Fascinasians
Arizona raised, New York grown. Turning my rage into power!
Proud Asian American Feminist.
Tweets by @Juliet_Shen
Jenny Yang and poet/gamer/writer/quirkmeister Edren T. Sumagaysay have an audio podcast!
Super rad, passionate conversations about communities, art, politics, and MORE! The kind of 3AM conversations you wish you could have.
3AM with Jenny & Edren at http://www.3amwithjennyandedren.com/
Racialicious Crush Of The Week: Ainee Fatima
[Curator’s Note: I totally screwed this up! This was supposed to post last Friday, and I didn’t do it! So, I apologize to everyone, especially to our Crush, Ainee Fatima.
So, here I am, correcting it—please enjoy the second part of the interview with Racialicious Crush Of The Week, Ainee Fatima!—AP]
—###—
If you haven’t been following Badass Muslim Girl…what are you waiting for? Get to following, check out the first half of the interview, then come back and check out the rest of the interview that I did with the Tumblr’s creatrix, Ainee Fatima!
I love your response in your FAQ to the question asking if you plan to use your Islamic Studies degree to help American Muslim communities. What I love about the response is not only the “my community comes first” but the idea that you need to “teach” somebody else about Islam. Again, the idea of your existence is a walking classroom for others…thoughts?
I think it is a responsibility of being a Muslim to be a walking classroom, Islam is so strict on the preservation and need for knowledge and education that it expects us to be activists in every area of the world. I believe that being an activist means being and educator as well. At first, I used to get very annoyed when people came to me with questions regarding Islam in relation to race, feminism and politics but I had to step back and realize that I might be the only Muslim they have access too, which is a big responsibility but it is flattering that they do see my peers and I in a high manner when it comes to asking these questions. I feel as though there are not enough representations for young adult American muslims living in the United states and we’re beginning to see that change within our communities with people taking charge, even if it is by running a blog.
From your FAQ, you’ve been on the spoken-word scene for a while and your work has been recognized by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. When did you start writing poetry and when did you get into spoken word? Are you still doing it while pursuing your degree?
I wrote short stories for myself and my friends throughout Islamic School for many years. Then when I got into high school, I focused more on poetry but I wasn’t good at all. It’s actually really embarrassing for me to read my old poems! But my English Teacher in Freshman year “discovered” me and encouraged me to try out for the school’s poetry slam team. In sophomore year, I preformed on a stage at the poetry slam competition, Louder Than A Bomb, for the first time and it was scary. I still get stage fright till this day even though I’ve been performing for 6 years now. When you have a skill or talent, it’s work…you need to practice to make it perfect and get better. No matter how good you are, you always need to practice and by writing all the time, I got better.
I haven’t been able to write anything new since I began university, but I get inspiration everyday and make sure to jot them down to save it for later use. My style had always been personal story telling but I think when I start writing again, it’ll change, especially now that I’ve grown up a lot since high school.
Following up on that, where do you see spoken word—and poetry—in the larger conversations about social justice, especially in a world of blogging, tweeting, and tumbling? I feel it has a special place in some communities as a bassline and a balm in the rough times…
Oh yes! Poetry and Spoken Word is so crucial to the discussion in social justice. Even if it taking a stab at it humorously like Kai Davis’s poetry, who is an amazing poet and some people might have seen her duet piece talking about white hipsters. Those people who haven’t been in the poetry scene might look from the outside with a skeptical perspective but in the Chicago spoken word scene, so many of the poems are real stories from Chicago youth suffering from unfortunate things like domestic abuse, gun and gang violence, racism, sexism and religious oppression. It is very much a platform that has been pushed away to the side but I see it making a huge comeback in the future.
The last question I try to keep light: what are you into nowadays? What are you reading, movies you’re digging, music you’re into, people/things moving your soul?
Well, recently I just became a columnist at MuslimGirl.net, where you can read stories and articles written by Muslim women about their experiences living here in the United States. So I’m busy writing up my latest article about menstruation which was inspired by Laci Green’s misquotation of the Qur’an in her latest video which is also about menstruation. I’m also currently taking classes about social justice issues in university. I’ve learned so much from tumblr but it’s good to go out and know that it is being applied and taught in university classrooms, so it’s helping me a lot in learning every day.
Anything you’d like to add?
Nothing else but to thank you for this wonderful opportunity to be featured on one of my favorite blogs. You do some amazing work and I’m looking forward to reading and learning from you.As we at the R look forward to doing with you! ::hugs::
118 notes (via bare-life & racialicious)
I thought I’d mention some Asian American sports anchors that are/have been anchoring various shows across ESPN platforms. Especially in light of their fallout over the Jeremy Lin headline on their main page in 2012. On their Diversity at ESPN page lists their Asian-American Journalists Association 2010 Leadership in Diversity Award.
I mentioned previously of Filipina American and Northwestern alum Cassidy Hubbarth.
Korean American Michael Kim is an anchor for “SportsCenter” on ESPN. He joined ESPN as one of the original presenters on ESPNews before its Nov. 1, 1996, launch. Prior to ESPN, Kim covered sports for NewsChannel 8 in the Washington, D.C. area. His awards include a 1993 local Emmy Award from the Capital Region Chapter for the series “Local Heroes,” which was also recognized as the “Best Sports Series” by the Society of Professional Journalists. A native of Columbia, Missouri, Kim earned a BA in political science and business administration from Westminster College in 1987 and an MA in journalism from the University of Missouri in 1991. In May 2008, Kim received an honorary doctorate of humane letters from Westminster College.
From a ESPN Q&A with Kim Jeremy Lin phenomenon:
The Joe Paterno story and the fallout from that scandal at Penn State was probably the biggest story overall, but the one that touched both my professional and personal life the most was probably Linsanity. I was — and remain — both amazed and impressed at the reach and impact of that story around the world. It resonated with so many people like no other story. Tebowmania was big in the U.S., and certainly had some play around the world. Let’s not forget he was born in the Philippines. But Linsanity was much bigger. Look, my mother was in Korea at the time and I’m not sure if she would recognize Michael Jordan if he walked into the same room with her. That’s how little she follows sports. Yet, she was calling or emailing me about Jeremy Lin. That’s when I knew it was big. My mother was into it and so was my 8-year-old son. That’s how broad the appeal of this story was. And as an Asian-American, it was cool to see another Asian-Amrerican succeed on a stage where few others had.
Since arriving at ESPN, Kevin Negandhi has made history as the first Indian-American to serve on a national sports network. He has worked his way from being a host on ESPNews to becoming a regular anchor on SportsCenter. In an interview with Philly.com on the his significance of being on ESPN:
Indians are considered hard workers. Doctor. Engineer. Or motel or convenience store owner. Those stereotypes - I take a lot of pride in breaking them down. When I first pitched my career choice to my family, for them it was, “OK, this is just a phase. He’ll be a businessman or an attorney, and that’s how things will be.” There’s nothing wrong with that.
[In] Indian culture, kids aspire to big things. Being on a national network is something foreign to the community. Mothers will say to my mom, “Your son has inspired my son to be in sports.” That, to me, is so big. You’re breaking down walls. I’m the first Indian sportscaster on ESPN. That’s pretty cool.
With the recent launch of the Pac-12 Networks, executives at the organization have inked Mike Yam to an exclusive, long-term agreement to serve as studio host and anchor. Yam previously served as an anchor on SportsCenter and ESPNews, as was involved in the NBATV, Sirius Satellite Radio and college football and basketball coverage. In an interview with the Asian American Journalists Association:
“I’m watching sports on TV and I always saw Michael Kim, one of the only Asian guys to do this. I feel it’s crucial to identify with different cultures, on-air or behind the scenes. Then we don’t see things only one way. You need the rainbow’s colors when you’re watching TV. I feel I can share the influences that I’ve had. It’s different cultures getting together and putting out a product…The Jeremy Lin thing was exciting, just like seeing Michael Kim on TV. It’s Asians making an impact. Do you know how many [Asians] want to be an on-air guy or producer but don’t have anyone to latch onto? There’s no doubt how successful you can be in this business. Darn right we know our sports. To me, it’s huge to be in this position. It’s crazy. It’s also humbling. There’s a special feeling.”
Anish Shroff, ESPN and ESPNU Host/Play-by-Play announcer. In an interview with A-Line Magazine:
“Yes, if it’s something you want to do — pursue it and make it your goal. And most importantly, work at it. Don’t think because you are a minority a station will hire you to fill a quota. Work on getting better, improving your knowledge base, improving your writing and making yourself the strongest candidate — and you’ll be seen for that instead of your background. Make yourself into the best candidate that you can…and at the end of the day — if you’re the strongest candidate — you’ll land somewhere. If you’re not, then you probably won’t.”
Senator Marco Rubio is proposing an amendment to the Senate Immigration Reform bill currently up for debate on the floor. This amendment will require English proficiency BEFORE immigrants adjust to legal permanent resident status.
In New York City alone, 47% of Asian Americans are of Limited English Proficiency. If allowed, this amendment will prevent millions of immigrants from gaining legal immigration status.
CALL 202-224-3121 TODAY to be connected to your Senator! Please urge them to vote NO on Amendment 1225.
To anyone who’s confused about why “Exotic” is problematic.
It was concise, but she said a lot.
We are not your fetish.
744 notes (via noface-nameless & thisisnotkorea)
“It is a pity the young Pi was not nominated There’s not much you can do. He’s an Indian actor and nobody knows him so he was easily overlooked.
With peer voting, people will vote for their friends or based on their impressions. He’s a newcomer and we often said he had never acted before—that’s a disadvantage to getting nominated. But I do think his performance was the purest performance.”
”Taiwanese director Ang Lee noting Hollywood’s tendency to overlook Asian actors to a Chinese radio station. Ang Lee was disappointed that Suraj Sharma was not nominated for Best Actor for his performance in The Life of Pi. Lee added that he felt Irfan Khan should have been nominated for Best Supporting Actor, and that Zhang Ziyi was not nominated either for Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, nor were any actors nominated for Slumdog Millionaire.
What’s a guy gotta do to get an Oscar? Here’s some trivia about Sharma’s work on the film, from FirstPost.com.
- Sharma beat out 4,000 other applicants (Ang Lee decided from the start the role would not be whitewashed.)
- Sharma had never acted prior to this so Ang Lee assigned him a pile of homework and made him act scenes from Teneesse Williams and other playwrights just for practice.
- Sharma didn’t know how to swim when he was cast for the role. When he first started out he could only hold his breath for 14 seconds. In the end he was able to go for one minute and a half.
- Sharma spent most of the movie filming in a pool emoting in front of a blue screen to an invisible tiger.
- Sharma lost 20% of his body weight for the role, eating a diet that mostly consisted of tuna fish, just like his character, so his ribs would show.
- Sharma cut himself up frequently while working on the boat and used those injuries in his acting. He would allow himself to get flipped along with the boat.
- The production was banned from speaking to Sharma. Ang Lee and Sharma agreed that he would not to talk to other people for almost two months so he would understand what isolation was like.
1. This kid is badass.
2. When white actors like Christian Bale and Leonardo DiCaprio do stuff like lose 20% of their body weight or cut themselves and keep acting everyone cheers uproariously.
3. It is weirdly dismissive when films about characters of color get nominated but their actors do not. Django Unchained, Life of Pi, Slumdog Millionaire, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, The Last Emperor, etc.
4. As FirstPost points out, a lot of the Oscar snubbed actors that people are talking about like Leonardo DiCaprio have plenty of other opportunities to star in other big movies. When is the next big project for an actor of South Asian descent coming up?
(via racebending)
(Source: m1905.com)
19,703 notes (via titotito & racebending)
Asian Pacific Americans’ Job Satisfaction Levels On The Rise; Yet, Sense of Belonging Lags Behind
Asia Society, a leading global and pan-Asian organization working to strengthen relationships among the United States and Asia, issued today its fourth annual Asian Pacific Americans (APA) Corporate Survey at its Diversity Leadership Forum in New York. The study surveyed employees from Fortune 500 companies to measure the sentiments of Asian Pacific American employees. Asian Pacific Americans comprise close to 5 percent of the U.S. population and up to 13 percent in some critical U.S. states like California.
The survey found that although overall job satisfaction levels continue to increase, APAs do not always feel a sense of belonging in corporate America. Sixty-one percent of APAs feel good about growth and development prospects, a four point percentage increase compared to last year. However, more than 40 percent say they either don’t feel a sense of belonging as an APA employee of their company or they are indifferent.
Additionally, less than half of APA employees indicate that their company offers mentoring sponsorship and career coaching programs tailored to them, pointing to the need for corporate America to invest more in developing programs that address the needs of this group.
“APAs bring with them a unique cultural heritage,” said Mike Kulma of Asia Society. “Companies need to dedicate more resources to training and grooming this high-potential group so they can effectively seize leadership opportunities as they grow into their careers.”
According to the findings of the survey, a company’s support and accommodation of APAs’ cultural and religious needs is the number one driver of engagement—ranked higher than career growth prospects—among this group. Similarly, when it comes to satisfaction at the workplace, APAs indicate that what matters the most is the recognition and acceptance of their individual beliefs as well as strengths and skills. Professional growth opportunities and focus on diversity initiatives are second and third in terms of what drives satisfaction.
“Fifty percent of the APA population over the age of 25 has a bachelor’s degree and 20.7 percent has a professional degree, both nearly double the U.S. average,” continued Mike Kulma. “Their overall job satisfaction and engagement are critical to the success of U.S. businesses. As Asia Society’s survey proves, cultural and religious acceptance is the main driver of engagement among this group. As such, organizations with a strong focus on supporting and embracing the unique attributes of this group are bound to rise to the top as preferred employers among APAs.”
The survey also revealed that companies are not fully leveraging the expertise and background of APAs in engaging with APA customers or customers from Asia: Only about half (54 percent) of APAs say that their companies draw on them to engage APA customers or customers from Asia.
“Asian Pacific Americans are the fastest growing and highly-educated segment of the U.S. population, with a 46 percent growth in the last decade alone. Given the background and knowledge of Asian Pacific Americans, businesses are likely missing an opportunity by not leveraging them more broadly in engaging with customers from similar backgrounds,” concluded Subha Barry, Diversity Expert and Board Chair, Cancer Institute of New Jersey.
In conjunction with the Asian Pacific Americans Corporate Survey, Asia Society also conducted an annual ranking of top employers that demonstrate a commitment to APA employees and their success. Winners of this ranking will be announced at the Diversity Leadership Forum today. Finalist companies include Cisco, Dell, Colgate-Palmolive, GE, and Goldman Sachs.
15 notes (via pag-asaharibon)
Hey Fam, friends & community!
We want to invite all Hmong lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, and intersex individuals to CELEBRATE PRIDE MONTH WITH US in sharing their coming OUT stories to help Raise UP the Hmong LGBTQQI Narratives via this link. PLEASE REPOST/SHARE/TWEET/TUMBLR WIDELY:http://tinyurl.com/HmongLGBTQQIStories
check out our blog: mwsmovement.com
67 notes (via titotito & mwsmovement)
![somethingnoo:
thepeoplesrecord:
How a few Philly high school students organized themselves into a few hundred in four daysMay 9, 2013
It began, not surprisingly perhaps, with a modest online message.
About two weeks ago, school district officials had announced, once again, a serious hole in the District’s budget and had laid out, once again, severe cuts that would be implemented if a roughly $300 million hole wasn’t filled — this time invoking layoffs and cuts to programs, especially arts and extracurricular.
And as students pondered cuts to their favorite programs, the irony that last Friday would mark “Teacher Appreciation Day,” was not lost upon them.
Before news of the proposed cuts reached them, says Teyin Tseng (upper right), a member of the student council at the Philadelphia High School for the Creative and Performing Arts, “Our plan was to see how much money we had and see if we could buy flowers for every teacher.”
“But then the budget [was unveiled] — and we decided to do this.”
So, on Friday, another CAPA student, Maureen Smith (lower center), created a new Facebook page: Silenced Students March — announcing a plan by her and some of her classmates to protest the threatened cuts. She opened with something of a rallying call:
“As students we are fed up and want to be heard. Its OUR education and WE should have a say in it. TUESDAY May 7th is teachers appreciation day, we are organizing a march to 440 North Broad Street, which is the school district building. Depending on your school’s location you can choose a meeting area and then proceed to march to 440.We will all be meeting there by 4:30. There is strength in numbers.”
The response — recorded online in blow-by-blow Facebook posts — was immediate, enthusiastic, and complex as any overnight organizing effort.
Talking points were discussed; a deliberate effort to attract media and control the message was conceived.
And there was, as there is in any organizing effort, vigorous debate over tactics and message: When some students announced a planned walkout; other students objected, worried the organized disobedience would undermine their credibility as a group — a debate which continues as some students contemplate a walkout tomorrow.
A system was worked out: each school’s protest contingent should nominate a representative to contact.
“We have a huge network,” explained Tseng outside the building. “We all called each other, and we got a lot of schools to join.”
“I was contacted by Teyin over here,” said Belal Shami (lower left), “and he told me he needed my help. My role was to gather people from Franklin Learning Center and get them to the protest. … I brought roughly 35 people.”
In a stretch of years in which there has been no shortage of protests outside 440 N. Broad, yesterday nonetheless marked the first time many of these students had ever done anything of the sort. And their motivations often went beyond their personal welfare.
“People are saying, ‘You’re a Senior,’ why are you here?’ Well, I have friends that I’ve made this year in lower grades,” said Kelechi Ekwerike (upper left), for whom this protest was his first. “For their education to be cut short, truncated, I will not stand for that. And if this carries on next year, if nothing is done, they [the School District] will not hear the end of it.”
“The sense in my class is a little bit like we’re the last survivors on the Titanic,” is how Samantha Ho (upper center), a junior at Masterman High School, put it. “We survived. But I have a cousin who’s going to be first year at Masterman — I can’t really imagine that place without extracurricular activities. That’s where people connect.”
“My little brother, my sister — I don’t care about myself,” said Spencer Nguyen (lower right) from the Palumbo Academy of Art. “This is for future generations.”
About two hours after the protest had started, a small knot of these students remained outside school headquarters, huddled as they debriefed and planned for whatever comes next.
“I’m more than happy with the turnout,” acknowledged Facebook event creator Maureen Smith. “It really does speak volumes, that young people can make a difference.”
SourceFrom the Philadelphia Student Union: Today, hundreds of students walked-out of school and took to the streets. We rallied at City Hall to tell City Council that we need funding for our public schools. We have had enough budget cuts. We marched down Broad St. to 440. Students are ready to fight back against budget cut backs. Get ready to see a lot more of us next time.
People at my high school organized a walk-out because of a “no flip-flops” policy. Philly kids, YOU ARE DOING IS RIGHT! Keep up the fight.](http://25.media.tumblr.com/c2d4c225987d98dfa28e620b7d325fcd/tumblr_mmjpszEXrC1r6m2leo1_500.jpg)
How a few Philly high school students organized themselves into a few hundred in four days
May 9, 2013It began, not surprisingly perhaps, with a modest online message.
About two weeks ago, school district officials had announced, once again, a serious hole in the District’s budget and had laid out, once again, severe cuts that would be implemented if a roughly $300 million hole wasn’t filled — this time invoking layoffs and cuts to programs, especially arts and extracurricular.
And as students pondered cuts to their favorite programs, the irony that last Friday would mark “Teacher Appreciation Day,” was not lost upon them.
Before news of the proposed cuts reached them, says Teyin Tseng (upper right), a member of the student council at the Philadelphia High School for the Creative and Performing Arts, “Our plan was to see how much money we had and see if we could buy flowers for every teacher.”
“But then the budget [was unveiled] — and we decided to do this.”
So, on Friday, another CAPA student, Maureen Smith (lower center), created a new Facebook page: Silenced Students March — announcing a plan by her and some of her classmates to protest the threatened cuts. She opened with something of a rallying call:
“As students we are fed up and want to be heard. Its OUR education and WE should have a say in it. TUESDAY May 7th is teachers appreciation day, we are organizing a march to 440 North Broad Street, which is the school district building. Depending on your school’s location you can choose a meeting area and then proceed to march to 440.We will all be meeting there by 4:30. There is strength in numbers.”
The response — recorded online in blow-by-blow Facebook posts — was immediate, enthusiastic, and complex as any overnight organizing effort.
Talking points were discussed; a deliberate effort to attract media and control the message was conceived.
And there was, as there is in any organizing effort, vigorous debate over tactics and message: When some students announced a planned walkout; other students objected, worried the organized disobedience would undermine their credibility as a group — a debate which continues as some students contemplate a walkout tomorrow.
A system was worked out: each school’s protest contingent should nominate a representative to contact.
“We have a huge network,” explained Tseng outside the building. “We all called each other, and we got a lot of schools to join.”
“I was contacted by Teyin over here,” said Belal Shami (lower left), “and he told me he needed my help. My role was to gather people from Franklin Learning Center and get them to the protest. … I brought roughly 35 people.”
In a stretch of years in which there has been no shortage of protests outside 440 N. Broad, yesterday nonetheless marked the first time many of these students had ever done anything of the sort. And their motivations often went beyond their personal welfare.
“People are saying, ‘You’re a Senior,’ why are you here?’ Well, I have friends that I’ve made this year in lower grades,” said Kelechi Ekwerike (upper left), for whom this protest was his first. “For their education to be cut short, truncated, I will not stand for that. And if this carries on next year, if nothing is done, they [the School District] will not hear the end of it.”
“The sense in my class is a little bit like we’re the last survivors on the Titanic,” is how Samantha Ho (upper center), a junior at Masterman High School, put it. “We survived. But I have a cousin who’s going to be first year at Masterman — I can’t really imagine that place without extracurricular activities. That’s where people connect.”
“My little brother, my sister — I don’t care about myself,” said Spencer Nguyen (lower right) from the Palumbo Academy of Art. “This is for future generations.”
About two hours after the protest had started, a small knot of these students remained outside school headquarters, huddled as they debriefed and planned for whatever comes next.
“I’m more than happy with the turnout,” acknowledged Facebook event creator Maureen Smith. “It really does speak volumes, that young people can make a difference.”
Source
From the Philadelphia Student Union: Today, hundreds of students walked-out of school and took to the streets. We rallied at City Hall to tell City Council that we need funding for our public schools. We have had enough budget cuts. We marched down Broad St. to 440. Students are ready to fight back against budget cut backs. Get ready to see a lot more of us next time.People at my high school organized a walk-out because of a “no flip-flops” policy. Philly kids, YOU ARE DOING IS RIGHT! Keep up the fight.
707 notes (via voguedissent & thepeoplesrecord)
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