Asian American Action Fund PAC Endorses Kamala Harris for President in 2024

July 2024
Washington, D.C. - 

The Asian American Action Fund PAC (AAAFund) is proud to announce its full endorsement of Kamala Harris for President of the United States in the 2024 presidential election. Albert Shen, AAAFund national chair and its Board of Directors, expressed the organization's enthusiastic support for Harris, recognizing her unwavering commitment to justice, equality, and the diverse communities that make up our nation. "Kamala Harris has consistently demonstrated her dedication to the values we hold dear: equality, opportunity, and justice for all. 

Her track record speaks volumes about her capability to lead our country towards a more inclusive and prosperous future. We are proud to stand with her and are confident in her ability to address the needs and concerns of the AANHPI community and all Americans," said Shen. In his statement, Shen also acknowledged the significant contributions of President Joe Biden: "We deeply appreciate the 50 years of public service by President Biden and his unwavering support for the AANHPI communities during his presidency. 

His leadership has paved the way for a more inclusive America, and we are grateful for his dedication to advancing the rights and opportunities of all citizens." As a prominent figure and candidate for the presidency, Harris' campaign represents a historic moment for the AANHPI community and the nation. AAAFund is committed to mobilizing its members and supporters to ensure a successful campaign for Harris, emphasizing the importance of representation and leadership that reflects the diversity of America. 

This endorsement aligns with the recent support declared by the ASPIRE PAC, further solidifying the unified stance of the AANHPI community in this crucial election. AAAFund looks forward to working closely with Harris’ campaign and other allied organizations to promote a vision of America where every individual, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to succeed and thrive.

They Have Slants. They Have Vinyl

From their PR

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Hi friends, 

We have some vinyl editions of The Band Plays On, our most recent and final record, available on our website for 50% off now. The deal will be available all week so if you've been waiting, this is a great time. You'll love it - it features nearly every former member of the band plus over a dozen Asian American artists that we'd love to introduce to the world.

Thanks for your support!

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OMG: Yuto Horigome Defends 2nd Gold In Street, WINS BACK TO BACK GOLDS. THE OLYMPIC GOAT!!!

 

Picture from NBC Olympics (used for criticism, all copyright 2024 NBC)

In what can only be described as AMAZING, because Yuto Horigome almost didn't even make it to the Olympics until the final qualifying event this year, he edged out Jagger Eaton for the gold medal, defending his title from 2021. 

An incredibly close race for spots 1-4, Yuto clinched the title with a nollie 270 noseblunt slide that scored a 97.08. 

In another storyline to the games, Nyjah Huston from the U.S., who did not medal in 2021, redemmed himself to get on the podium this year to take the Bronze medal.

Silver went to Jagger Eaton from the U.S.

Video Of The Event

While NBC was criticized for the opening ceremony video, I think the video of the event was pretty great overall for both video and still as you can see from the above image/screenshot where they positioned Yuto with a great background for his medal picture (and the overall camera work was spot on for the event).

Sonya Massey: This Is Flat Out Murder.

I'm just going to direct you to the NBC News story that shows the video in full with the dialogue from the officers, and I'll just say I'm sick.

This is why in communities of color no one wants to call the police.

Everyone's afraid of the police.

Especially if they're Black.

Are you kidding me? 

The big bad cop who was afraid of words? It wasn't the pot. It was the Jesus talk coming from a Black woman.

Who had dropped the pot of water anyway. 

Something triggered him.

And with power, a gun, and the history of Whiteness on his side.

He shot.

Sure. He's been fired.

But what good does that do now?

Sonya Massey is dead.

Murdered.

She was 36 years-old.

And then there's this:

"Massey’s death carries on a troubling legacy of racial violence in Springfield: Massey’s family said she is a descendant of William Donnegan, a Black man who was lynched by a white mob but survived during the city’s infamous 1908 race riots that took 17 Black lives over a two-day period in mid-August of that year. As a result of the violence and carnage, a group of white and Black Americans banded together to create the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Massey’s family said that the irony of having to reach out to the NAACP for help after her killing is not lost on them."

I ask ChatGPT About Racist Voters And If Our Society Is Racist And Sexist.

PROMPT:

Considering we've only had 1 Black president and have never had a woman president, what would you say that says about people voting for someone of color, and a woman of color, no matter their qualifications and standings, etc.

ANSWER:

The fact that the United States has only had one Black president and has never had a woman president indicates that there are significant challenges for candidates of color and female candidates in achieving the highest political offices. Here are some key points this might reflect:

1. Systemic Bias and Racism: Historical and systemic racism and sexism have created barriers that make it more difficult for people of color and women to ascend to top political positions.

2. Voter Prejudices: Some voters may hold implicit or explicit biases against candidates based on race or gender, which can influence their voting decisions regardless of a candidate’s qualifications or policies.

3. Representation and Visibility: The political landscape has historically been dominated by white men, which means that candidates of color and women have fewer role models and precedents, potentially affecting voter perceptions and the candidates' own aspirations.

4. Media Representation: Media coverage can be biased, often focusing on different aspects of a candidate’s personality, appearance, or background in ways that can disadvantage women and people of color.

5. Political Infrastructure: The political parties and systems in place may have biases or practices that favor traditional (white male) candidates, whether through fundraising, endorsements, or party support.

6. Historical Exclusion: Historical exclusion of women and people of color from voting and holding office means that there has been less time for these groups to build the necessary political capital and networks.

7. Cultural Norms: Societal norms and expectations about leadership often still default to white male stereotypes, which can influence voter comfort and expectations about who should hold power.

8. Policy Misalignment: Sometimes, the policies and platforms of candidates of color and women may not align with the majority views of the electorate, influenced by cultural and societal norms.

9. Intersectionality: Women of color face a unique set of challenges due to the intersection of both gender and racial biases, making their path to high office particularly challenging.

10. Progress and Change: The slow pace of progress in breaking these barriers reflects broader societal issues and indicates that while strides have been made, there is still significant work to be done in achieving true equality in political representation.

PROMPT:

So basically you're saying we're kind of a racist and sexist society?

ANSWER:

Yes, the points discussed indicate that there are elements of racism and sexism within society that impact political representation and voting behavior. While not everyone holds these biases, and significant progress has been made over the years, systemic issues and historical inequalities still play a significant role. These issues manifest in various ways, including:

1. Implicit Bias: Many individuals may hold unconscious biases that affect their decisions and perceptions without overtly realizing it.

2. Systemic Barriers: Institutional practices and policies can perpetuate disadvantages for women and people of color, even if there is no explicit intent to discriminate.

3. Cultural Norms: Societal norms and stereotypes about leadership and competence can influence opinions about who is suitable for political office.

4. Representation: The lack of diverse role models in leadership positions can reinforce the status quo and make it harder for underrepresented groups to break through.

These factors contribute to the challenges that candidates of color and female candidates face, indicating that while the society may not be overtly racist or sexist in a uniform way, these underlying issues still significantly influence political dynamics and representation. Addressing these challenges requires ongoing efforts to promote equity, challenge biases, and create more inclusive systems.

PROMPT:

So on one hand you've said there are significant challenges to candidates of color and who are women but you've also said significatn progress has been made over the years....give me on a scale of 1-10 how racist and sexist you think the U.S. is.

ANSWER:

Quantifying the level of racism and sexism in a society as complex and diverse as the United States is inherently challenging and can be subjective. However, considering historical and contemporary factors, here is a broad assessment:

Racism Scale (1-10)

• 7: While there has been substantial progress, such as the Civil Rights Movement, the election of Barack Obama, and increasing diversity in various sectors, systemic racism still persists. Issues like racial disparities in the criminal justice system, economic inequality, police brutality, and ongoing discrimination indicate that racism remains a significant issue.

Sexism Scale (1-10)

• 6: The U.S. has made notable strides in gender equality, including the women's suffrage movement, advances in women's rights, and more women in leadership roles. However, sexism continues to impact women in various ways, including the gender pay gap, underrepresentation in politics and corporate leadership, and societal expectations and biases.

These assessments reflect a combination of progress and ongoing challenges. While significant efforts have been made to address racism and sexism, systemic and cultural issues still create barriers and inequities for many individuals.

T-Shirt Slogan? White People. Do Your Job This Election. Open The Door Like Joe Did.

#ElectionStickers #Tasteful So I've been thinking about some good slogans, stickers, maybe some t-shirts and I came up with this, which I think is colorful, catches your eye, you have to read it a little closer--I brought the opacity down for some of the sentences. Feel free to print what you will. I'm working on more, some with images that look like bananas...but I'm getting older, I want to be more nuanced. Subtle. I don't want to beat anyone over the head with a hammer. Easy. Non-confrontational.

Version #1

Version #2 - I guess if you want to be a little more "In your face".

As A NHAAPI BIPOC POC From Communities Of Color And/Or Immigrants, If You Aren't Voting For Kamala I Feel Like There's A Special Place In Hell For You

I feel like the post title kind of says it all. Sure, there are nuances to it, albeit the title itself isn't quite nuanced (at least to some standards). But at the end of the day, how can you not vote for Kanala?

Isn't it about time a woman, who remember could not open up a bank account without her husband's signature (for the straight cisgendered) until 1974, became the POTUS? And a woman of color no less who claims Black and Asian descent and heritage (because technically they are different...)?

How do you say no to that? To a woman who's commanded so much power already? Who's clearly made serving her country the priority in her life?

She's made for this job. To lead us into a new future.

And sure, some will only focus on identity politics, others will claim only pieces of her--and in that way sometimes she's only claimed pieces of herself, because we haven't always known her until she's wanted us to know her. And yes, I do think at times she hasn't been as much of a representative of the Asian American community as much as she could have (just being honest and I'm not alone in that--but she's also had to answer to not being Black enough either--a struggle not all of us understand or wade through).

So she has to come out again and show us who she is now that she's going to be running the show. Don't get me wrong, Vice President is amazing. But the country wasn't in her hands. Now it can be. We need to know her, what she did, what she's going to do.

Like she said--she has to earn this.

But....I mean--c'mon. You don't think she's going to do that? Someone who's heard it all before--the general disdain. The racist comments. Being told she can't do it. Feeling the pressure of people believing she can't do it? 

Look at her record. Her history. 

I don't doubt it for a minute.

And sure, I'd like to see an all woman ticket--how awesome would that be?

But I'll take a +1 (aka Crusty White Guy) if that makes the world feel better, just to get her into the game, because she's gotta run the show for two seasons, and no doubt after Season 1, everyone's going to want Season 2 (just like I want to see that Season 4 of Bridgerton).

Just her alone in a vaccum should be enough, but compared to former U.S. President Trump?

No contest and I go back to the title of this post with one addition:

Bring The White People Along With You. 

How Does The Sympathizer Not Get An Emmy Nomination?

 I'm just asking a simple question.

'Cause everyone talked about how 

AMAZING it was.

And it was.

AMAZING that is.

How does it not 

latch on with Emmy voters?

Đụ

That's what I say.

Địt mẹ

At least Reservation Dogs got some.

Finally.

Jenn Tran + First Impression Rose

 

Bachelorette Jenn Tran hands out her First Impression Rose on Night One of 'The Bachelorette' season 21 premiere, 'Week 1.' Watch 'The Bachelorette' 2024 with Jenn Tran MONDAYS 8/7c on ABC. Stream on Hulu.

On The Lack Of Asian Men

Tran said this in a recent Glamour article:

“I can’t really speak to the casting process and the decisions that were made, but it is unfortunate that there weren’t a lot of Asian men this season,” she told Glamour. She was happy to connect with Thomas N. over their shared heritage, and explained why having similar experiences is often a plus for minorities. “It’s not every day that you get to bond with somebody on your immigrant parents and you get to connect with somebody on that level because not everybody can understand that. That was a really special conversation for me because [Thomas] really understood where I was coming from, and my family means everything to me...being a child of immigrant parents is something that not everybody can understand. And so, having that conversation with Thomas N. really meant the world.”

Unbroken Blossoms: Philip W. Chung X Jeff Liu X East West Players: See It While You Still Can

Been hearing great things about this play (written by playwright and former YOMYOMF editor/creative director Phil Chung--and yes Justin Lin did stop by already for one of the nights). 

Here's some info on the play from East West Players which concludes July 21st.

"An idealistic family man and a cynical, aspiring filmmaker are hired as the Chinese American consultants for Broken Blossoms, Hollywood's first onscreen interracial love story... between a white actress and a white actor in yellowface makeup. If the circumstances weren’t already questionable enough, the consultants must contend with the outsized ego of the film's director D.W. Griffith, who is attempting to belie criticisms of racism after the release of his controversial film The Birth of a Nation. 

Presented by East West Players, Philip W. Chung's play Unbroken Blossoms is a historical reimagining of the making of a boundary-breaking Hollywood classic that shines a light on the collateral damage in the search for "authentic" representation, and asks what price we pay for our art.

Originally presented in 2015 by Visual Communications in partnership with East West Players."

Here's a snippet of a review from the LA Times:

“Unbroken Blossoms” introduces James B. Leong, who went on to write and direct the movie “Lotus Blossom” and act in more than 80 films, and Moon Kwan, who later directed more than 50 films in China while distributing Chinese titles in America. Philip W. Chung, a playwright and the creative director for director Justin Lin’s company YOMYOMF, began writing the piece a decade ago upon learning of the consultants’ existence from the Chinese American film history documentary “Hollywood Chinese.”

“I love movies, and it was mind-blowing to me that there were these people who looked like me in significant roles in the industry back then, because that’s not something you learn when you’re coming up and studying film,” he explained. “The most fascinating thing to me is they both became filmmakers after this movie. Just the idea that someone at that time did that, when it’s still hard to even do that now, was so inspiring.”

Get tickets: https://www.eastwestplayers.org/unbroken