Author Archives: Jeff

About Jeff

Jeff lives in Silicon Valley, and attempts to juggle marriage, fatherhood, computer systems research, running, and writing.

Perspectives on Colorism: Vietnamese American and African American Viewpoints

Posted on March 9, 2020 by Jeff

I was hosting a group of customers from Latin America, and one of them got separate from our group.  I asked what he looked like, and the response was that he was a dark-skinned guy.  I was surprised by the … Continue reading →

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H.E.R. is Interviewed and Cooks in a Filipino Restaurant

Posted on March 2, 2020 by Jeff

I asked some of my kids if they knew that recording artist H.E.R. (Gabi Wilson) was half Filipino, and they already knew that.  It seems the last person to know in our family was me!   In this interview at … Continue reading →

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“Practical” Asian Careers and Simu Liu (Kim’s Convenience and upcoming Shang-Chi Marvel Film)

Posted on February 19, 2020 by Jeff

Simu Liu, of Canadian TV series Kim’s Convenience, is poised to become massively visible as the star of the upcoming Marvel movie, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the the Ten Rings.   But the road to getting to that point was … Continue reading →

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UC Berkeley Tang Center: Xenophobia a “Common” and “Normal” reaction to the Coronavirus

Posted on February 10, 2020 by Jeff

In an incident full of irony on multiple levels, UC Berkeley’s University Health Services Tang Center, named after donor and Hong Kong businessman Jack Tang, posted the above note on social media for Cal students, many of whom are Asian … Continue reading →

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Apple’s 2020 Chinese New Year Short: Daughter

Posted on January 31, 2020 by Jeff

In the last few years, Apple has been sponsoring Chinese New Year themed shorts that are shot entirely from an iPhone.  Ad Age points out that 2020’s movie features director Theodore Melfi (“Hidden Figures,” “St. Vincent“) and Chinese actress Zhou … Continue reading →

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Race, Romance, and Retribution: Courtney Milan and the Romance Writers of America

Posted on January 21, 2020 by Jeff

You might think that the world of romance novel writing (known as Romancelandia) is a genteel place removed from the pressures and conflicts of the everyday world.  The RITA awards, shown are above, are awards given yearly by the Romance … Continue reading →

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Jeremy Lin and the “Chink the Armor” ESPN Headline Writer

Posted on January 13, 2020 by Jeff

When Anthony Federico came up with this boneheaded headline about Jeremy Lin having a bad game against the Hornets, he certainly wasn’t expecting the world of hurt that soon would be heading into.  His name was leaked, he was instantly … Continue reading →

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Viral Ad: A Star Wars Experience for All

Posted on December 3, 2019 by Jeff

This ad from Globe Telecom, a telecom provider in the Philippines, cashes in the upcoming hype for Star Wars:  The Rise of Skywalker.  It has an unexpected ending that I hope people do not spoil when sharing it.   We have … Continue reading →

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Float: A Pixar Short Film Featuring Filipino American Characters Debuts November 12

Posted on November 12, 2019 by Jeff

After its short film Bao won an academy award for short films, Pixar is debuting another short featuring Asian Americans/Canadians.  Float, by Bobby Rubio, is about a father who discovers that his son is different.  In a first for Pixar … Continue reading →

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Remembering Asian and Pacific Islander Veterans: Maggie Gee, WWII WASP Pilot

Posted on November 11, 2019 by Jeff

Maggie Gee was a pioneering Asian American pilot, physicist, and political activist.  She was one of two Chinese American women in United State’s Women Airforce Service Pilot (WASP) program during World War II.  One task she had as a pilot … Continue reading →

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Has Filipino Food “Arrived?”

Posted on November 5, 2019 by Jeff

Over the years I have seen a number of articles saying that Filipino food has arrived.  Seeing so many for so long brings up some questions.  What does “arrived” mean?  For whom? Does that mean it has become as common … Continue reading →

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October is Filipino American History Month

Posted on October 15, 2019 by Jeff

October is Filipino American History Month (sure, it’s already almost halfway done, but some could argue that would be culturally appropriate). Filipino American History Month was made official by the US Congress in 2009.  This year, the Filipino American National … Continue reading →

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