Posts by Jeff
Jeff lives in Silicon Valley, and attempts to juggle marriage, fatherhood, computer systems research, running, and writing.
California Shark Fin Soup Suppliers Sue State Over Ban
A group of Shark Fin Suppliers has sued the state of California over the state’s ban on Shark Fins. The Asian American Rights Committee of California says that the new law violates the U.S. Congress’s authority to regulate interstate commerce. New fins are currently banned from being imported into California in an attempt to help shark stocks by affected by fin harvesting, but fins already in the state can be used through July 1, 2013.
U.S. Education Department Investigating Harvard and Princeton for Discrimination against APAs
An Indian American student has triggered an investigation by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights into discrimination by Harvard and Princeton University against Asian Americans. Studies from Princeton itself conclude that Asian Americans need higher test scores in order to gain admission. Harvard “does not discriminate against Asian-American applicants” says Harvard spokesman Jeff Neal. Princeton spokesman Martin Mbugua states: “We make admissions decisions on a case-by-case basis in our efforts to build [...] Continue »
Some Skin Whitening Creams Can Be Hazardous To Your Health
Colorism, the bias that whiter skin is better, manifests itself in sales of skin whitening creams. This video from CNN shows how these creams are marketed to both male and female Indians. Filipinos are also plagued with colorism and are also consumers of skin whitening creams. I have always thought that colorism and skin whitening were damaging to the the psyches of people of color. It turns out that some whitening creams can be physically [...] Continue »
Is Filipino Cuisine Poised To Make It Into The American Mainstream?
Whenever I see an article like this titled “Filipino Cuisine Poised to Break through Gastro Ceiling,” I think “yet again?” Over twenty years, I ate at Cafe Glenda on Solano Avenue in Berkeley and thought, “Has Filipino food finally made it?” Efren wrote about Filipino Food becoming the In Thing four years ago. A few years later came a discussion on how and why Filipino food was unassimilated. So what’s new and different this time?
Is The Portrayal of Ravi On Disney Channel’s “Jessie” Racist, Unfunny, or Both?
I have written before about the character of Ravi on the Disney Channel’s Jessie show and talked about how some wonder why this Indian American character has to have an accent. The reason why is apparent in this clip which makes Ravi’s Indian culture the entire joke. Not surprisingly, the clip has raised a stir in blogs like this and garnered many dislikes (I can see why Disney turned off comments). Some people don’t think [...] Continue »
Another Side Effect of the Year of the Dragon: Increased Tourism in the U.S.
Tim wrote about the side effects of the Year of the Dragon and here is another one: increased tourism to the U.S. While Chinese traditionally go home for the Lunar New Year, a growing number are going abroad, with top destinations being Europe, the U.S., and Australia. China’s National Tourism Bureau is expecting the number of Chinese traveling abroad for the holidays to be 60% higher than the previous year. Chinese students are said to [...] Continue »
2012 Growing up Asian in American Art and Essay Contest: Bridges
Every year, the Asian Pacific Fund hosts an art and essay contest on Growing up Asian in American. 2012′s theme, in honor of the Golden Gate bridge’s 75th anniversary, is bridges. San Francisco Bay Area students from Kindergarten through the 12th grade can submit essays, poems, or artwork concerning this theme and are eligible for $27,000 in prizes. Winning submissions will be displayed at special exhibits hosted at more than 50 public libraries in the [...] Continue »
Does Being Born In The Year Of The Dragon Give You An Advantage?
People born in the year of the dragon are said to be destined for wealth and success. Notable dragons include Bruce Lee, Deng Xiaoping, and Maggie Cheung. Some places in Asia are expecting and even wanting a baby boom during the year of the dragon. But does being born in the year of the dragon really give you an advantage? A study done at George Mason University attempted to find out. I was born in [...] Continue »
Americans Overestimate Number of Asian Americans, Minorities, and Extent of Interracial Marriage
On Discover Magazine’s Gene Expressions blog, Razib Khan takes a look at how different groups of Americans perceive the number of Asian Americans and other minorities. He concludes that Americans consistently overestimate the number of minorities and underestimate the number of whites. He also states that despite 31% of Asian Americans marrying a non-Asian American in 2008, Americans overestimate the extent of interracial marriage, especially for Asian Americans. Are the concerns raised by one of [...] Continue »
The College Admissions Game, Part 6: Admissions Test Preparation
Test preparation courses for college admissions tests are fairly common in Silicon Valley. Test preparation courses for high school admissions tests, amazingly enough, are also common. The Daughter and Number One Son each took them in preparing for their respective college and high school admissions tests. Their experiences with test preparation courses raises, at least in my mind, a lot of questions about the purpose and fairness of much of today’s standardized testing.
Is Foreign Tuition Money Squeezing Out Asian American College Students?
One of the predictions from the admissions officer who spoke at The Daughter’s High School was that as public universities get their funding cut, they will seek to increase revenue by recruiting more out of state students who can pay much higher tuition rates. This subject also came up in an 8asians discussion about affirmative action. The ever acerbic mwei stated: “…most likely they’ll try to get more of the rich international students from Asia [...] Continue »
Nam Phan Meets Jim Hettes On UFC 141 Main Fight Card
Nam Phan has once again made it onto the main card of a UFC event, this time facing submission expert Jim Hettes at UFC 141. Following his rematch against Leonard Garcia, a Phan win could make him not just an entertaining fighter but a featherweight contender. He has a tough job ahead of him with jujitsu black belt Hettes, who brings in a 9-0 record. UFC 141 takes place on December 30, 2011, with Phan’s [...] Continue »
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