Russell Leong

Russell Charles Leong (born September 7) is an academic editor, a professor, a writer, and long-time Chen Taichiquan student. The long-time editor of Amerasia Journal (1977-2010), he was an adjunct professor of English and Asian-American studies at the University of California at Los Angeles and currently serves as senior editor for international projects. During the 2012-2013 year, Leong is Dr. Thomas Tam Visiting Professor at Hunter College CUNY in New York City. Leong is also the editor and project coordinator for the U.S.-China media brief. In 2015 Leong published "Mothsutra: for bicycle delivery men New York" a visual graphic portfolio of his poetry and drawings. "Moth" was performed at the Bowery Poetry Club NYC and at the City University of New York's Asian American Research Institute. It will be published as an e-book by the UCLA Asian American Studies Center.

Leong was born Chinatown, San Francisco. Leong attended local Chinese and American schools where his English teachers and family encouraged him to write. In 1972, He got his B.A. from SFSU where he took one of the first Asian/American writing classes from Jeffrey Chan. linking art with social and political activism for Asian-Americans, Leong participated in the Kearny Street Workshop. From 1973 to 1974, Leong studied at the National Taiwan University before earning an MFA from the University of California, Los Angeles in 1990.

Leong has a "life is war" ideology representing his dislike towards the academic community. He would like to see himself more as an activist than an academic. Leong's religious views relate most strongly to Buddhist philosophy. Buddhism applies to many aspects of his life including relationships and writing. He agrees with the accepting nature of Buddhism and finds it a strong, but not oppressive set of values to incorporate in daily life.

Leong is openly gay.

Phoenix Eyes and Other Stories by Russell C. Leong

"Fung Yen" Phoenix Eyes in Chinese translation: Taipei, Taiwan,

The Country of Dreams and Dust

My Chinatown A to Z

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