suspect attacking asian women at seattle bus stops
In Seattle, police are searching for a man who is sexually attacking women at bus stops: Police search for suspect in bus stop sex assaults. The man has already assaulted four women along sidewalks, and it appears the suspect is becoming more bold, aggressive and violent. All of the victims were Asian American. The attacks started a little over a week ago, happening mostly between 5:30pm and 9:45pm, alhtough some have happened in the morning between 8:30am and 10:00am. The suspect is described as a black man in his late teens to early 30s, wearing a grey hoodie and a hooded coat and jeans. Police don't have much information to go on, and are asking folks to keep an eye out. And ladies, please watch out for your safety.
filipino american lawyer hired for h&m discrimination suit
This is an interesting twist in that H&M discrimination case that made headlines a few months back. In September, Frannie Richards filed a lawsuit against clothing store H&M for alleged discrimination. She was shopping at one of the Chicago stores an encountered an employee who subjected her to racial and sexual slurs, calling her a "mail-order bride" and making fun of her abaility to understand English (she speaks perfect English): h&m: the new a&f? Here's the weird part. H&M has chosen Filipino American lawyer Joseph J. Centeno to represent their case: Fil-Am vs. Fil-Am in H&M dispute. Whaaaat?
Centeno, a partner with the firm Obermayer Rebmann Maxwell & Hippel LLP in Philadelphia, is ironically also Commissioner to the Philadelphia Human Relations Commission... in charge of enforcing anti-discrimination ordinances. While Centeno is prohibited from discussing the specifics of the case, as the discrimination lawsuit is still currently ongoing, he stresses that although the case against H&M was filed by a Filipino American and he himself is a Filipino American, he is "personally committed to anti-discrimination." That's funny, because I thought what happened here sounded indeed like discrimination.
I've already mentioned the big screen remake of the old TV series Kung Fu now in the works. As everyone now knows, the show starred white man David Carradine in the role originally created by and meant for Bruce Lee. Some of us haven't let that one go. What I've been wondering since this remake talk began, is who will Caine? Caine is a half-Chinese Shaolin Monk who roams America's western frontier in search of his father, using his martial arts skillz along the way. For me though, the role has always been so closely associated with David Carradine, it would blow my mind if they actually cast someone who is part or full Asian. Then what would I do? Well, apparently they're searching high and low for the next Caine, according to this Kung Fu Open Call. They're looking in Honolulu, Los Angeles, Vancouver, Singapore and Hong Kong:
You could be the new Caine! What a strange thought. I do find it funny that it denotes that "Candidates clearly not right for the role will be excused early." I wonder what that means. There has already been a casting call circulating out there for a few months... It makes wonder if they had trouble finding the right guy to play Caine, so now they're just searching globally for an unknown. Personally, I'm still committed to the idea that this will suck. The question remains: who will play Caine? We shall know soon, I guess. (Thanks, Phil)
Troi Torain, aka DJ Star, apparently has a new job: Hip-Hop D.J., Fired for Threats, Returns to Airwaves. If you recall, Torain was fired back in May 2006 after a broadcast in which he threatened the family of a rival DJ, made racially and sexually abusive remarks, and got himself arrested. He was charged with endangering the welfare of a child, a misdemeanor, with the on-air threats. The charges were eventually dropped, and Torain sued Councilman John C. Liu, who helped stir the public outcry over Torain's on-air threats. Whatever. I was happy to see the guy canned. But now...
This week, Mega Media Group announced the creation of a new station that will prominently feature Torain's show, the "Star & Buc Wild Show." Just what the radio waves need—another idiotic, racist shock jock cluttering the world with an endless supply of ignorance. We're all doomed. Regarding Torain, Councilman Liu released the following statement:
After spending a couple of nights in jail, serving community service, and spending the last 18 months out of work, Torain has hopefully learned a lesson. Today Torain stated that he would engage in socially responsive commentary. We hope he is sincere about that, and that he will use the power of broadcast responsibility and not exhibit recidivist behavior by explicitly fantasizing on-air about little girls.
We hope that the new company hiring Torain will not degrade to Clear Channel Communication's mediocrity in usurping public airwaves and jacking up corporate profit margins at the expense of community well-being. This issue is far larger than Torain. He's only been a pawn for the giant media conglomerates that dominate our public airwaves. Clear Channel sought to hire Torain – in fact, offered him an obscene $17 million – to spew outrageous and hateful content just to pump up ratings and profits. We will hold Torain's new puppet masters accountable, as we will continue to hold Clear Channel responsible for endangering children last year with Torain's disgusting rants.
Meanwhile, Torain promises to deliver the "great entertainment that my listeners have come to expect from me, while also offering responsible social commentary." That's hilarious. Like I said, we're all doomed.
the 25 most infamous yellow face film performances
Here's something you all might appreciate... In AsianWeek, columnist Phil Chung counts down The 25 Most Infamous Yellow Face Film Performances. Yes, from Charlie Chan to Fu Manchu, Hollywood has a love affair with casting non-Asian actors as Asians characters, and they've been doing it for a very long time. So here's a list of the top 25 yellowfaces that have arguably had the most impact on our cultural landscape. It's strictly limited to film performances, so no David Carradine in Kung Fu or Jonathan Pryce in Miss Saigon. It's a pretty good list, so take a look at part 1 here. A nice trip down Hollywood's racist memory lane.
Several folks have written in informing me of the plight of Pedro and Salvacion Servano, Filipino immigrants who have been living in the United States for over twenty years, but now facing possible deportation for misstating their marital status during their visa application process more than two decades ago. Their mistake has now come back to haunt them, and they could be forced to move back to the Philippines: Couple Fight Deportation After 20+ Years. This week, however, they were placed under an order of supervision that restricts their movements but allows them to stay in the country, at least temporarily: Filipino couple get temporary repriev. It still sucks, but it's certainly an improvement in their situation, considering that last week the Servanos were under order to surrender at a federal prison to be processed for imminent expulsion. They've still got a lot of legal hoops to jump through. But after over twenty years in America, with four U.S.-born children and successful careers, this is home. Let's hope they get to stay.
I first mentioned The Slants last month. I've since then had the chance to listen to their album, Slanted Eyes, Slanted Hearts, and let me tell you, kids, it kicks some serious ass. They're a band out of Portland, Oregon boasting their very own unique brand of "Chinatown Dance Rock," guaranteed to rock your ass. They've got this throbbing synth-pop/dance-rock sound with a badass Asian twist. Their vibe recalls bands like Depeche Mode, New Order, Joy Division (all that stuff it was fashionable for Asians to listen to back in the day—at least, in my youth), and more recently, The Killers.
The Slants' lyrics also don't shy away from controversial themes, grappling with issues of intolerance, racism, prejudice and ethnic pride in between the riffs and beats. This band knows what it's doing. To learn more about The Slants, visit the website and their MySpace profile. The album is available at all the usual online outlets, like Amazon and iTunes. The perfect gift for the Angry Asians in your life this Christmas.
In Wisconsin, James Nichols, the white hunter convicted of killing a Hmong man while both were out hunting in the woods, was sentenced to the maximum 69 years in prison by a judge who rejected his claims of self-defense: Wisconsin hunter gets 69 years in slaying. Prosecutors said Nichols' true motive in killing Cha Vang was prejudice. He was recorded in police interviews as saying that Hmong people are bad, mean and "kill everything and that they go for anything that moves."
Vang, a 30-year-old father of five, was found dead earlier this year in a wildlife refuge where Nichols had also been hunting. The two apparently got into an altercation, in which Nichols shot Cha Vang, stabbed him five times in the neck, then attempted to hide the body. The death rekindled racial tensions in northwest Wisconsin, where many recalled Hmong hunter Chai Soua Vang (no relation), who fatally shot six white hunters during a confrontation three years ago. More here: Hunter gets 69 years in killing
I don't get it. It's been rumored on several movie sites that Jackie Chan and Will Smith could be teaming up for remake of The Karate Kid: Jackie Chan And Will Smith Teaming For A KARATE KID Remake? Yes, you read that right. Han Sanping of China Film recently announced that one of the films he's trying to set up in co-production with Hollywood studios is a Karate Kid remake, with Will Smith's son Jaden as Daniel-san, Jackie Chan or Stphen Chow as the Miyagi character, and Will Smith as the main villain. They'd probably call it The Kung Fu Kid. I'm sorry, but what kind of crack are these people smoking? Does this movie really need to be remade? Hell, hasn't it already been remade in some form or another? It's not as though the original movie was all that, well, original in the first place. Still, the thought of seeing Stephen Chow beating a kid into shape with some serious Shaolin-style training sounds kind of fun...
Oh man. Another Asian weirdo in the news... Diexia Wang, a senior at the University of Pennsylvania, was charged by police this week after allegedly stalking female students at the schhool and stealing several pairs of their underwear: UPenn Student Arrested For Alleged Underwear Theft. He was charged with burglary, criminal tresspassing, harassment and theft after he stole underwear and purses from several women. Police are also investigating whether Wang stalked a woman who lived in a dorm on campus. He may also be linked to several bizarre thefts on campus. Why, dude? Why? Something is wrong with you. And of course, what do people see when they splash his mugshot across the news? He's just another one of those weird freaky Asian guys on campus. Ladies, protect your panties. More here: Senior arrested for stalking Mayer females
Check it out. After taking a spin on the festival circuit, Chris Chan Lee's indie noir drama Undoing, starring Sung Kang, Kelly Hu, and Russell Wong, gets a theatrical release from Indican Pictures. Here's the official synopsis:
After a mysterious year-long absence, SAM returns to Los Angeles determined to find redemption for his past. He soon becomes intertwined with his old mentor DON, a retired gangster and VERA, the lover he abandoned. As he tries to balance revenge with reconciliation he is drawn back into the shadowy world he left behind. A world of impossible desires, loneliness and isolation. Can Sam undo his mistakes before losing all that he came back to save?
The movie opens this Friday, November 30 at the Kabuki Theater in San Francisco. There will be Q&A sessions with director Chris Chan Lee and other members of cast and crew throughout the premiere weekend. After checking out the film on Friday night, join MANJA, hapihour.org, APA|FIVE, CAAM, Third Thursdays, Kearny Street Workshop, Asian American Theater Company, Locus Arts, Hyphen Magazine, Asian Business League, NAAAP-SF, KACSF/BAKAs, KAPS, and KABA for the Undoing afterparty at O Izakaya Lounge in Hotel Kabuki. RSVP for the party here. Oh, here's a short review of the film from SF Weekly: King Kang.
Undoing will also open next week, December 5-14, at the Pioneer Theater in New York. Sung Kang, and producers Karin Chien and Phil Lam will be present at selected screenings. To celebrate, they'll be throwing an Opening Night Release Party, Wednesday, December 5 at Sutra. For details, go here.
And in Boston, the movie opens Friday, December 7 at the Brattle Theatre for an exclusive 3-day run. Don't miss out! Sung and the producers are scheduled to do a Q&A with the audience after the December 7 screening. For more information about Undoing, visit the official website here, as well as the movie's MySpace and Facebook profiles.
Saw this video over at the FR*A blog... That's Paul Dateh on violin and Inka One on the turntables. It's a several months old, but still pretty cool. I'm diggin' their sound. I went Googling, and came across this Interview with Paul Dateh. Also check out his blog here.
Pat Buchanan, quite possibly America's official asshead racist, appeared the other day on Fox News' Hannity & Colmes to discuss his new book, in which he writes that America is "on a path to national suicide." Suicide? How so, Pat? Do tell. He writes, "Every way a nation can... "[t]he American majority is not reproducing itself... Forty-five million of its young have been destroyed in the womb since Roe v. Wade, as Asian, African, and Latin American children come to inherit the estate the lost generation of American children never got to see." From the book:
Truly, America faces an existential crisis. Are the racial, political, social, and cultural forces pulling us apart overwhelming the forces holding us together?
It is the belief of the author and premise of this book that America is indeed coming apart, decomposing, and that the likelihood of her survival as one nation through midcentury is improbable -- and impossible if America continues on her current course. For we are on a path to national suicide.
[...]
How is America committing suicide? Every way a nation can. The American majority is not reproducing itself. Its birthrate has been below replacement level for decades. Forty-five million of its young have been destroyed in the womb since Roe v. Wade, as Asian, African, and Latin American children come to inherit the estate the lost generation of American children never got to see."
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, from 2005 to 2006, our minority population rose 2.4 million to exceed 100 million. Hispanics, 1 percent of the U.S. population in 1950, are now 14.4 percent. Since 2000, their numbers have soured 25 percent to 45 million. The U.S. Asian population grew by 24 percent since 2000, as the number of white kids of school age fell 4 percent. Half the children five and younger today are minority children.
Ah, I see. So us Asian, African, and Latin American children don't really count as true American children. In fact, all we're here doing in the United States is taking the so-called inheritance of aborted American babies. "American" meaning white, I suppose. You've got to be kidding me, Pat. That's racist! Media Matters has full coverage (including video): Buchanan: "America [is] committing suicide" while "Asian, African, and Latin American children come to inherit the estate". Just another attempt to stir up his special brand of xenophobic hysteria. And unfortunately, it's probably working among some folks out there. So everyone, please join with me in the "invasion," as we assist with our nation's "suicide." We're taking over, Pat! Muhahahahahahahah.
This week, San Mateo County prosecutors dropped an attempted-murder charge against Jayantibhai Patel, accused of hitting his father in the head with a hammer because he mistakenly though that 81-year-old had to be hospitalized before he could be admitted to a nursing home: Foster City man spared attempted-murder charges in father's injury. Sounds like someone was seriously misinformed. According to prosecutors, Patel lived with his father but apparently wanted to return to India. The 81-year-old father is partially paralyzed and uses a wheelchair, and Patel thought the only way to get him admitted to a nursing home was if he was injured or ill. So he took a hammer to the old man's head?! Ridiculous. Patel now faces charges of assault with a deadly weapon and elder abuse. Not smart.
Last night in Richmond, CA, 38-year-old Thanh Thach, a Pizza Hut deliverman, was trying to find an address when he was shot and killed during a possible robbery attempt: Pizza deliveryman shot to death while looking for Richmond address. According to police, Thach was searching for a delivery address when he was accosted by one or two men, who shot him twice then fled without taking his cell phone, money or pizza. The motive for the slaying was unclear, though police say it's possible it was "robbery gone bad" or maybe some kind of gang initiation rite. Either way, it's senseless. Sadly, Thach leaves behind a wife and two kids. He had lived in the United States for 13 years and just recently became a citizen in September. His wife says it was the happiest day of his life. Tragic. Richmond police were asking anyone with information on the murder to call (510) 620-6643.
After several years of plans and announcements, next week, Asian American multi-media entertainment company ImaginAsian Entertainment expands its empire, unveiling a new theater, "The ImaginAsian Center," in Los Angeles. Formerly the historic Linda Lea Theater, the new theater will be the only film center in downtown Los Angeles dedicated to first-run Asian and Asian American films, opening on December 7 with the acclaimed Japanese action/adventure film Midnight Eagle. Read ImaginAsian's press release here (PDF).
Located at 251 South Main Street, The ImaginAsian Center has been home to a number of historic theaters, including the Arrow, the Aztec and most recently the Linda Lea, which was a Japanese-language film theater. The theater has been redesigned and renovated, offering an auditorium with 250 stadium style seating, including a 16 seat VIP section, a VIP Lounge for special events, and a working stage. The Center will host feature films, screenings, live performances, special events, and satellite-fed events and exhibitions, using state of the art sound and projection equipment. Here's the Center's website.
To kick things off, they're throwing a "star-studded" gathering this Saturday, hosted by Carrie Ann Inaba and Michelle Krusiec. Whooo. Another theater just for us! Hopefully, this will be the start of something great for Southern California's Asian American film community.
Today is Bruce Lee's birthday. He would have been 67: Remember Bruce Lee. What can I say, except that his legacy continues to have a profound impact on the culture at large, as well as my own life and work. He's a legend.
At the University of Washington, a group of students have started a campaign to commemorate the school's most famous student. Bruce attended the university briefly in the early 1960s, studying drama and philosophy before starting a martial arts studio in Seattle. Now, students at UW are collecting signatures on a petition to administrators to officially recognize the man they think could be the school's best-known minority student: UW students want Bruce Lee memorialized on campus. The effort is actually part of a project for a class, "Bruce Lee Dedication":
The students collecting signatures are enrolled in a class that explores methods of activism -- specifically related to Bruce Lee's legacy. The UW's Comparative History of Ideas Department coordinates the class, which students help lead.
Students say they're trying to do something more important than honoring Lee. They're trying to memorialize what he represents: Eastern philosophies and an Asian face in a predominantly white, European culture.
And some students say institutionalized racism is the only reason there isn't already a campus memorial to Lee, who died in 1973 during what may have been a fatal reaction to a painkiller.
"There has been an apathy amongst the community, including the student body, including the faculty and the administration," said Jamil Suleman, a former UW student who facilitates the class. "They talk about these fluffy issues like diversity, but they don't talk about the real issue, which is racism."
More here: CHID seeks to honor Bruce Lee. Now, I went to a school with some relatively famous alumni. But none of those individuals are as deserving of a statue or memorial as Bruce Lee. How cool would that be? You could publish photos of the statue in UW's brochure. Hell, put it on the cover! Enrollment would jump, I tell you. Why? Because Bruce Lee is badass. In fact, the organizers should just put that on the top of their petition: "Bruce Lee is badass." That's all you need. Have students sign in, then present it to the administration. There could not be a more compelling argument. Recognize Bruce!
According to researchers, starchy foods such as white rice and bread raise the likelihood of diabetes for Black and Chinese women, but adding whole grain foods may reverse the risk: Starches raise diabetes risk in blacks and Chinese. Two studies—the frist to look at this aspect of diabetes risk in non-white women—both show that eating unrefined carbohydrates can boost rates of diabetes. However, research also shows that women who ate the most fiber had the lowest risk of diabetes. These findings support the theory of glycemic index, which holds that certain types of carbohydrates such as sugars and refined grains can cause a spike in blood sugar that damages the body's ability to use insulin and process sugar. Hear that, ladies? I know you love the white rice. But don't love it too much. Damn you, diabetes.
It's the quest for the secret tunnels of Chinatown. Here's another interesting story on what used to be Fresno's old Chinatown, where an extensive network of underground tunnels is believed to have existed as a passageway to the community's illicit activities: An urban legend has resurfaced. We mentioned this last month. Back in August, a team of archaelogists discovered a crawlspace in an abandoned Chinatown basement—perhaps evidence of the tunnel legend?
Since the team reported its find, interest in the "underground Chinatown" has apparently exploded. The city is now using ground-penetrating radar in the adjacent streets, trying to find underground connections between basements with walled-off passageways. Of course, no one has really found anything substantial, so it's still all just a very interesting urban legend, supported by the recollection of a handful of old timers. Hey, this could actually make a really fun movie. And it could star Nicolas Cage, searching for treasure or something.
projekt newspeak presents "the sketch comedy show"
For those of you in Southern California, here's something fun for you to check out this weekend... Projekt Newspeak presents The Sketch Comedy Show, a live/video sketch show featuring the smiling faces of the comedic cast above. This Saturday, December 1st at the El Portal Theater in North Hollywood. The show will be taped before a live audience, with plans to ultimately pitch it to industry executives as a potential new TV show. For more information about the Sketch Comedy Show, including ticket info, visit the Projekt Newspeak website and www.myspace.com/newspeakfunny.
Today in Minneapolis, the city agreed to pay $4.5 million to settle a lawsuit brought by Duy Ngo, an undercover police officer who was shot by a colleague and left permanently disabled: Minneapolis Settles Shot Officer's Suit. The incident happened back in 2003, when Officer Charles Storlie shot Ngo six times with a semiautomatic machine gun:
Ngo was on gang surveillance in February 2003 when he got into a confrontation with a suspect and was shot in the side. His bulletproof vest saved him, and Ngo radioed for help, describing the suspect, who fled on foot.
Officer Charles Storlie was among those who responded to the call. When Storlie arrived, Ngo was on one knee under a streetlight waving his arms. Storlie jumped out of his cruiser and almost immediately began firing his semiautomatic machine gun, striking Ngo six times.
Ngo, 35, returned to work after months of rehabilitation but is restricted to desk duty because he can't grip a gun. The lawsuit, filed in 2004, claimed Storlie violated his civil rights by improperly using deadly force.
Deadly force indeed. That's crazy. Storlie resigned in January and is now apparently doing contract security work in the Middle East. More details on the case and Ngo's settlement here: Minneapolis cop shot by colleague settles for $4.5M
My man Parry Shen tells me you can catch him guest starring this week on CBS' Criminal Minds. Frankie Muniz plays a popular comic book artist who becomes involved with a search for a serial killer. Parry plays Frankie's demanding literary agent, Bobby Kim. Interestingly enough, Parry is one of the editors of the upcoming real-life Asian American superhero anthology comic book Secret Identities. It's set for a fall 2008 release, and it's gonna be sweet. Download the sneak preview here. Anyway, catch Parry this Wednesday, November 28th on Criminal Minds. And read his Xanga blog here.
This month in Massachussetts, several Chinese American politicians won election in Newton, Brookline and other posts around the region, making strides in increasing Asian American representation in the area: Asian-Americans notch wins in municipal elections.
In Newton, Greer Tan Swiston as elected to the Board of Aldermen in Ward 3, and Alderwoman at Large Amy Mah Sangiolo was re-elected in Ward 4. Donald H. Wong was elected to Saugus Board of Selectman, and then named chairman by the board, and Lisa Wong was elected mayor of Fitchburg. Other Asian Americans to win office include Brookline School Committee member Ira Chan and former Brookline School Committee member Terry Kwan.
But wait, the list of Asian Americans in office goes on. There's Sam Yoon, re-elected to a second term on the Boston City Council; Rithy Uong, who served on the Lowell City Council; Dean Tran, who just won a second term on the Fitchburg City Council; Lexington School Committee member Ravi K. Sakhuja; and Norfolk Selectman Ramesh Advani. Hopefully, this is only the beginning for Asian Americans in politics, local and beyond. Civic participation, my friends. It's an amazing thing.
The Manicurists' Heroine: By taking her former employers to court, Susan Kim became the unlikely whistle-blower of New York's nail salon industry and catalyzed a movement for salon-workers' rights. She sued her boss for overtime pay and wrongful termination... and won, setting off a chain reaction of manicurists alleging health problems and wrongful terminations in the city's nail salons.
YEAR OF THE PIG: Here's a GQ feature on "culinary genius" David Chang, whose Momofuku restaurants have been making huge waves in the restaurant-obsessed city of New York. Three years ago, he was an obscure cook with a failing Manhattan noodle bar. Now he's being hailed as one of the most innovative and exciting chefs in America.
Korean-American Nominated US Assistant Attorney General: Grace Chung Becker was nominated to be assistant attorney general for the U.S. Department of Justice's civil rights division. She was previously deputy assistant for the division, which has been accused by civil rights groups of abandoning civil rights enforcement during the Bush administration.
Ang Lee: A Chicken Coop, but No Tigers: The New York Times has a profile on acclaimed director Ang Lee, who leads a very low-key non-Hollywood lifestyle. It's interesting to know that a guy who makes some the bravest, most intelligent kick-ass films also lives the life of your typical suburban dad.
Pinoy's painting stirs up Chicago community: A painting by Filipino American artist Fred DeAsis is causing quite a bit of controversy in the community of Arlington Heights, IL. Protestors apparently want to shut down exhibition of the painting, entitled "Innocence," because of its depiction of a wounded, naked figure. Honestly, I think it's a really powerful piece.
What do Lost stars do while on hiatus? Yunjin Kim returned to her industry roots to star in the Korea thriller Seven Days, which opened last week in Korea: A Grueling 'Seven Days' for Kim Yun-jin. She stars as a lawyer who must free a convicted killer in just one week or else see her kidnapped daughter murdered. Cool, whatever. I'll watch anything she's in. So... the movie's been in theaters a week or so, and we're already talking about a Hollywood remake. Recently at the American Film Market, Summit Entertainment grabbed the remake rights from Korea's Prime Entertainment: Summit to remake Korean film 'Seven Days'. If they know what's good for them, they should just go ahead and cast Yunjin Kim again for the U.S. version.
In other Lost news, Ain't It Cool News has an interview with Daniel Dae Kim, conducted last month at the Hawaii International Film Festival, at which Daniel served as a juror: "LOST" IN WAIKIKI: AN INTERVIEW WITH DANIEL DAE KIM. It makes little mention of his DUI arrest, which is just as well. For that, there's the Associated Press, which reports that Daniel entered an initial plea of not guilty to his drunken driving charge at his arraignment on Friday: 'Lost' star Kim arraigned in DUI case
Do not read the rest of this post if you don't want to read Lost spoilers...
Since we're on a Lost kick... One guy I'm really interested in seeing on the upcoming season of Lost is Ken Leung, who was announced joining the cast earlier this year as one of the show's new mysterious characters. A lot of fans are guessing who exactly he might be. So here's a clue... A series of set photos featuring a scene with Ken and Matthew Fox popped up on the web a few months back: Yes, that's Ken pointing a gun at Jack. It looks like he's parachuted onto the island or something. Who is he? What does it all mean? It's been a long summer, and it looks like we'll be waiting even longer now for answers, with the writers' strike and all. Damn.
TMZ.com catches Chelsea Handler going back to the well to make some of her usual racist cracks. Not that anybody is surprised. Mentioned here last summer after an appearance on The Tonight Show, the woman has made a "career" off of tired, lame jokes at the expense of Asians and everybody else her pretty, blonde, white self thinks she can get away with offending: Chelsea Handler's New Gig: Bigot?
She was approached by two cameramen -- one of whom was Chinese, the other (our guy) was African-American. Chelsea quipped that it was "crazy that you guys all travel together, Asians and Blacks. That's amazing." And they can vote now, too!
After a failed joke about Dog the Bounty Hunter, somehow a question about Britney Spears turned into Chelsea saying the Chinese photog was from "Vietcong-nam." When it was pointed out that he was, in fact, Chinese, Chelsea just said, "Whatever."
Her ignorance is absolutely astounding. I don't know what's worse—that infuriating, grinning attitude of entitlement she thinks has, for whatever reason, or the fact that she doesn't even try to be original when she pulls out her tired arsenal of stereotypical jokes. The fact that she's not even performing here (cameramen apparently caught her outside a restaurant) reveals she really just doesn't give a damn. That's racist!
In London, Ontario, a woman was recently the victim of a racially-charged attack by a mob of Grade 8 boys. The woman was reportedly head-butted, slapped and mocked for her Chinese accent, while at least one of her tormentors recorded it on a cellphone video camera. The harrssment had apparently been going on for quite a while, with the same group intercepting her and taunting her with "mock Chinese." That's racist! Amazingly, the woman has chosen to forgive her attackers, attributing their actions to the "mistakes" of youth: Woman 'forgives' school attackers. She doesn't want to be identified and won't file a police complaint. I don't even know what to say. That's a powerful reaction.
The woman is certainly entitled to her convictions, and she doesn't have to hold a grudge... but dammit, make these kids own up to their actions! There is a way to forgive and still have some semblance of justice. By keeping quiet, it just sends the message that this kind of bullying and harrassment is consequence-free. You know why people engage in racist behavior like this? Because they think they can get away with it. And that needs to change.
The very gorgeous Gong Li has signed on to star opposite John Cusack in a new film Shanghai: Gong Li to Star in New Hollywood Film "Shanghai". In the movie, she'll apparently play "a mysterious woman who deals with the underworld and a journalist from the US." Ooh, sounds very exotic and dragon lady-like. Looks like Gong Li will be taking us on a myterious, dark journey through the Orient. Why do I get a bad, bad feeling about this movie? The film starts shooting next February in Shanghai, Los Angeles and Canada.
In New York, police are investigating eight recent muggings of Asian men and women in Brooklyn's 84th precinct: Cops are probing attacks on Asians. The first attack occurred August 14, and the last victim was targetd November 12. In each case, between one and five teens used intimidation and force to rob their victims, whose ages range from 15 to 52—all Asian. Police say the robberies appear to be part of a pattern. Ya think? Clearly, Asians in this community are being targeted, for whatever reason. Maybe it's because the perpetrators think Asians are easy targets, or maybe they think Asians will be less likely to report the crime. Or maybe they're just targeting Asians for the hell of it. Whatever the case, that's racist!
Last week, the Cleveland Indians signed a two-year contract with free agent pitcher Masahide Kobayashi of Japan: Tribe lands Japan's Kobayashi. Kobayashi, who has recorded at least 20 saves in each of the past seven seasons, will move into the back end of Cleveland's bullpen as a setup man for closer Joe Borowski. He spent the past nine seasons with the Chiba Lotte Marines, and is one of just three pitchers in Japanese baseball history with over 200 saves. Just don't confuse him with the other famous Kobayashi. This is not the hot dog guy.
Mud is a punk band (whose members happen to be Asian American) based in San Francisco, currently competing in radio station Live 105's "Not So Silent Night" Battle of the Bands Contest, vying for a chance to open for the December 7 concert with Jimmy Eat World, Paramour and Modest Mouse. The band actually has a really interesting story. The members of Mud were originally veterans of the Guam music scene, later moving out to California ten years ago to enter San Francisco's music scene. Finally, their break seems to have arrived...
Mud has been selected as a Top 20 contestant, but in order for them to proceed to the next level for a Top 5 Battle of the Bands slot, they need your help. Check out their song "Father Christmas" (you'll need to sign up for a free imeem account). If you dig the song, rate it and leave a comment (i.e. "this rocks my balls off!!!"). The contest ends this Sunday, November 25th. You can learn more about the band here, and check out Mud's MySpace profile here.
Police in Seattle are investigating an apparent hate crime involving a University of Washington frat house: Police investigating apparent hate crime at UW frat house. Witnesses told police last Sunday that they saw several people hurl water balloons and yell abusive comments from the Delta Upsion fraternity house. Water balloons? Big deal, you say. It's just a bunch of stupid drunk frat boys being the assheads that they are. Right? Not so fast. According to police, witnesses saw an Asian student get hit in the head with a water balloon, with four or five people on the fraternity balcony yelling racial and anti-immigrant slurs at the man, who ran from the house.
While water balloons and racial slurs may seem like a minor matter to some, I would argue that it opens the door to all sorts of hate and intolerance. It's not the water balloons. It's the aggressive, hateful, de-humanizing sentiment behind it. It starts out as something innocuous, but what's to say that the next time it won't be something more dangerous or violent? The frat guys, of course, deny any wrongdoing. The Delta Upsilon president told police that he and other members of the fraternity were in a meeting when the incident occurred. Responding officers classified the incident as assault and malicious harrassment. Unfortunately, police were not able to locate the victim immediately after the incident. I hope he comes forward. Meanwhile, here is the contact information for the Delta Upsilon chapter at UW. Do what you will with this information...
CBC ran a story the other day about the increasingly visible trend of the "angry Asian man," a figure that has emerged quite a bit in news and popular culture in the last year or so... for better or for worse: All the rage: Tracking the trend of angry Asian men. Funny. I might know a few things about that. It's an okay article, though it tries to draw together a hell of a lot of disparate elements to illustrate this "angry" concept, everything from Harold and Kumar to Giant Robot to Adrian Tomine's Shortcomings. It's kind of all over the place. But I get it.
The article also mentions a low-budget independent film, apparently 7 years in the making, Tetsuro Shigematsu's Yellow Fellas, a comedy (I think) about "a disgruntled young Japanese-Canadian named Howie Hiroshima, who decides to create a politicized (and unintentionally bumbling) Asian gang to combat skinheads and racism." Sounds kind of crazy—could be really good... or really bad. Watch the trailer here.
Here's an interesting NPR Morning Edition story on the large community of Fujianese immigrants that have settled in the eastern part of Manhattan's Chinatown: Chinese Immigrants Chase Opportunity in America. Hailing from China's Fujian Province, hundreds of thousands illegal immigrants have been voluntarily smuggled into the United States looking for jobs and opportunties, together creating a little microcosm of home in America. Many of them make money to send home to their relatives, who can live comfortoably back in China. Interestingly enough, many villages in the Fujian Province are now practically ghost towns due to the large influx of workers going abroad. Here's also a companion story on the long the journey from the Fujian Province to the United States: Smuggled Chinese Travel Circuitously to the U.S.
Just a reminder... tell all your friends, family, associates and connections in Korea that Michael Kang's Korean American gangster drama West 32nd is opening today, November 22, in CGV theaters around Korea. Here's an interview with the director from The Korea Times: Director Explores Korean-American Identity. The story provides some pretty interesting insights about New York's Koreatown that went into making the film. Here is also a letter from star John Cho, encouraging out there to check out West 32nd:
A Note from John Cho
When I came to Los Angeles to pursue acting 10 years ago, it felt like I was one of very few Korean American guys in town. In the years since, the situation has changed dramatically--I would never have guessed then that there would be so many prominent Korean American actors working today. And it's been so exciting to see that growth paralleled by the growth of Korean cinema in the global market.
I began to wonder what it would be like if resources and talent flowed both ways, from the United States to Korea and back? One of the first answers to that question is a Michael Kang movie I acted in called West 32nd. It's set in New York's Koreatown; it's often bi-lingual; it stars Korean American and Korean actors; and it was financed by CJ Entertainment, a Korean company that took a chance on this uniquely entertaining thriller.
On a personal note, the experience of making this film is among the most gratifying of my life. My character's discovery of his own culture mirrored my own experience with a largely Korean American cast and crew. It was a special time for me.
But the opportunity to give birth to a new category of film--the Korean/American co-production--is also special. In success, I hope this film is a catalyst for stories, talent, and resources to be shared between Koreans and Korean Americans. It would be a shame for us to drop the ball on this now.
West 32nd is opening theatrically in Korea on 20 screens on November 22. We ask that you please alert those you know in Korea. This is the way it happens--people emailing friends and family. Thank you very much for reading.
-John Cho Actor West 32nd
See a more serious side of John Cho, the guy you previously only knew as Harold or the MILF guy. There's also Battlestar Galactica's Grace Park, on whom I have an immmense crush. I know you can dig it. To learn more about the film, go to the official site here. Also check out West 32nd'sMySpace and Cyworld profiles. Mike's Xanga site also has a lot of useful information. Sarah, make sure you get to the theater in Seoul, okay?
Awwww man. So, I've been watching The Biggest Loser. Don't laugh. I find it an oddly compelling, inspiring show. This season, I've been rooting for our girl Kae, a former Private in the US Army, hailing from Clark, NJ. This girl kicking some serious ass, working hard and consistently shedding pounds. She was easily one of the strongest, most disciplined contestants within the group. And all her fellow competitors knew it. Unfortunately, tonight, she slipped into the bottom two with the lowest percentage of weight loss, and was voted off. Her competitors clearly saw it as an opportunity to remove the biggest threat from the game. It's too bad—she could've gone all the way. They did, however, show how much progress she's made up to now with a live weigh-in, and it's amazing. She's lost 88 lbs, and looks pretty stunning. Daaaaaang. Much props to you, Kae. Oh, check her out on her MySpace profile.
My friend Jess has been involved with Crossing Borders, a non-profit organization that was established in Chicago in 2002 to aid North Korean refugees who escape to China. They've recently expanded their presence to New York, and next month, they're holding a benefit concert to raise funds as well as introduce folks to the organization's initiatives on behalf of the people of North Korea. So... check out Rock the Border, featuring the music of Miss Vintage, Minnow Park, Ahh Sum Band. Friday, December 7th at the Lion's Den in New York. Here are the specifics:
ROCK THE BORDER
When: Friday, December 7th, 8pm-10pm Where: Lion's Den, 214 Sullivan Street (betwee Bleeker St and West 3rd St) Live Entertainment: Miss Vintage, Minnow Park, Ahhh Sum Band Cost: $25 in advance, $30 at door
Purpose: To raise funds and awareness for Crossing Borders NY Proceeds: To help fund our three current projects: "Restore Life," Second Wave," "Working Hands" Other: Silent Auction, Cash Bar Tickets:rocktheborder.org Crossing Borders website:www.crossingbordersnk.org
Live enterainment, drinks, good people. It's all there. It should be a really cool event, and it's for a great cause. So if you live in NYC, or will be in town on December 7, make some plans to be there. Mark your calendars, spread the word, bring a friend, and have a goooood time.
The East West Players' latest production is Dawn's Light: The Journey of Gordon Hirabayashi, currently running through December 2 at the David Henry Hwang Theater in Los Angeles' Little Tokyo. Written by Jeanne Sakata and starring Ryun Yu, it's a one-actor play that tells the true story of Japanese American college student in Seattle who refused to sign himself into internment camps during World War II. During the course of the play, he fights to reconcile his country's betrayal with his Constitutional beliefs, journeying towards a greater understanding of America's triumphs and failures. For more information about the play, go here. Here's also a rather tepid review of the play from the Los Angeles Times: Story of Japanese American who fought internment lacks punch
This is a great story about 22-year-old Vichay Phommachan, who says his goal is to become "the first Asian American deaf male artist and entertainer": Singing hands. Although he was born able to hear, he became deaf after having a high fever at age 3, and now can only hear loud noises. However, he still enjoys pop, R&B, soul and dance music (by feeling the sound vibrations from the music to make out the song's melody)—so much so that he auditioned for American Idol. How? Because Vichay is unable to communicate verbally, his 30-second audition consisted of him interpreting lyrics of a Korean pop song through sign language. I guess it was pretty unique, because he actually made it to the next round. Unfortunately, he wasn't able to advance beyond that. Still, you gotta hand it to the guy for having dreams.
Here's a good website/organization worthy of a plug... That's Not Love is a website created and maintained by the Youth Advisory Council of Asian Pacfic Islander Legal Outreach, committed to helping Bay Area Asian/Pacific Islander youth change their knowledge, attitudes, behaviors and beliefs towards domestic violence, dating violence, sexual harrassment, and sexual assault against women and girls in the API community. The site provides a variety of relationship resources, including information about the cycle of violence, types of violence and abuse, a regular online chat, a links pointing to various national and local organizations serving Asian Pacific Islanders. It's a worthwhile, valuable site that's hopefully making a difference in the lives of a lot of young people. Check it out at www.thatsnotlove.org.
asian parents sue tutoring program for discrimination
Three Chinese parents in Brooklyn are filing a federal lawsuit challenging a popular city-run tutoring program on the grounds it discriminates against Asians: IN 'WRONG' MINORITY. The Specialized High School Institute helps prepare gifted but "underrepresented" minorities take the competitive exam to get into top city high schools like Stuyvesant or Brooklyn Tech. But the parents say it's unfair and illegal for the Department of Education to limit elegibility to Blacks and Latinos. The Department, however, has always insisted anyone who qualifies for a free lunch could apply.
Peggy Foo-Ching begs to differ. She says her 12-year-old daughter's application last year was ignored, and that rules were changed to bar her daughter from participating. According to the Post, a Department of Education internal memo obtained by lawyers trying the case apparently indicated that eligibility criteria excludes whites and Asians. You get in the way of an Asian parent trying to give their kid an educational edge, and somebody's going to get in trouble...
I've been meaning to write about Shaun Tan's amazing, award-winning graphic novel The Arrival for quite a while now. The book is a wordless, gorgeous compelling piece depicting the journey of one man to a new country. Tan mixes his sepia-tone, realistic style with a sense of the mysterious and fantastic. Check out this excerpt in New York magazine's comics page from a few months back: Exclusive Comics Excerpt: 'The Arrival'. It's pretty amazing stuff. Learn more about Shaun Tan and his work here.
I received this press release last week informing me that my friend and former professor/mentor L.S. Kim, assistant professor of film and digital media at UC Santa Cruz, has a feature story in the 35th anniversary issue of Ms. magazine: UCSC media expert contributes feature to 35th anniversary issue of Ms. magazine. Her article traces the impact feminists have had on mainstream media over the past three and a half decades. Awesome. Here's an excerpt from her article over on AlterNet: Do We Still Need Feminist Media? Go Professor Kim! I feel I owe her a lot. Many years ago, I sat in her "Asian Americans in the Media" class as an impressionable young soul, eager to learn and gain a little perspective on how my people were being represented in film and television. You can probably thank her for planting a few of the seeds of anger that eventually gave birth to this website. Man, all things considered, her class changed my life.
Orange County's Little Saigon usually gets most of the attention... but San Jose, California's other Vietnamese enclave, home to more than 78,000 Vietnamese Americans, has also got a little somethin' somethin' going on: San Jose's Vietnamese district building a name for itself. San Jose officials are pushing to designate the city's Vietnamese business district with a name that reflects the contributions of Vietnamese Americans to the community's identity. This, however, has sparked fierce debate over what to name the district. Little Saigon? New Saigon? Vietnamtown? Vietnamese Business District? Each proposed name has had its set of supporters and detractors. The city council is scheduled to decide today whether to adopt the name "Saigon Business District." Kind of weak, not too flashy, but you gotta do what you gotta do. Whatever the name, however, I have a hard time seeing San Jose ever overtaking Orange County's Little Saigon as the capital of Vietnamese America.
The above photo is the first proper still to hit the web from the upcoming live-action adaptation of Blood: The Last Vampire, based on popular Japanese anime. That's Korean superstar Jeon Ji-Hyun (My Sassy Girl), and I gotta say, she looks pretty good as vampire slayer Saya. It should be noted that she is apparently now going by "Gianna Jun." I believe Blood also marks her English-language movie debut. The movie is directed by Chris Nahon, produced by Ronnie Yu, and set to be released sometime in 2008.
NPR's Weekend Edition recently profiled Filipino jazz vocalist Charmaine Clamor, whose most recent CD Flippin' Out introduces a hybrid sound, which she calls "jazzipino": Charmaine Clamor's 'Jazzipino' Swing. She melds traditional Filipino melodies, languages and instruments with the soul and swing of American jazz. I don't understand a word of Tagalog, but I'm a jazz fan, and her music, as well as some of the ideology behind it, is pretty interesting.
In Boston, the Public Health Comission is expanding its "Safe Shops" initiative to the hundreds of nail salons in the city. Originally conceived as a campaign to protect the health of workers in auto-repair garages—a field frequently occupied by immigrant men—against harmful toxins and working conditions, the intitiative will extend to nail salons, which are largely staffed by women from Southeast Asia breathing the chemical-laden fumes of nail polish and other beauty products: At city nail shops, guarding workers against a toxic mix. Starting in January, health agency representatives will venture into salons, stressing the importance of proper ventilation, demonstrating the correct use of gloves and masks, and urging owners to switch to safer products that have emerged in the past year.
UPDATE: For more information regarding proper ventilated work tables and other working conditions for your nail salon, you can refer to the following websites:
Here's an interview with veteran indie director Gregg Araki on his latest film Smiley Face, a comedy about a woman who has a very bad day after treating herself to a batch of pot cupcakes: "Smiley Face" Director Gregg Araki. The film, which is a bit of a departure from Araki's acclaimed previous films, made it premiere at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year. After various stops on the festival circuit, and a very limited theatrical run, the movie is going straight to DVD in January. Here's another interview from AFI Fest: Gregg Araki puts on a Smiley Face.
Excuse me for a moment while I venture into extreme geek territory... Star Trek: New Voyages is an all-out, fan-produced, fan-financed web series based on the original 1960s television series. You know, with Captain Kirk, Spock, McCoy and the rest. This series basically just picks up where the old one left off, with all the old characters intact... including Sulu. For an unofficial fan series, it's pretty elaborate, with some very authentic-looking costumes, makeup, sets and effects. You gotta really love Trek to be part of something like this. I mention it here because the most recent episode, "World Enough and Time," guest stars none other than George Takei. The man himself, reprising the role that made him famous. The story involves an aged, forty-years-older Sulu. Apparently, he was completely cool with getting involved. Watch the episode here. Warning: it's extremely cheesy. But then again, so was the old Star Trek.
Rachel K. Paulose, the controversial U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota, announced today that she would be stepping down to go work at the Justice Department in Washington on legal policy issues: U.S. Attorney in Minnesota Is Reassigned. The announcement came in wake of reports of new staff turmoil in her office, with at least one senior lawyer resigning from his management post in Minneapolis last week in a protest over her leadership. Her office also made news last April when three other managers gave up their administrative job in a similar protest. Wow, people must really not like working with her.
All right. For those of you in Los Angeles, save the date. Here's details on a cool event next month I'm on the hosting committee for, an Asian / Latino Issues Forum featuring representatives from the leading Democratic Presidential Campaigns. Tuesday, December 4th at the National Center for the Preservation of Democracy. Here are the full details:
Please join us on Dec. 4th for two exciting programs in one night: an Asian/Latino Democratic Presidential Forum and - immediately following the forum - a very special networking party hosted by various community groups!
VOICES TO VOTES
An Asian / Latino Issues Forum featuring representatives from the leading Democratic Presidential Campaigns with special celebrity appearance by Kelly Hu
Tuesday, December 4, 2007 National Center for the Preservation of Democracy 111 N. Central Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90012
Event is FREE
6:15 PM doors open 6:45 - 8:15 PM panel/forum (will begin promptly) 8:15 PM - Tuesday Tingler at the Far Bar (more info below)
Assembly Member Kevin de Leon (Hillary Clinton's campaign) Assembly Member Anthony Portantino (John Edwards' campaign) LA School Board Member Yolie Flores Aguilar (Barack Obama's campaign)
The forum will be moderated by Eric Byler (Asian Pacific Americans for Progress) and Sandra Mendoza (Metropolitan Democratic Club).
Host Committee (in formation): Grace Chee, Phil Chung, Xioamara Corpeno, Keith Kamisugi, Ted Kroeber, Joseph Legaspi, Monica Macer, Raul Macias, Alejandro Menchaca, Sumun Pendakur, Alex Rooker, Mora Mi-Ok Stephens, Liz Sunwoo, Nick Velasquez, Janet Yang, Ed Yoon
Steering Committee: Dennis Arguelles, Charles Chang, Curtis Chin, Rhett Francisco, Vivien Hao, Go Kasai, Preeti Kulkarni, Katy Lim, Dean Matsubayashi, Sandra Mendoza, Catherine Park, Anthony Rendon, Melvin Tabilas, Sarah Tay
Presented by Asian Pacific Americans for Progress and the Metropolitan Democratic Club. Venue sponsored by National Center for the Preservation of Democracy. Co-sponsored by the USC Asian Pacific American Student Services. For more info on the forum, email: curtischin@aol.com
Immediately following the forum will be the Tuesday Tingler, a special edition of the Monday Minglers co-sponsored by Asian Pacific American Legislative Staff, the Asian Pacific Policy and Planning Committee and Asian Pacific Americans in Philanthropy. They will be joined by several co-sponsoring Latino organizations. Just walk around the corner to:
Far Bar at Chop Suey Cafe 347 E. First Street Tel: (213) 617-9990
For more info on the party, email charles.chang@apadrc.org
Mark your calendars. It should be a pretty interesting event, along with a cool party afterwards. Hope to see you all there.
Some plot details have emerged, based on sides, regarding the upcoming fourth installment of The Fast and the Furious. The movie will be the return of the original stars, Vin Diesel and Paul Walker, back to the franchise, with director Justin Lin back at the helm. According to Moviehole:
Times have definitely changed since the first film... and the script refects this; right down to just how much illegal street racing has changed since Dominic (Diesel) burned rubber in the original.
This time, he's in Mexico, where he's racing 'for' a guy named Braga. From the sounds of it, Brian (Paul Walker) has chased him down there, and may have even set up this 'Braga' deal (possibly as part of a deal for Dom - 'you help us catch this guy, you get a leaner sentence'); not that Dom's going to play nicely, naturally.
Dom's still as cheeky as ever... and as charming (About half-way through the script, Dom's getting ready for a big race - Brian on the side - and has to give a thumb-print on a scanning pad before getting into the car. One of the female organizers, a hottie named Gisele, even asks for his number before he starts up the engine. So lots of 'Vin is soooo charming' gags in here.)
This 'Gisele' character pops up frequently... She works for the bad guys, it seems.
The story looks like it has something to do with Dom - and Brian, no doubt undercover - helping a seedy crowd transport some goods (it doesn't say what it's in the goods - not what I read anyway - just that they were in 'large polymer cases') to an undisclosed location (everyone's car has been fitted with a GPS that'll guide them to the drop-off point). As soon as they leave their location, to evade the authorities, all the drivers have to put 'metallic car covers' over their rides so that choppers can't pick up their heat signals. The choppers zoom over head, but they can't seen anything but darkness. As soon as the choppers disappear, they're off and racing!
Other new characters, besides Gisele, in the film include a rogue named Fenix (who Dom doesn't seem to fond of) and a smart-ass named Dwight, who taunts Brian a bit.
Okay, sure. Frankly, who really cares about the plot? The franchise has always essentially been an excuse to showcase a bunch of really badass car chase scenes. This sounds like it'll be more of the same. Not to put any pressure on you, Justin, but I'm looking forward to seeing what sort of positive Asian American elements you can s
, and let me tell you, kids, it kicks some serious ass. They're a band out of Portland, Oregon boasting their very own unique brand of "Chinatown Dance Rock," guaranteed to rock your ass. They've got this throbbing synth-pop/dance-rock sound with a badass Asian twist. Their vibe recalls bands like Depeche Mode, New Order, Joy Division (all that stuff it was fashionable for Asians to listen to back in the day—at least, in my youth), and more recently, The Killers.
