Yesterday marked the beginning of a new year according to the Lunar Calendar: The year of the tiger. Asians all across the globe gathered with their families to celebrate this joyous event. President Obama gave his best wishes via YouTube to everyone out there celebrating. More »

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Last weekend US President Obama visited Japan for some greeting, sushi, and talks about relocating military bases in Okinawa. The usual stuff a visiting president does when in Japan. Normally this would be a big non-issue for any other president, but as usual, because it’s Obama it has caused a storm of dumb controversy. More »

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We’d like to wish a Happy New Year to our Ningin readers. May you be happy and prosperous in the Year of the Ox! For our American readers, it’s also Year of the Obama. Our new President will be turning 48 this lunar calendar. A good sign of prosperity for sure!

I’d like to share this with you from President Barack Obama:

I send my warmest wishes to people across Asia, in America, and indeed around the world who are celebrating the Lunar New Year and welcoming the Year of the Ox. As they gather with their families and celebrate over meals, they welcome new beginnings and honor the enduring wisdom of their ancestors.

From the lion dances in San Francisco to festivals in Atlanta and parades in New York City and Washington, D.C., Americans of Asian descent carry on the vibrant traditions of their forefathers and enrich America’s cultural diversity. I wish all those celebrating the New Year to be blessed with peace, prosperity, and good health.

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To celebrate the inauguration of U.S. President Barack Obama, Ningin asked members of the Asian American political community to tell us what this historic event means to each of them. New York City Councilman John Liu returned from the Inauguration Ceremony and was kind enough to talk to Maimounah Masudi and David Hou from Ningin.

Councilman Liu moved to the United States from Taiwan at the age of five. His first name was changed from Chun to John, in honor of John F. Kennedy. In keeping with the Kennedy inspiration, his brothers became Robert and Edward. His father became Joseph. Councilman Liu was elected in 2001. He currently serves on the New York City Council, representing District 20 consisting of northeast Queens (Flushing, Queensboro Hill, Mitchell Linden, Murray Hill, Holly, Kissena Park, Harding Heights, Auburndale, part of Whitestone). Councilman Liu was re-elected in 2003 and in 2005. He is the first and only Asian American to be elected in New York City. (Yes, really! Go John!) More »

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To celebrate the inauguration of U.S. President Barack Obama, Ningin asked members of the Asian American political community to blog about what this historic event means to each of them. This guest blog post is from Keith Kamisugi, director of communications at the Equal Justice Society, a San Francisco-based strategy group working on race issues in law and in popular culture. He served on the steering committee of the Asian American and Pacific Islanders for Obama Leadership Council, the campaign’s official AAPI advisory body. He blogs at equaljusticesociety.org and at hapihour.org. More »

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Just like Santa, Super Mario is real! Or at least on Kinchan no Kasoh Taisho.

Kasou Tiashou is a show on NTV, which features various performances of skits that are rated by judges. They’re commonly known for the Matrix Ping Pong and Japanese Dinner Fight.

The Mario performance was featured last week and received a high score. And who can blame them? It’s definitely awesome, especially the random Obama appearance. More »

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With just one hand, you can count Asian runway models that were ranked as Model.com’s Top 50: Daul Kim, Du Juan, Lakshmi Menon, Hye Park and Chanel Iman. Asian male models in the rankings? Non-existent.

So what gives?

While the fashion industry is certainly not the most diverse, another reason fashion runways are almost devoid of Asian models is due to a general lack of them. According to this Reuters article, “Some designers and casting directors said if their shows were not diverse it was due to problems finding black and Asian models.”

Two reasons come to mind regarding why there could be problems finding Asian models. 1.) The height issue. 2.) Modeling isn’t considered the most honorable or reputable profession in some cultures.

Pardon my Obama-ism, but despite these reasons — I believe there’s hope. If I can be Asian, 5′10″ and not model material, I’m sure someone out there is. We’re definitely worthy of fashion runways and editorials. If you happen upon someone Asian with a model stature and appearance, gently persuade the career change.

Sure, you may come off as someone trying to get into potential model’s pants, but state the facts: “I think you should be a model. No, really. Not trying to hit on you. There isn’t enough of them out there.” Diversity in fashion should extend beyond the occasional United Colors of Benetton ad!

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President-Elect Barack Obama is staying true to his word and is creating a much diversified cabinet. On December 6 of this year, Obama named General Eric K. Shinseki as his Veterans Affairs Secretary. He is the first Asian-American to hold this post. Obama feels that Gen. Shinseki’s calculations were right during the time he served the Bush administration in regards to the troop size in Iraq at that time. The Bush administration ignored Gen. Shinseki’s concerns and forced him from his post.

Obama has chosen and is choosing cabinet members that are more than competent for the job and with qualifications that are greatly remarkable such as General Eric K. Shinseki that will benefit our country now and in the long run.

Please view the ABC News article on this wonderful news here: Shinseki to Be Named VA Secretary

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James Yee, the former US Army Guantanamo Chaplain and 2008 National Delegate for Barack Obama was out doing some grassroots campaigning in Ohio from October 23-26 for the Democratic Presidential Nominee. He made stops in Columbus, Dayton and Cincinnati.

During the four days, Capt Yee made several Get Out The Vote presentations at major Islamic centers in Columbus and Cincinnati, also focusing on Muslim Participation in the Political Process The American Muslim vote will make a serious impact this year in several key battleground, swing states which have significant Muslim constituencies - Ohio being one of them. More »

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