Category Archives: Observations

Asian America in 2013: Where Do We Come From? What Are We? Where Are We Going? Part 1: Sensus Communis

Posted on March 18, 2013 by JohnnyC

[pullquote]America is the only nation in the world that is founded on a creed. That creed is set forth in the Declaration of Independence; perhaps the only piece of practical politics that is also great literature. ― G.K. Chesterton[/pullquote] As … Continue reading →

Posted in 8Series, Current Events, Observations | 10 Comments

Asian Americans Edge Out Asians in Silicon Valley

Posted on March 14, 2013 by John

This story and report came out last December, but I’ve only had time to get to this now. Asian Americans and Asian non-citizens 50.1% (versus 40.7 White, 4.2% Hispanic, 2.3% African American,  and 2.7% other) of the San Francisco Bay … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Discrimination, Local, Observations, San Francisco Bay Area, Tech, Technology | 2 Comments

A Response to Ta-Nehisi Coates’ Essay on “The Good, Racist People” in the New York Times

Posted on March 12, 2013 by Guest Writer

By Ken Narasaki On March 6, a guest op-ed column by Ta-Nehisi Coates appeared in the New York Times entitled The Good, Racist People, which addresses “the idea that racism is not merely the property of the morally deformed.” I … Continue reading →

Posted in Discrimination, Observations | 3 Comments

Haunted by ‘Christmas in Hanoi’

Posted on March 7, 2013 by Guest Writer

This was originally published at LA Stage Times and has been republished at 8Asians with the author’s permission. Christmas in Hanoi is currently running at East West Players at David Henry Hwang Theater, 120 Judge John Aiso St., Los Angeles. … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, History, Observations, Southern California, The Arts | Leave a comment

Douglas Kim’s “I’m Asian American” Music Video

Posted on March 7, 2013 by jozjozjoz

Duke University graduate Douglas Kim recently launched a parody of the song “Rockin the Suburbs” by Ben Folds. As someone who was a management consultant, made the final table of the World Series of Poker Main Event, but is now … Continue reading →

Posted in Music, Observations | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Mythmaking: On YouTube “Celebrity” Cults, Their Hubris, and Avarice

Posted on March 5, 2013 by JohnnyC

The person who experiences greatness must have a feeling for the myth he is in. He must reflect what is projected upon him. And he must have a strong sense of the sardonic. This is what uncouples him from belief … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, Movies, Music, Observations | Tagged , , , | 21 Comments

Slanted Process: US Trademark Office Says Anyone (Except Asians) Can Trademark “The Slants”

Posted on February 22, 2013 by Guest Writer

By Simon Tam A few years ago, I filed a trademark application for my band, The Slants. The US Trademark Office rejected it, claiming it was disparaging towards Asians. I was baffled: I’m Asian. At first, we fought it by … Continue reading →

Posted in Discrimination, Music, Observations | Tagged , , , , | 25 Comments

Strange Serendipities in Ceylon (Part 4)

Posted on February 12, 2013 by JohnnyC

[In 2009, the decades-long civil war in Sri Lanka between the terrorist LTTE or Tamil Tigers and Sri Lankan Government finally ended, but left behind a legacy of war that endures, further complicated by global climate change. In 2012, Johnny … Continue reading →

Posted in Current Events, Observations | 1 Comment

Intersections of Arts and Violence by Isaac Ho

Posted on February 12, 2013 by Guest Writer

By Isaac Ho When a horrible tragedy captures our nation’s attention (as happened with the Newtown shootings) we, as a society and as individuals, search for answers vowing to never allow such a tragedy to happen again. No industry wants … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, Observations, Video Blog | 2 Comments

‘Do Not Marry Before Age 30’ Author Joy Chen is Misanthropic and Myopic

Posted on February 6, 2013 by JohnnyC

It is a truth universally acknowledged that [those who assume] a man in good fortune must be in want of a wife. Bullshit, I say, as I try to purge my mind from the insidious exposure I have had to … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Dating, Entertainment, Family, Lifestyles, Observations | Tagged , , , , | 17 Comments

Strange Serendipities in Ceylon (Part 3)

Posted on February 5, 2013 by JohnnyC

[In 2009, the decades-long civil war in Sri Lanka between the terrorist LTTE or Tamil Tigers and Sri Lankan Government finally ended, but left behind a legacy of war that endures, further complicated by global climate change. In 2012, Johnny … Continue reading →

Posted in Current Events, Observations | 1 Comment

Strange Serendipities in Ceylon (Part 2)

Posted on January 29, 2013 by JohnnyC

[In 2009, the decades-long civil war in Sri Lanka between the terrorist LTTE or Tamil Tigers and Sri Lankan Government finally ended, but left behind a legacy of war that endures, further complicated by global climate change. In 2012, Johnny … Continue reading →

Posted in Current Events, Observations | 3 Comments