When Augustine Tang’s father passed away, Augustine decided to inherit his taxi medallion – the license that had allowed his father to drive a yellow taxi cab in New York City for decades. But the medallion came with a $530,000 debt trap and years of struggling to escape it. Augustine’s friend Kenny, a fellow taxi cab driver, committed suicide. So did several other drivers who were crushed under the weight of these impossible debts. In hopes of preventing another death, Tang joined a push by the local taxi drivers’ union, to campaign for debt relief. And eventually, city resistance to worker d ..read more

After gaining much attention and popularity during his presidential bid, Andrew Yang is running for mayor of New York City. We delve into the concerns brought up by Asians Against Yang, a coalition of community members, organizers, and activists who are opposing Yang’s bid to be New York’s next mayor. Then, our producer Cynthia, co-host Janrey, and guest James Boo discuss their reactions toward Andrew Yang, the mayoral election, and the current state of NYC politics. Early voting began June 12th, and Election Day is next Tuesday, June 22nd. For more information, visit the NYC Board of Election ..read more

Pacific Islanders and Native Hawaiians have historically been the most overrepresented demographic in the U.S. Military. This week, we speak with Gabby Langkilde, an American Samoan, about her experiences growing up near an army base and dealing with military recruitment in high school. Then, we discuss the military’s role in colonialism and citizenship, as well as the pitfalls of grouping Pacific Islander Americans with Asian Americans. Our guest this week was Gabrielle T. Langkilde, an American Samoan and recent graduate from Harvard University with a degree in Women, Gender, and Sexuality S ..read more

The Indian farmers’ protests began late last summer and are still ongoing, even as coronavirus has worsened over the past month. Sylvia, Janrey and our reporter Sahil begin by explaining the legislation that has put about 50% of India’s population, small farmers, at risk while benefiting corporate interests. We explore some of India’s agricultural history—from British colonial rule to the Green Revolution—and the present day economic impacts. Finally, we discuss how the protests are connected to democracy, revolution and international solidarity. Our guest this week was Chairman Gurinder Singh ..read more

Our host Janrey and reporter Sahil explore the long history of Asian American queer and trans activism. We begin by talking about some queer and trans activists in US history such as Crystal Jang, Kiyoshi Kuromiya, and Kitty Tsui. Then, we speak with South Asian activist, writer, and podcaster Priya Arora about queer representation in pop culture, while also recognizing histories within our communities. We also speak with activist Pauline Park about creating queer community spaces beginning in the mid-90s and rethinking identity. Finally, Janrey and Sahil reflect on their ancestral lineages, r ..read more

On February 27th, over three hundred people showed up to Foley Square in Manhattan’s Chinatown neighborhood to rally against the rise of anti-Asian hate incidents across the nation. Our hosts Sylvia and Janrey speak with people at the rally on why they attended and what solutions they want to see. Then, we hear from Professor Rosalind Chou of Georgia State University about the origins of anti-Asian racism and its roots in white supremacy. Finally, Jason Wu, a legal services attorney based in New York City, speaks on how to confront anti-Asian violence and take care of our communities through a ..read more

On February 1st, the Myanmar military raided and detained the country’s top officials—including democratically elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi, President U Win Myint, and other senior figures from the National League for Democracy party—sparking protests that are still ongoing. Our hosts Sylvia and Janrey, along with producer Cynthia, spoke with activists and scholars to understand what’s happening in Myanmar, the historical context, and how Burmese Americans and the international community are responding to the coup. We also discuss the role of social media in the #CivilDisobedience movement ..read more

COVID-19 has greatly impacted Asian-owned small businesses over the past year. Owners have struggled with keeping their businesses afloat during lockdown periods, a rise in anti-Asian sentiment and operational shifts during the pandemic. But who are the ones applying for PPP and negotiating with retailers during this time? Our reporter Alina and our producer Cynthia speak to 2 Asian American teenagers who had to balance school and their family businesses through this tough period. Emily Zheng’s Family Business: Chopsticks Sushi Bar and Asian Cuisine https://www.facebook.com/ChopsticksShelbyvi ..read more

We’re kicking off our launch with a look back at 2 key topics in 2020: BIPOC racial justice and COVID-19. In part 2, we examine how COVID-19 has impacted marginalized Asian American communities, namely Southeast Asians. We talk to Professor Catherine Ceniza Choy to give context to Filipino frontline worker histories and experiences during this time. Then, we talk to Chhaya Chhoum, the founder of Mekong NYC, about how Cambodian, Laotian, and Vietnamese refugee communities are coping with government neglect by providing mutual aid in Bronx, NYC. Visit Kanlungan.net Learn More About AZI Media Her ..read more

We're kicking off our launch with a look back at 2 key topics in 2020: BIPOC racial justice and COVID-19. In part 1, we're sitting down with Kabzuag Vaj, a Hmong American activist and founder of Freedom, Inc to talk about a historic year of reckoning with police brutality, anti-Blackness, and anti-Asian hate.    Learn More About AZI Media Here Subscribe to our Mailing List Find Transcript And More Resources Here AZI Media Code Of Conduct Follow Us On Twitter Follow Us On Instagram Donate to our Ko-Fi   ..read more