Collage by Ruby Aitken, using a photo of Alton Sterling via Facebook.

Alton Sterling, a 37-year-old black man, was shot to death by police in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on Tuesday, July 5th. The Justice Department announced Wednesday that it is launching an investigation into Sterling’s death. Wednesday night, Philando Castile, a 32-year-old black man, was shot to death by police in Falcon Heights, Minnesota, as he reached for his license and registration during a traffic stop. These tragedies serve as yet another reminder why we need to protect Black lives more than ever.

Photo via Vice.

Asian American writers, including Rookie’s own Jenny Zhang, had a conversation at VICE about how their identity affects their craft, and what that means for their work.

Illustration by Ashley Lukashevsky.

This essay talks about using love and dating as a way to lose your problems in another person. ♦