o-verse via hackathons...
Yeah...
What? Mindy Kaling And Awkwafina Are Going To Be In Ocean's 8? That's Just The Best News I've Heard All Day
Wednesday, August 10, 2016Saw this on FB (via the Wong of the Nelson) and I had to check out some more links.
Yes.
Yes.
Yes.
Deadline:
Warner Bros has firmed an October start date in New York for Ocean’s Eight, the female-driven caper spinoff directed by Gary Ross, and the studio is closing with its principal cast. Aside from the previously identified Sandra Bullock and Cate Blanchett, deals are close with Anne Hathaway, Rihanna, Helena Bonham Carter, Mindy Kaling and Awkwafina. The latter is the hip-hop moniker of Asian-American rapper and actress Nora Lum, who most recently had a role in Neighbors 2.Did I say Yes already?
Links Of Ichiro Suzuki And Dumbass ESPN Dudes AKA Todd Grisham AKA Suspension?
Tuesday, August 09, 2016Sure - stupidity and xenophobia eventually folded to apologies - but c'mon - who does this in the first place?
Ichiro Suzuki Speaks English Just Fine, Moron
ESPN Dipshit To English-Speaking Ichiro: Speak English!!!
An ESPN Anchor Tweeted, Then Deleted, An Incredibly Ignorant Joke About Ichiro
But I'm sure ESPN won't lessen his role or suspend him.
Visual Communications + Armed With a Camera Fellowship 2016-2017
Tuesday, August 09, 2016
Oh yeah - it's about that time!
In its 15th cycle, the Armed With a Camera (AWC) fellowship has helped over 120 emerging filmmakers to launch careers and give voice to their Asian Pacific American heritage and communities. This program offers six months of training, funding, mentorship, facilities and equipment and an elite world premiere venue – the 2017 Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival!
The AWC Fellowship will award up to ten fellows a cash stipend to complete a four to five-minute digital video. In addition, Fellows will attend an all-expenses paid animated filmmaking workshop to LAIKA Entertainment (KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS, CORALINE, CORPSE BRIDE, PARANORMAN) in Portland, OR.
AWC provides the springboard for emerging media makers for their career. Many alumni have gone on to produce feature films, documentaries and other media. Past fellows include Daniel Hsia (SHANGHAI CALLING), Eugene-Lee Yang (BUZZFEED MOTION PICTURES), Kristina Wong (WONG STREET JOURNAL), Evan Jackson Leong (LINSANITY), AYA TANIMURA (music videos), ERNESTO FORONDA (BETTER LUCK TOMORROW) and Erin Li (KEPLER X-47).
Apply today. Eligible applicants must be of Asian Pacific descent and residents of Southern California. If accepted, Fellows must be able to attend mandatory meetings and workshops in Los Angeles. Women, Native Hawaiians & Pacific Islanders, South Asian, and Southeast Asian filmmakers (particularly animators) are highly encouraged to apply to the AWC Fellowship.
Apply @ http://www.vconline.org/awc
Monday Retro Ishle Yi Park
Monday, August 08, 2016
Sure Monday is almost over but I was re-watching some dvds of recorded programs (which are actually just ISO files sitting on my network) and I was watching this again, remembering how inspiring it was to me.
Mele Murals + Tadashi Nakamura
Thursday, August 04, 2016
Presented by JACCC and Visual Communications
A new film by Tadashi Nakamura
JACCC and Visual Communications presents the Los Angeles premiere of "Mele Murals "(64 minutes, digital video, 2016) by Tadashi Nakamura. The film is a production of ʻŌiwi TV and Pacific Islanders in Communications, in association with Center for Asian American Media.
6:30p - Garden Concert with PAULA FUGA (VIP ticket holders only)
8:00p - Film Screening
9:30p - Q&A with filmmakers and featured artists ESTRIA and PRIME
The Fung Bros + Richie + Brook-Lin + Damn Those Comments
Thursday, August 04, 2016
Fun video about Jeremy Lin heading back to NY but damn - did you read some of those comments?
Hmmm....
"Americans supporting Americans is cool, but Asians supporting Asians is considered dick-riding/hyping. RIIIIIIIGHT"
"U can't let these guys be proud of a fellow Asian making it an industry where he's clearly minority? As one minority to another, shaming them on their pride and calling them 'hoe ass nigg*s" doesn't do anybody shit"
"Yeah we Asians are hyped about Jeremy being a starter! There's nothing wrong with that! Every basketball fan has a favorite player who they support and get hyped over. Sure Jeremy might not me a superstar PG, he might not score a lot of points every time, but it's never wrong to say that he will! If you guys have a problem with that, then I'm not gonna say I'm sorry for supporting one of my favorite players!"
"There's an awful lot of hate from people here who expect Lin to fail because he's Asian. I get it, he's not the best PG in the league but you can't deny the guy has talent. We haven't see his full potential at all he's always been coming off the bench in the teams he's been in. The Nets may not be playoff caliber next season, but they're in a damn better position now before the got Lin. And to all the non-Asians hating of Lin, go back to watching your 2k let's plays, we don't need your hate!"
CNBC + Trump "Risks" Alienating Asian Americans
Thursday, August 04, 2016
As always good to see articles about how Trump alienates Asian Americans - and how people are seeing us as a rising voting force in U.S. politics.
At the same time I just have to ask the question of the title of the CNBC article relating to the word "risks" - risks?
I think it's done.
Asian-American Democratic officials see advantages to those trends in 2016, especially with Donald Trump as the Republican presidential nominee. His jabs at immigrants and pledge to discard the Affordable Care Act clash with the priorities of Asian-American voters as they become a larger part of the electorate, lawmakers said at the Democratic National Convention.
"We see a trend with Republicans where they've become more and more extreme and where there's increasingly xenophobic kind of rhetoric, and certainly that's exemplified in Trump," Rep. Judy Chu of California, chairwoman of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, told CNBC.
Olympian Howard Shu + The U.S. Badminton Team: Sneakerhead + More Than Birdies + Look At All Those Asians!
Thursday, August 04, 2016
From KQED
Howard Shu is the highest-ranked U.S. badminton player in men’s singles — and like many of the players on his team, he’s from Southern California. He’s also a shoe collector, with close to 100 pairs of sneakers.
From NPR
In Asia, badminton is huge, and Shu feeds off that enthusiasm. "When we're playing in China or Indonesia," he says, "they're packed stadiums: 10-, 20,000 people." But, if badminton doesn't have the same respect in the U.S. that it does in Asia, Shu is able to shrug it off. After all, he's used to hearing challenges from people who whacked a birdie around as kids, and boast that they can take him on. "There's no way they could even score a point on me," he says.
--
And yes, if you wanted an All American Asian American team, well - you got it.
Apple Still Has Work To Do In Closing The Gap With Black Workers
Thursday, August 04, 2016
While it's great to see that Apple* is hiring Asian, Black, and Hispanic/Latinx workers in the double digits, it's also showing that those numbers need to be increased dramatically in order to get Black workers into the same double digits for the overall current worker percentage.
2014
7%, 11%, and 15%.
2016
While Asians go up 15% to 19% - a 4% increase, Black workers only go up 2% while Hispanic/Latinx workers only go up 1%.
I give credit to Apple for making the data available and for looking to improve the diversity at their company. But they need to to do more if they are going to decrease that gap. At the very least I would like to see them get Black and Hispanic/Latinx workers up to the 15% overall margin and wouldn't it be nice to see 20% across the board for all three?
*http://www.apple.com/diversity/
Can't Wait For Suicide Squad: Karen Fukuhara AKA Katana BTS Interview
Thursday, August 04, 2016
The critics may not be liking it - but that doesn't mean it can't do a billion.
I'm all up for this diverse cast of misfits.
Good 'Ol Clint Eastwood
Thursday, August 04, 2016
The Unforgiven was a great movie - I'm not gonna lie and I don't think that's up for debate.
Unfortunately Clint Eastwood keeps on being a dumbass.
[Trump is] onto something, because secretly everybody’s getting tired of political correctness, kissing up [...] That’s the kiss-ass generation we’re in right now. We’re really in a p*ssy generation [...] We see people accusing people of being racist and all kinds of stuff. When I grew up, those things weren’t called racist
Stay home Clint. Stay home!
From The AAPI Victory Fund On Donald Trump
Thursday, August 04, 2016August 2, 2016
WASHINGTON -- The AAPI Victory Fund -- the first Super PAC of its kind -- condemns Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump for his callous attacks on Khizr and Ghazla Khan. The Khans are a Gold Star family, which signifies that their son is a fallen American soldier. By criticizing the Khan family, Trump was not just attacking Muslims, but disparaging all American soldiers and veterans and the entire Asian American and Pacific Islander community. The repeated pattern of attacks on this family from the Republican candidate is reprehensible. The Victory Fund stands in solidarity with the Khan family.
"As a proud American who is Muslim, we cannot remain silent when the Republican presidential candidate's platform is based on hate and bigotry," said Dilawar Syed, co-founder and vice chair of the AAPI Victory Fund. "Mr. Khan's call to action in speech last week at the DNC was to vote -- underscoring that this election is the most important of our lifetime and we must turn out the vote in every community."
"When Donald Trump attacks the Khans, he attacks my community too," said Tung Nguyen, co-founder of the AAPI Victory Fund. "Trump's comments against refugees, new Americans and anyone who does not hold his rigid ideology, is attacking the essence of what America is."
The Pew Research Center estimates that 28 percent of 3.3 million Muslims living in the United States are of Asian descent.
"We stand in solidarity with our American Muslim brothers and sisters," said Shekar Narasimhan, chair of the AAPI Victory Fund. "The American Muslim community is diverse and by attacking them, Trump directly attacks Koreans, Vietnamese, Chinese, Indians, Pakistanis, Filipinos and all AAPIs."
"Prominent Republicans have spoken out against Donald Trump's actions, and some have even left the Republican party," said Varun Nikore, vice chair for strategy & operations. "Regardless of political party, there comes a time where decency and respect of those who served must prevail. We must all take action at the ballot box to send a strong message that the AAPI community will not tolerate this behavior from a presidential candidate."
The Victory Fund, which announced its support for Secretary Hillary Clinton, is working with progressive partners -- including the American Muslim community -- to mobilize and influence Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders voters in key battleground states where growing AAPI populations could be the margin of victory. With a population of more than 21 million and representing six percent of the country's population, AAPIs are the fastest-growing and most diverse minority groups in the U.S.
# # #
www.aapivictoryfund.com
On The Anthems Of Michael Nhat And New Wave Hip Hop
Wednesday, August 03, 2016I have to admit that it's taken me a little while to come to the conclusion that LA based Michael Nhat has one of the most singular and different voices in underground hip hop - his music as he describes, new wave hip hop.
And it has a vision.
Provocative, sometimes dark, self-aware, sometimes existing in that space between something completely different and maybe too much.
If nothing else unique in its effort for that vision.
Holy Smoke
If all hip hop artists have at least one song about smoking weed, this is Nhat's (from around a year ago) - and it's done in the Nhat way.
It's not a house party.
Make sure to listen to it all the way through.
A Reasonable Man
One his latest tracks, I just don't know how you can't bop along to this anthem of the underdog - and don't tell me you don't like the video either.
It's a clown.
And Anonymous masks.
They Have A Noose For Me
Probably the darkest song I've heard from Michael Nhat, I've been trying to think about something that comes close to being comparable from a hip hop genre perspective and I can't. It's a confessional and observatory where brutal honesty (a trait of Nhat's songs) fuse with a melodic chorus all split into sometimes jarring visuals. I did ask Michael Nhat about one verse. There is I think some artistic license going on there. At the same time it's the now adult Nhat who can talk about his younger self and being witness to a culture of patriarchy, not glorifying, but demonizing it.
Again - this isn't OPP.
What If You Looked Like The Devil?
I just challenge you to watch the whole video and tell me there's anyone else doing this.
Anyone.
Anything even remotely close.
P.S.
For something earlier (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQscFKzcFb0).