The casual racism of mispronouncing an Asian person’s name

The Times recently reported on the outcry following the L.A. theater community’s Ovation Awards, where organizers mispronounced the name of an Asian American nominee and displayed a photo of the wrong actor. If anyone doubts the racially based sting that comes with such insults to one’s professional endeavors, just read the emails that rolled in… Continue reading The casual racism of mispronouncing an Asian person’s name

Piers Morgan upset Winfrey didn’t challenge Meghan’s claims

A month after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s interview with Oprah Winfrey, Piers Morgan still doesn’t believe much of what came out of the former Meghan Markle’s mouth. That’s what he told Fox News’ Tucker Carlson on Monday in his first interview since quitting his job at “Good Morning Britain” last month. And he… Continue reading Piers Morgan upset Winfrey didn’t challenge Meghan’s claims

Jimmy Fallon hosts TikTok creators post Addison Rae backlash

A week after his now-infamous TikTok dance medley with Addison Rae backfired, Jimmy Fallon invited the dances’ choreographers to perform their viral moves on “The Tonight Show.” On Monday night, Fallon spoke virtually with Mya Nicole Johnson, Chris Cotter, Dorien Scott, Fur-Quan Powell, Camyra Franklin, Adam Snyder, Nate Nale, Greg Dahl and Keara Wilson —… Continue reading Jimmy Fallon hosts TikTok creators post Addison Rae backlash

How an acclaimed author decided to write fiction for Black women like her

2021 L.A. Times Festival of Books Preview Deesha Philyaw Philyaw, a finalist for the Times’ Art Seidenbaum Award for First Fiction, will appear April 23 on “Fiction: The Art of Short Story” with Carribean Fragoza, Ben Okri and Shruti Swamy with Dorany Pineda moderating. RSVP for free at events.latimes.com/festivalofbooks If you buy books linked on… Continue reading How an acclaimed author decided to write fiction for Black women like her

War bassist and co-founder B.B. Dickerson dies at 71

Few bass lines can be said to define an entire West Coast vibe, but War co-founder B.B. Dickerson’s funky maneuvers on “Low Rider” — along with a well-placed cowbell — did just that. Dickerson, who died Saturday at 71, made his name driving the bottom end of a seven-man Southern California musical institution known for… Continue reading War bassist and co-founder B.B. Dickerson dies at 71

‘My Octopus Teacher’ offers rare intimacy with nature

Amid a pandemic when many have been isolated in their homes, the crowd-pleasing Netflix film “My Octopus Teacher” offers viewers eight arms to hold them — and a much-needed hug. The production heightens the familiar tropes of the nature-doc genre with its emotional account of a rare bond made between man and cephalopod — in… Continue reading ‘My Octopus Teacher’ offers rare intimacy with nature

Central Park Five member Yusef Salaam’s ‘Punching the Air’

2021 L.A. Times Festival of Books Preview Yusef Salaam and Ibi Zoboi Salaam and Zoboi, whose book is a finalist for the Times Book Prize in young adult literature, will appear April 17 on “Young Adult Fiction: The Black Experience” with fellow finalist Dean Atta and bestselling author and poet Morgan Parker. RSVP for free… Continue reading Central Park Five member Yusef Salaam’s ‘Punching the Air’

L.A., Getty team up for African American Historic Places Project

Getty and the city of Los Angeles are expected to announce Tuesday the launch of the African American Historic Places Project, a three-year initiative to identify and preserve landmarks that represent Black heritage across L.A. Led by the Getty Conservation Institute and the Office of Historic Resources within L.A.’s Department of City Planning, the project… Continue reading L.A., Getty team up for African American Historic Places Project

Anna LaMadrid, Sheila Carrasco shine in IAMA Theatre solo shows

In a pandemic that forced many to shelter in place alone, two one-woman streaming productions from L.A.’s IAMA Theatre feel more than fitting. For stars Anna LaMadrid and Sheila Carrasco, the COVID-19 pandemic has proved a time for reflection — and each uses her show to explore identity and personhood from a Latina perspective. “The… Continue reading Anna LaMadrid, Sheila Carrasco shine in IAMA Theatre solo shows

Aaron Rodgers loves ‘Jeopardy!’ and wants to succeed Trebek

When Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers begins his two-week stint as guest host of “Jeopardy!” on Monday, think of it as an audition. The Super Bowl MVP has been a fan of the game show since childhood and a “Celebrity Jeopardy!” winner in 2015. He told The Times in an interview Friday that if… Continue reading Aaron Rodgers loves ‘Jeopardy!’ and wants to succeed Trebek