06.30.04
What the heck happened to Harlemm Lee? Since winning the Fame show last summer, the talented performer has been virtually invisible. So where did he go? What has he been up to? Sadly, not much. On his website, he relays a personal message to fans on the current inactive state of his career. Basically, after winning on Fame, the marketing/promotional powers-that-be haven't backed him up, and he has yet to collect on the career-enhancing prizes promised to him when he won the competition. His story is apparently not "compelling enough." Man, that is crap. Read Harlemm's message here.
I've made this comparison before, but it seems more than apt to bring it up again: why is it that Harlemm, who is undoubtedly talented, and has won a nationally-voted, televised talent competition, now languishes in career anonymity? While notorious American Idol reject William Hung, who can't sing/dance worth poo poo-oo, has earned himself a recording contract and music video shoot? William gets to sing at basketball games, while Harlemm gets to sing at... Borders. What is up with that? That's wholly unfair. And dare I say it? That's racist!
06.30.04
This little movie called Spider-Man 2 opens in theaters today. Maybe you've heard of it. The first one was apparently pretty big. Anyway, just so you know, the very cool Daniel Dae Kim shows up in the cast as a character named "Raymond." My man Parry Shen also claims he did some voice work for the film. Something about "Chinatown" and "walla walla." What the hell am I talking about? Read his blog.
06.30.04
A Hmong family in Sacramento mourns the loss of a soldier son: Iraq death hits Willows. Spc. Thai Vue died Friday in Iraq when a mortar round hit a group of vehicles where he was working. The 22-year-old mechanic served with the U.S. Army's 127th Military Police Company, 709th Military Police Battalion, 18th Military Police Brigade. He is believed to be the first Hmong American to die in the Iraq war.
This freakin' war...
06.29.04
Some more early hype: Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle gets a favorable review from The Hollywood Reporter.
06.29.04
A teenager went on trial Monday on assault charges stemming from an alleged anti-Asian hate crime in San Francisco last year: Juvenile goes on trial in hate-crime case. The defendant is accused of being among several white teenage boys who attacked five Chinese American youths last June (none of the other assailants were identified or charged). The attackers apparently pushed and shoved the Asian kids, accosting them with racial slurs and pouring beer on them. When the Asian teens tried to walk away, they were surrounded and assaulted. That's racist! The defendant is charged with felony assault and a hate crime enhancement.
I received an email asking people to come out to the trial and support the victims... Tuesday, June 29 and Wednesday, June 30, 9am to 5pm (until a verdict is reached), at the Civic Center Courthouse in San Francisco. Wear red to show your support. The community demands justice!
06.29.04
Director Ronny Yu's next project: Yu boards a snake infested plane. Snakes on a plane! It's brilliant. What will they think of next?
06.29.04
Here's a really interesting Salon article comparing the plight of prisoners seized in the "war on terror" to the struggle of civil rights figure Fred Korematsu: Resisting Arrest. You have to register/pay to see the full article, but I'll post a copy of it here, because it's worth reading. Hope you dig it.
06.28.04
Sports... White Sox pitcher Shingo Takatsu is on fire: 'Zero' hour is here for White Sox. Unfortunately, I hear the Sox have been playing that freakin' gong sound when they announce him at games. Respect, people.
Ya-Ni Tseng of Taiwan made a 12-foot birdie putt on the 36th hole Sunday, capping a dramatic comeback to beat Michelle Wie and win the U.S. Women's Amateur Public Links Championship: Tseng sinks 12-foot birdie to topple Wie
Kurt Suzuki, the best hitter in America? According to Cal State Fullerton, yes: Suzuki makes memorable final drive. Titans win the College World Series!
Japanese goaltender Yutaka Fukufuji was drafted by the Los Angeles Kings this weekend during the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. An 8th round, 238th overall pick, Fukufuji is the second Japanese player drafted into the NHL.
06.28.04
Ugh. Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story. In addition to that insanely racist "training video" attributing the origins of dodgeball to "opium-addicted Chinamen," one of the Average Joe team members has an Asian "mail order bride." And this was the number one movie at the box office last weekend.
06.26.04
Gim's Chinese Kitchen, a long standing Chinese take-out restaurant in Alameda, CA needs help from the community! The city is trying to boot Gim's from its current location in order to build a parking lot. Find out more here: Help Save Gim's Chinese Kitchen!
06.26.04
Margaret Cho on NPR's Tavis Smiley Show: Friday Comedy: Margaret Cho
06.26.04
South Asians are in the house! A new generation of South Asians is bringing its hybrid culture to New York's clubs, music halls, and to Broadway: India Resounding in New York
06.25.04
Early heads up—I recently caught an advance screening of Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle, and I gotta say, I really enjoyed it. You'll probably be hearing more about it in the coming weeks, and I'll be posting my endorsement/review of the film when I get the chance. It opens July 30 in theaters nationwide.
06.25.04
According to Variety, Meryl Streep and Chinese actor Liu Ye will star in the drama Dark Matter. It's the true story of a disgruntled physics student from China who shot and killed six people on the University of Iowa campus in 1991. In the film, a Chinese science prodigy is studying the origins of the universe. He dreams of winning the Nobel Prize, but those aspirations are thwarted by campus politics. Streep will portray a wealthy university donor who befriends the student. The film will be directed by Chinese opera director Chen Shi-zheng: Meryl Streep & Liu Ye Starring in Dark Matter
Some more on the project's true-life origins here: Film on UI shootings brings back pain
06.25.04
Republican Nikki Randhawa Haley has won the run-off election to the South Carolina state assembly, defeating a sitting member of 30 years. She will be the first Sikh and fifth Indian American to enter a US state legislature: Sikh woman set to enter US state assembly
06.25.04
It's on, it's off. It's on, it's off. Over the last few years, I've heard various reports on the state of Rush Hour 3. According to this latest report, it ain't happening: †
Chan's Future "Rush"-ed Away?. Not only has Rush Hour 3 been postponed indefinitely, Chan will reportedly not be doing any Hollywood movies for the next three years. And you know what? I am totally fine with that.
06.25.04
The Korean kid gets drafted! In the NBA, that is. The Portland Trail Blazers select 18-year-old South Korean Ha Seung Jin as a second round pick (46th overall) in the 2004 NBA draft: NBA Draft-Pick 46
Speaking of Asians in basketball, meet 6' 8", 240 lb. Aaron Xia, playing college ball for Citadel: Aaron Xia's X-factor: His Mom's Devotion
06.25.04
So yeah, I mentioned that new Fox show North Shore, set in Hawaii, yet starring a cast of white folks (with the exception of the Hawaiian bartender, of course). White People In Paradise. But hey, that's okay, because the show sucks. However, if you feel that the casting situation is not satisfactory, and you're moved to give someone a piece of mind, here are a few places to channel your anger:
Ron Taylor, Fox VP of Diversity: RonTa@fox.com
Mitsy Wilson, Sr. VP of Diversity: MitsyW@fox.com
06.25.04
Interesting show to check this weekend out in NYC: MovieTalkers
06.25.04
This is kinda cool: Spider-Man India. It's a new comic reinterpretation of the Spider-Man mythology within the culture of modern India—Peter Parker becomes Pavitr Prabhakar. I hope they publish a North American translation. Better yet, I'd love to see a movie adaptation.
06.24.04
Because we all need a little bit crazy in our day... Rev. Sun Myung Moon donned a crown in a Senate office building and declared himself the Messiah while members of Congress watched during an awards ceremony. This happened back in March, but word is getting around now and causing a bit of a stir in Washington. The Head Moonie declared himself "humanity's Savior, Messiah, Returning Lord and True Parent." Well, all right then: A Crowning at the Capital Creates a Stir
06.24.04
Last week, MiRi "Sonyk-Rok" Park was crowned winner of the US Air Guitar Championships. You may have seen her last night on Late Night with Conan O'Brien. In August, she will travel to Finland for the Air Guitar World Championships, where she will compete against the best air guitar talent in the world, inluding last year's chamption (and her mentor), C-Diddy.
06.24.04
Earlier this month, Dallas Morning News columnist Esther Wu wrote the following piece in regards to Bill Parcells' "Jap" remark: Cowboys' Parcells crossed the line with offensive comments. So what does she get for taking a stand? A bunch of irate, ignorant, racist Dallas Cowboys fans: Readers' ardent defense of Parcells' words surprising. Regarding hate mail, she writes: "I believe that people who use slurs do so out of ignorance. The same people who call me a Chink declare in the same e-mail that they are not racists." Man, I can relate. Why not send Ms. Wu a letter of support? Email her at ewu@dallasnews.com.
06.23.04
Ooh. Exotic. According to this article, the big, hot thing these days is China's influence on fashion and style: Cultural Revolution. Well whoop dee doo. Seems like an article like this gets published every year.
06.23.04
Takuma Sato will be the first Japanese driver to win an F1 Grand Prix, says Honda motorsport boss Otmar Szafnauer: Sato progress pleases Honda. Does anyone else find it funny that the photo in this article only reveals Sato's eyes? He's like a ninja.
06.23.04
John Cho and Kal Penn, stars of Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle, both made People's list of "The 50 Hottest Bachelors." That is some good PR. Also making the list: star Olympic badminton(!) player Howard Bach, Hoobastank lead singer Doug Robb, and For Love or Money bachelor Preston Mercer.
What, no William Hung?
06.23.04
Michelle and Young both got the boot on NBC's Next Action Star. Sorry, your hopes are dashed once again. But hey, everybody knows Asians don't make good action stars.
06.22.04
If you've been watching the news, you've probably heard by now. Islamic militants beheaded hostage Kim Sun-il, when the South Korean government refused to withdraw troops from Iraq. Kim was the third foreign hostage decapitated in the Middle East in little over a month: Iraq Militants Behead S. Korean Hostage
This isn't the first guy to face senseless, tragic death in the Middle East. And sadly, he won't be the last. But something about it, as a Korean American, really tears at the soul. It makes me sick.
06.21.04
Hey, all you fashion fanatics! Fashion Co-Op, the original fashion "flea market," is back in San Francisco. Kim and Michelle are close, personal friends of mine, so check it out, and tell 'em I sent you.
06.21.04
Is it me, or does it seem like Bryan Chan is all over the place these days? The singer/songwriter, a former Making the Band contestant, recently released his debut solo EP, The Solo Sessions.
So many singers, not enough breakthroughs...
06.21.04
Disturbing. A terrorist group is holding South Korean Kim Soong Il hostage, and is threatening to kill him if South Korea doesn't withdraw its troops from Iraq within 24 hours. This photo seriously creeps me out.
06.21.04
So far, I haven't met any fans of the now-infamous McDonald's I Am Asian website. They're definitely not lovin' it. (Sorry.) But why? I feel so specially marketed to. Makes me wanna eat me some McNuggets! I'm kidding. Frankly, it's a piece of garbage. And you gotta let them know:
McDonald1s Corporation
McDonald's Plaza
Oak Brook, IL 60523
1-800-244-6227
McDonald's USA Contact Us
06.21.04
Not another Asian fund-raising scandal: AP: Kerry Took Money From Arrested Korean
06.21.04
This guy's starting a website featuring downloadable/printable trading cards of various notable Asian American
celebrities, historical events, a "Hall of Shame," and activists. It's just starting out, so right now it's just a blog, But it's kind of interesting, and he says could use some help. So take a look: www.asianamericancards.com
06.21.04
Comedienne Margaret Cho's new film, Revolution is the centerpiece of the Sundance Channel's Out Loud festival, a month-long celebration of gay and lesbian-themed films: Laughing Out Loud.
06.21.04
One of the most competitive contests in the U.S. House of Representatives this year is also one of the most ethnically diverse. Republican Goli Ameri is challenging Democratic incumbent David Wu. Ameri's family fled Iran during the Islamic revolution. Wu, the only Chinese American member of Congress, was born in Taiwan. Funny, because voters in Oregon's first congressional district are predominately white: An All-American Race in Oregon
06.20.04
That damn Amstel Light ad is still running... a bunch of delivery workers are competing in a bike race through city streets. It's a crazy, mad rush, until finally one lucky winner reaches his destination—the entrance of an apartment building. The victor, a Chinese delivery guy, presses the button and breathlessly declares, "Chinese delivery!" Cut to four white men, laughing in the apartment up above. Turns out they constructed this little race and bet on who'd get to the door first. Ha ha. Fun and games, at the expense of those comical delivery boys. That's racist!
06.19.04
This is straight jacked. William Hung makes Forbes Celebrity 100? Number 96, to be exact. This is a freakin' joke, right? They couldn't find five more "celebrities" with more star power than this dude? The world is insane. The world is insane. The world is insane.
06.19.04
Oh, and don't forget to pick up Giant Robot #33—the 10-year anniversary special. Ten years already?
06.19.04
Things for you to buy...for me. Check out Rachael Yamagata's newly released album, Happenstance, now in stores. Full-length debut from a cool singer/songwriter out of Chicago.
Tom Huang's indie feature freshmen is now available on DVD. Nifty little movie from a first time filmmaker.
Kayo Hatta's 1995 feature Picture Bride is also now available on DVD.
Oh yeah, Ang Lee's The Wedding Banquet was also just released on DVD.
Support independent film.
06.19.04
Two Asian Americans, Young and Michelle, have made the final 20 contestants in NBC's reality show Next Action Star. Think they'll make the final 14? Hey, Dat Phan and Harlemm Lee both took it all last summer on their respective NBC reality shows, so who knows? Then again, let us consider where it has gotten them, one year later...
06.19.04
Some sports items... Kimiko Soldati recently qualified for the U.S. Olympic diving team in the 3m springboard event. Definitely one to watch this summer in Athens.
Mike Lambert and his beach volleyball doubles partner Karch Kiraly, have won the past two tournament titles on this year's AVP professional beach volleyball tour.
And here's an article about little-known Chinese basketball player Ma Jian, who helped open the door for Chinese athletes to come to the USA: Ma Jian: Forgotten Hero
06.19.04
This play sounds interesting, but the obvious question is, what the hell does it have to do with the Chinese? Theater Review: Chinese Friends
06.19.04
B.D. Wong will star in an upcoming revival of Pacific Overtures on Broadway: B.D. Wong to Star in Next Sondheim-Weidman Roundabout Revival Pacific Overtures; Dates Set. The show follows the introduction of Japan to westernization from the landing of Commodore Matthew Perry in the "Floating Kingdom" of Nippon in 1853 over 150 years. The new revival will be performed in English with Asian-American actors.
06.18.04
Forgot to mention that Around the World in 80 Days, Jackie Chan's latest Hollywood fiasco, opened in theaters this week. Watch carefully, and you might catch my governor in the film, doing some fine work.
06.17.04
Yahoo! Movies has got exclusive clips from Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle, starring John Cho and Kal Penn. Be sure to watch the 'Singing' clip. Wilson Phillips, baby. Can you feel it? The movie opens July 30.
And yeah, that's Neil Patrick Harris.
06.16.04
Just read this on Parry's blog and laughed my ass off:
Are You Down?
The Code for Being a Young AA/APA/APIA/AAPI Activist
By Minnie Yuen '04, Margot Seeto '04 Wellesley College, and Lisa Wong Macabasco UC Berkeley '03 (guest writer of UC Berkeley's Hardboiled)
One point for each question answered in the affirmative.
1. You own a BlackLava t-shirt. (+1 if you have the V. Chin shirt, +2 if you wear it to Asian American events.)
2. You own a spoken word CD.
3. You are or once were a spoken word artist. (+1 If you performed in a skinny scarf and spaghetti strap tank top.)
4. You hate Abercrombie & Fitch and dog on Asian Americans who wear it, even if they bought it pre-boycott.
5. You think Yuri Kochiyama is totally rad!
6. You own an autographed copy of "Better Luck Tomorrow." (+1 If you were on the street team for BLT.)
7. You have a poster of one or both of the following: 1. Che 2. Malcolm.
8. You HELLA think that San Francisco is the center of the universe and the APA Movement.
9. You dyed your hair bright red at one point.
10. You protest the Euro-centric, hegemonic, patriarchal, heterocentric, capitalist petty bourgeoisie of THE MAN.
11. You are a "brother" or "sister" of the "The People's Movement."
12. Instead of saying "goodbye," you say "peace".
13. You have a Xanga, are on Friendster, and were a part of Asian Avenue.
14. You write your Friendster testimonials in Spoken Word verse.
15. You AIM name includes the words "Angry" or "Asian" or "Yellow Brown Power."
16. If you wear glasses, they must be the thick, plastic, black rimmed glasses to show the world how intellectual you really are.
17. You are an APA conference whore.
18. You cried the first time you heard "I Was Born with Two Tongues". (+1 If you actually cried and not just claimed you cried.)
19. You majored in, minored in, or helped start Asian American Studies at your school.
20. You only listen to hip hop and only really enjoy Talib Kweli or Dead Prez.
21. You have read one, part or all of the following: The Autobiography of Malcolm X, Fast Food Nation, Stupid White Men, or anything by bell hooks.
22. You're so underground, you're f****** magma.
23. As you chain smoke, you intellectualize how nicotine is the tool of THE MAN.
24. Every time you watch TV or movies, your Asian-dar kicks in. ("Look! Asian woman's arm in the back! WHAT WHAT!")
25. You mad dog Asian women with White boyfriends (minus 1 if you've ever had a White boyfriend; minus another 1 if you actually admit you had a White boyfriend, but you swear it was when you were really young and before you became down).
26. You hate on AZN Asians as much as White people, if not more.
27. You hate on Asian fraternities or sororities, but used to go those parties before you were down (minus one if you ever pledged an Asian sorority, minus two if you were a Little Sis).
If you scored 21 or more:
Congratulations, Poster Child de La Revolucion. You're so down, you're abajo. After finishing your manifesto and reaping vegetables in your biosphere, we'll see you at ECAASU 2005, fool. Paz.
11 - 20:
Poseur. What's up, poser? Put down that copy of Audrey and read Asian Americans: The Movement and the Moment already. Practice raising your fist and looking hard in the mirror when no one's looking.
0 - 10:
You're a tool of THE MAN. Proceed immediately to San Francisco and get a picket sign already.
If you get it, it's pretty dang hilarious. I will not disclose my score. But man, I feel like a stereotype. And dude, did I just get a shout-out in number fifteen?
06.16.04
Actress Elizabeth Thai is in the movie Saved! as Veronica.
06.16.04
The Black Eyed Peas' music video for "The Apl Song" is currently in the works, by the makers of Lumpia. Didja know: BEP's Apl.de.Ap is Filipino American.
06.16.04
Man, more weird-ass stuff posted on Craigslist: Asian Man to Pretend to be My Fiancee. I don't even know if this is for real, but it's hilarious.
06.16.04
Didn't know about this, but Wayne Wang is/was apparently involved with a movie adaptation of David Sedaris' Me Talk Pretty One Day... This is from a brief Q & A with Sedaris in the recent issue of TIME:
Q: How's the movie adaptation of Me Talk Pretty One Day Coming?
A: I got out of it. I just couldn't do it. My sister asked me, "Will I be
fat in the movie?" and I thought, Wow, I've turned into the devil. The
director, Wayne Wang, is a real prince. He already had a script and was
close to casting people when I told him. I didn't want him to be mad at me,
but he was so grown up about it. I never saw how it could be turned into a
movie anyway.
Looks like it's not going to happen.
06.16.04
Right now, I'm thinking how the hell did William Hung sell 100,000 copies of Inspiration? Somewhere along the way, it happened. That's just not right. And it don't stop, friends: Hung Prepares Second Video, Second Album. Can anything, ANYTHING stop this madness?
06.15.04
They call him "Kurt Klutch": Kurt Suzuki's klutch HR sends CSFullerton to College World Series. Good job, boyee.
06.15.04
Ah, the Maxim Hot 100—their annual list of the women they deem the "hottest." A time-honored tradition. Of booty. Anyway, what about Asian representation? To my knowledge, five women of Asian descent made the list: Lindsay Price, Kelly Hu, Shannyn Sossamon, Michelle Branch and Melissa Howard... Just letting you know.
06.14.04
We're here, we're growing, and we ain't goin' nowhere: Hispanic, Asian Populations Keep Growing. And growing and growing. It won't stop!
06.14.04
Once again, Michelle Wie, 14-year-old golf asskicker: Golfer Wie Leads U.S. to Curtis Cup Win.
06.14.04
Quirky little human interest article about a Japanese groundskeeper in the minor leagues: Japan's Yamaguchi finds a home with Claws' grounds crew. But I couldn't get over the part that mentions "Kung Fu Fighting." Man, I hate that song.
06.14.04
Meet eco-stylist hipster Danny Seo—hot stuff, apparently: All That Glitters Is Green
06.14.04
Greg Pak's Robot Stories is still going strong. The movie opened up in Cleveland and Seattle over the weekend. Because everybody loves robots.
06.14.04
Chicago White Sox pitcher Shingo Takatsu was known in Japan as "Mr. Zero." Why? He is the all-time saves leader in Japanese baseball with 260. Now, let's see what he can do here: Takatsu should be White Sox closer. Let him loose!
06.14.04
Hey! Stir TV has been renewed for a second season. Just lettin' ya know.
06.11.04
Some information on Grey's Anatomy, ABC's midseason medical drama starring the awesome Sandra Oh as Christina Yang:
Grey's Anatomy
Welcome to Grace Hospital. The toughest surgical residency program west of Harvard. It's a brutal training ground for the newest medical recruits.
Meet Meredith, Izzie and Christina. Yesterday they were students. Today they're doctors. And if they can make it through seven years of the finest hell Grace has to offer, they'll be surgeons. But the rest of life doesn't stop just because their residency is tough, so this trio will also have to deal with jealous boyfriends and sick parents, one night stands and housing crises, with only each other to rely on.
From Shonda Rhimes, the writer of "Introducing Dorothy Dandridge," comes a series about young women who are doctors; and doctors who are still young women.
Cast:
Ellen Pompeo ("Old School," "Catch Me If You Can"): Meredith Grey
Sandra Oh ("Under the Tuscan Sun," "Arliss"): Christina Yang
Katherine Heigl ("Roswell"): Isobel "Izzie" Stevens
Patrick Dempsey ("Once & Again"): Derek Shepherd
James Pickens, Jr. ("How Stella Got Her Groove Back"): Richard Webber
T.R. Knight: George O'Malley
Chandra Wilson: Miranda Bailey
Isaiah Washington ("Out of Sight"): Dr. Preston Burke
Credits:
Executive Producer/Writer: Shonda Rhimes ("Introducing Dorothy Dandridge")
Executive Producers: Mark Gordon ("Saving Private Ryan"), James Parriott ("Threat Matrix"), Betsy Beers ("200 Cigarettes")
Pilot Director: Peter Horton
Production Entity: Touchstone Television
The show will premiere on ABC in January 2005.
06.10.04
Dude, Korean women are good at golf: Pak Mentality (registration required).
06.10.04
Hey Harry Potter fans... a few on-set photos of Katie Leung, who will play Cho Chang in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire: here and here.
UPDATE: Sorry, the above photos are allegedly fake. Just someone wasting time, messin' with Photoshop, I guess. HP fans everywhere are disappointed. These are apparently the only real photos of Katie Leung out there.
06.10.04
Couple of things on Bill Parcells... Asian Media Watchdog has set up email campaigns protesting the matter. This one gets sent to the NFL and Dallas Cowboys: I am offended by Bill Parcells' remark. This one is directed towards ESPN's coverage of the incident: Don't use Kuboshima to justify Parcells' remark!
Here's another commentary on the matter, out of Canada: Parcells, NFL should set better example
And another one in the New York Times: Ignorance and Arrogance Collide, Live and Off-Color
06.10.04
Article on Cincinnati Reds pitcher Danny Graves, on pace to break some records: Born-again closer from Graves
06.10.04
Couple of entertainment-related opportunities...
Casting call: Vietnamese American Xposure
Taiwanese American Citizens League: Entertainment Internship
06.10.04
Asian Media Watchdog wants you to see Anton Chekhov's Three Sisters, running June 15-20 in New York. See Asian American actor Nick Sakai in the cast!
06.10.04
The new season of NBC's Last Comic Standing is off and running, but don't expect to see another Dat Phan this time around... Instead, you might be seeing a lot non-Asian comics using stereotypical mock-Asian accents. Saw a few comics rattling off a few jokes like that—a classic comic technique, of course. Works every time. That's racist!
06.10.04
He says it's religious discrimination, but the Transit Authority says it's just a violation of uniform policy: MTA Reassigns Veteran Subway Motorman For Wearing A Turban. He's been operating trains for 20 years, having always worn his turban (a central tenet of the Sikh faith), and suddenly it's not okay? What the deal? That's racist!
06.10.04
Subway Cinema's annual New York Asian Film Fest, June 18-27, featuring the coolest films of Asian cult cinema.
06.09.04
Parcells Parcells Parcells Racist. So, like I said before, in America, when you use ethnic slurs and make racist remarks regarding Asians, you get a little media attention, and then the powers that be do their best to make it go away. For example, using the word "Jap" at a press conference to characterize something sneaky. You can holler all you want, but don't expect too much to happen. I enjoyed this bit in the Daily Quickie:
The NFL is giving the gutless a bad name (no disrespect intended, of course). The league won't fine Bill Parcells for his racist comments Monday at a league-sanctioned post-practice press conference.
But don't worry: The NFL still plans to harshly punish players after exuberantly celebrating TDs. You wouldn't want anything unsportsmanlike to get in the way of the ethnic slurs.
I hate to bring this up time and time again, but one wonders if Parcells had used different slurs (you know what I'm talking about), offending other ethnic/racial groups, would we be having this conversation at all?
But check this out:
AJC Denounces Racist Remark by Dallas Cowboys Coach. Yeah, the American Jewish Committee has released a statement denouncing Parcells' remarks.††Good example of representative groups of non-Asian communities speaking out on our behalf. I'd like to see more of this on every side.
And on Japanese reporter Akira Kuboshima, look, I don't expect the guy to feel offended one way or another—he has his own level of comfort. But it sucks when media attention focuses on him, and his views are expected to be representative of any and all Asians out there, simply because he was the lone Japanese guy in the room. Like, he's okay, so we're all okay? I'm sorry, but we're not all okay. When he's the only Asian guy covered in the story, that's just bad journalism.
Interested in contacting the NFL? Here's some info I mustered up. Do what you will with it:
National Football League, Inc.
280 Park Ave.
New York, NY 10017
Phone: 212-450-2000
Fax: 212-681-7599
Dallas Cowboys
One Cowboys Parkway
Irving, TX 75063
Phone: 972-556-9900
contact@dallascowboys.net
But don't hold your breath...
06.08.04
Another messed up thing about this Bill Parcells thing is the reported reaction by Akira Kuboshima, editor of Japan's American Football Magazine who was in the room when Parcells made the "Jap plays" remark. Kuboshima repeatedly said that he wasn't offended but believed some people would be. He also said he was surprised more by the reaction of other reporters than the comment: "There is a lot of chance for someone to feel offended. To me, it was no big deal." I'm sorry, who the hell is this guy? This guy says he wasn't offended, so it's okay? The worst part is how the media seems to be using him to represent Asian America, in order to downplay the incident as seemingly harmless. It bugs. I was watching SportsCenter, and they focused quite a bit of the report on the fact that Kuboshima was okay with the whole thing. They even went as far as quoting him saying, "I just want people to forget about it." Man, I can't.
Check out how the Dallas Cowboys are spinning it: Real World Strikes Back. It gets buried as a minor faux pas. Oh, our crazy Bill. He's gone and stirred up those pesky PC media folks. Anyway...
Parcells' "apology" is also ridiculous:
"I made a very inappropriate reference, and although I prefaced it with the remark, 'no disrespect to anyone intended,' it was still uncalled for and inconsiderate. For that I apologize to anyone who may have been offended."
Oh, you prefaced it? I guess that makes it less offensive. My ass. Okay, first of all, he's misquoting himself. To be accurate, he prefaced it with the remark, "no disrespect for the Orientals." The fact that he usesd "no disrespect" and "Orientals" in the same breath is downright laughable. You don't try to justify an ignorant comment with another ignorant comment.
You see, in this country, when you make ignorant, disparaging remarks about Asians, you get a slap on the wrist, and everybody quickly moves on. That's racist!
06.07.04
Racist remarks, courtesy of Dallas Cowboys Coach Bill Parcells: Parcells uses slur talking about trick plays. "You've got to keep an eye on those two, because they're going to try to get the upper hand," Parcells said about quarterbacks coach Sean Payton and defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer. "Mike wants the defense to do well, and Sean, he's going to have a few ... no disrespect for the Orientals, but what we call Jap plays. OK. Surprise things." What the hell? NO DISRESPECT FOR THE ORIENTALS? JAP PLAYS? Wow, that is some truly ignorant, racist crap. I can't believe how incredibly ridiculous that statement is. The comment caused a stir at the press conference, and Parcells subsequently apologized. But the damage is done. That's racist!
It's also ironic, considering that one of the NFL's few Asian American players, star linebacker Dat Nguyen, plays for the Cowboys.
Is it only Monday? I guess we know what people will be talking about for the rest of the week.
06.07.04
Check out YIN Magazine, another new publication for Asian women. Specifically, "Asian Women Redefined."
06.07.04
This is jacked up: Wen Ho Lee ceremony is canceled (registration required). The Asian-American legislative caucus had planned to honor Wen Ho Lee on the floor of the Assembly today for his courage while facing spy accusations four years ago. However, the event was called off when Move America Forward, a group of Republican lawmakers objected. Where is the love? Haters. That's racist!
06.07.04
A government sting that targeted buyers of black bear parts and wild ginseng—both prized in traditional Asian medicine —is being called discriminatory by Asian advocates, and some say the operation's setup gave the products an air of legitimacy. Yeah, black market stuff, but Asian-immigrant advocates are saying the buyers were unfairly targeted because of their cultural beliefs: Asians Call Ginseng Sting Discriminatory
06.06.04
William Hung. Love him, hate him, but he's not going away. Spotted on the streets of Berkeley, CA: NO REGRETS. Yes, Hung's face graces a sidewalk stencil movement. I don't know whether to laugh or cry... (Thank you, Jon)
06.05.04
"I'm the day shift, the night shift and the graveyard shift." New show on Court TV: Trace Evidence: The Case Files of Dr. Henry Lee. Apparently, Dr. Lee is a legend in the field of forensics. Here's his official website: drhenrylee.com. Guy looks like a badass.
UPDATE: FYI, in mentioning Henry Lee, I should also drop a reference to legendary L.A. County "coroner to the stars" Thomas Noguchi—he performed or oversaw autopsies on celebrities including Marilyn Monroe, Natalie Wood, and Robert F. Kennedy. Noguchi was widely considered to be the model for Jack Klugman's character in the TV series Quincy, but of course, the actual Asian American on the show (Robert Ito's "Sam Fujiyama") was relegated to a sidekick role.
06.05.04
Smith Cho plays the Fake Wardrobe Stylist on MTV's Faking the Video, another one of those mean-spirited prank shows. Unsuspecting PAs get ridiculously tormented and bossed around on the set of a music video. Do we really need another show like this?
On the flip side, there's a new reality series on Spike TV called On the Road, in which eight contestants go on the road with Sugar Ray, and vie for a job in the music industry. One of the contestants, Elizabeth, is Asian American. How do I know this? Her bio on the website makes a point of mentioning her "strict Asian parents." Great. Now why don't any of the other contestants get identified by race?
06.04.04
New documentary premiering on AMC this weekend: The AMC Project: Made in Hong Kong, where three martial arts students head to Hong Kong to follow their dream of becoming martial arts movie stars in Hong Kong's film industry.
06.04.04
Students and teachers at Brooklyn's Lafayette High School are skeptical about whether the Justice Department can successfully compel the school to adequately address anti-Asian harassment and violence: 'Harassment High' kids skeptical of change. Yeah, I'd be skeptical too.
06.04.04
Hey, sometimes we Asians make music. And sometimes it gets on TV. There's John Belicanta, lead singer of Lola Ray. Their video for "Automatic Girl" is currently playing on Fuse... There's also Don Blum, drummer for the Von Bondies. "C'Mon C'Mon" is all over the place... And there's... um...
06.04.04
John Woo is attached to direct the movie adaptation of Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six.
06.04.04
E! Online's got a summer movie preview, Heatwave 2004, and describes Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle as a movie for "Korean Americans and Indian Americans who've longed for lowbrow, half-baked screen heroes to call their own." Well, yeah. The article features a "Gonna See It?" poll for readers... So far, Harold and Kumar is at 6% Yes, 93% No. Count me in that six percent. There's also a short article on John Cho and Kal Penn here.
06.04.04
What's this Ultimate Love Test crap on ABC? Frankly, I don't really care. But here's the show's description, according to the website:
"The Ultimate Love Test" gives each couple the opportunity to test their love and find answers to these difficult questions. After agreeing to take "the test," the couples are separated. One of them stays home while the other is sent to a spectacular resort in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico where they are met by a person (or people) who represents everything they feel is lacking in their current partner.
Oh, I see. Well, then. Anyway, on the premiere episode, a woman was whisked away to Mexico where she met this studly Asian dude—the representative of everything she felt was lacking in her current partner. Well, all right. Hooray for studly Asian dudes.
06.03.04
Wow, I didn't know someone actually, like, ran Friendster. Former NBC West Coast president Scott Sassa has been named CEO: Friendster has new pal in CEO Sassa. I wonder if I can be his Friend.
06.03.04
The New York Yankees' Hideki Matsui was named A.L. Player of the Week for the period of May 24-30. His .655 OBP (on-base percentage) was the highest weekly figure by an A.L. player this season. Nice.
06.03.04
But is it unstoppable: Rumsfeld Fighting Technique
06.03.04
To the five boroughs! Kite Operations (who performed at Asian Rock Fest a few weeks back) has been selected as one of the the finalists in CMJ's 2004 Five-Borough Battle of the Bands at Coney Island on Sunday, June 6th. They rock. The event is free. That rocks.
06.03.04
The few. The proud. The Filipino Marine twins: Twins enlist together
06.02.04
Outta New York: the U.S. Justice Department has charged that city school officials looked the other way while Asian students were bullied and beaten at Brooklyn's Lafayette High. According to the government complaint, students regularly threw food, drink cans and even metal locks at Asian American students while shouting ethnic slurs, and that school authorities "have been deliberately indifferent to the harassment of Asian students." Other problems included violent assaults against Asian students on and off school property. Read on:
City to Help Curb Harassment of Asian Students at High School
Justice Dept. raps H.S. for racial violence
School blasted on bias attacks
What's worse? Asian students having their civil rights violated, or the administration being fully aware and turning a blind eye? THAT'S RACIST!
06.02.04
Calling all aspiring filmmakers (and people who love movies)! Asian CineVision and the Asian American Filmmaker's Collaborative are proud to present the 1st Annual 64 Hour Film Shoot-Out, 8pm July 9th†to 12pm July 12. Teams have 64 hours to write, shoot, edit and produce a short film around a central theme to be announced at the start of the competition. Pretty cool, eh? So get your team together (at least one key member must be of Asian or Asian American descent) and register—the early deadline is June 4.
By the way, Asian CineVision is the fine organization behind New York's Asian American International Film Festival. The WorkSHOP is collaborative of Asian American filmmakers who meet weekly to hone their craft and share resources (Robot Stories director Greg Pak was one of its founding members). Good stuff.
06.02.04
Seen the promos for the new Fox drama North Shore... Can you believe it? The show is set in Hawaii, and the entire cast is lily-white. Yeah, I can believe it—hey, it's Fox. Ridiculous. Not an Asian in sight. That's racist!
UPDATE: I am mistaken. Actor Jason Momoa is of Hawaiian descent. He plays Frankie, the bartender. Yay.
06.02.04
Whoa. I'd say this girl is currently the most famous Asian American visual artist in Chicago: A hit with Pitt: Actor buys student's painting for $800
06.02.04
People post some of the weirdest stuff on Craigslist: Looking for a single Asian Prince
06.02.04
All right, read this article: Chinese subtleties. The author compares his son's difficult experience of selling an apartment to a Chinese family to America's economic relations with China. Why do I get the impression that he really has no idea what he's talking about? It's simply a thinly veiled gripe session about what happened to his son. Oh, those insrutable Chinese. That's racist!
06.02.04
Stan Matsunaka is running for Congress, Colorado's Fourth District.
06.01.04
By the way, take a close look at the protest photo from Details. The guy to the right of the "IGNORANT OR DETAILS" sign, giving the Fairchild office some double angry love. Hilarious. So, who is this guy? People have been inquiring about his identity. Please step forward and identify yourself!