Proud to Be an (Asian) American? (ft. Jen Yamato & Jia Lynn Yang)

Episode notes

Who gets to be a proud American?

This week, we’re launching a new series about the unique ways that minorities and marginalized groups engage pride, patriotism, and simply existing as American – especially right now. In this first installment, we focus on Asian American identity and are joined by LA Times film reporter and co-host of the LA Times podcast Asian Enough, Jen Yamato.

Jen chats with us about maintaining her Asian identity in a country that often requires people of color to assimilate into whiteness in order to achieve success. Plus, we discuss the intersections within our own communities.

Later, we’ll be joined by Jia Lynn Yang, author of the upcoming book One Mighty and Irresistable Tide: The Epic Struggle Over Immigration who talks to us about Asian American immigration during the twentieth century, how American politics connects to her family and what it means to be Chinese American during the Covid-19 pandemic.

EPISODE NOTES

Think this is my first byline in The New York Times, based on my book coming out next month. @andrewyang recently said Asian-Americans should respond to racism by showing "our American-ness." He reminded me of another Asian-American who argued this. 1/https://t.co/r4fFIanxYz

— Jia Lynn Yang (@jialynnyang) April 10, 2020

When Asian-Americans Have to Prove We Belong

DIS/Honorable Mentions 

Jarrett wants to shout out friend to the show Mychael Chinn whose The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel ,which premiered last Saturday, saw the highest tv movie ratings for the Lifetime network in four years. Look at Gawd!

Jarrett would also like for you all to bring Aunjanue Ellis and Tiffany Boone their flowers while they can smell them for their outstanding performances in The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel  and the latest episode of Little Fires Everywhere, respectively. 

With all due damn disrespect, Jarrett would like to side eye the bureaucratic and structural racism baked into St Louis government and specifically their disproportionate response to African American communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This week, Tre’Vell needs you all to know that Queen Rihanna lives it how she gets it. She recently donated $2.1 million to domestic violence victims during the lockdown. (Still no album, though.)

They’re also shouting out T Magazine’s feature on Veteran Black Actors including Kimberly Elise and Mary J Blige.

Go ahead and @ us

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FANTI is produced and distributed by MaximumFun.org

Laura Swisher is the senior producer.