Things You Might Have Missed

1. This has been going around the Internet for the last week or so, but ~in case you missed it~ here is an amazing photo story of 13-year-old Ashol-Pan from western Mongolia. She is perhaps the country's only female eagle hunter. Makes you rethink your life choices, eh?

2. Kristina Wong is back with a hilarious essay on xoJane called "I Can't Believe I Now Have to Convince White People that I Like White People."
When I talk about systemic racism and historical racial inequalities as it ties into white privilege and modern-day racism, I think I must sound like this to white people: “Hey Whitey! I am going to kill you.” I know this is a lot to ask of white people, but could you please STOP FLIPPING OUT when the topic of white privilege comes up? 

 3. Working in a tech company (even though I don't really do anything remotely tech-y) is interesting. I've learned a lot, my ideas are taken seriously, and everything moves fast. CEO of Locket, Yunha Kim, writes about the pros and cons of being a woman in tech--and more importantly, being a badass CEO.

4. It goes without saying that I am obsessed with Chinatowns (seeing as I also live in one in New York). Enclaves and pockets of cultural goodness where you can get everything your mama and grandma had in her kitchens and beyond. Not much literature has really been there about the first Chinese Americans. This is a good article about unearthing the cultural and historical significance and lives of the first Chinese immigrants in a land that is strange and most often hostile.

5. RIP Gabriel Garcia Marquez. "Somewhere a dictatorial “patriarch” is still having his rival cooked and served up to his dinner guests on a great dish; an old colonel is waiting for a letter that never comes; a beautiful young girl is being prostituted by her heartless grandmother; and a kindlier patriarch, José Arcadio Buendía, one of the founders of the new settlement of Macondo, a man interested in science and alchemy, is declaring to his horrified wife that “the earth is round, like an orange." Read this very moving piece by Salman Rushdie about the work and life of this great writer. you will truly be missed.

6. Also literature-related, an essay on why Diversity is Not Enough: Race, Power, Publishing. Interesting read especially for those in the business (or trying to woo this world): "The publishing industry looks a lot like one of these best-selling teenage dystopias: white and full of people destroying each other to survive."

Things You Might Have Missed

Photo courtesy of Angry Asian Man

1. Do ya'll want to talk about #CancelColbert? It's been consuming my entire weekend basically but if you're looking for some more thought-provoking essays, this one by Jay Caspian Kang (who actually interviewed Suey Park) is a great one. This Time Magazine one (actually co-written by Suey and Eunsong Kim) is a good one, too. Don't agree with any of it? Jeff Yang over at Wall Street Journal talks about the "perils" of "hashtag activism."

2. Another thorn in my side is the Model Minority myth. ColorLines has this super informative piece on "The Economic Truth About the 'Model Minority'. This article on Race Files gets into it even more by calling the Model Minority a "lever of white supremacy." Scott Nakagawa says, "Anti-black racism may be the fulcrum, or pivot point, of white supremacy, but the model minority myth is one of white supremacy’s many levers."

Photo courtesy of Huffington Post

3. In light of the new Cesar Chavez biopic, poet/novelist and community organizer Bino A. Realuyo pens an open letter to the often-erased Filipino-Americans involved in the Movement. Says Realuyo, "I didn't know about you when I started organizing in the '90s. I had role models, but no Filipino-Americans. In the community organizing world, no one ever mentioned Filipinos next to the apotheosized Cesar Chavez. No Larry Itliong. No Philip Vera Cruz. None of these Filipino men and their Agricultural Worker Organizing Committee that spearheaded the very strike that catapulted Cesar Chavez into American memory and left you in the shadows."

4. Did you know more than half of Asian American teens are bullied in school? I shared a report on Sikh kids getting bullied last time, so although this fact is not new, it's still heartbreaking. Click here for full size infographic. According to a 2011 survey released by both the US Justice and Education Departments shows that Asian Americans teens are three times as likely to face bullying online. And compared to any other ethnic group, they endure more bullying in US schools.  

5. And to end on a light note: How often do you see a comedian on national television/late night say "race is a social construct"? I've been a huge fan of Hari Kondabolu for awhile: his take on race in America as well as growing up a child of immigrant parents resonates loudly with me. Here he is in support of his new album Waiting for 2042:

Spring City

 

Spring has arrived!....And it's supposed to snow again. Nightmare City, honestly. In a very desperate grasp for warmth, I opted to wear a springtime look of SHORTS this weekend but after standing outside in the 30+ degree weather, boy did I regret it. They say silk retains heat but I guess we should also add, "if you also wear more layers, Vivian." A huge kudos to Hernandez for taking these photos. Spoiler alert: come Thursday, the backdrop of my photos will make another appearance.   

Outfit: Madewell silk top and silk shorts, Sam Edelman "Petty" booties, Uniqlo wool coat, necklace via Renegade Craft Fair.

Things You Might Have Missed: A Return!

First of all, I don't usually seek out compliments, but c'mon, that blog post title is pretty clever. All of us here over at Within Color took a much-needed break (plus winter = hibernation, right?) and are now rejuvenated, re-inspired, and excited to start back up again! On a personal note, I've been been committed to posting weekly and will trade off outfit/fashion/style/beauty posts with a more news-leaning post. I hope that's okay and I hope to hear you all sound off in the comments.

Without further ado....

Things You Might Have Missed

Hello again with your once-a-month "Things You Might Have Missed" post! As always, please share with us something you read that everyone should know!

 

Image courtesy of Angry Asian Man blog

1. For those who are always on Twitter, maybe you've seen #NotYourAsianSidekick trending?
The hashtag was created by writer and activist Suey Park as an attempt to create a safe space for thought-provoking and intelligent discourse on Asian American feminism and stereotypes. A lot of people have started to also use it to confront racism in white feminist spaces as well as tackling the hurtful stereotypes with Asian American women and sexuality. I highly urge you to check it out and contribute (if you are an AA lady!) to keep the momentum going!

 

Image courtesy of Lee and Low blog

2. Have you seen the trending Facebook statuses where your friends post their favorite books? I don't know about your friends' list, but I've been seeing a lot of white authors and very few POC authors. That truth, sadly yet not surprisingly, is also reflected in New York Times' Best Sellers List. Lee and Low Books (via NBC Latino) asks, "Where's the Diversity?"

 

Image courtesy of Huffington Post

3. Something more lighthearted, here are "23 Food Things Only Chinese-American Kids Would Understand."

4. Two years ago, Pulitzer-Prize winning journalist Jose Antonio Vargas came out as an undocumented immigrant in a New York Times Magazine essay while shedding light on the perils and lives of other undocumented immigrants living in the US. Asia Pacific Arts published a conversation they had with Vargas about his journey and also the new documentary "Documented."

5. In related news, Whatever Happened to Comprehensive Immigration Reform? Color Lines has this super informative and insightful presentation on just this--which can be viewed on your computer.

Image courtesy of iambeyonce.com

6. And just one more to round this off. BOW DOWN: Beyonce's surprise media album dropped this week and sales have already soared past 400,000.

Kickin' it old school

 

Leather jacket: Michael Kors via Nordstrom Rack

Long time no (outfit) post! Now that the days are shorter and I'm in the office and/or sleeping most of the time, it's been difficult to take photos of my outfits. A special shout out to Venice for taking these for me because otherwise they would not have turned out this well! I mean--ya'll know how low-fi my photos are...

 

Necklace: Madewell

 I once read that people who talk about the weather are boring people but these people are haters and obviously don't live in a place with seasons. It was absolutely freezing (ok just really, really cold) just last week but today was in the mid-40s which obviously means leather jacket and NOT heavy-duty winter jacket. For some reason, I get super lazy with outfits if you can't see what's underneath my coat so I'm not complaining about these mid-40s days...even in December (can you believe it's December?!). 

Things You Might Have Missed: Part III

1. Siu Sin Far "Leaves from the Mental Portfolio of an Eurasian" is an essay written in 1890 by a Hapa woman living in the United States.

2.  Does Your Man Suffer From Yellow Fever? Find out in 8 Easy Steps!
Here is something light-hearted but still with a bite: a tongue-in-cheek illustrated "guide" to tell if your friend/SO/a stranger exhibits Orientalism.

(Credit: Fiona Aboud)

3."What I Learned as Captain America in a Turban" is both poignant and hilarious. It also features a cameo segment from "Totally Biased" (RIP).

4. Artist Coco Layne documents the fluidity of gender norms with just a swish of hair and some makeup in "War Paint."

5. Seeing Opportunity In A Question: 'Where Are You Really From?': Alex Sugiura is from Brooklyn and is of Japanese and Eastern European descent. Instead of getting fed up by people constantly asking the dreaded "Where are you from?" questions, he looks at it as an opportunity for some critical conversations.

6. And in case you missed it, many are still suffering from Typhoon Haiyan. If you were wary about donating to an organization that can be notorious for mishandling donations, please look at this list posted by Michelle. This is also a handy guide to avoid disaster fraud because we can't ever have nice things. Our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone.

I can't wait to see what other cool/fascinating/outrageous links you provide in the comments!

Is Your Halloween Costume Offensive?

 

Image courtesy of color-blinding

It's October 23 which means it's ALMOST Halloween. Halloween brings a lot of fun things: parties, candy, pumpkin-flavored everything, dressing up and being silly. But because we can't have nice things, Halloween can also bring about costumes that are tasteless and racially offensive.

Here at Within Color, we've tackled cultural appropriation before (Alicia's intro, Jen's post, and my post) but it seems important to talk about it again now that people are looking into costumes that could be seen as offensive.

Flannel for Days

I love dressing for the fall but I absolutely HATE taking photographs of my fall outfits. In the mirror and irl and in my head, my layers drape perfectly and I look great. Then I take photographs and it's like THIS IS NOT HOW I LOOKED! There was no point to that story except to say it took me about half an hour to take these photos and I am still not satisfied. I am satisfied, however, with the fact that I can now wear flannel again. Thank you colder weather: you are welcome wholeheartedly into my life. 

Do you have any cooler weather essentials that you can't wait to bust out this season? Let us know!

 

Outfit details: Penfield "Kasson" parka, Uniqlo flannel shirtdress, Target tights, Ralph Lauren (via DSW) riding boots, cutpath cat bunting necklace. 

Things You Might Have Missed: Asian(American) Edition, Part II

In this week's edition, we talk about the changing face of the "girl next door," how nerds can be of color, too, and if it's time to retire Apu.

As always, what are some cool things you have read lately?

 Image courtesy of Wall Street Journal

1. "Miss America Nina Davuluri Reveals Her Secret Life As a Nerd"

I think the title of this piece is misleading as she doesn't talk about her "nerdy" qualities until an afterthought of the piece and as someone who is in the public spotlight, it's not very secret is it?

But aside from the nitpicking, here are some gems:

“I grew up watching Miss America for years and years, and as the daughter of immigrants, I always thought to myself that I could never be that — because I didn’t look a certain way; I didn’t fit the model of what was up there on that screen,” she says. “And it shouldn’t be about race, it shouldn’t — but it is. To be able to stand up there, and be an example for other little girls that America is now a very different place, that’s everything to me.”

and:

There’s something else that Davuluri, Lee and Yeh have in common as well: They’re all Asian American, the first time in history that three out of the top five Miss America finishers were of Asian descent, in a year that saw more Asian American contestants than ever.

“Isn’t that a pretty good example of where we are as a country?” says Davuluri. “We’re not just a nation of black and white anymore. People need to see the amazing variety of cultures we have in America — and to learn a more inclusive respect for everyone’s traditions and beliefs.”

The Fall Look

Every fall, I promise myself I will bust out a sweater+shorts/sweater+skirt combo and without fail, only get to do it once before I have to wear tights with the outfit. Fall in New York came early (albeit short-lived--at least for another week) and I decided to wear this outfit as soon as I could.

Apologies for the super terrible quality of these photos by the way. My camera died almost instantly and I didn't have time to fix the focus beforehand. But y'know, you get the gist right? FALL.

 

Outfit details: F21 sweater, H&M pleather skirt, Target suede oxfords, Brooklyn Charm necklace.

Interesting Things You Might Have Missed: The Asian(American) Edition

Since I only post every other week, I try to alternate between outfit posts and more serious, thought-provoking (I hope) cultural posts. Today's post is of the latter-variety.

Sometimes I feel really helpless when I'm inundated by thoughtful critiques of how Asian(Americans) have been marginalized today/in history/overall. I like to give myself a 1-2 day media breather just so I can try to remind myself that 1. I'm lucky to be alive; 2. There are still a lot of really great people and I'm so glad to be surrounded by them; 3. There is a lot to be done and I need to be more involved. If you are like me and need a little catch-up on your news, critique, and interesting tidbits, here is what you missed in the Asian(American) world:

1. From Race Files: Why Are Asians So Racist?

Image courtesy of Race Files

I thought this was such an interesting read and has given me some really good food for thought. I get asked a lot this question and the other question that Racefiles answers (using historical information no less!): why do Asians stick with other Asians? This answer is much easier to answer (similar struggles/easier to relate, etc) but the former always stumped me. My favorite paragraph (but I urge you to read the entire thing):

Newly arrived immigrants assimilate a culture in which it is business as usual for American authority figures to arbitrarily pick out black people and treat them like criminals. It’s not that hard to see why many reach the conclusion that black people are prone to criminality, a racist impression that will be reinforced by TV, conservative politicians, movies, and popular music. But we all consume these same messages. So are Asians more racist? I doubt it. Instead, I argue we are less subtle because we often don’t understand the accepted racial etiquette. And keep in mind, that etiquette tends to make racism more rather than less difficult to combat by forcing it underground.

Summer goal: Tree-dom

 

This summer has been so wackadoodle weather-wise but if it stays semi-Fall like, I won't complain. I wore this to work (but with a jean jacket and ankle boots when it was so much muggier because I MAKE GREAT CHOICES IN LIFE!) but turned it more ~casual as the evening progressed (ie I sweated through everything). 

 Necklace: Beacon's Closet

Gap cardigan, BB Dakota top, BDG high-waist skinny jeans, Bass loafers, Target watch, Built by Wendy tote bag.

So every season, I sort of have a fashion goal or style goal that I hope to achieve. A few summers ago, it was silk button ups with silk high-waist shorts. One fall, I was all about leather accents and leather shorts. I guess this summer, my goal is to become a tree. I bought this vintage-inspired swimsuit from Topshop with a palm tree print so I'm pretty much on my way!

Tell me: Do you have any style/fashion goals that you try to achieve?

What's In A Name?

Source: Business Insider

A few weeks ago, an aircraft went down in San Francisco. It was a tragedy, no one can argue, but when I found out it was Asiana, I held my breath. I knew there was going to be trouble.

Anytime a tragedy is in any way racial, i.e. not about a white person, the tragedy becomes ABOUT how non-white it is. First there were the jokes: Asians can’t drive, therefore they crashed the plane. Asians have small eyes, therefore they crashed the plane. Did you hear about the one where Korean-Americans live in a culture of deference and that’s why the plane crashed?

The sad thing is I’m not surprised. What ended up being surprising was what followed: releasing fake, obviously racist “names” of the Asiana pilots on TV. Sum Ting Wong? Ho Lee Fuk? This was shit I got in 5th grade when white kids would pull their eyes back, bow at me, and say with an “Asian” accent that my name was Ho Lee Fuk because, get it? My last name is Lee.

Many people have debated whether or not this was a simple tasteless joke or something racist, more serious. You don’t see anyone else fucking up Zach Galifianakis’s name or thinking Zsa Zsa Gabor is a weird name. So why is it okay to mimic Asian names?

Featured in a CNN article, Paul Cheung and Bobby Calvan of the Asian American Journalists Association wrote: "Making up Asian names or mimicking foreign accents are not innocent forms of satire. Doing so demeans and hurts."

My parents gave me a Chinese name and an English name. Vivian means lively. 李慧文 means many things. Separately 慧 means intelligence; 文 means literature, the written language. 李 has so much legacy behind it that it has its own Wikipedia page! Needless to say, my mom basically dictated my personality and interests before I even knew it. But in all seriousness, by making fun of Chinese names (or Asian names and any “ethnic” name for that matter) is to Other me, is to erase my history, my culture, my language. Not only is it my history, but it’s the sad history of Asian-American immigration.

According to Gary Okihiro, the founding director of the Center for Study of Ethnicity and Race at Columbia University, the mocking of Asian names dates back to when immigrants started arriving in the United States. "In the 19th century, many immigration officials who first greeted Asian migrants demeaned them, by first of all, making fun of their names because they couldn't pronounce them properly, or assigning them names like John Chinaman or China Mary," he said.

"Anything foreign seems to be open season or free game," continues Okihiro. When even a professional television news broadcast is airing shit like this, well ain’t that the truth.

Un-summery Summer

Why, do you ask, am I wearing a heavy cotton jumper and a chiffon blouse with 3/4 sleeves? The answer is, I think in this weather, I'm just at a loss as to what to wear. I've worn down my high-waist black shorts and even the lightest, flowiest dresses aren't cutting it sometimes in 113 "real feel" weather. And sometimes I just want to defy the weather and say "Hey I'm going to wear this no matter how hot today is!" Spoiler: regrets, I have them.

 

Excuse my poor application but look at these watermelon nails!

 Outfit details: Uniqlo chiffon top, Heritage/Forever 21 jumper, Joe Fresh booties

Things I own too many of: Shoes edition

I have a problem. Some might say I just have very distinct tastes. But my boyfriend says it's a problem. So does my mom. 

My problem is: I love ankle boots. Of all shape, color, and materials. No I'm lying--I love leather (or pseudo-leather) ankle boots. Of all variations of browns and blacks. If I had unlimited funds, my whole room would be filled with ankle boots. I would be known as that "shoe lady." Maybe I will live in a shoe.

Just the other day, I tried on a pair at TopShop and tried to justify my future purchase: "Well these are super comfortable, and they don't zip up or buckle up so it's totally different from my other ones. Plus, this is a darker shade of brown! And leather for this price? IT'S A STEAL."

I came back to reality when I realized I still needed that money for rent but you can bet your ankle boots that I still dream about the pair that got away (that week) because, I mean, we're not forgetting the holy grails of Rachel Comey Mars and PenPal, No. 6 Buckle Ankle Boot, Isabel Marant Dicker, and Acne Pistols right?

 

From top left: H&M, HK boutique, vintage, Old Navy, Joe Fresh, Sam Edelman. 

Not shown: about 3-4 more pairs.

Another weakness--shoe-wise--are tan brown leather sandals with an ankle strap. This is my fourth summer in New York and for each summer, I tend to buy a pair because, duh "It's summer!" I have justified the last three purchases with "These are waterproof and classic," "These are for when I want to look 'cool'" and "These are my most comfy/cutest!" Make no mistake, I also own black sandals with an ankle strap but those, I weirdly don't have to justify as much. 

 

From top to bottom: Bass, Zara, Saltwater Sandals

So anyway, do you have shoes you own too many of? 

I mean, it's a narrow(er) scope than "Things I Own Too Many Of" but you really don't want to get me started on other items of clothing (Peter Pan collars/shirt collars in general comes to mind)--that's for another time!

Cultural Appropriation: A conversation

Images courtesy of Sanaa Hamid 

"Tom" (Left): "It's not religious to me but an expression of colour and print--something Beautiful."
"Unknown Sikh Man" (Right): "My turban is for honour, self-respect...It is our identity as Sikhs. To wear it for fashion...that is wrong."

A few weeks ago, my fellow WC contributor Alicia wrote a very good introduction post to cultural appropriation so I thought it would be fitting to elaborate, expand, and discuss it further here now. What better way to do it than with a WOC artist who is exploring it herself?

I came across this art project by UK photographer Sanaa Hamid called "Cultural Appropriation: A Conversation." The project is "an exploration of the extent of cultural appropriation and encourages a discussion about it." Juxtaposing two photos, Sanaa gives the appropriator and the appropriated the "opportunity to defend themselves." 

Click the cut to see more of Sanaa's project and to read a very insightful interview I did with the artist. 

I'm Not a Sailor, I Just Dress Like One

It's muggy, hot, and I have a crazy amount of mosquito bites so I think I can officially say it's summer here in New York. Although my office is pretty lax when it comes to clothing, I still won't be able to pull off high-waist shorts with sheer tops anytime soon. This is sort of a compromise though (is it????) because it shows a little skin (which was covered with a cardigan for the office anyway--whoops) and it screams summer. I mean, who can say no to tiny sail boats on their dresses? 

 

I don't know why but any time the temperature goes up, I start busting out my crazy printed things. I'm not awesome enough to rock leopard print like my fellow WC ladies but anything else--little dogs/cats, sailboats, pineapples, stars, etc--is fair game. 

So tell me, are there any fun prints you're looking to try this summer?

Outfit details: Asos dress (altered), Gap cardigan, Bass sandals, Little Pancakes necklace.

My Mother, My Style Icon

 

 Here she is with my grandma!

It's almost Mother's Day and with that, I thought I'd share a few photos of my mom from when she was about my age (and a little younger). My mom grew up in one of the poorest neighborhoods in Hong Kong (Diamond Hill, represent) and thus couldn't afford clothing that was on trend. So she did what any creative, crafty lady would do: she made her own clothing.

 

If you gave me a needle and a thread, I could maybe sew you a button. That's about it. But my mom, hot damn, did she know how to sew. And pattern. I regret to this day that she doesn't have any of her mod-inspired clothing anymore. But then again, she was like half my size. Still, I could have framed them they were so nice. 

Based on these poses, you could tell she would have been a fashion blogger if that existed in the mid-late 70s ;)

Anyway, any lady will tell you that their mama (or mama figure!) is the best--it's a no brainer. Your mom is the best for you. But seriously folks, I credit all my creativity, inspiration, wisdom, and fashion sense to my mom. She's the best. And the weirdest. And she makes delicious Chinese food that I crave all the time. Nothing in Chinatown compares, for sure. So to all the mamas, grandmas, guardians, mama-surrogates, etc out there, Happy Mother's Day! Share your favorite mom story in the comments. I want to read them and feel cheery this week!

Don't Tell Me I'm Beautiful

I had a lot of things to say about that Dove ad that you and your mama have already seen but since I don't post until now, it's probably old news because the Internet travels at lightning speed. The one thing I will say is--besides the obvious glaring omission of any WOC getting camera time and/or physical beauty is not the only thing that should define you--is that when this ad meant "beauty," they meant the Western notion of what physical beauty is. And this is definitely something I struggle with--not so much now but definitely when I was growing up/hitting puberty.

A lot of what Western beauty means is, and it's reiterated time and time again in that Dove ad, is "you should be skinny," as you can see when they describe the women in a "positive" light (she is described as having a thin chin, for example). This notion of BEING SKINNY, a very Western concept, has permeated Eastern consciousness that in cities like Hong Kong (where my parents were born and raised and where I spent a lot of my childhood years), it's been getting a little out of hand.