I’m Lynn Chen — an actress, writer, director, musician, blogger, podcaster, and host.
I’ve been a professional performer for over four decades, back when being an Asian-American actor mostly meant being an Asian stereotype.
When I was growing up, it was rare to see Asian faces on my television, or hear them on the radio, or read their voices in books. Now, there is much more! Which is exciting, but it also means there is a lot to see, listen to, and experience. And not all of it is worth sharing.
So I decided to start this newsletter, where I keep track of all the stuff I’ve been moved by (art, music, books, films, shows, food, design, etc.) created by Asians, or featuring Asian talent. And I’ve asked some of those talented people to share their own recommendations, as well.
Here’s just a few examples:
I realize not every Asian-American identifies as “yellow.” In addition to being very East-Asian centric, there are a lot of negative feelings tied to the term. But “the yellow pages” were an actual thing that are now outdated, and so, I’m utilizing both to reclaim that complicated history. Since every post will begin from my point of view, this newsletter is my quest for a more empowered definition and resource. For those who identify as “brown,” I’ll do my best to make sure they’re also represented.
THE YELLOW PAGES is a resource to my younger self, and to all of you. I do this completely on my own and your financial support is greatly appreciated. All posts are free when posted and most go behind a paywall after one month. Please consider subscribing with a paid subscription or gifting one to a friend.
If you’d like to read my other Substack, I write weekly over at Gen X Taste (a beauty/fashion/lifestyle blog).
