Sikh WWII Veteran Who Fought to Wear Turban in Royal Canadian Legion Dies - NBC News

my article for NBC Asian America

"Lt.Col Pritam Singh's story is an example of service; service as a soldier and as a member of the community," wrote the current Canadian Minister of National Defense, Harjit Singh Sajjan, in the forward of Jauhal's 2013 memoir, "A Soldier Remembers." "He witnessed the ferocity and cruelty of war and earned his right to be called a combat veteran. Lt.Col Pritam Singh earned this right as a soldier from India serving the British, but he did this as a Sikh wearing his turban proudly."

Sikh WWII Veteran Who Fought to Wear Turban in Royal Canadian Legion Dies - NBC News

California Won't Apply for Federal Data Disaggregation Grant: Report - NBC News

my article for NBC Asian America

"It is very important that California apply for this historic grant from the U.S. Department of Education, given the large and diverse Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) population in our state,"

California Won't Apply for Federal Data Disaggregation Grant: Report - NBC News

July writing workshops offered | Hawaii Tribune-Herald

  

UH Hilo College of Continuing Education & Community Service (UHH CCECS) says my summer writing workshops are a go! So if you know anyone on Big Island who wants to try "finding your voice" or "dare to dream" (aka the midlife crisis writing workshop) or "writing to change the world" send them my way. 4 weeks of summer writing fun!

apparently I'm in today's Hawaii Tribune-Herald
July writing workshops offered | Hawaii Tribune-Herald

and earlier in the month
CCECS hosts writing workshops in July | Hawaii Tribune-Herald

and last month too
CCECS slates writing workshops in July | Hawaii Tribune-Herald

V3 Digital Media Conference presented by AAJA-LA

Looking forward to hanging out w NBC Asian America team and friends at V3con: V3 Digital Media Conference presented by AAJA-LA today (and really looking forward to not speaking on any panels so I can listen)Homepage - V3 Digital Media Conference presented by AAJA-LA

Congressional Leaders Urge Dept. of Education to Enforce 'Supplement not Supplant' - NBC News

my article for NBC Asian America

"It is time to stand up for students of color, and honor the civil rights legacy of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. 'Supplement Not Supplant' will go a long way towards educational equity by ensuring that federal dollars are used to combat educational disparities."

Congressional Leaders Urge Dept. of Education to Enforce 'Supplement not Supplant' - NBC News

Asian-American Advocates Speak Out in Favor of Gun Control As Dems Hold Sit-In - NBC News

My article for NBC Asian America

"We are deeply disappointed that Senate Republicans continue to choose special interests over public health and safety, but this is only the beginning of NCAPA's advocacy on gun control," NCAPA National Director Christopher Kang told NBC News. "More than 20 of our national AAPI organizations have joined this debate, representing the voices of nearly four in every five Asian American voters who support stricter gun laws. Although we did not prevail last night, we will not stop until we do."

Asian-American Advocates Speak Out in Favor of Gun Control As Dems Hold Sit-In - NBC News

Essay: Finding the Courage to Cross the Street Again After Orlando - NBC News

My essay for NBC Asian America, remembering Vincent Chin, Joseph Ileto, Stockton School Shooting, and Orlando. (wow what a depressing sentence).

I remember the courage it took to take my children to Chinese summer camp the next morning. What if our visibly minority summer camp was targeted next? Is going to Chinese summer camp an act of bravery or an act of foolishness?

Essay: Finding the Courage to Cross the Street Again After Orlando - NBC News

Mosque Attacks, Apparent Anti-Islam Spending Up: Report - NBC News

My article for NBC Asian America

"The last two months of 2015 saw 34 incidents in which mosques were targeted by vandals or those who want to intimidate worshippers," Nihad Awad, CAIR executive director, writes in the introduction. "This is more incidents than we usually record in an entire year. This report makes a case that those who value constitutional ideals like equal protection, freedom of worship, or an absence of religious tests for those seeking public office no longer have the luxury of just opposing the U.S. Islamophobia network's biased messaging."

Mosque Attacks, Apparent Anti-Islam Spending Up: Report - NBC News

New Sentencing Date, Attorney for Dylan Yang, Teen Convicted of Homicide - NBC News

my article for nbc asian america

"Considering the overwhelming amount of support from around the country in the form of letters to the judge, petitions, and editorials, it is no surprise that court officials are taking extra time to review them and pushing the sentencing date back,"

New Sentencing Date, Attorney for Dylan Yang, Teen Convicted of Homicide - NBC News

Maui Makes a Mile-Long Lei for Orlando - NBC News

my article for NBC Asian America

"We have so many hands that came together to weave this lei of love to remember those that were killed," Tolbe said. "It represents all the different cultures and beliefs here. It's a small memorial from Hawaii that we send to the families to say they are remembered and loved."

Maui Makes a Mile-Long Lei for Orlando - NBC News

Remembering Vincent Chin 34 years later

Powerful video: "Jubilee Project: Voices" is part of "NBC Asian America Presents...," a new video channel that will feature documentaries centered around themes and voices found in Asian American and Pacific Islander communities.

ft. Phil Yu Angry Asian Man, Tanzila Ahmed #GoodMuslimBadMuslim, Jenny Yang, etc

Voices: Who Is Vincent Chin? - NBC News

Watch Free Documentaries Online | Documentary Heaven

omg what is this. how i'll be spending my summer...

Watch Free Documentaries Online | Documentary Heaven

Adoptees' Push for Citizenship Reaches House of Representatives - NBC News

my article for nbc asian america

"Significantly, the circumstances behind why and how international adoptees come to the U.S. is distinguishable from other communities who wish to obtain U.S. citizenship," Yoon said. "International adoptees are selected and approved by the U.S. government to enter into this country for the sole purpose of becoming part of an American family. Indeed, adoption laws mandate complete legal severance with first families so that an adoptee can become an American. The purpose of U.S. adoption laws must be at the forefront of all discussions surrounding the ACA; and when that happens, the U.S. will have no alternative but to recognize all international adoptees as U.S. citizens."

Adoptees' Push for Citizenship Reaches House of Representatives - NBC News

Muslim Organizations Raise Funds for Leadership Program Inspired by Muhammad Ali - NBC News

my article for nbc asian america

"This effort is a small token to ensure that future generations of youth continue to be inspired by Muhammad Ali and the example he set for the way humanity engages with each other."

Muslim Organizations Raise Funds for Leadership Program Inspired by Muhammad Ali - NBC News

Bloody shoes worn by Orlando doctor reveal power of detail – Poynter

for writing class--details

Bloody shoes worn by Orlando doctor reveal power of detail – Poynter

Muslim Organizations Raise Funds for Victims of Orlando Massacre - NBC News

my article for NBC Asian America

"We wish to respond to evil w/ good & send a powerful message of compassion through action.#Muslims4Pulse"

Muslim Organizations Raise Funds for Victims of Orlando Massacre - NBC News

Young Writer's Workshop | Chelsea District Library

Teaching at Chelsea District Library tomorrow!

Thursday, June 16, 2016
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Chelsea District Library - McKune Room

Young Writer's Workshop
Explore writing from many angles in this special multi-week writing workshop! Writer and WCC instructor Frances Kai-Wha Wang will facilitate the first two sessions, and YA Author Kelly Barson will present the last two sessions. Students registering for this program should come to the Youth Desk to pick up a free copy of Kelly Barson's book.

Young Writer's Workshop

Hawaii Celebrates 144th King Kamehameha Day with Flowers, Parades - NBC News

My article for NBC Asian America

"Each island is represented in the color and the flora and fauna of that island. The princesses are adorned in beautiful lei, as are the horses. They are known for their skilled horsemanship. This year, we reunited the pa'u queens of yesteryear going back to 1968."

Hawaii Celebrates 144th King Kamehameha Day with Flowers, Parades - NBC News

Muslim, Asian-American LGBTQ Advocates Call for Love, Solidarity After Orlando Shooting - NBC News

my article for NBC Asian America

"We will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder to speak out, demand policy change, expect law enforcement to protect our communities, and lift up each other's humanity. We cannot allow tragedy to divide our communities when solidarity is more important than ever. And, for everyone who stands at the intersection of Muslim and LGBTQIA identities, we offer you extra love and support. We see you and we stand with you."

Muslim, Asian-American LGBTQ Advocates Call for Love, Solidarity After Orlando Shooting - NBC News

upcoming book festivals

looking ahead to some upcoming book festivals

Ann Arbor Book Festival | aabookfestival.org/ June 16, 17, 18, 2016

Reading by Zilka Joseph!

Kerrytown BookFest | www.kerrytownbookfest.org/ September 11, 2016

Discussion with Ava Chin, Eating Wildly

TC Children's Book Festival | www.tcchildrensbookfestival.com/ November 12, 2016

Michigan Muslims Use Ramadan to Fight Hunger - NBC News

my article for NBC Asian America

"Two pillars of Islam are fasting and charity. During this blessed month of Ramadan, there is no better way to give back than to gather masses of people and have them do something for those in need while fasting. This is not something that is done just in Ramadan, but we like to emphasize its importance during this month."

Michigan Muslims Use Ramadan to Fight Hunger - NBC News

University Students, Alumni Fight for Growth in Asian American Studies - NBC News

My article for NBC Asian America

"The importance of Asian American studies is rooted in the desire to create a more democratic academy, one that takes seriously the world-view of race and ethnicity in the U.S.," Trinity College history professor Vijay Prashad told NBC News. "How to understand the complex hierarchy of racial power in America without close study?"

University Students, Alumni Fight for Growth in Asian American Studies - NBC News

The savory treat of the Dragon Boat Festival and the aunties who make them | Public Radio International

Happy Duan Wu Jie everyone! An article from my friend Grace Hwang Lynch.

Thanks for the date check, Grace Hwang Lynch! I used to only know when it was duan yu jie when zhong zi would mysteriously appear on my doorstep. (oh and that one time a friend hosted a big zhong zi making party for all the Taiwanese international students and let me come too.) Last week, I asked the auntie who was selling dofu gan and hai dai if she also made zhong zi, and because she suddenly decided that she liked me, she ran out to her car and just gave me three zhong zi that a friend had made for her. Sigh, Aunties...

Soaking sticky rice now, although it won't be the same as we have no meat or leaves in the house. :(((
The kids hate it when I tell them "I made zhong zi but without the meat and without the leaves" (aka plain white sticky rice, lol)

Or my other favorite, "jiu cai he zi with out the meat and without the he zi" aka just stir fried jiu cai or "hong shao niu rou without the niu rou" aka vegetable soup.

The savory treat of the Dragon Boat Festival and the aunties who make them | Public Radio International

Advocates Celebrate Immigrant Heritage Month with #ImmigrationStoryin5Words - NBC News

My article for NBC Asian America

"#ImmigrationStoryIn5Words challenges people to think about their history in an intriguing way — though tweet-sized, these five words reveal much deeper stories. Through this campaign, we hope to encourage and share personal stories, revealing the good and the bad, as we stand up in these times of divisive rhetoric, especially toward immigrants, and show our commonality with the immigrant experience."

Advocates Celebrate Immigrant Heritage Month with #ImmigrationStoryin5Words - NBC News

Albuquerque Public Schools Add Ethnic Studies to High School Curriculum - NBC News

My article for NBC Asian America

"Ethnic studies and community engagement played a huge role in getting me back into the classroom and on to college. I always felt like I just didn't belong in schools, and seeing my identity and culture reflected in my education made me want to make changes in my community. I owe my current success to those that helped me see myself, a young woman of color, and my culture, as scholarly."

Albuquerque Public Schools Add Ethnic Studies to High School Curriculum - NBC News

'Hamilton' Actress Phillipa Soo Joins Cast of 'Moana,' Disney Film Set in Oceania - NBC News

my article for NBC Asian America

Tony Award-nominated actress Phillipa Soo has just been cast in upcoming Disney film, "Moana," according to Entertainment Weekly. Soo is best known for her current portrayal of Eliza Schuyler Hamilton, wife of Alexander Hamilton, opposite Lin-Manuel Miranda in the Broadway hit, "Hamilton."

'Hamilton' Actress Phillipa Soo Joins Cast of 'Moana,' Disney Film Set in Oceania - NBC News

Class today: Writing to Change the World - WCC

Writing to Change the World! today! Saturday at WCC at 9:30am-3:30pm. A few extra spaces so come.

What do you care about? What do you really care about? Learn simple, but powerful, methods to get the ideas out of your head and onto the page in order to persuade and convince and move people to your point of view. Part journaling, part activism, this class aspires to clarify the change that we want to see and to begin to create that change in the world with the written word.

Writing to Change the World - Washtenaw Community College Division of Economic & Community Development

UPDATED Writing Resources page with links to change the world.

Hundreds March in Support of Dylan Yang, Teen Convicted of Murder - NBC News

my article for NBC Asian America

"This movement was truly organic and grassroots. We came together not as professional titles holders but as concerned citizens first and fellow Hmong Americans with one vision for justice," Hmong-American activist and comedian Tou Ger Bennett Xiong told NBC News."Our message about bullying, violence prevention, and racial justice was heard and echoed across the country."

Hundreds March in Support of Dylan Yang, Teen Convicted of Murder - NBC News

Louisiana Repeals 142-Year-Old Law, Makes Voting Easier for Naturalized Citizens - NBC News

my article for nbc asian america. Thanks for your help Minh Nguyen VAYLA New Orleans

"This law [RS 18:105(B) and (C)] dates back to 1874, It is outdated and appears to be the only one of its kind in the United States... This is a huge victory for our API [Asian and Pacific Islander] and Latino communities here in Louisiana,"

Louisiana Repeals 142-Year-Old Law, Makes Voting Easier for Naturalized Citizens - NBC News

Emerging Writers to Read and Watch in the Pacific Islander Poetry Community - NBC News

my article for nbc asian america

what it means to be a part of a Pacific community: That we can all be strings that bind into a net, a web of support if we look to see our similarities as displaced peoples. Since Pacific Islanders are often invisible in the American Academy of Letters, their voices must be heard as they add to the conversations of imperialism, colonization, and occupation in our globalized world."

Emerging Writers to Read and Watch in the Pacific Islander Poetry Community - NBC News

Advocates Call for Training in County Where Sikh Man Falsely Accused of Terrorism - NBC News

my article for nbc asian america

"What happened to these two men is unconscionable. We intend to work closely with local authorities on their training procedures and response protocols to ensure that history isn't repeated,"

Advocates Call for Training in County Where Sikh Man Falsely Accused of Terrorism - NBC News

Writing to Change the World - Washtenaw Community College Division of Economic & Community Development

Writing to Change the World this Saturday at WCC 9:30-3:30, register today!

Writing to Change the World - Washtenaw Community College Division of Economic & Community Development