I May Be Short, But Nothing Short of Perspective

Posted on August 22, 2009 by Guest Writer

By Vannie

I had never been self-conscious of height until I stopped growing in fifth grade (I blame it on the coffee machine left out at the parent-teacher conference because after that first sip, my growth was forever stunted.). Standing at 5 feet at the age of 10, I hated being shoved at the back of each class picture.

At this point, I should mention that I attended an all-Asian school. Context shifted, right? It’s no surprise that we’ve been conditioned to “down-size” anything with the word “Asian,” just like any other stereotype. Even Obama’s aware of it (see his comment on his Hawaiian basketball teammates.) Which is probably why we get carded all the time.

It wasn’t until I transferred to an all-white school it became an obligation for me to be positioned in the front during grade picture time. Due to my now lack of height, I felt constantly pressured to prove myself. I, frustrated, chugged a gallon of milk in two days — despite my genetically Asian lactose intolerance. I begged my mother to purchase growth pills. However, I’d decided I had enough after being called “cute” by a waitress who thought I was sixteen — on my 18th birthday.

It was only in places teeming with Asians that I didn’t stand out; just average. But only out of that world did I feel extremely small and out of place. Why do we assume that the taller, the older you are? Oh, how America — the land of diversity — molds your brain to assimilate.

Over the years, I’ve come to terms with my height insecurities. Most of all, I’ve learned that everything is a matter of perception. Besides, there’s no point in laying the blame on my genes (although I do resent the fact that I have to limit my intake of ice cream.)

So to all my “shorties” out there, take the term as a compliment. And remember, you’ll feel much better in the future when you’ve reached fifty and charmingly deceive the world looking 10 years younger — gracefully.

About Vannie: I’m a 20-year old Taiwanese-American female residing in New York City. I like to call myself an AAA (Aspiring Asian-American Activist.)

(Image source — with apologies — to zomgxgrace)

Posted in Lifestyles, Observations | 3 Comments

Hate Crimes are Not Funny: Asian American Groups Protest The Goods

Posted on August 21, 2009 by jozjozjoz

As reported by Angry Asian Man and also by 8Asians, various Asian American groups protested The Goods for its “Pearl Harbor” scene which depicts Ken Jeong’s character getting attacked by fellow auto salesmen for looking Japanese.

In addition to using this particular scene in the trailer, Paramount Pictures released an unapologetic statement:

“We understand that when presented out of context, jokes and situations in the movie about a variety of topics might be offensive to some people,” it said in a statement.

“To be very clear, ‘The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard’ is in no way meant to be mean-spirited, disparaging or hurtful to any individuals and we regret any offense taken,” it said.

In other words, “A hate crime can be funny in the right context!”

I’d like to excerpt Ken Narasaki’s letter to Sumner M. Redstone (Executive Chairman of the Board & Founder of Viacom, Inc., which owns Paramount):

I’m writing to protest the disgusting depiction of a hate crime-as-humor in the film, the television trailers, and the online ads for THE GOODS. I know, I know, everyone keeps saying that “it’s a joke,” “it’s satirical,” “the film is intentionally offensive to many different kinds of people,” but this is beyond hurt feelings and offended sensibilities – this is racist hatemongering disguised as humor. I’m assuming you’ve heard similar analogies, but I have to ask: If those white car salesmen had beaten up a Jewish salesman “for killing Christ”, and Jeremy Piven’s character egged them on by describing “the Kikes nailing our Savior to the cross”, would you expect your Jewish audience to just take it as a joke? Especially if your company ran the clip as part of its ADVERTISING on network TV? How about if Ken Jeong’s character was black and Jeremy Piven’s character urged the white salesmen to cover up their hate crime by saying he attacked them with a spear? Can you imagine your African American audience sitting still for that one?

…I have a personal incident to share with you: On December 7, 1991, the 50th anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor, it was impossible not to see the footage of the bombing, playing over and over on all media outlets. Fair enough, it was the Day that will live in Infamy. It didn’t matter that my parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles were all put into concentration camps as a result; it didn’t matter that my father fought in Europe as part of the famed segregated Japanese American fighting unit, the 442nd: Someone decided to commemorate that day by throwing a brick through my front window. The brick and the glass landed on my then baby daughter’s changing table. Luckily for us, we were not at home at the time.

I’ve seen Paramount’s incredibly lame non-apology, and I, for one, am sick to death of Asian bashing masquerading as humor, and ask that you, in your capacity of Executive Chairman of Viacom, demand that this scene, which laughs at the very idea of hate crimes, be removed from the film and that Paramount Vantage issue a very real apology this time.

As I type this, MANAA and JACL, along with other community groups, are wrapping up the protest outside the front gates of Paramount Studios. When I stopped by about an hour ago to take some snapshots, Friday night traffic was at a peak and cars (including mine) honked their horns in support of the protesters.

More opinions: KTLA newsman Frank Buckley, Darleeneisms

Posted in (featured), Current Events, Entertainment, Movies, Southern California | Tagged , , , , , | 12 Comments

Events: Date Auctions in New York

Posted on August 21, 2009 by Guest Writer

To get your event blogged about on 8Asians, join our social network!

  • yKAN’s 20th year Anniversary Celebration & Date Auction Fundraiser – The young Korean American Network (yKAN) is very excited to commemorate twenty years of service in the community with a fun night of music, dancing, social networking and most importantly fund-raising for yKAN’s community service projects. We will be auctioning off 10 specially hand-selected eligible Korean bachelors and bachelorettes from the NYC area, with all proceeds going towards our community service budget. (8/26, New York: More info here.)
Posted in (simple), Local, New York | Comments Off on Events: Date Auctions in New York

Popping My 18 Mighty Mountain Warriors Cherry

Posted on August 21, 2009 by Moye

I swear I did not win the 8Asians Arts Stimulus Package. We don’t rig contests here. We should, but we don’t (mostly to protect our family honor and other Asian things like that.) Nonetheless, Jozjozjoz and I ventured out to see the 18 Mighty Mountain Warriors latest comedy sketch show, Bow Down To Your Asian Masters, before their final weekend run.

And I’m a bad Asian; I’ve heard of the 18MWW before, and this was my very first show. It didn’t help that it was a tough crowd on a Thursday night, but the comedic talents of Greg Watanabe (my fave!), Peter J. Wong, and Michael Chih Ming Hornbuckle still shone through on the tiny Complex stage. Despite the show title, the sketches weren’t limited to cracks on being Asian American sketches; instead we laughed over  zombie attacks, cracks on pop culture and vegetarianism. (Yes, Greg Watanabe does a great Dick Cheney impression.)

The show’s run ends this Sunday, August 23rd in Los Angeles and their weekend engagements are almost sold out. So if you’re free this weekend, definitely check them out!

THE COMPLEX (Dorie Theater)
6476 Santa Monica Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90038
(East of Highland Ave.)

$15 General
$12 Students/Seniors
$10 groups of SIX or more

Go go go go go go!

Posted in Reviews, The Arts | 2 Comments

Asian American Groups to Protest Racist Scene in ‘The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard’

Posted on August 21, 2009 by John

kj_the_goods

Ken Jeong is in another movie titled The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard that just opened last week, and has embroiled himself in another controversy:

“Several Asian American media advocacy groups, including The Japanese American Citizens League, Imada Wong Communications Group, and Media Action Network for Asian Americans are planning to protest at Paramount Pictures in Los Angeles on Friday August 21… In “The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard”, moviegoers see Dr. Ken as Teddy Dang getting stomped on by a group of angry co-workers after Jeremy Piven’s character incites violence by giving a supposed pep talk to his sales team.”

In the movie, the car dealership manager makes reference to “Japs” and Pearl Harbor prior to beating Teddy, even though Dang is Chinese. I’m sure the screenwriters are probably not aware of Vincent Chin and how that film scene calling a Chinese American a Jap was eerily similar to the beating death of Chin over 25 years ago. Nevertheless, there could have been plenty of other ways for comedic effect to have ‘motivated’ the sales members rather than beating Ken’s character and self-describing that act — accurately —  as a hate crime.

Is Ken Jeong even aware of the similarities of that scene to what happened with Vincent Chin, or has any thoughts and concerns of being portrayed the way he was? Given his current role and his most recent appearance in The Hangover, you have to wonder.  He’s certainly capitalizing on his 15 minutes of fame, as evidence that I saw a TV trailer for another movie that Ken will be in opening on September 4th, All About Steve; I hope Ken doesn’t embarrass himself again by playing up to stereotypes or putting himself in compromising scenes. I liked Ken when I first saw him as a doctor in Knocked Up, playing a role that had nothing to do with him being Asian, but he needs to stop being the William Hung of movies and more like our Roger Fan.

[Editors note: The protest is scheduled for tonight, 4:30pm PST outside of Paramount Pictures in Los Angeles. More information can be found on Angry Asian Man.]

Posted in Current Events, Discrimination, Movies | 6 Comments

Nichi Bei Times Shuts Down: Blamed on the Internet, Lack of Community

Posted on August 21, 2009 by Ernie

The SF Chronicle reports that The Nichi Bei Times, Northern California’s oldest Japanese American community newspaper will be shut down on September 10th. While the official reasoning for the paper shutting down is blamed on the gradual move from news papers to websites, a commenter named washgrad posted his reasoning on why the Nichi Bei Times has lost readership and thus ad revenue, and I’m kind of inclined to agree: “There is no more ‘community’ Jtown news so now everything is a ‘how I see it as a Japanese American.’ News flash: other Japanese Americans don’t care! We already know what how you see the world, so stop telling us what we already know … realize that death, suburbanization and intermarriage have changed the game.”

Posted in (simple), Current Events, San Francisco Bay Area | 3 Comments

Everything Gives You Cancer

Posted on August 20, 2009 by Tim

Colon Cancer CellsJoe Jackson had a song called “Cancer” on his 1982 Night and Day Album, featuring the lyric “Everything Gives You Cancer.” It seems in this day and age, that truly everything does give you cancer, and if you’re Asian, you’re more likely to get certain types of cancer. AsianWeek recently published some statistics around specific Asian groups and the types of cancer that have a higher incidence in each of those groups.

As a group, Asians have a lower incidence and mortality rates from all cancers combined than all other racial/ethnic groups, but there are certain exceptions. What’s interesting about cancer and how it affects Asian Americans is that it’s very different, based on country of origin.

According to Asianweek, a study of the five largest Asian American groups – Chinese, Filipino, Vietnamese, Korean and Japanese — found colorectal cancer rates are highest among Chinese Americans; prostate cancer is more common and more often deadly among Filipino men; and Vietnamese women have the highest incidence and death rates from cervical cancer.

Studies also indicated that for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, the annual number of deaths from cancer exceeds that for heart disease, making Asians the only major U.S. racial or ethnic group for which this is true. And if you’re a Vietnamese man, you have the most to worry about. A study in California indicated that Vietnamese men have by far the highest incidence and death rates (54.3 and 35.5 per 100,000, respectively) from liver cancer of all the Asian ethnic groups. Their incidence rate is more than seven times higher than the incidence rate among non-Hispanic White men.

So depending on your country of origin, you may want to make sure you’re getting your yearly medical check-up and be sure to let your doctor know if there’s any family history of cancer. In my case, my family fit the Chinese profile all too well. My dad passed away from colorectal cancer, and in the past year I’ve lost my mom and my uncle to cancer as well. One of the difficulties we had when my mom was diagnosed was finding materials on cancer that she could read. In order to make this easier for Asian Americans, the Asian American Network for Cancer Awareness, Research and Training (AANCART), a National Cancer Institute-funded Network, and the American Cancer Society have collaborated to produce a searchable Web portal for Asian language cancer materials. The site serves as a single point of access for cancer education materials translated into more than 12 Asian and Pacific Islander languages.

Posted in Family, Health | 5 Comments

Japanese McDonald’s Ad Campaign Makes Fun of White People

Posted on August 20, 2009 by Ernie

Well, this is an example of the tables being turned: after all the talk about the role of two sushi chefs being portrayed in an American KFC commercial, a McDonalds ad campaign in Japan is drawing criticism after featuring an ad making fun of white people. The ad features Mr. James, an awkward gaijin who messes up the Japanese language and loves his McDonalds, even though he lives in, you know, Japan. It’s drawing ire — and a writing campaign! — from a group called FRANCA, a nonprofit group representing non-Japanese residents in Japan. They have a blog too, right? Do they have eight bloggers and talk about interracial relationships?

Posted in (simple), Discrimination, Food & Drink | 8 Comments

Jay Sean: Asian Male Hits #6 on Billboard’s Hot 100

Posted on August 20, 2009 by Jeff

“He’s Punjabi just like me!”

That’s what The Daughter’s Friend J said about Jay Sean, whose song “Down (Featuring Lil Wayne)” is number 6 on Billboard’s Hot 100 at the time of this post.  I had heard the song before, but I had no idea that he was Asian.  Given the difficulties that Asians have had cracking the American market, I suspect that was part of the marketing strategy for him in the American market.

A singer-songwriter originally from England, Jay Sean dropped out of medical school to pursue his music career.   While in England, he took the stage name “Jay Sean,” which is probably more marketable than his birth name of Kamaljit Singh Jhooti.   He became known for working on projects fusing traditional Punjabi music and contemporary Pop and R&B (check out Dance With You) and has developed a following in many countries including India.  One commenter on the video to Down asked about the small amount of “Asian” music at the beginning, so it looks like he is adding some Asian elements but keeping it to a minimum.  I think that the fact that he could be made to pass for Hispanic (compare him in the Down video to the Dance With You video) helps him.  The overall strategy seems to be to minimize his Asianness.

I personally wish him much success and hope he can continue to break barriers.  I have seen comments about him like “the hottest Indian I’ve ever seen” (you can see him without his shirt toward the beginning of the Down video), so I think some barriers are already being broken!

Posted in Business, Entertainment, Music | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

Dawen’s Cover of Maxwell’s “Pretty Wings”

Posted on August 19, 2009 by Ernie

It’s not often you hear neo soul covered by Asian Americans. (Okay, there’s Renee Sebastian, but you don’t see everyone trying to cover Goapele at your local Asian American Idol.) Wikipedia describes neo soul as being more “ethnocentric” to its R&B counterparts, cognizant on matters cultural and political. Enter Dawen, a R&B singer-songwriter based in the LA area; his first single “Wake Up” — with lyrics such as “Just because I saw the movie Crouching Tiger / doesn’t mean that I know kung fu” — have been making the rounds in the Asian American blog circles. And while this means you’ll probably hear this song more on, say, the main stage of Kollaboration or the local cherry blossom festival than on the radio, I can appreciate the message and especially the musicality of his music.

What really caught my attention, however, is Dawen’s cover of Maxwell’s “Pretty Wings,” performed here with his brother George. I’ve been a fan of Maxwell for a while, but seriously, this guy is good.

Posted in Entertainment, Music, Southern California | 7 Comments

“Ocean of Pearls,” a movie exploring one Sihk’s journey to find inner peace: Win tickets to opening weekend in SF!

Posted on August 19, 2009 by jozjozjoz

UPDATE: Congrats to the winner, DavidNam811, who will receive a pair of tickets to watch “Ocean of Pearls” during its theatrical run in SF!

When was the last time you saw a trailer and you were overwhelmed with the urge to see that movie? Ever since I watched the trailer to Ocean of Pearls, I’ve been feeling that way. Bummed because I missed this movie at the 2008 Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival where it received the Grand Jury Award and Audience Award for Narrative Feature, this movie can now be seen theatrically in limited markets. (See screening schedule). Lucky Bay Area folks can see this film at Landmark’s Bridge Theater in SF from August 21 – August 27, 2009.

A film which explores issues of identity which many Asian Americans can relate to, “Amrit Singh is of two worlds, but belongs to neither. A turban-wearing Sikh, he has lived his life in North America out of sorts and out of place, cast adrift at an uneasy crossroads between East and West. But when he is offered a prestigious position as a transplant surgeon in a Detroit hospital, the young doctor sees it as a opportunity to start fresh. He struggles to be the man he believes he is and at the same time the person he wants to be. His ambitious pursuit of success, however eventually leads to tragedy and it is only in defining his singular identity that he finds peace.”

Ocean of Pearls is based on the real-life experiences of director Sarab Singh Neelam, a physician based in the Detroit area (see this awesome interview and story done by Metromode). Written by the award-winning screenwriter V. Prasad, the film stars Omid Abtahi, Heather McComb, Navi Rawat, KT Thangavelu, and Rena Owen and speaks to the universal challenge of how people (not only Sikhs) must balance romance, family, ethics and spirituality in today’s complex world.

From the director, Sarab Singh Neelam

s a practicing Sikh living in the United States, I have undertaken this effort to reach out broadly to various communities after the events of 9/11. This tragedy has led to hate crimes – especially against Sikhs. It is extremely important to note, however, that this film and its characters are fictitious, though loosely based on my own experiences and observations. This film is not intended to be a definitive depiction of Sikhs or Sikhism. It is one characters journey to find inner peace.

“Ocean of Pearls” opens on Friday, August 21, at Landmark’s Bridge Theatre in San Francisco. (Updated Screening Schedule)

Bay Area folks, lucky you… 8Asians is doing another ticket giveaway!

oceanofpearls-52J

TICKET GIVEAWAY FOR SAN FRANCISCO OPENING!
Courtesy of Landmark Theatres, 8Asians is giving away a free pair of tickets for Opening Weekend 8/21-8/23 in SF (Landmark’s Bridge Theatre))!

All you have to do is to leave a comment of why you want to see this film and one lucky winner will be selected to go!

(Contest will be closed at 11:59pm Pacific Time on Thursday night, 8/20)

Posted in Entertainment, Movies, Promotions, San Francisco Bay Area | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Jamie Chung (Probably) Gets Killed Off in Sorority Row

Posted on August 18, 2009 by Ernie

Oh, Jamie Chung. We remember her, right? She was on Real World: San Diego where she was the even-tempered good girl, but mostly because she had plead guilty to drunk driving charges just a few months before. Then she starred in the ABC Family series Samurai Girl where debate soon broke out in the comment section on whether someone Chinese Korean should play someone Japanese. Now Jamie Chung plays token-Asian-girl-in-the-white-sorority Claire in Sorority Row, a remake of the 1983 slasher movie The House on Sorority Row. Considering all the promotion stills for the movie has her character pleading for her life, I’m going to venture a guess and say that she totally does NOT survive at the end.  (And the “Minorities in Horror Movies” rule lives on.)

Posted in Entertainment, Movies | 2 Comments