Telling people’s stories, an ethnic media success
Written by Stephen on September 2, 2015
Legs for journalism’s future – your help is needed
These are tough days for journalists and especially the ethnic news media. It’s hard to consider a career in the news media when you don’t know much about. And its even harder to get your foot in the door with an unpaid internship when you need to earn money. That’s I’m running in this Sunday, […]
Written by Stephen on September 7, 2012
From Virtual to IRL at the V3 Asian American and Pacific Islander Digital Media Conference
I love writing about AAPI issues for the AAPI community because we do not have to stop and explain every last detail, but we can discuss issues at a much higher level and actually move forward. I am able to thrive within the community of AAPI writers, bloggers, activists, artists, and friends that I have found here. They are my safe place to fall. They are my wealth of resources and connections. They are the people who understand what it means to dream in html, who defend me from trolls, and who get my jokes. With this community behind me, I am able to be a much more effective writer and advocate for the wider AAPI community.
Written by frances on August 20, 2012
On Proms and Protocols–Figuring out the rules and creating new paths
So I am always pleased to see young Asian Americans (who are so much cooler than I will ever be) figuring things out their own way, not being constrained by the way things have always been done, creatively constructing something new. Why depend on a school photographer when you could have a talented friend take your prom pictures for you? Then Photoshop an explosion into the background? Now that is a prom photo worthy of showing my friend, Angry Asian Man.
Written by frances on June 10, 2012
Seeking Asian Pacific American Superheroes…at a Conference?
As the Asian Pacific American media began talking about the issue nationally, I began to fantasize about a more effective solution. I knew that two very cool Asian American activists happened to be headed to Purdue for various Asian Pacific American Heritage Month activities. I conjured up the image of the two of them dressed up in sky blue superhero costumes with fluttering capes and bright yellow masks and gloves, parachuting into the center of Purdue to take care of business. Ka-pow! Sock! Bam! Sometimes, in the face of depressing news item after depressing news item, I long for a superhero to set things right as cleanly and simply as they do in the comic books.
Written by frances on April 23, 2012
Preparing our children for the bullying and hate crimes we hope never come
Time to review the skills I teach my children in preparation for the bullying and hate crimes I hope never come. Because when it happens, one can never think quickly enough, these skills have to already be there…. [For example:]
The Exact Words: Whether or not a bullying incident or crime is racially motivated needs proof, usually in the form of the words spoken at the time of attack, including threats and slurs. When my children tell stories around the dinner table, I often ask, “What did she say, exactly?” especially when it seems like they might be exaggerating or generalizing. (This is a useful skill for future journalists, too.)
Written by frances on April 6, 2012
Building the Black News Media
Black youths make up less than one half of the students in Chicago’s schools but they account for three out of four suspensions. That’s what I read this morning in the newspapers and I told myself this needs a follow-up. It needs a story that explains why this happens and what it means. It needs […]
Written by Stephen on March 6, 2012