Escape From Plan A

With many Asian Americans only being a generation or two, if at all, removed from Asia, it's important to be informed about political and social movements there. Journalist E. Tammy Kim, who recently wrote the article #KoreaToo for the New York Review of Books, joins Oxford Kondo in talking about the many layers and issues of the burgeoning movement for women's progress in Korea, from workplace equality to domestic violence to spycam pornography to online culture wars. Intro/Outro Music: "Arirang" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6j3IQRGgk2Y) Intro Voice Track: International Women's Day protest in Seoul, South Korea - Guardian News (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qE0ntMvksc8) TWITTER: E. Tammy Kim (@etammykim) Oxford (@oxford_kondo) REFERENCED RESOURCES: #KoreaToo (by E. Tammy Kim): https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2019/03/07/koreatoo/ South Koreans Are Still Hopeful After the Trump-Kim Summit (by E. Tammy Kim): https://www.newyorker.com/news/dispatch/south-koreans-are-still-hopeful-after-the-trump-kim-summit How South Koreans Are Reckoning With a Changing American Military Presence (by E. Tammy Kim): https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/09/magazine/south-korea-america-military.html Moon Over Korea (by E. Tammy Kim): https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2018/08/16/moon-jae-in-korea/ RECOMMENDED READING: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/536652/human-acts-by-han-kang/9781101906743/ https://www.upress.umn.edu/book-division/books/haunting-the-korean-diaspora http://www.cornellpress.cornell.edu/book/?GCOI=80140100829670 https://www.sevenstories.com/books/3658-the-guest https://books.wwnorton.com/books/detail.aspx?id=7860 https://www.tiltedaxispress.com/one-hundred-shadows SUBMISSIONS AND COMMENTS: editor.planamag@gmail.com

Everyone knows about the Trump supporter and the neo-Nazis, the taxonomy of reactionary racism. But what about the racism that exists outside of that wing of America? The racism of the world most of us Asian Americans live in? From condescension to stealth discrimination, Mark, Jess and Teen talk about the kind of racism that cannot be so easily called out. Intro: Almost Always True (Elvis Presley) Outro: Ito Eats (Elvis Presley) Resources: Teen's article on Asian American influence in American midcentury design: https://planamag.com/erasing-asian-american-midcentury-design-330d33aa828 Twitter: Jess (@cogitatotomato) Mark (@snbatman) Teen (@mont_jiang) SUBMISSIONS AND COMMENTS: editor.planamag@gmail.com

The Plan A crew has never really discussed their politics out in the open, mostly focusing instead on race and ethnicity's role in American life. In this episode, Jay, Q, and Teen talk about their core political beliefs, why political identity matters, and how, if at all, our Asian American/Canadian ethnicity informs our politics. Intro Music: "Jerusalem" by Alpha Blondy Intro Voice: Chris Hedges Outro Music: "Socialism is Good" (simplified Chinese: 社会主义好) composed by Li Huanzhi, with lyrics by Xi Yang. REFERENCED RESOURCES: Jay's recommendation: Space Babies gives a leftist critique of 'Crazy Rich Asians' https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOHU4gpaoBs SUBMISSIONS AND COMMENTS: editor.planamag@gmail.com

This week, Amelie Wen Zhao had to self-cancel (or self-delay) her upcoming novel Blood Heir due to backlash on YA Twitter about all sorts of things, ranging from allegations of racist scenes to her own vindictiveness towards anyone who left her bad reviews. This isn't the first time such things have happened in the YA world. Now, both the social justice and anti-SJW forces are using Zhao to advance their agendas. Jess, Diana, Oxford, and Mark discuss why the moral stakes seem so high in the YA sphere and how an Asian woman is forced to navigate it. Intro/Outro Music: Panem Anthem from "The Hunger Games" Intro Voice Track: "Blood Heir Controversy" by Francina Simone (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4S1p3KtZSw&t=83s) TWITTER: Jess (@cogitatotomato) Diana (@discoveryduck) Oxford (@oxford_kondo) Mark (@snbatman) REFERENCED RESOURCES: The Toxic Drama of YA Twitter: https://www.vulture.com/2017/08/the-toxic-drama-of-ya-twitter.html YA Twitter Forces Rising Star to Self-Cancel: https://www.vulture.com/2019/01/ya-twitter-forces-rising-star-author-to-self-cancel.html How A Twitter Mob Destroyed A Young Immigrant Author's Budding Career (by Jesse Singal): https://www.tabletmag.com/jewish-news-and-politics/279806/how-a-twitter-mob-destroyed-a-young-immigrant-female-authors-budding-career Quillette Podcast 14 – Kat Rosenfield on the mobbing of Amélie Wen Zhao: https://quillette.com/2019/02/01/quillette-podcast-14-kat-rosenfield-on-the-mobbing-of-amelie-wen-zhao/ Children's Bookshelf's tweet on the Zhao controversy: https://twitter.com/pwkidsbookshelf/status/1091013855218667520?s=21 Will Menaker's tweet on the Zhao controversy: https://twitter.com/willmenaker/status/1091064621883113472?s=21 Jesse Singal's tweet on the Zhao controversy: https://twitter.com/jessesingal/status/1090474475676753921 Celeste Ng Is More Than A Novelist: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/20/books/celeste-ng-everything-i-never-told-you-little-fires-everwhere.html SUBMISSIONS AND COMMENTS: editor.planamag@gmail.com

Recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows that mixed-race Americans are one of the fastest growing racial category in the United States (and a particularly young demographic as well). A popular idea argues that the “beigeing” of America will naturally lead to decreased racism, but is it more complicated than that? Special guest Sharon H. Chang (author, photographer, and activist) and returning guest C.S. Taniguchi share their experiences with Oxford Kondō on what it’s like to grow up mixed-race Asian and what their thoughts are on the future of mixed-race America. Intro/Outro Music: "Two Slow Dancers" by Mitski Intro Voice Track: Barack Obama on his biracial heritage from "Being Multiracial in America | The New York Times" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21H9lA6MLHM) TWITTER: Sharon (@sharonhchang) C.S. (@c_taniguchi) Oxford (@oxford_kondo) REFERENCED RESOURCES: "Raising Mixed Race" by Sharon H. Chang: https://www.amazon.com/Raising-Mixed-Critical-Viewpoints-Society/dp/1138999466 "Hapa Tales and Other Lies" by Sharon H. Chang: https://www.amazon.com/Hapa-Tales-Other-Lies-Memoir/dp/1732484708 Black? White? Asian? More Young Americans Choose All of the Above: https://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/30/us/30mixed.html The Race and Gender Fails Of “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before”: https://sharonhchang.com/2018/11/27/the-race-and-gender-fails-of-to-all-the-boys-ive-loved-before/ SUBMISSIONS AND COMMENTS: editor.planamag@gmail.com

Teen, Mark, and Jong are joined by special guest Ray (a data scientist currently in Norcal and friend of Plan A)to discuss the homicides of Fufai Pun and Kheong Ng-Thang. We compare this incident with Vincent Chin’s famous murder and compare their respective responses from the community. We also question whether anger must come with a productive outlet or not. Intro Voice Track: CBS New York report on the hammer attack in Sheepshead Bay on 1/16/2019 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZDMWkD318Y) Outro Music: "For The Prey" by Bambu (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRTQPVGZ1Pc) TWITTER: Teen(@mont_jiang) Mark(@snbatman) Jong (@calicoarse) Ray (@raydeng) REFERENCED RESOURCES: New Article on the Brooklyn Hammer homicides of Ng Tan Kheong and Fufai Pun: https://abc7ny.com/2nd-person-dies-after-nyc-restaurant-hammer-attack-/5095729/ Reappropriate's Twitter thread on the Brooklyn Hammer homicides of Ng Tan Kheong and Fufai Pun: https://twitter.com/reappropriate/status/1086126026130767874 Masculinity vs. “Misogylinity”: what Asian Americans can learn from #UCSB shooting | #YesAllWomen: http://reappropriate.co/2014/05/masculinity-vs-misogylinity-what-asian-americans-can-learn-from-ucsb-shooting-yesallwomen/ SUBMISSIONS AND COMMENTS: editor.planamag@gmail.com

C.S. Taniguchi, Diana, Mark, and Teen talk about the incredible influence that Japanese culture has had in America over a long period of time. From architecture, food and literature, to how we declutter our lives. Why does Japan hold such cultural sway over Americans? And is this a good or bad sign? Intro Music: Isle of Dogs OST Intro Voice Track: Matthew Weiner discussing the Mad Men character Bertram Cooper Outro Music: Ghost in the Shell OST (the real one) TWITTER: C.S. Taniguchi: @c_taniguchi Diana: @discoveryduck Mark: @snbatman Teen: @mont_jiang SUBMISSIONS AND COMMENTS: editor.planamag@gmail.com

Self-awareness and self-reflection are crucial elements to any good discussion. While Asian guys have legit gripes, that doesn't mean they always express them in the right way or that they're always blameless. Oxford, Filip, Jong, and Mark run an audit of straight Asian male behavior and attitudes to get an assessment of what needs improvement. Intro/Outro Music: "It G Ma" by Keith Ape Intro Voice Track: Ned Flanders from the Simpsons Episode "The Trouble With Trillions" TWITTER: Oxford (@oxford_kondo) Filip (@filipgwriting) Jong (@calicoarse) Mark (@snbatman) Contact us at: editor.planamag@gmail.com

With the skyrocketing popularity of the Subtle Asian Traits Facebook groups and its many offshoots like Subtle Asian Dating and Subtle Curry Traits, the persistent and unresolved gender issues among Asian Americans (and other Asians in Western countries) have inevitably come to the forefront. Oxford, Filip, Sammi, and Jay take a look at the discussions that have been popping up and ask whether these spaces can avoid the problems that have plagued other Asian online spaces in the past. Intro Voice Track: “The Asian-Australians behind ‘Subtle Asian Traits’” by Bohdee (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQ6U8-wFeA0) Outro Music: “Queen of Queens” by Miss Ko TWITTER: Oxford (@oxford_kondo) Filip (@filipgwriting) Jay (@lithiummano) REFERENCED RESOURCES: How 'Subtle Asian Traits' Became A Global Hit: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/11/world/australia/subtle-asian-traits-facebook-group.html 'Subtle Asian Traits' And 'Subtle Asian Dating' Are Raising Good Questions: https://planamag.com/subtle-asian-traits-and-subtle-asian-dating-are-raising-good-questions-a1501bb82544 Inside EastMeetEast, the Controversial Dating App for Asians That Raises Thorny Questions About Identity: https://www.gq.com/story/eastmeeteast-asians-only-dating-app An Rong Photographs Asian Couples In Love: https://i-d.vice.com/en_us/article/d3bjmv/an-rong-photographs-asian-couples-in-love Priyanka Chopra A 'Scam Artist'? - The Cut's Racist Rant Is Pathetic:https://www.huffingtonpost.in/2018/12/05/the-new-york-magazine-s-rant-against-priyanka-chopra-is-a-new-racist-low_a_23609257/

With the verdict in the Harvard admissions lawsuit on the horizon, Escape From Plan A goes beyond the legalistic arguments involved to ask some big picture questions. Should Harvard seek racial diversity in its classes? If so, should it be more open about that instead of blaming Asian Americans for lackluster personalities? And why do Asian Americans repeatedly internalize and accept responsibility for racism we encounter? Join Teen, Oxford, and guest Kasie (from the Anthony Bourdain memorial podcast) as they delve into these difficult questions. Intro Song: Ten Thousand Men of Harvard Outro Song: "The Christmas Song" by Ella Fitzgerald Intro Voice Track: Harvard bar scene from "Good Will Hunting" TWITTER: Teen (@mont_jiang) Oxford (@oxford_kondo) Kasie (@kasefiles) REFERENCED RESOURCES: Students For Fair Admissions complaint: https://studentsforfairadmissions.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/SFFA-v.-Harvard-Complaint.pdf Harvard lawsuit documents supporting Harvard: https://admissionscase.harvard.edu/supporting-documents "Anti-Asian Bias, Not Affirmative Action, Is on Trial in the Harvard Case" by Jeannie Suk Gersen: https://www.newyorker.com/news/our-columnists/anti-asian-bias-not-affirmative-action-is-on-trial-in-the-harvard-case "Admitting Bias" by Aaron Mak: https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/10/harvard-admissions-lawsuit-trial-asian-american-discrimination-reports.html "I support affirmative action. But Harvard really is hurting Asian Americans." by Michael Li: https://www.vox.com/first-person/2018/10/18/17995270/asian-americans-affirmative-action-harvard-admissions-lawsuit "Louisiana School Made Headlines for Sending Black Kids to Elite Colleges. Here’s the Reality.": https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/30/us/tm-landry-college-prep-black-students.html "The Danger of Asian American Conformity" by Teen Sheng: https://planamag.com/the-danger-of-asian-american-conformity-116576c716f2 "Harvard and Edward Blum: Two Defenders of White Plutocracy": https://planamag.com/harvard-edward-blum-defenders-of-white-plutocracy-e7dae5e44d85