Finding Your Voice: Intensive Writers Workshop - Washtenaw Community College Division of Economic & Community Development

Sat 11/5 all day at WCC

Where can writers learn to improve their craft and receive that all-important feedback? In a creative writing class, of course! Through the guidance of an experienced writer and in the company of similar aspiring writers, gain that much-needed practice and thoughtful, constructive critique in a genial but structured environment.

Finding Your Voice: Intensive Writers Workshop - Washtenaw Community College Division of Economic & Community Development

Sharing Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center "H1B" today

Excited to be talking today at the The Berkeley Narrative Journalism Conference about the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center's H1B visa exhibit and my and Omi Chowdhury's multimedia artwork "Dreams of the Diaspora" in a panel about writing beyond the form

Dreams of the Diaspora
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNv_fUYv7Dc 

Dreams of the Diaspora Artists Statement
https://www.google.com/culturalinstitute/beta/u/0/asset/dreams-of-the-diaspora/AwFGC9hcUOFpzA

Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center "H-1B"
https://www.google.com/culturalinstitute/beta/u/0/exhibit/QRdMk4sZ

New Smithsonian Digital Exhibit Explores Immigration ... - NBC News

Twelve Gates Arts Smithsonian H-1B exhibit
http://twelvegatesarts.org/exhibitions/h1b

Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center "Beyond Bollywood"
http://smithsonianapa.org/beyondbollywood/

Smithsonian's 'Beyond Bollywood' Hits the Road - NBC News

#BeLikeDarsh

'His Name Is Darsh Singh': Pushback Against 'Joke' Goes Viral - NBC ...

Why Everyone Wants to #BeLikeDarsh - NBC News

After 9/11, Minorities Bear Burden of Proving their Patriotism - NBC ...

Inshallah on Planes (Tanzila Ahmed and friends)
https://medium.com/poetry-a-day-for-ramadan/inshallah-on-planes-2c8d79bd41d#.2bk4cu6z7

Poetry a Day for Ramadan (Tanzila Ahmed and friends)
https://medium.com/poetry-a-day-for-ramadan

#GoodMuslimBadMuslim podcast w Tanzila Ahmed and Zahra Noorbacht
http://www.goodmuslimbadmuslim.com/

Are You A 'Good' or 'Bad' Muslim? These Two Will Help ... - NBC News

#GoodMuslimBadMuslim Guide to Voting
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R299KNw98fU

Halloween

Essay: A Toddler, A Turban, and a Little Lesson In Confidence - NBC ...

Speaking at the Berkeley Narrative Journalism Conference today

Today! Looking forward to speaking at the Berkeley Narrative Journalism Conference -- on two panels!

Beyond the Page: Exploring the edges of nonfiction. What forms can narrative take when it’s freed from daily deadlines, paragraphs, and even the page? Four veteran journalists grapple with tough subjects in works that blend still images, voice, poetry, prose, and even virtual reality. Their work is as much mixed media as multimedia; we’ll explore it all. McKenzie Funk, Keris Salmon, Lakshmi Sarah, Frances Kai-Hwa Wang, moderated by Jessica Carew Kraft. ROOM: Upper Newsroom

Writing about Race. Review the news landscape over the past year and pick out the gnawing domestic issues. One of them, surely, is race, whether in cop stories, social justice, or presidential politics. Daily stories have given us a litany of police killings, The New Yorker profiled the leaders of Black Lives Matter, and polls reflect the coverage of Donald Trump’s statements about Mexicans and Muslims. But how do we, as narrative journalists, step away from daily news and discern the contours of the larger, epic story? How do we navigate shifting currents and the winds of political correctness without losing our way? JamilahKing, Jon Steinberg, Alex Tizon, Frances Kai-Hwa Wang, moderated by Tyche Hendricks. ROOM: Library

Program - The Berkeley Narrative Journalism ConferenceThe Berkeley Narrative Journalism 

Student Campaign Fights 'Culturally Appropriative' Halloween Costumes - NBC News

my article for nbc asian america

"'We're A Culture Not A Costume' began in response to the large block party at Ohio University every Halloween," Mailé Nguyen, OU STARS president, told NBC News. "We feel that culturally appropriative costumes alienate and exotify certain students on our campus, and [we] wanted to educate people on the harmful effects of enforcing negative stereotypes of minorities."

Student Campaign Fights 'Culturally Appropriative' Halloween Costumes - NBC News

Adoptee Adam Crapser Denied Relief, Expected To Be Deported - NBC News

My article on NBC Asian America, update on Adam Crapser

We do not choose our families," Kessel said. "But the U.S. does choose to bring adoptees into the U.S. with a promise of placing these children in safe homes to grow up like any other American ... Adoptees are not disposable. We urge the community to call members of Congress and underline the need for a legislative fix now."

Adoptee Adam Crapser Denied Relief, Expected To Be Deported - NBC News

Sikh Documentary, 'Under the Turban,' Debuts at UN Association Film Festival - NBC News

my article for nbc asian america

"It started when our daughter Zara, who was eight at the time, asked what it meant to be Sikh," Harpreet Bedi, executive producer of the film, told NBC News.

Sikh Documentary, 'Under the Turban,' Debuts at UN Association Film Festival - NBC News

Film screening with filmmaker Geri Alumit Zeldes Tuesday Oct 25

Film screening with filmmaker Geri Alumit Zeldes Tuesday Oct 25

Special screening of the documentary film “That Strange Summer,” with filmmaker Geri Alumit Zeldes, Angell Hall Auditorium D, 7:00 pm. Free and open to the public. Bring your friends!

The film examines the evidence in the murder case brought against two Filipina nurses at the VA Hospital in Ann Arbor in 1975. One reviewer writes, “People in the film keep coming back in amazement that such a thing took place in Ann Arbor—underlining that distrust of foreigners can exist anywhere.” 

Sponsored by Asian/Pacific Islander American Studies, School of Nursing, and Filipino American Student Association. 

https://lsa.umich.edu/ac/news-events/all-events.detail.html/35191-5132310.html

Man Accused of Triple Homicide to Undergo New Mental Health Evaluation - NBC News

my article for NBC Asian America

"The Vue family is very disappointed that Dan Popp continues to hide under the due process by rejecting the most recent medical report that he is competent to stand trial," Mai Zong Vue, Vue family spokesperson, told NBC News. "The Vue family hopes that whoever evaluates Dan between now and the next hearing in December will concur that Dan is just faking it. We continue to feel that justice delayed is injustice everywhere."

Man Accused of Triple Homicide to Undergo New Mental Health Evaluation - NBC News

Off-Ramp | Commemorating LA's Chinese Massacre, possibly the worst lynching in US history | 89.3 KPCC

Noting to read again later

Off-Ramp | Commemorating LA's Chinese Massacre, possibly the worst lynching in US history | 89.3 KPCC

Essay: Amongst Chaos, I Know That 'We All Belong Here' - NBC News

my latest essay for NBC Asian America, posting again

"In recent weeks, racist flyers have appeared on the University of Michigan campus, where I teach Asian/Pacific Islander American Studies as a lecturer. The lesson plans I have prepared are put aside while the students and I discuss these incidents and other incidents across the country. I worry when students say it is not a big deal because they are used to it, because it is not OK to become used to these things."

Essay: Amongst Chaos, I Know That 'We All Belong Here' - NBC News

Program - The Berkeley Narrative Journalism ConferenceThe Berkeley Narrative Journalism Conference

Looking forward to speaking at the Berkeley Narrative Journalism Conference next week-- on two panels!

Beyond the Page: Exploring the edges of nonfiction. What forms can narrative take when it’s freed from daily deadlines, paragraphs, and even the page? Four veteran journalists grapple with tough subjects in works that blend still images, voice, poetry, prose, and even virtual reality. Their work is as much mixed media as multimedia; we’ll explore it all. McKenzie Funk, Keris Salmon, Lakshmi Sarah, Frances Kai-Hwa Wang, moderated by Jessica Carew Kraft. ROOM: Upper Newsroom

Writing about Race. Review the news landscape over the past year and pick out the gnawing domestic issues. One of them, surely, is race, whether in cop stories, social justice, or presidential politics. Daily stories have given us a litany of police killings, The New Yorker profiled the leaders of Black Lives Matter, and polls reflect the coverage of Donald Trump’s statements about Mexicans and Muslims. But how do we, as narrative journalists, step away from daily news and discern the contours of the larger, epic story? How do we navigate shifting currents and the winds of political correctness without losing our way? JamilahKing, Jon Steinberg, Alex Tizon, Frances Kai-Hwa Wang, moderated by Tyche Hendricks. ROOM: Library

Program - The Berkeley Narrative Journalism ConferenceThe Berkeley Narrative Journalism Conference

Film screening with filmmaker Geri Alumit Zeldes Tuesday Oct 25

Dylan Yang, Teen Convicted of Homicide, Sentenced to 13 Years Confinement - NBC News

My article for nbc asian america re dylan yang case

Wisconsin Hmong-American teenager Dylan Yang was sentenced Wednesday to 13 years of confinement and 17 years of extended supervision — a total of 30 years — for the first-degree reckless homicide of 13-year-old Isaiah Powell,according to NBC affiliate WJFW. Harry Hertel, Yang's attorney, plans to appeal the conviction, according to NBC affiliate WEAU.

Dylan Yang, Teen Convicted of Homicide, Sentenced to 13 Years Confinement - NBC News

Film Theater Locations - Allegiance - Allegiance

Yay! Allegiance is coming to town! Dec 13 only.

Film Theater Locations - Allegiance - Allegiance

cool opportunity!

Essay: Amongst Chaos, I Know That 'We All Belong Here' - NBC News

my latest essay for NBC Asian America

On curriculum night at the high school, I am as giddy and jubilant as the children on the first day of school. So many old friendships. So much news to catch up on. So much competitive complaining about our kids to do. It's senior year! Jean's mom and I get scolded by the computer science teacher for taking selfies in class, "Are you two the troublemakers?" But after 16 to 17 years together, these parents of my children's friends are now my friends, too.

Essay: Amongst Chaos, I Know That 'We All Belong Here' - NBC News

Talking to Prof. May-Lee Chai's MFA students at UNCW

Great to talk to Prof. May-Lee Chai's creative nonfiction class at UNCW on Tuesday (and to remember that I write creative nonfiction, too!). Thanks for the opportunity and for the great convo!

and always great to be able to talk about "Dreams of the Diaspora," too!

Taiwan Travel Blog: Hello Kitty Terminal at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport - Sparklette Magazine

omg. must see.

Taiwan Travel Blog: Hello Kitty Terminal at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport - Sparklette Magazine

How Literary Devices Can Add Depth to Your Writing - ProWritingAid

great writing advice for today's writing classes! Teaching at WCC today.

How Literary Devices Can Add Depth to Your Writing - ProWritingAid

Jeff Chang Takes on Race, Culture, and Resegregation in 'We Gon' Be Alright' - NBC News

My article for NBC Asian America on Jeff Chang's new book, the best thing I've read in a long time

We are in between. In between black and white. In between complicity and freedom. Between narrow self-interest and equal justice. We have the luxury and privilege of sitting on the fence, of waiting out the battle, of refusing to engage. But I think racial justice impacts us all, and now is not the time to be neutral.

Jeff Chang Takes on Race, Culture, and Resegregation in 'We Gon' Be Alright' - NBC News

Hate Crime Charges Filed In Attack on California Sikh Man - NBC News

My article for NBC Asian America

"It is clear that bias was a substantial factor in this brutal assault," Harsimran Kaur, legal director for The Sikh Coalition, told NBC News. "We can't combat the problem of hatred in our communities if we don't recognize it first, and District Attorney Peterson has taken a critical first step in doing that today."

Hate Crime Charges Filed In Attack on California Sikh Man - NBC News

Immigrant Story Archiving Project to Expand Internationally - NBC News

my article for NBC Asian America

"Immigration is one of the most important issues in America and around the world today," Professor Erika Lee, director of the University of Minnesota's Immigration History Research Center and author of The Making of Asian America, told NBC News. "Yet, too often, the experiences of immigrants and refugees get lost in the deluge of alarming newspaper reports and statistics-driven policy studies that dominate the news cycle. There is an especially urgent need to publicize the diverse experiences of Asian Americans — the fastest growing group in the U.S. and largely made up of immigrants and the children of immigrants."

Immigrant Story Archiving Project to Expand Internationally - NBC News

Two Men Charged With Felony Assault of Sikh-American Man in California - NBC News

My article for NBC Asian America

"The responding officers were dubious that a hate crime had occurred," Harsimran Kaur, legal director of The Sikh Coalition, told NBC News. "We are urging authorities to investigate and prosecute this case as a hate crime because it was wholly unprovoked, brutal, and his Sikh articles of faith — his turban and unshorn hair — were violently targeted."

Two Men Charged With Felony Assault of Sikh-American Man in California - NBC News

at the White House (!!!)

omg. (!!!)

Talking data with the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders

Moderating a panel today at the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders event Elevate Data Challenge Convening. (!!!)

Hate Crimes Against Chinese, Muslims in LA Spike in 2015: Report - NBC News

My article for NBC Asian America

"This is the dark side of living in one of the most culturally diverse places on earth," Wong added. "This disturbing news should not fill us with despair. It should move us to action."

Hate Crimes Against Chinese, Muslims in LA Spike in 2015: Report - NBC News

California Gov. Signs Law to Address Muslim, Sikh, South Asian American Bullying - NBC News

My article for NBC Asian America

"This is a landmark bill for California that will curb bullying and discrimination in the classroom," Harjit Kaur, community development manager for The Sikh Coalition, told NBC News. "AB 2845 ensures the right of every child to practice his/her faith freely in public schools. We look forward to implementing this bill and engaging with communities and schools across California to address bullying and discrimination in the classroom."

California Gov. Signs Law to Address Muslim, Sikh, South Asian American Bullying - NBC News