07.31.07
Posted in Uncategorized at 9:03 pm by albert_lim
Right: Lei Yixin in his studio with a model for the memorial.
The L.A. Times reports on Chinese sculptor Lei Yixin, who’s been under fire since he was selected to carve a statue of Martin Luther King Jr. that’ll be part of a major memorial in Washington.
Some critics call Lei’s appointment an outsourcing; others claim a Chinese conspiracy. But Lei, who’s been recognized as a “master sculptor” by the Council of China, prefers to focus on his craft.
“They love Martin Luther King — I understand,” he says. “But … I’ve seen sculptures of Martin Luther King in America, and none of them was perfect. I think I can do better.”
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Posted in Uncategorized at 8:11 pm by albert_lim
Right: Bruce Lee statue at Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour
Thirty-four years after Bruce Lee’s death, San Francisco Chronicle columnist Jeff Yang takes a long, thoughtful look at the man’s legacy.
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Posted in Politics at 5:51 pm by admin
Assemblyman Ted Lieu is taking an increasingly prominent role on issues affecting Asian-Americans as he prepares to assume the chairmanship of the Asian Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus. Read more.
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Posted in Racism at 5:48 pm by admin
Have you ever observed something that was borderline racist to an extent that you “weren’t sure” if it really was racist or not? Or, have you ever observed something that was outright racist but didn’t do anything about it because you thought, “I’m only one person… what good would my phone call/email/letter do?” Well, in this article, we discussed the subtext of a recent advertisement placed in Chinese-Language newspapers by the San Francisco FBI. This article indicates that the FBI
- “…heard from very few who felt the ad was asking them to spy on their friends and families and the Chinese government, … In the interest of sensitivity, even if we’re hearing it thirdhand, we need to address that, we can’t ignore that. … If people are confused or upset, then we want to address that.”
So, even though “very few” thought the ad was culturally incompetent and prejudiced, a response from the community that came from those “few” still were enough to force the FBI to come forward and explain itself to the media. This type of spotlighting is precisely what is needed in order for our community as a whole to lift itself up and gain the respect it deserves.
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Posted in Community Alerts at 5:36 pm by admin
Scale 1, Antilocution: Antilocution means a majority group freely makes jokes about a minority group. Speech is in terms of negative stereotypes and negative images. This is also called hate speech. It is commonly seen as harmless by the majority. Antilucution sets the stage for more severe outlets for prejudice.
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Several news outlets have recently brought attention to the ‘Anti-Asians Anonymous’ Facebook networking group constructed by students at Fox Chapel Area High School in Pittsburgh, PA.
As indicated in our mission statement, anti-Asian American racism is under-whelmingly reported by mainstream media outlets. Do you want to see more of these types of incidents brought out into the open so that they can be addressed? Contact the media outlets in the links listed above to tell them that you appreciate their reporting on issues that directly affect Asian Americans.
A single email message can make a difference– a single email message is precisely what brought the ‘Anti-Asians Anonymous’ incident to light.
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Posted in Racism at 5:05 pm by admin
Scale 1, Antilocution: Antilocution means a majority group freely makes jokes about a minority group. Speech is in terms of negative stereotypes and negative images. This is also called hate speech. It is commonly seen as harmless by the majority. Antilucution sets the stage for more severe outlets for prejudice.
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In the movie “I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry,” we see, for the 1 millionth time, the same age-old bastion of Asian stereotyping:
Part 1: Asian American women are presented with these attributes:
1. They are very attractive (socially accepted and desired).
2. They can speak English well (socially capable).
3. They have affection for white men (implying a yielding to the white man’s sexual dominance.)
…and Asian American men are presented with these attributes:
1. They are extremely unattractive (socially unaccepted and not desired).
2. They can’t speak English well (socially incapable and unassimilable).
3. They do not win the affection of women (implying their inability to have the same level of sexual dominance as white men).
4. Their on-screen characters are nothing more than 1-dimensional charicatures which serve no other purpose than to play up age-old stereotypes about Asian American men.
In lieu of the definition of the 1st level of Allport’s scale of prejudice, what are your thoughts regarding this movie?
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07.26.07
Posted in Community Alerts at 3:23 pm by telly_wong
To our readers/listeners in China:
FALLOUT CENTRAL will be holding a workshop this Saturday, July 28, 2007 (from Noon - 1PM) in Shanghai. We are seeking progressive individuals who are interested in challenging negative stereotypes and misrepresentations of Asians on a global level.
Through solidarity and the establishment of a worldwide network, we believe we can shift perceptions and create positive social change.
If you are interested, please RSVP to telly@falloutcentral.com.
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07.23.07
Posted in Activism and Empowerment at 8:38 pm by albert_lim
Tonight at 6:30, Albert will represent Fallout Central at a panel discussion in New York held by the Museum of Chinese in the Americas: “If Anything Is Possible: A Blueprint for Changing the World.”
The discussion will explore ways that the Asian American community can effectively respond to grossly negligent media portrayals. It brings some good folks together to speak about their experiences responding to racist views and remarks.
Also appearing on the panel will be Phil Yu (Angry Asian Man), Beau Sia, Miss Info, Carmen Van Kerckhove and Andrew Hsiao. Jeff Yang will moderate.
MoCA, 70 Mulberry Street 2nd floor @ Bayard St (N, R, Q, W, J, M, Z, or #6 train to Canal Street station or the M103 and M15 buses to Chinatown.)
Members $3/Non-Members $5.
Please call for info and RSVP: 212-619-4785 ext. 106
For more information, visit the MoCA Web site.
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07.19.07
Posted in Uncategorized at 2:17 pm by albert_lim
Right: Vera Farmiga and Jung-woo Ha in Gina Kim’s “Never Forever”
The Asian American International Film Festival kicks off its 30th incarnation tonight in New York, screening Justin Lin’s “Finishing the Game,” a mockumentary about the search for a Bruce Lee replacement.
The series’ centerpiece presentation, playing next Thursday, is Chen Shi-Zheng’s “Dark Matter,” starring Liu Ye and Meryl Streep, and the fest will close on July 28 with Gina Kim’s “Never Forever,” reportedly the first joint Korea-U.S. production.
The festival’s also got 25 new feature films, more than 90 shorts and music videos, a retrospective on Hong Kong New Wave pioneer Patrick Tam, a ’70s theme party and more. For the complete schedule and more, go to the official Web site.
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Posted in Activism and Empowerment at 2:16 pm by albert_lim
The Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF) has opened an office in Newark, N.J., looking to address the legal needs of Asian Americans in the state.
The national civil rights organization was founded in 1974. The New Jersey Asian American Legal Project, part of AALDEF, will run the office.
For more info about AALDEF, visit the official Web site.
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