Category Archives: Asian American issues

Asian American issues

White rice heritage

I think just about everyone who is Asian has been closely watching the news from all over the world about rice shortages. It’s kind of everywhere there are Asians — San Francisco, The Philippines, Malaysia, Southern California, Seattle. Last week, stories were being traded about people hoarding rice from area Costcos (especially in Alhambra, where there is a large surrounding Asian community) and limits being put on large bags of rice.

So it occurred to me — what are the new rice habits of young Asian Americans like myself? Certainly, they have changed since childhood, when rice was a staple with every meal. And seeing as how its Asian Pacific American Heritage month, the timing is perfect to discuss rice memories.

So I’ll start.

Continue reading →

One of my old lurking haunts comes back online

iistix

Via 8asians, I found out tonight that iistix is finally back online. I used to constantly lurk on iistix’s forums, even meeting up with some folks when I was up in the Bay area, and when folks came down to L.A. They went dark a while back, promising a redesign all the while — and finally its here.

Although, I gotta say, it seems some material has been recycled. I am a bit embarrassed to admit this, but I think I memorized each of TSO’s articles. In my defense, they are very vividly written and they’re like the locker room talk that women aren’t privy to, but are utterly fascinated with. And his articles look the same. At least change the headlines!

The timing is funny, since I’m privy to some information regarding a once, well-read site here in LA. Let’s just say you’ll get to taste the flavor real soon.

Another useless class-action lawsuit

I actually write quite a bit about class–action lawsuits. However, I don’t know how much sense this one makes, so here it is:

A U.S.-based national organization of Filipinos and Filipino Americans is preparing a $500M class suit against ABC Network in the United States in response to a slur against Philippine medical schools and Filipino medical professionals, aired in the premiere episode of the fourth season of “Desperate Housewives.”

Oh boy. Give me a break. Can we say overkill?

One Filipino lawyer said the class suit is needed to protect the reputation and credibility of Filipino doctors.

‚ÄúThe reputations of doctors are affected, their income is affected and this is a major damage inflicted not only on them but also the universities in the Philippines,” said lawyer Ted Laguatan.

So. A stupid joke on a silly show (that I don’t even watch) has damaged the reputation and credibility of Filipino doctors, who need to earn American degrees even if they have Filipino degrees anyway?

Right.

‘Desperate Housewives’ offends Filipinos worldwide

Watch this video and you decide for yourself.

Is the line offensive to Filipinos? That silly joke has sparked a worldwide controversy – Filipinos all around the world are freaking out that Teri Hatcher made fun of Filipino medical schools. Here’s the email that is making the rounds (and landed in my inbox this afternoon): Continue reading →

Kenneth Eng, Psych Patient


The horrific train wreck that is Kenneth Eng has made news yet again — turns out he threatened to kill his Queens neighbor if their dog bit him, so he was arrested. But he can’t even bail out now because prosecutors think he may be off his rocker.

Assistant District Attorney Michael Kavanagh, at a bail hearing for Eng, asked for an adjournment because the psychological report “seems to pose more questions that it answers.”

Not only that, I was alerted by my coworker that he tried to take credit for the Virginia Tech massacre. Oy.

Here are a few previous posts on Mr. Eng. I refuse to create a label for him.