Author: Lauren Lola

Check Out CAAMFest Before It Ends This Sunday

All week long, the San Francisco Bay Area has been playing host to the 2014 Center for Asian American Media Film Festival (CAAMFest). From the City by the Bay itself, Berkeley, and for the first time- Oakland, attendees have been able to discover a wide selection of Asian American and Asian diaspora films.

This year’s festival started off with the US premiere of the Ham Tran’s “How to Fight in Six Inch Heels” at the Castro Theatre which was followed by Opening Night Gala at the Asian Art Museum.  For the festival’s closing feature, the honor will go to the New Parkway screening in Oakland of Marissa Aroy’s documentary, “Delano Manongs.”

Continue reading “Check Out CAAMFest Before It Ends This Sunday”

The Ongoing Portrayal of Asian-American Characters on “Glee”

Today, March 18th, marks the air date for the 100th episode of the award-winning musical dramedy Glee. Since its 2009 debut, the show has not only been praised and noted for its popular covers and ability to tackle controversial topics, but also for its diverse casting.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with Glee, there are two Asian-American characters on the show: Tina Cohen-Chang and Mike Chang. Tina (played by Jenna Ushkowitz) is introduced as a shy Goth girl with a fake stutter who has a beautiful singing voice, whereas Mike (played by Harry Shum Jr.) appears as a football player who dances like a boss.

Not your stereotypical geisha or model minority student, right?

Continue reading “The Ongoing Portrayal of Asian-American Characters on “Glee””

3 Asian-American Authors on the Rise

3 Asian-American Authors On the Rise

If ten years ago you asked me to name an Asian-American author, my only answer would have been Amy Tan. She wrote the best-selling novel, The Joy Luck Club, about four Chinese American immigrant families in San Francisco. It came out in 1989—that’s a quarter of a century ago.

In recent years, however, more and more Asian-American writers have emerged from the woodwork and made a name for themselves by sharing their unique stories with the world. Let me tell you about a few authors who are currently doing just that!

Continue reading “3 Asian-American Authors on the Rise”