Escape From Plan A

Asian Americans experience a COVID fatality rate at least 3 times the national average in cities where we make up more than 5% of the population. Xiaoyun and Sarah, who both work in healthcare, join You Peng and Diana to discuss the often unreported healthcare disparities of COVID impact on Asian American communities. We share how we've personally experienced the multifaceted ways in which racism and sinophobia in science and medicine erase and kill Asian Americans--and give lots of practical advice on how to advocate for ourselves as patients. Always get a second opinion and if necessary, ask for a different provider. Hospitals are like any other capitalist business, and that means patients are customers. We have more leverage than we often realize. Support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/planamag REFERENCED RESOURCES: Asian Americans Facing High COVID-19 Case Fatality: https://www.healthaffairs.org/do/10.1377/hblog20200708.894552/full/ Ignorance, Orientalism and Sinophobia in Knowledge Production on COVID‐19 - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7323434/ Filipinos on the Frontlines: Our Bodies Are Not Disposable: https://planamag.com/filipinos-on-the-frontlines-our-bodies-are-not-disposable/ COVID Exacts High Toll Among Filipino Nurses: https://www.medpagetoday.com/nursing/nursing/88812 Black and Brown Skin Signs and Symptoms - “Mind the Gap” by Malone Mukwende https://www.blackandbrownskin.co.uk/mindthegap Systemic racism and U.S. health care - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0277953613005121 The Effects of Racism in Medical Education on Students’ Decisions to Practice in Underserved or Minority Communities - https://journals.lww.com/academicmedicine/Fulltext/2019/08000/The_Effects_of_Racism_in_Medical_Education_on.35.aspx US refuses to join international effort to develop Covid-19 vaccine- https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/sep/01/us-covid-19-vaccine-refuses-international-effort-coronavirus Millions of black people affected by racial bias in health-care algorithms - https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-019-03228-6 Challenging the ethnic pyramid: Golden rules and organisational measures towards a more inclusive work environment https://doi.org/10.1111/jonm.12838 Perceptions of Factors Associated With Inclusive Work and Learning Environments in Health Care Organizations: A Qualitative Narrative Analysis https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2018.1003 Stanford Hospital second opinion program: https://stanfordhealthcare.org/second-opinion/overview.html Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). Prevalence of Both Diagnosed and Undiagnosed Diabetes. https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/data/statistics-report/diagnosed-undiagnosed-diabetes.html BMI cut points to identify at-risk Asian Americans for type 2 diabetes screening. Diabetes Care, 38(1), 150–158. https://doi.org/10.2337/dc14-2391 Incorporating cultural perspectives into diabetes self-management programs for East Asian immigrants: A mixed-study review.Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health, 18(2), 454–467. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-015-0181-5 Barriers and facilitators for type-2 diabetes management in South Asians: A systematic review.PlOS One, 10(9), e0136202. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0136202 The "battle" of managing language barriers in health care. Clinical pediatrics, 55(14), 1318–1327. https://doi.org/10.1177/0009922816629760 SUBMISSIONS & COMMENTS: editor.planamag@gmail.com EFPA Opening Theme: "Fuck Out My Face" by Ayekay (open.spotify.com/artist/16zQKaDN5XgHAhfOJHTigJ)

Hailing Chen is running for New York City Council representing the mostly Asian and Latinx immigrant community of Flushing, NY. Jess, Diana and Teen talk to Hailing -- an Uber driver -- talk about the ways COVID threatens to break the back of the immigrant working class, and how it is now do-or-die to stand up politically. We hear a lot from the elite class on what's best for immigrant communities, but we rarely hear from members of these communities directly. Support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/planamag REFERENCED RESOURCES: Hailing's campaign website: https://www.hailingchen.nyc/ SUBMISSIONS & COMMENTS: editor.planamag@gmail.com EFPA Opening Theme: "Fuck Out My Face" by Ayekay (open.spotify.com/artist/16zQKaDN5XgHAhfOJHTigJ)

We're serving up lighter fare for this bonus. You Peng and Diana deliver on the promise of an episode where EFPA reviews snacks. Here's what we've been eating and cooking during the last half year quarantine, with a bit of political discussion sprinkled like furikake on rice. Support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/planamag SUBMISSIONS & COMMENTS: editor.planamag@gmail.com EFPA Opening Theme: "Fuck Out My Face" by Ayekay (open.spotify.com/artist/16zQKaDN5XgHAhfOJHTigJ)

With Prop. 16 on the ballot for Nov. 3 -- which will decide whether California will reinstate affirmative action -- the eternal issue of whether Asian Americans are "for or against affirmative action" is again causing a rift among activists. It seems to be a deadlock where one is either "selling out" other AsAms if they support affirmative action, or "being complicit with white supremacy" if they oppose it. Jess, Diana and Teen discuss this deadlock, and whether there is a different perspective by which to understand affirmative action and the Asian American. Is affirmative action even a proper domain for "activism" -- whether one is for or against -- in the first place? TWITTER: Jess (@cogitatotomato) Teen (@mont_jiang) Diana (@discoveryduck) REFERENCED RESOURCES: LA Time endorsement of Prop 16: https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2020-09-11/endorsement-affirmative-action-ban SF Chronicle opposition to Prop 16: https://www.sfchronicle.com/opinion/openforum/article/Racial-preferences-are-wrong-Vote-no-on-15558704.php "Thomas Jefferson High School Wants Fewer Asians," The National Review: https://www.nationalreview.com/magazine/2020/10/19/thomas-jefferson-high-school-wants-fewer-asians/ SUBMISSIONS & COMMENTS: editor.planamag@gmail.com EFPA Opening Theme: "Fuck Out My Face" by Ayekay (open.spotify.com/artist/16zQKaDN5XgHAhfOJHTigJ)

Mike joins Q this week to discuss two short readings: Hồ Chí Minh’s Letter to Old People regarding the role of elder people in revolutionary movements, and the second, Huey P. Newton's "In Defense of Self Defense," concerning the role of violence in liberation. These two seemingly disparate works provide important advice for those of trying to agitate and organize during these tumultuous times. Valuing new voices and being welcoming of the young into the new world we are trying to build also requires correcting important errors when it comes to what “Gen Z” has to offer without repeating the mistakes of our elders. Given the anti-communist propaganda rampant in the Asian diaspora, it is vital we provide a clear and objective articulation of an alternative to the status quo. On the other hand, what systemic change might look like may vary based on the eye of the beholder. Newton’s essay makes a clear and simple request: that it is the right of the oppressed peoples, of the world and the US in particular, to act in self-defense by disrupting the white supremacist’s monopoly on violence. In the wake of chaos, we can only grow by learning to depend on one another. Support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/planamag TWITTER: Q (@allyouneedis_q) Mike (@euthanasiaclown) REFERENCED RESOURCES: Letter to Old People (Ho Chi Minh): https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/ho-chi-minh/works/1945/09/20.htm In Defense of Self Defense (Huey P. Newton): https://www.hamptonthink.org/read/in-defense-of-self-defense-huey-p-newton American "Revolution," The "Black Hole" of American Electioneering and the Lessons China Must Draw (Tu Zhuxi): https://www.qiaocollective.com/en/articles/american-revolution-tu-zhuxi SUBMISSIONS & COMMENTS: editor.planamag@gmail.com EFPA Opening Theme: "Fuck Out My Face" by Ayekay (open.spotify.com/artist/16zQKaDN5XgHAhfOJHTigJ)

Kajah and Jeoffrey of Black Zebra Productions joins Nia and Diana for a rare interview. The husband-and-wife team shares stories of documenting the protests in Sacramento, Portland, Kenosha, and Paris. As Asian American artists, they also share their experiences with breaking out of the scarcity mentality, personal decolonization, and finding connection and community within the greater struggle against fascism happening all over the world. Please consider donating to Black Zebra Productions' coverage efforts on Venmo (@BlackZebra), Paypal (paypal.me/blackzebrainc), or CashApp (cash.app/$theblackzebra) TWITTER: Black Zebra (@blackzebrapro) Nia (@nxn_nrc) Diana (@discoveryduck) REFERENCED RESOURCES: Black Zebra Productions: www.travelwithblackzebra.com https://www.facebook.com/blackzebraproductions/ Black Zebra Productions crew attacked by federal agents in Portland protest, video shows: https://www.sacbee.com/news/local/article244412477.html Facebook Deleted Black Zebra Productions’ Sacramento George Floyd Protest Videos, Before Restoring Page: https://www.capradio.org/articles/2020/06/09/facebook-deletes-black-zebra-productions-page-sacramento-george-floyd-protest-videos/ SUBMISSIONS & COMMENTS: editor.planamag@gmail.com EFPA Opening Theme: "Fuck Out My Face" by Ayekay (open.spotify.com/artist/16zQKaDN5XgHAhfOJHTigJ)

On August 20, 2020, Asian Americans Advancing Justice's Asian Law Caucus, along with dozens of Asian American and Civil Rights organizations, filed an amicus brief opposing the US government's increasing attacks on Chinese American scientists. In this special unlocked bonus episode, Teen and Diana discuss "The China Initiative," how and why something like this gets enacted, who it hurts and who it benefits. Ethnic cleansing and fascism don't require violent mobs. Jealous colleagues, ambitious prosecutors, and an ignorant public will get the job done. But are Chinese scientists the first victims of an impending Boba Liberal pogrom, or the last line of defense against a truly failed state? In an America that is insane and eating itself, Asian Americans need to develop our own tradition of intellectualism to fight for ourselves and all Americans. TWITTER: Teen (@mont_jiang) Diana (@discoveryduck) REFERENCED RESOURCES: United States vs Tao Amicus Brief: https://advancingjustice-aajc.org/sites/default/files/2020-08/Tao%20Amicus%20Brief.pdf The Chinese in America, by Iris Chang: https://b-ok.cc/book/3236054/6cdc89 Thread of the Silkworm, by Iris Chang: https://b-ok.cc/book/2372111/9b0caa One Billion Americans: The case for many more Americans: https://www.vox.com/future-perfect/21449512/matt-yglesias-one-billion-americans How Two Students Touring Florida Found Themselves Branded as Chinese Spies: https://foreignpolicy.com/2020/09/28/china-lost-students-spies-michigan-florida-espionage-fears/ Destined for War: Can America and China Escape Thucydides’s Trap? by Graham Allison: https://b-ok.cc/book/5152796/296be7 SUBMISSIONS & COMMENTS: editor.planamag@gmail.com EFPA Opening Theme: "Fuck Out My Face" by Ayekay (open.spotify.com/artist/16zQKaDN5XgHAhfOJHTigJ)

Diamond Yao joins Teen and Diana to discuss her article "Navigating Capitalist Mandates for Happiness and Collectivist Fears of Shame." What do "failure" and "success" mean in a culture of excess consumerism that dehumanizes and commodifies us? How do we get out of the white hand-me-down world? TWITTER: Diamond (@graceofyul) Teen (@Mont_Jiang) Diana (@discoveryduck) REFERENCED RESOURCES: "Navigating Capitalist Mandates for Happiness and Collectivist Fears of Shame" https://planamag.com/navigating-capitalist-mandates-for-happiness-and-collectivist-fears-of-shame/ The Black Bourgeoisie, E. Franklin Frazier https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Black-Bourgeoisie/Franklin-Frazier/9780684832418 SUBMISSIONS & COMMENTS: editor.planamag@gmail.com EFPA Opening Theme: "Fuck Out My Face" by Ayekay (open.spotify.com/artist/16zQKaDN5XgHAhfOJHTigJ)

On September 19, 2020, Judge Laurel Beeler in San Francisco granted a preliminary injunction to stop the Trump Administration's executive order that would remove WeChat and its software support from U.S. app stores, effectively banning the Chinese "superapp." ****** In this special unlocked bonus, Jess, Diana, Chris, and Teen dive into the details of the executive orders against WeChat and TikTok, and contextualize the upcoming trial to keep WeChat in American cyberspace. Like US vs Wong Kim Ark and Yick Wo vs Hopkins, US WeChat Users Alliance vs Donald Trump recalls the underreported and under-appreciated heritage of Chinese American legal battles that defined American concepts of citizenship and civil rights. It will potentially be a Supreme Court case that will define the civil liberties of all Americans in the digital age. Please consider donating at: https://uswua.org/donations TWITTER: Teen (@mont_jiang) Chris (@JesuInToast) Diana (@discoveryduck) Jess (@cogitatotomato) REFERENCED RESOURCES: -NYTimes: "WeChat Ban Makes U.S.-China Standoff Personal" https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/18/technology/wechat-ban-united-states-china.html -US WeChat Users Alliance Vs Donald Trump: https://chinaipr2.files.wordpress.com/2020/08/dkt.-01-complaint-for-declaratory-and-injunctive-relief-08-21-2020.pdf -US WeChat Users Alliance Order on Motion for Preliminary Injunction: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/17470217/59/us-wechat-users-alliance/ -US vs Korematsu: https://constitutioncenter.org/blog/the-supreme-courts-worst-decision-lives-on-in-2016-campaign -US vs Wong Kim Ark: https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/2018/10/30/birthright-citizenship-trump-inspired-history-lesson-th-amendment/ -Yick Wo vs Hopkins: https://repository.law.umich.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1023&context=mjrl SUBMISSIONS & COMMENTS: editor.planamag@gmail.com EFPA Opening Theme: "Fuck Out My Face" by Ayekay (open.spotify.com/artist/16zQKaDN5XgHAhfOJHTigJ)

This episode of Escape From Plan A is sponsored by NCRC. Content creation, research, and podcast guest scheduling was done in partnership with the Adoptee Rights Campaign. ***** Adam is joined by three guests, Leah, Sara and Mike. All three are international adoptees without citizenship in America. In their own voices, each of them share the legal, practical, and emotional implications and impact that their status has had, and continues to have on the lives of themselves and their families. This is the first of a three part series exploring the issue of adoptees without citizenship. Part Two will explore the legal and policy perspective and Part Three will explore how the political climate effects solving citizenship for adoptees. TWITTER: Adam (@snbatman) SUBMISSIONS & COMMENTS: editor.planamag@gmail.com Special EFPA Opening and Closing Theme: "Space" by Soon Jo