Discrimination Lawsuit / Fake police / MAGA Attack
In this issue: An Asian American investor sues PayPal for alleged discrimination, a Chinese scientist fights back against espionage accusations, and a viral video highlights anti-Asian racism in Texas
Issue 15 of The Rebel Yellow
In this issue: An Asian American investor sues PayPal for alleged discrimination, a Chinese scientist fights back against espionage accusations, and a viral video highlights anti-Asian racism in Texas. Plus, a look at Filipino films coming to Hollywood and a free name-change clinic for immigrants and trans individuals.
Got tips or thoughts? Email us at crew@therebelyellow.com.
Asian American investor sues PayPal over alleged racial discrimination
An Asian American venture capitalist has filed a federal lawsuit against PayPal, accusing the digital payments giant of racial discrimination in a $530 million investment initiative. Nisha Desai claims her New York-based firm, Andav Capital, was excluded from a $100 million allocation exclusively directed to venture capital firms led by Black and Latino managers.
The suit filed in Manhattan on Jan. 2 alleges that PayPal’s policy discriminated against Desai based on her Asian ethnicity, violating several federal and state anti-discrimination laws. Desai’s legal team, Consovoy McCarthy, asserts that PayPal’s actions not only cost her firm critical funding but also reinforced the perception that Asian Americans are “the wrong kind of minority.”
About the investment program
Amid nationwide conversations about racial equity following the murder of George Floyd, PayPal in June 2020 committed $530 million to support Black and minority-owned businesses. Of that amount, $100 million was earmarked for venture capital firms led by Black and Latino managers. Desai’s lawsuit claims:
Exclusive allocation: PayPal invested the entire $100 million in 19 venture firms headed exclusively by Black and Latino general partners.
Access denial: Despite extensive meetings with PayPal executives, Desai’s application was dismissed. PayPal’s representatives allegedly explicitly stated that the program prioritized Black and Latino-led firms over others.
Broader implications: The suit alleges that such exclusionary practices undermine the broader goals of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) by marginalizing certain minority groups.
Legal grounds and demands
The suit invokes several legal provisions, including:
Section 1981 of the Civil Rights Act of 1866, which ensures all citizens the right to make and enforce contracts irrespective of race.
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits recipients of federal funds from engaging in racial discrimination.
New York state and city human rights laws, which protect against racial and ethnic discrimination.
Desai, reportedly born to and raised by immigrant parents in the Deep South, seeks unspecified damages and a legal injunction to prevent PayPal from using race or ethnicity as criteria in its investment programs.
Why this matters
The case illustrates the complex challenges in designing equitable support programs within the country’s evolving DEI landscape. While PayPal’s initiative appeared to address historical inequities faced by Black and Latino entrepreneurs, Desai’s legal challenge raises important questions about how organizations can create inclusive programs that acknowledge the diverse experiences of different minority groups. It echoes sentiments expressed in past cases alleging discrimination against Asian Americans, such as the 2022 Harvard and University of North Carolina affirmative action suits and Do No Harm’s suit against Pfizer’s fellowship program.
More broadly, Desai’s suit challenges the “model minority” stereotype, which obscures the struggles faced by Asian Americans in professional and entrepreneurial spaces. How the case is resolved could have significant implications on how DEI initiatives are shaped — ideally in ways that advance equity while complying with anti-discrimination laws.
The Rebel Yellow has reached out to PayPal for comment.
Chinese American scientist sues Kansas university over espionage claim that destroyed his life
Feng “Franklin” Tao, a Chinese-born chemist and former tenured professor at the University of Kansas (KU), has filed a federal lawsuit accusing the university of colluding with the FBI in a racially charged investigation that upended his life and career. Tao is reportedly the first person prosecuted under the first Trump administration’s “China Initiative,” which critics say targeted Chinese academics based on unfounded fears of espionage.
“KU’s actions and discrimination against its own tenured professor — before, during and after his criminal prosecution — violated its contractual, ethical and legal obligations to Professor Tao,” his complaint said. Tao believes the university acted on unverified claims from a disgruntled student seeking $300,000 and reported him to the FBI without investigation. His arrest in 2019 led to convictions in 2022 on charges unrelated to espionage. Most of those were overturned that same year due to insufficient evidence, and his final conviction was overturned last July by an appeals court.
Tao, who had been lauded for his research and teaching, now seeks reinstatement, lost wages and damages for emotional and reputational harm. His legal fees hit $2.3 million last year.
The China Initiative, which was launched in 2018 and subsequently criticized for chilling scientific collaboration, ended in 2022 under the Biden administration. Advocacy groups warn of ongoing bias, with Tao’s case standing as a stark reminder of the initiative’s human cost.
Texas woman wearing MAGA cap racially attacks Asians in viral video
A video showing a racially charged incident in Fort Worth, Texas, has sparked outrage online. The 42-second clip, which made rounds on Reddit this week, shows a woman wearing what appears to be a red MAGA cap directing racial slurs and engaging in physical aggression toward a group of Asian people. In-video captions claim that the group had asked the woman — who was accompanied by a man — for directions to a bar.
“Ching chong, ching chong. He must be getting rolls… What you gonna do… Get your egg roll!” yells the woman, who is also heard using a mock Asian accent. Later, the scene cuts to her grabbing a woman in a white dress and pulling her by the hair. Captions say a friend had tried to de-escalate the situation, while onlooker can be heard screaming “What the fuck!”
As of this writing, the Reddit post has amassed over 7,700 upvotes and nearly 1,000 comments, with many condemning the woman’s actions. Others criticized her male companion’s apparent attempt to distance her from the MAGA movement by removing her cap during her racist tirade.
It is unclear when exactly the incident took place. One commenter said the incident occurred at the historic Stockyards.
Luigi Mangione visited a Thai gun range and was obsessed with Indian author’s book, docu says
Luigi Mangione, the 26-year-old charged in the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, remains in the headlines as new claims about his activities before the shooting raise speculations on his motivations and mental state. Among them: an off-schedule trip to a gun range in Thailand and an apparent obsession with a book by an Indian author.
The Thailand trip
TMZ’s sensationalized documentary “Luigi Mangione: The Mind of a Killer,” which premiered on Monday, sheds light on Mangione’s purported behavior during his travels in Asia. While vacationing in Thailand, he reportedly skipped a group beach day to visit a shooting range. His travel companions, identified only as German tourists Paul and Max, claimed that he found the experience expensive but seemed determined to participate.
This trip to the shooting range is now viewed as a precursor to the events of Dec. 4, when Mangione allegedly shot Thompson outside a New York City hotel. Prosecutors argue that Mangione’s fascination with firearms and his ideologies may have fueled his actions.
The book obsession
In another layer of intrigue, Mangione reportedly became fixated on Indian author Jash Dholani’s “Hit Reverse: New Ideas From Old Books.” Speaking to TMZ, Dholani said Mangione attempted to purchase 400 copies of the book, but the transaction was flagged and ultimately rejected. He managed to acquire just one copy.
The book has been described as a philosophical exploration of old texts reinterpreted for modern times. TMZ claimed it “may provide clues as to why Luigi became radicalized,” but the documentary also pointed to his obsession with a second book about corporate greed, “which was his motive to kill.”
What’s next
Mangione’s arrest on Dec. 9 in Pennsylvania marked the end of a five-day manhunt. He now faces parallel state and federal charges, including murder as an act of terrorism. If convicted on state charges, he could face life in prison without parole. His next state court appearance is scheduled for Feb. 21. The federal case — which carries the possibility of the death penalty — is expected to proceed following an indictment deadline extension to Feb. 17.
Public opinion
A recent nationwide poll conducted by Generation Lab reveals striking findings about college students’ opinions on the case:
48% view Thompson’s killing as totally or somewhat justified.
81% have an extremely or somewhat negative view of Thompson.
45% sympathize more with Mangione than with Thompson.
The findings signal a growing disenchantment among younger generations with corporate America, with many viewing Mangione’s actions as a misguided but understandable rebellion against systemic greed.
Chinese parent with two reproductive systems serves as mom in first marriage, dad in the next
Liu Xing, a 59-year-old intersex parent from Chongqing, China, has lived a life of extraordinary transformation. While female at birth — and still a woman, according to her ID — she developed male reproductive organs during her first marriage, leading to her taking the role of a father in her next.
A life like no other
Born in a small village in Bishan County, Liu was raised as a girl based on her physical appearance. But as a child, she exhibited traits that set her apart from her peers, such as a preference for short hair and boyish clothing.
At 18, Liu married a man named Tang Wei and gave birth to a son within a year. However, following childbirth, her body began to undergo drastic changes: a surge of androgenic hormones led to the development of male genitalia, diminished breasts and other masculine features. These changes placed immense strain on her marriage, culminating in divorce. Despite allegedly growing irresponsible and racking up a massive gambling debt, Tang retained custody of their son, while Liu, grappling with her shifting identity, moved to a nearby town to start anew.
Love and resilience
In her new life, Liu began working in a shoe factory, presenting as male. It was there that she met Zhou Li, a vibrant and determined woman who was undeterred by her unique circumstances. Despite initial resistance, Liu eventually reciprocated Zhou’s affection, and the two began a relationship that defied societal conventions.
Their love story was not without challenges. Zhou’s family opposed their union, at times confining her at home to prevent her from seeing Liu. Yet Zhou’s unwavering support prevailed, and she remained by Liu’s side, even giving birth to their son in the early 2000s. To navigate the legal barriers of same-sex marriage in China, Zhou married Liu’s ex-husband Tang on paper — a creative solution that Tang conditionally agreed to and underscored the couple’s determination to build a life together.
A complex family dynamic
Today, Liu is both a mother and a father: a mother to her first son, Tang Xiaobao, and a father to Zhou Long, her son with Zhou. Tang Xiaobao, now an adult, speaks fondly of Liu’s resilience and kindness, referring to her as “mom” despite Liu’s masculine appearance. Zhou Long, on the other hand, calls Liu “dad,” reflecting the role Liu plays in his life.
Walking down the street with one son addressing her as “mom” and the other as “dad” has made Liu a subject of both admiration and scrutiny. While Liu and Zhou’s love story has brought them happiness, it has not shielded them from the judgmental stares of others.
Challenges and hope for intersex persons
Liu’s journey highlights the struggles faced by intersex individuals, who are often misunderstood and subjected to societal discrimination. The condition, which affects an estimated 1.7% of the general population, often leads to invasive medical interventions aimed at conforming bodies to binary gender norms. Such procedures disregard the complexities of intersex lives and identities.
Liu has not undergone gender confirmation surgery, citing financial constraints. As a result, she remains a woman on official documents. Despite these challenges, her story has sparked widespread discussions on social media about acceptance and understanding. More importantly, it has become a call to action for greater recognition and legal protection of intersex individuals.
Popular Bay Area foods contain harmful chemicals, new report claims
A new report by PlasticList, a research group led by former GitHub CEO Nat Friedman, has raised concerns over the presence of harmful plastic chemicals in food across the Bay Area.
Plastics across food items: The study tested 312 food products from local eateries, cafes and grocery stores, revealing that over 86% of the 775 samples contained endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) like bisphenol A (BPA), Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and Di(2-ethylhexyl) terephthalate (DEHT). Among the products tested were bubble tea from Boba Guys, coffee from Blue Bottle, ice cream from Salt & Straw and meats from Whole Foods.
Alarming findings: Products with high levels of EDCs included offerings from Blue Bottle, Salt & Straw, Tartine and even Stanford University’s dining hall. Salmon and steak from Whole Foods contained more plastic chemicals than many fast-food burgers. Even baby food, infant formula and breast milk from a hospital tested positive for these chemicals. Almost none of the tested products violated regulations set by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), however.
Boba tea raises red flags: One of the most shocking findings was the high level of BPA in a single serving of black tea with tapioca pearls from Boba Guys, a popular Bay Area boba tea chain. According to the report, this single serving contained more BPA than is considered safe to consume by an individual in an entire year, based on limits set by the EFSA. Boba Guys expressed doubt about the findings and told the San Francisco Standard that the BPA contamination could be from Palo Alto tap water, where the tested samples came from. The company also stated that its equipment and ingredients meet industry standards and that it would conduct its own independent study.
Concerns over current safety standards: PlasticList researchers acknowledge that their study is only a starting point, and more research is needed to fully understand the risks posed by plastic chemicals in food. Since almost none of the tested products violated FDA or EFSA regulations, the report calls into question the adequacy of current safety limits. The report emphasizes the need for further research into the long-term effects of exposure to these chemicals, especially their cumulative and low-dose impacts on hormonal systems.
Fake police officers robbed a Koreatown apartment
A group of four men, including three disguised in black police-style uniforms and ski masks, robbed a Koreatown high-rise apartment building in Downtown Los Angeles at approximately 2:40 a.m. on Dec. 28, 2024. The fourth suspect wore a gray hooded sweatshirt, and at least one of the men was armed with a black semi-automatic handgun, according to the LAPD.
The suspects broke into an apartment unit at the Nari Koreatown building on Wilshire Boulevard and made off with a significant amount of cash and jewelry. One resident was assaulted but declined medical treatment. The suspects, described to be in their 20s and 30s, remain at large and the LAPD urges anyone with information to contact them at 1-877-527-3247.
Residents expressed concern for their safety and questioned the building's security measures. "If they came up to me, I don't know what I would do,” Tim Ahn, who lives in the area, told KCAL News. “You automatically assume that you know they are the law authority figure, so you kind of do whatever they tell you."
Filipino movies to screen in Hollywood
The second annual Manila International Film Festival (MIFF) will feature Filipino cinema at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood from Jan. 30 to Feb. 2. The festival will feature all 10 entries from the 50th Metro Manila Film Festival last month, including the critically acclaimed crime drama "Green Bones" and the alternate-history epic "The Kingdom."
MIFF 2025 also includes the world premiere of the drama-musical "Song of the Fireflies," a special screening of Manuel Conde's "Genghis Khan" (1950) and an advance screening of "Love Hurts," a Hollywood action-comedy by Fil-Am director Jonathan Eusebio, starring Ke Huy Quan and Ariana DeBose. MIFF will also screen Cathy Garcia-Sampana's "Hello, Love, Again," the first Filipino film to gross over 1 billion pesos at the Philippine box office. The complete screening schedule and ticket information are available on the MIFF website.
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