Retro Late Night J Soul Brothers

Yeah I know...full index of posts is coming..

Probably sometime this week.

Seriously.

Maybe.

No...it's coming.

Celebrate The Asian American Vets Who Fought For This Country

While we should be celebrating all of the veterans who've fought for our country, sometimes our community of Asian Americans gets left out or forgotten - simply because not everyone wants to realize the sacrifices (or the wars..."conflicts").

Remember everyone.

Remember us.

Hyolyn Blue Moon x Taeyon Make Me Love You x Coldplay x Tupac MASHUP (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOA3lYX8wyM)

P.S.: I'm Going To Do An Index Of All 200 Posts (As I Also Seem To Have Maxed Out Something On The Blogger Sidebar)

But definitely not today...

Wait - what day is it again?

Oh yeah...

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 200: That's A Wrap. I'll Have To Wait Until Next Time...

While I didn't quite make 250 posts in 24 hours, and not all of my posts are chewy and meaty - but my posts here aren't always chewy and meaty anyway - I feel pretty decent about getting to where I was even if my eyes were a little bit bigger than my stomach.

But for now - that's good enough.

Peace and love.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 199: I'm Capping This Off At 200

One last post in this quest after this one - and yes again - I'm counting this...

Get your own quest.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 198: Asian Americans With Some College More Likely To Intermarry?

I saw this article down at AsAmNews about this Pew Research study and it just makes me wonder:

Intermarriage among Asians is more common among those with some college, 39%, than those with more education, 29%, and less education, 26%. An Asian-White couple is the second most common interracial marriage,15% after Hispanic-White, 42%.

Glad to see at least that there's a dramatic shift of non-black parents who would oppose a relative marrying someone who is black.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 197: Margaret M. Chin + Conversations + Chinese American Youth

Kudos to CUNYTV for continuing to put out these videos.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 196: SAALT + South Asian American Killings

From AAPRESS:

South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT), a national South Asian civil rights organization, mourns the loss of life in separate killings of South Asian Americans last week in California and Michigan, and demands that law enforcement investigate whether racial or religious animus motivated any of these incidents.

On May 4, Dr. Ramesh Kumar was found shot dead in his car on a highway near Detroit, Michigan. Hours later in a separate incident in Modesto, California, Jagjeet Singh, a convenience store clerk, was stabbed to death by a customer outside his shop. Racial motivations have been alleged in both cases.

Read it in full.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 195: And In Other Related Deadline News

Submit to @ProximityMag's annual #prize issue! (@deedottiedot, @BrevityMag, @melissachadburn, @Nomistonestone, @PurviPoets, @CameronConaway) pic.twitter.com/nKlSuQGDmG

— Maggie Messitt 📎 (@maggiemessitt) May 13, 2017

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 194: P.S. One Week Left For The Jadin Wong Dance Award Deadline

The Jadin Wong Dance Award: one week until deadline for proposals! https://t.co/WAyzbAs1wb pic.twitter.com/QlkaCpSqJA

— Asian American Arts (@aaartsalliance) May 18, 2017

I don't know too much about this award - so I'll just post up the info:

The Jadin Wong Award is a tribute to the life and work of renowned Chinese American actress, dancer, and comedienne Jadin Wong. Since her teenage years, Ms. Wong had been a pioneer and innovator of Asian American performing arts.

This year's award is intended to recognize an emerging Asian American choreographer whose work shows strong potential for greater achievement, who hopes to make a significant impact on the New York City artistic community. The award aims to recognize exemplary work that will continue to inspire young artists and the Asian American community for years to come. The winner will receive a cash award of $4,500 to provide educational assistance, training, and support with limited financial means to help them pursue their career as a choreographer.

A little help goes a long way.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 193: Ryka Aoki + Writing

Our interview with award-winning poet @ryka_aoki:https://t.co/WItIGa27lA pic.twitter.com/uf4NCT33Ij

— The Matador Review (@matadorreview) May 12, 2017

#truth

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 192: This Quest Makes Me Want To Do Some Long Ass Posts Now

And by now, I mean definitely not today - and that's not saying I haven't set out to do some of what I wanted, but I also do like to just sit and ponder sometimes - which I didn't get to do as much simply because of time - and there are other topics that I really do want to go more in-depth on - but little ripples for now.

And yes - simply because I'm starring at that picture from the last post - I almost typed "nipples".

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 191: A Hot Asian Man Tweet From Hot Asian Men HQ

#AsianGuy #HotAsianMen #HotAsianGuy. To Date a Man, You Must Understand a Man: https://t.co/M8Pb5iAgm7 pic.twitter.com/3QzLAma72E

— Hot Asian Men HQ (@HotAsianMenHQ) April 30, 2017

Don't tell me you don't want this.

I know you do.

I know you want to get the oil out and get your hands dirty.

Work it.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 190: Will The Tech World Be Run By A Hapa?

Just thinking about Priscilla Chan and Mark Zuckerberg I do wonder - because I feel like The Zuck will get past Gates at some point (maybe?) - what the tech world - and possibly more will see in the next 20 years simply because of that - and that's not to say that there aren't other Asian Americans out there who are and will make a dent in that space - but just food for thought.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 189: Because I Just Haven't Made A Bai Ling Post In Quite Some Time

#hot #news Bai Ling #chinese #topnews https://t.co/K8MrBBQS3Q its #china #ValentinesDay today ImadeU ahot #video Cookie:Imyour #valentine ❤️ pic.twitter.com/PMB7SdEugp

— Bai ling 白靈 (@RealBaiLing) May 20, 2017

Yeah I know...

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 188: 7 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Jun Ji Hyun + Drama Mania

I started watching Legend of The Blue Sea but haven't gotten back to it.

I'll have to give it another shot.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 187: Random Steve Chen Quote

"In the last 15 years there has been this introspection with Chicago [about] what is magical about Silicon Valley that enables these entrepreneurs and engineers to create companies, and why are they not created here within Chicago," Chen said. "Projects like 1871 are a good demonstration that it is possible to do it within Chicago as well. It doesn't have to be in the Bay Area."

Read the article in full here.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 186: I Guess I Can Ask The Question Of If Blogging Is More Than Writing...

And I know the answer - or at least my answer - or at least my answer from this quest.

And I think it may play into a larger question.

I don't know what that question is right now...but when I ask it - you'll be the first to know.

And by you, I mean me.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 185: Awkwafina + Fuse + The Faces Of Future Asian & Pacific History

The faces of Future Asian & Pacific History, in photos – https://t.co/ktu4SaNhor @Awkwafina #FutureHistory pic.twitter.com/X5Q9rmRiI8

— Fuse (@fusetv) May 21, 2017

Here's a link as well out to the fuse.tv article.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 184: Nigahiga + The Life Of A YouTuber + Writing A Book

It's like the stages of the hero.

Except it's the stages of an Asian American youtuber.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 183: P.S. I Know Keni Styles Is Retired But...

I just wanted to make a post in this collection (even though I've posted on him before) because well - you know - he is Keni Styles.

Maybe there's a comeback?

Keni Styles 2.0?

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 182: Now It's Just A Numbers Game

While I know why I did this quest, I didn't think I'd learn as much about myself as I was doing this, but as I near the end of the 24 hour period and as I know I won't reach 250 unless I just start doing one word posts off the top of my head - I'm still okay with that.

Because sometimes you just have to set the bar and go for it and just let it fly doing whatever it is that means something to you.

It may not resonate with everyone - but in that way, we just have to do what we do because that's what makes us who we are as individuals and as a community.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 181: Presidenttrumpisahump.com (AKA Well You Know What Hump Means)

I really don't know what I'll do with this - but at some point - at least after I eat the shit out of the Asian buffet tonight - I'll do something with it.

Top definition
hump

To grind one's genitalia in a press-and-release pattern against a particular object or surface; usually associated with an inanimate object.

My dog keeps humping my leg.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 180: Judy Chu + Pic + CPAC

Presenting the the 2017 Members of @CAPAC! pic.twitter.com/kPu6nxhYU9

— Judy Chu (@RepJudyChu) May 17, 2017

That's all.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 179: Kamala Harris On Obama Care

#ThanksObamahttps://t.co/Y2OhRBZLdL

— Kamala Harris (@SenKamalaHarris) May 21, 2017

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 178: Because You Wanted More From Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi

May 20, 2017
Press Release

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, lead Democrat on the Subcommittee on Healthcare, Benefits and Administrative Rules, released the following statement in response to the Trump administration's threats to imperil health care affordability for 7 million Americans through eliminating crucial subsidies:

“President Trump is using the ability of millions of Americans to afford health insurance as a bargaining chip. As part of his attempt to force the Republican health care bill through Congress, the President is threatening to eliminate key subsidies allowing 7 million Americans to afford their health insurance. Slashing these subsidies would lead to a 19 percent surge in premiums and force taxpayers to spend billions more to cover the cost.

The Administration knows eliminating these subsidies would be a health care disaster for our country. If the President goes through with this plan, he’ll be responsible for millions of Americans losing their health insurance.

Our health care system faces serious challenges and making insurance more expensive for millions of Americans will only make those challenges more daunting. Instead, we need to pursue real strategies for reducing costs and improving health care such as reducing the cost of prescription drugs, establishing a public option, and allowing older Americans to buy into Medicare early.”

https://krishnamoorthi.house.gov/

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 177: A Tweet From Senator Mazie Hirono

On my way to vote no on another dangerous Trump appointee. Mahalo for the overwhelming outpouring of support. pic.twitter.com/kDfKzmPQnF

— Senator Mazie Hirono (@maziehirono) May 16, 2017

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 176: Random Patsy Mink Bio (Because Why Not?)

http://www.anb.org/articles/07/07-00812.html

Mink, Patsy (1927-2002), U.S. congresswoman, was born Patsy Matsu Takemoto in Paia, Maui, Hawaii, the daughter of Suematsu Takemoto, a civil engineer, and Mitama Tateyama Takemoto. Both parents were the children of Japanese immigrants who had moved to Hawaii at the turn of the century to work on sugar cane plantations in Maui. An exceptionally bright and engaging child, Patsy did well in school and was popular with her peers, despite frequent encounters with racial prejudice: whites of European ancestry constituted an elite ruling class in Hawaii, at that time a U.S. territory. Moreover, prejudice against Hawaiians of Japanese descent intensified after the 7 December 1941 Japanese bombing of the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor, a Hawaiian port city. Nevertheless, encouraged by her family, Patsy used her intelligence and interpersonal skills to advantage: she was elected the first female president of the student body at Maui High School, and she became the valedictorian of her graduating class in 1944.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 175: 2017 Utada featuring KOHH

When will I see her everywhere?

And by here I mean in the U.S.

Has the time just passed?

Will we ever be ready?

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 174: Because You Wanted More Sneaker Talk From Richie Le (AKA Hypetalk)

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 173: Fung Bros + Asian Food Trends 2017 Edition

Now I'm hungry.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 172: I'm A Fan Of Strictly Dumpling. So Should You

I'd give this a shot.

Maybe?

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 171: Because You Wanted More Kyle Le Dot Net

Sue me.

I like videos of the Motherland.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 170: Retro Tim Be Told

And by retro I mean from six months ago.



Seriously I could have sworn I posted this up before - but search tells me different.

So here you go.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 169: I'm Just Posting This Video On If Asian Americans Should Hook Up More (Judge It For Yourself)

From a couple of months ago via Jimmy Zhang.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 168: Will An Asian American Ever Host The Oscars? And Who Would That Be?

Seriously.

Do you think there will ever be a day when that happens?

I think it will be sometime - and while I think there could be some candidates - poll yourself while you're deep in thought, and better yet ask that question to some non Asian Americans.

Anything?

What did you say?

Margaret Cho?

Okay - I'll go with that.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 167: P.S. Bruno Mars Will Be On The BBMAs

.@brunomars is bringing the ✨ MAGIC✨ to the #BBMAs TOMORROW! 8e/5p on ABC. #BRUNOxBBMAs pic.twitter.com/84Xoes0WUx

— BillboardMusicAwards (@BBMAs) May 21, 2017

It's like a re-tweet?

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 166: 2.5 Hours. Can I Get To At Least 200?

Maybe.

Maybe not.

And yes - I am counting this as a post because at the end of the day - it's about the archives not necessarily about the quest.

Sometimes we can fail, but still succeed because it really is about the journey and not about the end result.

Or at least that's what I'm telling myself now?

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 165: Will I Die If I My Kids Bring Home White Partners?

In all reality I'll say no to this question - but at the same time I can't help but ask the question of if they would, was it because they just fell in love, or because they didn't think that brown was beautiful?

While I know that answer as well because as an Asian American parent I try and instill that self love of the community into the next generation - I still can't help but ask myself that question simply because of the racism that we have to endure at times and the thought patterns that go along with it.

I hope I won't be like that.

I think I won't be like that.

I won't be like that.

#crossingmyfingers?

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 164: Random Bio: Hieu Minh Nguyen

https://www.hieuminhnguyen.com/about

Hieu Minh Nguyen is the author of This Way to the Sugar (Write Bloody Press, 2014) which was a finalist for both a Minnesota Book Awards and a Lambda Literary Awards. A queer Vietnamese American poet, Hieu is a Kundiman fellow and a poetry editor for Muzzle Magazine. His work has also appeared in the Southern Indiana Review, Guernica, Ninth Letter, Devil's Lake, Bat City Review, the Paris-American, and elsewhere. Hieu is a nationally touring poet, performer, and teaching artist. He lives in Minneapolis where he flails his arms and forgets to take his clothes out of the dryer.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 163: Are Asian American Magazines All But Dead Now?

You just have to wonder about the viability of print anymore and I wonder if I'll see a day again when the magazine or some other print-form will truly be like it was back in the day. And I guess by using that phrase "back in the day" I kind of have already answered that question. I live in a digital world, but I can't help but still have AAPI magazines around my house because I just like to pick them up, or have them around - because they're already on and I don't have to touch a screen to show someone.

Old school huh?

I don't think it's gonna happen anytime soon - but if it does - I'll pick up a copy.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 162: Maybe Some Of These Are Like Tweets...

But I was short form blogging for a while (because I'm still lazy sometimes and I just don't have that much to say).

Why you gotta put me in a box?

Get your own quest dammit.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 161: P.S. On That Last Post With That Last Tweet

I wonder though if it would have had more impact (at least for me) if it wasn't Jonah Hill in the GIF.

Just a random thought.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 160: I'll Just Post This Tweet

Dear other Asians who call themselves "ling ling" or "chink," stop. It ain't cute. You're literally degrading yourself ???? pic.twitter.com/kui4HmrRRw

— ㅤㅤ (@defsoeul) May 14, 2017

Definitely - but I'll still hold on to Slanty because - well - you know - I'm Slanty.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 159: Vanessa Hudgens Getting Ready To Host The BBMAs

Gettin ready to host the @BBMAs 👗 by @faustopuglisi pic.twitter.com/YhvtoO0Ax7

— Vanessa Hudgens (@VanessaHudgens) May 20, 2017

Work it girl.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 158: Chew-Een Lee - The First Asian American Marine Officer

In case you didn't know the name.

Or the story.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 157: Can You Call Yourself An Asian American Artist If You Don't Make Any Money?

I think some people might not say yes to this question - or they may say yes, but in all reality don't actually believe it.

Myself I think you can. I think you can toil in obscurity and just do it for the love of the craft.

You don't need money to output love in that way and you don't need money to validate the craft.

Because sometimes the lanes just aren't open for that - and while they should be - sometimes you just can't do anything about it.

So you either do what you do and believe in what you do if you're an artist, or you just try and live up to other people's standards and forever get lost.

Don't get lost.

Keep pushing.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 156: On Smoking Rooms In Asian Airports

While I'm quitting soon (at least that's my plan, but we'll see how truly weak I may be) I have to admit that I really look forward to the smoking rooms in airports if I'm out traveling in Asia.

On my latest trip, as I hadn't been out for a while, I forgot how great they were - if you're a smoker.

At the same time, as with many things in Asia - there's dichotomy.



I didn't have an original pic handy - but this is close to what they are still like now in SE Asia.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 155: Sometimes You Just Have To Be Tiger Dad (Well You Know)

Maybe I should qualify this...I'm not saying I'm a tiger dad - because technically that could be all over the board - but I'm also not saying I'm a pushover.

I mean if you want to help transfer knowledge and make the youth of today ready for the challenges of tomorrow, C+'s just don't cut it.

Being lax doesn't do anything.

Giving out free money like it's water just won't fly because at some point they'll still be thirsty.

Just remember who runs the ship - and true - you don't want a mutiny - but you have to make sure the deck is clean.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 154: White People. I Know Your Networks So Don't Hate

Sometimes I just like to go off on White People - and I've said this before but I'll say it again:

Why do some White People like to take offense to everything not having to do with them?

I mean I've known White Folks who should be more liberal in regard to race and ethnicity, but when Asian Americans they may know speak up from a POC POV, they just can't handle it.

It's like they feel the wounds of their White brothers and sisters even though the target was never even aimed at them and I feel like you have to get over that Whiteness in order to progress.

I'm sure I've lost folks in that way - and while I could lament some thing and say "Oh that's too bad because they did have some nice qualities" at the end of the day, if you're not down for the other POV - if it's just too close to home because you can't separate yourself - it's really not my problem.

Stay White as you want to be.

Just stay away from me.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 153: When Viets Collide

If there's one thing that binds a lot of Viets I know - it's simply that we say what we want.

When push comes to shove, many of us have a history of war in our past, and that trauma, that history - it can create a state of hypervigilance where world's collide.

Typically it's nothing more than a quick bump or passing in the night, but sometimes, it can result in just not getting out the voices that are needed.

My hope, my thing - at least that's what I try - is to just work past it.

Move on and create.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 152: You May Be KADalicious But It's Still Not All About You

I'm just gonna say this because I've said it before, but sometimes I feel like simply because of numbers, some KADs, just aren't inclusive of other communities within the TRA community.

I get it and all - but there are just too many other voices to hear about from the TRA community to get that myopic and sometimes I just have to shake my head and just go back to doing what I do.

Because other TRAs aren't an overlap of KADs (as I've heard this said in that way).

The same.

But not.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 151: Having That Many Viets On Panel Won't Fly?

I remember having a conversation about a panel featuring all Viet Adoptees and the sentiment - at least how I understood it at the time - was that maybe it just wouldn't fly.

That it should be more diverse.

Because you can't have a whole row of Viets together?

Because something is going to happen?

Call me small-minded but it kind of left a bad taste in my mouth.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 150: But Do You Really Support APIAs?

Some people might say they do - but they really only care about their specific communities, and while you can say sure that's what everyone does - in some ways I think if you really support our communities (because it is so vast and deep) you have to go outside of your comfort zone.

See a play if all you like is movies.

See a movie if all you like is theatre.

When I think about truly supporting our communities - in some ways it's as much as you can - not necessarily always what you may be interested in, or even agree with.

And definitely - someone can't do everything for a plethora of reasons - but I think it's a fair question to ask (and I throw myself into that conversation as well at times).

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 149: Archives: ISA Origins Circa 2009

Glad channelAPA have these videos from back in the day - great to re-listen to some of this.

Origins.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 148: Retro Meiko - Leave The Lights On

Classic.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 147: Did You Know #8273

https://www.army.mil/article/168134

The first Special Forces Soldier killed in Iraq was a Vietnamese-American

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 146: DDK Stalker Photos

From Terry Young on FB: Having lunch sitting next to our table was #DanielDaeKim from #H50 https://t.co/iMRaknHNrb pic.twitter.com/cBGi6CJS8N

— Lisa (@alohaspaceman) May 19, 2017

So these may not be stalker photos, but they're close enough?

I mean if I were DDK - I don't know if I'd be so calm.

Sure, he's probably a nice guy who lets people take pics of him - but - I'd be weary...it's just a hop, skip, and a jump between a photo and wet kiss you didn't ask for.

P.S.

How does he still look so good?

Oh yeah...that's right...he's not me.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 145: Asian Americans, Christianity And Political Issues

I'm a heathen (see recovering Catholic) so I can't claim certain things - but I do find the discourse surrounding Asian American identity and religion a good read.

For Asian American Christians, understanding ethnic identity is necessary to be able to more deeply understand and act on faith, politics, and justice, according to members of a panel who discussed these issues at Fuller Theological Seminary on Thursday. “Historians say context is everything,” said Dr. David K. Yoo, vice provost of the Institute of American Cultures at UCLA, who was one of three panelists. “How can we say we know ourselves without knowing our context?” Yoo posed. “To say that these things don’t matter is kind of deluding yourself.” The panel session, which was hosted alongside other events by Fuller’s Asian American Center in commemoration of Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, touched upon various topics such as how ethnic identity affects an understanding of theology or faith; social issues that are relevant to the Asian American community; and the need for the Asian American community to speak up and act.

Read it in full.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 144: A Little More Lou. A Little More Hoang. NÃO CÁ VÀNG

So smooth.

Viet soul.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 143: Did You Hear The Latest Rich Chigga?

Now you have.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 142: P.S. I'm Not Talking About My Balls Anymore

You know...I'm not a single guy anymore - I have a wife now.

Sometimes I have to take one for the team.

And if there's one thing K-Wife doesn't want me to talk about - it's my balls.

So just as an FYI - while I have smooth silky Asian American balls, there are no more posts about my balls.

I'm not ball-less mind you, but you know...technically they're not post-able.

Okay.

I'm fondling myself now to give myself some extra energy (metaphorically mind you).

And we're done now.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 141: New Cup Of Coffee 4.5 Hours Left. Let's See How Far I Can Get

Well I think the title says it all, and while I probably won't have a ton of long ass posts, and I probably won't make the 250 - fuck - I'm still going to work it.

Cause I'm Asian.

And that's what we do.

Toil until the end.

Well - you know.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 140: Apparently I'm Going Down In Flames

So be it.

Let's see how far the flames can fan me.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 139: Random History: Cambodian American Politics Circa 2009

Here's a link to an older article via the Lowellsun.com.

Meas says he wants to inspire the immigrant community. His vision: In five years, two Cambodians on the City Council, in 10 years, a Cambodian mayor.

"Cambodians, Vietnamese, Laotians, we all have a stake in this. The political process is not only open to Caucasian Americans."

Cambodian refugees who arrived in the 1980s and 1990s wanted survival in their new homeland, not necessarily a role in politics.

Cambodians in Lowell follow their homeland politics, particularly Cambodia's longtime prime minister, Hun Sen, a former Khmer Rouge officer before changing sides, and opposition leader Sam Rainsy, who frequently visits Lowell to raise money.

But "to them it is not a priority to say 'I dictate the policy of this city," says Vong Ros of his community's political involvement in Lowell.

Many Cambodians are still not fluent in English. Perhaps most of all, the genocide ingrained deep mistrust of government.

Dahvy Tran recalls walking out of a Market Basket store in Lowell several years ago, where John Kerry was campaigning.

"It was the first time I realized we elected people like we do here," says Tran, 22, who works with the Asian Task Force.

Her mother's escape from Cambodia colored family perceptions of politics.

"In Cambodia, if you spoke out against the government they would kill you," she says. "Out of fear, you just kind of go with whatever happens. And people who came here were afraid that what happened with the Khmer Rouge would happen again. The Khmer Rouge kept endless lists of people, and the older generation gets nervous, and doesn't want information known."

Older refugees fear the government turning on them here, too, she says.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 138: Zion.T - ‘노래(THE SONG)’ M/V

I really do Zion.

Colorful.

But he's just got a good vibe and I think to myself - why can't this translate here in the U.S.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 137: George Takei On Letting Trump Back In The Country, And Rompers. Because We Should Stand Up Against Rompers

I'm of the view that we shouldn't let Trump back in the country until we can figure out what the hell is going on.

— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) May 20, 2017

I'm okay with this.

There are indeed some grave and instant threats to our nation, our very social fabric. The latest? ROMPERS.

— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) May 20, 2017

And that.

Because you will never see me in a Romper.

I feel like Asian American men have enough problems at times without complicating it with a romper.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 136: Move Up Asian Kids In The Picture With Justin Trudeau

Probably the coolest prom photo. Ever. @JustinTrudeau stopped to take a photo with these teens before prom https://t.co/37jQw6H20g pic.twitter.com/E5lSE4Bm5A

— Daily Hive Vancouver (@VancityBuzz) May 21, 2017

Seriously - I can barely see your faces.

Are those short shorts btw?

I couldn't do those.

I like a little room.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 135: Have I Seen This Target Commercial Before? All Asian?

Is this a show that I missed?

How do I catch the first season?

It's a commercial?

Really?

I don't think I've seen this before.

Why don't I remember this?

Did they not play it in my region?

Seriously - I feel like this could be a TV show.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 134: SIFF 2017 Trailer: She's the Boss (Bạn Gái Tôi Là Sếp)

From Ham Tran (Journey From the Fall, The Anniversary).

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 133: Because You Wanted A Link Top PBN Circa 2010

Thank me later?

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 132: Dear Non Asian POC (AKA Intersectionality Without Erasure)

Dear Non Asian POC,

Just out of curiosity,

for those that don't like us - or seem to have issues with us at times...why might that be?

I mean - we're not White People.

Sure - sometimes the Motherlands want a milkier white skin, but - you know - it's not like wanting to be White White.

And that doesn't mean we here subscribe to that.

We're just the same as you.

Well - not really.

Because we shouldn't compare like that.

And we can't.

But we all do share at least some inequities.

So shouldn't we all be sitting at the table eating the Good Meal together?

And by that I mean Racist White People?

Okay.

A little tongue in cheek here.

But you get the point. I'm just saying, the more we work together, the better off we'll all be - and yes, I do feel like just like for White People, the bad ones gotta go.

Okay.

This time I'm really out.

Sincerely,
Adam I've Been Up For Way To Damn Long But This Post Really Does Speak To Intersectionality Without Erasure

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 131: Holy Fuck. I Have Like 9 Hours Of Blogging Left

What?

That's like a full work day. I don't even know...what the hell?

Why did I sign up for this again?

Why was 250 the magic number?

Oh hell.

Okay. I'm done now.

With the post.

The quest it does keep moving.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 130: Asian American Immigration Map

Because it's just good to have this on file.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 129: Would Dwayne Johnson Beat Trump In An Election? He'd Consider It? Running? What?

What?

Just let this sink in.

We'll see.

We'll see???

I need to to ponder this one.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 128: Random Viet Nguyen Late Night TV Clips

Just some good clips featured on late night TV from earlier this year.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 127: Oprah's Pics That Flip The Script

Loving these pictures especially the one above.

For a moment I wondered if any of the women below in the pic (the White women) were actually really not into the shoot.

Like once they got down there they were like "Did I sign up for this?".

And above them - they just look like they're having the time of their lives.

Just curious...

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 126: Bambu + NPR Music Interview

Definitely can't sleep on Bambu.

If you do - well - that's on you.

http://www.npr.org/2017/05/20/529106586/bambu-my-music-is-here-to-push-people-to-organize

Jonah Deocampo grew up in Los Angeles in the 1990s, one of the estimated 3 million members of the Filipino diaspora in the United States. At 15, he got involved with Filipino street gangs, which eventually led to an arrest for armed robbery. At that point — on what he describes as the "advice" of a judge — he joined the Marines. Today, he's Bambu DePistola: a community activist and rapper with a committed following in underground hip-hop circles. Bambu's message is uncompromising — for some, uncomfortably so — and he's begun to attract more widespread attention through opening shows for Common and collaborating with Killer Mike of Run The Jewels. Bambu spoke with NPR's Michel Martin about his youth in LA, why hip-hop appealed to him as the child of immigrants and how he's responded to critics who say his music is too negative. Hear their full conversation at the audio link, and read on for an edited transcript.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 125: From Hollyannaeree And Being Herself

Jump around to 6:32 to hear more.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 124: NYT + A Radical Redo For Madama Butterfly?

I don't know...I was reading some of the quotes, and I just don't know...

Better minds probably have something more erudite to say on this - but for me - I just don't know.

Would I go see this?

Probably already guessed my answer...

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 123: CBS, Asian Americans, And Suffering In Silence

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/asian-americans-minorities-mental-health-uncharted-state-of-mind-episode-3/

According to Dr. Kevin Nadal, president of the Asian American Psychological Association and professor at John Jay College in New York, many Asian-American families hold a "notion of shame and stigma" around mental illness and that "bringing shame to one's family can be especially detrimental to a person's mental health."

Sara, a 30-year-old Chinese-American who asked that CBS News not use her last name, is one example.

Sara spent much of her adolescence coping with depression and striving to meet her own high academic expectations.

Bullied in school and at home by her older sister, she says her upbringing did not allow her to talk to anyone about her emotional issues, silencing her into isolation and letting her problems fester.

Check out the video @ the CBS website.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 122: Tim Atlas + NPR Tiny Desk Submission

I can see an older Tim Atlas really taking off.

Just a little bit.

A few years and it's all stars.

Video from earlier this year.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 121: I'm Still Waiting For Shanghai I Love You

Apparently all of this checking over the years has finally paid off because at least I see some sort of update from IMDB.

Comments: Completion in 2019

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 120: Random Michelle Wie Tweet (AKA Mom Hugs)

My mom gives the best hugs ❤️❤️❤️ #thismoment https://t.co/ONsNE12PRb

— Michelle Wie (@themichellewie) May 14, 2017

That's sweet.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 119: CÓ EM CHỜ - OFFICIAL MV FULL | MIN FT MR A

And here's Teaser #3 for KHẮC HƯNG x ERIK x MIN - #GHEN

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 118: Reminder. Watch Sung Kang In Starz Power

Sure, I'll have to get Starz (or maybe see if I can find it online), but I do want to catch this because I'd like to see more Sung Kang.

Everyone wants more Sung Kang.

Don't they?

P.S.

I know this picture isn't from Power (because it's from Gang Related) - but I still like it and this is my blog, so you know...

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 117: LPGA Tour's Christina Kim And Overcoming Depression

Definitely read this because I think it's inspiring to hear from an Asian American woman who by all accounts - is living the life.

Kim recounted this in her blog in July 2012. At the time, she couldn’t explain why her mood was so dark, her life so unhappy. She knew what she had — a supportive family, good friends, a well-established professional golf career, legions of fans who delighted in her effervescent personality and chatty presence on and off the course.

In 2011, 2012 and parts of 2013, she said, it was a facade.

She was masking deep mental pain and emotional anguish.

After the incident in Spain, Kim said she felt she had hit “rock bottom and it was OK to ask for medical intervention.”

Medication was prescribed. Slowly, it worked.

Mental health and self care is important - however you phrase it. And as we know - sometimes it can be shamed in our communities.

Hopefully more people talk about it so more people can take action against it without feeling shamed or like they've done something wrong.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 116: An Open Letter To Michelle Kwan

Girl,

I just wanted to say I hope you get the house and everything else that belongs to you because are you kidding me?

From a tweet?

A MF tweet?!!!

You know what I'd do with those ice-skates right?

Yeah - I know you were at least thinking about it...

But don't worry - you'll get yourself something meatier.

Kisses,
And remember. Don't let him take a damn thing!

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 115: Korean Dudes Spit A Lot. No Really

If there's one thing I noticed when I was in South Korean (well not the only thing of course but enough of it) was that dudes in SK spit a lot.

Damn.

I thought I spit a lot. No. Korean dudes in Seoul spit a lot.

I even saw one guy in the airport, on one of the moving walks, actually do the throat clear, and log a loogey to the left side on the carpet.

Damn.

If you did that at the airport in Vietnam - there's a 50/50 chance you're going somewhere.

Because there's a difference.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 114: I Can't Help It. Keanu's Come Up The Last Few Times

And really - do you have something against him?

Do I really post that much on Keanu?

Is it like having two Asians on a show?

Two close together for you?

Are you a Keanu hater?

That last question is rhetorical btw because I don't want to know.

You can keep that to yourself.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 113: GQ + Keanu Reeves

A promotional poster for John Wick 2 shows the widower assassin in an expensive-looking black suit, holding a Glock, while being measured by a man in shirtsleeves, presumably his tailor. Wick is of course played by Keanu Reeves, who appears to have barely aged since his days as Point Break’s Johnny Utah a quarter century ago. His hair is jet black, long and parted dead-center, the way it is in all of his best roles. His beard is slightly more grown in, and his gaze a bit more focused, but otherwise he remains Hollywood’s best blank slate. The man who went from gay street hustler, to FBI agent, to time-traveling metalhead in a single year. Keanu’s unique ability to seem detached from his job as an actor—the same quality that makes some critics groan because they mistake the actor for the characters he plays—has made him a divisive figure. It’s also why he’s one of my favorite actors, and one of the all-time coolest. It's why History is going to treat Keanu Reeves very, very kindly.

An older article from earlier this year but worth the read if you haven't already caught it.

Read it in full.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 112: Speaking Of Daewon...15 Reasons Daewon Song Is Not Your Average Pro Skater

Just in case you wanted to know more about the Korean American skateboarder:

Daewon Song is one of the few people who can skate better than anyone at any given spot without looking like a showoff. I first witnessed this in the 1990s, when I saw him at a school yard. He can perform the ridiculous feats you expect—as documented in videos like New World Order (1993), Trilogy (1996), and Rodney Mullen vs. Daewon Song(1997)—without making anyone feel like a lesser skateboarder. But as the past decade has shown, Daewon’s skills go well beyond benches. He’s equally adept at riding parks, along with obstacles few others would even deem skateable—think rocks and tree trunks. And despite being pro for more than 20 years, he's still very much a skate rat.

You can check out his Instagram here.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 111: Don't You Want This Daewon Song Batman Deck Too?

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 110: Retro Suboi - Away

I don't even feel like I need to explain this.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 109: Is Keanu Reeves Not On Twitter? I Did Find A Cool Picture Though

Really?

P.S.

I found that picture here.

I couldn't at least find a verified account.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 108: And This Is How 1Million Dance Studio Does Bruno Mars

No beefs now.

They're both great dances.

And different songs.

This isn't WS story.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 107: Because Mike Song, Tony Tran, And Bruno Mars Just Go Together (AKA Just Dance)

I move like that.

When I'm not you know...not moving like that...which is really...most of the time.

So basically I can't move like that.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 106: As An FYI On The AAPI...

Just so I have this down for the record, which again still counts as a post - while I do have AAPI in the hashtag there's also more than just AAPI related posts.

It's our month.

But I still like what I like - or for that matter don't like - and that's a part of what makes up my Asian American.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 105: Twice Gets 24 Million Views For Signal...I Don't Know...

At least for the first five days - it's definitely getting some views.

I kind of fast forwarded through this track.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 104: Sometimes It's Hard Having White In-Laws

Anyone who has them - you know what I'm talking about.

They can be great - they can be the nicest grandparents to your kids - but somehow - at some point - sometimes the Whiteness just shines through - and I mean that in a nice way.

Because it may not be corrosive per se - but just you know - a little White.

Sometimes funny even.

Or - maybe it's too White - and you just don't know what to do with it.

I mean, you know - that can happen too.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 103: Politics And Calling It Out

However you do it, whatever it is that you do - sometimes you have to take a hit.

For me - that means calling some things out around race from all perspectives.

I just can't help it sometimes and I'll gauge what the risk is - just like with anything else - but I'll do that fairly quick because I just have specific beliefs.

I can give benefit of the doubt at times, and you do have to think about what it is that you say - but sometimes - it just needs to be said.

You just can't worry about who you're offending.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 102: G YAMAZAWA - NORTH CACK (feat. Joshua Gunn & Kane Smego)

Tasty.

https://www.gyamazawa.com/

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 101: 25 Down I Gotta Keep Going. But Probably No Time For Haters

For a while I was going to speak to the haters - but in some ways - I just don't have time.

And when I say haters - I mean the haters.

Either love what you do or don't do it.

Either take the hit or don't do it.

Unsubscribe.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 100: Wikipedia Me Alan Yang Please

Okay. If that's what you want:

For Parks and Recreation, he has directed two episodes - "New Beginnings" (2014) (Season 6, Episode 11) and "Swing Vote" (2013) (Season 5, Episode 21). In addition to being a writer on the show and writing 16 episodes (a "written by" credit), Yang has also served as a story editor for 24 episodes and an executive story editor for 6 episodes.

He has additionally served as an Executive Producer for Master of None, as a Co-Executive Producer, Supervising Producer, Producer and Co-Producer on Parks and Recreation, an Executive Producer on Date and Switch (2014), a Consulting Producer on South Park (the episode "Miss Teacher Bangs A Boy" (2006)), a Producer on the Funny or Die short Parks and Recreation is the Wu Tang of Comedy (2010), and as an Associate Producer on Last Call with Carson Daly. He has also served as a consultant for the 2007 MTV Movie Awards.

As an actor, he appears as "Chang" (or "Bass Player" or "Alan") on 14 episodes of Parks and Recreation. He also appears in the short film Food Club (2014), directed by Eric Wareheim, and on Kroll Show as a contestant on the episode "Sponsored by Stamps" (2014). He also is a performer on the song "5,000 Candles In The Wind" from episodes of Parks and Recreation ("Moving Up: Part 2" (2014) and "Lil' Sebastian" (2011)).

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 99: From The AAAJ - Racial Justice, Civil Liberties and Digital Rights Groups Urge FCC Not to Harm Lifeline Program

Today the FCC voted 2–-1 to initiate a notice of proposed rulemaking pertaining to its Net Neutrality rules. We are concerned about the possible impact of this rulemaking on the Lifeline program’s support for broadband service. We care deeply about the Lifeline broadband program because it mitigates the affordability barrier to broadband services in our homes — which is particularly acute for low-income people and people of color — and because broadband access removes barriers to educational, emergency, and civil services and job opportunities. We strongly support the FCC's recent Lifeline modernization order, which added stand-alone broadband internet service to Lifeline. We urge the Commission to ensure that nothing in this rulemaking will harm, impair, or weaken the ability of the Lifeline program to help low-income families to afford broadband service so that they can take part in the modern economy. We also urge the Commission to avoid any shift in Lifeline resources or policy that distracts from the program's core goal of defraying the cost of communications services.

Read the statement in full.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 98: On Kelvin Yu's IMDB Page

I just feel like there should be more - well - there.

Not much else to say.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 97: Aziz Ansari Lists All The Food He's Eaten In A Week

From down at Vulture:

Fresh off finishing Master of None’s second season, Aziz Ansari is taking time to hang out, catch his breath, and enjoy the fans who shout at him on the street. As part of his appearance at Vulture Festival on Saturday, Ansari entertained a few of our burning questions: What had the comedian, newly trained in pasta-making, eaten this week? What TV shows could he entertain himself with if trapped in an Internet-less bunker? Why he would like to be Rob Lowe in 1985? The answers may surprise you.

View the video.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 96: A Random Mindy Kaling Tweet

🎶bi-racial show creators on the town🎶#NBCUpfronts #champions #comingsoon pic.twitter.com/WWAJbclz29

— Mindy Kaling (@mindykaling) May 15, 2017

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 95: Retro Mika Nakashima

Because what would this be without it?

Exactly.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 94: From Earlier In Time: Bold Words: A Century of Asian American Writing

From Amazon:

A century of Asian American writing has generated a forceful cascade of "bold words." This anthology covers writings by Asian Americans in all genres, from the early twentieth century to the present. Some sixty authors of Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Korean, South Asian, and Southeast Asian American origin are represented, with an equal split between male and female writers. The collection is divided into four sections-memoir, fiction, poetry, and drama-prefaced by an introductory essay from a well-known practitioner of that genre: Meena Alexander on memoir, Gary Pak on fiction, Eileen Tabios on poetry, and Roberta Uno on drama. The selections depict the complex realities and wide range of experiences of Asians in the United States. They illuminate the writers' creative responses to issues as diverse as resistance, aesthetics, biculturalism, sexuality, gender relations, racism, war, diaspora, and family. Rajini Srikanth teaches at the University of Massachusetts, Boston. She is the coeditor of the award-winning anthology Contours of the Heart: South Asians Map North America and the collection A Part, Yet Apart: South Asians in Asian America. Esther Y. Iwanaga teaches Asian American literature and literature-based writing courses at Wellesley College and the University of Massachusetts, Boston.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 93: I Just Need To Play Some Magnetic North

That's It.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 92: BATB X | Eric Koston vs. Nick Tucker - Round 1

Good to still see Koston out there with the young guys.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 91: I Hit The Wall

A little earlier than expected - but I had to recharge a little bit.

And yes - I am counting this as a post.

Here's to upping the average for a sprint.

Or burning out in flames.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 90: Are There Asian American Sculptors? Do They Exist?

I guess just by the fact that I'm having a hard time coming up with anyone who's a sculptor - versus say an actor of filmmaker - should tell me something.

Which is either that I know nothing about that scene, or that they just aren't that many (I gravitate towards the first).

Although I guess there could be some in the middle - and if I really think about it, I'm sure I just visit a museum...but - you know - I'll have to think about this one more.

Maybe I need to up my art game...

P.S.

You know I'm using some hyperbole here - if you are sculptor - don't get mad and chop my head off.

I need it.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 89: History Profile: Asian American Women Artists Association (AAWAA)

From the aawaa site:

Asian American Women Artists Association (AAWAA) was founded in 1989 in San Francisco by Betty Kano, Flo Oy Wong, and Moira Roth to promote the visibility of Asian American women artists and to serve as a vehicle for personal expression with a view of Asian American cultures and history from women’s perspective.

Over the years AAWAA has encouraged dialogue across cultures and generations and built community among Asian American women artists through exhibitions, publications, readings, talks, and the distribution of educational packets. By educating art establishments that have historically excluded works by Asian American women artists, including major museums, galleries, collections and publications, AAWAA has provided access to these venues and furthers the goal of establishing the place of Asian American women in American art history. AAWAA has both exhibited and or lectured at the de Young Museum, College Art Association, UC Berkeley, SF State University, Stanford University, Driftwood Gallery, SomArts Cultural Center, Chinese Culture Center to name a few.

In 2007, AAWAA was guided to non-profit status under the leadership of Debbie Yee and Nancy Hom. From 2008 to the present Cynthia Tom and Shari Arai DeBoer have been at the helm.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 88: Going Back To Basics (Blog Thoughts)

I think in some ways I just have to go back to basics.

While there's a task at hand I just have to remember some things, because sometimes you can only move forward if you really do look back - remember the foundation.

It's not just about thoughts in that way - it's about discovery and I think that's what matters in the end - and it can be any type of discovery - and not necessarily in the "I was the first to find/unearth this" - but in the sense of just putting it out there.

From an AAPI perspective.

Still cataloged in that way because not everything goes up here, so it's not just about throwing things out there either.

But back to basics it needs to be.

Because the only thing that truly matters is why - and I think sometimes that can be forgotten.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 87: Giant Robot + Sean Chao

Drifter
Solo exhibition by Sean Chao
May 20th - June 7th, 2017.

@ Giant Robot

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 86: Artist Link: Kijima, Eiko

http://artasiamerica.org/artist/detail/170

Asian American, Japanese American

"I am exploring new ways to manipulate the photographic image. I am no so much interested in the 'individual' images as content, but in creating a freer, more abstract from that goes beyond photography, painting, or drawing. As installations, the grouping of these images causes us to question our very way of seeing and frees us to view reality in new ways."

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 85: We Just Do What We Do

I've gotten to know of, or met, a decent amount of people active in their communities. Passionate about what they do. And I have a lot of respect for all of them.

Community organizers on the ground - you have to work with logistics. You have to understand what pressure points you can hit. You have to take that time to just understand what you're doing and get people motivated and working with you.

Academics working in fields or subjects of marginalized communities to make equity better. To calculate the data and responses so we can understand with more precision and certainty.

Artists and writers who want to help add more voice in their craft, share a vision for their community, doing it through the arts, sometimes with such visceral and focused clarity.

Diverse and rich with authenticity.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 84: I Feel Like The Midwest Needs An AAPI Bloggers Conference

I have no idea if this would ever even happen - but I do think this would be a cool thing just because of the nature of bloggers.

We're kinda niche.

Just different minds in some ways just by the fact of the vehicle that's used to convey the message.

Yeah. I'll have to think about that more - even if I just attend in the audience.

Love to my bloggers.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 83: Ớt Sa Tế Goes With Everything. No Really It Does

While I can't cook great Vietnamese food, I can say that I'm not horrible with what I can cook, and I do like to add and mix and match things up.

So this post - this is dedicated to ớt sa tế and all its different varieties which I love to pretty much use on anything I can get my hands on.

Really - I think it would even taste good on a PB & J sandwich - although don't actually do this and then tell me how bad it is - because maybe it actually wouldn't taste that great.

But you know...maybe?

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 82: S.W.A.T Reboot + First Looks

I am going to have to check this out when it comes out as well.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 81: Baby Time, Frozen, And Should My Kid Like That?

So it seems I forgot to calculate in baby time to this quest - but I can't help not having some baby time either - because you know - I like my baby - and by baby I mean my toddler who's like 1.7.

However - she is inspiration for a post (and I'll have to make up some ground) because earlier this week we went to Target and she just couldn't get her eyes off this Frozen nightgown - which she put in her hands and before you know it - it was a done deal.

Honestly - I understand - kids like what they like - but there was part of me that wondered (and I've been through some of this before with my step-kids) if I should be doing something different - like why did she want that one with the Frozen girl on it.

Who just happens to be White?

Again - I'm not saying anything about kids liking all things (just like we as adults do) - but I can't say that the thought of if she was going to get the wrong ideas about what's beautiful even at this young age - because I do worry about that.

I did take her aside a couple days afterwards and secretly whispered that she was a Chinese White Haired Diety.

I know, I know...

P.S.

My daughter's really cute (although I guess all dad's say that) - so you know - I can't help but not deny some of her late night I'm up and K-Wife needs a break for a moment.

I'll just have to see what happens and see if I can make up for some lost time - and notice I didn't say wasted time - just some lost blogging time.

Because time with my daughter - who really does look a little bit like me (as she should I guess) - well - that's never wasted time.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 80: I'm A 3rd Way There? Online Activism? Hmmm

Well - it seems like I could be close - but yet so very far and I have to wonder if this quest was just too damn much - just from a time standpoint alone can I really fit it in - and then I have to question if I'm really adding to the AAPI blogger landscape by doing this - which goes to the argument of whether or not things like this - or things online are really beneficial.

Wait a second...

What the hell am I saying?

I believe...maybe not that I can finish this damn thing - but I do believe in online activism - and no - that isn't saying anything about organizing on the ground (because I respect the hell out of people that take that on) - but you know - just wondering...

ac·tiv·ism

ˈaktəˌvizəm/

noun

noun: activism

1. the policy or action of using vigorous campaigning to bring about political or social change.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 79: Apparently Most States Get Left Out Of This Graph

California, at $291B makes up a third of the total U.S. Asian American buying power ($891B). #APAHM #NielsenDIS pic.twitter.com/FjqR0MKf7K

— Nielsen Community (@NielsenKnows) May 11, 2017

I don't know - when you leave out MN which has the second largest population of Hmong Americans I just have to ask why.

Am I jaded because I live in the Midwest?

Maybe - but I also see Chicago there as well - so it's not necessarily about that.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 78: Random Ocean Vuong + The New Yorker

If you didn't get a chance to read this last week feel free to read it now - because it's a great read from poet Ocean Vuong:

Dear Ma,

I am writing to reach you—even if each word I put down is one word further from where you are. I am writing to go back to the time, at the rest stop in Virginia, when you stared, horror-struck, at the taxidermy buck hanging over the soda machine by the rest rooms, your face darkened by its antlers. In the car, you kept shaking your head. I don’t understand why they would do that. Can’t they see it’s a corpse? A corpse should move on, not stay forever like that.

I am thinking, only now, about that buck’s head, its black glass eyes. How perhaps it was not the grotesque that shook you but that the taxidermy embodied a death that won’t finish, a death that dies perpetually as we walk past it to relieve ourselves. The war you lived through is long gone, but its ricochets have become taxidermy, enclosed by your own familiar flesh.

Read it in full here.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 77: Another Tóc Tiên Post

If you didn't know - they do have The Voice in Vietnam - and yes - there is a team Tóc Tiên.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 76: On Asian #AF

So that last post I was going to add in the line "And That's Asian As Fuck" for no other reason other than wanting to start a post on the use of the hastag #AF - and don't get me wrong - I'm not personally attacking anyone that uses it - because I know people who like to use it as well and I see it around and it's not like it says everything about a person (just like one post doesn't make a whole person).

But at the same time - can I ask the question of if something is Asian #AF why the words "AS FUCK" don't actually show up anywhere?

Is that because we can't use the term "AS FUCK" because we might be seen as too crass?

Because sometimes we'd rather have a show then full on sex?

Or maybe the measurement isn't #AF as it really is?

Or maybe I'm just crass #AF?

Except I don't actually want to say it?

Fuck I mean.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 75: Seriously - I Need A Chipotle Break

For some odd reason I'm not thinking about Bánh mì for something quick and easy (and most of the shops are closed right now anyway).

I'm thinking about Chipotle....

I don't care and you can judge me if you want - but right now nothing sounds better than a burrito bowl with a few extra tortillas - because I always ask for them because I feel like I can make more with my burrito bowl...because you know - I'm cheap like a MF.

Probably not happening though...but I can dream - oh yes I can dream...

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 74: The Erasure Of Pacific Islanders

I think about this topic sometimes myself - so glad to see a post down at Reappropriate on the subject.

Here's a smidgen to get you going from the post "Dear Asian Americans: Stop Erasing Pacific Islanders" by Guest Contributor: Conrad Lihlihi (@clihilihi):

As far as umbrella terms go, Pacific Islander is probably as generic as you can get; it’s kind of like calling a person “white”. Under the Pacific Islander umbrella, there are many groups, including Filipinos, which deserve their own conversation about culture identity. However, the three main groups I am referring to who are unknowingly receiving an “Asian Pacific Islander” label are Polynesians, Melanesians, and Micronesians. Micronesia includes the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), along with Guam, CNMI, Republic of Marshall Islands, etc. Under Melanesia are folks from Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, etc. Then, in Polynesia are folks from Hawai’i, Samoa, Tonga, etc. Travel to any of these places and you’ll find there is absolutely nothing Asian about them.

We do all get lumped together and we sometimes do lump each other together (myself included).

Something to think about for dinner conversations.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 73: LLAG And Controversy?

Honestly - while I catch some LLAG posts, I had no idea on this until I read it down at bigWOWO.

Here's the statement from Asian Pacific Americans for Action at Cornell University.

Asian Pacific Americans for Action (APAA) strongly condemns the Love Life of an Asian Guy (LLAG)’s talk at Cornell University. LLAG is a misogynistic and anti-Black man who harasses, steals and profits from the labor of Black and Asian women, and who doesn’t stop to think before he throws women (especially Asian women) under the bus for issues that men are complicit in. To the Cornell International Students Union - ISU, Cornell Student Assembly, Haven: Cornell's LGBTQ Student Union's Queer and Asian Society, & Cornell Kappas: We question your choice to treat LLAG as an authority on queer and Asian issues, when his cis-masculine and heterosexual privilege allows him to profit from his activism while having none of the lived experience. We question your choice to actively fund LLAG's efforts to brand himself as an authority on holding Asian communities accountable, when he has so many times refused to be accountable for himself.

I'm not weighing in on anything for this post - but just an FYI if you didn't know.

Now you do.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 72: Michelle Yeoh + Star Trek Discovery + Women Of Color

Definitely looking to watch this - you can bet your ass I'm gonna watch this.

At the same time I thought I'd post up a link to this article:

When they began to announce casting for Star Trek: Discovery, the child in me was thrilled. Not only would one of the starship captains be a woman of color, but she was Asian. Not South Asian like I am — Michelle Yeoh is Chinese Malaysian — but it began to feel like Star Trek was finally embracing the global population Starfleet purported to represent. I was excited.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 71: Random Lucy Liu Note On Elementary And Difficult People

General note as long as I was posting on Difficult People that Liu will also be joining the Hulu comedy (along with John Cho).

Liu will take on the role of Veronica, a morally corrupt, taste-challenged and highly successful alpha female. She is the book editor who gives Marilyn (Andrea Martin) a chance to publish her own book. Liu will appear in multiple episodes on the third season of the Billy Eichner-Julie Klausner comedy [...] The 10-episode third season will bow Tuesday, Aug. 8 on Hulu.

Nice.

And yes - Elementary was in fact picked up for another season (6).

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 70: Lynx + Shao Ting

Just in case you didn't know - one more reason to support the WNBA.

Shao, a 6’0″ forward from China, has played the past four seasons in the Women’s Chinese Basketball Association for Beijing, including the last two alongside Lynx center Sylvia Fowles. This season, Beijing captured its second straight WCBA title by sweeping Bayi in the best-of-five championship series. Shao, 27, averaged 12.8 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.7 assists while shooting 55.2% from the floor in 41 games this season, finishing the year as the team’s second-leading scorer behind Fowles.

Additionally, Shao is a member of the Chinese National Team, making her Olympic debut last summer in Rio de Janeiro where she averaged 9.6 points and 2.6 rebounds in five contests. Shao helped China reach the Games by tallying a team-high 13.7 points (53.6%) and 2.7 rebounds in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament earlier in the summer. She also led China to a 6th-place finish at the 2014 FIBA World Championship for Women in Turkey, averaging a team-best 12.3 ppg (55.7%) and 3.1 rpg in seven outings.

Off the court, Shao is a doctoral student at Beijing Normal University, majoring in education.

You read that right too - she's also a doctoral student majoring in education as well as being a PRO BALLER.

Nice work if you can get it.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 69: Apparently There's Nothing On Amazon's Charts Either For Us

I'm not saying they have anything to do about it - but again - looking at some lists does beg the question of when we'll see more writers get on out and stake their claim.

And I ask you - name me authors who have books where they have nothing to do about their immigration story?

And not that I'm saying those aren't great books - because I love them like everyone else - but when do we become mainstream on all topics versus just stories about our culture and immigration and melting into a pot where we get burned?

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 68: I Just Need A Little K-Pop (AKA Can I Get A Hyolyn Beat?)

Yes.

Yes. I can.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 67: Jeremy Lin, Bullying, And ESPN

Just a good article to read down @ ESPN:

Lin, the first American-born NBA player of Chinese or Taiwanese descent, said he heard deplorable racial slurs hurled at him from fans, opposing players and even an opposing coach during his four years at Harvard while playing on the road from 2006 to '10.

"The worst was at Cornell, when I was being called a c---k," the Brooklyn Nets point guard said in an interview on his teammate's podcast, "Outside Shot with Randy Foye." "That's when it happened. I don't know ... that game, I ended up playing terrible and getting a couple of charges and doing real out-of-character stuff. My teammate told my coaches [that] they were calling Jeremy a c---k the whole first half. I didn't say anything, because when that stuff happens, I kind of just, I go and bottle up -- where I go into turtle mode and don't say anything and just internalize everything."

Big ups to Lin for keeping the dialogue going.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 66: Behind The Scenes: Annalé (D.C. Tour)

I'm hoping.

I'm really hoping Annalé blows up.

I mean - not saying she isn't vibing now - but give me more.

#1 Crushing It More.

Anyway - love the behind the scenes video.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 65: Awesome. Chinh And Khoa Vu Make A Game With Proceeds For Syrian Refugees

Say what you will about Moses - but apparently he's helping get some money to Syrian Refugees - along with some Viet American help:

This year the brothers, co-founders of the software company Ayotree.com, released the Android and iOS mobile game “Moses the Freedom Fighter” and will donate all of its proceeds to Oxfam America’s Syria and Refugee Crisis Response Fund. Nearly 5 million Syrians have fled their country since 2011, according to the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, while an additional 6.3 million are internally displaced. The Vu brothers’ goal is to reach $10,000 by World Refugee Day on June 20. They had raised more than $2,000 by May 2.

“It just made sense that we help refugees because we are refugees,” said Khoa.

Nice.

Read the article in full down at the LA Times.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 64: How Dare We! Write - Event Celebration

Thursday, June 1 at 7 PM - 9 PM
Schmidt Artist Lofts
900 7th St W, Saint Paul, Minnesota 55102

Here's a link to the book on Amazon edited by Sherry Quan Lee.

P.S.

In full disclosure it also has K-Wife in it too - but I can't help she's an awesome writer and get's asked to be in anthologies.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 63: Mai Der Vang, Afterland, UCLA, And A Book Signing

Sounds like a great event and getting a chance to meet and greet with Mai Der Vang.

'Afterland': Poetry of Mai Der Vang
The "Flight of the Hmong People and Their Survival as Refugees"
Talk & Book-Signing
Thursday, May 25, 2017
4:00PM-5:30PM
UCLA Public Affairs 2270

Mai Der Vang’s 'Afterland' is a powerful collection of poetry that recounts with devastating detail the Hmong exodus from Laos and the fate of thousands of refugees seeking asylum. By telling the story of her own family, Vang also provides an essential history of the Hmong culture’s ongoing resilience in exile. Many of these poems are written in the voices of those fleeing unbearable violence after US forces recruited Hmong fighters in Laos in the Secret War against communism, only to abandon them. That history is little known, but the three hundred thousand Hmong now living in the United States are living proof of its aftermath. With poems of extraordinary force and grace, Afterland holds an original place in American poetry and lands with a sense of humanity saved, of outrage, of a deep tradition broken by war and ocean but still intact, remembered, and lived.

Mai Der Vang is the winner of the 2016 Walt Whitman Award from the Academy of American Poets and is an editorial member of the Hmong American Writers’ Circle and coeditor of 'How Do I Begin: A Hmong American Literary Anthology'. Her essays have appeared in the New York Times, San Francisco Chronicle, and the Washington Post.

Sponsored by the UCLA South-East Asian Campus Learning Education and Retention (SEACLEAR), Graywolf Press, and the UCLA Department of English.

Check out more on FB.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 62: AAAJ + Professor Xiaoxing Xi

In case you didn't know - be in the know:

Renowned American scientist and Temple University Professor Xiaoxing Xi has brought a lawsuit in federal court in Philadelphia against the FBI agents who conducted the investigation against him. Professor Xi seeks to hold the agents accountable, who are responsible for his unlawful prosecution, and to call attention to the fact that the government has unfairly targeted Chinese American scientists for merely doing their jobs. Asian Americans Advancing Justice, an affiliation of five civil rights organizations, stands by Professor Xi in his quest for justice.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 61: P.S. Millennials. Taking An Article Away Doesn't Necessarily Mean Invention (AKA Bomb versus The Bomb)

So whatever - think what you want to about this post - but I just don't think you can take away the word "The" and cap it like it's all yours.

Because before things were just "bomb" they were "the bomb".

I'm not saying one's better or worse, and again - call me what you will - but I feel like you still need to article.

Yeah - I know - I'm gonna die soon anyway.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 60: In Pics: Girls' Generation's Tiffany

In case you didn't see this check out some pics of Girls Generation's Tiffany from this month's Coachella (who if you didn't know as well is Asian American).

Check out all the pics down @ allkpop.com.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 59: Things Vietnamese Parents Do, Gina Darling, LeendaDProductions, And LittleAsianMan

Funny video - and yes - apparently I have some of those same qualities as a dad...well you know - not the racist part.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 58: AJ Rafael + Gabrielle

A little background hiss here and there - but hey - still a great cover and I'm still digging the video - homey you know?

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 57: Mangchi - The Best (Steve Aoki Remix)

Because I need me a pick me up here's the latest Aoki remix.

Props for some Morgan Freeman because who doesn't like themselves a little Morgan Freeman?

No one. That's who.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 56: Seattle Asian American Film Festival Submissions Are Now Open

Calling all filmmakers!

Get your film on for SAAF - opening date was May 18 just a couple days ago (with a deadline of October 15, 2017).

Get the full info @ https://filmfreeway.com/festival/SeattleAsianAmericanFilmFestival

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 55: And In Case You Needed Another Reason To Quit Smoking

Err - check these stats out from the CDC:

The three leading causes of death among Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are cancer, heart disease, and stroke,8 all of which can be caused by cigarette smoking.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders.9 Within this population—

Hawaiian men and women have the highest rates of lung cancer deaths.

Filipino men and women have the lowest rates of lung cancer deaths.

Yeah - I'm working on the patch.

But maybe after this quest.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 54: GoPro, White Racist Shit, And More Skating In Asia

Since I'm on the topic, I'm gonna post another video from 2014 that I was going to include in another post (and I still may at some point as I talk about all the things that skating needs to change - especially before the Olympics) and just go to around 1:19 where you get - well you see - White Guys making fun of the way Asian people speak English - in Asia (because it's not up to them right?).

At least it's good that Chris Cole doesn't seem to be doing that (because he could be a commentator down the road as he's been doing with SLS) - but I still wondered how this passed the GoPro editors because you know - it's a little MF racist and the last thing you need for skating is to have images of White Guys being - well - White Guys.

Because that's not all of skating - sure some people have that in their mind, and it does exist - but there are truly so many different communities.

Let's not let them get overshadowed by dumbass White Guys.

K?

K.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 53: On That White Shit In Skating (AKA That's What Happens When You Got To Tokyo)

Listen - I'm not saying skating isn't about trying to hit new places and new landscapes - because that's a part of what makes the sport so great - and sometimes that involves skating where maybe you shouldn't - but this video from a couple months back which I've been meaning to post up on - well - this just reeks of White Dudes going to another country and just being - well - White dudes (and yes, there seems to be at least one other Asian in their crew).

There's nothing wrong with trying to get a shot - but when you start messing around with other people - in another country - with the dichotomy of White Guys in Asia - well - that's another thing (and I have some other thoughts on this as well).

And for the record - Jaws is one of my favorite skaters to watch (I don't know the guy though so...) and I didn't see him being into anything per se - but the people around him did.

And yes - some of the comments under the video say how some people were feeling:

1. "you are so stupid.Get out of Japan,scum"

2. "Please white pig went out from Japan"

3. "This is NOT cool at all. I only see stupid Americans do shit.".

P.S.

Yeah - some of the comments overall aren't great, and it's something skating needs to clean up - because that just doesn't fly.

And yeah - WTF was Hilfiger doing there?

And notice I didn't ask why he sounded so damn White, because well - you know...

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 52: Kero & Azure + JazzHop

Missed this from a couple months ago.

Pick up the mini-album @ http://keroone.bandcamp.com

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 51: Where Are The Brian Peacock Skate Parts?

While I saw a couple of mashups and one semi-recent, but small video clip, I'm wondering when I'm going to get to see a full video part by Primitive's Brian Peacock.

Soon I hope?

For now I guess I'll just have to keep watching this.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 50: Maggie Q, Thom Tran, Comedians, MyxTV, And U.S. Veterans

Just take the time to view this video - it's about 5 minutes and it's definitely worth it.

Narrated by Maggie Q.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 49: Random Reading For Your List - Vanessa Hua + Deceit And Other Possibilities

Get it at Amazon.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 48: Apparently The Andi Mack Audience Is Just Getting Bigger

If you check out the Wikipedia page on Disney's Andi Mack, you can see the progression from the first episode which garnered 1.24 million viewers, to the latest episode - number 7 "Dad Influence" - which has around 1.49 million viewers, with each episode going up or staying on par with it's previous episode in viewership (except episode three which went down to 1.19 million viewers from episode 2's 1.24 million viewers - but episode four had 1.27 million viewers).

Which all goes to show that maybe there is some home for the future.

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 47: Jason Chen + Ed Sheeran And Perfect

While I can't say that I always like all the artists that people cover - I don't mind me some Ed - so yeah - I'm digging this.

Hopefully we'll be able to see Jason Chen keep on doing his thing for some time.

Because you know - Music Never Sleeps?

#250posts24hrsAAPI - 46: Apparently There Are A Buttload Of Tila Tequila Videos I Haven't Watched

And just for the record I don't care - but I still am subscribed to her channel for some odd reason.

Why?

I can't tell you why.

But I will tell you it doesn't seem like anyone's watching.