February 8, 2010
Where are We? California Redistricting Sorely Lacking AsAms

Always we carp about not being represented. Where are all the Asian Americans on primetime TV? Why so few in the higher corporate executive tiers? Where are all the positions for us in government?
California voters passed a proposition a few years ago demanding a say in how voting districts are drawn, because the demographic and party distribution across districts can make it possible for minority voters to make an impact on statewide elections -- or dilute their ballots into statistical insignificance.
Now the commission we created is looking for members, and Asian Americans are offering our civic energies at an anemic 6% of the applicant pool. We are 15% of the state population. We are under-representing ourselves.
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February 7, 2010
Please Welcome the Asian American Literary Review

Exciting news everyone: A new literary journal dedicated to Asian American writing -- the Asian American Literary Review (AALR) -- is mere months away from hitting the stands. As a writer, I think that the pulse of American writing is found in its literary journals. Sure, they may not be as sexy as The New Yorker, or even get top billing at bookstores, as Stephen King wrote about a few years ago, but it's the place where you find the real writing, both from established writers and emerging ones. Even in this hyper-connected world, journals continue to be a place where literary arts can be both showcased and discussed with abandon. My very first creative publication was in the pages of the Asian Pacific American Journal, the literary journal of the Asian American Writers' Workshop, back in 1998. I remember how exciting it was to have my poem be a part of this collection of writings from Asian Americans all over the country. Now, the AALR hopes to create these kind of creative connections for a whole new era of Asian American literature.
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February 5, 2010
Jeremy Lin a Finalist for Bob Cousy Award

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February 4, 2010
Trend (TV) Setters: Indian-American Sitcoms Join Major Network Lineup
One year after feel-good Bollywood-esque flick Slumdog Millionaire took the cinematic stage, sweeping the American awards circuit with eight Oscar wins, the Mumbai momentum keeps on rolling. From Bollywood big screen to situation sitcom small screen (that's a mouthful) -- TV's latest additions to what one historian refers to as the "ethnic comedy mix" features Asian American leads. Two new comedies -- Fox's Nevermind Nirvana and NBC's Outsourced -- represent the latest in culturally inclusive primetime: both are ensemble shows centered around Indians and Indian Americans.Continue reading "Trend (TV) Setters: Indian-American Sitcoms Join Major Network Lineup"
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Small Press: Lantern Review
Hello all, long time no blog!I wanted to put this out there as part of my ongoing interest in Asian Americans involved with small presses. The new online Asian American poetry journal, Lantern Review, is now accepting submissions to its inaugural issue.

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Some Movie-Related News: 'Extraordinary Measures,' 'Snow Flower and the Secret Fan'
Some news to pass along...Posted by Alvin at 5:45 AM | Comments (8) | TrackBack (0)
February 3, 2010
The Hyphenite's Social Calendar: GO!Style, Beware of Cupid
Thursday February 4th -- San JoseSouth Bay First Thursdays: Rebuilding Trust Between Community and SJPD
Have you ever wanted to make a complaint about the police, but didn't know where to turn? South Bay First Thursdays presents an interactive community forum highlighting the role and responsibility of the Independent Police Auditor. With panelists Anne Im of Asian Americans for Community Involvement (AACI), Daniel Katz, Assistant Chief of Police -- City of San Jose, Richard Konda of Asian Law Alliance, and Shivaun Nurre, IPA Deputy Director of San Jose. 6:30 to 9 pm
AACI
2400 Moorpark Ave, Suite 210, San Jose
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Asianspotting: Hiroyuki Sanada Joins the Cast of 'Lost'
Throughout five seasons of Lost, Asian and Asian American characters abound: Korean couple Sun and Jin Kwon (played by Yunjin Kim and Daniel Dae Kim -- who probably boasts the sexiest male build on the Island), psychic ghost-whisperer Miles Straume (Ken Leung), Dr. Pierre Chang/Marvin Candle/Edgar Halliwax (Francois Chau), and several other minor characters.
If you caught last night's Season 6 premiere, you know Japanese actor Hiroyuki Sanada has joined the cast on the island, playing what appears to be the leader of a group of the Others.
Sanada is a major Japanese actor, who is perhaps best known for his role in the postmodern classic Twilight Samurai. He has recently crossed over into several major western films, including Danny Boyle's Sunshine, The Last Samurai, and Speed Racer.
While Sanada's character raises more questions in the Lost series (namely, who is he?), we know one thing already: he's a martial arts Asian! Every desert isle's gotta have one of those, eventually.
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Master of the Brush Strokes: Velina Hasu Houston's 'Calligraphy'
The dualities of Zen principles are hard to grasp. How can one be expressionistic and yet not? How can one be masterful in creating when confined to a standardized set of procedures?
The characters in Velina Hasu Houston's new play, Calligraphy, are confined. Their cultural expectations, their cities, and their family history constrain them. The effects of aging also take its toll on two sisters. Their daughters are ingrained with the notion of filial piety, bound to take care of their mothers.
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February 2, 2010
Oscar Nods are Out, Russell from 'Up' Our Only Hope
In the wee hours of the morning, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced the nominees for the 82nd annual Academy Awards using their bizarre 10 Best Picture nominee structure.
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