Russell Leong

Russell Charles Leong (born 1950) is an academic editor, professor, writer, and long-time Chen-style t'ai chi ch'uan student. The long-time editor of Amerasia Journal (1977–2010), Leong was an adjunct professor of English and Asian-American Studies at University of California, Los Angeles and currently serves as senior editor for international projects. He is the founding editor of the CUNY FORUM: Asian American / Asian Studies, published by the Asian American / Asian Research Institute - CUNY, and served as a Dr. Thomas Tam Visiting Professor at Hunter College/CUNY. He the author of Phoenix Eyes and Other Stories (University of Washington Press, 2000) which received the American Book Award. His most recent publication, MothSutra, a graphic poem about New York City restaurant bicycle deliverymen, was released in 2015.
Early life.
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 San Francisco State University, where he took one of the first Asian/American writing classes from Jeffery Paul 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.
Career.
Leong was the editor of Amerasia Journal (1977–2010), and an adjunct professor of English and Asian-American Studies at University of California, Los Angeles
From 2012–2013, Leong served as a Dr. Thomas Tam Visiting Professor at Hunter College, CUNY in New York City. He is the founding editor of CUNY FORUM: Asian American / Asian Studies, published by the Asian American / Asian Research Institute - CUNY.
Leong is also the editor and project coordinator for the U.S.-China media brief, published by the UCLA Asian American Studies Center.
In 2015, Leong published "Mothsutra: For Those Who Delivery Food on Bicycles / New York City," a visual graphic portfolio of his poetry and drawings. "MothSutra" was performed at the Bowery Poetry Club NYC and at the City University of New York's Asian American / Asian Research Institute. It will be published as an e-book by the UCLA Asian American Studies Center.
Personal life.
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.