For what it's worth, I think the context is completely appropriate.

although my post doesn't mentione anything about downplaying asianness, nor did it comment on 8asians as a whole group blog, i like the suggestion that we don't just throw out things that are seen as asian because they could be perceived as stereotypes. i have my own issues with deciphering what makes up the different facets of my racial identity from what racism has cast me as, for sure! while i know that asianness does not equal asian stereotype (positive and negative included) why is it that we (myself included as i mentioned in the beginning) can't tell the difference often? this says a lot in respect to post. an unfortunate by-product of racism, wouldn't you agree?

at the same time, things that are clearly not essentially asian, like 'slant-eyes', bad-driving, or can't-get-no-white-girl jokes really need to be carefully considered before putting them out there especially when you are perceived as asian yourself…since that gives you this whole weirdo authenticity-factor and authority of voice in these matters.

I know you're trying to get us to change our thought process in posting, but those two posts you referenced do anything but promote a negative stereotype. i think they both address a stereotype and put it to discussion in a public forum.

Plus I think there are a bunch of people Asian are proud of.. Yuri Kochiyama, Ishle Park, Tiger Woods, Helen Zia, just to name a few. Hell, this last week we had posts on Mike Kim, Shi Pei Pu, Garrett Yee and Dan Choi. Just because they aren't recognized by American society as a whole doesn't mean that the AsAm community doesn't recognize them. Sure, there needs to be more exposure, but its not because they're not strong figures or because we don't recognize them as strong figures… it's because we don't see them AT ALL.

@Tien and Tristan, there've been constant discussions about humor and how racism/stereotypes play into humor. Russell Peters is a big discussion.

Yan showed this to me awhile back, it might pique your interests.

http://www.racialicious.com/2008/08/01/in-defen...
http://www.racialicious.com/2009/03/20/russell-...

I've made a couple posts about it, but I'm nowhere near as elegant or enlightened. Look up Yan's post about Dartmouth

- Kevin

Help me out here, Mitsuru. You say that the post on “Ninja Warrior” perpetuates negative stereotypes. Ninja Warrior is a game show from Japan about an obstacle course (not about martial arts) that takes tremendous physical ability to complete. The post mentions how creative shows like this helps to dispel the stereotype that Asians are not creative. It also mentions how Asian fishermen completed a course that Olympic level athletes and other high level professional Asian athletes could not complete, countering another stereotype about Asians not being athletic. One comment even says “great to see some athletic and strong asians representing.” I think that the post makes Asians be seen as creative, strong, and athletic, but you say it portrays Asians stereotypically and negatively. What do I seem to be missing here?

Sure, ninjas and the dating conundrum have received overexposure perhaps (and I don't necessarily believe that), but let's not avoid discussing or promoting people or traditions or whatever JUST BECAUSE there's a cultural association with APAs. That can quickly become internal oppression.

I do agree, however, that it's all a matter of comedic genius. Carlos Mencia ain't funny. He's a hack and pretty damned offensive. Dat Phan isn't funny to me, nor is Esther Ku. These people drudge up the same tired stereotypes for laughs, but I've never found their work to be particularly layered or socially daring.

Another reason I think some APAs gravitate toward this kind of humor, although I think the author of this article already articulated it in a way, is because it's a quick and easy way for alienated members of the community to feel like they're a part of the fold. I went through an idiotic AZN PRIDE stage as a youth, but it was simply because I couldn't find any more meaningful a way to relate my experiences to those of the larger community. These kinds of jokes, no matter how inane, are an easy way to shore up an identity with the “me-too” kind of mentality. If a third generation kid can't speak his grandparents' native language, but can feel at ease because hey, he or she loves to throw-down in some Street Fighter, then any sort of reference to that commonality is a comfort, no matter how small.