Harvard admits record number of Asian American students
106-year-old Indigenous Filipino tattoo artist becomes Vogue cover model
“Asian Americans recorded the fastest population growth rate among all racial and ethnic groups in the United States, study finds.”
While this statistic may seem optimistic, there’s more to the story. The growth of the Asian American population in the U.S. has occurred in tandem with increased reports of discrimination and violence since the start of the coronavirus outbreak.
As our community grows, we are getting louder, we are telling our authentic stories…and we are making news headlines.
🏆 The Headlines
Harvard admits record number of Asian American students while Black and Latino admissions drop — Experts say Asian American admits’ uptick is a natural progression, but the drop in Black and Latino students concerns them.
Harvard University admitted a record number of Asian American students to its class of 2027, a move experts are wary of celebrating given the drop in admissions of most other minority groups. It comes as the Supreme Court continues deliberations on a lawsuit brought against Harvard by a right-wing group that alleges race-conscious admissions discriminate against white and Asian students.
In a breakdown of the incoming class released by the university last week, Harvard revealed that 29.9% of admitted applicants are Asian American. It’s a 2.1% jump from last year’s number.
“It’s been part of a long-term trend,” admissions Dean William R. Fitzsimmons told The Harvard Crimson. “The percentages have been going up steadily. It’s not a surprise.”
There are a couple of possible reasons for this, said Julie Park, an associate professor at the University of Maryland who studies racial equity in high education. One could be an increase in Asian American legacy admits, which favors children of Harvard alumni in the admissions process. It also coincides with a population growth of Asian American young adults and high school graduates in the U.S. generally.
“Race-conscious admissions can be very dynamic and institution-specific,” she told NBC News. “Under race-conscious admissions, Harvard has a very sizable Asian American class. … It’s just a natural byproduct that you’re just going to numerically have at Harvard, unless they step away from legacy admissions, which I actually think they should.”
106-year-old Indigenous Filipino tattoo artist becomes Vogue cover model — Whang-Od plans to continue the tradition of hand-tapping tattoos for "as long as her eyes can see," she told Vogue Philippines.
Vogue Philippines released its April issue on Friday and its newest cover model is an 106-year-old indigenous Kalinga woman, Apo Whang-Od, also known as Maria Oggay.
Whang-Od, from the small mountain village of Buscalan in the Philippines, is considered the country’s oldest mambabatok (traditional tattooist). She has become famous for mastering a 1,000-year-old “batok” tattooing technique, which uses a traditional tapping method utilizing charcoal soot and a sharp stick. She began learning the traditional method from her father at 16 years old, the magazine reported.
“Apo Maria 'Whang-Od' Oggay symbolizes the strength and beauty of the Filipino spirit," Vogue Philippines wrote in a tweet. "Heralded as the last mambabatok of her generation, she has imprinted the symbols of the Kalinga tribe signifying strength, bravery & beauty on the skin."
Asian actors take on Barbie and Ken roles in first look at 'Barbie' movie — The film, which debuts July 21, will have a slew of Kens and Barbies in Greta Gerwig's interpretation of Barbie Land.
Warner Bros. Pictures offered a first look at the star-studded cast of “Barbie,” including stars Simu Liu and Ritu Arya, in Greta Gerwig’s Barbie world — and fans are thrilled about the Asian representation.
The photos and teaser trailer, which were released Tuesday, give a glimpse into an oversaturated and very pink Barbie Land, which features 11 different Barbies and five different Kens.
The photos for the film, which debuts July 21, include other well-known stars like Ryan Gosling as Ken, Margot Robbie as Barbie, Will Farrell as Mattel’s CEO and singer Dua Lipa as another Barbie.
The colorful portraits feature each character’s role in the film, most of which are individual roles as different Barbie and Ken characters.
Liu, seen in a green tank top, is “just another Ken,” according to his photo. Unlike the Ken dolls, which have little description, each Barbie is given an accomplishment. Arya, dressed in a signature Barbie pink dress holding a matching pink microphone, “has a Pulitzer Prize.”
🏆 On top…
‘Turning Red’ on streaming — 'Turning Red' was top streaming movie in both minority and white households in 2022, report finds
A man’s proposal on TikTok — Man proposes to girlfriend using a personal version of ‘Everything Everywhere’ in viral TikTok
💨 In the works…
…Emily Henry’s ‘Beach Read’ — Yulin Kuang has been tapped to adapt and direct Emily Henry’s popular novel Beach Read into a feature film for 20th Century Studios. Original Film is producing.
…Chinese migrants coming to the U.S. — A growing number of Chinese immigrants are crossing into the U.S. without papers, often taking harrowing journeys through several countries and modes of transport and using social media as their guide.
…Arden Cho’s new role — The Teen Wolf alum has landed a starring role in audio rom-com series Imperfect Match, set to launch May 2. The project hails from entertainment company Meet Cute, which focuses on scripted romantic comedies in the audio format.
…Chloé Zhao's next directorial project — After dominating the Oscars in 2021, Nomadland writer-director Chloé Zhao looks to be building out her future slate. Sources tell Deadline that she is set to direct an adaptation of Hamnet for Amblin Partners, Hera Pictures, Neal Street Productions and Book of Shadows. The film is based on the novel by Maggie O’Farrell, who will adapt the script with Zhao
⏸️ Taking a break…
…Suni Lee — Sunisa 'Suni' Lee says she's stepping away from gymnastics due to a kidney issue
…Priyanka Chopra Jonas — Actor Priyanka Chopra Jonas revealed on a podcast that after years of working in Bollywood, she was no longer getting cast for roles which ultimately inspired her transition to Hollywood.
📽️ What We’re Watching
✍️, Lea @ Crushing the Myth