Friday, January 29, 2016

Michigan Muslim Community Organizations Join Forces to Help Flint Water Crisis - NBC News

My article for NBC Asian America
"As Muslims it is our religious and civic responsibility to help our neighbors," Amina Iqbal, director of operations of the non-profit social justice organizationMichigan Muslim Community Council (MMCC), told NBC News. "The Flint community needs us, and MMCC in conjunction with our various partners are helping by providing them with clean drinking water, filters, educational material related to the hazardous water, offering free lead testing, and raising money to assist the Flint communities."
Michigan Muslim Community Organizations Join Forces to Help Flint Water Crisis - NBC News

Fred Korematsu honored with Michigan holiday | WZZM13.com

Hey look, we're on Grand Rapids TV re Korematsu Day at GVSU



Fred Korematsu honored with Michigan holiday | WZZM13.com

Thursday, January 28, 2016

National Asian American and Pacific Islander PAC Endorses Clinton for President - NBC News

My article for NBC Asian America
"CAPA21's endorsement of Secretary Clinton is a recognition of her attention to AAPIs and AAPI issues in her campaign," Glen S. Fukushima, CAPA21 co-founder and chair, told NBC News. "A major rally dedicated to AAPIs, her AAPI Leadership Council, her vision statement on AAPI prosperity, and her appointment of AAPIs to key campaign positions demonstrate that she values AAPI voters."
National Asian American and Pacific Islander PAC Endorses Clinton for President - NBC News

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Virginia to Celebrate Korematsu Day for First Time - NBC News

My article for NBC Asian America re Korematsu Day in VA and MI
"I will be meeting with Michigan legislators this week to encourage them to pass the resolution," Korematsu said. "Also, the University of Michigan law school is hosting an event this week to recognize my father, which is timely given backlash of anti-Muslim bigotry that is reminiscent of the anti-Japanese sentiment in the 1980s that led to the brutal murder of Chinese American Vincent Chin in Detroit."
Virginia to Celebrate Korematsu Day for First Time - NBC News

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Korematsu Day Celebration - 01/28/2016 11:45 AM - University of Michigan Law School

Thurs at UM Law School

Korematsu Day Celebration - 01/28/2016 11:45 AM - University of Michigan Law School

Fred Korematsu Recognition — Fred T. Korematsu Institute

Thurs at UM Law School

Fred Korematsu Recognition — Fred T. Korematsu Institute

Fred T. Korematsu Recognition - Events - Multicultural Affairs - Grand Valley State University

Thursday at GVSU

Fred T. Korematsu Recognition - Events - Multicultural Affairs - Grand Valley State University

Fred T. Korematsu Recognition - Events Calendar - Grand Valley State University

Thurs at GVSU Fred T. Korematsu Recognition - Events Calendar - Grand Valley State University

Fred T. Korematsu Recognition | Happening @ Michigan

Thursday at UM Law School

Fred T. Korematsu Recognition | Happening @ Michigan

Michigan Korematsu Presentations | Multi-Ethnic Student Affairs

Thursday at UM Law School

Michigan Korematsu Presentations | Multi-Ethnic Student Affairs

Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Advocates Call for Hate Crime Investigation After Sikh-American Bus Driver Assaulted - NBC News

my article for nbc asian america
"Mr. Singh was attacked because of his Sikh religious appearance and the color of his skin, and hate crime laws were enacted to address exactly this particular type of crime," Gurjot Kaur, senior staff attorney of The Sikh Coalition, told NBC News. "We are calling for a hate crime investigation and prosecution not to further penalize the offender, but to address the problem of bigotry. Our hate crime laws won't work if the police don't enforce them."
Advocates Call for Hate Crime Investigation After Sikh-American Bus Driver Assaulted - NBC News

Saturday, January 16, 2016

Chinese Lunar New Year's Traditions - Washtenaw Community College Division of Economic & Community Development

CANCELLED
This Saturday at WCC
The Chinese Lunar New Year's Festival is one of the most important festivals for Chinese people all over the world. It marks the beginning of spring according to the lunar calendar, and has been celebrated in the United States for over 150 years. Learn about the traditions, foods and stories of Chinese New Year. Why can't you finish the fish? What does serving a whole chicken represent? How high will your fortunes rise in the New Year? Why do people wear red? What's in those red envelopes? And what Year of the Zodiac is it? Learn to say Happy New Year in Chinese and try your hand at writing a spring couplet.
Chinese Lunar New Year's Traditions - Washtenaw Community College Division of Economic & Community Development

Thursday, January 14, 2016

On the Rise: Local Republican AAPI Candidates to Watch in 2016 - NBC News

my article for NBC Asian America re AAPI Republican candidates
In the wake of South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley's Republican response to President Barack Obama's State of the Union address, there has been growing buzz about Haley as a potential vice presidential candidate. And although former Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal has suspended his candidacy for president and has now stepped down as governor, there are still several Asian-American candidates on the right who are getting warmed up for the election year as the clock ticks down to November.
On the Rise: Local Republican AAPI Candidates to Watch in 2016 - NBC News

Wednesday, January 13, 2016

Monday, January 11, 2016

Hawaii Congressman Asks for Aloha Shirt Fridays on Capitol Hill - NBC News

My article for NBC Asian America
"The Aloha shirt is a tangible symbol of the Aloha Spirit - it embraces diversity, inclusion and friendliness that pervades throughout the State of Hawaii," Takai wrote. "Embracing the Aloha shirt will allow members to embrace the Aloha Spirit - something that Washington could use a little more of."
Hawaii Congressman Asks for Aloha Shirt Fridays on Capitol Hill - NBC News

50 Years Later, Challenging the 'Model Minority Myth' Through #ReModelMinority - NBC News

my article for NBC Asian America re Smithsonian APA Center's #ReModelMinority
"This stereotype has plagued our communities for a long time," Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center Acting Director Jeanny Kim told NBC News. "Its longstanding use is not only homogenizing but also harmful to Asian Pacific Americans whose experiences are not reflected in the stereotype.
50 Years Later, Challenging the 'Model Minority Myth' Through #ReModelMinority - NBC News

Saturday, January 9, 2016

Michigan’s MLive cuts 29 positions in latest ‘restructuring’ - Columbia Journalism Review

I'm worried about journalism, if CJR is writing about it, too.
The need for transparency, enterprise, and clear, comprehensive coverage of public affairs is ever more acute. In 2013, Gov. Rick Snyder signed a law that protects the anonymity of donors to political “issue ads” that can freely praise or criticize candidates. As CPI noted, there are no laws in Michigan that require public financial disclosures by elected officials. There are also no laws preventing term-limited lawmakers from going to work for the businesses they may have advocated for while in office. And on the same day that MLive announced its restructuring, Gov. Snyder signed a law that restricts public officials from discussing ballot proposals in the two months before an election—a move critics have called a gag order on, say, public libraries that might have wanted to print material or host a town hall about an upcoming millage.
In the face of this culture, journalism is not just a matter of business; it is a democratic urgency. We can’t afford to give up any more ground.
Michigan’s MLive cuts 29 positions in latest ‘restructuring’ - Columbia Journalism Review

Friday, January 8, 2016

Oldest Observatory on Mauna Kea to Be Renovated - NBC News

my article for NBC Asian America
"It's a huge improvement," Guenther Hasinger, director of the University of Hawaii's Institute for Astronomy, told the Hawaii Tribune-Herald. With the help of adaptive optics to adjust for the distortion in the atmosphere, Hasinger said that the 2.2-meter telescope could rival the Hubble Space Telescope.
Oldest Observatory on Mauna Kea to Be Renovated - NBC News

'Tree-Hugging Mom' Wants to Grow One Billion Wildflowers for the Bees - NBC News

my article for NBC Asian America
"We aim to inspire kids to grow one billion wildflowers to bring back the bees and ensure a sustainable food system for their future," Khin said. "We helped plant about 40 million wildflowers in 2015, our goal is to help plant over 100 million wildflowers for the bees in 2016. We [also] hope to release many new bee-friendly products."
'Tree-Hugging Mom' Wants to Grow One Billion Wildflowers for the Bees - NBC News

Thursday, January 7, 2016

Hawaii's Last Sugar Plantation to Close - NBC News

my article for nbc asian america
"This announcement marks an end to plantation agriculture that shaped our state's history," Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI) told NBC News."Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Company has been a source of economic stability for the County of Maui, pioneered technical innovation in the field of agriculture, and served as a catalyst to a labor movement that improved working conditions for Hawaii families."
Hawaii's Last Sugar Plantation to Close - NBC News

Interfaith Coalition, White House Pledge to 'Know Your Neighbor' - NBC News

my article for nbc asian america
"Know Your Neighbor started out as a concept we had at NSC to increase dialogue with other faith communities that were doing similar work as us, particularly at a time when religious pluralism in the United States is becoming more convoluted," Gurwin Singh Ahuja, NSC co-founder, told NBC News. "We intend to foster a much-needed dialogue across the country on religious diversity, mainly discussing what that means while generating general awareness of faith traditions."
Interfaith Coalition, White House Pledge to 'Know Your Neighbor' - NBC News

Wednesday, January 6, 2016

Kai Ma Essay: A Farewell to KoreAm Journal - NBC News

MUST READ. Beautifully written as always, by Kai Ma
I also want to tell you about the fun we had, the gift of working with your friends, even though you couldn't always pay them: photo shoots in the garage, the parties sponsored by Korean alcohol (read: ballrooms of serious Asian glow, and also how working at this magazine quickly became, for me, a reel tape of a motley crew of covers — a sequence of social justice issues married with K-pop stars (who, by the way, really are as shiny and tan as you imagine them to be) and what each of those issues said about Korean America becoming what it has become.
Essay: A Farewell to KoreAm Journal - NBC News

Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Michelle Wu Becomes First Asian-American President of Boston City Council - NBC News

My article for NBC Asian America
"We're sworn in today at a time of historic inequality. This lack of opportunity has to led to stark divisions in Boston," Wu said in her first address as Boston City Council president, as reported by the Boston Herald. "It is against this backdrop that the work of city government is more vital than ever."
Michelle Wu Becomes First Asian-American President of Boston City Council - NBC News

Civil Rights Orgs Provide Free Legal Services for Victims of Anti-Muslim Violence - NBC News

my article for NBC Asian America
"The AMEMSA community has rights, and legal assistance is available — whether it be for questioning by law enforcement or harassment from a stranger. By our organizations coming together and being available as resources, we hope that the AMEMSA community members feel more comfortable coming forward to speak out and fight for their rights."
Civil Rights Orgs Provide Free Legal Services for Victims of Anti-Muslim Violence - NBC News

On the Rise: Local Democratic AAPI Candidates to Watch in 2016 - NBC News

My article for NBC Asian America
"I'm running for the United States Senate in 2016 because it's time for Washington to be held accountable and to put Illinois' families and communities first," said Duckworth in a video announcing her candidacy, "I believe that together we can build an America that is strong from the ground up."
On the Rise: Local Democratic AAPI Candidates to Watch in 2016 - NBC News

Monday, January 4, 2016

Helen Gym, First Asian-American Woman on Philadelphia City Council, Touts Community Investment - NBC News

my article for NBC Asian America re Helen Gym
I think the other lesson here is about the difference between political power and a grassroots movement. Political power was not the first thing we sought. Instead, we were really trying to build a stronger base to highlight the voices of different communities across the city. That's how you change things: when a collective movement builds and earns political power rather than just grasps for it.
Helen Gym, First Asian-American Woman on Philadelphia City Council, Touts Community Investment - NBC News

Sunday, January 3, 2016

Shutter Speed | ICE Today

oh Omi...
from Jyoti Omi Chowdhury about our "Dreams of the Diaspora" multimedia piece at the Smithsonian
When author Frances Wang of NBC contacted me about doing something collaborative, I was on board from the get go and what came out of our conversations about the disconnect one feels about one’s home; what one feels about one’s ability to integrate in a different culture and ultimately what drives us to be who we are in an age of political and social upheaval, is what ‘Dreams of the Diaspora’ is. It is really a conversation with visual clues of alienation, clarity and ultimately hopes of many. Things get worse and things get better. We are the only constant.
Shutter Speed | ICE Today

Cardamom Cream Cake Recipe - NYT Cooking

Not making this for anyone's birthday anytime soon, but ohhhh...

Cardamom Cream Cake Recipe - NYT Cooking