Friends, not family, are shaping many Asian Americans' political identities
Issue #241 explores how Asian Americans develop political identities, why BTS is skipping the Grammys and Marvel's latest update on "Shang-Chi 2."
How do Asian Americans develop their political identities? New research suggests the answer may be more complicated than previously assumed.
We’re also covering BTS’ decision to skip the Grammys after the creation of a new Asian pop category, Equinox’s decision to pull its controversial AI-generated advertisement, the clearest update yet on “Shang-Chi 2” and a new partnership between USA Fencing and NextShark ahead of the Los Angeles Olympics.
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Why friends may matter more than family in shaping Asian American political identities
Many Asian Americans first learned about American politics outside the home, according to new research from Rice University political scientist Tanika Raychaudhuri.
Drawing on nearly a decade of interviews and survey data, her research found that friends and peers often played a bigger role in shaping partisan identity than family members.
What else we’re tracking
BTS opts out of Grammys
BTS has decided to sit out the 2027 Grammy Awards, saying they hope their music is judged without being defined by region or language. The move comes shortly after the Recording Academy created its first competitive category for Asian pop music.
Equinox pulls controversial ad
Following widespread criticism that it sexualized and dehumanized Asian women, Equinox has pulled its AI-inspired advertisement from all placements. The company’s agency admitted it failed to recognize the image’s impact and announced changes to its internal review process.
Destin Daniel Cretton gives ‘Shang-Chi 2’ update
After years of limited news, fans finally have a meaningful update on “Shang-Chi 2.” Director Destin Daniel Cretton says the sequel remains a priority and confirmed recent discussions with returning screenwriter Dave Callaham.
USA Fencing partners with NextShark
USA Fencing has named NextShark its official media partner as both organizations work to highlight AAPI athletes ahead of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. The partnership will feature athlete storytelling, original programming and efforts to introduce more newcomers to the sport.
Why read Issue #241?
A recurring question in this issue’s stories is: Who gets to define us? Too often, being seen slides into being reduced, and we simply weren’t having it. As a community, we have been pushing back and defining the lines ourselves.
That’s the part worth sitting with. Nobody handed us an identity in these stories. We’re out there building it.
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The Rebel Yellow is supported in part by funding from The Asian American Foundation (TAAF). Funders do not influence story selection, reporting, or editorial decisions. All editorial content is independently produced by The Rebel Yellow team.