Nike had announced back in May that they would be releasing a Jeremy Lin shoe as part of their Air Force One series. Well, Air Force One landed on July 7th and is available in limited quantities for $100 at I believe only House of Hoops by Foot Locker locations for national chains. In looking for more information about the shoes, I didn’t realize what a community of shoe collectors there are on the Internet and came across this review on YouTube of Lin’s shoe.
I caught this CNN piece last weekend. With the release of that Pew Research a few weeks ago, there has been a slew of reporting on Asian Americans. As I cover the political angle in a lot of my posts, it’s nice to see some reporting on the political involvement and potential importance of the Asian American vote this fall – especially in key swing states for the presidential race.
I liked how one activist in the news segment said that the Asian American model minority myth assumes there are no problems within the community. This myth perpetuates that there are no problems within the community and concerns are ignored or dismissed, giving little voice by the community to be heard.
Bamboo Ceiling? Not anymore.
At least, not for Greystripe cofounders Michael Chang and Andy Choi. Although there have been several stories about the Bamboo Ceiling and how it plagues immigrant Asians because a lack of self-promotion, now there’s a happy ending: Andy Choi and Michael Chang, founders of the mobile ad network Greystripe, have taken the helm of the digitization company YesVideo.
The pair’s new company focuses on the digitization of old videos and photos, creating what could be the throwback version of Google’s “Dear Sophie” video. This move follows a massive payout of $70 million once Greystripe had been bought out by ValueClick.
However, is the picture really this rosy?
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Recently, there was a New York Times article about the stigma surrounding the Japanese Americans who were unlawfully incarcerated in the Tule Lake concentration camp (after it became segregated). Even though more than 70 years have passed, the Tule Lake stigma (especially from within the Japanese American community) is still there. The NYT story is important to me because my grandfather and his family were imprisoned there. I wanted to write a letter to my son to make sure he understands why his great grandfather made the decisions that he did and why he shouldn’t feel ashamed. This is the letter:
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UPDATE 7/17/2012: Congrats to the winners: Jacky C, Jennifer B, and Lysabeth L!
8Asians is proud to be a media partner for the 35th annual Asian American International Film Festival (AAIFF) in New York City. AAIFF is the first and longest running festival in the U.S. to showcase the best in independent Asian and Asian American cinema. This year, the Festival will run from July 25 to August 5, with screenings at Clearview Chelsea Cinemas, Asia Society and Museum, and The Museum of Chinese in America.
“On the event of our 35th year we honor our roots–showcasing the best and most recent achievements by Asian American film and video makers while looking to future by nurturing emerging talents and embracing transformative technologies” says ACV Executive Director John C. Woo. More than half of the Festival selection is made in the US or is a co-production. Many are first time directors, including actress turned director Lily Mariye’s MODEL MINORITY, telling the story of an underprivileged teenage girl surviving the treacherous world of peer pressure, drug dealers and dysfunctional families in L.A. There are also a number of returning filmmakers, including H.P. Mendoza’s horror film I AM A GHOST, about a girl trapped in a repetitive routine in Victorian times. And Rich Wong’s raunchy new film YES, WE’RE OPEN, a sharp-witted comedy about a modern couple testing their boundaries of love, sex and honesty. “We are extremely happy to see the number of Asian American filmmakers making quality work in a truly independent fashion which AAIFF continues to champion,” adds Martha Tien, AAIFF Program Director.
Three lucky 8Asians’ readers will each win a pair of passes to a regular AAIFF film screening!
Ok, ok, so you think you’re ready to enter? Read on!
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Finally.
“K-Town”, the Korean West Coast produced-by-Tyrese version of “Jersey Shore” has arrived… on YouTube where, at this writing, the first episode has clocked a little under 13,000 views. Which isn’t too bad considering how little happened in this premiere. But maybe not so great since we (read: me) have been waiting for this show to air since frickin’ 2010.
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UPDATE 7/18/2012: Congrats to the Grand Prize winner: Kim P and also to our Runner-Up winners: Alexandra, Jeanne C, John K, Megan Q, Debra S, Lesley F, Tim G, Khiemosabi, Anthony G and Stephen N!
It’s Anime/Comic expo season! And like the legions of Batman fanboys (and girls), I can’t wait for The Dark Knight Rises. As the third and final installment of the Christopher Nolan trilogy, rumors have been swirling about how it is all going to end. Will Bane really break Batman’s back and cripple him, like in the comic– or will Batman and Catwoman work together to take down Bane? Whose side is Catwoman even on, anyway? All I know is that the trailer looks amazing and we have another giveaway for you!
It has been eight years since Batman vanished into the night, turning, in that instant, from hero to fugitive. Assuming the blame for the death of D.A. Harvey Dent, the Dark Knight sacrificed everything for what he and Commissioner Gordon both hoped was the greater good. For a time the lie worked, as criminal activity in Gotham City was crushed under the weight of the anti-crime Dent Act.
But everything will change with the arrival of a cunning cat burglar with a mysterious agenda. Far more dangerous, however, is the emergence of Bane, a masked terrorist whose ruthless plans for Gotham drive Bruce out of his self-imposed exile. But even if he dons the cape and cowl again, Batman may be no match for Bane.
So, what’s better than just seeing The Dark Knight Rises, opening weekend? Rocking out in your Dark Knight Rises shirt and having a Dark Knight marathon with your buddies before you go! That’s where we come in.
WIN this prize package from 8Asians & Warner Brothers Pictures:
Ten (10) Runners-Up will win an official full-sized poster from the movie.
Ok, ok, so you think you’re ready to enter? Read on!
Asian American MMA Fighters went 1-1 on UFC on Fuel 4 last Wednesday, as Chris “Kamikaze” Cariaso won his flyweight bought but Mark Munoz saw his title shot chances go away after he was knocked out by Chris Weidman. They did better than Asians, who went 0-1 when Issei Tamura lost by TKO to Rafael Assuncao.
Compelling stories and powerful images allow us to remember or learn our histories. Here are three different narratives of the Vietnamese diaspora experience, expressed through three different mediums: a memoir essay, chlorophyl prints, and a novel.
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Please watch this trailer of Quentin Lee’s White Frog…and for the love of God will you please just try to hold back your tears?
The movie looks great. It has a top notch cast including Glee homeboy (Harry Shum Jr.), Asian chick from Twin Peaks (Joan Chen), the go-to Asian dude for everything (B.D. Wong), Lady Deathstrike (Kelly Hu) and the adorable wolf from those low-budget Twilight movies (Booboo Stewart). The story looks heartwarming and, even though Shum’s character dies, we do see him shirtless — so that’s always good.
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Asian Rock Fest is an annual music festival showcasing the best of Asian American bands and artists. Started in 2004, ARF has brought together dozens of amazing bands from all across America, and hosted festivals from NYC to SF.
This year, Asian Rock Fest is taking place in Berkeley, California on Friday July 13th. There will be ass-kicking bands from all over the west coast as well as phenomenal solo artists.
This all-ages event will be for the very first time absolutely FREE to everyone because the organizers have generously donated all the money it takes to rent the space and run the show. All that’s left is to donate a few buck to the artists. Don’t let them go home empty handed after entertaining you all night! (Donate here!)
2012 lineup includes:
(10:20) Johnny Hi-Fi – Oakland, CA
www.johnnyhi-fi.com
(10:00) Alex Carbonel – Fremont, CA
www.AlexCarbonel.com
(09:20) The Slants – Portland, OR
www.theslants.com
(09:00) Charito & FunkCH3N – San Jose, CA
www.charitosoriano.com
(08:20) Golda + The Guns – Oakland, CA
www.myspace.com/goldasupernova
(08:00) ANAK – Vallejo, CA
www.TheOfficialANAK.com
Two lucky 8Asians’ readers will each win a pair of backstage passes to the Asian Rock Fest at La Peña Cultural Center!
Ok, ok, so you think you’re ready to enter? Read on!
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http://youtu.be/_54rIVrAuZk
On Wednesday night during ESPN’s annual ESPY (Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly) Awards show, Jeremy Lin won ESPN’s 2012 ESPY award for Breakthrough Athlete. Considering the awards are based on fan votes, it’s no surprise that Lin won, competing against Anthony Davis, Robert Griffin III, Rob Gronkowski and Alex Morgan. Given LINSANITY earlier this year, Lin was the clear choice. Lin thanked God (as you know, he is a devoted Christian), as well as his brother and sister-in-law for allowing him to sleep on their couch, along with his teammates and, of course, his fans.
Asian Guys and that One Long Pinky Fingernail
In a Post-Apocalyptic Zombie World, Asian American Man Gets White Girl
APA Spotlight: Kent Wong, Director of the Center for Labor Research and Education at UCLA
The Difference Between Internment Camps and Concentration Camps
Having An Asian Moment: Rihanna And Her Racist Rice Cakes
Asians Behaving Badly: Edward Younghoon Shin Alledgedly Murders Business Partner & Blogs About It
Frozen Flower: Reviews via Chat
The Science and History of the Asian Squat