Stanford Pan-Asian Music Festival 2008 (4/20 – 5/4)

Posted on April 20, 2008 by John

In today’s Sunday San Jose Mercury News reports, “The China connection – Stanford’s Pan-Asian Festival Focuses Spotlight on Best of Chinese Music, Dance, and Arts.” Artists from the People’s Republic of China, Taiwan and Hong Kong, as well as ethnic Chinese artists from the Bay Area will be performing. For more information: panasianmusicfestival.stanford.edu

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Protesters target CNN after Jack Cafferty’s remarks on China

Posted on April 20, 2008 by John

Yesterday in Los Angeles, over 1,000 Chinese/Chinese-Americans protested in front of CNN’s Los Angeles office (as reported in The Los Angeles Times). Why do you ask? Well, if you haven’t been following this brewing “controversy,” CNN’s Jack Cafferty commented on April 9th during the airing of “The Situation Room”:

“We continue to import their [China’s] junk with the lead paint on them and the poisoned pet food and export . . . jobs to places where you can pay workers a dollar a month to turn out the stuff that we’re buying from Wal-Mart. So I think our relationship with China has certainly changed. I think they’re basically the same bunch of goons and thugs they’ve been for the last 50 years.”

CNN later said Cafferty’s comments were directed at the Chinese government, not the Chinese people. To be honest, being called “goons and thugs” I don’t think is all that constructive, but I don’t think it is as horrible as the protesters have made it seem (China and the Chinese have been called much worse…) But, I do understand the growing concern of the demonization of China. I’ve written before about how this reminds me of the criticisms raised during Japan’s “rise” in the mid-to-late 1980’s.

Certainly, there are many valid concerns regarding a variety of China-related issues, including most recently, Tibet. Obviously, with the 2008 Beijing Olympics approaching rapidly, bringing up any China-related issues makes sense to those groups trying to bring visibility to their cause.

If the United States were hosting the Olympics this summer, I am sure there would be plenty of protests of our continued involvement in Iraq, as well as a host of other issues by many different countries, including our many allies. I’m all for free speech and certainly was glad to see other countries and its citizens protesting America’s foreign policy and war mongering prior to Bush’s decision for a preemptive war into Iraq (I’ve *always* been against the war).

Posted in Current Events, Observations, Politics | 36 Comments

World record breaking Sport Stacker

Posted on April 18, 2008 by John
World record breaking Sport Stacker

A high school friend of mine sent me this link about a local boy in my old hometown. Steven J. Purugganan, 10, of Longmeadow, became the World Record Breaker in Sports Stacking. What the hell is Sports Stacking – take a look!

According to The Springfield Republican article “Cup-stacker, 10, beats all“:

“”Sport Stacking – it really is an international sport – uses 12 special cups that look like ordinary plastic drinking cups. It is what participants do with them that is extraordinary. Competitors stack and unstack the cups in predetermined sequences at speeds so fast that to blink is to miss a large part of the action.”… When Steven and his brothers, Andrew, 16, and Brian, 12, first saw Sport Stacking on ESPN in 2006, they could not get enough of it. “They taped the event, and watched it over and over again,” said their mother, Vicki Purugganan, yesterday. “They tried using plastic cups we had in the house, but they kept sticking together. So, I finally went out and bought them one official set to share.””

At the World Championship this past month, Steven beat the world’s record. So essentially, Steven started at age 8 as a novice to become a world champion and world record holder in less than two years!

Posted in Observations | 2 Comments

Like “Stand and Deliver” (Except Not)

Posted on April 18, 2008 by Ernie

I meant to blog about this L.A. Times story on Zhao yan feng, a University Instructor from mainland China selected by the college board and the Chinese language council to teach Chinese to high school students. In South Central Los Angeles.

Have you ever watched a horror movie, where the best friend of the heroine is walking through a darkened parking lot by herself? And you scream “NO, DON’T GO THROUGH THE PARKING LOT” but you know she can’t hear you, because she’s going to get slaughtered anyway?

Yeah. That’s kind of how I feel about this.

Truth is, I didn’t go to school in South Central L.A. but I DID take a Chinese language class in high school, taught by a guy in a very similar situation. And we treated him like shit. Except to our teacher, most of us were Asian – taking the class because we thought it would be an easy “A.” It was, but we still ended up playing cards, gossiping and mouthing off in the back of the class anyway. I’m sure he thought we were the good kids gone bad, and god help us if he ever had a kid, because I’m sure he would have put him in a private Chinese school.

It almost feels like an afterthought that of COURSE the educational systems between the United States and China would be completely different, but I’ve seen and heard the stories before; eager teachers hoping to make a difference in society, yet slowly becoming disenfranchised and some of them dropping out in the middle of the year completely. The article tries to end on a bittersweet note, focusing on students that took him seriously, but I can’t help but feel like it’d be a worthless cause, only because I’ve lived it.

Posted in Lifestyles, Observations | 8 Comments

I want my BTV – Bedroom TV!

Posted on April 18, 2008 by John

Did any of you have a television in your bedroom while growing up as a kid? I didn’t, and in general, wasn’t too interested in having one in my room. Recently, the University of Minnesota School of Public Health published their research finding and discovered, to no surprise, ” Study ties bedroom TV to unhealthy habits in teens:”

“Girls with a bedroom television reported getting less vigorous exercise — 1.8 hours per week compared to 2.5 hours for girls without a TV. They also ate fewer vegetables, drank more sweetened beverages and ate meals with their family less often, the researchers said. Boys with a bedroom TV reported having a lower grade point average than boys without one, as well as eating less fruit and having fewer family meals, the researchers said… Among black teens, 82 percent reported having a bedroom TV, compared to 66 percent of Hispanics, 60 percent of whites and 39 percent of Asian Americans.”

Well, that is not too surprising. When I was growing up, we only had one television, and that was in the family room. And of course, my parents were always complaining to my brother and I that we watched too much television. My brother and I did share a computer in his bedroom (but we didn’t have the Internet back then where kids today do). Did you grow up with a TV or computer in your room? Were your parents strict about the amount of television they let you watch?

Posted in Lifestyles, Observations | 6 Comments

Chinese Duke student gets threats after China protest

Posted on April 17, 2008 by John


On the radio the other day (4/15/08), I heard on KQED a radio piece on The World (and in In The New York Times today -“Chinese Student in U.S. Is Caught in Confrontation“), discussing a situation regarding Grace Wang, a Chinese freshman student at Duke University. [Listen here: starts at minute 25:50]

Only a dozen or so pro-Tibet demonstrators turned out last Wednesday for a protest, but were overwhelmed by several hundred pro-mainland Chinese students. Wang walked into the protest as she existed the dining hall and walked right into the middle of the demonstration (see YouTube video above). Wang was trying to get both sides to talk, but got caught up in situation. Afterwards, according to Duke’s “The Chronicle” in “Student gets threats after China protest“:

“After the protests, the student’s personal information, including her name, phone number and Chinese identity number were posted to the Duke Chinese Scholars and Students Association (DCSSA) Web site, according to documents obtained by The Chronicle. Photographs and a video of the student from the rally have also been posted on several popular Chinese-language forums… The student’s parents have also been targeted. Their contact information was posted on several popular Chinese-language Internet forums. Some Internet sources said their home was attacked, though the student said she has been unable to confirm this with her parents, who declined to discuss the issue when she contacted them via e-mail.”

Actually, Wang’s information was emailed in the DCSSA email listserv. The DCSSA said that someone on their list abused their privilege and they whole heartedly condemn the release of Wong’s information and the University was happy with their quick condemnation. The radio piece goes on to explain how the Chinese government has encouraged extreme nationalism amongst Chinese students studying abroad.

This reminded me of an Op-Ed piece in The New York Times the other day, “China’s Loyal Youth:”

“Educated young people are usually the best positioned in society to bridge cultures, so it’s important to examine the thinking of those in China. The most striking thing is that, almost without exception, they feel rightfully proud of their country’s accomplishments in the three decades since economic reforms began. And their pride and patriotism often find expression in an unquestioning support of their government, especially regarding Tibet….Barring major changes in China’s education system or economy, Westerners are not going to find allies among the vast majority of Chinese on key issues like Tibet, Darfur and the environment for some time. If the debate over Tibet turns this summer’s contests in Beijing into the Human Rights Games, as seems inevitable, Western ticket-holders expecting to find Chinese angry at their government will instead find Chinese angry at them.”

I agree. One might think that mainland Chinese students, especially those living and studying abroad here in the United States, would be exposed and automatically accept a Western-point-of-view. But that is a bit naive to think. For the Chinese under 30, the world that they have been brought up in has been their oyster. China’s rise and culmination to the Olympic games is China’s defining moment and coming out party to the world, and they have a right to be proud. But over time, the Chinese youth will hopefully come to understand why the world often protests against the Chinese government (and not the Chinese people). One can love a country and still criticize it – and if fact, that is the tough love that many Americans today are practicing with their government. Let’s hope cooler heads prevail as we approach the August 8th, 2008.

Posted in Current Events, Observations, Politics | 54 Comments

Dancing with the Stars: Jaryd & Cara

Posted on April 15, 2008 by John

Jaryd & Cara

I was over a friend’s house tonight and channel surfing when I came across Dancing with the Stars. I’ve never watched the show before, so I was surprised and shocked to see the “Ballroom Kids” competition, where two sets of boy-girl “couples” danced. Dmitriy (age 10) & Michelle (age 10), danced the Jive.

Jaryd (10) & Cara (8) danced the Cha Cha Cha and were pretty amazing – and beat out Dmitriy & Michelle! I have to admit though, it was a bit weird seeing these kids dance – all dressed up and like adults, shaking their hips, etc… kind of reminded me of JonBenét Ramsey and her being in those beauty pageants… You can see them dancing here on the show on YouTube (embedding was turned off – posted by Cara’s aunt; another video clip was already taken down – so we’ll see how long this link lasts…)

Posted in Entertainment, Observations | 2 Comments

Chink’s Steaks

Posted on April 15, 2008 by John

I just came across this interesting story in The Washington Post titled, “Asian Groups Fight to Change Eatery’s Name.” There has been a popular restaurant in Philadelphia that opened in 1949, that bears the nickname of the restaurant’s original owner:

“It’s called Chink’s Steaks. The restaurant was opened by Samuel Sherman, who was nicknamed “Chink” as a child because of his supposedly slanted, Asian-looking eyes. “Nobody ever called him Sam,” said [current restaurant owner Joseph] Groh, who started working at the eatery at age 15 and later bought it after Sherman died. “That was his name from the age of 6. The problem is that the term “chink” is every bit as racist and hurtful to Asian Americans as “the n-word” is to African Americans — so much so that some have taken to calling it “the c-word.” “It’s definitely a derogatory term,” said Ginny Gong, national president of the Organization of Chinese Americans, one of several groups pressing for the restaurant to change its name. “…Groh said he likes the name because of its tradition, and does not see the need for a change. But he acknowledges, “I don’t think you could open a place today with that name.”

Well, I can understand why restaurant owner Joseph Groh would want to keep a name for tradition, but if the restaurant had been named Nigger’s Steaks, do you think he would have kept the name? If you look up chink in Wikipedia, you will definitely discover the term has quite the historic racial slur against the Chinese originally (but its use has expanded to include all East Asians). I recall being called ‘chink’ a few times while growing up on the East Coast, and definitely not liking the term at all…

In 2004, a 21-year-old Korean-American Susannah Park, the adopted daughter of white parents, campaigned to get the name of the restaurant changed. Growing up in almost all white West Virginia, she was often called ‘chink.’ Chink may not sound that ‘bad’ and is definitely not as well known as ‘nigger’ or ‘spic‘ , but I hope that mainstream America doesn’t consider the term to be used in polite language. I have to agree with the a quote in the article by Grace Kao, director of Asian American studies at the University of Pennsylvania:

“In this country, race is still largely a black-and-white issue. Asian Americans and Latinos are largely left out of the conversation,” she said. “In public dialogue, you can’t say certain things about African Americans, but it’s still okay to say things about Asian Americans.”

I definitely have to agree with the Asian American part. I think with the growing numbers of Latinos in the United States and the issue of illegal immigration, Latinos are increasingly being drawn into the “race debate.”

The name aside, the Yelp reviews of the restaurant is quite good (despite the name as many have commented), and it sounds like the restaurant makes the best damn cheesesteak in Philadelphia.

So what are your thoughts on the matter? Should Joseph Groh change the name of his restaurant? What should he change it to? When the controversy began, Groh’s mother suggested the name Joe’s. Now how “All American” is that?!

Posted in Current Events, Discrimination, Food & Drink, Observations | 17 Comments

Dorothy Yoon’s 13 of Blondes

Posted on April 14, 2008 by Ernie

If you find ideas of white standards for Asian beauty a controversial one, then London-based Korean multimedia artist Dorothy Yoon’s latest show 13 of Blondes has a series of exhibits portraying Asian women as women with blonde hair and blue eyes. That should piss you off provoke you on an intellectual and artist level.

artreview.com recently interviewed the artist on some of the thought processes behind her latest work:

Headed by Venus in the group, there are five categories of blondes, such as iconic blonde, historical royalties, fictional manga, and those who upgraded their social statuses through men. There is a mixture of Western and Eastern traditional allegories, symbolisms and metaphors. The work is the result of my light-hearted expression of ‘West East Crash’.

“West East Crash,” indeed. Efren had this to say about Yoon’s pieces:

Well, it’s definitely looking at it from an Asian perspective rather than an Asian American perspective, but it’s interesting to note that she deliberately looks in realms like manga, where the images are white in appearance, but the characters are always assumed to be Japanese in character and that strange cultural disconnect — which is one of the reasons why I have a hard time reading some manga. I’ve always wondered why there’s never really been any sort of criticism or critique about that — especially since Japan is one of the few Asian countries that didn’t officially go through any sort of colonization and yet carries a lot of the same cultural baggage about “white beauty” that us folk from colonized countries do.

I love her talking about pink (or white?) as being artificial and not being grounded in her reality, and I think that’s what the essence of her art show’s about.

Posted in The Arts | Leave a comment

Kristi Yamaguchi: Dancing with the Stars

Posted on April 13, 2008 by Jen

 

I know some of my fellow 8Asians writers like America’s Next Dance Crew…I know “hip hop” is popular, and break dancing is much more sexier and grittier than ballroom dancing right now, but I’m going to still stick to my favorite TV dance show: Dancing with the Stars! How exciting, that Kristi Yamaguchi is on as a contestant this season.

I wanted to be just like Kristi when I was young, watching her win her gold medal on TV in 1991…and how, I want to be just like her again! She rocks it on the dance floor. The video clip above, is my favorite dance of hers so far, while she has trouble “shakin’ her booty” in rehearsal, she gets over her shyness and brings it on during the performance. Can I also say, dancing with Mark Ballas can’t be too difficult, either! He is a great teacher (getting her to loosen up, making her laugh) and the steps he creates for her are amazing to showcase her ability.

Kristi has been the highest scorer since Week 1 of the season (it is currently going onto Week 5 tomorrow). Co-contestant Jason, finally caught up with her in a tie last week, for a (in my opinion), a too-generous score that made him tie with Kristi this week. (And yes, I know he’s hot). The thing is, in order to win, the public has to vote for Kristi in order to win…which makes people think that a guy will most likely win every season because it is mainly women/gay men who watch the show and vote. Maksim, a pro-dancer from last season, has claimed publicly that a woman cannot win Dancing with the Stars because it is mainly women who vote, and as soon as a male contestant goes topless or shows some skin, it’s all over for the female contestants.

Can we help Kristi win this season? Let’s help support an Asian contestant on the show! Watch tomorrow evening and vote!

Vote for Kristi & Mark!

800-86834-11 (800-VOTE4-11) Text-in code 3411

Do you have trouble shaking your booty on the dance floor? With my ballet training, I admit I have a bit of trouble salsa dancing (but definitely doesn’t stop me from trying!!), but if you have trouble, or if you can definitely shake your thang, share!

Posted in Entertainment, Sports | Tagged | 17 Comments

Pong Dynasty: In Table Tennis, Chinese Rule

Posted on April 11, 2008 by John

A common stereotype amongst Asian-Americans, and I am sure specifically Chinese-Americans, is that we play ping-ping (or more properly named, table tennis) and we are good at it. Well, apparently, we are. The Wall Street Journal reports that the top table tennis players in the world are of Chinese decent – including the U.S. Olympic table tennis team:

“The best American and Canadian table-tennis players squared off here last weekend for a chance to represent their country this summer at the Beijing Olympics. Only one of the eight American players was of non-Asian descent. All but three were born in China. Six of the eight Canadians also here vying for Olympic berths were either born in China or of Chinese descent. China’s superpower status in table tennis has created a prickly problem for the sport: Nearly all the world’s most competitive players are Chinese. And that has made for a lot of mixed feelings. Since China has so many top players, many in recent years have changed citizenship in order to play for national teams elsewhere. Most countries — like the U.S. where many think of ping pong as a game played in the basement on rainy days — are glad to have players who will give them a chance in international competition. The downside: Teams full of Chinese players undermine already scant local fan support and, according to some, the development of home-grown talent.”

Table tennis has been an Olympic sport since 1988. Essentially, many international competitions (including the Olympics_ turn out to be Chinese players playing another Chinese player (either of Chinese decent or former Chinese citizenship). However, table tennis’s origins are not from China, but from England in the 1880s.

This is such an issue that the International Table Tennis Federation has passed a rule requiring Chinese to wait before playing for a new country. Those between 18 and 20 must reside in their adopted country for seven years before they can compete at certain international events (not applicable to the Olympics). Those 21 and older can never become eligible! That’s crazy.

I guess the stereotype of Chinese and Chinese-Americans being good at table tennis is only reinforced by international competition. Too bad table tennis in the United States is just not as popular and recognized as tennis. (The last famous Asian-American tennis player I remember was Michael Chang.)

Posted in Current Events, Observations, Sports | Leave a comment

Cantonese Mental Health Study in NYC

Posted on April 11, 2008 by Ernie

Give that we’ve blogged a bit about Asian Americans and mental health, here is public service announcement from Jimmy:

Hello, I’m am recruiting for a Mental Health Study in NYC next week on Tues. April 15, 2008. I am seeking a participant with a Mental Health issues such as: OCD, ADHD, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or Social Anxiety Disorder. This study is for an ad campaign and we are searching for ways to advertise to people with mental health issues and their peers. If you have questions or know someone who could help me please call Mayra at 310-670-6800 x 143.
Thank you.

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