Interview: How to Reveal Secret Identities for Nerds of Color with Keith Chow
Keith Chow is the Founder of Nerds of Color and the Secret Identity Universe. We chat about growing up as a nerd of color and various controversies in Walking Dead, SpiderMan, and all over pop culture.
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Below is a summary of our interview:
Quote
“I’ve always wanted to have a neighbor just like you ” – Mr. Rogers Neighborhood
His Journey
Keith fell in love with GI Joe created by Asian American Larry Hama, Lego, Batman. He started his professional career as a teacher. He then worked for Diamond Comic Distributors for 5 years. He met many cool people in the comic world.
Keith was then interviewed by Jeff Yang about the lack of Asian American characters in comic books. After that interview, Keith started the Secret Identities anthologies to collect stories of super heroes of color. Two books were created
Keith then started Nerds of Color to create a place where nerds of color (a marginalized group within a marginalized group) could come together.
Low Point
There was a period where Keith was in between jobs. He used that time to dedicated it to growing Nerds of Color.
Aha Moment
When Keith started his new job in education, in addition to blogging, he had a choice to make. He did want to give up the blog. He leaned on his friends and managed to continue to grow.
Other sites starting linking to Nerds of Color and find value. It was then it was solidified that he keep the site chugging along.
What does Keith’s do for work?
Summary in a phrase: Pop culture with a different perspective.
There are 30 writers that write on a monthly basis on movies, comics, and create roundtable discussions on various topics. A recent roundtable was about the character Storm from the X-Men.
You MUST listen to this
Keith discusses how the former director of Marvel Studios stated there will never be a Black Spiderman. We chat about the ‘one black man per cast’ rule for Walking Dead tv series.
Lightning Round
Books Keith Recommends:
[easyazon_image add_to_cart=”default” align=”left” asin=”1596436972″ cloaking=”default” height=”160″ localization=”default” locale=”US” nofollow=”default” new_window=”default” src=”http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51-dK3-Ml6L._SL160_.jpg” tag=”purposerockst-20″ width=”103″] [easyazon_image add_to_cart=”default” align=”left” asin=”159558398X” cloaking=”default” height=”160″ localization=”default” locale=”US” nofollow=”default” new_window=”default” src=”http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51Nw-onRtsL._SL160_.jpg” tag=”purposerockst-20″ width=”128″] [easyazon_image add_to_cart=”default” align=”left” asin=”1595588248″ cloaking=”default” height=”160″ localization=”default” locale=”US” nofollow=”default” new_window=”default” src=”http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41FVMUBfzxL._SL160_.jpg” tag=”purposerockst-20″ width=”128″]Helpful Habit:
Separating his time into family time, 9-5 job time, and blog time
Helpful Person:
Jeff Yang
Internet Resource:
Black Girl Nerds and Black Nerd Problems
What’s Your Purpose?
First, his main purpose is to be a good father and husband. Second, to provide a space for people to interact and have a voice.
Where to follow Keith
Nerds of Color Youtube Channel
One More Thing
If you enjoy this interview, please take some time to rate and review us on iTunes or Stitcher.
Derrick Duplessy
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