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Your Pep Talk 👿
I used to think anger was a bad feeling until a therapist pointed out that my anger was actually a red flag to know what I wanted to change.
For the past year, I’ve reported on the increased anti-Asian racist attacks, and written three pieces for OprahMag.com. The third one I’ve been angrily writing in my head every time I read a local news story about an Asian senior being assaulted, pushed, or killed. When I worked on my draft, I tweeted this out, thinking no one would care or respond. I was wrong. The tweet went viral. My story went viral. Many people reached out, including younger Asian American women who told me, “We won’t stop.”
I share this because your anger is the fuel for your fire. What is ticking you off? What makes you want to scream? Rage out like a toddler tantrum. Then do something to change what pisses you off. Use your anger and words to spark action in your life.
My Latest News 📻
Arianna Davis, my amazing editor at OprahMag.com, assigned me this How You Can Join the Stop Asian Hate Movement story on a Friday. I turned it in on a Tuesday afternoon. On Thursday, a NPR Weekend Edition producer asked me to discuss the anti-Asian hate crimes with Scott Simon. I was super nervous, but the incomparable Scott Simon put me at ease. Here’s the clip. I am grateful for the opportunity to speak up for my community and for seniors, like my ahma, who should be treated with love and respect—not hate.
Check Out This... 💝
ARTICLE: “When Embroidery Stitches a Portrait of Our Times” by Jean Trinh. My freelance friend Trinh covers LA artists, and this piece made me feel hopeful in power of art and the younger generation.
BOOK: Super Fake Love Song by David Yoon. This YA rom-com is about a Korean teenager who pretends to be in a band to impress a girl, and I fell in love hard.
PODCAST: Films to Be Buried With with Brett Goldstein / Guest Brene Brown. Brett Goldstein plays Roy Kent on Ted Lasso and I adore Roy Kent who is anger incarnate. Goldstein interviews Brene Brown—it's the love and laugh fest I needed.
FUNDRAISER: If what’s happening to the Asian American Pacific Islander community angers you, consider donating to the Support the AAPI Community Fund, which will distribute the money to organizations working to combat racist attacks.
I'm Grateful For...
Every single person who is speaking up, supporting, and spreading awareness about the #StopAsianHate Movement. For every activist, writer, Asian celebrity, Stop AAPI Hate, every ally. Thank YOU. #HateIsAVirus