IT’S SPOOKY SEASON AGAIN! My favorite time of the year (after summer, of course)! Let's change it up a little and have some fun.
Read MoreOutfits
Your Classics Aren't My Classics! Deconstructing Literary Canon For Asian Americans
I grew up thinking that the most important books were written by white men and women. I was wrong. Entire generations of Asian Americans have been erased or misrepresented. It wasn’t that we were voiceless all these years. It’s that we weren’t being heard.
Read MoreThe Dark Arts Of Manipulating The Media
When trolls and media repression represent the dominant culture, how can we have faith that our news hasn't been manipulated for the sake of hits?
Read MoreJoin Me In DC April 6-8th
Join me in D.C. from April 6-8 for the National Summit for Human Rights and Democracy in the Philippines. I will be a speaker at the Defending Press Freedom panel.
Read MoreThe Backlash Against Marie Kondo is So Stupid (and Racist)
Have we really progressed as a society when it comes to how we view Asian women? What is really behind the backlash against (very benign, very gentle, very sweet) Marie Kondo?
Read MoreEvents in January 2019
Happy New Year!! I can’t believe Aesthetic Distance is in its 5th year now! I hope everyone had a wonderful, restful holiday. I know I did. And now I’m ready to get back in action. Here are a few events that I’ll be hosting or am involved in this month.
Read MoreThe Best of 2018: My Greatest Hits
As 2018 comes to an end, I had a look back at everything I wrote, shot, podcasted, and collaborated on this year and boy did I have a lot of projects. I learned so much and met so many amazing people. My brand is constantly evolving to become more and more of a community and providing a perspective not often found in mainstream media. And I wrote A LOT of essays.
Read MoreCorporations That Encourage Charitable Giving Are Only Helping Themselves
Since it's Christmas, be wary of any corporation that encourages charity (like Walmart and countless universities across the U.S.). They could just, you know, pay their fucking employees a livable salary.
Read MoreWe Need To Change Course, But What's That Mean?
During the Trump presidency, many Americans have found themselves desperately trying to not just point out the longstanding problems in our society but actually find pathways to fix them. But what does that mean?
Read MoreKing of the Yees at CenterStage
While the last event was about revitalizing the historic Chinatown neighborhood here in Baltimore, the event at Center Stage was about understanding where your parents came from and in doing so, discovering your own origin story.
Read MoreThe Oscars Have Always Been My Super Bowl And This Year Is No Different, Damnit
Once autumn hits, my interest in going to the movies really starts to pick up. October is the beginning of what many people such as myself refer to as Oscar Season — typically beginning when summer blockbusters wrap up and ending on December 31, which is the eligibility cut-off.
Read MoreWearing More And Going Out More - November Events
Once the sun goes down, I have a hard time staying put. I’ve always been social and love to go out. If you’re like me, here are some events I’m involved in for this month.
Read MoreHappy Glamoween 2018
Halloween is fun because it’s an excuse to wear a ton of makeup and for many of us more flamboyant types, a chance to finally be ourselves. Trust me, the rest of the year, we’re just toning it down.
Read MoreHanging Out In Baltimore - #DitchWithLyft
This month me and Devin Allen are giving up our cars and taking Lyft everywhere we go as part of the #DitchWithLyft campaign, where we use transportation services like Lyft, Zipcar, bike sharing and mass transit to get around as part of a bolder step towards creating a better future for our cities, our planet and the next generation.
Read MoreOctober is Filipino American History Month
If you follow me on Instagram (especially my Instagram Stories, where it ALL goes down), Twitter or Facebook, then you know that October is Filipino American History Month (FAHM) and across the nation, my fellow Pinoys and I have been celebrating, hosting events, boosting our favorite Pinoy artists, musicians, writers, and activists.
Read MoreAsk Me Anything Part V
It’s that time again! Last July, I collected a bunch of questions from my readers and here are all of my answers!
Read MoreTribal Instincts: The Case Against Assimilation
The question isn't, why is tribalism so attractive to us? That seems obvious based on the human desire to connect and belong. The question is more, what makes modern American society so unappealing?
Read MoreSeptember Events: Baltimore Book Festival and The Charm City Night Market
Some of my favorite things about my blog and the online activism I do are the opportunities that come along for me to advocate for the Asian American community in real life. This month, I'M HOSTING TWO EXCITING EVENTS in the Baltimore area.
Read MoreWhy Is Everyone So Pissed Off About Cultural Appropriation?
Cultural appropriation is a topic that never goes away and one where the goalposts are constantly moving. And when people talk about it, it turns into a furious debate almost immediately.
Read MoreRepresentation Matters And It's Not Just About Hollywood
For people of color, especially Asian Americans, representation shouldn't just be about Hollywood, television, or pop music. It starts way earlier and much closer to home. It starts before your kids even begin kindergarten.
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