Damn NBC News Asian America

Wednesday, March 29, 2017

Seriously - you're still promoting a racist show that so many people have demonstrated against?

A show that's steeped in colonial orientalism and as I said in my YOMYOMF post "set in the dreams of White People"?

Again - I'm not saying it's all bad - but you need to think about the Asian America that's tagged to your site then, and what your mission is - because how can Asian Americans fight if members in the community, and an outlet that at least I've thought is supposed to be shedding a light on Asian Americans, is promoting racist shows like "Miss Saigon"?

And while I have nothing against Nick Ut or the commemoration of the anniversary of his famous picture (mostly) - I find it odd that on a site that's supposed to be in the spirit of Asian America, Phan Thị Kim Phúc's name can't be found in a headline - versus doing mostly the same thing as most everyone else - focusing on a naked tortured Vietnamese child. And yes you do have a pic up of her now as an adult - but her name isn't anywhere to be found on it (and sure it's the main page, no captions for images...) - so she's kind of nameless again. Yes, it's still talking about Nick Ut AKA Huỳnh Công Út - but it's the same, somewhat torture war porn imagery we like to remember in America, and about Vietnamese Americans.



When you put those two together - I have a hard time swallowing it.

At Least There's Some Justice? AKA James Harris Jackson Gets It. Unfortunately It Won't Bring Back Timothy Caughman

Tuesday, March 28, 2017

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/james-harris-jackson-terrorism_us_58d97aa0e4b0f805b3227e96

On Monday, James Harris Jackson, 28, of Baltimore was indicted Monday on one count each of first- and second-degree murder as an act of terrorism for the March 20 stabbing of Timothy Caughman, 66. He previously was charged with second-degree murder as a hate crime and three counts of criminal possession of a weapon.
I think this is great, but we gotta do something about the mindset - before this happens.

#RepresentationDoesntMatter + Jason Chu + Alex Luu

Tuesday, March 28, 2017



Nice.

Run River North + Melissa Polinar + Shoutouts

Thursday, March 23, 2017



Shout out to All Things Considered for their article on SXSW. Love love love Melissa Polinar and loving the pic of Run River North.

It Ain't Me - Kygo, Selena Gomez (KHS & Kina Grannis Cover)

Wednesday, March 22, 2017



What are those potato chips?

Love Song: A Little Jason A Little Chu + Some FUZZY + Jessica Louise

Wednesday, March 22, 2017



The 2nd MV from #Arrivals.

When White People Make Shitty Covers And Videos (AKA Is It Stand By Me Or Give Me A Lap Dance?)

Wednesday, March 22, 2017



Honestly - I don't remember how I even found this - but for some odd reason I was thinking about shitty covers, and I was like - Oh Shit - this is probably the worst cover and video ever for a song.

Ever.

Go Jaylow!!!!!

Some Days It's Hard To Rep My Viet People (Because It's Like We Have To Do It All The Time)

Tuesday, March 21, 2017

Seriously - some days, it seems like too much work to have to bring up all the great Viets in the community because it seems like in almost every twist and turn we get forgotten about, overlapped with other people, or just looked at like "Who the fuck do these Viet MF's think they are?".

Honestly - it sometimes gets tiring - not repping my peepages but - having to do it because some people or orgs, or fill in the blank - just have no fucking clue.

Fine - I'll just hit you like I'm kicking in the tunnels and you'll see me coming - well...

Never.

Gina Darling + Dubai = Video Fun

Friday, March 17, 2017



That's it.

Kickstart That Chasing Lovely New EP (They Need Your Help!)

Thursday, March 16, 2017


5 days.

A little over 3 thousand.

Can you get them there?

P.S. Episode 1 Of Andi Mack Made Me Cry (Just A Little)

Wednesday, March 15, 2017

Seriously.

Don't judge.

It was just that good.

It really is - and no I didn't really cry - well just a little teary...because it was in fact that good and I'm glad to see Disney stepping up their game with teen pregnancy, Asian Americans, and Hapas.

And for all you Buffy the Vampire fans out there - yes, there is a reference.

Get It While It's Hot: A Fistful of Soundtracks

Monday, March 13, 2017

Always some good reads down at AFOS - but beware - only a year left until the last post in Dec of 2017.

So get 'em while they're hot.

http://afistfulofsoundtracks.blogspot.com/

Dai Thao Is Running For St. Paul Mayor. I Hope He Gets It

Monday, March 13, 2017



I've see the signs, seen the videos - and you know - I think he'd make a good mayor.

Council member Dai Thao believes that Saint Paul is at a pivotal moment in need of leadership that will stand with the people despite the uncertainty at the state and federal governments. Our city needs a bold direction that will tackle the racial disparities gap that is crippling our economy, make sure that our city services operate equitably across all neighborhoods, and assure that residents are invested in because they are the infrastructure of our community and economy. To do this, our community deserves tenacious leadership from an invested, hardworking and responsive Mayor who can both listen to and empathize with the diverse residents of St. Paul. Dai is a proud and determined progressive who will help us ensure a more prosperous and secure future for the Capital City.

Peep the site and make a contribution if you are so inclined.

And yes - more to come.

Watch The Andi Mack First Episode On YouTube (Disney Channel's First Asian American Show)

Monday, March 13, 2017



The series is set to premiere a month from now.

P.S. I Love Lauren Tom.

Just In Case: Asian Mom + Nanny + Well No

Monday, March 13, 2017

By now many people have heard about this but jut in case you didn't - yeah - the interruption is spectacular, but no - she is not the nanny.

By a long shot.

And yes - we all know what's going on behind the scenes on that one.

http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-bbc-professor-video-asian-wife-nanny-stereotypes-20170310-story.html

29 Hours To Go: Fiction & Other Realities + Backed + Be A Backer

Monday, March 13, 2017

Quick note that the Kickstarter project: FICTION & OTHER REALITIES - A Big Phony Music Feature Film got backed all the way so for sure there will be a movie and if you want to get in on the action there's 29 hours left to pledge to be a backer. They do not have a digital download or DVD reward as they aren't sure of the distribution, but for anyone pledging $20+ if it does become available, you'll get it (crossing the fingers) - but at the end of the day, it's about backing some great Asian American projects and film.

Kick it @ https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/bigphony/fiction-and-other-realities-a-big-phony-music-feat

Binge Watch + OJ + Dancing Itos + At Least We Were There?

Thursday, March 09, 2017



Like a lot of folks I had to binge watch "The People v O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story" on Netflix and I actually just ate that up - and I forgot how damn crazy everything was during that time.

I was happy to see Kenneth Choi as Lance Ito though - who played him great - and glad to see that Ito wasn't just a bit part in all of this and sure you might ask "Well - why wouldn't he?" but as we all know - it's happened before.

Also glad for the shout out to Connie Chung.

'Cause you know - Connie Chung = badass.

Giant Robot + Interviewing Roy Choi

Thursday, March 09, 2017



A lot of meat on this interview.

With all the fixin's and some banchan?

When I think about Roy Choi, it’s not his food or restaurants, (which includes Kogi, Chego, Pot, and A frame), it’s his cadence and candor. He could easily have a celebrity chef persona but remains far from it. Perhaps it’s his analogies or word choices. When he speaks, you can’t help but listen as you take in his infectious smile. It turns out we’re about the same age, yet I still look towards Roy as a sempai who transcends time. He’s perpetually cool and that’s unfakeable.

Read it up @ GR @ http://beta.giantrobot.media/roychoi/

Tweet That: Hawaii VS Trump

Thursday, March 09, 2017

Cambodian Deportation Halted But 5 Of The Minnesota 8 Still Looking To Be Deported

Thursday, March 09, 2017

Great work by all the community members who've been working with the Minnesota 8 to help Ched Nin to stay in this country with his children and wife.

From AAPress:

Following months of sustained community advocacy, long-time Minnesota resident Ched Nin was released to his wife and their five children in late February after being held by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for over six months [...] Quyen Dinh, executive director of the Southeast Asia Resource Action Center (SEARAC), said, “Jenny and the Release Minnesota 8 campaign demonstrate the power of grassroots organizing and embody the fierce resilience of our refugee communities. Ched was finally released through legal channels, but it took months of community mobilization by Cambodian Americans and advocates to come this far.”

Read it in full here.

At the same time, as AApress reports - 5 are still looking to be deported.

Another link if you so desire @ http://www.searac.org/new/breaking-cambodian-deportation-halted-due-groundswell-community-support
At an immigration hearing on February 24th, 2017, Ched was represented by University of Minnesota law professor Linus Chan and his students John Hoag and Shane Fitzmaurice through the James Bringer Center for New Americans. He was released after an immigration judge granted him a 212(h) waiver and regained his green card on the grounds that his family would suffer extreme hardship in the event of his deportation.

Julie Mao, an attorney with the National Immigration Project of the National Lawyers Guild, explained, "We are grateful that the Court recognized the extreme hardship that Ched's deportation would have on his family and community by granting him this rare form of relief. We celebrate Ched's release and the organizing that brought us to this victory, while recognizing the thousands of families impacted by deportations that are unable to access such relief due to our unjust immigration laws. We will continue to support grassroots community in exposing and organizing against our harsh incarceration and deportation systems."

"The courageous organizing in the Release Minnesota 8 campaign shows that even if our people have convictions, we will fight and we can win. In Ched's case, I believe that the broad movement support is what made the difference," said Jacinta Gonzalez, Field Director of Mijente. "This is a win for organized communities that lays out a road map for how to continue fighting against criminalization and deportations under a much more aggressive administration."

CAAMFEST35 Starts Tonight With The Tiger Hunter

Thursday, March 09, 2017



I wish I could be there this time around, but just because I can't doesn't mean you shouldn't.

Get tix.

Fund a community.

Dream in film.

Andy Dinh: Your On The 2017 Forbes 30 Under 30 List. Nice

Tuesday, March 07, 2017


Andy Dinh, 24
Founder, Team SoloMid

In the world of competitive video gaming, Dinh may be the next Michael Jordan or Nolan Ryan–a professional player turned team owner and sports icon. His Team SoloMid is North America’s top squad in the Tencent-owned game League of Legends, a hugely popular eSport which attracts 100 million players monthly and sells out arenas like Madison Square Garden for live competitions.”As I just competed more and more, eSports was taken a lot more seriously,” Dinh said. “[Now], you’re seeing billionaires buy teams in eSports.”After failing to persuade existing eSports organizations to pick up his team, Dinh formed TSM in 2009. He ran the organization while still serving as captain of the five-man team before stepping down in 2013 to focus solely on management. TSM’s YouTube channel has half-a-million subscribers, and their star player, Søren “Bjergsen” Bjerg boasts 1.2 million followers on Twitch. Dinh has been aggressive about monetizing the business, bringing in sponsors like Geico, HTC, Red Bull and Axe.

View the full list @ Forbes.

My Random Notes To White Guys

Monday, March 06, 2017

For some odd reason just a general thought in the sense that I get it - you have some of the same problems that we do. And it's not like you technically had to worry about some of the same things we have (at least right away). You were just trying to get by, make a life - do those things. I get it. You're just trying to live your life.

Same here.

And it's not like I don't like White People.

Or that I don't like White actors in movies for example - I mean when you can just focus on your craft that's a beautiful thing.

Not everyone can though. When there have, and are, attitudes and laws against POC - it's just different.

And yeah - I want to have fun. Do cool shit. Just fuck around sometimes. Who doesn't? But sometimes the weight of what's happening to people around me and in my communities makes me pause and makes me have to say something. Do something. Not sit idly by. And I know - time, struggles - we have to do what we have to do - and sure it's great when everyone can stand together, but if not, as long as no one's telling me what I should or shouldn't be fighting - it'll be cool.

One last thing - if you're in a room and someone is talking about dumbass White Guys, most likely they aren't talking about you - no need to step in for a team that you don't need to belong too.

Late Night Smooth Vibes

Wednesday, March 01, 2017