Asian American and Pacific WHAT!?!?

First off, I just wanted to say sorry for not posting for so long. I was thinking about ending the blog, but I guess notJ, so back to the point.        

Ironically, one of the things that spurred me to create this blog was the lack of attention given to May as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage month. I know it’s a long title, but that’s no reason to not pay attention to it. Just like Black History month, and Hispanic Heritage month, it is a time to honor one of the minority groups that has made significant contributions to the United States of America.

I usually find that there are no special television programs or information provided in schools about Asian Heritage month, unlike when it’s Black History month or Hispanic Heritage month. However, this month I was surfing through ON DEMAND and noticed the Asian Heritage section. To my surprise it as was filled with Asian music and specials and… Jackie Chan movies! Now I have a tendency to exaggerate, because it really wasn’t a lot, but it is progress if you ask me.

BUT…I will take a second to nit-pick, because in the music section there was a whole lot of K-pop, and a little Bollywood, but nothing else. I find that to be a little insulting to other Asian countries like China and Japan. (And I’m not going to lie; I take it as a slight against other languages spoken in India, but that’s just me) Anyway, it’s nice to see that Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage month is finally getting some of the recognition it deserves.

To learn more about Asian-Pacific American Heritage month you can visit http://asianpacificheritage.gov/

Guest Blogger #2: Lynn

            As an Asian-American, I often get judged by the typical Asian stereotypes in school. It’s already pre-expected that I should excel in classes such as math and science, which ironic because those two classes really are my favorite subjects. Chances are, you would most likely catch me carrying an AP Biology book and a heavy backpack wherever I go. However, my two classes that I have most interest in are actually the classes that I struggle most with. With that being said, I can easily break the “Asians-being-so-good-in-math-and-science” stereotype. But what is even more ironic is that I really do feel like a “typical” Asian.

            Asians are industrious, multi-talented, and (will be) successful in their lives. Asians tend to push themselves more, which is where the “nerdy” look started developing. As for myself, I am currently taking 4 AP classes in my senior year, the year where everything was supposedly “less stressful” and more fun. Talk about overachieving.

            In addition, Asians are not only stuffing their noses into books, there’s a good possibility that a majority of them are musically gifted. My parents put me in violin lessons starting in 3rd grade, the flute in 4th, and lastly the piano in 5th. To this day, I still keep in touch with all the instruments I play, which made me feel confident in my decision of minoring in Music Theory & Composition in college. On that note, I plan on majoring in Pre-Medicine Studies and becoming a successful doctor in the near future. Now that’s typical.

            I enjoy my hectic Asian-American life. I like telling myself that I’m unique and that I stand out from others. For starters, I’m 4’11.25’’. Apparently, everyone thinks I would be quiet and shy. I’m exactly the opposite much to everyone’s surprise. I’ve tried starting to count how many people who said exactly this: “You’re really loud for a small person.” For the record, I’ve stopped counting. I also stay active by playing sports instead of going home and doing homework as anticipated. Being on a Varsity Swimming&Diving and Tennis team builds up more character and reputation for myself.

            It’s not advised or encouraged that a person should be judged by their stereotypes of their background or by their looks. Just a tip, be careful with what you think, because that often leads to what you say. Take time to actually get to know the person; there’s so much more to what’s just on the surface.

Are You Serious? #5

Well, actually I had forgotten about this one until a friend recently brought it up again.

We had a substitute in World History class that day and we were learning about Hinduism. When the sub goes over the instructions for the day she decides to add that if anyone needs help they should just ask me. My response is looking at her like she is crazy, and saying ‘I’m Catholic.’ I feel like being Indian has forced me to say that way more than necessary. Now if someone is Caucasian nobody bothers to ask their religion, but if you’re Asian the assumptions are all out. If you’re Indian you are by default Hindu; if you’re Chinese you either follow Confucianism or Buddhism.  

                It’s actually one of the more common stereotypes I get. A lot of people ask me my religion the first time we meet. Ironically that is typically poor etiquette, but when you’re Asian that whole personal-info-thing goes out the window.  I can’t even begin to say how funny it is when people freak out when they see me eat meat. It’s that ‘Oh snap!’-moment because they think I just broke my religion. But I have my own fun with it. Sometimes I freak out like I really did just commit the cardinal sin by eating meatJ. Oh, but it’s all just for fun.

The Irony of Movie Casting

Justin Chatwin as Goku

It would be really easy to just do a post on the countless number of Asian stereotypes in film and television, so that isn’t what I’m going to do (at least not right now). Instead, I’m going to be annoyed with really poor and just plain random movie casting. So it’s one thing to create a character for the sheer purpose of fulfilling a stereotype, but it’s a whole other thing when a role is essentially designed to be filled by an Asian, but isn’t. Although there are times when this can actually work out well, that isn’t always the case.

One of those fails would have to be the live-action film adaption of Dragonball Evolution. Not only was the movie a critical and commercial failure, it also had some of the most bizarre casting ever. I know this is coming from someone who grew up watching the anime, so maybe I just so happen to take extra offense to the poor casting, but anyone can see that it was BAD.

Since, it’s adapted from a manga and all of the characters are Japanese you would think that the casting directors would take a logical approach to this, but they didn’t. Now it’s one thing to leave the whole thing Asian and maintain the casting accordingly, or switch it up to accommodate a different cast. However, this movie didn’t take either approach, it took both. The cast was a bizarre mix of Asian American actors along with several Caucasian actors. Not only is that weird, but how is it that Goku is not even Asian!? It’s not even like Justin Chatwin looks similar, it was just a fail at casting. Who really thinks it’s a smart choice to have most of the supporting characters portrayed by Asian American actors, but then change it up with the main character? This is one of those times when not fitting the Asian template didn’t work.

However, I won’t say that it always turns out poorly. The Forbidden Kingdom starred Michael Angarano alongside Jackie Chan and Jet Li. Now typically I would be opposed to the random introduction of some scrawny little American boy into a martial arts’ film, but it worked. It was actually an entertaining plot, and a well-executed one (both of which were untrue in the case of Dragonball Evolution). And yeah I get that Asians in a martial arts’ film is pretty stereotypical that isn’t really the point of this post; this is about straying from the typical casting in Asian-geared films. The irony is that attempts to not be stereotypical can actually be worse than sticking with the original.

Are You Serious #4

There’s socially awkward, and then there’s telling someone ‘I like the color of your kids.’ Albeit this is from a good 15 years, or so, ago, I find it hilarious. When my parents first moved into the neighborhood a woman actually said that to my mother. LOL, it might just be me, but hey I’ll take a compliment where I can get it. Either way, it’s more of a sign of changing times that just 15 years ago that was the kind of reaction a South Asian family received, but now it isn’t unusual.

(Btw, I’m not the baby in the picture. Whoever she is she’s adorable, but I was waaaayyy cuter! J)

The Short End of the Minority Stick



The 'Minority Stick'



We all know affirmative action is intended to promote equal opportunity, but that doesn’t mean it’s effective. Minorities are often given preferences with jobs and universities often having racial quotas. However, in the U.S. this mainly applies to African Americans and Hispanic Americans. In spite of the fact that Asian Americans are also a minority group they don’t receive the same benefits that other minority groups do. Does affirmative action really level the playing field?

I doubt it; I see it is reverse racism. Now African Americans and Hispanic Americans are being given preference solely based on race, not ability. If equal opportunity is what affirmative action is trying to promote they should think about focusing on ability rather than race. Often times the needs of poor European Americans and Asian Americans are neglected in favor of upper-class African Americans and Hispanic Americans.

Since I’m an Asian American I’m technically part of a minority group, but I never receive the same benefits as one.  When colleges have racial quotas students are no longer competing against every other student; they are now competing against people in their racial group. The problem with this system is that preference is being given to race as opposed to hard work, which is hypocritical of what America is supposed to be. Hard work is supposed to be worth more than race, but affirmative action brings that into question. I don’t think it’s fair that some students are deprived of spots that they deserve all in the name of equal opportunity. Not only is the system unfair from the ground up, but it is also biased in favor of African Americans and Hispanic American, whereas the Asian American group is not entitled to the same benefits.

Feel free to leave your own thoughts on affirmative action. Are you ‘for’ of ‘against’?

Video Bar

So, I actually decided to put up a Video Bar. This is an amazing act considering its me — technology challenged me— that is. Right now it has a couple of recent-ish Malayalam film songs. I was trying to pick specific songs, but it wasn't working so you're just going to have to make due with what's there. Anyway, you should check out the songs. I think I'm going to change it up every now and then and have different languages and different styles of music (all Asian of course). Either way I'm starting off with my own bias and going with Malayalam music (even though these aren't my favorite songs). You should check them out, along with the blog, and stay tuned for when I change up the videos.