8Questions is a bi-monthly interview of Asian Pacific Islander (API) community leaders. It is a spotlight on individuals who have dedicated their careers to issues surrounding the API community with the goal of bringing much deserved recognition to their work and cause(s).
Craig Ishii is the Regional Director with the Japanese American Citizens League Pacific Southwest District (JACL Pacific Southwest District). Craig is a 2007 graduate of UCLA, majoring in history and economics. He was an active member of the Nikkei Student Union (NSU) at UCLA where he was involved in a variety of cultural, political, and community issues. During his junior and senior years, he served as Internal Vice President and the Board President of the NSU.
The mission of the Japanese American Citizens League is to advocate for civil rights and community preservation for the Asian and Pacific Islander community through empowerment and activism.
What is the mission statement of your life?
I would actually say “enjoying myself” and finding happiness in simple pleasures. I’ve never felt like I need to go on extravagant trips or have nice things (although I don’t mind a few nice suits and some cool shoes); instead I really like a simple ice-cream cone when I crave it, or gummi bears when I want them, simple things. I would say so far that I’ve been pretty true to my mission; but it’s really easy to stay on track when you have good people surrounding you and supporting you in whatever you do…. or in some cases not supporting you when you do something dumb.
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The other day, my friend forwarded me a recent “Back 2 Cool” email blast from Neiman Marcus. She scoffed at the ad. I kinda scoffed too.
It sure does look like the little Asian girl dressed in darker color palette on the side is being alienated by her non-Asian peers dressed in brighter colors, joyfully gabbing about High School Musical or whatever kids that age talk about. All the while, our little Asian friend is sulking — and that girl in the pink looks very suspect.
I’m not saying that Neiman Marcus did this on purpose — I’m just observing.
Thoughts?
Shopping With GASP!
Our jozjozjoz is going to be in a panel on “Diversity in the New Media” at the Asian American Journalist Association 2010 Convention in Los Angeles this Thursday. She will be joined by such luminaries in the Asian-American blogosphere such as Phil Yu of Angry Asian Man, Jen Wang and Diane Nguyen from Disgrasian, and Gil Asakawa of Medianews Group Interactive. The panel is 11:15 AM -12:15 PM at the The Renaissance Hollywood Hotel & Spa in Los Angeles. And yes, Jocelyn Wang is really her.
With the amount of press coverage on Federal Judge Vaughn Walker’s ruling on California’s Proposition 8, you probably already know that he struck down Prop 8, California’s voter approved law against same-sex marriage as unconstitutional. What you may not know is that API Equality applauded the decision almost immediately after the ruling.
If you’re still not convinced that Prop 8 should have been ruled unconstitutional, let me relay one of the speeches I heard today at a celebration rally at the Billy DeFrank Center in San Jose. The speaker was Evan Low, the current mayor of Campbell, CA. He talked about how he is a 4th generation Asian American. His great grandfather was the first to come to America and the first to be discriminated against with the Chinese Exclusion Act. He then talked about his grandfather and how he was discriminated against with laws against Mongoloids (those of Asian ancestry) from owning property, something I’ve written about myself. He then talked about how even his mother would have been discriminated against (her second marriage was to an Irish American), with the laws against interracial marriage. Finally he talked about how Prop 8 discriminates against gay Asians like himself.
While Prop 8 was not specific to the Asian community, it follows a long line of discriminatory laws that were unpopular with the current population, but overturned by federal courts. Asian Americans have a vested interest in making sure discriminatory laws don’t return, and it was obvious watching Evan Low’s impassioned speech.
Still not convinced that Prop 8 should be ruled unconstitutional? Then I bring your attention to what same-sex marriage has meant to families like my own. My partner of 8 years and I got married in August of 2008 (this ruling was a nice early anniversary present), in the presence of our then 3 year old daughter. To her the marriage made us a family. I can’t even imagine trying to explain to her why or how a law could say we couldn’t get married. Even as a 5 year old now she understands what marriage is, plays getting married with her dolls, and asks about our marriage ceremony. Marriage is real to children, and making it illegal for same-sex couples would also invalidate the meaning of family to many of these same couples who have been raising children and creating their own families.
The only down side to today’s ruling is that it’s not a final ruling, in that Prop 8 supporters have already filed an appeal, and it’s expected the final resolution will only occur with a U.S. Supreme Court ruling. But at the very least, we’ve moved one step closer to removing another discriminatory law.
h/t: Ernie for the API-Equality link
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, then you must know that the highly anticipated* film, Scott Pilgrim vs. The World is coming out in theaters next week. If you could care less and hate nice things in life like bunnies and hugs, then please return to the aforementioned rock and never let me see your face again.
Scott Pilgrim follows the adventures of a deadbeat (and somewhat dumb) twenty-something boy who falls in love with a mysterious girl, Ramona Flowers. In order to date her, Scott must defeat Ramona’s seven evil ex-boyfriends while also somehow keep up with his band and his friends. Throw in a mid-twenties crisis and you’ve pretty much summed up the angsty yet hilarious love story.
With names like Michael Cera, Kieran Culkin and Chris Evans starring in the film, it seems far-fetched to be writing about this film on 8Asians. At the same time, it’s hard to miss the Asian pop culture influence on the Edgar Wright film and the comic book series by Bryan Lee O’Malley. As a fan, I believe movies like Scott Pilgrim represent how far aspects of Asian cultures like manga, anime and retro video games have come to mainstream Hollywood. Oh, and it’s Canadian, too!
Of course, it helps that O’Malley–the creator and artist of Scott Pilgrim–is half Korean, which can explain the influences on his drawing styles and characters. The six volume series features a Canadian take on Japanese manga, whether it’s through his characters’ large eyes, the detailed clothing that border on kawaii, the elaborate fight scenes or the panel layout. I’m a secret fan of manga: I don’t read it religiously (I did once “read” Marmalade Boy front to back) but after spending enough summers and school years in Japan, I learned to appreciate the aesthetic. It may not be as classic, realistic or gruesome as the typical North American superhero comic (i.e. Alan Moore’s Watchmen), but drawing manga still requires immense artistic skill. O’Malley’s work pays a proper homage to the undeniable influence of Asian comics on contemporary pop culture, without trying too hard to fit in with the genre.
The best part is O’Malley’s inclusion of Asian Canadians–which Edgar Wright kept faithfully in his film. Yeah, that’s right. I’m looking at you, M. Night Shyamalan. There are actually well-developed Asian characters in Scott Pilgrim who aren’t limited to martial arts fighting–wait, I take that back. Chinese-Canadian Knives Chau (played by newcomer Ellen Wong) does pull some ninja moves but that’s only because ninjas rule. Regardless, O’Malley both includes and pokes fun at being Asian, like his pair of Japanese twins who fight Scott through mecha robots or evil ex-boyfriend Matthew Patel’s (Satya Bhabha) mystical Indian powers. His characters eat ramen and sushi, Ramona Flowers often wears Gothic Lolita-esque dresses, the characters battle with samurai swords, Scott wins his fights with points reminiscent of old school Nintendo games and once, Knives’ traditional Chinese father makes a remark about dating white boys. I love it.
I haven’t caught any screenings of the film yet, but with last month’s release of the final volume, Scott Pilgrim’s Finest Hour, I’m ready to embrace what director Edgar Wright brings in his live action version of the series. Who’s coming with me?
*Possibly applicable only within the Moye universe.
Visual Communications always have cool things going on and tomorrow will be no exception. After the huge success of their 2010 LA Asian Pacific Film Festival, the “V for Vuvuzela” summer program is happening tomorrow, August 5th at 8pm at the David Henry Hwang Theatre, spotlighting some of the more intriguing pieces from the festival and premiering newer works by local film makers, such as Wesley Chan of Wong Fu Productions.
Don’t miss this exciting line-up of films and the biggest VC event of the summer! Before and after the screening, join us at the VC Courtyard for a reception with food, drinks, live music by DJ Chris Woon, a raffle with awesome giveaways and a silent auction of art pieces by local artists. Beat the summer heat and come chill with VC at V FOR VUVUZELA!
Program Line-Up includes:
- BRIDES WANTED by Michael Wong
- JUNKO’S SHAMISEN by Solomon Friedman
- TO GET A DATE by Jeannie Wong
- ONE YEAR by John Raposas
- TELEVISNU by Prithi Gowda
- BLUE MOON DAY by Rachel Tejada
- SPOUT by Alex Munoz
- RECESSION LEMONS by Kristina Wong and D’Lo
- LOST TO LUCK by Wesley Chan (Wong Fu Productions)
- OLD MAN RAPS by Patricio Ginelsa (Featuring Bambu)
Click here for more information on the films and find ticket information and the schedule after the jump!
There are lots of things one expects to see when one walks around San Francisco’s tourist trap, Fisherman’s Wharf: smelly noisy sea lions along Pier 39, people eating New England clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl (which I’ve still never understood why it’s a SF tourist must-do), and tons of stores selling counterfeit knock-offs of famous brands such as Ray-Bans, Coach, and Gucci. Now it looks like the last might be changing.
According to SFGate.com, a number of these stores–many with ties to companies in China–were suddenly closed this week, having been caught in an sting by the federal government. Many of the owners of these stores are also facing deportation as part of their punishment. While many people–myself included–understood that these goods sold at these stores are definitely counterfeit knockoffs, many others don’t know that these are fakes, and are copying and profiting off the hard work that the designers, artists and other people gainfully employed by these stores have done. After meeting friends who work as designers for these companies, I definitely understand why this bust is a big deal.
A portrait of the first Asian American to hold a presidential Cabinet post is being installed in the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery. Former transportation and commerce secretary (and Bay Area native) Norman Mineta‘s portrait was added on July 27th, as part of the museum’s permanent collection in the exhibition “New Arrivals”.
The oil-on-canvas painting by Everett Raymond Kinstler has been given as a gift to the gallery from the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Program.
Mineta and his parents, who were Japanese immigrants, were detained at Heart Mountain internment camp, during WWII. In 1971, Mineta was elected mayor of San Jose, making him the first Asian American mayor of a major U.S. city. Mineta served in Congress for 20 years, representing California from 1975 to 1995.
President Bill Clinton appointed Mineta commerce secretary in 2000, and President George W. Bush appointed him transportation secretary in 2001.
Mineta retired from his Cabinet post in 2006 and in that same year was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian award.
“New Arrivals,” where Mineta’s portrait will be on view, is a rotating exhibition of subjects and objects that have been recently added to the museum’s permanent collection. You can find out more about Mineta’s ground breaking career in a previous 8Asians post by John.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3CbRbD0ZZk
Last week, Jeremy Lin got an out-of-the blue phone call from the NBA Houston Rockets’ basketball star Yao Ming to solicit his interest in participating in a fundraiser charity event in Taipei for his foundation. Lin hadn’t visited Taiwan in over 7 years, but still has many relatives there. A few days later, Jeremy and his family flew to Taipei and became a local media sensation:
The 21-year-old told about 100 reporters and more than 30 television cameras that he was thankful for the overwhelming support and attention he has received in Taiwan, where his parents lived before emigrating to the U.S. in the 1970s and where he still has many relatives.
At the press conference, Jeremy dismissed the rumors that he might play and represent Taiwan in international competition (one rumor was that mainland China was trying to recruit him, but would require him to give up his U.S. citizenship). His main goal is to make sure that he steps up his game to be able to consistently play in the NBA for the Warriors and hasn’t given much thought to anything else. Jeremy knows he still needs to prove himself.
I knew the day that Jeremy signed with the Golden State Warriors that he’d be an instant celebrity in Taiwan. But I’m sure to even Jeremy’s surprise, to go from an undrafted Harvard college basketball player and graduate to instant sports celebrity in his parents’ homeland has to take some getting to. Jeremy even got to meet the president of Taiwan, Ma Ying-jeou, who himself is a graduate of Harvard Law School.
Check out some more local Taiwanese media coverage (in Mandarin) after the break, featuring clips of Jeremy answering questions about how good his Chinese is (like many Taiwanese Americans, his listening is better than his spoken Chinese), what kind of food he likes, and what he wants to do while he is in Taiwan.
If you were looking for another reason to date an Asian male, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics just came up with one. In their latest report on earnings in the 2nd quarter of 2010, Asian men topped the charts again, making $901 in median weekly earnings. Asian women were second at $854, followed by white men at $838. When broken down by educational attainment, those with an advanced degree (past bachelors) had the highest salaries. And the professions that made the most were managerial/professional/financial based positions.
As Andy Wergedal summed up the report:
So at present here in the United States, the well-educated Asian male seems to be at the top of the economic totem pole, while the least-educated Latina female seems to be at the bottom. Remember, these are median incomes, however. Asians represent the smallest segment of the American population of the races mentioned, at 4.4 percent. African Americans make up 12.4 percent of the population and Latinos represent 15.4 percent. Whites represent the largest segment of the American population, at 65.4 percent.
These latest statistics just prove that those who studied and did well in school got to have the last laugh, by making the most money. In the end, I hope being successful, makes up for all the teasing, taunting and bullying the educated Asian male had to put up with during the childhood and teen years. And maybe this will help put a little more desirability for Asian males in the dating pool. (Back when I was in the dating pool every little bit would have helped!)
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