How To Be A Fly Asian

“I know exactly how every single Asian in the audience felt because you looked at me like, ‘Oh God, please be funny. Please be funny.’ Before it was just comedy, now I’m doing it for the nation. It’s political. Now I do a punch line, I’m like, ‘Yeah, take that, whitey! Ha!’”
-          Eliot Chang
When I [...]

I’ve been thinking about Positive Asian and Asian American role models since I stumbled across Chinese American Heroes last year, which was updated on the 8th of Neverfuckingever.
It made me start wondering - how do you define a hero, or a role model? Are these people who are successful, who you aspire to be, or [...]

Watching the newest BoA video is akin to witnessing the slow motion train wreck of emotionally unstable 17-year old girls getting tricked into sex because of their “I-hate-Daddy” issues.

It’s a mess.
A mess that rips off Britney’s Stronger - which, interestingly enough, was a few videos before her train wreck.

Hopefully BoA makes a Britney-like return after [...]

“Oh, of course he’s good at that. He’s Asian.”
I heard this a lot growing up, and would get defensive about it. “What’s that supposed to mean, huh? That there are some things Asian people are especially good at?”
Then I thought about it some more. And yes, there are some things Asian people rock at. [...]

A Fly Asian isn’t held in subservient awe by the accomplishments of his White Brethren. In a similar vein, he shouldn’t feel “honored” or “grateful” to be accepted by the white community, either. Needing validation from the white, latino, or black community is the ultimate sign of a not-very-Fly Asian. Moving beyond what’s conceived as [...]

A Fly Asian is in touch with his culture. Unfortunately, part of this culture involves piles of assorted crap gathering dust in your home.
“Why get rid of it?” your parents or grandparents scold you when you suggest donating to people in need - or better yet, burning it. “We might use it again someday.”
Yes, you’re [...]

Thanks to watchdog sites like this one and this one, as well as an audience that has finally taken notice, there’s more exposure to those acts of racism that make a colonoscopy feel like a butt massage from Heidi Klum.
But as much of an uproar as we make, do we always give a shit? [...]

There are people for every ethnicity whom the newest generation can look up to as examples of how they’d like to lead their lives. People who inspire you to be proud of who you are, and to be proud of your heritage. They are the forerunners of your people. They are shining examples, who you [...]

1. The Five Flyest Asian Fighters Right Now
Yes, Asian Americans (Fly, or otherwise) should get roles outside of  stereotypical niches: FOBs, nerds, and of course, marital artists. Yes, it’s important to recognize the work of those who have already extended beyond those boundaries.  Yes, we could continue to ride the wave of success from Slumdog [...]