COLORLINES - Thoai Lu

Thoai Lu

Thoai Lu

Editorial Intern
Oakland, CA

Before becoming a journalism intern at Colorlines, Thoai delved into racism and sexism’s intersections at UC San Diego. She led a small writing club, “New Voices,” which explored the issue; she also contributed to The Collective Voice, the school’s social-justice newspaper. Thoai got her B.A. in Literature/Writing from UCSD in June of 2010, which enhanced her interest in nonfiction, race, gender and visual culture. As a former McNair Scholar, she completed independent research projects on sexuality and hyphy music. The Oakland native hopes to save inner-city children from the plight of illiteracy. When that seems heavy, she runs or turns to hip-hop.

Thoai tweets at @thoailu.

Midwest Rappers Show Love for Their Indigenous Ojibwe Language

Midwest Rappers Show Love for Their Indigenous Ojibwe Language

by Thoai Lu on June 21 2011, 7:00PM

Point of Contact is a hip-hop group based in Southside Minneapolis. And they’re slowly trying to revive their indigenous language.

Topics: Celebrate Love

American Apparel Shows Love for Little Hipster Bboys

American Apparel Shows Love for Little Hipster Bboys

by Thoai Lu on June 20 2011, 6:00PM

Finally, an American Apparel ad that can make you smile.

Topics: Celebrate Love

Bay Area Peacekeepers Fight City Violence With Love

Bay Area Peacekeepers Fight City Violence With Love

by Thoai Lu on June 17 2011, 5:25PM

Gonzalo Rucobo takes an hands on approach in creating alternatives to violence in Richmond, CA.

Topics: Celebrate Love

Black Sci Fi Writer Leslie Banks Asks for Love and Prayers

Black Sci Fi Writer Leslie Banks Asks for Love and Prayers

by Thoai Lu on June 15 2011, 5:50PM

The author, who’s written dozens of books and mentored countless young writers, has been diagnosed with terminal cancer.

Topics: Celebrate Love

Oakland Residents Stage Silent Protests to Save Libraries

Oakland Residents Stage Silent Protests to Save Libraries

by Thoai Lu on June 15 2011, 2:50PM

If city lawmakers have their way, Oakland will be left with only four public libraries.

Topics: Budget

The Lost Bois Talk Love, Queer Hip-Hop to Kickstart First Album

The Lost Bois Talk Love, Queer Hip-Hop to Kickstart First Album

by Thoai Lu on June 14 2011, 3:50PM

This DC duo is breaking barriers, and asking for your help.

Topics: Celebrate Love

Poet Beau Sia Sums Up Heartbreak: Memory Sucks

Poet Beau Sia Sums Up Heartbreak: Memory Sucks

by Thoai Lu on June 14 2011, 3:27PM

The spoken word artist’s new piece shows that sometimes the hardest thing to do is forget.

Topics: Arts & Culture

Fox News Host: Obama Invites 'Hoodlum' to 'The Hizzouse'

Fox News Host: Obama Invites ‘Hoodlum’ to ‘The Hizzouse’

by Thoai Lu on June 14 2011, 2:27PM

Eric Bolling may be auditioning for Glenn Beck’s old job as America’s most popular race-baiter.

Topics: Media

Chris Rock and Wanda Sykes Tweet About Tracy Morgan's Anti-Gay Rant

Chris Rock and Wanda Sykes Tweet About Tracy Morgan’s Anti-Gay Rant

by Thoai Lu on June 14 2011, 1:00PM

Meanwhile, the comedian’s still in the hot seat and desperately trying to save face.

Topics: Gender & Sexuality

Fall in Love With the World's Most Adorable Little Glee Fan

Fall in Love With the World’s Most Adorable Little Glee Fan

by Thoai Lu on June 13 2011, 3:01PM

Kellen Mirador Sarmient’s got moves. And he’s not even five yet.

Topics: Celebrate Love

Guilty Verdict Handed Down in Trial of Slain Journalist Chauncey Bailey

Guilty Verdict Handed Down in Trial of Slain Journalist Chauncey Bailey

by Thoai Lu on June 10 2011, 2:40PM

Two men have been convicted of the first slaying of a working journalist in over two decades.

Topics: Media

Morgan Freeman Thinks Obama is Too Regular to be President

Morgan Freeman Thinks Obama is Too Regular to be President

by Thoai Lu on June 10 2011, 1:39PM

The actor was the recipient of American Film Institute’s Life Achievement award. Director Spike Lee was also honored.

Topics: Media

Today's Love: Florida's First Trans Prom Queen

Today’s Love: Florida’s First Trans Prom Queen

by Thoai Lu on June 8 2011, 1:28PM

17-year-old Andii Viveros beat out 14 candidates to become the second trans teen nationally to become the prom queen at her school.

Topics: Celebrate Love

It's Time for Some Long-Awaited Love for Bowl Cuts

It’s Time for Some Long-Awaited Love for Bowl Cuts

by Thoai Lu on June 7 2011, 3:51PM

There’s no shame here. Just love. And cute little kids.

Topics: Celebrate Love

Blue Scholars Show Love for Seattle's Green and Gold Glory

Blue Scholars Show Love for Seattle’s Green and Gold Glory

by Thoai Lu on June 6 2011, 6:00PM

The rap group celebrates a city’s unyielding love for its team.

Topics: Celebrate Love

Sister Souljah Rejects 'Street Lit' Label

Sister Souljah Rejects ‘Street Lit’ Label

by Thoai Lu on June 6 2011, 10:31AM

Over at The Root, the activist, emcee and author says that black authors shouldn’t be pigeonholed.

Topics: Arts & Culture

The Details Behind 74-Year-Old Ernestine Shepherd's Weightlifting Glory

The Details Behind 74-Year-Old Ernestine Shepherd’s Weightlifting Glory

by Thoai Lu on June 2 2011, 1:47PM

A new profile in the Washington Post reveals the deeply personal bond that drives one woman’s inspiration tale.

Topics: Health

Magnetic North's New Video Shows Love for API Heritage Month

Magnetic North’s New Video Shows Love for API Heritage Month

by Thoai Lu on May 27 2011, 12:38PM

It’s a collaboration with hundreds of fans. And we promise, it’ll warm your heart.

Topics: Celebrate Love

Teens Proudly Come Out With Love

Teens Proudly Come Out With Love

by Thoai Lu on May 26 2011, 1:30PM

The New York Times celebrates the courageous coming out stories of LGBT youth.

Topics: Celebrate Love, Gender & Sexuality

Teachers Who Aren't Waiting for Superman Make Their Own Film

Teachers Who Aren’t Waiting for Superman Make Their Own Film

by Thoai Lu on May 26 2011, 12:20PM

Some New York City teachers say that Davis Guggenheim got it all wrong.

Topics: Schools & Youth