Thursday, December 31, 2015

Diving Into Race, Identity of Multiracial Families In 'Raising Mixed Race' - NBC News

My Q&A with Sharon Chang for NBC Asian America
"'Raising Mixed Race' represents not only years of work on my end but a multitude of others' lived racial realities; stories about and involving mixedness that are poignant, sharp, relevant and vital, and yet - remain mostly untold in America and around the world," wrote Chang in her blog, Multiracial Asian Families, when announcing her book. "It is my sincere belief if we engage with 'Raising Mixed Race,' it can (will) challenge our thinking on mixedness to go deeper and contribute to moving society as a whole towards justice, healing and true transformation."
Diving Into Race, Identity of Multiracial Families In 'Raising Mixed Race' - NBC News

Wednesday, December 30, 2015

Essay: Standing Between Cultures In a Time of Islamophobia - NBC News

my new essay at NBC News Asian America responding to San Bernardino shooting and Tamir Rice case.
"Although some are afraid of Muslims today because they are different, I am becoming afraid of Islamophobes because I am different. Sometimes I am actually afraid of how white people who don't know better might mistake me and my children. Things look different from the other side of brown."
Essay: Standing Between Cultures In a Time of Islamophobia - NBC News

Tuesday, December 29, 2015

Sikh Americans Respond to Fresno Attack Online with #WhyWeAreHere - NBC News

my article for NBC Asian America re Fresno attack
Because early news coverage reported Bal's attackers shouted, "Why are you here?" while beating Bal, Sikh Americans and allies have turned to Twitter to answer that question, using the hashtag #WhyWeAreHere to continue the conversation started by earlier hashtags #MySikhAmericanLife and#BeLikeDarsh.
Sikh Americans Respond to Fresno Attack Online with #WhyWeAreHere - NBC News

Asian-American Leaders Respond to Japan-South Korea Agreement Regarding 'Comfort Women' - NBC News

My article for NBC News Asian America
"I am deeply disappointed this agreement lacks a commitment by Japan to ensure they will no longer whitewash history and [will] educate future generations,"
Asian-American Leaders Respond to Japan-South Korea Agreement Regarding 'Comfort Women' - NBC News

Monday, December 28, 2015

Minority Postdoc | How Technology Designers Will Dictate Our Civic Future

My Reporting on the #SciWri15 #AppsRule session.
How technology designers will dictate our civic future” was a fascinating discussion by Latanya Sweeney, Harvard University professor of government and technology in residence and former Federal Trade Commission chief technology officer, at the ScienceWriters 2015 conference.
Minority Postdoc | How Technology Designers Will Dictate Our Civic Future


How Technology Designers Will Dictate Our Civic Future

Frances Kai-Hwa Wang

Reporting on the #SciWri15 #AppsRule session.

"How technology designers will dictate our civic future" was a fascinating discussion by Latanya Sweeney, Harvard University professor of government and technology in residence and former Federal Trade Commission chief technology officer, at the ScienceWriters 2015 conference.

Sweeney argued that technology designers are the new policy makers -- without being elected and without being seen. The design decisions they make when creating the latest tech gadgets and online innovations affect how people live their lives and how the country is governed. Their designs can challenge the privacy and security of personal data, as well as every demographic value and law. The danger is that no one is thinking about how it all fits together or falls apart.

Sweeney once Googled her name and was surprised to see an ad pop up about her possible arrest record. Curious, she signed up for the service and paid the fee, and she was able to re-confirm that she did not, in fact, have an arrest record. However, she noticed that similar ads popped up whenever she searched for anyone with a Black-sounding name. She also saw the ads appear alongside the website of Omega Psi Phi fraternity, a prestigious African American fraternity, many of whose members are leaders in the African American community. She tested various names and found that Black-sounding names generated ads suggestive of an arrest 81 to 86 percent of the time on one website and 92 to 95 percent on the other, compared to more white-sounding names.

However, without knowing how the algorithm works, she was unable to determine how those results arrived -- whether the algorithm played into people's stereotypes of African Americans or whether people's stereotypes affected the way they interacted with the algorithm.

Sweeney also discussed the case of the Facebook Messenger geolocation function that identified user location by default, added in 2011 to no big outcry, even in 2012 when the geolocation function was reported. However, in 2015, a student created a program to draw attention to the way this geolocation function compromised people's privacy without their knowledge, followed by massive media attention and user outcry -- the student's program was downloaded 85,000 times and linked to 170 global news articles. After nine days, Facebook released an update that required the user to opt-in rather than opt-out.

Sweeney questioned the nature of the social contract between technology companies and individuals. Why does it always take outside intervention to create change?

technology designers are not accountable to any regulations

Sweeney created a course at Harvard called, "Data Science to Save the World", a hands-on lab course to examine how technology impacts people and the unforeseen consequences for science facts, civil society, and governmental discourse. She also brought the students that produced the best case studies to Washington D.C. to speak with government regulators about civic issues in technology -- 26 out of 60 students.

Sweeney also launched a refereed academic online journal, "Technology Science", to publish case studies that examine the ways that technology can have unforeseen consequences for the individual.

She highlighted some of the case studies published in just two months of 2015.

Princeton Review's possible race-based price discrimination: Students chose to examine the online tutoring service because its online nature meant that geography should not affect the cost of service, yet users are required to enter their zip code before receiving a price quote. Students tested all 33,000 US zip codes, and although at first glance it appears that more expensive cost-of-living locations were charged higher prices, upon closer examination, students also found that adjacent neighborhoods with different racial demographics were often charged different prices. They found that Asian Americans were 1.8 times more likely to be quoted a higher price.

AirBnB income and race: In New York City, African American hosts earned 12 percent less than Caucasian hosts. In Berkeley and Oakland, California, Asian American hosts earned $90 less per week or 20 percent less than Caucasian hosts.

South Korean Resident Registration Numbers (RRN) versus Prescription data: South Korea’s national identifier encodes demographic information and a checksum with a publicly known pattern. After two de-anonymization experiments on 23,163 encrypted RRNs from prescription data, students were able to reveal all 23,163 unencrypted RRNs in both experiments.

Defeating ISIS on Twitter: Students evaluated 1.5 million tweets from 1,500 ISIS-affiliated Twitter accounts to determine if they were humans or bots. Comparing the ISIS tweets to a control group of 700,000 non-ISIS Arabic tweets, students found that ISIS tweets exhibited unique, un-unified tweet, retweet, and favoriting patterns that suggested that the accounts were controlled by humans.

Sweeney's message is that there are lots of unforeseen consequences of technology, so the design and processes need to be made visible in order to restore balance. Discrimination laws do not require intent, they only need to show effect. Algorithms reflect societal values; and, it is too easy for selection biases to be built into algorithms. If computer code needs to be regulated, then regulations need to be "baked into the sauce", especially as the Internet-of-Things continues to expand. The value proposition of technology is that there is simply so much data; but, technology designers are not accountable to any regulations. Designers should be more proactive to make sure that design decisions do not end up having unintentionally racist and other unfortunate results.

The citation for this article is:
F.K. Wang (2015) How Technology Designers Will Dictate Our Civic Future. DiverseScholar 6:12

Frances Kai-Hwa Wang writes primarily about Asian, Asian American, Pacific Islander, race, diversity, civil rights, and cultural issues -- including the intersection between science and culture. She is a freelance contributor for NBC News Asian America, AAPIVoices.com, and NewAmericaMedia.org. She also teaches Asian/Pacific Islander American Studies at the University of Michigan; and, she speaks nationally on Asian American issues. Wang received a DiverseScholar NASW Diversity Travel Fellowship to attend the 2015 ScienceWriters conference. Any opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author.

Orginally published 28-Dec-2015

Editor's Note

DiverseScholar is now publishing original written works. Submit article ideas by contacting us at info@DiverseScholar.org. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 Unported License.

Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Social Media Campaign Shows Sikh-American Life in Pictures - NBC News

My article for NBC News Asian America re #MySikhAmericanLife
"Hateful rhetoric around the country is surging and people feel increasingly emboldened to verbally and physically attack people based on how they look or what they believe...This campaign is a fantastic way to introduce ourselves to our neighbors in a way that is both authentic and humanizing,"
Social Media Campaign Shows Sikh-American Life in Pictures - NBC News

Sunday, December 20, 2015

Meet Yuna, an Asian-American Doll Breaking Down Stereotypes | TIME

What. Time magazine picked up my story? Omg. There is something different about being published by a magazine you have read all your life. (I noticed they had copied my story the other day, didn't realize it was literally my story--yay for partnership agreements)http://time.com/4154708/yuna-doll/


Meet Yuna, an Asian-American Doll Breaking Down Stereotypes | TIME

Friday, December 18, 2015

Yuna, and Her Friends, Are Bringing Diversity to the Doll Industry - NBC News

my article for NBC News Asian America. Kickstarter until Jan 3. Love the Giant Robot T-shirt
"She likes space, rockets, art, painting, die-cast metal toys from Japan, digital cameras from Akihabara, listening to K-pop, and hanging out at Giant Robot on Sawtelle Blvd in Los Angeles...She may also be the first Asian-American doll to be the central character in a doll line."
Yuna, and Her Friends, Are Bringing Diversity to the Doll Industry - NBC News

Thursday, December 17, 2015

People Love This Sikh Former NCAA Basketball Player So Much, They Want to #BeLikeDarsh | Mic

People Love This Sikh Former NCAA Basketball Player So Much, They Want to #BeLikeDarsh

Inspiration for the Holidays : An 'Asian-American' Gift Guide for 2015 - NBC News

My article for NBC News Asian America--A look back at some of the cool artists and entrepreneurs we have met this past year. Support Asian American artists and entrepreneurs and inspire others!
"...the perfect gift for your best friend who gets that daze in her eyes whenever Daniel Henney is mentioned; your smart cousin who wishes you read real poetry but loves you for the pop culture junkie you are;...or anyone with eyes who thinks it's pretty hot when attractive Asian men don't take themselves too seriously," calendar creator Ada Tseng told NBC News.
Inspiration for the Holidays : An 'Asian-American' Gift Guide for 2015 - NBC News

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Muslim, Jewish Communities in Michigan to Host Day of Service on Christmas - NBC News

my article for NBC Asian America
"This event reminds all of us about the common values and humanity that bring us together," Muzammil Ahmed, chairperson of the MMCC board of directors, told NBC News. "We hope to help our disadvantaged community members enjoy the holiday. We hope to encourage Muslims and Jews and Christians to work together the rest of the year to make our state a better place for all,"
Muslim, Jewish Communities in Michigan to Host Day of Service on Christmas - NBC News

Monday, December 14, 2015

Arrest, Apology Made in California Sikh Temple Vandalism - NBC News

my article for NBC News Asian America
I have lived alongside this temple for many years of my life and have never once seen you as anything but a peaceful people. I just hope that you will see by my presence that all I want is for peace as well."
Arrest, Apology Made in California Sikh Temple Vandalism - NBC News

Sikh U.S. Army Capt. Granted Temporary Permission to Grow Beard, Wear Turban - NBC News

my article for NBC Asian America
"We demand that the military take the next logical step to allow all eligible observant Sikhs to serve," Harsimran Kaur, legal director of The Sikh Coalition, told NBC News. "For the military to include observant Sikhs would send a message that all religious and ethnic minorities are part of the fabric of America — and have a right to equal participation."
Sikh U.S. Army Capt. Granted Temporary Permission to Grow Beard, Wear Turban - NBC News

Sunday, December 13, 2015

Internet rallies around subject of racist meme | MSNBC

#LoveU2 Richard Lui, #BeLikeDarsh. Richard Lui interviews Darsh Preet Singh on MSNBC Up!

Internet rallies around subject of racist meme | MSNBC

Upcoming classes and speaking engagements Winter 2016

Register for courses early while there is still room! (schedule as of December 6, 2016)

Asian Pacific American Civil Rights History and the Law, American Culture 301

University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Mondays and Wednesdays, Winter Semester 2016

AnnHua Chinese School (for high school students)
Sundays, September to June
ACT/SAT essay writing, 11:00am-12:00pm
Public Speaking, 2:00-3:00 pm

Ann Arbor Chinese Center of Michigan (for adults)
Fridays, September to May, 7:00-9:00 pm
Conversational Chinese II

Martin Luther King Jr. Day Assembly Keynote Speaker
Friday, January 15, 2016
Clague Middle School

Introduction to Chinese New Year's Traditions, Stories, and Song
Saturday, January 16, 2016, 10:00am-1:00pm
Washtenaw Community College

Conversational Chinese 1
Wednesdays, January 20-March 9, 2016 6:00-8:30 pm, 8 sessions, Washtenaw Community College

Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association Midwest Conference Speaker
Saturday, January 23, 2016, 2:00-6:00 pm
University of Michigan

Korematsu Day events January 2016
Northville High School ?
University of Michigan Law School: Thursday, January 28, 2016, 11:45 am - 1:00 pm 
Grand Valley State University, Allendale, Michigan, Thursday, January 28, 2016, 4:00-6:00 pm

Ann Arbor Chinese Center of Michigan Chinese New Year's Celebration (tentative)
February 6, 2016, Washtenaw Community College

Award Winning Essays writing workshop
Sunday, February 7, 2016, 2:30-4:30 pm
Chelsea District Library

Chinese Food and Traditions
Thursdays, Feb 18, Feb 25, Mar 3, Mar 10, 1-3pm
Chelsea Adult Learners Institute, Chelsea

Jumpstart your Memoir
Saturday, February 20, 2016, 10:00am-4:00pm, Washtenaw Community College

Creative Nonfiction
Saturday, March 19, 2016, 10:00-4:00, Washtenaw Community College

Friday, December 11, 2015

Man Charged With Vincent Chin's Death Seeks Lien Removed, Still Owes Millions - NBC News

Written with Emil Guillermo for NBC News Asian America
"It is beyond outrageous that this unremorseful killer is suing for attorney's fees that would allow him to continue evading payment for beating Vincent Chin to death 23 years ago," Zia said.
Man Charged With Vincent Chin's Death Seeks Lien Removed, Still Owes Millions - NBC News

How the first turbaned NCAA basketball player responded to becoming a racist meme - The Washington Post

Hey look, I'm quoted in the Washington Post. This just keeps getting more and more fun.

How the first turbaned NCAA basketball player responded to becoming a racist meme - The Washington Post

Here's How This Sikh Man Went From Being A Racist Meme to an Internet Hero... | Cosmopolitan India

Here's How This Sikh Man Went From Being A Racist Meme to an Internet Hero... from Cosmopolitan India

Sikh-American Teen Writes Book to Raise Awareness About Bullying - NBC News

So while you were sleeping, this high school student conducted a study and wrote a book. My article for NBC News Asian America
"Sikh-American youth are largely unrepresented and do not seem to have a voice on the national stage or in the media, especially when it comes to bullying," Pannu told NBC News. "I wanted to help in any way I could to alleviate this pain and suffering which children from my faith go through on a daily basis."
Sikh-American Teen Writes Book to Raise Awareness About Bullying - NBC News

Darsh Singh: They turned my picture into a racist meme. What happened next is an inspiration. | Dallas Morning News

Here's the best part, an essay from Darsh Singh in Dallas Morning News:

Darsh Singh: They turned my picture into a racist meme. What happened next is an inspiration. | Dallas Morning News

After This Sikh Guy Became Part Of A Racist Meme, The Internet Helped Turn Him Into A Hero | Buzzfeed

and Buzzfeed is copying us too? Cool!

After This Sikh Guy Became Part Of A Racist Meme, The Internet Helped Turn Him Into A Hero

Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Why Everyone Wants to #BeLikeDarsh - NBC News

My article for NBC Asian America on #BeLikeDarsh, thanks to the Smithsonian APA Center
"We see opportunities for learning in everything and our goal is to always shift public discourse in positive ways," Konrad Ng, director of the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center, told NBC News. "Our multimedia team has a talent for framing the Asian Pacific American experience in aspirational terms — that is the essence of the American spirit. #BeLikeDarsh represents America."
Why Everyone Wants to #BeLikeDarsh - NBC News

Tuesday, December 8, 2015

New Report Discusses Impact of Mass Incarceration on AAPI Community - NBC News

my article for NBC Asian America
"By raising awareness about the intersections of the school-to-prison-to-deportation pipeline that exists in the AAPI community, we are hopeful that this historic report will serve as a critical resource to insert the AAPI community voice in the larger arena around criminal justice reform.
New Report Discusses Impact of Mass Incarceration on AAPI Community - NBC News

'His Name Is Darsh Singh': Pushback Against 'Joke' Goes Viral - NBC News

My article for NBC Asian America
"As it becomes increasingly acceptable to discriminate against people based on how they look, we need people of various communities to lend their voices and to remind us of our shared values," Singh said.
'His Name Is Darsh Singh': Pushback Against 'Joke' Goes Viral - NBC News

Monday, December 7, 2015

Teaching Winter 2016 at University of Michigan

Tell your UM students to sign up for my course! American Culture 301, Section 003, Asian Pacific Islander Americans in the Civil Rights Movement, Mondays and Wednesdays 10:00 am - 11:30 am, Winter Term starting January 6, 2016, 1459 Mason Hall, listed under Professor Roland Hwang
This course is an overview of how federal and state laws have affected the Asian Pacific Islander American (APIA) experience and presence in the United States, covering a variety of civil rights cases and civil wrongs against APIAs. The course features lectures, movies, and guest lecturers from the movement, including me and Ron Aramaki.

Saturday, December 5, 2015

English Special Workshop: Dare to Dream - Washtenaw Community College Division of Economic & Community Development

Cancelled due to insufficient enrollment. :(  Next time register earlier! :)

Jumpstart that big writing project today at WCC. Come join us for what I only half-jokingly call "Dare to Dream--The Mid-life Crisis Writing Workshop."
Facing a big change or opportunity in your life? Terrified or thrilled out of your wits? Not sure if you trust that you know what you know? Learn simple but powerful methods to get the ideas out of your head and onto the page in order to write your way through this challenge. Part journaling, part business plan, lots of short writing exercises, this class aspires to create the space in your head and the courage in your heart to take those first dizzying steps as you dare to dream. Bring a notebook and pen.
English Special Workshop: Dare to Dream - Washtenaw Community College Division of Economic & Community Development

Friday, December 4, 2015

'Haikus With Hotties' Wants to Help You Ring in the New Year - NBC News

What you need this weekend, my article for NBC Asian America re "Haikus with Hotties"
"'Haikus with Hotties' first started because I was assigned to write a profile about [model and actor] Godfrey Gao for Audrey Magazine, and I was a little bummed that it was going to be an email interview because it's difficult to experience Godfrey Gao's hotness through email," series and calendar creator Ada Tsengtold NBC News. "But I thought if he was going to write me, it'd be funny if I could get him to exchange mediocre poetry with me about his hotness."
'Haikus With Hotties' Wants to Help You Ring in the New Year - NBC News

Thursday, December 3, 2015

Leaders Warn Against Stereotyping and Backlash After San Bernardino Shooting - NBC News

My article for NBC Asian America after San Bernardino shotings
"We grieve yet again for the victims of a mass shooting, this time so close to home," said Stewart Kwoh, president and executive director of AAAJ-LA. "But we also stand vigilant against any backlash against Muslim and South Asian members of our community that may follow the identification of the suspects in yesterday's shooting. We urge community members to report suspected hate crimes and we ask law enforcement to stand with us to denounce any such attacks against members of our community."
Leaders Warn Against Stereotyping and Backlash After San Bernardino Shooting - NBC News

Wednesday, December 2, 2015

'Iggy and the Inhalers': Doctors Take Creative Approach to Educate Patients About Asthma - NBC News

My article for NBC News Asian America on "Iggy and the Inhalers"
"If you ask a 9-year-old to explain dinosaurs or Pokemon, they could tell you everything," Thomas, a Chicago-based pediatric allergist and cartoonist, told NBC News. "But have them describe a bronchodilator, and it's confusing. It's not that they don't have the capacity. So that's how we styled this...using characters to describe what inhalers they should be using."
'Iggy and the Inhalers': Doctors Take Creative Approach to Educate Patients About Asthma - NBC News

Chinese Food: Customs and Culture - Washtenaw Community College Division of Economic & Community Development

Launching a fun new "experimental" class at WCC today. Join us for lots of foodie fun!
Explore Chinese Food Customs and Culture in the classroom, in the grocery store and at the dinner table. Learn about the customs, traditions and stories surrounding Chinese food and festivals. Challenge yourself to adventure beyond General Tso's Chicken. Learn how to put together a Chinese meal and how to pick the freshest tofu. What is the difference between Szechuan and Cantonese cooking? Where were fortune cookies invented? Wha tis the difference between Chinese and Western table manners? And who was General Tso anyway and why are we eating his chicken?
Chinese Food: Customs and Culture - Washtenaw Community College Division of Economic & Community Development