Anna Sawai + Marie Claire + Getting Small To Go Large

From the article:

"She spent years being trained to control herself—to live up to what she calls the stoicism of her family, the rigors of ballet training that she never quite mastered, and Japanese culture itself, where Sawai always felt like she wasn’t doing things the way people wanted her to, no matter how strong her drive was to be a “people pleaser.” But sitting here on this roof, unrehearsed, as Sawai succumbs to the emotions that go off like fireworks at any spark of stimuli, it feels obvious why she’s poised to become a movie star, with forthcoming roles as a grieving heist member in David Leitch’s How to Rob a Bank and Yoko Ono in Sam Mendes’s quartet of Beatles biopics. Maybe the quality filmmakers keep responding to isn’t just how Sawai disappears into a character, but how she has learned to let herself be seen."

I still have yet to see Shogun.

I will.

But please don't Shogun shame me.

I'll get there.

Can AI Help Tell The Stories Of Asian Adoptees? New Book "HeavyWith Joy: From an AI adoptee, prompted and edited by a real adoptee" Asks That Question.

From the Press Release:

Can AI help tell the stories of adoptees? Heavy With Joy is an extraordinary experiment in storytelling and a bold new way to give voice to adoptee experiences

ST. PAUL, MN, UNITED STATES, August 12, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — CQT Media and Publishing today announced the release of “Heavy With Joy: From An AI Adoptee, Prompted and Edited By A Real Adoptee“, a contemporary poetry collection by Emeritus Brown that explores identity, love, relationships, memory, and belonging through the lens of transracial and international adoption, blurring the boundaries between technology and humanity

Created through an extended collaboration between artificial intelligence and human editorial direction, “Heavy With Joy” challenges conventional ideas about authorship while remaining firmly rooted in lived experience. The collection asks not whether artificial intelligence can replace human creativity, but whether it can become another medium for expressing it.

Drawing upon themes familiar to many in the adoptee community, as well as other marginalized communities, the poems invite readers into Brown’s own reflections on the search for identity, weaving together a collection that is both intimate and universal.

“Every poem was measured against one standard,” said Emeritus Brown. “Did it reveal something emotionally true? Technology generated possibilities, but the human voice determined what remained.”

“Heavy With Joy: From An AI Adoptee, Prompted and Edited By A Real Adoptee” is now available in paperback through Amazon.

To view more about the book please see https://www.heavywithjoy.com

From https://www.heavywithjoy.com/

Heavy With Joy, From An AI Adoptee, Prompted And Edited By A Real Adoptee blurs the boundaries between technology and humanity to explore the deeply personal subject of adoption. Through the lens of a transracial and international adoptee, Brown’s thoughts on love, connections, familial relationships, and our search for identity, weave together poetry that is at once intimate and innovative, reflecting on the joys, spaces, and complexities of identity and belonging.

What happens when artificial intelligence is guided by the lived experience of an adoptee? Can AI help tell the stories of the adoptee community if its words are prompted, shaped, and refined by someone within it? These poems—crafted by AI but profoundly molded by Brown’s voice and experience—ask readers to reflect on validity, authenticity, and the intersection of machine-generated creativity with deeply human emotion.

Emeritus Brown believes these words carry weight, not because they are “perfect,” but because they are real—rooted in an adoptee’s truth and the collaboration of technology as a tool for expression. Heavy With Joy is an extraordinary experiment in storytelling, a poetic act of self-determination, and a bold new way to give voice to the adoptee experience.

Francesca Hong And Hao Nguyen--Making Waves, But Did Not Move On

 
I don't feel like parsing out why both might have lost, which will also take some more time and information, but I am glad both ran, shook up the establishment and paved a path for different ways to move forward.

Like it or not--we must change and adapt.

Hao Nguyen For Hennepin County Attorney

Hao's Story from https://hao4hennepin.com/:

I’ve dedicated my career to public service because I want everyone to have the same kind of opportunity that I did.

My mom fled war in Vietnam seeking safety for her family.  When she and my brothers and I finally landed in Minnesota, we had nothing but each other. But we were given so much, and I was able to become a police officer and later a lawyer. Now I lead one of the largest prosecutor units in the state.

I’m running for Hennepin County Attorney because my experience as a prosecutor and in law enforcement has taught me that we can do better, we can work together to create both safety and fairness. We can hold people accountable, and provide support. We can protect people’s rights, and hear victims. We can partner with law enforcement, and also hold them accountable. I know we can because I’ve done it.

My background helps me understand what people go through. 

My Mom and my brothers and I spent two years in a refugee camp in the Philippines before being sponsored to settle in Saint Cloud, Minnesota. Life here was a lifeline, but it wasn’t easy. My mom worked at a chicken processing plant, we lived in a trailer park, and we depended on public and nonprofit assistance. I was one of the few Asian kids in school and heard racial slurs more than once. I got into trouble, was often truant, and graduated high school near the bottom of my class. My teachers and others who believed in me helped me build the skills and confidence to succeed and because of them, St. Cloud State gave me a chance.

My life has also given me personal reasons to fight for dignity and fair treatment. I have a transgender child, and I stood with Governor Walz, Attorney General Ellison, and legislators protecting the rights of trans people when those rights were attacked. I also have a close family member with severe mental illness, and I’ve advocated for them within the mental health and criminal justice systems. Those experiences deepen my empathy and understanding of how systems can help — or harm — vulnerable people and their families.

My gratitude drives me to serve.

Gratitude for what others have done for me is why I chose public service. I worked my way through college by working night shifts as a correctional officer at the Stearns County jail. After college I became a police officer, went to law school, and eventually became a prosecutor. Those years taught me to see the humanity in everyone — victims, defendants, people behind bars — and impressed on me that seeking justice is more than retribution. It requires empathy, fairness, and judgment about when to prosecute, when to dismiss, and when to pursue alternatives.

My experience will guide what I do.  

Professionally, I bring more than two decades in criminal justice: five years as a deputy, correctional officer, and police officer, and over 16 years as a prosecutor. For the last seven years I’ve led the Adult Criminal Trials and Appellate Division at the Ramsey County Attorney’s Office, supervising prosecutors, managing budgets, hiring attorneys, and advising on case strategy. This experience gives me credibility with law enforcement and the depth of knowledge to understand what needs to change and how to make those changes. I’ve helped shift policies by working collaboratively with police chiefs, defense attorneys, judges, labor, and community.

My work extends beyond my day job. I’ve served as board chair of Asian Women United of Minnesota, helping provide safe refuge for women and children. I’m on the board of the Minnesota Crisis Intervention Team, supporting training for first responders and others to safely and compassionately handle mental health crises. In 2024 I was honored with the Carnegie Medal for Heroism for intervening to stop someone from jumping to their death — an experience that reflects how I try to show up in the hardest moments.

If elected County Attorney, I will bring empathy, humility, and the practical experience needed to run the office effectively, lead on the critical issues our county faces, and serve victims and ensure fairness for those charged.

I hope you will vote for me in the August 11th primary. To get involved in our campaign please use the links above. Thank you.

Hao

====================

Here's a link to another story as well where Nguyen touches on a lot of subjects including ICE: https://twincities.citycast.fm/guides/meet-your-candidates-hao-nguyen-for-hennepin-county-attorney"For me, I'm the only refugee and immigrant in the race – period. If you look at the slate of candidates, nobody else has that experience. I was born in Vietnam, raised by a single mother. We fled Vietnam with nothing but the clothes on our backs and lived in refugee camps in the Philippines for about two years. I believe, by the grace of God, we won the lottery when we were sponsored to come to the U.S. Catholic Charities sponsored my mom, my brothers, and me to come to St. Cloud, Minnesota. There, I learned what it's like to grow up poor in a trailer park – English as a second language, EBT, food stamps, translating for my mom – clawing my way through school, becoming a police officer, and then a lawyer.But to get back to your question – and that's a long way of answering it – I've lived every aspect of what the county attorney's office touches. It reaches a lot of poor folks. It reaches immigrants and refugees who have language barriers. It reaches people who, especially with the ICE situation, don't know if they should report a crime because they might be undocumented – though just because someone's undocumented doesn't make them illegal. They could be totally legal, but their papers have expired and all they need to do is renew them. But there's a language barrier that scares them away from doing that.So I've lived all of those parts of society, and if I get elected, it would be an honor to give voice to those experiences personally, not just academically. I'm also the only candidate right now actively investigating ICE and looking at potential prosecution. There's a case involving the man who was taken from his home in his underwear in the middle of winter – a U.S. citizen. I'm leading that investigation as the head prosecutor, working with law enforcement to investigate that case, among others. So while other candidates are talking about what they'll do once they get there, I'm actually doing the work right now.And I say that with a heavy heart, because it's very important work – and it informs what will need to be done with Alex Pretti murder and Renee Good's murder, prosecutions the current county attorney won't be able to continue because she's stepping down. The new county attorney needs to hit the ground running. Right now, I'm the only one doing the actual work of ICE investigation and prosecution. That's one of my biggest priorities."

Voting for Hennepin County Attorney is this Aug 11.

Khantrast: The Poster Child - Album Trailer

From the video desc.:

"Pre-save link - https://orcd.co/khantrast-posterchild Big thank you to   / bryant_hyun   for blessing with the visuals August 21st release date Excited to share this project with y'all"

Kensho Kuma x Far Beats: Immigrant Anthem

From Kensho Kuma about the track:

"Immigrant Anthem" is a protest-centered hip-hop piece responding directly to the current conflicts between immigrants and ICE agents, as well as the ongoing demonstrations across our country. The song documents the emotional, political, and lived realities of communities navigating surveillance, detention threats, and state violence. It is both a personal narrative and a broader commentary on the conditions shaping immigrant life in 2026.

At a moment when POC communities nationwide are mobilizing against ICE raids, detention centers, and deportation pipelines, this track aims to contribute to the cultural record of resistance. Far Beats’ production blends cinematic tension with boom‑bap grit, while my verses draw from diasporic identity, community defense, and the long protest lineage of Oakland, Berkeley, and Richmond.

Check more out at https://kenshokuma.com/

So The Police Can't Take An Asian Woman Talking About Weiner Wednesday? I Bet This GOES NOWHERE For a White Man.

Before anything here's the information on the text/joke from the Star Tribune, which should be held more accountable for their journalism and calling things "innaporpriate" when that should be left up to people reading it, or a jury if needed, because it's not even close to being cut and dry.

"At the heart of an April 1 letter sent by Madel notifying the city that Henry had filed a formal complaint is a screenshot of a text message allegedly sent by Her to a city employee that reads, “Happy Weiner Wednesday!” and a note expressing regret that she can’t be with the employee to eat a hot dog that day.

Beneath the message is a partially redacted image showing an internet meme that was posted by a comedian earlier this year. The meme shows a swaddled baby with an adult’s head. Above the photo, a caption reads, “When she wraps you up in a blanket after you gave her a good weinering,” with two laughing emojis. The term “wienering” is often used as sexual innuendo on the internet."

Are you kidding me? This is the sexual harassment?

Wienering is a sexual innuendo? 

People are pining that on Her?

Aren't the symbol PI and the infinity symbol signs for TikTok polyamory pages (I thought it was unicorn too, but maybe not)?

So if she sent a message about math and a joke with PI to math teachers, is that sexual harassment too?

Please.

And let's give it up to the Star Tribune again for talking about sexuality in regard to Her--because it shows exactly the double stanrdard for women and men. And yes, while it does revolve around a restraining order about Her--which was denied by a judge and saying there was a clash between friends and not harassment--they are doing a hit job on Mayor Her--trying to paint this picture of her as this hypersexualized Asian woman.

At least to me, that's what it feels like.

But I do give them credit in also talk about the St. Paul Police and overspending overtime budgets and how that's been a key point of tension during budget negotiations. 

Because that is interesting.

Coincidence?

Perhaps.

OMG. St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her Is Getting Investigated For Sexual Harassment? Filed By White Police Chief Axel Henry? Feels Like A Hit Job? Was There A Thumb Involved?

I don't know--feels like a hit job to me to be honest.

The first woman mayor of Saint Paul?

And she's Asian American?

And there are not a lot of details in the records (at least according to The NY Times and other news outlets)?

What did she do that warrants this versus a littany of things we can look at the St. Paul police for (tear gas anyone lately)?

I'm not saying we should not take sexual harassment seriously.

Nor am I saying this can't be true.

I'm just saying the optics look a little interesting.

And I do have to wonder how Mayor Her sexually harassed police officers...

Did she give them a thumbs up and a wink?

Did the thumb go someplace else?

We just want to know.

No One Wants A $1 Coin With Trump's Face On It AKA WTH Is Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent Thinking AKA ICE KILLS AGAIN...AND AGAIN #DeportPresidentTrump

You can go to the Guardian site to see the actual coins (as I don't want to subject people the actual image with this face on it). One of the pieces of information I found interesting:

"Among the changes, the coin has a gold finish rather than being made of solid gold."

So it just looks like it, you can tell people it's gold, but it's really not.

Sounds like our President. I hate having to type that sentence.

And then there is this quote from Scott Bessent:

"Featuring President Trump, it celebrates the strength of American values, and the promise of a nation dedicated to preserving freedom for all."

You mean all the White People right?

Because let's face it - it's all about getting the Brown and Black People out of this country now.

The Immigrants. 

Who ICE Keeps Killing BTW....in case you haven't heard....

From the NY Times:

"In Houston last week, an ICE agent killed Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, a Mexican immigrant who had lived in the country for more than three decades, during a traffic stop while he was driving to work with three passengers. He was not the intended target of the ICE operation, federal officials acknowledged after initially saying he was.

In Maine early on Monday, an ICE agent shot and killed a Colombian man, who was also in his vehicle. He was identified as Joan Sebastian Guerrero, according to a spokesman for Senator Angus King of Maine. A statement from the Homeland Security Department was unclear about whether Mr. Guerrero was the person agents had been seeking."

Wasn't Horman supposed to be stopping all this?

Wait that's right...he's cut from the same cloth isn't he.

Apparently now with TWO MORE MURDERS ON THEIR WATCH they have been ordered to halt vehicle stops.

Who thought that was a good idea to start with anyway?

Thank you President Trump for your Xenophobia, Racism, and Violent tendencies.

I hope one day it gets you what you deserve.

Deported.

4x Music: Retro Jennie Rehearsal, Olivia Rodrigo x BBC x The Cure, Retro Harimu Choreography x Tate McRae x Greedy, Kyle Hanagami x LISA (ft. DOJA CAT & RAYE) x Born Again

 

MV Rehearsal for “Mantra” by JENNIE.

Olivia Rodrigo performs 'the cure' from her new album 'you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love', in the BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge.

Choreographer / Harimu Song / Tate McRae - greedy

BORN AGAIN - Lisa (from BLACKPINK) featuring Doja Cat & Raye | Dance Choreography by Kyle Hanagami Also this music video is fire. ___________________________________ CHOREOGRAPHY | Kyle Hanagami WEBSITE: https://www.kylehanagami.com ___________________________________ DANCERS | GROUP 1: Sean Lew (California) Dario Schirone (Italy) Alekz Samone (Texas) GROUP 2: Charlize Glass (California) Kaycee Rice (California) Madison Alvarado (Nevada) GROUP 3: Amanda LaCount (Colorado) Chloe Barbera (Louisiana) Blake Rhodes (Oregon) Brandt Czerniski (Arizona) Ky Jones (Ohio) GROUP 4: Ryan (????) Jayna Hughes (Nevada) GROUP 5: Haley Fitzgerald (Wisconsin) __________________ FILMED BY | Donovan Okimura ___________________ SONG: Born Again ALBUM: SINGLE ARTIST: Lisa (ft. Doja Cat & Raye)

From Roswell Encina

Great commentary article from Roswell Encina, whose image had gone viral after a Getty Images photographer photographed him surrounded by White supremacist group the Patriot Front.

"On the Fourth of July, while I was on my way to a party, I found myself riding a Washington Metro train surrounded by hundreds of masked white supremacists. A subway car is supposed to be one of society’s great equalizers. But it was the last place I expected to reflect on what it means to be an American.

A Getty Images photographer captured the moment. As far as I could see, I was the only unmasked person in the sea of Patriot Front members. I had my AirPods in, and my gingham shirt and bandana signaled I was ready to celebrate Independence Day. But my face and body language told a different story. 

Within hours, the photographs had spread across social media and news outlets. Friends began texting. Reporters called. Many asked whether I had been frightened.

The honest answer is yes.

But after the initial shock faded, I realized the moment offered something else: an opportunity to talk about the country I love, the work still left to do, and why history and civics education matter now more than ever.

I came to this country as an infant because my father served in the U.S. Navy. During my childhood, our family moved back and forth between the United States and the Philippines before eventually settling here. America became home not simply because we lived here, but because my parents believed deeply in the responsibilities that came with citizenship [...]

Today, I have the privilege of serving as president and CEO of the U.S. Capitol Historical Society, where our mission is to preserve history, elevate civics and help Americans better understand Congress and the Capitol. Every day we welcome students into the Capitol, train teachers from across the country, host conversations with historians and public servants, and encourage visitors to see themselves as part of the American story."

Read the full article: https://www.salon.com/2026/07/10/what-a-subway-ride-with-white-supremacists-taught-me-about-america/?utm_source=firefox-newtab-en-us

Good Wiki: Hiro Narita

"An avid movie fan since childhood, Narita decided to go into filmmaking rather than go back into graphic design upon his return to San Francisco in the mid-sixties. He was a still photographer on Michelangelo Antonioni's Zabriskie Point (1970).^[1] After an internship with John Korty and Victor J. Kemper on the Michael Ritchie movie The Candidate in 1971, he photographed the television movie Farewell to Manzanar in 1975, for which he received an Emmy Award nomination.

In 1976, he was one of the camera operators on Martin Scorsese's documentary The Last Waltz about the last concert of The Band. Later, he worked on projects like Apocalypse Now, More American Graffiti, and the Neil Young documentary Rust Never Sleeps. For his cinematography on the movie Never Cry Wolf he won the Boston Society of Film Critics Award and the National Society of Film Critics Award in 1983. In 1989, he photographed the Visual Effects in the Steven Spielberg film Always. In the following years, he was the Director of Photography on successful films like Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, Dirty Pictures, The Rocketeer, and James and the Giant Peach.

Narita served as director of photography on the 1997 Live Action Short Film Academy Award winning Visas and Virtue. He also directed the 1997 hour-long documentary film, Isamu Noguchi: Stones and Paper, for PBS' American Masters series.

He has taught at San Francisco Art Institute, lectured, and given master classes at many institutions including Golden Eye in the Republic of Georgia.

He is a member of American Society of Cinematographers (ASC)^[1] and Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences."

Go down the rabbit hole a little more at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiro_Narita

Asian Americans In The News: Wong Fu, Michigan's Mai Xiong, Simu Liu+Shang-Chi, Ted Lieu x2, And Katseye's Lara Raj

Some news from across the way.

The Asian American Foundation and Wong Fu Productions Launch 'The United States of Asian+America' to Uncover the AAPI Trailblazers and Stories that Changed America

"Today, The Asian American Foundation (TAAF) is unveiling The United States of Asian+America, a digital series produced in partnership with Wong Fu Productions that tells the untold stories of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) firsts, inventors, and industry pioneers behind America's biggest industries and cultural shifts (watch the trailer here and the premiere episode here).

From the music topping the charts to technologies powering our daily lives to the food enjoyed in every corner of the country, AAPIs have played an outsized role in the experiences that define America today. Yet as the country prepares to mark its 250th anniversary, much of the public still has limited knowledge of AAPI history and influence. According to TAAF's 2026 STAATUS Index, more than half (53%) of U.S. adults cannot name a single major moment in Asian American history, and just 7% believe AAPI communities have "a great deal" of influence on U.S. culture.

The United States of Asian+America will take viewers on a journey to meet the AAPI trailblazers who have shaped modern American life, through a series of original and intimate interviews featuring guests like.."

Xiong, Rogers Introduce Legislation to Make Childcare More Affordable

"State Reps. Mai Xiong (D-Warren) and Julie M. Rogers (D-Kalamazoo) hosted a press conference today announcing House Bills 6034-35, which codify and appropriate $10 million to MI Tri-Share and Care-Share. The legislation would invest in some of the fastest-growing workplace childcare benefit programs in the state, expanding access to childcare for workers in every corner of Michigan."

“We are in an affordability crisis. Families are paying more at the gas pump, in the grocery store, on housing and on energy costs. I am committed to providing Michigan families relief now,” Rep. Xiong said. “My legislation codifies and expands Tri-Share and Care-Share, lowering costs for families, workers and businesses. Childcare is a workforce and economic issue. If parents can’t afford childcare, they can’t earn a living, businesses lose out on workers and our state’s economy suffers. Childcare costs are keeping parents out of the workforce and making it harder for employers to recruit and retain workers. As a working parent of four young children, I know the struggle every parent faces as they balance raising a family and working. This package helps address both issues and brings relief to Michigan families and ensures a robust workforce.” 

Will we see a changed Shang-Chi in Avengers: Doomsday?

While we will have to wait for Shang-Chi 2, albeit it is in the works we hear, we can still get a taste of what we've been missing in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday:

"Since quite a few years have passed, Simu Liu has teased that audiences will meet a more experienced and confident version of Shang-Chi in the upcoming ensemble film [...]

"In Doomsday, Liu will share credits with Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Florence Pugh, Vanessa Kirby, Pedro Pascal and Tom Hiddleston, as well as actors from the original X-Men movie franchise, including Ian McKellen, James Marsden, Patrick Stewart, Alan Cumming and Rebecca Romijn. Doomsday will release on 18 December 2026."

Ted Lieu Face Off...And Rubio

"Democratic incumbent Ted Lieu and Republican challenger Houston Brignano will face off in November for California’s 36th congressional district, which includes UCLA and surrounding areas.

Lieu and Brignano received the most votes in the June 2 primary, earning 61.1% and 15.3% of the vote, respectively, according to the Associated Press.

Lieu, who has served in the United States House of Representatives since 2015, sits on the House Judiciary and Foreign Affairs committees and serves as vice chair of the Democratic Caucus. 

Lieu’s campaign centers on protecting Californians’ civil rights, creating more humane immigration policies and regulating artificial intelligence, according to his campaign website.

Lieu funded his campaign primarily through the Ted Lieu Victory Fund, his own quarterly political action committee. The PAC’s biggest donors include unaffiliated individual donors, corporate executives and unions such as the Writers Guild of America West and the International Union of Operating Engineers."

In other news, Lieu also went head to head with Rubio on whether or not Trump has fallen asleep in public appearances:

"Secretary Rubio, have you been at more than one meeting where President Trump has fallen asleep?" the Democratic lawmaker asked during Wednesday's House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing.

Rubio said that was false.

"I've never seen him fall asleep," he said. "On the contrary, the guy doesn't sleep, which is a big problem," adding that Trump has called him in the early morning hours.

"Secretary Rubio, I'm going to show you in a moment a video that shows you just lied to Congress."

A video of last month's Cabinet meeting then plays. Trump is again shown sleeping, while Rubio is speaking about wartime matters.

"You are literally talking about issues of war and peace and Donald Trump is sleeping right next to you," Lieu said, repeating that Rubio was lying to Congress.

Rubio again said Trump wasn't asleep, saying that the videos being shown in the hearing aren't showing the president is dozing off.

"The president's inability to stay awake on the job has caused other countries to perceive him differently," Lieu said. "They mock him."

Katseye’s Lara and Megan Shut Down Fans Who Say Dating Men Negates Bisexuality

"Lara Raj and Megan Skiendiel, known to queer fans as the bisexual baddies of international girl group KATSEYE, are setting the record straight this Pride — but not literally. In an interview for Allure's June cover, the pair spoke about the impact of discussing their queerness publicly as members of one of the most famous pop groups on the planet.

With that massive success has come hypervisibility and, at times, intense scrutiny. When Raj publicly came out as queer while chatting with fans on South Korean social media platform Weverse in March 2025, fans rejoiced. Skiendiel followed suit in June of last year, coming out as bisexual after Raj prompted her during a Live on Weverse [...]

"I like everyone, I will date anyone," Raj said.⁠ "I think people really try to invalidate that because of who we currently or have publicly dated. But I've dated so many girls, and it's such a beautiful experience to be with women, and it's something that is a very core and important part of me that will always be with me for the rest of my life."⁠

There's no doubt that the group has broken barriers in both the K-pop and global music industries, both in terms of queer representation within Katseye and not being afraid to openly support LGBTQ+ rights."

Vincent Chin June 19th 1982

Today I will just copy this from Wikipedia to make sure, for those that don't already know (and I would ask how you wouldn't but also am inclined to call-in on this one vs call-out, at least today)--that they can take this and run with it. For everyone that grew up in the 80's, or came up in the 80's or late 70's, this will always have a profound effect--and you can talk about how we saw ourselves and how others saw us in the 90's as well and how this injustice and murder reverberated across Asian American.

Wikipedia

"On June 19, 1982, Chin was having a bachelor party at the Fancy Pants Club in Highland Park to celebrate his upcoming wedding with three of his friends: Jimmy Choi, Gary Koivu, and Robert Siroskey.^[18] Seated across the stage from them were two white men, Chrysler plant supervisor Ronald Ebens and his stepson, laid-off autoworker Michael Nitz.^[4] According to an interview by American documentary filmmaker Michael Moore for the Detroit Free Press, after Chin gave a white stripper a generous gratuity, Ebens shouted, "Hey, you little motherfuckers!", and told an African-American dancer, "Don't pay any attention to those little fuckers, they wouldn't know a good dancer if they'd seen one."^[18] Racine Colwell, a dancer at the bar, later testified that Ebens said, "It's because of you little motherfuckers that we're out of work."^[19][20][21] This statement later provided the evidence for civil rights litigation against Ebens.^[22] He later claimed that the argument was not about Chin's race but the Black dancer's gratuity.^[18] Another witness said that he heard the anti-Chinese racial slur "Chink" being used towards Chin, while another man said Ebens told him, "I'll give you $20 if you help us catch the Chinaman."^[23]

Ebens claimed that Chin walked over to him and Nitz and threw a punch at his jaw.^[18] The fight escalated as Nitz shoved Chin in defense of his stepfather, and Chin countered.^[18] One of the dancers reported that Ebens and Chin picked up chairs and started swinging them at each other.^[17] Nitz suffered a cut on his head from a chair that Ebens had intended to use to strike Chin.^[18] Chin and his friends left the room, while a bouncer led Ebens and Nitz to the restroom to clean up the wound. According to Ebens and Nitz, one of Chin's friends, Robert Siroskey, came back inside to use the restroom and apologized to the group, stating that Chin had a few drinks due to his bachelor's party. Ebens and Nitz had also been drinking that night, although not at the club, which did not serve alcohol.

When Ebens and Nitz left the club, they encountered Chin and his friends who were waiting outside for Siroskey. Chin called Ebens a "chicken shit", at which point Nitz retrieved a baseball bat from his car and Chin and his friends ran down the street.^[18] Ebens and Nitz searched the neighborhood for 20 to 30 minutes and even paid another man 20 dollars to help them look for Chin before finding him at a nearby McDonald's restaurant. Chin attempted to escape, but was held by Nitz while Ebens repeatedly bludgeoned Chin with a baseball bat until Chin's head cracked open.^[24] Ebens was arrested and taken into custody at the scene of the crime by two off-duty police officers who had witnessed the beating.^[25] One of the officers said that Ebens wielded the bat like he was swinging "for a home run".^[24] Michael Gardenhire, one of the police officers, called for an ambulance.^[26] Chin was rushed to Henry Ford Hospital and was comatose on arrival. He never regained consciousness and died four days later on June 23, 1982; Chin was only 27 years old.^[7][26]"

FIFA Invites Korean YouTuber Inocat To Match Against Mexico After Racist Fan Mugs Her Pic (AKA Ulises Fernando Bernal Miramontes AKA Racist A**hat)

Bernal is pictured making the racist gesture during South Korea's World Cup match against the Czech Republic (Instagram @inocat_t)

Well--it seems that after deciding to be a racist asshat, prompting Inocat to write "You traveled across the world for the World Cup… and experienced racism..."--Bernal has been removed from his position:

"A South Korean content creator had posted a video of herself at the match last Friday, where Ulises Fernando Bernal Miramontes, seated behind her, was seen making the slanted-eyes pose then laughing it off. The pose is seen as disrespectful to East Asians.

The incident generated much outrage online, with many Mexicans expressing disgust at his actions.

Bernal later apologised and reports say he has been removed from his position as president of a Mexican engineering guild."

At least that was something (and or course FIFA blocked access to all of his tickets).

The Korea Herald is reporting that Inocat has also accepted FIFA's invitation to attend the South Korea vs Mexico game in Guadalajara.

BUNNY!! (Thỏ Ơi!!) Is The Best Thriller You Haven't Seen (Yet)

Playing on Netflix now, this is an exceptionally taut wonderful-keeping-you-on-the-edge-until-the-end thriller from start to finish from wunderkind Trấn Thành. 

As with many great Viet films, this is a love story. 

A story of wants and needs. 

Filled with lessons on life and relationships, family, and those around us. 

And dark. 

Beautifully dark, wonderfully acted, and visually stunning. 

Definitely don't miss this.

https://www.3388films.com/portfolio/bunny-tho-oi-movie/

English: A popular relationship advice host finds her carefully curated life upended when she meets a guest with a mysterious personal story, taking them both down a rabbit hole that leads to unimaginable consequences. Directed by Tran Thanh, produced by Tran Thanh Town, Galaxy Studio & HK Film, with an international release by 3388 Films.

Tiếng Việt: TV host chương trình tư vấn tình cảm nổi tiếng bỗng thấy cuộc sống đã được sắp đặt cẩn thận của mình bị đảo lộn khi cô gặp một vị khách mời với câu chuyện cá nhân bí ẩn, kéo cả hai vào một cuộc phiêu lưu đầy những hậu quả khó lường. Một bộ phim từ đạo diễn Tran Thanh, do Thanh Town, Galaxy Studio & HK Film sản xuất và 3388 Films phát hành quốc tế.

Français: Une animatrice de conseils relationnels très populaire voit sa vie, pourtant si bien orchestrée, basculer lorsqu’elle rencontre un invité au passé mystérieux, les entraînant tous deux dans un engrenage aux conséquences inimaginables Réalisé par Tran Thanh, produit par Tran Thanh Town, Galaxy Studio & HK Film, avec une sortie internationale par 3388 Films.

Český jazyk: Pečlivě naplánovaný život oblíbené moderátorky pořadu o vztahovém poradenství se obrátí vzhůru nohama poté, kdy v pořadu uvede ženu s tajemným osobním příběhem, který je obě zavede do králičí nory, a tím i k nepředstavitelným následkům. Režie Tran Thanh, produkce Tran Thanh Town, Galaxy Studio & HK Film, mezinárodní distribuce 3388 Films.

Język polski: Gwiazda telewizji doradzająca parom traci grunt pod nogami, a jej starannie budowane życie sypie się po wywiadzie z tajemniczym gościem programu, którego historia wciąga ich w spiralę zdarzeń o nieodwracalnych skutkach. W reżyserii Tran Thanh, wyprodukowany przez Tran Thanh Town, Galaxy Studio & HK Film, przy współpracy z dystrybutorem międzynarodowym 3388 Films.

普通話: 一位知名兩性情感諮詢的節目主持人，在遇見一位擁有神秘個人故事的嘉賓之後，她精心規劃好的生活徹底被翻轉，兩人就此陷入一件宛如兔子洞穴般的複雜事件，終究成了難以想像的後果。由陳清執導，陳清城、銀河影業及香港電影公司聯合出品，3,388影業負責國際發行。

So Wasians Have Been Getting A Lot Of Spotlights. What About Blasians?

First - I'm not saying anything about my Wasians--I love ALL MY ASIAN PEOPLES.

And my question is not their issue (per se). 

I'm just saying that I don't feel like I've ever heard Blasians shouted as loud and as high from the hilltops.

And with one of those funny long trumpet looking things with a banner on it.

Am I wrong? 

Did I miss a moment?

I'm just saying that this is one way that certain portions of society try to put Asians in specific boxes, or near other boxes, by simply not acknowledging some things as much, while acknowledging others more--no matter where we really sit.

It's a system. A perfectly played, and played out, system and I just want everyone to have some magazine covers and commercial time.

Maybe it can be like a new DC Universe thing...

More Linsanity. More Kat. And Yes...It's Still Knicks Over Spurs AKA 2027 Is 15 Years Since Linsanity

I loved how Kat gave a shout out to Jeremy Lin, because that truly is game recognizing game (and remember that Kat is a #1 draft pick and Jeremy Lin was undrafted).

And just to set the record straight--yes, I wanted them to implode for the obvious trade reasons, because who wants the short end of the stick? 

But when it comes down to it, I still have to want MSG and NYC, and Mr. Karl Anthony Towns, to get that Finals win over the Spurs that took us out.

Been On Vacation + A Chat With Teejay Johnson x toppsRIPPED

There are many many things to blog about coming back from a week and a half vacation....so many....but for now here's a quick snippet and link to an article from last month on Teejay Johnson from toppsRIPPED on The Hobby (of trading cards).

"Teejay Johnson, aka @NatureLuvzYou, has become one of the most recognizable and authentic voices in The Hobby. Through engaging content, genuine storytelling, and a passion for connecting with collectors, he has built a loyal following across social media while helping introduce new audiences to trading cards.

As a Filipino and Chinese American creator, NatureLuvzYou brings a unique perspective to the space, championing representation, inclusivity, and community. From collecting Pokémon cards as a kid to becoming a respected creator working alongside some of The Hobby’s biggest brands and personalities, his journey reflects the growth of both his platform and The Hobby itself. 

As an Asian American creator in the trading card space, have there been any unique experiences or perspectives you’ve brought to The Hobby that have shaped your content?

Being Asian American — I’m both Filipino and Chinese — I just try to stay true to myself. If you follow me on Instagram, I’m always posting Filipino and Chinese food to put people on to things they may not have tried before.

When it comes to content, if we’re keeping it real, The Hobby still isn’t quite diverse. People often like watching creators they can relate to, so as someone who is Asian, I feel like I have to put in twice the amount of effort. Thankfully, that effort has clearly worked."

Read the article in full at: https://ripped.topps.com/aapi-spotlight-teejay-johnson-natureluvzyou-hobby/

Present + Past: Bella Poarch: Ribcage x Linkin Park: The Emptiness Machine Live At Wembley

LYRICS: I think I sleep too much Flowers are overgrown Under my bed My thoughts turn into dust I watch them decompose Inside my head Come along Do you wanna see Don’t know what is wrong What is wrong with me Think it’s been too long And I’m in too deep Oh, Think I’m Living in a dream Or maybe it’s a nightmare Is there an in between? I think I wanna die there Looking for my ribcage I don’t feel my bones I don’t wanna stay here But I don’t have a home Living in a dream Or maybe it’s a nightmare I don’t like medicine I’d rather eat my brain Cause what’s the use When I’ll wake up again And pour it down the drain It’s nothing new Come along Do you wanna see Don’t know what is wrong What is wrong with me Think it’s been too long And I’m in too deep Oh, Think I’m Living in a dream Or maybe it’s a nightmare Is there an in between? I think I wanna die there Looking for my ribcage I don’t feel my bones I don’t wanna stay here But I don’t have a home Living in a dream Or maybe it’s a nightmare

Linkin Park performs "The Emptiness Machine" live at their sold out show at Wembley Stadium in London on June 28, 2025.