Hugh Jackman’s Real Steel is an upcoming film about boxing robots, but not everyone is thrilled with the big screen adaptation. Posters and viral marketing have heavily promoted one of the robot characters in the movie, known as “Noisy Boy.” Spawned in Japan by one of creators of robot boxing, this purple behemoth features a samurai inspired helmet, glowing eyes and yellow kanji characters displayed prominently over its body. While Noisy Boy’s may be impressive, the Asian American robot community find the look to be offensive and derogatory. More outrage from our robotic brethren, after the jump.
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APA Spotlight is a weekly interview of Asian Pacific Islander Americans (APIA) community leaders. It is a spotlight on individuals who have dedicated their careers to issues surrounding the APIA community with the goal of bringing much deserved recognition to their work and cause(s).
Diem Ly is the Vietnamese American Editor in Chief of the International Examiner (IE), the only non-profit pan-Asian American publication in the country. She both serves as a pseudo-executive director of a non-profit as well as the editorial lead of the paper. She has been asked to speak at numerous events, workshops, and panels sharing her experiences in community media, ethnic youth leadership, and in expressing the IE’s active vision to collaborate and partner with people, organizations, and businesses in meaningful ways to uplift the Asian Pacific American community.
Before serving as Editor in Chief for the last three years, Diem worked as the Assistant Editor for the IE; a freelance writer and researcher; the Morning News Writer for Northwest Cable News; and an Assignment Desk Assistant at King 5 News. She earned a Bachelors of Science from the University of Washington, minoring in neuroscience, before re-discovering her appreciation for writing.
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Hollywood was born on the back of Westerns, mainly because it was the cheapest way to film movies with grand settings at low cost since breath-taking American West scenery was just a wagon ride away back in. These gun-shootin’ tales of the Old West have long been notorious for their stereotypical depictions of minority groups such as Native Americans, African Americans, and Asian Americans, to name a few. The good news is that over time, the story-tellers have overall been less one-dimensional in their treatment of people from the Old West in general and minorities specifically.
As if Japanese toilets need to get any better? TOTO, maker of the awesome toilets with heated seats and butt washers, is now venturing into eco-friendly transportation: “Japan’s number one toilet maker TOTO has created a toilet-motorcycle hybrid vehicle that runs entirely on biogas (read: human waste). Dubbed the Toilet Bike Neo Project, the campaign is part of the TOTO Green Challenge, the company’s stated goal of achieving 50% reductions in CO2 emissions in bathrooms by 2017 (vs 1990 levels).” POOOOOOP! (via Spoon & Tamago)
Rene Astudillo delivered this as an Opening Statement at a panel on Immigration held August 11, 2011 at the Annual National Convention of the Asian American Journalists Association, Detroit, MI. It is published on 8Asians with permission.
On January 27 of this year, I became a citizen of the United States. After being in this country for 22 years, hearing the words, “My Fellow Americans” in a pre-recorded video of President Obama — was, to say the least, exhilarating!
My long path to citizenship began in 1989, when I came to San Francisco to work as assistant manager for a multinational corporation based in Manila. I entered the U.S. with what is called an L-1 Visa, one that allows employees of a foreign company with an established business in the U.S. to legally work for that company. It was a 3-year work visa.
During those three years, I pursued one of my passions, which is journalism. I was contributing editor and writer for various publications in the San Francisco Bay Area and Honolulu. Most of my writings consisted of political commentary critical of the Philippine Government and as a result, my family in the Philippines received threats to the effect that I should be on the lookout upon my return to the country.
Unfortunately, my company’s business in San Francisco did not do very well and so it closed down in mid-1992, just as my work visa was about to expire.
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Another month is here, so it’s time for Goodies of the Month! (GOTM!). Here are some essentials to help you prepare to celebrate Halloween:
1. Wendy the Witch Mouse Figurine: When it comes to Halloween decorations, sometimes it’s nice to have a low-key option that doesn’t scream orange and black. This cute little mouse figurine ($15) measures about 4 inches tall, and would be perfect for a little bit of flair on your desk at work.
Read the rest of the Goodies of the Month on our shopping blog, GASP!
Today I got a quick lesson on how to turn any object into an exotic Asian product from the mysterious Far East. See the bowl on the left? According to online shopping site Fab.com, this is the Lotus Tea Cup candle by Market Street, “inspired by vintage Chinese dinnerware.” Ooooh, pretty!
…It features delicate porcelain walls filled with hand-poured soy wax that’s gently scented with green and white teas. And after washing, the bowl is safe to eat from! Each candle is packaged in a box hand-stamped with a red wax seal and tied with a grosgrain ribbon.
But wait a second. Isn’t that a french onion soup bowl?
Warning: some major spoilers ahead so if you haven’t watched this Glee episode yet, don’t read this.
I’ve used to be a huge fan of Glee but as of recently, I’ve been tuning it off. But when news came about that Tamilyn Tomita and Keong Sim would guest star as Mike Chang’s parents in a Mike Chang-centric episode of “Asian F,” I thought it was something worth checking it out.
When the trailer for this episode came out, there were immediate concerns raised that the show would amp up the feared stereotype that Asian parents are ruthless dictators who force their kids to focus on career choices that does not revolve around the arts.
Dear Internet, I love you and I want to have your baby. Just when I think I’ve seen everything you have to offer, you show me more. I am eternally grateful and completely in awe of your awesomeness. The other day, I was surfing Yahoo! Answers (what can I say, I was bored) and I started to notice some strange questions being asked about Asians. Here’s an example of one such question:
“Can Asians fly?”
After swimming a mile and purchasing the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Personal Trainer Kinect game, I see the above ad on Craig’s List:
EXTRA THIN FEMALES $3000-$5000 (incl tips) (LOS ANGELES)
Karaoke Club companies in Koreatown continue recruitment of friendly Hostesses with extra thin, fragile, fashion model appearance (long skinny arms and legs, NOT an athletic look) to socialize with and entertain professional / business clientele in a private club environment (this is NOT an escort service, not a massage parlor, not a strip club)
Dole Japan is setting up to find their “Smile♪ Dole Dance Ambassador” who will make $11k per hour for singing and dancing with SMAP singer Shingo Katori in a commercial. Not really my cup of tea, even for $11k an hour, but I’m sure there are some of you out there that are willing to do it. To apply, visit the Official Dole Japan Facebook Page. [Editor's Note: And you'll probably have to be fluent in Japanese, too.]
Ever since the UC Berkeley Bake Sale that priced baked goods according to buyer’s ethnicity, the SB 185 Bill in California has become a national attention. This bill is to give underrepresented minorities the same opportunities to attend a California State University or University of California. The purpose of this bill is to increase presence of black, Latino, and Native American students on public campuses. According to Proposition 209 that was passed in 1996, there should not be a “preferential treatment” on the basis of race, national origin, sex in any public institution or public contracting.
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