Conflicts on public transportation

It's been about a week since I returned from California, and in my first post back, I alluded to a harrowing incident that really challenged the rosy-vision of race relations that I romanticize about San Francisco (and California in general).

And now that I've had a week to process what I'm going to call "the bus incident," I want to describe to you, dear readers, what happened, and to think about what it means to get involved in incidents in public transportation.

But before I give you my story, I'm going to refer you to a post on Rachel's Tavern by atlasien on "Analysis of a Local Public Disturbance." There is a youtube video that shows a disturbing incident of a woman berating and verbally harassing/threatening an older woman on MARTA in Atlanta.

If you have a minute, click on the link and watch the video. The incident that I got involved in was actually much more violent and disturbing than the one you see recorded on MARTA. I also have to put in a plug for atlasien's analysis--I thought it was very insightful, sensitive, and thoughtful in teasing out the complexities of race, gender, mental illness, and public discourse, as well as her own personal stories and perspectives.

I'll be back tomorrow to share the story with you.

Music Plug: Goh Nakamura

I found this link on Angry Asian Man's blog, and I checked out Nakamura's website (click here) and have to say that I think the guy is really talented. Of course it doesn't hurt that this video in particular, "Embarcadero Blues," has scenes of San Francisco, so for any of you home sick Bay Area Californian's, check out the song--and for everyone else, check it out to help support a good indie musician.

Plus, it has always puzzled me why there aren't more visible Asian American musicians. I mean, sure, everyone mentions James Iha from Smashing Pumpkins or the guy in Black Eyed Peas. But can you name a prominent Asian American solo artist (and yes, I mean Asian American, so Rain doesn't count, as talented as he is). I suppose Jin, the Chinese American rapper from Queens, would be the closest we've got to a mainstream Asian American musician. So really, how much of a model minority can we be if we aren't sending anyone to the Grammys???!!!