11.28.03
On this episode of the Food Network's Unwrapped, the focus on a lady had the brilliant idea to create and market chocolate candies in the shape cockroaches. That is not particularly offensive (maybe gross), but her choice of packaging is: Chinese takout boxes with the product label/warning sticker, "Warning: This package infested with ChocRoaches." Ugh. What is up with that? Maybe it was just cheaper to buy takeout boxes in bulk. Maybe. But I think we realy know what's up. Oh, those dirty Chinese, with their bug-infested food! It's tasteless and offensive. Check it out: Bizarro. That's racist!
11.28.03
EA is in the midst of a Japanese marketing campaign for its game Medal of Honor: Rising Sun, which will be released on December 4. The weird thing? It's a historically-based game covering the Pacific campaigns of World War II, pitting the U.S. Army against the Japanese Imperial Army. Isn't it weird for Japanese gamers to play as a U.S. soldier trying to defeat the Japanese army? Yet there doesn't seem to be much fuss about that particular aspect of the game: Medal of Honor: Rising Sun comes to Japan
11.26.03
Yes, that's Parry Shen popping up briefly in a Dell computer commercial.
11.26.03
Army chaplain Capt. James Yee has been released after being confined for nearly three months on suspicion of espionage activities. However, he still faces charges of other possible violations of military code: Chaplain Held in Espionage Case Is Freed
11.26.03
Playwright and independent filmmaker Lane Nishikawa hopes to bring Only the Brave, the story of the 100th Battalion and 442nd Regimental Combat Team—World War II Army units comprised mainly of Japanese Americans—to the big screen. I've believed for years that this story would make an excellent movie... There have been several attempts, but many have been unsuccessful. Hopefully, this project will make it happen: Film to tell tale of 442nd, 100th
11.26.03
An article on Lifeway's Rickshaw Rally curriculum at EthicsDaily.com: LifeWayπs Asian-Themed VBS Material Draws Protests. Here's the most ridiculous excerpt from the article:
"We have listened carefully to every person who has expressed a concern about the curriculum and responded appropriately," said Mary Katharine Hunt, VBS division project manager, in a statement. "We simply disagree with those who make negative charges about our VBS curriculum."
For every concern raised by an Asian American, Hunt said, "we are receiving dozens of positive responses from Asian Americans that tell us we are fulfilling our intent to lift up another culture and share the message of hope for all people in Jesus Christ."
What I want to know is, who are these "dozens" of people they're talking about? I have a few words for them. Lifeway is NOT taking any of these concerns seriously, and it's obvious they're going to go on with Rickshaw Rally, business as usual. Looks like things need to be stepped up, 'cause this is racist!
11.26.03
Hee Seop Choi has been traded to the Florida Marlins: Cubs swap Choi for Marlins' Lee. So long, slugger.
11.26.03
Asian gangs of New York...Asian Eagles ganging up. Dragon tattoos and such.
11.25.03
Daily Californian article from last week: Federal Bill Would Fund Universities That Have More Asian Americans. Mo' money.
11.25.03
Not all Asian American kids are straight-A students: Asian-American youths' struggles belie stereotype
11.25.03
Over the summer, WU Magazine at Washington University in St. Louis ran a historical picture of a yellowface performance. Basically, a photo from the 1950πs showing a group of white fraternity members dressed as Japanese prostitutes. That's racist! Student Matt Sato wrote to editors to complain, and received a less-than-satisfactory response... Subsequently, he has written a responsive article in Student Life, an independent, student-run publication (you have to register to view it). Matt has also published the unedited article in his blog. Check it out.
11.22.03
"Seuss was very sensitive about stereotypes and racism," Philip Nel, Dr. Seuss biographer. A dubious statement, considering some of Seuss' political cartoons. Take a look: Dr. Seuss Went to War. That's racist!
11.21.03
Chloe Chang, 21 months old, has leukemia and is dire need of a bone marrow transplant. Finding a suitable match is challenging for any transplant candidate, but for minorities such as Chloe—her mother is white and her father is of Chinese descent—it's even more complicated because minorities are underrepresented on the National Marrow Donor Program registry: Child's future hinges on source of marrow
11.21.03
I've received a deluge of emails about The Cat in the Hat. The reviews are flooding in, and it ain't pretty. The movie is getting slammed with unfavorable reviews across the board, but particularly problematic is the "Mrs. Kwan" character, played by Amy Hill. Here is a sampling of press:
"The kids' babysitter is Mrs. Kwan (Amy Hill), a corpulent cumulus cloud, waddling while weeping hoary cultural stereotypes -- she's the Charlie Chan of au pairs. Across the great slab of her face runs an almost continuous slit of eyes, magnified behind thick glasses and moated by huge frames. Her mouth is a scary rictus of lipstick, teeth and tongue, from which comes dialogue that you needn't be Asian to feel insulted by. At the screening I attended, she seemed to get bigger laughs than the Cat from the 6-year-olds." - Bruce Newman, San Jose Mercury News
"Sourest of all is its treatment of the narcoleptic baby-sitter Mrs. Kwan (Amy Hill), the most loathsome ethnic stereotype since Mickey Rooney played Audrey Hepburn's Japanese landlord in Breakfast at Tiffany's." - Carrie Rickey, Philadelphia Inquirer
"But Mrs. Kwan does turn up later, during their visit to an imaginary amusement park, where the dumpy old Chinese lady, still insensate, her body stiff as a board, functions admirably as a raft for the water slide. The cat and the kids mount her and down they go, with a closeup of water splashing over Mrs. Kwan's prow, or brow. To use the unconscious Mrs. Kwan in this way is creepy and offensive. Now I'm not getting PC and decrying the movie for making fun of Chinese. I'm glad an Asian-American actress got the job. No, I think it's making fun of old people in general, in a cruel way, and I don't think it's funny." - Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
It's addressed in this article, how the filmmakers messed with Dr. Seuss' classic children's book: Imagination runs wild in 'The Cat In The Hat':
That the ineffectual babysitter is Asian in a movie with a largely white cast is a source of concern for some.
"Seuss was very sensitive about stereotypes and racism," [Seuss biographer Philip] Nel says.
Not to worry, Berg says. The filmmakers saw themselves as "the guardians of this national treasure. We really tried to think it through and stay honest to the source material."
Oh please. It doesn't look good. Not that I had any plans to see this movie (something about humans dressed as animals bugs me out). I do wonder if there would be such a fuss if the babysitter wasn't Asian, and simply a hapless old white granny... Roger Ebert seems to suggest that the problem really lies in the role's insensitivity toward old people. However, I can't deny the fact that she's Asian brings a particular connotation to the character, and it's definitely not a positive one. That's racist!
11.21.03
Lela Lee (aka Angry Little Asian Girl) and Dion Basco showed up on Will & Grace last night.
11.21.03
See here: XploitAsian Flicks, from writer/director Joe Kim, bringing you "a new genre of films that destroy Asian stereotypes." His latest work is A Primer, a controversial short film doing just that, head on. With music from DYP tha Goldyn Child. Check it out.
11.21.03
Ha. Here's a t-shirt design to counter the racist likes of David and Goliath. "Asian brothers, let the ladies know what they are missing! 100% cotton, made in USA." Available for $17.99 from Wayne's Girl.
11.20.03
It seems that Ms. Rave has retracted her Last Samurai party casting call for "beautiful Asian women" and has issued what sounds like a sincere apology for her offense. But of course, we still have to deal with that damn movie...
11.20.03
The government announced it reached a settlement with United Airlines over complaints the airline discriminated against passengers who were perceived to be of Arab, Middle Eastern or Southeast Asian descent after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks: United Airlines settles discrimination charge
11.20.03
Check it out: New Asian-American TV program targets sought-after second-generation youth. Stir is a 30-minute magazine-style show, aimed toward providing "entertaining, Asian-American spins on topics like sports, the gender divide and the meaning of cool." It's scheduled for broadcast early next year, nationally by the International Channel and on KTSF, a San Francisco-area station. The show marks the first foray into original, English-language programming targeted at 18- to 25-year-old Asian Americans. This ought to be interesting...
11.20.03
Forgot to mention, the excellent Daniel Dae Kim has been showing up the last few weeks in a recurring role on ER as Mr. Sung, a social worker. I am a fan.
11.20.03
Here's a message being forwarded around, by Charlotte Sometimes director Eric Byler:
Dear Friends,
I can't begin to tell you what it's been like for me and the "charlotte sometimes" gang, watching our little movie just keep on going-- from the Festival premiere and festival awards, to the Spirit Awards, to theatrical premierEs across the country, and now it's on the shelf at Blockbuster! A friend told me he saw "charlotte sometimes" on the Employee Favorites Shelf at Times Square Virgin Megastore in Manhattan, right next to "Lord of the Rings."
However, I've received emails saying it's hard to find my film on DVD in certain parts of the country.† From what I understand, "charlotte sometimes" IS on the shelves at corporately owned Blockbuster Video and Hollywood Video stores, but it is typically NOT on shelves at the privately owned stores.¬† If you live in an area with not a lot of ethnic diversity, and/or with not much of an "art house" audience, you might not be able to find "charlotte sometimes" for sale.†† But there is now a phone number you can call to order it: 800-493-1473.
You'll find a link to internet price comparisons and lots of other stuff at the Official Website: http://www.charlottesometimesthemovie.com/. Personally, I recommend the Funny Facts pages.
Yours truly,
Eric Byler
Hear that? So get out and rent it.
11.20.03
Something I should mention, just in case anyone is keeping tabs on the as yet uncertain Democratic presidential race. On November 3, candidate General Wesley Clark was interviewed by NPR, where he made the remark,
"I am a fair person.... But if somebody from Russia does something right, or a Chinaman does something right, or even a Frenchman, I'm going to say they did something right. Same thing with the Republicans."
Although it's obvious from the context that General Clark didn't mean to use "Chinaman" in a negative sense, it was an unwise and insensitive use of a derogatory term. Clark has subsequently apologized for the remark, going even as far as personally contacting S.B. Woo, President of the 80-20 Initiative.
In their chat, Clark also expressed strong support for helping Asian Pacific Americans break the glass ceiling. He stated that if elected President, he will order the Labor Department to enforce Executive Order 11246, should a Congressional hearing or a Labor Department study conclude that there is a glass ceiling above APAs. E.O. 11246 is a very powerful law that has been enforced on behalf of African Americans and women, but NOT Asian Americans, to help them break glass ceilings.
At this point, I'm not endorsing Clark (or any other candidate), nor am I making judgments one way or another. But I thought I should note that Gen. Clark's verbal promise makes him the first presidential candidate to express such goals. Food for thought, that's all.
11.20.03
Before anyone else writes in about this, I thought I'd make something clear. I'm aware that the 'Asians' referred to in the Channel 4 article are people of South Asian descent (Indians, Pakistanis, etc.) and that is who the term primarily refers to in the United Kingdom. I personally believe South Asians must be included in the discussion of relevant Asian American issues in the United States. I only say this because I regularly encounter people who disagree with me about this. Anyway, just thought I'd put that out there.
11.19.03
The following casting call was posted on UCLA Film School's listserve:
CASTING CALL
Casting beautiful Asian women for Warner Bros.' The Last Samurai Premiere After-party to be held in Westwood on Dec 1st.. Women will be dressed as village women from the film's wardrobe department and mingle 'in character' through the party, helping to create the ambience of ancient Japan, circa 1870's. There is no pay, but a chance to be part of this year's biggest Hollywood premiere with a guest list including Tom Cruise and the rest of The Last Samurai's fantastic cast!!
If interested please forward a picture and information ASAP to:
Cheryl Rave
Entertainment Producer
Warner Bros. Special Events
(818)954-3549 phone
(818)954-3011 fax
Cheryl.Rave@Warnerbros.com
What the hell? Oh, isn't that nice? Sign on to be an 'authentic' Japanese village lady so Hollywood-types can feel cool about their passing interest in Asian culture. Ooh, exotic. You won't get paid, but hey, you might be able to stand next to Tom Cruise. More and more, I am NOT looking forward to this movie's release.
11.19.03
The Daily Show with Jon Stewart had an extended bit tonight about Darrell Hamamoto and his porn project. It was kind of funny, in that deadpan manner The Daily Show has pretty much mastered. I have to wonder if Prof. Hamamoto knew what he was getting into when he gave the interview, or if the Daily Show people were big time messing with him. Actor George Takei was also featured in the segment. I honestly think he had no idea what was going on. I imagine after this, the general viewing populace isn't even sure Hamamoto's a real guy... maybe just a character in a Daily Show sketch.
11.19.03
Channel 4 News in the UK has uncovered details of an 18-month police investigation into allegations that young men are targeting under-age girls for sex, drugs and prostitution in the West Yorkshire town of Keighley. But what's explosive about the allegations is that all the young men are Asian, and all the girls are white: Asian rape allegations. Oh man.
11.19.03
Todd of David and Goliath continues to sell his offensive t-shirt designs. A lot of angry, irate people wrote into him about them, which is probably exactly what he wanted. How does he respond? By EXPANDING his freakin' product line. More crap available in the catalog. That's racist!
11.19.03
Flying the flag of its former enemy, a U.S. navy frigate docked in Vietnam's biggest city Wednesday, the first to visit the country since their bloody conflict ended nearly 30 years ago: First U.S. Warship in Vietnam Since War's End. A step towards reconciliation?
11.19.03
MTV's "You Hear It First" spotlights hip hop artist Tom Shimura, aka Lyrics Born.
11.19.03
According to Eric, today on CNN's American Morning, one of the anchors apparently made an offensive, derogatory, racist comment. During the nine o'clock hour, while reading answers to questions of the day, anchor Jack Cafferty read a comment from a Japanese viewer. After finishing reading the comment, he remarked that there are translators working in Japan to translate this broadcast from English to Japanese. Then he said, "Well let me give them something that is hard to quote," and proceeded to render a crude mocking of the Chinese language. Yes, he uttered the "ching chong" sounds. That's racist!
If anyone else saw this broadcast, let me know.
11.19.03
Is there a city in Thailand called Taipei? Or is there something wrong with the caption on this Yahoo! News photo (other that fact that it's a GIGANTIC CONDOM)? (Thanks, Joe)
11.19.03
The Executive Order establishing the White House Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders expired four months ago. This Commission which was originally established by President Clinton within the Department of Health and Human Services is also in danger of being reallocated to the Department of Commerce, thus losing its original and more comprehensive purpose of tracking APIA participation in government programs in areas such as health, human services, education, housing, labor, transportation and economic and community development. You can sign the Democratic National Committee's petition telling President Bush to make the issues facing APIA communities a priority: Take Action on the White House APIA Advisory Commission
11.18.03
Did you know? More than 13,000 Chinese-American men served with U.S. forces during World War II: Chinese-American WWII vets look back
11.18.03
U.S. Taekwondo Union officials are accusing the U.S. Olympic Committee of racism, saying anti-Korean sentiment was behind the move to strip the group of its certification: Taekwondo Union accuses USOC of bias That's racist!
11.18.03
Shortstop Kazuo Matsui (no relation to Hideki), regarded as Japan's best all-around player, announced yesterday in Tokyo that he intended to play in the United States, opening the way for him to sign with a major league team as a free agent: Japanese Star Announces He Intends to Play in U.S.. They call him 'Little Matsui.'
In other Japan-related baseball news, the baseball commissioner's office asked the New York Yankees to consider moving their 2004 season opener to Japan: Yankees asked to consider opening 2004 in Japan.
11.18.03
Check it out: BBC to launch first ever Chinese comedy. A new BBC sketch show aims to tackle "Oriental" stereotypes and emulate the success of the award-winning Asian sketch show Goodness Gracious Me. Satay Night Live aims to stir up some laughs and challenge a few stereotypes.... Sounds promising. Now why can't American television come up with something like this? Oh yeah, it's racist!
11.18.03
Wal-Mart has pulled a peculiar infant toy product off its shelves... because it apparently disseminates a subliminal message of hate. A tugboat-shaped crib accessory reportedly utters the soft, hypnotic words I hate you amid the rhythmic ocean sounds designed to lull babies to sleep: Wal-Mart covering up 'I hate you' baby toy? Yeah, creepy. But what's the deal? Well... the toy happens to be manuafactured in China. Of course, that leads folks to the obvious conclusion. Those sneaky, nefarious Chinese are out to get us! It's a subliminal attack on our way of life! I quote, from the article: "You know China is not friends with us. They're trying to get back at us. What's the best way? Teach kids when they're young to hate. It's scary." Yeah, yeah. That's racist!
11.17.03
Prompted by my suggestion for a list of "Top Ten Yellowface Roles," Shuriken has posted his own list over at the Yellowworld Forums: Shuriken's Yellowface Top 10. I gotta say, it's a pretty solid list. I highly recommend checking it out (plus the subsequent discussion). Props.
11.17.03
Naked Sushi continues to provoke controversy. The Coalition to End Naked Sushi is demanding the immediate and permanent removal of naked sushi services at Seattle's Bonzai Pub and Bistro:
1) Contact Bonzai to express your disapproval of naked sushi.
(206)264-9570
info@bonzaibistro.com
Click "New Topic" and leave a message on Bonzai's forum:
http://www.bonzaibistro.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=3
2) Sign on to the "Naked Sushi" Opposition Statement to be presented to >Bonzai owners.
Contact Name, Title
Affiliation (if any)
City, State
Please send/cc the above information and any inquries to: EndNakedSushi@yahoo.com
Statement of Opposition
The Coalition to End Naked Sushi opposes the demeaning commerce of "naked sushi" and demands the immediate and permanent removal of naked sushi services at Seattle's Bonzai Pub and Bistro.
"Naked sushi," the serving of sushi on a thong-clad woman, promotes attitudes of women as less than human. Naked sushi is dehumanizing because it employs women to function as trays instructed to lie still naked without moving or speaking. The treatment of women as objects encourages attitudes where the degradation and abuse of women is acceptable. The connection
between objectification of women and sexual violence is obvious when in the United States alone, 95% of domestic violence cases are men battering women and 98% of reported rape cases are committed by men.
Subordinating women into something less than human allows others to disregard their rights, needs, and feelings. Naked sushi profits from the exploitation and objectification of women's bodies. Where there is obviously no relation between sushi and nudity, promoters exploit a woman's physical appearance as sexual entertainment to attract customers and increase profits.
Participation in naked sushi only further limits women's choices as they are consigned to gender roles associated with lying still naked. It encourages attitudes that women are obedient and inferior. When Asian or Pacific Islander women are used as models, especially, it promotes already popular stereotypes of API women as exotic and passive. In a time where women are challenging such stereotypes, naked sushi only harms the effort to overcome objectification and women's oppression.
Naked sushi is adult entertainment, not art. The declaration of naked sushi as "tasteful", "aesthetic" and "performance art" is a ridiculous excuse that downplays and invalidates those speaking out against it. Performance art may be exhibited towards a range of audiences, not just during late evening hours at a 21 ages and over bar.
The Coalition to End Naked Sushi is a coalition of organizations and individuals in the service fields of women's rights, domestic violence and rape, youth, men's, human services, civil rights, lesbian/gay/queer, arts and dining. The coalition requests the following:
A meeting with Bonzai owners and artists with community leaders within the next 14 days. No press.
Until then, we will encourage the Seattle community to boycott the Bonzai Pub and Bistro. Naked sushi is unacceptable. Let us contribute to ending violence against women by ending naked sushi at Bonzai. It is a basic human right to live free from attitudes that promote sexual violence!
Contact: EndNakedSushi@yahoo.com
11.16.03
In the fallout from his drunken and insulting remarks to Los Angeles Dodgers' Kim Ng, superscout Bill Singer is about to become the shortest-lived Mets front office executive in team history. Yes, Singer will be fired. Good riddance, you drunken racist.
11.16.03
Figure skater Dennis Phan, 18 of Indio, California, took first place in both the long and the programs at the Pacific Coast Sectionals. This earns Phan a trip to the U.S. Nationals in Atlanta, Georgia in January of 2004: Dennis Phan takes 1st place at the Pacific Coast Sectionals at the Senior level
11.16.03
Democrat Kathleen Blanco becomes the first woman ever elected governor of Louisiana, defeating conservative Indian-American candidate Bobby Jindal in a very close race: Democrat Blanco Wins La. Governor's Race
11.15.03
This week, New York Met official Bill Singer, a former All-Star pitcher with the Dodgers and Angels, directed racially insensitive remarks at Dodger executive Kim Ng in deriding her Chinese heritage. Singer, hired last week as a special assistant to Met General Manager Jim Duquette, confronted Ng, a Dodger vice president and assistant general manager, late Tuesday night at the general manager meetings in Phoenix. According to witnesses, Singer approached Ng in the bar of the hotel where the meetings occurred. After asking Ng, the highest-ranking Asian American in the major leagues, questions about her background in a sarcastic tone, Singer began speaking nonsensically in mock Chinese before eventually leaving. Baseball officials within earshot described the exchange:
Singer: What are you doing here?
Ng: I'm working.
Singer: What are you doing here?
Ng: I'm working. I'm the Dodger assistant general manager.
Singer: Where are you from?
Ng: I was born in Indiana and grew up in New York.
Singer: Where are you from?
Ng: My family's from China.
Singer: (Nonsensically mock Chinese). What country in China?
Singer has subsequently expressed remorse for his remarks. "I'm embarrassed by what I said when I met Ms. Ng on Tuesday evening. My comments were totally inappropriate and I'm truly sorry. I have apologized to her and hope that she will forgive me."
Oh, hell no.
Duquette says the matter is currently "under review by the organization," but Singer better not go undisciplined. People have been fired over much less. WHERE ARE YOU FROM? and MOCK CHINESE CRAP! Sucka is going down. That's racist!
Read all about it here: Ng Is Victim of Racial Taunts
And here: Singer apologizes for comments to Ng
And here: Mets front office member makes racial remarks to Dodger's Kim Ng
11.15.03
Louisiana's governor election: Historic Louisiana race too close to call. Will it be Bobby Jindal? Or Kathleen Blanco? Either way, it will be historic.
11.15.03
Here's something from earlier this week: ASIAN RAP SHOOTING IN CHINATOWN. Yes, Asians can now boast our own publicized, violent rap feuds. This was apparently between Jin and some unnamed, gang-affiliated rapper. The altercation resulted in Jin's friend being shot. Oh man. Jin, let's try our best to stay out of trouble. Sometimes it's okay to let hip hip simply be about hip hop.
11.14.03
Miramax has attached screenwriter David Magee to adapt author Laurence Yep's magical adventure trilogy The Tiger's Apprentice. The story centers around a Chinese-American boy in San Francisco forced to hone his skills in ancient Chinese magic. When the grandmother who raised him is overtaken by enemies, the boy becomes guardian of a phoenix egg that controls the fate of good and evil and allies himself with a tiger capable of assuming human form. Best case: we get a decently made adventure movie starring Asian American talent. Worst case: the script changes the kid into a white boy. Hey, it's been known to happen...
11.14.03
This restaurant in Seattle has been getting heat over their monthly "naked sushi night" —the serving of sushi on a nearly naked woman: Sushi on nearly naked women draws protest. And here's an opinion column on the matter: Naked sushi leaves a bad taste. They call it 'performance art.' I have to call it objectification of women. You know that no good will come out of this. Among other things, someone is bound to make the observation, "Oh, look at the sick, sexist ways of the Orient!" The restaurant's owner insists, "It doesn't seem as if we are exploiting women." Don't be an idiot.
11.14.03
Mercury News article on Harlemm Lee, written by the very cool M. Liu: Fame finds Harlemm Lee. So Harlemm wins Fame... and now he's performing at Borders? What's up with that?
11.14.03
Hideki Matsui didn't make the Topps All-Rookie Team, either.
11.14.03
Spotted Amy Hill as 'Mrs. Kwan' in the trailer for The Cat in the Hat.
11.13.03
Way past Halloween, but here's another costume suggestion for next year: Mail Order Bride. Ugh, pretty sickening. And tasteless, considering the kind of abuse, corruption and oppression being committed against women internationally. It's nothing less than labor and sex trafficking. That's racist!
11.12.03 The Top 10 Signs Race No Longer Matters, Take One We'll know that race no longer matters... 10. When Chris Rock gets puzzled silence instead of belly laughter. 9. When sperm banks stop shipping their product in color-coded vials. 8. When real estate agents no longer ask me to leave and remove family pictures before showing my house. 7. When the black unemployment numbers cease to be a multiple of the white unemployment rate. 6. When magazine covers featuring dark-skinned people no longer depress sales. 5. When abandoned black kids in our back yards get adopted before Chinese and Russian children overseas. 4. When prison populations look like America instead of slave ships. 3. When black women stop using weapons of mass destruction to straighten their hair. 2 When black folk stop treating immigrant Latinos like white people in Mississippi treated them. 1.When the prostate cancer rate for black men is no longer 10 times what it is for Korean-American men. The Top 10 Signs Race No Longer Matters, Take Two We'll know that race no longer matters... 10. When Shoshanna Johnson gets the same book and movie deal enjoyed by Jessica Lynch. 9. When white people stop exclaiming how articulate I am. 8. When the perjury of a white thief can no longer send 15 percent of a town's black residents to prison for 400 years on false drug charges (Like in Tulia, Texas). 7. When Steven Glass' serial fabrications prompt questions about white male qualifications the way Jayson Blair's did about black journalists' qualifications. 6. When white ex-cons no longer get more job call-backs than crime-free blacks with the same resumes. 5. When black sports ignoramuses get fired for saying the same stupid stuff that white sports ignoramuses get fired for. 4. When the word "genocide" gets dropped from Webster's. 3. When black Court of Appeals judges in suits no longer get mistaken for bellhops. 2. When Tim McVeigh look-alikes -- tall angry-looking white guys with buzz cuts -- get profiled and rounded up like black suspects. 1. When the projected date for full housing integration between blacks and whites ceases to be more than 100 years from now.
NPR's Connie Rice shares a list of the changes she would like to see before she believes America is truly a color-blind society: When Race No Longer Matters
11.12.03
George Takei returns to the Rohwer Relocation Center, where he and his family were incarcerated during WWII: Star Trek Actor Returns to WWII Camp
11.11.03
Word on the street is... II stix is back!
11.11.03
For those of you in San Francisco, just wanted to let you know about swank event going on next week: The Wedding Banquet: Tenth Anniversary. It's a huge community-organized event celebrating the tenth annivesary of Ang Lee's acclaimed film, as well as a fundraiser for the Jade Ribbon Campaign, a cause to help create awareness about hepatitis B and liver cancer in the Asian &
Pacific Islander communities (which affects us at a higher rate). There will be screening of the film, a few peformances numbers from the cast of The Wedding Banquet: The Musical beforehand, along with a Q&A with some of the movie's cast members. Ang Lee and cast members May Chin, Mitchel Lichtenstein and Winston Chao are scheduled to attend... There will also be a pre-screening reception dinner as well as a post-screening reception. So yeah, pretty huge deal, all happening Thursday, November 20. And it's for a good cause.
11.11.03
New York Yankee Left Fielder Hideki Matsui was named runner up in the voting for the American League Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year. He was beat out by Kansas City shortstop Angel Berroa, while Florida pitcher Dontrelle Willis won the National League award. Alas, Matsui, already a star veteran player in Japan, came up short in the closest AL Rookie of the Year vote in 24 years. But I think Matsui was cool with it: Hideki Matsui denied Rookie of the Year Award
A big part of the reason Matsui didn't win was that two of the 28 voters (Bill Ballou of the Worcester (Mass.) Telegram and Jim Souhan of the Minneapolis Star Tribune) didn't list him on their three-man ballots because they didn't think he qualified as a rookie due to his established career in Japan: 'Ballot busters' keep Matsui from Rookie honors
11.11.03
Fame winner Harlemm Lee has released his new album today. Introducing Harlemm Lee is now available at various online retailers. Check it out.
11.10.03
I recently took a standardized test. It asked me which race category I most identified with. I don't know, when faced with this question I sometimes feel a rush of pride, and proudly check off "Asian/Pacific Islander." Hell yes, I'm Asian. But in my heart I know that ETS doesn't really care about my pride or heritage; it simply wants statistics on demographics, compartmentalizing and classifying me one way or another. For me the choice is pretty obvious, for some it ain't so easy. Here's an interesting article on the matter: Going Beyond Black and White, Hispanics Choose 'Other'
11.10.03
AsianWeek has published a special feature recalling the 50 Most Memorable Moments in Film—that is, 50 memorable moments from American films featuring Asian Pacific Americans. The good, the bad, the ugly... Pretty amusing stuff, with the obvious likes of Better Luck Tomorrow, Joy Luck Club and Chan is Missing, as well as some of the more obscure finds worth checking out. Some triumphs, some delights, and more than a few groans. Damn that Long Duc Dong!
One of these days I'll compile a list of "Top Ten Yellowface Roles," just for kicks.
11.10.03
Blindness opens in limited release on November 21. Directed by Anna Chi, starring Lisa Lu, Joe Lando, Vivian Wu, Chin Han. Really haven't heard much about this one...
11.10.03
New York Times names upcoming film performances to look out for, including Ken Watanabe in The Last Samurai: A Gay Mormon, a Samurai Hero and a Serial Killer. Yeah, I know, boooo.
11.07.03
Hey, fashionites of Los Angeles! Just wanted to let you know about a unique event going on this weekend: Fashion Co-Op is LA's first ever fashion 'flea market,' giving you the opportunity to shop from over fifty up-and-coming designers booths. Saturday, November 8, 11am-5pm at Bergamont Station. All put together by the very cool ladies of Infinity Productions, Kim Tominaga and Michelle Jue. For more information, visit: www.fashioncoop.com
11.07.03
Aw dammit: Ready-to-cook canines at Edmonton restaurant
11.07.03
I recently found out that my website was briefly reviewed in the Summer 2003 issue of Yolk (page 58). I received three out of five ricecookers, which they equate as "Warm rice." Not quite as impressive as "Super-deluxe fried rice," but hey, you get what you get.
I also found out that Yolk has apparently ended its run and gone out of business. Yes, that was the last issue. Another Asian American publication goes the way of A and meets its untimely demise. It was a good run, though definitely not without its problems. How so...? Well, for one thing, the majority of the issues over the last two years featured a half-nekkid lady on the cover, if that's any indication of the mag's intended selling points. Not that I'm complaining too loudly. Let's just say it had certain priorities, and wasn't shy about it. See ya, Yolk.
11.06.03
Contra Costa Times article on Asian Americans on TV—and the lack thereof—by a local high school journalist: Asian representation on television lacking
11.06.03
I've gotten a lot of responses with people weighing in on this week's "costume" issue at UT... I don't know, consider the woman's costume: big red wig, fake buck teeth, painted freckles, overalls. Is it me, or does it just sound like she dressed up like Raggedy Ann for Halloween? But then again, maybe only white folks are allowed to dress up like that character...
11.06.03
U.S. News & World Report cover story on Katrina Leung, alleged Chinese spy. One crazy, messy case. Check out the article's headline—pretty tasteless: China Doll
11.05.03
Here's an opinion column follow-up to the Louisville Cardinal's "I Hate Cats" cartoon strip from last month (10.08.03): Pitfalls of cultural hyper-sensitivity. I think the writer misses the point.
11.04.03
Vietnamese Americans in California are criticizing an Oakland exhibit on the Vietnam War for failing to give the refugees of that conflict adequate represenation: Vietnamese Slighted in Vietnam War Exhibit
11.04.03
Someone wrote into the The Daily Texan (at the University of Texas at Austin) with the following opinion letter:
More racial insensitivity
This afternoon, I saw a woman (who happens to be Asian, in case you were wondering) wearing your typical "hillbilly" outfit. You know what I mean ... big red wig, fake buck teeth, painted freckles, overalls, the whole nine yards. I know it's Halloween, but that's just wrong. Isn't that racial stereotyping? Anyone who saw that girl knew exactly who she was poking fun at: people who are white and live in rural areas. Now, I grew up in Houston, but my grandparents were dirt-poor farmers in East Texas. I saw this "costume" as a slight against my heritage: This girl was basically calling my grandparents stupid, ugly and ignorant. I later realized that what upset me more than anything wasn't the fact that she was stereotyping rural whites as poor and uneducated: It was that no one else seemed to care! We all know what would have happened if a white person had shown up today in a racially insensitive costume, so why was it suddenly OK for this girl to do the same thing?
Oh, I forgot it's only wrong when white people do it, right? There have been many comments made in Firing Lines recently about racial insensitivity, and most of those have been directed towards the insensitivity of whites towards other ethnic groups. Ethnic stereotyping is dead wrong. Guys going to fraternity parties in blackface is wrong. My question is, why is so wrong for whites to do it and not for anyone else?
Kyle Shelton
English junior
It certainly gets you thinking, doesn't it? He's right, ethnic stereotyping is dead wrong. You're toeing a dangerous line with any "costume" that depicts another race. But you know, I just gotta ask, how does it feel, Kyle?
11.04.03
Check out the newly-revamped Robot Stories Blog, where you can read and comment about the themes of the film, the latest Robot Stories news, and the latest robot and artificial intelligence news and culture. †Also featuring a periodic On the Road diary from director Greg Pak. †Oh, and go the see the film if you get the chance.
11.04.03
The folks at Commando Films have posted a director's commentary reel for The Yellow Truth. Pretty intriguing, informative stuff. Their aiming to turn the site into a learning tool for young filmmakers with something to say. This is another great step in that direction, and they'll be adding more content very soon. Check it out.
11.04.03
This just weirds me out: Asian Family Puppets. More angering though, was that someone posted this Customer Review for the item:
"Ever have frustrations with Asian automobile drivers or the quality of your dry cleaning ? Instead of cussing or taking out the person of Asian decent [sic], these dolls provide a legal avenue to satisfy your need to voice frustration or verbal abuse."
But it's gone now. I guess Amazon had the sense to remove it... That's racist!
11.04.03
Ralphie May, sore loser: Still Standing. Face it, man. Dat Phan beat you.
11.04.03
Interesting NPR commentary by Sharony Green on race and hip hop culture: Commentary: Different Races Interpret Hip-Hop
11.03.03
Something from last week... An Asian American man was punched in the head in Staten Island, in another apparent act of anti-Asian violence on the North Shore. A father and son were walking on the street when three black men approached them and made a derogatory remark. Then one of the men punched the younger man in the head and fled: Asian man punched in alleged bias attack. That's racist!
11.03.03
Hey Chicago! Don't miss the "Happy as a Clam" benefit for the Steven K. Pak Memorial Fund, showcasing the very best Asian American names in indie music. Steven passed away earlier this year after a heartbreaking battle with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, a very rare and extremely aggressive form more prevalent in Asians than in most other racial demographics. He was a friend of many of the show's performers and an active supporter of the national Asian American arts scene. I personally knew and worked with the guy, and he was a good cat.
The benefit will not only serve as a memorial to Steven's bravery and zest for life, but will also bring together the first generation of Asian-American indie rockers; most notably the return of SEAM, after a three-year performance hiatus. This show is also an homage to the groundbreaking Asian-American arts community these featured bands pioneered back in 1995. Because of their efforts, Chicago has since been touted as the original mecca of Asian American indie rock.
THE BANDS:
SEAM, Ee, ADEN, Pete the Genius, MirrorAmerica
WHEN AND WHERE:
Saturday November 8, 2003
The Abbey Pub
3420 W. Grace (at Elston)
Tickets will go on sale September 27, and will be $12 in advance, $15 at the door. Doors open at 9pm, show starts at 9:30pm. To buy tickets, go online to the the Abbey Pub website, or go to www.ticketweb.com. You can also purchase tickets over the phone from TicketWeb toll free: 866.468.34011.
This is a 21 and over show.
11.03.03
All the Asian empowerment porn you need. Another article on Prof. Darrell Hamamoto's adult film project: Porn as commentary
11.03.03
Halloween is over, but the fun don't stop. Check this out this racist crap: Chop Suey Specs. THAT'S FREAKIN' RACIST CRAP! I could not believe it. No, I can. It's just sick. Again, if you show up at my doorstep wearing these glasses, I'm going to kick you in the nuts. Let me say it once more: that's racist!
11.03.03
Catch Saturday Night Live this weekend? They snuck in a racist line during the last skit. Kelly Ripa and Chris Parnell played animal rescue shelter workers pushing for the adoption of dogs. However, the joke was that they particularly disliked one of the puppies, and Parnell had a line that said he was about two seconds away from calling "the Korean barbecue" on the puppy (or something to that effect). ANOTHER RACIST DOG JOKE. And pretty sneaky, slipping in near the end of the show. Why does late night TV (hate you, Leno) continually feel it's appropriate to make jokes like this? That's racist!