Carter's Asian Legacy / Climate Hell / Squid Game Drama
As we step into 2025, we’re reflecting on the stories that connect us to our past, challenge us in the present, and inspire us for the future.
Rebel Yellow Issue #10: A New Year, A New Chapter
Happy New Year and welcome to the 10th issue of Rebel Yellow!
As we step into 2025, we’re reflecting on the stories that connect us to our past, challenge us in the present, and inspire us for the future. This week, we honor the life and legacy of Jimmy Carter, the 39th U.S. president, whose contributions to civil rights, diplomacy, and the Asian American community remain deeply impactful.
But that's not all:
The Year of Climate Reckoning: 2024’s extreme weather events remind us of the urgency for bold climate action.
Representation in Focus: The casting controversy in Squid Game Season 2 sparks vital discussions about authenticity and inclusion.
Looking Ahead: The Rebel Yellow team shares personal resolutions and hopes for a brighter, more connected 2025.
This issue is as much about reflecting on the past as it is about welcoming the possibilities of the year ahead. Here’s to another year of learning, growth, and staying true to what matters most. Let’s make 2025 unforgettable!
Remembering Jimmy Carter’s Asian legacy
Jimmy Carter, the 39th president of the U.S., died on Sunday at the age of 100. Known for his contributions to civil rights, diplomacy and humanitarian efforts, Carter’s term and post-presidential work laid the foundations for critical milestones that continue to shape our experiences as Asian Americans, as well as those of the broader Asian diaspora.
A proclamation for heritage
One of Carter’s most significant contributions to the AAPI community was his designation of May 4, 1979, as the beginning of Asian Pacific American Heritage Week. This historic proclamation marked the first national recognition of Asian Americans’ integral role in U.S. history and paved the way for the longer Asian Pacific American Heritage Month that we continue to celebrate today.
Dig deeper: The establishment of Heritage Week was the result of collaborative efforts in both chambers of Congress in 1977. Frank Horton (R-N.Y.) and Norman Mineta (D-Calif.) introduced Joint Resolution 1007 in the House of Representatives, which was then supported by Hawaii Democrats Daniel Inouye and Spark Matsunaga in the Senate.
Significance: The bipartisan initiative proposed designating a week in May to honor the contributions of AAPIs to U.S. history. Specifically, it was timed to honor milestones such as the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants on May 7, 1843, and the work of Chinese laborers to the transcontinental railroad, completed on May 10, 1869.
U.S.-China normalization
On Jan. 1, 1979, Carter officially switched U.S. diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing, acknowledging the People’s Republic of China (PRC) as the sole legal government of China. The move ended decades of estrangement, setting the stage for robust bilateral trade and educational exchanges. Deng Xiaoping, Beijing’s leader at the time, credited Carter’s “farsighted decision” for opening “a fresh flow of commerce, ideas and people.”
Decades later, Carter’s actions would draw mixed reactions to his death:
Beijing: He was hailed as a visionary statesman, with the Chinese Foreign Ministry calling him a “key promoter and decision-maker” in U.S.-China relations. Social media also lit up with tributes reportedly referring to him as “Meirenzong,” a title traditionally reserved for Chinese emperors.
Taipei: His death reignited reflections on his complex legacy. While his decision to sever official ties with Taipei remains a point of historical contention, some commentators highlight the enduring importance of the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA), which has shaped Taiwan’s security and U.S.-Taiwan relations to this day. Taiwan’s Presidential Office offered “sincere condolences” to his family and the American people.
The Taiwan Relations Act: While Carter made a diplomatic switch, Congress passed the TRA in 1979, ensuring the U.S. would continue unofficial ties with Taiwan and provide defensive arms. The law established a framework for U.S.-Taiwan relations, mandating defensive support while avoiding explicit commitments that could provoke Beijing.
A lasting bond with China
Carter’s connection to China extended well beyond his presidency. His early exposure to the country as a naval officer in 1949 piqued his interest, and he continued to engage with Chinese leaders, even amid rising tensions between the two nations. The Carter Center played a pivotal role in observing China’s village elections in the 1990s, fostering grassroots democratic practices. He also made multiple trips to China, earning respect from ordinary citizens and leaders alike. His humanitarian efforts, including post-earthquake rebuilding in Sichuan, further cemented his legacy.
In his later years, Carter cautioned against a “modern Cold War” with China, urging cooperation to prevent global catastrophe. He emphasized diplomacy over confrontation, warning that tensions over Taiwan or the South China Sea could lead to military conflict.
“While today’s leaders face a different world, the cause of peace remains just as important,” he wrote in a Washington Post op-ed in 2018. “Leaders must bring new vision, courage and ingenuity to new challenges and opportunities, but I believe they also must accept our conviction that the United States and China need to build their futures together, for themselves and for humanity at large.”
2024 was hell for climate
The relentless march of climate change in 2024 brought unprecedented heat and a cascade of extreme weather events that left a profound mark on every corner of the globe. According to an analysis by World Weather Attribution (WWA) and Climate Central published on Friday, human-caused climate change resulted in an average of 41 additional days of dangerous heat worldwide, a staggering figure that highlights the severity of the crisis.
A year of extreme weather
“The finding is devastating but utterly unsurprising,” Friederike Otto, co-founder of WWA and a climate scientist at Imperial College, said at a recent media briefing. “Climate change did play a role, and often a major role in most of the events we studied, making heat, droughts, tropical cyclones and heavy rainfall more likely and more intense across the world, destroying lives and livelihoods of millions and often uncounted numbers of people.”
From blistering heatwaves that gripped Northern California and Death Valley to record-breaking temperatures that shuttered schools across South and Southeast Asia, the impact of climate change was undeniable. Vulnerable populations bore the brunt of these conditions, with children in West Africa and communities in small island nations experiencing the highest number of dangerous heat days. In some regions, like parts of South Asia, the additional heat surpassed 150 days.
In total, WWA and Climate Central analyzed 29 significant weather events that collectively killed at least 3,700 people and displaced millions. Of these, 26 were found to have clear links to climate change. Among the most devastating were floods driven by climate change-amplified rainfall — from Kathmandu to Dubai to the Southern Appalachians — as well as severe droughts and wildfires in the Amazon and Pantanal Wetland, which decimated biodiversity and threatened one of the planet’s most vital carbon sinks.
The WMO’s call to action
Separately, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) confirmed that 2024 will go down as the warmest year on record, capping a decade of deadly heat. “Today I can officially report that we have just endured a decade of deadly heat,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres. “This is climate breakdown — in real time. We must exit this road to ruin — and we have no time to lose.”
Echoing this urgency, WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo highlighted the increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events, from tropical cyclones to wildfires. “Every fraction of a degree of warming matters, and increases climate extremes, impacts and risks. Temperatures are only part of the picture,” Saulo said. She also emphasized the WMO’s initiatives to enhance early warning systems and climate services, which are critical for saving lives in an era of escalating weather disasters.
The year’s weather extremes served as a stark warning that the planet is nearing the critical 1.5 degrees Celsius (34.7 degrees Fahrenheit) warming threshold outlined in the Paris Agreement. Without sustained global action, the WMO cautioned, surpassing this limit will lead to even more catastrophic outcomes.
The path forward
The reports from WWA and the WMO converge on a central message: the future is in our hands, but only if decisive action is taken. Among the key resolutions for 2025 are:
Accelerating the transition from fossil fuels: The burning of oil, coal and gas remains the primary driver of global warming. Rapid adoption of renewable energy is essential to mitigate climate extremes and foster a safer, healthier planet.
Enhancing early warning systems: Investment in targeted and effective early warning systems can drastically reduce fatalities from extreme weather. These systems need to provide clear, actionable instructions and be regularly tested and improved.
Real-time reporting of heat-related deaths: Recognizing the often-underreported danger of heatwaves, health systems worldwide should prioritize real-time data sharing with media and public health organizations to raise awareness and prompt preventive actions.
Supporting vulnerable nations: Developing countries, which contribute the least to historical emissions — but suffer disproportionately from climate impacts — need robust financial support. Ensuring these nations can adapt to climate challenges is both a moral imperative and a step toward global stability.
What you can do
For Asian Americans, these findings carry a unique resonance. Many from our community maintain critical ties to family members in Asia that are among the most vulnerable to climate impacts. Individuals can contribute by reducing personal carbon footprints, advocating for systemic change and supporting climate-resilient initiatives in both local and ancestral communities.
As 2024 closes, the evidence is undeniable: the era of climate consequences is here. But with unified, immediate action, there remains hope for a safer and more sustainable future.
Americans end 2024 with pessimism: As 2024 comes to a close, only 19% of Americans believe the country is heading in the right direction, according to a recent Gallup poll.
Plummeting satisfaction: The poll reveals a stark decline in national satisfaction since October when 26% of Americans viewed the country's direction favorably. This downturn is largely attributed to a 17-point drop among Democrats, whose satisfaction plummeted from 47% to 30% following the November elections. While Republican satisfaction saw an initial uptick from 5% to 16% in November, it then receded to 9% in December. Independents, however, have maintained a steady outlook throughout the year, with approximately 20% expressing contentment.
Top concerns: When asked about the most pressing problems facing the country, 20% of respondents cited the government, 17% named immigration, 15% pointed to the economy in general and 11% focused on inflation. Concerns about immigration were significantly higher among Republicans (43%) than Democrats (1%) or independents (11%), while Democrats were more likely to highlight issues with government and political systems as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office.
Promising economic picture: Gallup’s Economic Confidence Index, which gauges Americans' perceptions of current economic conditions and their future outlook, at least shows gradual improvement throughout 2024. While concerns about inflation and the overall economic direction continue to weigh heavily on public sentiment, the index reached -14, its highest point in December since August 2021.
How 2025 is looking for Asian entrepreneurs: A separate study conducted by the Bank of America reveals that 71% of AAPI business owners believe the national economy will improve in 2025. Additionally, 73% plan to expand their businesses and 60% aim to increase hiring using advanced technology, including AI. However, it's crucial to acknowledge that this data doesn't fully capture the nuances within the diverse AAPI community, as some groups face greater economic challenges and systemic barriers than others.
"Squid Game" Season 2 casting of cis actor as trans character divides the internet
The second season of the hit Netflix series "Squid Game" has ignited controversy for its casting of cisgender actor Park Sung-hoon as Hyun-ju, a transgender woman contestant.
About the character
In the show, Hyun-ju is a former Special Forces soldier who enters the deadly games hoping to use the prize money to pay for her gender-affirming surgery. Her storyline sheds light on the discrimination and marginalization faced by the transgender community in South Korea. In one scene, she reveals how her transition led to estrangement from her family, job loss and financial struggles.
While discussing the character, Park said: "Even though she faces prejudice and tough situations, she shows incredible strength, decisiveness and natural leadership. Through her resilience, she breaks down stereotypes and shines as an inspiring character."
What viewers are saying
Online, some viewers expressed disappointment that the show didn't cast an actual transgender actor. “Netflix ‘Squid Game’ 2 didn’t hit the same bc they hired a straight guy to play this character,” an X user wrote. “Felt forced instead of organic.” Critics argue that casting a cisgender actor in a transgender role perpetuates harmful stereotypes and denies opportunities to trans actors. "The fact that a man is acting as the trans woman in squid game doesn’t sit right with me,” another wrote. “I get they’re trying to be inclusive but just hire a real trans woman or a woman.”
The controversy highlights the ongoing struggle for transgender rights and representation in South Korea. A 2021 Human Rights Watch report revealed that 96% of LGBTQ+ youth in South Korea experienced discrimination or bullying in school. The report also cited a 2014 poll showing that 80% of LGBTQ+ youth received discriminatory comments from teachers.
About the casting
"Squid Game" creator Hwang Dong-hyuk acknowledged the controversy, telling TV Guide that finding a suitable trans actor in South Korea proved "near impossible" due to the limited number of openly trans actors in the country.
"In the beginning we were doing our research, and I was thinking of doing an authentic casting of a trans actor," Hwang said. "When we researched in Korea, there are close to no actors that are openly trans, let alone openly gay.” He attributed this to the ongoing marginalization and “heartbreaking” discrimination faced by the LGBTQ+ community in the country.
Happy New Year from The Rebel Yellow!
A Happy New Year to our amazing community!
As we step into 2025, The Rebel Yellow and NextShark is reflecting on personal growth, shared ambitions and the collective journey ahead. From embracing wellness to cultivating curiosities, our staff’s New Year’s resolutions highlight the values that fuel our work.
Here’s a glimpse into some of the things that inspire us for the year to come:
BENNY
I used to have a long list of New Year’s resolutions, but after I became a father, things have been so much more simplified. My resolution for 2025 is to just give my kids as many happy memories as possible, and always find ways to be a better father and husband.
CARL
Hey! It’s Carl, senior editor at NextShark/The Rebel Yellow. Wishing everyone a healthy, prosperous and peaceful 2025! I have one resolution: Be ultra-aggressive about keeping my boundaries. This is, of course, easier said than done, but I’ve come to realize it only really comes down to determining whether something genuinely makes me happy. If it doesn’t … k bye!!!
RYAN
It’s Ryan, and I write stuff here! I would redo my last year’s resolution of trying to travel more or learn a musical instrument. I would also make healthier food choices.
GABE
Hello! My name is Gabriel Jung and I’m a content manager and video editor. I brainstorm and make a lot of the video content we put out on all platforms. For 2025, it’s a resolution of mine to become more curious. Specifically about people and stories. Hopefully this is reflected by the work we do here and the stories we cover.
LISA
Hi, it’s chief of staff Lisa! I support the leadership team, manage our CEO’s schedule, oversee projects and manage team communications. I have two resolutions this 2025: (1) focus more on things that provide inner fulfillment and peace in my life, and (2) spend more time for yoga and exercise!
ALAN
My resolution for 2024 is to stop trying to fill the deep, dark void in my soul with excessive amounts of food and online shopping. I need to consider that there are other great options like hard drugs and anonymous sex also. Turning my life over to an ever advancing AI also seems promising. In all seriousness though, I need to exercise more.