happy apa heritage month

May is Asian Pacific American Heritage month. Yes, I'm quite aware of the issues surrounding the relegation of the vast sum of Asian Pacific culture and history being reduced to a single month celebration, but it's nice to have some recognition of contributions of our people, right?

Both Senator Obama and Senator Clinton released statements in honor of APA Heritage month. Nice.


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While the perspectives of Asian Americans continue be underrepresented in the mainstream press, the internet has been a great medium for Asian Americans. Some of my favorite "Asian American" interest sites:

• AngryAsianMan - The classic news blog for Asian American / Asian related news. I've been a loyal reader since I first found the blog back in 2001.
  
  
• II STIX - The granddaddy of Asian American community sites that I've participated in over the years... I've been a member since I was a sophomore in college. The site has gone through a lot of changes including a long hiatus over the years, but I've made a lot of good friends through it and it remains highly accessible, even to Asian Americans who aren't into "heavy" Asian American issues. I currently serve as an editor for the re-launched beta of the site.
  
  
• The Fighting 44s - Another Asian American community site, The Fighting 44s is probably one of the most intellectually engaging and diverse Asian American sites on the internet. The quality of many of the articles is good, and the forum discussions manage the rare combination of being interesting, insightful, and humorous.
  
  
• Fallout Central - These guys are new to the "Asian American web scene", but have managed to attract quite a following with their weekly podcasts - basically, a high quality web radio program with a focus on Asian American issues. They also have done a number of good interviews wtih folks like Jin (Chinese American emcee), Yul Kwon (Survivor winner), and Benson Lee (director of Planet B-Boy).
  
  
• DISGRASIAN - Two words: freak'n hilarious. An Asian American news-style blog written usually by two no-nonsense, intelligent Asian American women (Jen and Diana), the posts are equal parts admiration, sarcasm, satire, and commentary (check out these posts on Gossip Girl or Yul Kwon getting engaged)
  
  
• Rice Bowl Journals - Probably the largest, best organized collection of Asian American blogs on the internet. Yep, I'm a member here too.
  

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I probably should update my muxtape with songs for APA Heritage Month and Mother's Day, but until then, you can enjoy these two podcasts I made last year for APA Heritage Month - part 1 (Asian American pop / rock) and part 2 (Asian American hip-hop).