On This Day

Welcome this Friday with Pride as it’s National Coming Out Day! On this day, we recognize and raise awareness on the “coming out” of those who remain in the “closet” in the LGBTQ+ community — a process that does not always come easy as homophobia still persists in many environments. For many Asian Americans, coming out can be a lifelong undertaking due to cultural norms that value familial duty and societal conformity. It is therefore important to take one’s time to make the decision, and as necessary, prepare resources to help educate family members and friends as they go through their own process of acceptance. If you are an LGBTQ+ person who wishes to “come out” today, know that you are not alone — I, Carl Samson, for one, am coming out as aroace!

Survey

Why Asian immigrants move to the U.S.

Most Asian immigrants come to the U.S. to be with family, according to a survey recently published by the Pew Research Center. While ethnic groups had diverse motivations, the survey highlights family ties as the leading reason for migration, alongside economic and educational opportunities.

Key findings: The survey, conducted from July 2022 to January 2023, involved 7,006 Asian American adults, including 5,036 immigrants. It found that 28% of Asian immigrants moved to the U.S. to reunite with family, 27% for economic opportunities and 26% for educational prospects. Reasons varied by ethnic group — 42% of Indians, for instance, came for economic reasons, while 38% of Chinese immigrants prioritized education. Newer arrivals tended to seek education, while longer-term residents were more likely to cite family as their motivation. Additionally, 77% of Asian immigrants felt their standard of living in the U.S. was better than their parents’ in their home countries, although many expressed concerns about the future for their children.

The big picture: Asian immigrants represent a majority of the Asian American population, with 54% of all Asian Americans being foreign-born. They hold positive views of life in the U.S., with 86% supporting policies to attract skilled immigrants and 82% emphasizing family sponsorship in immigration policy. However, challenges like language learning and mixed feelings about U.S. family ties persist, reflecting the complex experiences of adapting to life in the U.S. Despite these challenges, 74% of the immigrants stated that they would still choose to migrate to the U.S. if given the opportunity to do so again.

News

Carnegie Mellon, Stanford, Georgetown sees Asian enrollment surge after SCOTUS affirmative action ruling

Since the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in 2023 that ended race-conscious admissions, several top universities have reported shifts in their student demographics, particularly an increase in Asian enrollment. 

The numbers: At Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), Asian freshman enrollment this fall rose by 4%, while Hispanic, Black and white enrollments declined. Similarly, Stanford University saw a slight rise in Asian enrollment, from 26% to 27%, while Black and Latino student numbers dropped significantly (from 9% to 5% and 17% to 15%, respectively). Georgetown University also experienced a notable increase, with 26% of the Class of 2028 identifying as Asian, compared to 18.6% in the previous class. However, the university's data also showed increases in white (from 52.3% to 63%) Hispanic (from 4.5% to 12%) and Black enrollment (from 5.4% to 9%). The rise in Asian admissions at these universities contrasts with those of other institutions’ like Yale and Princeton, which reported a decrease in Asian American students, but aligns with other universities such as MIT, Brown and UNC.

Process updates: Despite the rise in Asian enrollment, Carnegie Mellon, Stanford and Georgetown are emphasizing their commitment to fostering diverse campuses through legal means. Universities are adjusting admissions practices, with Stanford specifically implementing "race-neutral" strategies to maintain diversity, such as targeted outreach in underrepresented communities, partnerships with educational organizations and expanding recruitment efforts for high-achieving students from underserved populations.

News

Rise in hate crimes against South Asians linked to political spotlight 

A new report from Stop AAPI Hate reveals a significant rise in anti-South Asian hate online, coinciding with the political prominence of Kamala Harris and Usha Vance. Published this week, the report, titled Empowered/Imperiled: The Rise of South Asian Representation and Anti-South Asian Racism, highlights a disturbing increase in hate directed toward these communities between January 2023 and August 2024.

Alarming surge of hate: The report found that anti-South Asian slurs in extremist online spaces doubled within a year, surging from approximately 23,000 to over 46,000 by August 2024. During this period, South Asians experienced the highest volume of anti-Asian online hostility, with threats of violence reaching alarming levels—973 incidents reported in August alone, 75% of which targeted South Asian communities. According to Stop AAPI Hate co-founder Manjusha Kulkarni, “The wave of hate that South Asian communities are facing today is extremely alarming.”

Political figures targeted: The reported increase in hate coincides with far-right rhetoric that has recently targeted South Asian political figures. Harris has faced a barrage of racist and sexist attacks throughout her campaign, while Usha Vance has been hit with racist comments from supporters of Donald Trump. “This xenophobia hasn't appeared out of thin air,” said Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal. “We can clearly trace it back to hateful rhetoric used by people in positions of power.” Figures like Ann Coulter have notably fueled the fire by making derogatory remarks about Indian American candidates such as Vivek Ramaswamy and Nikki Haley, with Coulter even telling Haley to "go back to [her] own country.

News

This novelist is the first Asian woman to win the Nobel Prize in Literature

Novelist Han Kang has made history by becoming the first Asian woman and first South Korean to win the Nobel Prize in Literature. The Swedish Academy awarded her the prestigious prize for her “intense poetic prose that confronts historical traumas and exposes the fragility of human life.”

A historic win: With her award, Han, 53, also became this year’s first female Nobel laureate and the second South Korean Nobel winner after former President Kim Dae-jung, who received the Peace Prize in 2000. Anders Olsson, chairman of the academy’s Nobel Committee, praised her “poetic and experimental style,” calling her “an innovator in contemporary prose” and highlighting her “unique awareness of the connections between body and soul, the living and the dead.” Han will be awarded 11 million Swedish krona ($1 million) along with a medal and certificate at the prize ceremony in Stockholm on Dec. 10. 

About Han: Born in 1970 in the city of Gwangju, Han grew up in a politically charged environment, which deeply influenced her writing. Her works often confront societal norms and historical trauma, such as “Human Acts,” which centers on the 1980 Gwangju Uprising. Her breakthrough came with “The Vegetarian,” a surreal novel that won the 2016 International Booker Prize and explores themes of rebellion, identity and the human condition. Critics and scholars have celebrated her as a visionary for her bold, politically charged narratives. Speaking to The Korea Times, Kim Ho-woon, president of the Korean Writers’ Association, emphasized the national significance of her win, saying it “demonstrates that Korean culture and literature have attained a global level.”

News

Trump’s “God Bless the USA” Bibles found to be printed in China

Thousands of Donald Trump’s “God Bless the USA” Bibles were reportedly printed in China, a country the former president has accused of stealing American jobs. The Associated Press broke the news on Wednesday, citing global trade records that show nearly 120,000 copies being shipped from a Chinese company to the U.S. earlier this year.

About the Bibles: The Bibles were reportedly printed in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, by New Ade Cultural Media, and shipped to the U.S. between February and March, totaling around $342,000 in import value — or less than $3 each. Tied to Lee Greenwood’s song “God Bless the USA,” the Bibles, however, retail for $59.99 or more, with some signed copies selling for $1,000. They are sold exclusively through a website that states it is not affiliated with any political campaign, but uses Trump’s name and image under a paid license from his company, CIC Ventures. The AP uncovered that CIC Ventures earned $300,000 in royalties from the Bible sales, though the full extent of Trump’s profits remains unclear. As of press time, Trump’s campaign has not commented on the matter.

Zoom in: The revelation highlights the inconsistency between Trump’s political rhetoric and his business practices, as he has long rebuked China for economic harm to the U.S. In his 2019 State of the Union address, he vowed to end China’s job “theft,” saying, “We are now making it clear to China that after years of targeting our industries and stealing our intellectual property, the theft of American jobs and wealth has come to an end.” Critics argue that the commercialization of his Bibles, which are marketed with American patriotic symbols and founding documents, dangerously blurs the line between religion and politics. Baptist minister Brian Kaylor believes the project is “heresy,” while ethics expert Claire Finkelstein raises concerns over potential conflicts of interest given Trump’s political ambitions, the AP noted.

News

How a trading card collector is trying to help get an Asian NHL pioneer into the HOF

Chris Woo, a 45-year-old corporate lawyer, is using his collection of over 550 hockey cards featuring players of Asian descent to build community and advocate for the recognition of Asian hockey players. Woo's collection, which he shares through a dedicated Instagram page and website database, has garnered attention for its celebration of diversity in the sport.

Asian connection: Inspired by players like Paul Kariya and Robin Bawa, Woo began collecting cards to feel connected to the few Asian players in the NHL at the time. "Before the days of the internet, for an Asian person like me, there weren’t many of us (in the NHL)," Woo told The Athletic. "So when you did see a name or a face, it was like, ‘Wow, that’s pretty cool.'"

Hockey HOF petition: A key focus of Woo's advocacy is Larry Kwong, the first Asian player in the NHL. Kwong, a Chinese Canadian, played a single shift for the New York Rangers in 1948. While Kwong was already inducted into the BC Sports Hall of Fame in 2013, Woo believes his contribution to the sport deserves even greater recognition. "He broke the Asian color barrier," Woo emphasized. "There is a deeper backstory there that people should really try to take notice of.” To honor his legacy, Woo started an online petition to induct Kwong into the Hockey Hall of Fame, which now has over 12,000 signatures.

Final Bites

🛍️Barbie unveils new doll to celebrate Filipino American History Month: Barbie is honoring Filipino American History Month with the release of the "Barbie Styled by Design Doll 2," designed by Filipino American Carlyle Nuera as a vibrant tribute to Filipino culture. The Barbie rocks traditional Filipina attire complete with butterfly sleeves and a crown that pays homage to the Filipino sun, adorned with Sampaguita flowers. Nuera drew inspiration from his own heritage, aiming to offer meaningful representation for the community. “Being Filipino is my most foundational identity… I am sooo hyped for this Barbie to finally be out in the world and hopefully make the anaks [Filipino children] feel seen, represented, inspired and proud,” he wrote on Instagram. The doll, released on Wednesday, is available for purchase on Mattel Creations.

🎒What celebrity chef David Chang packs for his kid’s lunch: Chef David Chang recently shared a relatable parenting moment on Instagram, posting a video of his son Gus's lunch box filled with fruit slices and salmon oyako-don with ikura (fish roe). In his caption, the 47-year-old father of two admitted that while he loves packing the lunchbox each day, he always hopes it will return empty: “Maybe one day, it’ll be all gone—no leftovers, no half-eaten snacks—just an empty box. I don’t know much, but I know I’m waiting for that day.” The post resonated with many parents in the comments, who shared their own experiences with picky eaters and the challenges of packing lunches that kids will actually enjoy.

🎤Anime rock star to perform in US for the 1st time: Japanese singer-songwriter Kenshi Yonezu is embarking on his first-ever global tour, "Kenshi Yonezu 2025 Tour / Junk," with dates in the US, South Korea and Europe. The tour kicks off in Seoul with two shows at Inspire Arena in March 2025, followed by performances in London and Paris. Yonezu will then cross the Atlantic for US shows at Radio City Music Hall in New York on April 4 and YouTube Theater in Los Angeles on April 6. Known for his unique blend of J-pop, electronic and rock music, Yonezu has achieved international acclaim with hits like "Kick Back" from the anime series “Chainsaw Man” and "Chikyuugi – Spinning Globe" from the Academy Award-winning film “The Boy and the Heron.” Tickets for the U.S. dates go on sale Friday via LiveNation.com.