Screenplay writer leaves 'Crazy Rich Asians' sequels

Screenplay writer Adele Lim will not be working on the Crazy Rich Asians sequels.

A treatment for the sequels to Crazy Rich Asians has reportedly been handed over to the studios, but it doesn't involve Adele Lim, who co-wrote the CRA screenplay with Peter Chiarelli.

Lim has withdrawn from the project over the issue of pay disparity, according to The Hollywood Reporter. For the CRA sequels, Chiarelli was reportedly being paid about $1-million and Lim was offered about one-tenth of that sum.

"Being evaluated that way can't help but make you feel that is how they view my contributions," Lim tells the Hollywood Reporter.

Warner Brothers hired Chiarelli to adapt Keven Kwan's first book into a movie. Malaysia-born Lim was added to the writing team to make sure the script adhered to cultural correctness since the movie takes place in Singapore and significantly, has an all-Asian cast.

The Hollywood Reporter says that Warner Bros. searched for another Asian or Asian American writer to replace Lim but finally offered Lim a new contract more cloasely aligned with Chiarelli.

Chiarelli reportedly offered to share part of his salary to even out the disparity but Lim rejected to offer.

"Pete has been nothing but incredibly gracious, but what I make shouldn't be dependent on the generosity of the white-guy writer," Lim tells THR. "If I couldn't get pay equity after CRA, I can't imagine what it would be like for anyone else, given that the standard for how much you're worth is having established quotes from previous movies, which women of color would never have been [hired for]. There's no realistic way to achieve true equity that way."

Writing fees are usually based on previous credits. Chiarelli had written several movie screenplays but Lim's previous credits have been for television.

For now, Chiarelli is working with director Jon Chu in adapting the next two books in Kwan's trilogy for the movie sequels that will be filmed concurrently. Chu was not involved in the contract dispute with Lim, reports THR. They have reportedly gave Warner Bros. a 10-page treatment for the upcoming project.

Lim has also moved on. She has signed a four-year deal with Disney. Her first project is writing the screenplay for the animated story of Raya and the Last Dragon, based on a Southeast Asian myth.

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Asian American victim in Stanford sexual assault identifies herself

CBS NEWS

Chanel Miller wants to reclaim the narrative of the sexual assault.

The Asian American woman, a victim of a sexual assault on the Stanford Campus three years ago, known for years only as Emily Doe, has revealed her identity.

Chanel Miller, who was unconscious during the assault, will appear on a segment in 60 Minutes on Sept. 22 prior to the release of her memoir, "Know My Name." It is the first time the Vietnamese American has allowed her face to be seen by the public and agreed to a live interview.

Turner was discovered on top of the victim behind a dumpster by two graduate students from Sweden. When he ran away, the pair chased him down and detained him until police arrived.

In 2016, Stanford swimmer the then-21-year old Turner was convicted of sexually assaulting Miller outside of a fraternity party in 2015. He was found guilty of three counts of sexual assault, a conviction that could have landed him a 14-year prison sentence. Instead, the case’s judge, Aaron Persky gave Turner six months in jail. He was released after three months.

The judge believed that Turner showed remorse, despite Turner refusing to admit he had sexually assaulted Miller, according to The Huffington Post. Persky said he thought Turner would “not be a danger to others” and expressed concern that “a prison sentence would have a severe impact” on him.

The public outrage in reaction to the lenient sentence led to Persky being recalled and ousted from the bench.

At Brock's sentencing, Miller read her powerful 7,000 word statement. It was published by Buzzfeed and  it has been read by millions. It starts. Eighteen congresswomen read the statement aloud in the House of Representatives to bring attention to sexual assault.

Since the arrest and during the trial and the obscene sentence toTurner eventual release from jail, the focus has been on the rapist.

With the release of her memoir, Miller wants to reclaim the narrative. 

“You don’t know me, but you’ve been inside me,” Miller reads from her statement in the 60 Minutes clip released today (Sept. 4). “In newspapers, my name was ‘unconscious, intoxicated woman.’ Ten syllables, and nothing more than that. I had to force myself to relearn my real name, my identity. To relearn that this is not all that I am.”

That's also how she began her statement at Turner's sentencing while looking directly at her attacker.

Here's the 60 Minutes clip released today:

“I just remember being in my kitchen and reading this incredible, riveting piece of work,” Andrea Schulz, the editor-in-chief of Viking, the book’s publisher, told the New York Times. 

“I jumped out of my chair to acquire it, because it was just obvious to me from the beginning what she had to say and how different it was and how extraordinarily well she was going to say it,” Schulz said. “She had the brain and the voice of a writer from the very beginning, even in that situation.”

Miller has been writing the book since 2017, reports the NY Times, but since then has expanded the theme to include the conversations generated by the #MeToo movement.

According to a New York Times exclusive, Miller eventually graduated from UC Santra Barbara and living in San Francisco as an artist and writer.

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JACL issues apology to Tule Lake resisters

TULE LAKE COMMITTEE

Resisters refused to cooperate with the U.S. government while they were detained at Tule Lake.

ASAM NEWS

It's been 77 years since President Franklin D Roosevelt signed the executive order sending Japanese Americans into incarceration camps during World War II, and the healing continues.

The Japanese American Citizens League passed a resolution last month formally apologizing to Japanese Americans ostracized by their own community for refusing to join the US military and pledge their unqualified allegiance to the United States, reports Rafu Shimpo.

Those who refused to answer yes yes to the government questionaire were known as Tule Lake Resisters because the United States segregated them into a high security prison at Tule Lake.

The controversy became a major source of division in the Japanese American community, one that continues to divide it even today.

“However, the resolution, in spite of some of the face-saving language, is significant for the JACL as an organization and the community it represents. As a long-time member of the Florin Chapter of the JACL, I am hopeful now that the organization itself will be able to honestly examine its own history and bring into alignment its commitment to protect and promote civil liberties, including the right to protest injustice,” said Satsuki Ina, who was born at Tule Lake.

The resolution received support from the families of three civil rights icons in the Asian American community - Fred Korematsu, Gordon Hirabayashi and Minoru Yasui. They noted the men are revered today, but their challenges to the constitutionality of the incarceration were initially opposed by JACL.

It also received support from the Manzanar Committee.

“The time has come—it is actually long overdue—for the JACL to make amends and begin a community healing process by adopting the resolution, apologizing to the Tule Lake resisters and their families,” said Bruce Embrey of the Manzanar Committee, in a statement in July. More than 2,000 incarees at Manzanar were transferred to Tule Lake after answering no no to the questions.

The passage of the resolution did not come without opposition.

“Rather than continuing to claim they were ‘victims’ of JACL actions so that they can rid themselves of the shame that their pro-Japan views and activities caused themselves and family members, the pro-Japan activists need to assume the responsibility for their activities and decisions, accept the consequences of their actions, and move on,” wrote Japanese American Veterans Association President Gerald Yamada in an op-ed. “This resolution, whether the delegates to the National Convention accept or reject it, can only serve to widen the divide that has long existed in our community.”

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America's Got Talent: Kodi Lee brings judges to tears

SCREEN CAPTURE / AGT

Kodi Lee is a crowd favorite in the 14th season of America's Got Talent.

For the third time on this season's America's Got Talent, Kodi Lee, who is blind and autistic, got a standing ovation and brought the judges to tears.

Lee, 22, saing and accompanied himself on piano in a moving rendition of Calum Scott's "You Are The Reason," in the first night of semi-finals. 

At the end, the audience is chanting the Korean American crooner's name and several judges in tears. Judge Gabrielle Union is crying. "Everytime you sing ... you keep changing the world ... we are all so grateful to be in your orbit," she says.

"Kodi Lee, he just transcends humanity," judge Julianne Hough told ET. "I don't even know what else to say.

Guest judge Sean Hayes of Will and Grace admits that he had tears in his eyes.

Lee is “probably one of the most special, talented contestants… my breath was taken away during that.” said judge Simon Cowell.

Magician Eric Chen was warmly received but his act with playing cards and producing 3-dimensional reproductions of world landmarks failed to win accolades from Cowell, perhaps the most influential of the judges.

The second group of semi-finalists will perform next Tuesday. Only five of the 11 acts presented Tuesday night will go on to the finals.

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Naomi Osaka upset in quest for U.S. Open title repeat

SCREEN CAPTURE / ESPN

Japan's Naomi Osaka was upset in herU.S. Open match Sunday (Sept. 1).

Naomi Osaka won't be repeating as U.S. Open champ this year after losing to giant-killer Belinda Bencic, 7-5, 6-4 Sunday (Sept. 1).

The loss will likely drop Osaka from the No. 1 ranking in the world, the second time she will  lose that title this year. Australia's Ashleigh Barty, 22, who held the top spot briefly then lost it to Osaka, will regain the No. 1 rank.

The Swiss player has now beaten Osaka three times this year after previous victories in Indian Wells and Madrid.

It will be Bencic's second appearance in the quarter-finals after also making the last eight in 2014 as a 17-year-old.

"I was so excited to come on the court, the challenge cannot be bigger - Naomi Osaka is a great player and won the US Open last year," said Bencic. "I had to be on top of my game and am really pleased with how I played.

After her match, Osaka, who plays for Japan but was raised in the US, was able to put her loss in perspective.

"For me, right now I have this feeling of sadness, but I also feel like I have learned so much during this tournament," said Osaka, who received wide praise for comforting 15-year-old American Coco Gauff, whom she had just defeated Friday. 

"I feel like the steps I've taken as a person have been much greater than I would imagine at this point, so I hope I can keep growing,' said Osaka. "I know if I keep working hard, then I'll have better results.

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Will Gabbard quit her campaign? 'Hell, no!'

After failing to qualify for the next Democratic debate Sept. 12, Tulsi Gabbard reassured her supporters at a town hall in Atlanta on Saturday that she isn't quitting the race for the party's nomination to run against Donald Trump in 2020.

"I started hearing from a lot of people in the media when they said, 'OK, you didn't make the third debate. Are you quitting?'" she said.

Much to the audience's delight, Gabbard then declared, "Hell, no!" Her resounding answer drew cheers from the crowd while she repeated, "Hell, no!"

Gabbard failed to qualify for the next Democratic debate later this month after making the first two debates. She reached the fundraising threshold, but did not meet the Democratic National Committee's polling minimum to qualify.

The Hawaii congresswoman claimed last week that there's "no explanation or transparency around why certain polls are qualifying while other very credible recognized polls are somehow not qualifying."

"Frankly, the DNC has not provided any transparency to voters about how they're making these decisions," Gabbard told CNN.

The DNC required that all polls be conducted by an approved pollster, released between June 28 and August 28, 2019, conducted nationally or in Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and/or Nevada, and fit a certain question structure.

The Hindu American congresswoman, back on the campaign trail after 15 days of duty with the Hawaii National Guard, also said on Thursday (Aug. 29) she won't run as an independent if she doesn't win the Democratic presidential nomination.

"I've ruled that out,"abbard told CNN during a campaign stop in Iowa. 

"I'm going to continue to focus on moving our campaign forward, continuing this grassroots campaign, continuing to deliver our message to the American people."

Gabbard, a major in the Hawaii Army National Guard and the first female combat veteran to run for president, spent about six days in Indonesia and had other duties in Hawaii, with the annual training requirement ending Monday, said Hawaii National Guard spokesman Jeff Hickman.

"And so while some people are telling me, like, 'This is a terrible time to leave the campaign, can't you find a way out of it ?' that's not what this is about," she said.

"I love being able to serve our country in so many ways, including as a soldier," Gabbard said.

In a recent interview with CBS News, Gabbard, gained a reputation as an independent after quitting her position DNC vice chair in 2016 when she felt that DNC leadership was favoring Hillary Clinton over Bernie Sanders,  appeared to suggest that there's no circumstance in which she would not support the Democratic nominee.

"I am, as are all of the other candidates that I'm aware of running for president, committed to defeating Donald Trump in 2020. I look forward and hope to be able to earn that nomination myself, but if not, then I'll join with others in making sure that that happens," Gabbard said.

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LABOR DAY: 7 AAPI labor leaders you should know

Originally posted by the AFL-CIO in May of 2019 to cocmmemorate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, we are reposting today in celebration of Labor Day.  - Editor

By Kenneth Quinnell
A blog from the AFL-CIO

Each May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, when we celebrate the accomplishments, culture and history of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States. 

Today, we are going to take a deeper look at members of the Asian American and Pacific Islander community who have advanced the cause of worker justice. Here are seven labor activists who you should know about for Asian Pacific American Heritage Month:

Wikimedia Commons

Ai-jen Poo: Ai-jen Poo started organizing domestic workers in 1996 and helped found Domestic Workers United. In 2010, DWU was key in the passage of New York's Domestic Workers Bill of Rights, the first law in the country to guarantee domestic workers labor protections. The next year, DWU helped organize the first national meeting of domestic worker organizations, leading to the formation of the National Domestic Workers Alliance. She has been NDWA's director since 2010. Her other efforts on behalf of working people include Caring Across Generations, which campaigns for affordable health care for our aging population and for access to quality jobs for the caregiver workforce.

Larry Itliong: Born in the Philippines, Larry Itliong was a farm worker in California. In 1956, he founded the Filipino Farm Labor Union and later organized a group of Filipinos to strike against grape growers in Delano. For eight days they were harassed and faced violence and saw no progress. Itliong approached César Chávez and the two groups joined together to launch the Delano Grape Strike of 1965 that eventually led to the creation of the United Farm Workers (UFW). Chávez became director and Itliong assistant director. He continued to organize with the UFW and the Filipino American Political Alliance until his passing in 1977.

Maf Misbah Uddin: In 1988, Maf Misbah Uddin began work as an actuary in New York City. He became active in the Accountants, Statisticians and Actuaries Local 1407, becoming president in 2000. He also became treasurer of AFSCME District Council 37. As treasurer, he improved the transparency of the union's finances. His work was vital in keeping DC 37 on budget in the devastating aftermath of Superstorm Sandy in 2012, which did extensive damage to the union's headquarters. He is also founder and president of the Alliance of South Asian American Labor.

Voices of Labor

May Chen: Before moving to New York in 1979, May Chen taught high school and college courses in California and founded a day care center. In New York, she did some work for UNITE HERE Local 6 of the Hotel, Restaurant, Club Employees and Bartenders Union. Inspired by the 1982 garment workers' strike in Chinatown, she joined the International Ladies' Garment Workers Union (ILGWU). There she worked on the Immigration Project, the first union-created legal advocacy department for immigrant workers. She later worked in ILGWU's education department and served the New York City Central Labor Council, the Coalition of Labor Union Women and the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, ILGWU Local 23-25, the New York Metropolitan Area Joint Board. Before retiring in 2009, she served as international vice president of UNITE HERE.

Philip Vera Cruz: Born in the Philippines, Philip Vera Cruz worked on farms before moving to the United States. In 1943, he moved to California and became a farm worker. After joining the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee, he was a key part of the strike of grape pickers in Delano, California, in 1965. He served as vice president of UFW until 1977. After that, he helped create the Farm Workers Credit Union and he created Agbayani Village, a retirement community for farm workers.

Sue Ko Lee and the Dollar Store Strikers: Sue Ko Lee worked in the National Dollar Store's San Francisco factory in sweatshop conditions in the 1930s. ILGWU began organizing the Chinese Ladies Garment Workers Union Local 361, and it won a union election in 1938. The owner immediately sold the company to a new company headed by the factory manager and a former National Dollar Store employee in attempt to set aside the contract and break the union. Lee and her fellow workers went on strike and actively organized the strike, obtaining solidarity from their white co-workers. The unified front led to a contract that improved salaries, benefits and working conditions for the workers and helped break down racial barriers in San Francisco. Lee went on to become secretary of the union local and the San Francisco Joint Board.

Velma Veloria: After graduating from San Francisco State University and working on anti-war and Filipino rights causes, Velma Veloria became an organizer for the Office and Professional Employees (OPEIU), ILWU Local 37 for cannery workers and SEIU. She fought for justice for Gene Viernes and Silme Domingo, ILWU local leaders who were assassinated in 1981. Later, she began working in support of political campaigns. Veloria used her experience to win a seat as a state legislator and pursued a variety of causes important to women and people of color. She organized numerous trade missions to Southeast Asia and helped strengthen relations between the United States and countries like Vietnam, the Philippines, Laos, Cambodia and Indonesia.

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Man was planning an attack on behalf of ISIS, say authorities

A 19-year-old Pakistani American who authorities say told undercover agents that he planned to conduct a terror attack in the name of ISIS in New York was ordered held without bail.

A criminal complaint filed Friday (Aug. 30) in federal court in Brooklyn charged Awais Chudhary, a naturalized U.S. citizen born in Pakistan, with attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS).

AWAIS CHUDHARY

Chudhary, a resdent of Queens, N.Y., was arrested last week, and made his initial appearance in front of U.S. Magistrate Judge James Orenstein who ordered the suspect be held without bail.

“The defendant allegedly planned to conduct a deadly attack in New York on behalf of ISIS,” stated Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers. “The National Security Division, working with our partners, will remain vigilant in our efforts to identify, disrupt, and hold accountable those who would conduct a terrorist attack on our soil."

“Awais Chudhary had accepted the call from ISIS to kill fellow New Yorkers in the city he called home,” stated NYPD Commissioner O’Neill. “He had carefully planned, conducted reconnaissance, picked a target, and was in the process of obtaining the weapon. All he has left to do was to strike. The FBI agents and NYPD detectives of the JTTF should be commended for the disruption of this plot. Their work almost certainly saved lives.”

According to court documents, last month Chudhary used social media to undercover law enforcement officers through text messaging that he planned to conduct a stabbing or bombing attack on behalf of ISIS. Chudhary also wanted to record his attack to inspire others to commit similar acts of violence. 

Chudhary identified the pedestrian bridges over the Grand Central Parkway to the Flushing Bay Promenade (the Promenade) and the World’s Fair Marina (the Marina) as locations for the attack. 

 On Aug. 23, Chudhary told an undercover agent that he intended to use a knife “because that’s what he knows,” but if the undercover agent could instruct him on how to build a bomb, he would consider using an explosive device at a “mini-bridge over a busy road with many cars.” 

On the same day, court records allege that Chudhary texted another undercover agent a screenshot of a document entitled, “Islamic State” with the subheadings: “Places to Strike,” “The Ideal Knife” and “Knives to Avoid.” The instructions included a diagram of the human body with directions where to stab a victim.

Chudhary conducted several reconnaissance trips to the targeted locations. On Aug. 24, 2019, FBI agents surveilled Chudhary enter the Promenade in the vicinity of 27th Avenue and Ditmars Boulevard and take videos and photos with his cellphone of various locations, as well as the Marina, a nearby gas station, a donut shop and a security camera near the donut shop.

Between Aug. 25 and Aug. 26, 2019, Chudhary ordered online a tactical knife, a mask, gloves, and a cellphone chest and head strap to facilitate his recording of the attack. Chudhary was arrested yesterday as he attempted to retrieve the items from an online vendor’s retail location in Queens.

If convicted, Chudhary faces a maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment.

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Suspect arrested for fatal stabbing attack on Sikh man

Stabbing suspect nthony Kreiter-Rhoads, left, and Parmjit Singh, right.

ASAM NEWS

After Parmjit Singh’s family had offered a $20,000 reward in exchange for information leading to an arrest for his slaying, police announced Saturday (Aug. 31) that they arrested a suspect, reports KCRA.

Singh, 64, was stabbed and bled to death while on a nighttime neighborhood walk in Tracy, California on August 25.

According to CBS Sacramento, detectives sought an arrest warrant for Anthony Kreiter-Rhoads, 21, after presenting evidence to a county judge on Friday.

According to the warrant, officers arrested Kreiter-Rhoads on Saturday and searched his home for evidence. It is currently unknown to the public what tipped off investigators that led to them seeking the warrant. The investigation is also still ongoing.

The Sikh Coalition claims Singh’s death is the seventh attack on an elderly Sikh man wearing a turban in the Central Valley/Northern California area since 2011, according to HuffPost.

Civil rights organization United Sikhs is calling for an FBI investigation, suspecting prejudice was involved, reports CNN. But according to police, the motive is still unclear.

Hundreds mourned Singh’s death at a vigil on Wednesday night.

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Over a cup of coffee ... Harvard's affirmative action; on 'tough' Asian moms; Eric Liu on the meaning of patriotism

Small pleasures: A good cup of dark roast coffee and taking the time to read. Back in the backyard this Sunday, enjoying life ...

Asian Americans are near the center of the debate of what the future of America might look like. Part of that raging debate is the idea of affirmative action.

It's not a black or white issue (pun intended) and there's no easy answer because Harvard, as prestigious as it is, can't be excused for some of the flaws of admissions process. The AAPI communities are split on this.

The judge in the affirmative action case against Harvard was supposed to issue a ruling in early 2019 after hearing the arguments for and against in December 2018.

Well, here it is - September and still no decision. Jay Caspian Kang wrote a piece for The New York Times Magazine goes over the history of that case, what's at stake, and what could happen after the judge gives his ruling.

No matter which side of the argument the judge rules forg, it's going to the US Supreme Court. With the conservative majority on the High Court, the nature of affirmative action will be affected: Thumbs up, or thumbs down.

Read Kang's think piece, here.

NYT GRAPHIC / RONGHUI CHEN

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NPR has had this story out for a couple of weeks but I haven't been able to get to it until today.

To siblings Flip and Christine Cuddy, Susan Ahn Cuddy was "Mom."

But she was also a Korean American lieutenant in the U.S. Navy who trained pilots to shoot down enemies during World War II.

It wasn't until historian John Cha's biography of Susan was published in 2002 that her children learned about many of their mother's accomplishments. Read about this "tough" mom, here.

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Part of my Sunday was spent watching CBS's Sunday Morning. This show is always a shot in the arm and gives me hope, something that isn't always so obvious the rest of the week.
It is always a great way to start a week. 

In case you missed it, Eric Liu had an inspirational segment this morning (Sept. 1) that deserves to be shared with all your social media contacts.

A former speechwriter for the Clinton White House Liu is also an author of "Become America" he muses about true patriotism. He basically reinforces what I've always believed. Democracy is a participatory process. It doesn't work if citizens  just sit on the sidelines hoping everything is going to be OK.

He says, "True patriotism doesn't require that we all join the military. It does require us all to show up more, contribute more, participate more, be more useful to more people. To vote, volunteer, serve, listen, learn, empathize, circulate power rather than hoard it."

"Circulate power," I like that phrase.

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Naomi Osaka shows what sportsmanship is all about

SCREEN CAPTURE / YOUTUBE

No. 1 ranked Naomi Osaka consoled Coco Gauff after their match aat the U.S. Open.

The No. 1 ranked women's tennis player Naomi Osaka reminded us what a true champion is supposed to look like Saturday (Aug. 31) at the U.S. Open.

In easily defeating upstart, fan favorite 15-year-old Coco Gauff, Naomi Osaka, 21, won over more fans with her sportsmanship.

Gauff captivated the home crowds at the U.S. Open held in Flushing to reach the third round and set up a dream meeting with Osaka at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

From the outset, Osaka took control, overwhelming the Florida teenager with a strong serve and pinpoint angles. Osaka dominated the youngster, winning the first set 6-3 and silencing the crowd rooting for the underdog Coco.

The second set was even more convincing as Osaka cruised to a 6-0 second set, to seal her spot in the round of 16.

Even though the Arhur Ashe Stadium audience was abuzz about the match everyone wanted to see -- the teenage sensation vs. last year's champion -- it was what happened after the match that tennis fans will be talking about.

Osaka, who holds dual citizenship -- US and Japanese -- gave Coco a warm embrace as the teenager fought off tears.

In an emotional moment for all involved, Gauff laughed at the scene that saw both young women in tears.

"She was crying, she won. I was crying. Everybody was crying. I was like, 'I don't know why she was crying. You won the match!'"

Osaka consoled Gauff convincing her opponent to join her in the post-game interview.

Osaka, who speaks from the heart, got misty-eyed too when she addressed Gauff’s family box during the on-court interview. "For me, the fact that both of us made it, and we're both still working as hard as we can, I think it's incredible," she said. "And I think you guys are amazing and I think, Coco, you're amazing."

Although there hasn't been much social interaction between the two players, they know each other because they practice at the same facility in Florida. Their fathers, both of whom coached their daughters when starting out, know each other.

"I wasn't expecting it. I'm glad that I was able to experience that moment,"Gauff told the media afterwards. "She was crying, she won. I was crying. Everybody was crying. But I think it was a good moment for both of us."

The two young women, both unknown a year ago, represent the future of tennis. Hopefully, they'll meet each other on the court many times more.

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Sunday Read: Marvel introduces a trio of Filipino superheroes

Art by Whilce Portacio.

This cover featuring Red Feather, Sea Hunter and Wave is available only in the Philippines.

Sometimes, I wonder how I would have turned out if I had Filipino superheroes to cheer for and pretend to be when I was a youngster. Would I be more assertive and more daring? Would I grow up without white envy and crippling self-doubt?

I loved comics when I was a kid. Comics and their fictional characters were an escape valve from the real-life pressures, everyday racial slights and micro-aggressions that weighed in on young POC children, even if we were too young to have names for them.

Every week I'd walk to the nearest corner grocery about five blocks away, (a long trek through rivals' territory) just to read the latest issue of Aquaman, Batman and Superman, when DC Comics reigned supreme and Stan Lee was still struggling to establish his stable of heroes, artists and writers.

The Italian American store owner was cool. We came to recognize each other. He'd let me read the comics for free as long as I didn't fold or mutilate them. After reading, I'd dutifully return the comics to the rack, good as new. Occasionally, we would acknowledge each other with a small smile or a nod, nary a word exchanged between us.

Fortunately, today's Asian American kids who dive into comics have comic book heroes who look like them.

Marvel introduced Wave, in "War of the Realms: New Agents of Atlas" in May, where Asian superheroes from Korea, Japan, China, Vietnam and the Philippines team up to defeat alien beings trying to take over the world. Led by the the Korean Hulk, Amadeus Cho.

Wave, whose real name is Pearl Pangan, is a Filipina of Visayan heritage. Her powers include controlling the sea, creating powerful waves, and other water-based abilities, indicating that she could be part-Atlantean. She also wields turquoise blades and has retractable blade fins.

Greg Pak, Wave's creator, will be introducing Sea Hunter, the new Filipina superhero with award-winning writer Alyssa Wong and artist Pop Mhan.

Pak didn’t give much away, but we know the new superhero will be appearing alongside the Chinese superhero Aero in issue No. 3 of her comic book series, and Pak assures fans she will be “awesome.”

Wong is half-Filipina and was recently tasked by Marvel Comics to write the backstory for Wave. She is mainly a science-fiction writer who has won a Nebula Award, a World Fantasy Award and a Locus Award for her works.

"I'm also so excited for Wave and the fact that we have a Filipina Super Hero who's taking center stage. I never got to see Filipino characters when I was growing up, so it's so, so cool to write Wave now! She's strong because of her water manipulation powers, but she also draws strength from her community and her lolo. And that feels emotionally true, to me, for a Filipino Super Hero," said Wong in a Marvel interview.

Making a surprise appearance that might be a hint of what's in store, is Red Feather, the leader of a group of Filipino heroes called the Triumph Division, which predated Wave amd tje Agents of Atlas.

Following the death of the previous generation of the familiar Filipino superhero group the Triumph Division at the hands of suicide bombers during a ceremony in Manila, the next member in each of the deceased members' bloodlines succeeded them, following the team's centuries-old tradition. This included the appointment of a new Red Feather.

The subsequent fate of this female Red Feather is unknown. When Tony Stark (Ironman)  became a prisoner of the Mandarin, his allies Pepper Potts and Bethany Cabe set up a meeting in international waters with the Triumph Division and the Chinese superhero team the Dynasty, and the Filipino superheroes were being led by a different Red Feather.

Wave, Marvel's first Filipina superhero is being promoted for more exposure (hopefully, for a cinematic debut). She steals all the attention in a promotional video  below) released by Marvel last week. The video is for Marvel's popular mobile game, Marvel Future Fight, a role-playing game (RPG) that uses over 200 Marvel characters.

Wave's appearance in the clip may signify Marvel's intention of turning Wave into a major character in the Marvel Universe. She appears as the main character in the video and the poster at the end of the clip! She's also joined by the Silver Surfer, one of the most iconic Marvel superheroes, and Namor, the King of Atlantis.

The three superheroes are being introduced in the game in celebration of Marvel's 80th Anniversary.

It's a different world today than when I was growing up in suburban California. America is more diverse but as a country we're still struggling to decide what our values are, who we are and what the future of our country will be like.

Superheroes out of the pages of comic books are fictional, but they help to provide guideposts as we go through this sometimes uncomfortable debate, a conversation in which we must speak out.

But I always think of the individual kid, who may be a loner but loves to read and use his imagination, sitting near a magazine rack, reading the comics. Don't underestimate the influence of comic book heroes. His or her horizons are expanded and the world is brighter and more inclusive because of the latest iteration of diverse superheroes. Thank goodness.

CORRECTION: Earlier versions of this post incorrectly misidentified the ethnicity of Amadeus Cho. He is from South Korea.

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Democrats reach out to AAPI voters; name its AAPI Political Director

SCREEN CAPTURE

John Santos is interviewed by Baliitang America TV about his recent appointment.

Recognizing the critical role Asian American and Pacific Islander voters will play in the 2020 elections, the Democratic National Committee has named a veteran political and media specialist as its liaison with AAPI communities.

John Santos was promoted to be the Asian American Pacific Islander Political Director. He was named to his new position along with African American Political Director Cyrus Garrett, and Native American Political Director Theresa Sheldon.

The trio join previously named hires Rural Political Director Libby Schneider, Labor Political Director Tucker McDonald, and Interfaith Outreach Director Dr. Derrick Harkins.

“Diversity and inclusion have always been the strength of our Democratic coalition,” said DNC Chair Tom Perez. “Now more than ever we will need a strong team that can harness the energy and excitement in our base communities to elect Democrats up and down the ballot. I am confident that the team we are building at the DNC is ready to build the coalitions we need heading into one of the most important elections of our lifetimes.”

In his new position, Santos will develop and promote the DNC’s outreach efforts to AAPI communities. 

“To me, it’s all about how do we mobilize the community, right? How do we make sure Asian Americans, Filipino Americans, are voting? And what I see is the DNC right now is the party that’s really committed to doing that,” Santos told Balitang America.

He will also serve as the liaison to the Veterans and Military Families Council. Most recently, he served as the DNC’s Western Regional Press Secretary and AAPI Media Director. Previously, he served in the U.S. Army as the Deputy Press Secretary for the Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve during a year-long deployment in Kuwait and Iraq. Additionally, he previously served as the Health Policy Assistant Director for the American Legion and Chair for Communications at KAYA: Filipino Americans for Progress.

Politicians rarely target their outreach toward Asian Americans. Compared to the national average of 53 percent, only 31 percent of Asian Americans reported being contacted by candidates or parties in 2012.

The 2018 midterm elections that the Democratic National Committee invested heavily in the Asian Americans, said Santos. He said the DNC registered Asian Americans to vote, ran in-language print ads and put Asian American organizers on the ground in competitive congressional districts such as traditionally conservative Orange County in California.

Based on the results, Santos said these efforts “paid off.”

In the 2014 midterm elections, 49 percent of Asian American voters backed a Democratic House candidate, according to exit polls. In 2016, 65 percent chose Hillary Clinton over Trump. By the 2018 midterms, that number shot up to 77 percent.

Asian American voters have been trending Democratic even more under Trump, even though 40% of the voters are not registered with either party. Trump's anti-immigrant rhetoric and policies have pushed turned off the AAPI electorate, the majority of which is still first and second generation immigrants.

That voting trend could have massive implications for 2020: Not only are they one of the fastest-growing voter demographics, they’re also an increasingly pivotal one in battleground states like Virginia, Nevada, and Arizona.

According to AAPI Data, Asian American voters already make up more than 10 percent of the eligible voting population in California and Hawaii, and more than 5 percent in a slew of other states including Nevada, New Jersey, and New York.

“Building a team that reflects the diverse coalition that we need to win back the White House and the Senate is one of our priorities,” said DNC Political Director Muthoni Wambu Kraal. “I am proud of the diversity of our staff, and we are lucky to have Taylor, John, Cyrus, Theresa, Libby, Tucker, and Derrick leading our efforts in laying the groundwork to victory in 2020.”

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