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I was just driving home from work when I heard this National Public Radio (NPR) piece on (listen/read at): “Long Duk Dong: Last of the Hollywood Stereotypes?” and knew I had to blog about this right away. In “Sixteen Candles,” Japanese-American Gedde Watanabe plays Long Duk Dong.
“Long Duk Dong is the creation of writer-director John Hughes, whose films — The Breakfast Club, Pretty in Pink, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off — enshrined a Hollywood-heightened image of a suburban high school near you. Geeks, jocks, cheerleaders, kids desperate to find an in with the popular crowd — they were the standard character set. In real American schools, Long Duk Dong gave the mean kids new material. “Every single Asian dude who went to high school or junior high during the era of John Hughes movies was called ‘Donger,’” says Eric Nakamura. Nakamura and Martin Wong co-founded the magazine Giant Robot, which covers Asian and Asian-American pop culture. “If you’re being called Long Duk Dong,” Wong explains, “you’re comic relief amongst a sea of people unlike you.” Worse, says Nakamura: “You’re being portrayed as a guy who just came off a boat and who’s out of control. It’s like every bad stereotype possible, loaded into one character.” Nakamura and Wong say that before “The Donger” came along, they got called “Bruce Lee” at school. That wasn’t so bad: At least Lee, the martial-arts star, could kick ass. Sixteen Candles stole even that limited pleasure — and Asian-American guys focused their frustration on the actor who played Long Duk Dong. After all, he was one of them: born in the U.S.A.”
I’ve blogged about “yellow face” performances perpetuating bad stereotypes of Asians/Asian-Americans before in movies before, but this was the first ever piece on the radio I’d ever heard regarding Asian-American male actors and bad stereotypes. I also blogged recently about how that a Hollywood pioneer actor was an Asian, before Hollywood took a big step backwards in stereotyping Asians and Asian-Americans.
To be honest, I’ve never actually watched the 1984 John Hughe’s film, “Sixteen Candles” - maybe caught bits and pieces of it on TV (I have seen and did like The Breakfast Club). I was in the 8th grade when that movie came out, and although I lived in Western Massachusetts where very few Asian-Americans lived, I was never called Long Duk Dong or ‘Donger.’ I was however called Bruce Lee or asked if I knew karate while growing.
(Here are some other clips with Long Duk Dong in Sixteen Candles: “What’s happening hotstuff?“and “Very clever dinner.“)
(Continued)
3 Comments | Posted in: Discrimination, Entertainment, Movies, Observations
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A while back, I got the chance to interview the lovely Kina Grannis, on behalf of 8Asians. She is one of Interscope’s newest artists ever since winning the Dorito’s Crash the Superbowl contest. The conversation itself covers everything from some background history, to how the Japanese culture effected both her and her sisters, to what’s coming up with her musical career.
I must apologize for the crackling of the recording since it seemed that the buffering didn’t completely set up yet before I had started. Novice sound tech on my part. Fortunately for me, she was very easy to talk to and we had a great conversation. We’ll probably catch up later with her to see where everything is going in her life.
Photo Credit: (Tim Monzon)
3 Comments | Posted in: Entertainment, Music
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Reporter Peggy Orenstein discuss the role of race, racial identity and Obama (with Obama’s speech on race bringing up much discussion in America), as well as America’s growing, bi-racial nature. I thought Orenstein’s thoughts, as a parent of a bi-racial child, had some very interesting points to make:
“Most Americans watching Barack Obama’s campaign, even those who don’t support him, appreciate the historic significance of an African-American president. But for parents like me, Obama, as the first biracial candidate, symbolizes something else too: the future of race in this country, the paradigm and paradox of its simultaneous intransigence and disappearance… More than anything, though, Hapas remind us that, while racism is real, “race” is a shifting construct. Consider: Would Obama still be seen as “black enough” if the wife by his side were white? And don’t get my husband started on why Tiger Woods — whose mother is three-quarters Asian and whose father was one-quarter Chinese and half African-American — is rarely hailed as the first Asian-American golf superstar…
During Obama’s campaign, Obama has certainly faced criticism that he was not “black enough” or too “black.” Will race matter in America in 50, 100, 150, 200 years from now as we increasingly inter-marry, assuming humanity can survive that long? Genetically, Tiger Woods is more “Asian” than he is “black” - but from the color of his skin, he is judged to be more black than “Asian.” (Of course, how Tiger Woods self-identifies himself as is his personal choice.)
In the future, will Americans truly be color blind and the concept of race, as we know it today, be foreign? Let me know your thoughts on this!
5 Comments | Posted in: Current Events, Observations
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Today, Taiwan held it’s fourth truly democratic election for president, where it elected its first president who had campaigned for closer economic relations with Beijing, paving the way for a considerable lessening of tensions between the Taiwan Straits, as reported in The New York Times “Taiwan Elects a Leader Who Seeks Closer China Ties“:
“Ma Ying-jeou, a Harvard-educated lawyer and former Taipei mayor from the Nationalist Party, won by a convincing margin. He prevailed despite a last-minute effort by his opponent, Frank Hsieh of the Democratic Progressive Party, to warn that the Chinese crackdown in Tibet represented a warning of what could also happen to Taiwan if it did not stand up to Beijing. With all votes counted, Mr. Ma prevailed 58.45 percent to 41.55 percent and Mr. Hsieh quickly conceded defeat…in election day interviews, voters echoed Mr. Ma’s stance that closer relations with the mainland and its fast-growing economy represent the island’s best hope of returning to the rapid economic growth it enjoyed until the late 1990s.”
The referendum on calling to for the island, which was mostly symbolic rather than realistic in nature, to apply to the United Nations as Taiwan and not using its legal name, the Republic of China failed. The Republic of China remains status quo and falls under the “One China Policy,” which China and the United States, and in the past, the Taiwanese government has often agreed with.
The voter turn-out was estimated to be around 75.7 percent of the electorate, which is pretty impressive when compared to America’s traditional voter turn-out rate of 50% - but not as high as in 2004, where turnout was approximately 85%.
For most of the Taiwanese-Americans and their parents I know, the Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) loss is disappointing. From what I have read though, outgoing (DPP) President Chen Sui-Ben’s eight years in office has been disappointing, controversial (for his strong stance on independence), and full of corruption and mismanagement with also a decline in the economy which lead to “Chen” fatigue. Despite the tensions in Tibet, the Taiwanese electorate clearly want a more moderate approach to dealing with China than the previous eight years.
2 Comments | Posted in: Current Events, Observations, Politics
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Apparently San Francisco’s own Nancy Pelosi, along with others, in a Congressional delegation are currently in India, and had an opportunity to meet the Dalai Lama, as reported in The New York Times: “On Visit, Pelosi Offers Support to Dalai Lama“:
“Buddhist nuns waved American flags, and the Dalai Lama ordered his followers to offer a standing ovation Friday morning as Nancy Pelosi, the speaker of the House of Representatives, came to Dharamsala, the emotionally charged headquarters of Tibetan exiles, and seized the opportunity to stick a finger in the eye of China…The visit by Ms. Pelosi, accompanied by nine other members of Congress, most of them Democrats, was arranged some time ago as part of a visit to India. As it happened, though, it came on the heels of the largest protests in Tibet in nearly two decades, followed by a broad crackdown by China, and almost nonstop demonstrations in solidarity in this town, where the Tibetan government in exile has its base.The timing could not have been better, at least for the Americans.”
I’m sure the Chinese government is pissed off. I really wonder how much China will complain and push back against international pressure. Just the other day, the Chinese government admitted that there had been Tibetans as well as Chinese who have been injured and killed during the protests. Talk about being a little bit more “open.” Also reported recently is that the Chinese government may be preventing live broadcasts during the Olympic games from Tiananmen Square, where it previously was going to allow broadcasters such as NBC to do so. China pledged to the International Olympic Committee, when bidding for the games, that the games would promote greater openness. Yeah, right.
Tomorrow is Taiwan’s presidential election. Along with the election, there is a referendum for Taiwan (officialy, The Republic of China - R.O.C.) to change its name from R.O.C. to Taiwan the next time Taiwan applies for the United Nations. China sees any such move as a referendum for independence and will complain loudly if the referendum passes.
No Comments | Posted in: Current Events, Observations, Politics
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First, the bad news - after dancing their Asian-American hearts out on a reality show, Kaba Modern was eliminated from MTV’s America’s Next Dance Crew this week. Here’s a performance of Kaba, Fysh N Chicks and JabbaWockeeZ - the eventual winner.
Phil from angryasianman brings up something that many people might be thinking:
Did Kaba and Jabba [another predominately Asian-American dance crew] fans somehow split the vote? Does it sound too bitter to suggest that the competition might’ve been rigged? Was it too much for MTV to have two Asian American-heavy crews at the top? It’s lame, but it’s a thought.
I’m bummed, obviously. As to whether the results were rigged, well, I don’t think so. The producers of the show like Kaba Modern, as evident by the fact that they used them to promote the show for a local morning news program in the LA area. If anything, it could be the curse of elimination-based talent shows on television - we live in a society where people vote for the underdog with the cool background story, with the assumption that other stronger contestants will have enough votes to remain in a competition, but get eliminated instead. (Remember the brouhaha years ago when Tamayra Gray or LaToya London were eliminated from American Idol? Like that.) That being said, I wouldn’t be surprised if MTV did go a little overboard with their editing, as per one YouTube commenter:
is it true that there is a video of the episode where jabba and kaba were in the bottom 2, and people were booing and yelling recount? but mtv edited it over as if they were cheering?
Apparently? Totally true.
At the end of the day though, Kaba Modern might not have won the competition on MTV, but they came out HUGE winners overall: They have international media attention, if you count E! as such. They actually gave UC Irvine some credibility*. Traffic from their web page has gotten so high that they had to post their audition results for their 2008 crew on their MySpace page. And if I were a betting man, I’d bet you that the number of people trying out for Kaba would increase next year, with more non-Asian Amercians trying out. A surge in popularity with your dance crew? That’s a pretty awesome consolation gift.
* Oh c’mon, I’m joking. I went to UC Davis; there’s a little bit of rivalry there.
12 Comments | Posted in: Entertainment, Observations
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For a while it seemed like he was stalking us… or that we were stalking him.
Whenever we would go to Little Tokyo, or if we were at some community event, or once just walking down a random street, there he was: Rodney Kageyama. If we were lucky, we’d catch him on TV or the big screen, too! I can’t say that I know him well, but his visibility at L.A. events was really unmatched. And even though I don’t think he knows my name, he always, always said hi to me, if I just blurted out, “Hi, Rodney!” in his general direction.
You know how it is. There are people who show up only to the “A-List” type of events. And then there are the people like Rodney who is at every event, big or small, showing his unfailing support. A message has been circling through various email lists and I’ve received it a few times from various sources, they all end with “please foward to as many people as possible.” Ok, then.
If we can’t support someone in his time of need, especially someone who has also supported the community so steadfastly over the years, then really, what’s the point of having a community at all?
So here goes the plea that I got from Chris Tashima, co-Artistic Director of Cedar Grove OnStage:
One of my first gigs, back in 1984, was a series of Coke commercials, for Japanese TV. They were shot at a 50s diner in Visalia, CA, and at Magic Mountain. I was an extra, which wasn’t the highest profile, or most challenging work, but it was fun. I got to travel out of town, learn the Japanese lyrics to the “Coke is it!” song, learn choreography, play dress-up (50s), and dream of being broadcast over the airwaves in Japan – and becoming an international star. I never saw the completed spots, until recently: thanks to YouTube, I discovered these long-lost ads, and was finally able to see the fruits of my labor:
Two spots start at 00:30.
Long lost indeed – lost way, way in the background. I think I can spot myself in one shot, way in the blurry distance, for all of maybe 1.5 seconds.
The memories are still fond, though. One very clear memory is meeting renowned character and comedic actor, Rodney Kageyama (at 00:41 in the above video). Not only did this swell guy befriend me on this shoot, he later introduced me to many of the folks at East West Players in Los Angeles, and to many more in the larger Japanese American community in Southern California. He also supported all of my work, designing costumes for my first film project with Visual Communications, and volunteering on crew for both “Visas and Virtue” and “Day of Independence.” In countless many other ways, he has help me continue with the work that I do, and aspire to do. As I think about all that he has done for me, sadly, I can’t say I have done much in return. But, the warmth of his friendship hasn’t ever made me feel like I needed to. Well, now’s my chance to try to give back.
Rodney Kageyama needs our help.
Late last year, Rodney was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a group of cancers that affect the cells that play a role in the immune system. Since his diagnosis, he has been undergoing intense chemotherapy treatments. So far, the results have been hopeful, but his fight against this disease is far from over. This illness has knocked Rodney out of work, and he misses everyone because he hasn’t been able to appear at any community functions or support our community organizations as he has for so many of us over the past 25 years. Rodney has spent a lifetime giving so many of us his time, giving us so much joy and laughter, and has helped us all in so many ways along the way. His greatest gift is his ability to laugh and to make us laugh, sometimes at him, sometimes at ourselves.
Now is the time for us to give something back. This is where everyone can help.
Our goal is to raise at least $25,000 so that Rodney can put all his energy into fighting this fight, and not have to worry about rent, food, utilities and hospital bills for the next year. One hundred percent of your contribution will go directly to Rodney, and his fight for his life. For all he’s done for me, and so many others, I ask you to give a gift from your heart.
The $25k is an estimated minimum, to help Rodney for one year. I don’t think it’s much to ask, especially considering how far and wide-reaching his efforts for the community have been. If all who his gift of giving has touched, reached out to give something back, I think this figure would be blown out of the water, which wouldn’t be a bad thing.
Very fitting, I’d say.
Thank you for your consideration.
And, thanks again, for reading—CT
PS: Please make your check payable to FRIENDS OF RODNEY KAGEYAMA,
and mail to:Rodney Kageyama
4891 Round Top Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90065PLEASE FORWARD THIS MESSAGE!
No Comments | Posted in: Entertainment
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Last week, I had a chance to go with my friend Adam to the Warfield to see Margaret Cho’s latest comedy tour, Beautiful. Margaret Cho has been on my radar for years - first as one of the first visible Asian American comics out there with her own television sitcom, then using her comedy as a way to assert herself and a positive attitude in I’m The One That I Want, then become the raunchy comedienne for queer people, of which I am one. When her second book was released, I finally got the chance to meet her at a book signing and tell her, “oh hey, I’m Ernie, and you link to my blog from yours. Hi.”
But I digress.
So here’s my thing about Margaret Cho - I LOVE it when she makes Asian jokes. I make Asian jokes. But I don’t like my comedy political; I don’t like my comedy angry, either - I can’t stand Bill Maher, and Stephen Colbert initially made me wince. So when I sat down and tried to read her book I Have Chosen to Stay and Fight, I couldn’t finish reading the first chapter: it didn’t make me laugh, it made me angry. And I don’t watch stand-up comedy to make me angry, anyway. There are still political elements in her newest show, and I wonder how truly effectual she is when she’s essentially preaching to a very gay choir that already agrees with everything she says.
But all of that being said, I LOVE how she keeps things real and transparent. She’s crass, explicit and unapologetic. She rallies the crowd to the idea that everyone is beautiful and important despite the forces in life saying otherwise. And to this day, she’s still one of the most visible Asian American comediennes out there.
(Flickr photo credit: knightbefore_99)
4 Comments | Posted in: Entertainment, LGBT, Reviews
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