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Asian American Blogs

The following Asian American blogs are interesting sites that we have come across through our surfing, and are not meant to be an exhaustive list. On the whole, we have gravitated toward sites that deal in some fashion with issues of race, social justice, politics, identity, and media & pop culture representation. Whenever possible, we have quoted the words of the bloggers themselves in describing their blog, as this will give you, the reader, a real sense of their "voice."

8Asians.com:  "8 Asians is a collaborative blog of Asian-Americans and Asian-Canadians. But once you look past the fact that we fill out the same bubble in a census survey, you’ll see that we don’t have much in common, and as you’ll soon see, that’s not such a bad thing. We’ll be posting about whatever Asian issues are currently relevant in our lives, whether it be pop culture or current events or politics."

AAA-Fund Blog:  "Electing our leaders, empowering our community. News and views from progressive Asian Pacific Americans participating in Democratic Party politics."

Alllooksame.com:  "I’ve always thought that it was one of those urban myths that you can tell different Asians apart. Especially if I can’t see what they are wearing, I don’t think that I can tell them apart. And, I’m an Asian myself. I’ve been living in the US for over 15 years and I’ve heard some people tell me I definitely look Japanese, while others thought that I don’t at all. Some people boastfully claim that they can tell the difference no problem, while others quietly admit that they can’t. Even with those who claim they can, is it really true that they can? Maybe there is something to be said about someone saying “You guys all look the same!” Or, maybe they just don’t know any better. This site, therefore, is a way for me to demystify this issue once and for all."

Alpha Asian:  "As Asian Americans, we can't ask for respect and representation from traditional forms of mass media, like TV and movies. Asking for representation from Hollywood means someone else has the power to decide our image. The Internet, however, is open to everybody, and Asians are using it to create more honest representations of their communities. The Alpha Asian Blog showcases anything on the Net that Asians and Asian Americans are creating and making headlines about."

American Citizens for Justice Blog:  American Citizens for Justice was founded in 1983 to fight against the grievous injustice of the Vincent Chin case. It continues to serve the Asian Pacific American communities of Michigan and fights for the civil rights of all Americans. Contributor Frances Wang also has a personal blog here.

The ANBM Source:  "ANBM Source is a non-profit organization, we are an online community of Asian, Asian Americans, Asian Canadians, Asian Britons, Asian Australians etc and friends. Some of us are directors, musicians, activists, politicians, educators, bloggers, talkshow hosts and other industry professionals. Collectively we aim to promote and support Asian media, increase health and community awareness, strengthen and empower the Asian Political identity. Media and society are a reflection of each other, as a minority ethnic people we are often discriminated, silenced and marginalized by mainstream media and western society. It is in our rights and responsibility to speak out against media propaganda, misinformation and political discourse and rhetoric hate towards Asians. "

Angry Asian Man:  "I'm not as angry as you think. Yes, racism angers me. But I'm not here sitting in front of the computer, hating "whitey" and plotting revolution. This is just a subject that has always interested me — pointing out racism and noting any and all appearances of Asians in mass media and popular culture (the good and the bad). It's something I care about. So I've created a little space on the web for it all... I suppose the angry part sometimes scares people, but rest assured, I'm a pretty civil, reasonable guy. Just don't cross me."

The Antisocial Ladder:  "I whine like a minority about race, privilege, gender, and media. And I'm damn good, too…"

Asian American Giving:  "Asian American Giving serves as the link between Asian American donors, leaders, and the non-profit community. We promote stories of individuals engaged in philanthropy, draw attention to the issues in our community, and highlight trends and patterns in charitable giving. We aspire to be the ultimate source for Asian American philanthropy."

Asian American Movement Ezine:  "Progressive, Radical & Revolutionary Asian American Perspectives"

Asian American Village @ Blogspot:  "Blog companion to the Asian American Village, part of IMDiversity.com Multicultural Villages communities and careers network"

Asian Male Revolutions:  "Inspired by popular acts of love and passion throughout human history, Asian Male Revolutions was created to stand as a bulwark against an overwhelming tide of misinformation, greed, and hypocrisy from both the American media and a society that seems intent on only seeing the world through a 'black-and-white' lens. Through a chain of logical arguments, AMR will build a text-visual mosaic to expose a covert network of individuals, groups, and forces that conspire to possess and absorb the Asian-American female and at the same time, systematically marginalize and eradicate the Asian-American man from the cultural, social, and sexual landscape of America - all while masquerading behind a veil of 'colorblindness' and 'multiculturalism'."

Asian-Nation:  "I saw that there was a critical need for Asian Americans to represent ourselves in mainstream American society, rather than allowing others to represent us however they wanted. I want to directly educate people about the Asian American experience myself instead of having them rely on distorted portrayals and ignorant stereotypes. Throughout my life, I frequently been one of the few Asians around and in that position, having to be a "spokesperson" for the entire Asian American community and educating people a little bit at a time until they 'get it.' So I figured, why not create a resource where I can do just that to lots of people at once?"

Bakit Why:  "BakitWhy.com is an online community dedicated to becoming a progressive advocate, information resource, and a place of discovery for and about the Pilipino American community. We offer our audience compelling content that fosters open communication while integrating their diverse identities into a comprehensive lifestyle community. We will empower the voices of each individual, educate about culture & community, and present members with new ideas & different perspectives. BakitWhy.com hopes to be a premiere web destination; mentioned and associated with Pilipino Americans online and offline."

Bicoastal Bitchin:  "because sometimes, sh!t just ain’t right….we’ve created a space to allow ourselves to vent, bitch, talk smack, diss, and just basically let it all out. don’t read it if you’re easily offended, contribute if you got stuff to say, otherwise, you’re all welcome to join the ride as we engage in issues from sh!t ppl do that we’ll never understand to the f*ck’d up-ness that happens in our world. from NYC to the BAY, we got hella sh!t to say. word(s)."

BigWowo:  "My name is Byron Wong, future novelist in the Portland, OR area. I am a former blogger/admin on the Fighting 44s, a current blogger on Rice Daddies, and the father of a 3.5 son and 18 month old daughter. This site takes an intellectual approach to solving the problems of our day, especially with respect to Asian American cultural issues. I hope that activists of all stripes and persuasions will join me here–my only caveat is that I’m aiming to engage with live activists rather than armchair activists who hide behind the web. In other words, this blog is aimed mostly at people of action. In terms of the methods and observances I present, this site is what I would consider a holistic, Asian American empowerment site, meaning that it takes into account the lives of real people and real activists who are on the ground doing work."

bitter.sweet asian:  "Currently an undergraduate at Mount Holyoke College, b.s asian is studying English and education. She loves all art forms and believes in activism through education. She chose the title b.s asian because of the bitter and sweet aspects of being Asian American. She is interested in AAPI & social issues, especially the lived experiences of people of color. "

Brown Men, Women and Children:  "This will feature interesting, timely and innovative stores about brown people, such as Native Americans, Hawaiians, Philippions or Filippinos, Arabs, Jews, South and Central Americans, Japanese, Chinese, South East Asians, Spanish people, etc."

channelAPA.com - broadcasting Asian America:  "In a nutshell, we want to help Asian American artists out there. Most Asian American entertainers are indie artists and don’t get a lot of support from mainstream America. Lots of talented people need support from the community and we want to show them some love."

Chinese or Japanese?:  "So why did I name this blog “Chinese or Japanese?” An excerpt from over 13 years ago from the first season of King of the Hill inspired me in naming this blog and was also the first time I began thinking about what it means to be Asian American. In the first season, in episode seven “Westie Side Story,” Hank Hill’s Laotian neighbor Khan Souphanousinphone moves to Arlington from his family. When Hank Hill and the neighborhood boys meet Khan, they find a little more about their new neighbor, the first thing Hank asks Khan is: “So are you Chinese or Japanese?” Still in middle school at the time, as funny as I found the clip, I began to think about what it means to be Asian American. Throughout high school, college, and my life I’ve been socially conscious of how race and ethnicity affects us as individuals as well as perceptions of Asians in the US."

Cynthia Tom:  "Art and works in progress. Creative thought processes. Discussions, food for thought and musings....Art that tells you a story. Passionate about the world of women, how they move within it, in spite of it and because of it. Social justice for women drives her consciousness."

Degenerasian:  "All of us who are Asian that live outside of Asia lose a bit of ourselves day by day. We try and try to hold on to our culture but bit by bit through events that we can or cannot control we adapt to a new way of life and become a degenerate Asian."

Diana Mai:  "Musings on topics like race relations, social movements, etc. Oh and sometimes hip-hop."

DISGRASIAN:  "A little ditty about Jen and Diana, two Asian American chicks who grew up in the Heartland. Jen was gonna be a football star, Diana was gonna be the first girl in NASCAR. Suckin’ on chili dogs, outside the line at Pink’s, Diana’s eating Jen’s fries, gets some ketchup on her sleeve. Jen says, Hey Diana, let’s run off and start this blog, quit our lame day jobs and do what we please. Diana says, Oh yeah! Life goes on, long after the thrill of livin’ is gone. Oh yeah…Jen says, Hold on. Are we singing “Jack and Diane”? Diana says, Hells yeah, we’re singing “Jack and Diane.” Where were we? Oh right…and together they go, Gonna let it rawk, let it ro-oll! Let the bible belt come and save ma so-o-oul!"

Film Beats (from the East):  "Film Beats (from the East) is a website promoting Asian & overseas Asian (ie: Asian American/Canadian) cinema."

FlipFob:  "Random blurbs, mostly during my down time when trying to not think about what I was doing during the day. I always seem to have three conversations going on in my head. Not quite sure why that is, but some of the stuff that rolls through my mind while stuck commuting or washing dishes might be worth getting written down somewhere. Maybe interesting, maybe not, it's an attempt at doing something even slightly creative for the sake of catharsis.....I was born and raised in the US. I grew up in a multi ethnic neighborhood in Chicago. My first best friend was from India, and the majority of my friends growing up were Spanish. I have no idea what it means to "act Asian" or "act Filipino". Well, I have some idea. I can mimic my parents' accents (as all first generation US Asians can) and taught my non Asian friends how to eat without utensils."

Frank Chow: Asian- American Political Pundit:  "Frank Chow is one comic's take on the current political culture. Giving the Frank that sometimes is hard to Chow on in today's world. Politics, rock, and all things Asian in America. That's Frank Chow."

Giant Robot: Eric Nakamura:  Blog of publisher and co-editor of Giant Robot, Eric Nakamura. From movie stars, musicians, and skate-boarders to toys, technology, and history, Giant Robot magazine covers cool aspects of Asian and Asian-American pop culture. Paving the way for less knowledgeable media outlets, Giant Robot put the spotlight on Chow Yun Fat, Jackie Chan, and Jet Li years before they were in mainstream America's vocabulary. But Giant Robot is much more than idol worship. GR's spirited reviews of canned coffee drinks, instant ramen packs, Japanese candies, Asian frozen desserts, and mar-inated bugs have spawned numerous copycat articles in other publications. GR's historical pieces on the Yellow Power Movement, footbinding, Asian-American gangsters, and other savory topics have been cited by both academics and journalists. Other regular features include travel journals, art and design studies, and sex.

Giant Robot: Martin Wong:  Blog of co-editor of Giant Robot magazine, Martin Wong. From movie stars, musicians, and skate-boarders to toys, technology, and history, Giant Robot magazine covers cool aspects of Asian and Asian-American pop culture. Paving the way for less knowledgeable media outlets, Giant Robot put the spotlight on Chow Yun Fat, Jackie Chan, and Jet Li years before they were in mainstream America's vocabulary. But Giant Robot is much more than idol worship. GR's spirited reviews of canned coffee drinks, instant ramen packs, Japanese candies, Asian frozen desserts, and mar-inated bugs have spawned numerous copycat articles in other publications. GR's historical pieces on the Yellow Power Movement, footbinding, Asian-American gangsters, and other savory topics have been cited by both academics and journalists. Other regular features include travel journals, art and design studies, and sex.

The HanSarang Movement:  "HanSarang is Korean for "One Love", which reflects the author's Korean identity, his passion for Asian Pacific American activism, but more importantly his desire to understand, appreciate, and love the differences that makes us unique and at the same time, realize the common ties that binds us all. Formerly known as "Asiamerican Pride", APA activism will still be a major focus but this blog will slowly expand its horizons to include all international matters that deals with the beauty of what it means to be human as well as the ignorance, prejudice, and hatred we as people face because of our differences that makes us so unique."

Hyphen:  "In 2002, spurred by the shuttering of a.Magazine, a small group of 20-and-30-something journalists and artists got together to fill the void by envisioning the kind of magazine we always wanted to read: a publication that would go beyond celebrity interviews and essays about discovering our roots, which we found a long time ago, thank-you-very-much. We began meeting around a kitchen table in San Francisco that spring, and over snacks and beer, a vision slowly emerged. The magazine wouldn't flinch at covering serious issues, but also wouldn't take itself too seriously. It would cover Asian Americans in Texas, Kansas and Minnesota, not just the critical mass living in California and New York. It would feature emerging artists, thinkers and doers, not only the few established Asian Americans who'd gotten mainstream approval. It would be a magazine that looked beyond identity -- we'd explore cultural issues while tackling what is Asian American by accident, by tangent or by happenstance."

Instant Yang:  "The Public Archive of the INSTANT YANG Mailblog."

Jennie S. Bev views from SF:  "Jennie S. Bev is an award-winning writer, a former professor of Law and College Paper Writing, and a serial entrepreneur based in East of San Francisco Bay, Northern California. Her passions include writing about social issues, human rights, minority rights, gender issues, entrepreneurship, writing, and online learning. Jennie is known as one of the most prolific female writers born and raised in Indonesia. She lives by intelligence, glamour, and philanthropy. She is an Asian American."

jozjozjoz:  "joz joz joz :: brain barf…yum! jozjozjoz is an asian american gal who lives and blogs underneath the hollywood sign and who doesn’t clean her fishtank unless the fish starts to do the backstroke. she is also able to leap tall buildings in a single bound, but cannot stop from bumping into door handles, cabinet doors, and anything else that protrudes or has a sharp edge. she does not run with scissors for this same reason....Other than the two too many joz’s, jozjozjoz is a perfectly normal, relatively sane individual who defies the odds, reaches for the stars, and carries moonbeams home in a jar. She’d rather be a fish… but not in her own dirty fishtank."

Kimchi Mamas:  "What better name for a blog written by a group of Korean and married-to-Korean mothers than Kimchi Mama? After all, we're a little spicy, plenty fiery, and sometimes? We like to get pickled. The beauty of kimchi—like the beauty of mothers—is that there are so many different kinds. There is something for every taste....Whatever kind of Kimchi Mama you might be, we hope you find something here that suits your tastes. And, if it gets too hot, we always have a cold beer to slide your way."

Manzanar Committee:  "News, views and discussion about the Manzanar National Historic Site and the annual Manzanar Pilgrimage"

The Minority Militant:  "I blog because I feel no one speaks on behalf of me. Therefore, I'm a militant in that regard. I'm a minority because the minority I'm lumped in with also doesn't speak up for me. I am by no means a "model minority" and take offense to that term. Hence, I am The Minority Militant. I care deeply about humanity. I am brutally candid. I am relentless about racism. I cuss like a foul-mouthed sailor. I only use words 95% of the English speaking world understands. I love sarcasm as an alternate medium of communication. And really, I could give a flying monkey-fuck what you think about my opinions. Surveys, standardized tests, and questionnaires make me gag. I firmly believe intellectualism cannot give you all the answers, just a few pieces of the puzzle. The rest is up for discussion."

Mochi Blog:  "Mochi Magazine is a new online magazine specifically for Asian American teen girls! You are probably wondering, “Who (whatwhenwherewhyhow) is Mochi?” Until a few months ago, we were, like you, looking for relevant hair and makeup tips, advice regarding cultural confusion and racial identity. Many of us were looking without even realizing it at the time. But we figured out eventually that we were seeking something that simply did not exist....coming to terms with “Asian American” – the convergence despite all odds of two or more vastly different cultures – can be more difficult than learning our parents’ mother tongues or Tae Kwon Do. “Asian American,” in fact, is an identity apart from the terms “Asian” and “American” – it is the space between the two words that we struggle with."

muyFabuloso:  "To be Muy Fabuloso is to be in the know. We are committed to the information revolution. Our MISSION: Critical News, Data, and Information - Chronicling the highs and lows of arts, culture, community, fashion, and politics - our VISION: Getting US ALL on the same Page – Join in on the global conversation and seek a common solution - AND see what happens when we start talking."

NIKKEI VIEW: The Asian American Blog:  "Gil Asakawa’s Japanese American perspective on pop culture, media and politics....Although I was born in Japan, I’m a third generation Japanese American, or Sansei — my father was born in Hawaii and my mother is from Japan. I was born in Tokyo as a military brat, and our family moved to the U.S. when I was 8 years old. I have vivid memories of Japan from my childhood, but my consciousness is American. I love the fact that I’m a product of both cultures, and with these columns, I hope to serve as a bridge to make sense of Japanese for Americans, and vice versa for Japanese."

Philippine American Literary House's Blog:  "PALH's blog will post announcements, articles, anything of interest about Philippine, Filipino, Philippine American literature. We will include postings of interest to Asian, Asian American, South East Asian SE readers."

PostMiMi: A PostSecret for Asian-Americans:  "'MiMi' is the Chinese word for 'secret.' What's yours? Share your inner happiness, joys, sorrows, triumphs, and frustrations in being an Asian-American today. Sometimes, other people just don't 'get it,' but we can help each other. NOTE(s): Do not think that your MiMi's HAVE to be culturally related. Just make what comes organically. Your background and culture already colors how you perceive everything. Also, if you are not Asian-American, but have something to contribute, submissions from ALL people are welcome."

ProvencalinLA:  "I cover topics of interest to the Asian and Filipino American community and also communities that I encounter when I travel, focusing on human behaviors, art, spirituality and generally their insights on life. Prosy Abarquez-Delacruz, J.D., aka Prosy Delacruz is an editorial opinion writer for Asian Journal. She was a former commissioner to the Los Angeles City’s Civil Service Commission and the Los Angeles Convention Center; she served for 27 years as a public health professional in a state public health agency. She currently resides in LA, where she tirelessly helps out the community, arts, and causes to promote social justice. She has a Juris Doctorate Degree from Whittier College School of Law."

RaceBending:  "Through open dialogue and grassroots protest, we seek to raise awareness. Through organized boycott and communication with Hollywood representatives, we encourage studios to create television and film that reflect the true richness of the American people."

Racialicious:  "Racialicious is a blog about the intersection of race and pop culture. Check out our daily updates on the latest celebrity gaffes, our no-holds-barred critique of questionable media representations, and of course, the inevitable Keanu Reeves John Cho newsflashes."

Reappropriate:  "Reappropriate was originally conceived when I noticed that the Asian American blogosphere lacked any blogs written from a female perspective; in response, this blog went online on December 2001 and became (as far as I can tell) the first site to blend topics on Asian American feminism and race activism. Today, Reappropriate’s focus spans a wide range of topics, including: Asian American activism, feminism, political participation, health and fitness, and pop culture. Basically, anything I find interesting."

Riced:  "I am an atypical 25-year-old Filipino trying to find his way through this crazy, mixed-up world. I may be young, but the scope of my experience is more than the confines of my age. Perhaps it’s due to my inadvertent traveling (born in Saudi Arabia, raised in the Philippines, and now living in New York City—aren’t I a wanderlust?), my non-profit/community work within the queer A&PI community, or my grounded sense that I am a part of a whole. In any which case, I can’t explain it myself. I realize that injustice and inequality are rampant and I care too much to remain apathetic, so I continue the fight on behalf of the underdog—those who have a lot more to lose."

Secret Asian Man:  "Secret Asian Man is a weekly comic strip that is an often brutally honest commentary on the state of race relations in America."

Secret Identities: The Asian American Superhero Blog:  "What if we told you a tale about a quiet, unassuming guy with black hair and thick glasses? He’s an immigrant, who’s done his best to fit in to a world that isn’t his—one very different from the land of his birth. He’s got a hidden side to himself that he can’t quite bring himself to show, not even to the popular girl he’s got a huge crush on. If only she knew who he really was—what he could really do—she’d be amazed, he thinks. If only she knew. If only everyone knew...For many Asian Americans, this chronicle is a familiar one, because many of us lived it. But this also happens to be the story of a mild-mannered reporter named Clark Kent, better known to the world by his alter ego: Superman. And it’s just one example of the parallels between the cultural narrative of Asian America and the mythic foundation of the comic book superhero. "

SepiaMutiny:  Sepia Mutiny discusses issues facing first and second generation immigrants from the Indian subcontinent. Part of the focus of Sepia Mutiny is to bring attention to the expanding involvement of South Asian Americans as a political body in the United States. Another focus of the blog has been to highlight violence against South Asians — a phenomenon which has become more common since the September 11.

Slant Eye For The Round Eye:  "Slant Eye - just taking it back - you really do either get it or you don't....The phrase "Round Eye" though? I do use it as a pejorative to describe mass media, government, social structures - everyone and everything that looks past who we are as a community - as individuals - who only see our color, hear the way we talk, and never look past the stereotypes they've collected to see and acknowledge what we do bring to the table - how woven we really are into the American tapestry. In that way I'm just telling it like it is - what it's really about - using a term that I think more than adequately describes where a lot of people and organizations still are in terms of seeing the Asian and API community."

Student Coalition for Asian Pacific Empowerment Blog:  "Blo of the Student Coalition for Asian Pacific Empowerment, also known as SCAPE, is a student organization at the University of Southern California that advocates for the Asian Pacific American community within and outside the university. SCAPE is dedicated to educating ourselves and other USC students about Asian Pacific American issues through community involvement and advocacy."

Tickle Me Asian:  "words from a[n] [asian-american] [female] [student] [social justice] rambler….This blog stemmed from my first blog which I set up to write about life as a college freshman. But there was this missing piece...the social justice, social action aspect of my life. So in an attempt to solve that, I made a new blog. It started as thoughts on Asian American identity issues and has evolved into other parts of my identity and general things I care about - feminism, social justice, student life, the like."

VisualizAsian:  "Our goal is simple: To connect you with Asian American Pacific Islander pioneers and leaders from fields as diverse as politics, business, sports and entertainment, and inspire and empower AAPIs to find their voice and stand with vigor in everything they do! We want to make the accomplishments of Asian Americans visible, because so often, we’re invisible. And when Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are visible, we’re often inaccurately portrayed in the media. We’re sandwiched in between honorific cultural values and centuries-old stereotypes which makes it difficult to develop a strong sense of personal identity. "

What's On First:  "Blog on Asian American, education, cars, politics, videos, and anything else fun I run across."