01.25.08
Too Many Asians at this School
This Sunday we will interview Jenny Tsai. Her thesis paper, _’Too Many Asians at this School’: Racialized Perceptions and Identity Formation_ will be the focus of our interview.
We strongly recommend that you download and read the thesis paper here. (or, read at least the first 16 pages of it)
Here is a link to our original post.
Listen to the Silence 2008
Listen to the Silence 2008
12th Annual Asian American Issues Conference
Saturday, January 26th
Workshops: 9:30am - 5:30pm
Concert: 7:30pm
The day begins with an introduction from our prestigious keynote speaker, then continues with various workshops hosted by student organizations and other professionals. During lunch there will be an opportunity to network with the speakers attending the conference as well as a research forum on various Asian American Issues. After dinner, the conference concludes with a concert in which various Asian American artists will perform. All meals are provided and housing is available for those who request it! Everything is FREE!
Is subtle racism more effective, we’d like you to weigh in
FIRST, A COUPLE EXAMPLES
In the 2006 remake of “The Pink Panther”, Kevin Kline plays a detective who, upon learning that a suspect in a high profile murder case may have been Chinese, states something to the effect of: “go to China and round up and question every Chinaman there.”
Understand:
- It’s a lighthearted comedy
- It’s not meant to be taken seriously
- It was designed to make the detective (Kline) look moronic
- It was an isolated incident (within that particular movie)
Do the points above make you feel any better about it?
In Rush Hour 3, a conversation between Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan goes something like:
Tucker: “I’m half Chinese.”
Chan: “YOU’RE half Chinese?”
<Tucker then looks down at his crotch>
Tucker: “From the waist up”
Why a martial artist would let some clown disrespect him throughout 3 consecutive films is another topic altogether.
Understand:
- It’s a lighthearted comedy
- It’s not meant to be taken seriously
- The topic wasn’t a focal point of the film
- Interracial jokes are an integral part of the Rush hour series
Again, do the points above make you feel any better about it?
AGREE OR DISAGREE?
When a blatant racist attack is launched (E.G. Sarah Silverman/Conan O’Brian, O’Shea Jackson (aka “Ice Cube”), Eddie Murphy, The Bloodhound Gang, et al) there is an obvious argument against it and a reason (for those who have a sack) to stand up to it.
However, when the degradation is subtle and in passing (as in the aforementioned examples), it is as effective (if not more so), yet more difficult to defend against as there is less proverbial meat to grab a hold of.
ARE APA FILMS OVERLY PASSIVE?
With all this Asian stereotyping, racism, etc. in the media, an APA rapper or film really has “carte blanche” to produce “no holds barred” recordings/films.
Where David Chang (creator of Ghettopoly) made his mistake was using a different medium. In other words, he couldn’t use the “defense” that “other board games degrade Asians”.
But since nothing’s been off limits against APAs (our culture, our physical features, our language, our names, our countries of origin, etc.) in film or music, shouldn’t we be justified in “returning the favor”?
01.24.08
80-20 Initiative backs Clinton
The 80-20 Initiative has chosen to back Hilary Clinton because Barack Obama has blown off its questions, according to a report.
The national political action committee, which aims to unify the Asian American vote, will urge affiliated voters to pick Clinton in the Feb. 5 Democratic presidential primary, and has committed $30,000 to advertising on her behalf in the Asian-interest media.
APA voters faced discrimination at the polls in ‘06: AALDEF report
Many Asian American voters faced discrimination from poll workers during the 2006 midterm elections, the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF) alleges in a report.
The report, based on a multilingual exit poll of 4,700 voters in 25 cities, found violations of the Voting Rights Act and Help America Vote Act, as well as cases of “anti-Asian attitude.” As examples of the latter, AALDEF cites:
In all, 59 APA voters complained. AALDEF lawyer Glenn D. Magpantay told the BBC that the discrimination was “racially motivated and at the same time also demonstrated a bureaucratic approach.”
AALDEF has sent copies of the report and letters of complaint to the U.S. Department of Justice for investigation.
To read the report, visit AALDEF’s official Web site.
DOJ settles housing discrimination suit on behalf of Cambodian Americans
The Department of Justice has reached a settlement in its first lawsuit alleging discrimination against Asian American victims based on Operation Home Sweet Home, the Department’s fair-housing program.
Under the consent decree filed in Boston federal court, defendant Pine Properties Inc. and six affiliates (which collectively own and operate 13 rental properties in Lowell, Mass.) will pay victims and the U.S. up to $158,000 in damages. The Department alleges that the defendants violated the Fair Housing Act by discriminating against Cambodian Americans who sought to rent apartments.
According to the complaint, prospective Cambodian American renters were subjected to requirements not imposed on white apartment seekers, and were denied the opportunity to see available apartments if they didn’t have a separate appointment (a condition that, again, whites weren’t subject to).
LAPD appoints first Asian deputy chief
The LAPD has promoted Cmdr. Terry Hara to deputy chief, making him the first Asian American officer in the force’s history to serve in the role, Chief William Bratton has announced.
Hara will become commanding officer of West Bureau, replacing Deputy Chief Kenny Garner, who will in turn take up the same post at South Bureau. Garner replaces Deputy Chief Charlie Beck, who’ll be the new Chief of Detectives. The changes take effect in March.
Hara, who joined the LAPD in 1980, is currently in charge of the force’s employee relations division and was the first Japanese American to make LAPD commander.
Sundance: Phang’s “Half-Life” wins raves, CNN profiles Tad Nakamura
News from the Sundance Film Festival, which wraps on Jan. 27 in Park City, Utah:
The Hollywood Reporter raves about “Half-Life,” writer-director Jennifer Phang’s feature debut, saying it ” reminds us why Sundance was launched and why it continues to have value.”
Phang “demonstrates an original talent,” the Reporter says, “and though the film has imperfections and sometimes shows the strains of its low budget, it is an imaginative and deeply affecting effort.”
Michael Chang elected to Int’l Tennis Hall of Fame
Chang leaves the court after his farewell match in 2003.
Michael Chang, who became the youngest man to win a Grand Slam title at age 17 in 1989, has been elected to the International Tennis Hall of Fame.