On Birthday Parties, Tiger Aunties, and jailed Texan honor student Diane Tran - NAM EthnoBlog

My daughter Hao Hao turned 16 on Saturday. Sweet 16.

She put on my tiara that I wear for my most serious writing, and she asked eight-year-old Little Brother if he had anything to say to her, expecting him to say, “Happy Birthday.” Instead, he answered, “Swagger.” (Swag 16!)

The day I turned 16, I headed straight for the Department of Motor Vehicles in Gilroy after school to take my driver’s test. The Junior/Senior Prom was that weekend and I needed to be able to drive. Full of ego and optimism, I failed that driver’s test spectacularly, but I could only see as far as the Junior/Senior Prom. My date scrambled to get his old Chevy running at the last minute, so we managed to get there. Then it broke down on the side of old Monterey Highway on the way home, and my father had to rescue us. Lol.

click on link for more: On Birthday Parties, Tiger Aunties, and jailed Texan honor student Diane Tran - NAM EthnoBlog

Fendale City Council anniversary proclamation for Vincent Chin

just in from Oakland County Commissioner Craig Covey (and former Mayor of Ferndale): Ferndale City Council will pass the anniversary proclamation tonight for Vincent Chin. Neat!

Also, heads up about Ferndale's "Light the Night against Hate" on Friday June 15. I'll be stationed at the Vincent Chin Memorial at Nine and Woodward for the event and talk about Vincent Chin and the APA community's response. More info at www.ferndalepride.com

Chicago is the World » On Birthday Parties, Tiger Aunties, and jailed Texan honor student Diane Tran

My daughter Hao Hao turned 16 on Saturday. Sweet 16.

She put on my tiara that I wear for my most serious writing, and she asked eight-year-old Little Brother if he had anything to say to her, expecting him to say, “Happy Birthday.” Instead, he answered, “Swagger.” (Swag 16!)

The day I turned 16, I headed straight for the Department of Motor Vehicles in Gilroy after school to take my driver’s test. The Junior/Senior Prom was that weekend and I needed to be able to drive. Full of ego and optimism, I failed that driver’s test spectacularly, but I could only see as far as the Junior/Senior Prom. My date scrambled to get his old Chevy running at the last minute, so we managed to get there. Then it broke down on the side of old Monterey Highway on the way home, and my father had to rescue us. Lol.

click on link for more: Chicago is the World » On Birthday Parties, Tiger Aunties, and jailed Texan honor student Diane Tran

Catalyst to Action-Happy Asian Pacific American Heritage Month and National Bike Month! - NAM EthnoBlog

How did that happen?

I thought I took precautions! I was careful!

Grrr.

Biker’s tan.

You can always spot the bicyclists by that straight white line three to four inches above their knee and little white sock line around the ankle. I have been slathering on the sunscreen every day, trying (hopelessly) to stay fair and lovely (joke), but to no use. I know once that line forms, it is almost impossible to shake. Only two weeks into May and I am already marked. Everyone can see my secret.

click on link for more: Catalyst to Action-Happy Asian Pacific American Heritage Month and National Bike Month! - NAM EthnoBlog

Speaking at International Neighbors today

Speaking at International Neighbors today!

International Neighbors Annual Meeting
May 23, 2012 12:30-3:00pm
Ann Arbor City Club
1830 Washtenaw Ave
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Parking available in the AA City Club’s lot or on side streets

Guest Speaker: Frances Kai-Hwa Wang
Writer, Editor, Speaker, Activist
“Becoming Asian American…in the Mid-West?!!
A Personal Journey into Identity and Community”

Chicago is the World » Catalyst to Action–Happy Asian Pacific American Heritage Month and National Bike Month!

Oh no!

How did that happen?

I thought I took precautions! I was careful!

Grrr.

Biker’s tan.

You can always spot the bicyclists by that straight white line three to four inches above their knee and little white sock line around the ankle. I have been slathering on the sunscreen every day, trying (hopelessly) to stay fair and lovely (joke), but to no use. I know once that line forms, it is almost impossible to shake. Only two weeks into May and I am already marked. Everyone can see my secret.

click on link for more: Chicago is the World » Catalyst to Action–Happy Asian Pacific American Heritage Month and National Bike Month!

Speaking at EPA Today on APA Stereotypes and Media

flyer from the EPA...although the pictures didn't come out here...

EPA 2012 Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Event

Asian Pacific Americans, Stereotypes, and the Media -from Dragon Lady to Jeremy Lin

By

Frances Kai-Hwa Wang

Local writer and activist Frances Kai-Hwa Wang will discuss current issues about Asian
Pacific Americans in the media, share fun Asian Pacific American responses, and show ways to
deconstruct media and other stereotypes.

Stereotypes of Asian Pacific Americans in the media, from Mickey Rooney in Breakfast at
Tiffany’s to Ashton Kutcher’s recent Popchips commercial, affect how Asian Pacific Americans
are seen in the real world. Over the years, Asian Pacific Americans have been portrayed by
Caucasian actors in yellow and brown face, have been relegated to stereotyped roles, and have
been recast as Caucasian characters. Recent controversies include Avatar Last Airbender, Akira,
Prince of Persia, Flowers of War, and Hunger Games. Equal and fair media representation is
important for both fair treatment in real life and for employment equity. Asian Pacific American
new media and youtube are creating new opportunities for Asian Pacific Americans. The power
of Jeremy Lin’s story is that he was overlooked because of stereotypes, but then completely
shattered them (?) on live television.

Mrs. Wang is a second-generation Chinese American from California who now divides her
time between Michigan and the Big Island of Hawaii. She is a contributor for New America
Media Ethnoblog, Chicagoistheworld.org, PacificCitizen.org, and InCultureParent.com. She
team-teaches a course at the University of Michigan and University of Michigan Dearborn
on Asian Pacific American History and the Law. She is a popular speaker on Asian Pacific
American and multicultural issues. Check out her Web site at franceskaihwawang.com, her blog
at franceskaihwawang.blogspot.com, and she can be reached at fkwang888 AT gmail DOT com.

Wednesday, May 16, 2012
12:00 noon -1:00 pm

Office Building Lobby Conference Rooms C126 & C127

When Mother's Day Goes Awry - NAM EthnoBlog

Big Brother Roland called today to see what my plans were for Mother’s Day and to ask if I wanted to join him and his family in case the children were not with me this day. He is always looking out for me and invites me every year.

I declined, as always, because I will be writing (and buying an iPhone). A sudden burst of inspiration and opportunity has me writing constantly these days, even in my dreams.

However, it does feel strange to realize that this will be the first time ever that I will not be able to be with my children for Mother’s Day. Their dad wanted to take them somewhere this weekend. No, it did not make much sense to me either, but we have this fight every year.

click on link for more: When Mother's Day Goes Awry - NAM EthnoBlog

Chicago is the World » El dia de nuestras madres في اليوم من أمهاتنا The Day of Our Mothers

Thanks to Chicago is the World's Stephen Franklin for this: 


"Sun’s up, blue skies.

Running out to pick up flowers on Mother’s Day and what else?

But then I’m snagged by Frances’ essay that I start and can’t s stop"


click on link for more: Chicago is the World » El dia de nuestras madres في اليوم من أمهاتنا The Day of Our Mothers

Chicago is the World » When Mother’s Day Goes Awry

Big Brother Roland called today to see what my plans were for Mother’s Day and to ask if I wanted to join him and his family in case the children were not with me this day. He is always looking out for me and invites me every year.

I declined, as always, because I will be writing (and buying an iPhone). A sudden burst of inspiration and opportunity has me writing constantly these days, even in my dreams.

However, it does feel strange to realize that this will be the first time ever that I will not be able to be with my children for Mother’s Day. Their dad wanted to take them somewhere this weekend. No, it did not make much sense to me either, but we have this fight every year.

click on link for more: Chicago is the World » When Mother’s Day Goes Awry

Choosing to defy "normal" versus excusing "unconscious racism" - NAM EthnoBlog

My fifteen-year-old daughter Hao Hao came back from school last week pretending to sniffle, “All my friends and even my teacher laughed at me.”

That was very much out of the ordinary, so I gathered her into my arms and asked, “What happened?”
She explained that they were talking about the Cold War during AP US History class, when the conversation segued to Putin and some of the things he did at the end of the Cold War.

This is when Hao Hao said, “I have a picture of Putin here in my bag,” and pulled it out to show everybody.

Instead of being appreciative of this instant handy-dandy visual aid, her friends asked, “Uhhh, why do you have a picture of Putin in your bag?”

click on link for more: Choosing to defy "normal" versus excusing "unconscious racism" - NAM EthnoBlog

Chicago is the World » Choosing to defy “normal” versus excusing “unconscious racism”

My fifteen-year-old daughter Hao Hao came back from school last week pretending to sniffle, “All my friends and even my teacher laughed at me.”

That was very much out of the ordinary, so I gathered her into my arms and asked, “What happened?”

She explained that they were talking about the Cold War during AP US History class, when the conversation segued to Putin and some of the things he did at the end of the Cold War.

This is when Hao Hao said, “I have a picture of Putin here in my bag,” and pulled it out to show everybody.

Instead of being appreciative of this instant handy-dandy visual aid, her friends asked, “Uhhh, why do you have a picture of Putin in your bag?”

click on link for more: Chicago is the World » Choosing to defy “normal” versus excusing “unconscious racism”

UPDATED: Remembering Vincent Chin

This June will be the 30th anniversary of the baseball bat beating death of Chinese American Vincent Chin, for which the killers, Ronald Ebens and Michael Nitz, were only fined $3000 and never spent a day in jail.

Check out my other blog, rememberingvincentchin.com, recently updated.

I am currently collecting and publishing people's reflections about the Vincent Chin case:

What does the Vincent Chin case mean to me? How does the Vincent Chin case inspire me?

Email me your thoughts today! rememberingvincentchin AT gmail DOT com

UPDATED: Remembering Vincent Chin

APA Heritage Month Upcoming Talks

Happy (second month of) Asian Pacific American Heritage Month!

I'm excited to have been invited to speak at:
Environmental Protection Agency, May 16
International Neighbors, May 23
Community Media Workshop's Making Media Connections, June 14, Chicago

(ok that last one is not during APA Heritage Month, but I'm really excited to be a part).