Welcome to Issue 18 of The Rebel Yellow Newsletter!
The following is a personal message from Benny Luo, NextShark's Founder and CEO, reflecting on the resilience of Los Angeles amidst the ongoing wildfires. As a city that has deeply shaped his personal journey and NextShark’s growth, Benny shares his thoughts on its grit, contradictions, and unbreakable spirit.
In this issue, we also cover the devastating impact of the Palisades Fire, Costco’s commitment to DEI, the implications of the Laken Riley Act, and other stories of resilience and advocacy in our communities.
Read on for the full stories and ways to take action.
A Love Letter to Los Angeles
by Benny Luo
The Bay Area will always be my first love, but Southern California became home in ways I never expected.
My journey here wasn’t a straight line. Growing up, I wasn’t the best student. I bounced between special ed classes, barely scraping by until high school. College came, and my options were slim: UC Riverside or UC Irvine. I chose Irvine without ever setting foot on campus. My friends were heading there, and as a nationally ranked junior badminton player, I’d heard about its strong community. But honestly, it was more than that. Growing up without a lot of Asians around me, I didn’t see many at all unless it was Sunday Chinese school on the weekends. UCI felt like a place where I could finally belong. Back then, it wasn’t uncommon to hear people joke that “UCI stands for University of Chinese Immigrants.”
My first real taste of Los Angeles came through Asian American nightlife during college. Starting as a club promoter in Orange County, I eventually made my way to LA, where everything felt bigger, busier, and more intense. OC had a relaxed, close-knit vibe, but LA was a different world—packed venues, high energy, and an unspoken pressure to keep up. It was where ambition and insecurity mixed, creating nights that felt unpredictable, thrilling, and full of possibility.
And then there was the traffic. During my internships and jobs in the day time, I commuted from OC to LA, spending what felt like half my life on the freeway. Those hours of gridlock tested my patience but gave me time to reflect. The city grew on me, despite the chaos. It wasn’t just where I worked or partied — it became a place I started to understand and identify with, with all its grit and contradictions.
Los Angeles is a city of contrasts. It’s the birthplace of groundbreaking sports franchises that have become legends, the home of culture-changing blockbuster hits, and the playground of stars people adore and follow from around the globe. Sure, the stereotypes are familiar: fake smiles, shallow aspirations, relentless ambition. It’s the entertainment capital of the world, where red carpets and towering mansions define success. But there’s another side to LA. Behind the glamor, the city thrives on the backs of service workers, small production crews and young dreamers who move here with nothing but hope. Most aren’t born into privilege. They’re grinding, day in and day out, hoping to catch a break.
Even for those who do catch that break, the reality is sobering. Living costs in LA continue to skyrocket, inflation eats away at hard-earned paychecks, and economic disparity grows more pronounced. Rent consumes much of their income, healthcare feels like a luxury, and the dream of homeownership seems unattainable for most. The struggle to not only survive but to sustain a dream in this city is an uphill battle. And yet, they stay, because beneath the challenges lies something magnetic—a hope that in LA, no matter how slim the odds, anything is still possible.
Los Angeles is currently hurting. Over the past week, wildfires have claimed at least 24 lives, destroyed over 12,000 structures, and displaced around 200,000 residents. The Palisades Fire, which ignited just eight days ago, has already scorched more than 23,000 acres, making it one of the most destructive in the city’s history. With damages estimated between $135 billion and $150 billion, this tragedy is on track to become the costliest natural disaster in U.S. history—and the devastation is far from over.
It’s gut-wrenching to see homes turned to ash, memories wiped away, and lives uprooted. Not everyone who lost their home is a Hollywood elite with other properties to fall back on. Many are families who poured their savings into a house they believed would be theirs forever. This tragedy is a stark reminder of how fragile life can be.
Yet, even in devastation, there’s beauty. Angelenos are proving the stereotypes wrong. This isn’t a city of vanity — it’s a city of heart. Behind the Hollywood facade, people are showing up for each other. I’ve seen neighbors rolling up their sleeves, donating supplies, hosting fundraisers, and volunteering in shelters. The spirit of this city, the grit and resilience of its people, shines brighter than ever.
With NextShark founded in SoCal, I feel compelled to speak up. Our audiences have always been anchored in two cities: New York and Los Angeles. Over 30% of our readers and followers come from these regions, with Los Angeles consistently ranking at the top for engagement. It’s clear that LA isn’t just another city for us — it’s the beating heart of so many of our stories, our features and our conversations about Asian representation, resilience and community. Our audiences have always been anchored in two cities: New York and Los Angeles. Both have shaped us, but right now, LA needs our attention. This isn’t just a headline — it’s a call to action for a city that holds so many of our stories and dreams.
To my fellow Angelenos: you are unbreakable. Thank you for reminding the world that LA is more than just a city of dreams — it’s a city of humanity. For those affected, know you’re not alone. And for everyone else, let’s show up for LA. Donate, volunteer, spread the word. Every bit helps.
How to Help:
Donate to Relief Efforts:
Volunteer:
Support Displaced Families:
Spread Awareness: Share trusted resources and updates on social media to help amplify the need for assistance.
Los Angeles will rise again. It always does.
Advocates sound alarm after House passes Laken Riley immigration bill
On January 7, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Laken Riley Act with a 264-159 vote, including support from 48 Democrats. Named after a Georgia college student killed by an undocumented immigrant, the legislation has sparked controversy among immigrant rights groups and Asian American advocates.
About the bill
Authored by Rep. Mike Collins (R-GA), the Laken Riley Act seeks to expand the authority of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Once enacted, the bill would require the Department of Homeland Security to detain undocumented immigrants charged with theft-related crimes, including shoplifting, burglary and larceny. It also allows states to sue the federal government for alleged failures in immigration enforcement.
"Nearly one year ago, an illegal immigrant came across our border and killed Laken Riley,” said Collins after the House voted to pass it. “Today, House Republicans and Democrats joined together to ensure that no family has to go through the pain that Laken Riley’s has."
Potential impact
Critics argue the Laken Riley Act could overburden ICE resources, divert focus from higher-risk offenders and strain government budgets with an estimated cost exceeding $3 billion. The National Immigration Law Center warns that granting states authority to sue the federal government may lead to excessive litigation, disrupt federal policy and undermine the separation of powers.
Exploiting tragedy
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) criticized the Act, stating it exploits a tragic incident to promote a false, xenophobic narrative about immigrants and poses serious threats to civil liberties and constitutional principles.
“Mandating mass detention will make us less safe, sapping resources and diverting taxpayer money away from addressing public safety needs,” said Sarah Mehta, ACLU senior border policy counsel. “Detaining a mother who admits to shoplifting diapers for her baby, or elderly individuals who admit to nonviolent theft when they were teenagers, is wasteful, cruel, and unnecessary.”
Harm on immigrant families
The Amica Center for Immigrant Rights called the bill as a “misguided and harmful change to our immigration laws” that will harm immigrants and their families and create further gridlock in federal courts. Amica Center’s Senior Attorney Peter Alfredson states: “By subjecting noncitizens to prolonged, mandatory immigration detention without a bond hearing, simply because they were arrested or charged with a nonviolent theft or shoplifting offense, this bill would dramatically harm immigrant communities.”
The National Korean American Service and Education Consortium (NAKASEC) also condemned the bill as discriminatory, warning that it could exacerbate racial profiling and anti-Asian sentiment.
“The Laken Riley bill falsely conflates immigration and criminality,” Daniel Yoon, NAKASEC’s Legal cCoordinator, told The Rebel Yellow. “It is particularly extreme because it applies mandatory immigration detention to people who have not been convicted or even charged with a crime.”
What’s next
On Jan. 9, the bill was introduced to the Senate where lawmakers voted to further discuss and allow amendments before making a final decision. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and other Democrats have indicated their intention to propose amendments to the bill, including potentially removing the provision allowing states to sue the federal government. Among the Democrats who have indicated support include Senators John Fetterman (D-Pa.) and Ruben Gallego of (D-Ariz.).
Asian America’s favorite warehouse reaffirms commitment to DEI amid rising opposition
As corporate America faces increasing scrutiny over diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies, Costco is taking a firm stand. Last month, the retailer rejected a shareholder proposal to scale back its initiatives, arguing that DEI aligns with its core values and strengthens its ability to serve a diverse customer base.
State of play
Costco’s upcoming proxy meeting on Jan. 23 has been thrust into the spotlight due to a proposal by the National Center for Public Policy Research (NCPPR). The conservative think tank is urging the wholesale company to evaluate the financial and legal risks of its DEI initiatives, citing potential “illegal discrimination” against employees who are “white, Asian, male or straight.” Costco’s board, however, unanimously recommended voting against the proposal.
“Our success at Costco Wholesale has been built on service to our critical stakeholders: employees, members and suppliers,” the board said in December. “Our efforts around diversity, equity and inclusion follow our code of ethics.” The board further accused NCPPR of harboring an anti-diversity agenda.
This stands in contrast to companies like Walmart, Toyota, Microsoft, Home Depot and John Deere, which have scaled back DEI efforts in response to legal challenges and public criticism.
Why this matters
Asian Americans represent a significant segment of Costco’s customer base, comprising 10% of shoppers — nearly double their share of the U.S. population. According to a 2024 study by Numerator, Asian American shoppers are 81% more likely to frequent Costco compared to the average consumer. This trend is attributed to larger household sizes, bulk-buying preferences and Costco’s inclusion of Asian products such as boba ice cream and oyster sauce.
In 2021 and 2022, Costco’s typical shopper was a 39-year-old married Asian American woman with a four-year degree and an annual income exceeding $125,000. For many Asian Americans, Costco is more than a retailer; it’s a cultural hub where diverse needs are recognized and met.
A sense of belonging
Janelle Wong, director of the Asian American Studies Program at the University of Maryland and senior research fellow with AAPI Data, highlighted the importance of DEI programs like employee resource groups (ERGs) for fostering belonging and collaboration.
“I am not a corporate bigwig, but I think it's important that Costco, especially as a private company, define its own values to continue supporting employees with a sense of belonging, open ideas and support in reaching their full potential in the face of outside pressures,” Wong told The Rebel Yellow.
“Research shows that Asian Americans are twice as likely to join race-based employee resource groups than workers overall,” she added, citing 2023 survey data. “These are the kinds of diversity, equity and inclusion programs Costco is not willing to do away with.”
The big picture
Costco’s decision to stand firm comes at a pivotal moment. The Supreme Court’s 2023 ruling against Harvard and the University of North Carolina’s race-based admissions has emboldened critics of corporate DEI programs, citing legal risks and concerns about reverse discrimination. Anti-DEI activists like Robby Starbuck have even called for Costco boycotts, urging consumers to shop elsewhere.
Despite the longstanding opposition, Costco has been steadfast. In November, board member Jeff Raikes lauded DEI as essential for innovation and economic growth, writing in an X post, “Attacks on DEI aren’t just bad for business — they hurt our economy. A diverse workforce drives innovation, expands markets and fuels growth. Let’s focus on building a future where all talent thrives.”
Costco’s DEI commitment underscores a broader moral imperative. While critics question the financial justification for DEI, proponents argue that its value transcends profit margins. DEI fosters equity, creativity and a sense of community — qualities that resonate deeply with Costco’s diverse stakeholders, especially Asian American customers.
The upcoming shareholder vote will test whether Costco’s bold stance on DEI can withstand the tide of opposition. For its part, the company appears ready to weather the storm.
Charges dropped against NYC landlord who defended himself in violent attack
The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office has dropped felony assault charges against Brian Chin, a Chinatown landlord who defended himself in a violent attack last year. While the case reignites discussions about public safety, prosecutorial overreach and the lingering trauma of anti-Asian violence in New York City.
Catch up
Chin, 32, was charged with felony assault after defending himself against a homeless man who attacked him with a nail-studded piece of wood near the subway station at Chrystie and Grand Streets on Aug. 24, 2024. Surveillance footage reportedly showed the homeless man breaking a wooden chair and wielding a sharp piece of it at Chin, who responded by tackling him and punching him multiple times.
The attacker, who sustained severe injuries including facial and skull fractures, was hospitalized and placed on a ventilator. Despite evidence supporting Chin’s claims of self-defense, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office initially pursued charges that could have resulted in up to seven years in prison for Chin.
“This was a case that, from the very beginning, never should have been brought,” Chin told the New York Post. “I was treated like a violent perpetrator in the eyes of the law, and it has been five months of an unending, waking nightmare … I woke up every day thinking that I would spend years in jail when I never committed a crime.”
Impact
The legal ordeal reportedly disrupted Chin’s personal and professional life. He was forced to resign from his teaching position at Harvard, unable to pass a background check.
Although the case has been sealed, Chin remains vocal about the injustice he faced, comparing his situation to that of Jose Alba, an elderly bodega worker charged with second-degree murder after fatally stabbing Austin Simon, 35, during a confrontation on July 1, 2022. The incident began when Simon’s girlfriend argued with Alba over snacks, leading Simon to enter the Harlem store, shove Alba behind the counter and attempt to drag him out. Alba, then 61, responded by stabbing Simon multiple times, killing him.
While Simon was unarmed, critics argued Alba acted in self-defense. Under public and political pressure, including support from Mayor Eric Adams, Bragg dropped the charges, citing insufficient evidence to disprove Alba’s self-defense claim. The case fueled debates over prosecutorial discretion and mirrored criticism of Bragg in Chin’s case.
An enduring trauma
Chin’s heightened sense of vigilance stems from the infamous 2022 murder of his tenant, Christina Yuna Lee. Lee was followed into her apartment by Assamad Nash, a career criminal on supervised release, who brutally stabbed her over 40 times. Nash was convicted in August 2024 and sentenced to 30 years to life.
Lee’s murder remains a painful memory for the Chinatown community, amplifying fears of rising violence and inadequate responses to repeat offenders. Reflecting on her case, Chin told the Post, “Especially after the murder, if someone is acting violent, I just like to stand by the front door, just to make sure that no one gets followed in, all my tenants are safe.”
Lee’s family has been outspoken about systemic failures, including bail reform laws that allowed Nash to roam free. Her father, Sungkon Lee, called the crime “horrendous” and expressed frustration with the criminal justice system. “Why did the murderer single out Christina, someone unknown to him, and perpetuate such a horrendous crime? Why did the murderer brutally kill her by stabbing her more than 40 times? My family cannot forgive these evil acts,” he said during Nash’s sentencing.
Why this matters
Chin’s case underscores the ongoing struggles Chinatown faces with public safety and the broader implications of anti-Asian violence. The neighborhood continues to grapple with systemic failures that leave residents vulnerable to both physical threats and a justice system that often feels unresponsive.
For critics, the handling of Chin’s case highlights deeper concerns about prosecutorial discretion under Bragg. While some see his actions as overly punitive in cases like Chin’s, others may argue they reflect inconsistent priorities that fail to balance justice and community safety.
Texas woman racially attacked in viral video reaches civil settlement
Plano resident Dr. Bidisha Rudra has reached a civil settlement with Esmeralda Upton, the woman seen in a viral video hurling racist slurs and assaulting Rudra and three friends outside a local restaurant in August 2022.
Upton, 59, was recorded shouting xenophobic remarks, including telling the South Asian women to “go back to [their] country” and asserting, “We don’t want you here.” Upton was also captured on video striking the women and threatening to shoot them.
In June 2024, Upton pleaded guilty to four state hate crime charges in a Collin County court and was convicted on three counts of misdemeanor assault and one count of misdemeanor terroristic threat. Her sentence included two years of probation and 40 days in jail for each case, served concurrently, alongside fines totaling $2,000.
Rudra and her legal team, represented pro bono by The Alliance for Asian American Justice, pursued a civil suit to seek further accountability and justice. On Jan. 8, her lawyer announced that a settlement had been reached in her civil suit against Upton. While the terms of the settlement were not disclosed, both parties expressed satisfaction with the outcome.
“This crusade against racism is far from over,” Rudra said in a press release. “I will stand as an ally and a voice for those who are too afraid or hesitant to speak out.”
Jeju Air crash victims hit with online hate
Grieving families of the Jeju Air Flight 7C2216 victims are facing a wave of online hate and misinformation, adding to the anguish of South Korea’s deadliest aviation disaster in decades. As investigators grapple with missing black box data, the backlash highlights societal fractures and the persistent challenges of handling national tragedies with empathy and respect.
Catch up
On Dec. 29, 2024, Jeju Air Flight 7C2216, en route from Bangkok to Muan, South Korea, suffered a catastrophic crash at Muan International Airport, killing 179 of the 181 passengers and crew onboard. Following a reported bird strike, the aircraft attempted an emergency belly landing but overshot the runway, colliding with a concrete embankment and erupting into flames. The tragedy marked South Korea’s deadliest aviation disaster and the world’s most fatal since 2018.
Hate and misinformation emerge
As the victims’ families grieve, they also find themselves enduring an unexpected ordeal: online hate and baseless rumors. Social media platforms have reportedly been flooded with harmful comments, including accusations that families are “delighted” about potential government compensation. One arrest has been made, with a man in his 30s charged for suggesting that families with multiple fatalities would be “thrilled” about receiving money.
Misogynistic and discriminatory remarks have also targeted the victims and the crew. False claims circulated that the pilot and co-pilot were women, sparking sexist vitriol. Even Muan International Airport and the Jeolla region have faced regionalist slurs, exacerbating South Korea’s long-standing provincial tensions.
The online backlash mirrors responses to previous national disasters, such as the 2014 Sewol Ferry tragedy and the 2022 Itaewon crowd crush, where grieving families were ridiculed and defamed. Sungkyunkwan University sociology professor Koo Jeong-woo attributes such behavior to societal discontent and a desire for attention, compounded by feelings of economic injustice.
“For national disasters such as the Sewol ferry disaster and Itaewon crowd crash, the government laid out a compensation support fund. People who are living day by day feel the compensation is overrated and say the bereaved are getting ‘unfair treatment’ and that they are making a big deal when everyone's life is hard,” Koo told the Korea Herald. Despite South Korea’s defamation laws, penalties for online hate remain minimal, often limited to fines.
New challenges
Meanwhile, the investigation into the crash has hit a significant obstacle: the flight’s black box ceased recording four minutes before impact. Both the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) and flight data recorder (FDR) failed to capture the critical moments after the reported bird strike, complicating efforts to determine the precise cause.
South Korean investigators, in collaboration with the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), are exploring why the black box stopped recording. Speculation includes a potential total power failure, which is exceedingly rare. The absence of a Recorder Independent Power Supply (RIPS) on the 2017 aircraft has also drawn scrutiny. “Without recordings of the decisive moments, investigating the cause of the crash has become extremely challenging,” Kim Kwang-il, an aviation operations professor at Silla University, told the Korea Times.
The missing data has intensified scrutiny over Jeju Air’s safety protocols and the infrastructure at Muan Airport. Investigators are also examining the rigid construction of the embankment the plane struck, which supported a localizer system critical for landings. Some members of the victims’ families have expressed distrust in the transport ministry’s investigation, calling for independent experts to join the probe. Remnants of the wreckage are being transported to Gimpo International Airport for further examination.
Evidently, the Jeju Air crash has left South Korea grappling with profound grief, unanswered questions and troubling societal challenges. Not only does it highlight the urgent need for transparency and accountability in disaster investigations; it also calls for a collective reckoning with the societal fractures exposed by such crises.
For the families of the 179 lives lost, justice and empathy remain as critical as answers.
Vietnamese student wins $320K Ivy League scholarship with essay on perfecting cheap steak
Nguyen Bentley Minh Nhat, a 12th-grade student from Vietnam, secured a $320,000 scholarship to Dartmouth College with a unique essay about tenderizing affordable steak. The 17-year-old student from Vinschool The Harmony, received his acceptance on Dec. 14, 2024 to Dartmouth’s Film & Media Studies Department and Business School.
Nguyen shared with VNExpress that his admission essay, inspired by kitchen experiments with flank steak, reflected how solutions often come from viewing challenges differently. “My father showed me to slice the steak against the grain after all my methods failed. It taught me to approach life problems with fresh perspectives.” The student applied this insight to other aspects of his life, including caring for his 90-year-old great-grandfather in 2021.
Born in Canada and raised in Vietnam, Nguyen’s journey was shaped by his family’s struggles. Despite facing financial challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, he excelled academically, earning four A’s in the Cambridge International AS-level program and scoring 1530 out of 1600 on his SAT.
Nguyen also pursued his passion for filmmaking, creating award-winning short films. He now envisions creating authentic Vietnamese folklore films and balancing a dual career in business and filmmaking. Reflecting on his journey, he noted, "Now that I’ve reached my goal, I can spend more time with friends and work on my favorite film projects."
Marcus Freeman becomes first Asian coach to reach College Football Playoff title game
Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman made history last week by becoming the first Black or Asian head coach to lead a team to the College Football Playoff National Championship since Football Bowl Subdivision was founded in 1869. The historic achievement was sealed with a thrilling 27-24 victory over Penn State in the Orange Bowl on Jan. 9.
Freeman, whose father is Black and mother is Korean, acknowledged the significance of his accomplishment but quickly shifted the focus to his team. "It is an honor, and I hope all coaches — minorities, Black, Asian, white, it doesn’t matter, great people — continue to get opportunities to lead young men like this," said the 39-year-old coach. "But this ain’t about me. This is about us."
Leading up to the Orange Bowl, Freeman said about representation: "It’s a reminder that you are a representation for many others and many of our players that look the same way I do. Your color shouldn’t matter. The evidence of your work should."
Notre Dame will now face Ohio State in the national championship game on January 20th at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.
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