Although Min is blocking the goods...

You get the picture. Ron Jeremy in da house!

Opening Night of Visual Communications Film Fest 2007

Be a Member! Pretty please! And type into the Special Instructions Box that DYY coerced you!

Reunions

I generally have no interest in reunions organized by academic institutions. Cared less about my high school and college ones. Didn't even know when they occurred. Definately not going to my law school one. In fact, I try to avoid communication altogether with my law school, but they always seem to successfully track my place of employment (it's the California Bar's fault) and send me endless information via US and electronic mail. Once in a while, they call me at work... probably to solicit a donation that, haven't they realized, I will NEVER give because I FUCKEN HATE THEM? Fortunately, I have an assistant who screens all my calls. Just the other day, I advised her that when I receive mail from UCLAW, immediately throw it in the recycler. Thank you.

But this posting isn't about how much I despise UCLAW though I can go on and on.

This past weekend, the Asian American Studies Program at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign celebrated its 10th anniversary. This means that a little shy of 10 years ago, Asian American Studies did not exist at U of I. And since I graduated a little shy of 10 years ago (fuck!), I unfortunately was not a benefactor. Nor were my friends:

"Old Skool Gang" circa 1997

Asian Pacific Islanders were (and probably still are) the largest minority group on campus, yet we were the only racial minority group that lacked a formal orientation program, a studies program and a cultural center. The administration labled us an "overrepresented minority."

A fucken oxymoron, that's what we were.

Despite relentless demands to the contrary, we were often ignored and silenced. It wasn't fair and definately discriminatory. But we students persisted, and learned to be creative and self-reliant.

Ms. Vida (far right female pictured above) created a formal orientation program for new Asian American students called "Asiantation" that I believe continues today. We created our own alumni networks; scholarship/mentorship/award programs; cultural and political events; and leadership/activism conferences. We struggled to build coalitions and a collective consciousness among myriad API groups, all of which we felt obligated to assume leadership roles. Like Tupac said, it's all about you. And truly it was all about us, as it was clearly evident that U of I didn't give a shit about API students.

Despite not having a formal program, I believe there were two "trial" classes in my four years of attendence and I took both. One was an introductory course to Asian American history taught by a wonderful Filipina graduate student. My final paper was about Asian American beauty (or was it stereotypes in Asian beauty?). I also took an Asian American literature class. I don't recall the professor, but I do remember the small intimate class and how we really enjoyed such a unique space for class discussions. Dude, you have to check out the AAS courses now. I am so jealous.

Needless to say, I really wanted to attend this reunion. It wasn't possible for me, though a few of us did attend and reported back. The stories and pictures seem amazing, almost unbelievable that the students now have a full-fledged, university-sponsored studies program AND cultural center. At the same time, I can't believe we didn't have these services in the fairly recent past, and how API students across the nation protested and struggled and engaged in hunger strikes, just so that they could formally learn about our people's history and contributions in America.

Lastly, Vida said something in her very detailed report to us that is very important:

"One thing I said during the [alumni roundtable] panel was that I recall many of us said we would not donate money to the University for as long as: 1) there was no AA Studies; 2) there was no AA Cultural Center; 3) there was the Chief*. Well folks, as of a couple weeks ago, all those barriers have been removed. If you want you can donate to the Cultural Center and Studies Program - tax deductible. Asian American Alumni Network is working on clearing their tax deductible status. Also, I know that we’ve all thrown around the idea of possibly creating a scholarship. Now would be a possible time to start discussing that more?"

Well, I'm sure you can guess which institution will be giving me my next tax-deduction. GO ILLINI!

*OMG. Can you believe that about the Chief? I would have never imagined in my wildest dreams that U of I was gonna give up Chief Illiniwek and its retrograde racist ways. Thank god. Welcome to 2007 yo.

Why I Love Blacks

Dude, I was near USC tonight and saw that Inferno Affairs is playing at the Magic Johnson Theaters for late Friday and Saturday shows. This is why I love black people... because they appreciate Hong Kong gangster movies. And kung fu movies. And shrimp fried rice.

I say this in light of a recent opinion piece written by Kenneth Eng in Asian Week entitled, "Why I Hate Blacks."

It's pretty awful. But I'm more stunned and dismayed that Asian Week, a fairly political and (once) respected Asian American publication in the Bay Area, actually permitted the publication of Eng's piece. Sure, Asian Week issued an apology. But I think it's too late. Asian Week is fucked.

ABC and proud!

Here's a video of my favorite freestyle rapper, Jin, who is so fucken talented. And he's Cantonese!!

I began to follow his career when he first appeared on BET's 106 & Park. He was a contestant of Free Style Friday and won seven weeks in a row and was inducted in the show's Hall of Fame because no one could beat his chinaman ass. He was unstoppable. That same night, Ruff Ryders signed Jin to their record label. For real, he's really good... especially when his freestyle opponents get racist and talk shit about him being Chinese, he spits back with greater force and wit. He's my idol.

Here's his latest (thanks Tron, for real!)... he raps in Cantonese about the beauty of being American Born Chinese. Represent, bitches!



PS. He's in LA Chinatown!

Snow Globes and Politicos

I fear that I seem much more craftier than I am. That's not even my snow globe above. I am merely a wanna-be, an arts & crafts neophyte... but with a deep interest in projects of self-sustainment i.e. making your own shit in order to reduce corporate consumption. It's really hard not to be a cog in the consumer culture (especially for me!) but I think every little action counts. Soon, I'll be sewing my own clothes and harvesting coffee beans in my backyard. Okay, that's a lie. But if I could, I would.

Plus, it's just fun to mix arts & crafts with friends and alcohol.

Pictured above is my christmas tree ornament. It turned out to be a lovely colorful furry ball. Since we do not have tree this year, it's now hanging from the rear view mirror of my car.

It was such a surprise to arrive at Craft Night and see the gang there -- Blu-Tooth, Minnie Mouse, Tron, Lady Pun and the newest angeleno, Mkydy. I love how something so small has grown among my group of homies. I did not expect them as George and I arrived late after attending Mike Eng's Swearing-In Ceremony as the newest State Assemblymember representing the 49th District. I haven't been interested in politicians since college, but I love Mike. He's a solid, progressive leader. He's one of the few politicians that I would wholeheartedly support. In fact, if he asked me to precinct walk for him, I would, even though I hate doing that shit. Thank god he never asked.

If Mike ever asked me to be one of his political strategists, I would be on board in a heart beat and leave my job and everything. I doubt he would ask though since I have 0% experience. But it seems like something I could do and do well. It actually seems fun. Fortunately, I made George promise me that if he ever runs for an elected office, he would hire me as his strategist. Years ago, I also made my former roommate from law school promise me if she ever ran for political office, she would make me her campaign manager. Dude, you always gotta think for the future.

More from before

As promised, Tonk forwarded a picture from the Tigers and Jaguars exhibit:
Pretty fucken tight, huh? I don't remember the artist's name (a Japanese American who grew up in East LA), but it's a mixture of graffiti art and 3-d animation.

Here's one by another artist:

I'm not sure if you could tell by the picture, but it's a militant bird forced to use a gun, and any other means necessary, in nature's fight against the industrial takeover of the world. That's how I interpret it anyway.

Enjoy the Food, Skip the Rudeness

Markus found this ad in the OC Weekly.
This, among many many reasons, is why Orange County sucks.

Thanks, Mr. M, for finding such seemingly innocuous yet super racially-derogative shit about my people. You're cool like that.

Chinese Chipmunks in Da Club in Alhambra.
Happy Birthday!

Local news

So the Asian American community is in an uproar over this one lame writer, Jed Levine, for the Daily Bruin, the official college newspaper for UCLA. As any white man who inexplicably fears losing power and control, he calls himself an underrepresented minority on campus, and empathizes with members of the Black Student Union and MEChA stating, "it's hard to find other white people I can identify with on a campus that feels more like Taipei than L.A."

Perhaps Jed is just trying to be clever or facetious? You decide for yourself. However, if that was his intention, I think he failed miserably. But then again, he's just a student writer for a shitty college paper, so I don't even really care.

I mean, it's not like he's LA Times writer Joel Stein, who was able to humorously call out our own human hypocrisy, but still hold the Bush Administration responsible for the Iraq War and torture of prisoners. Now Joel is a good writer. Jed is just a dumb college kid.

Jed would have received accolades, rather than hate letters, if he were able to say, look, Asian students do out-number other students of color at UCLA and other public universities, and that the proportion of Asian students far exceed the proportion of Asians residing in the state. This is proof that something in the system is flawed for other students. But let's not blame Asian students for the campus feeling like Taipei. Let's criticize the current admissions policies that limit admissions to only grades and test scores.

Because the truth is, as we all know, when the racist Regents of the UC System decided to strictly interpret Prop. 209 and ostensibly implement "non-race based factors" for admissions, they were hoping to reduce admissions of ALL students of color, including Asians. But they erred in their plan of whitening the UC campuses. That's on them. Asians shouldn't be blamed for just showing up and acing the exams. We can't help it if we're fucken brilliant. We're just being who we are.

Seoul Brothers

The guys from The Kims of Comedy (they now call themselves Seoul Brothers) performed at a fundraiser for the Asian American Drug Abuse Program (AADAP) this past Saturday evening. They were awesome! I think I have serious crushes on all of them. Like I can't even rank who I would like better because I like them all for different reasons. I wonder would they be interested in a five-way comedy match. I wonder if I could beat them.

Although the Brothers used about 75% of the same material that was the DVD, I really enjoyed watching them live. Also, AADAP seems like such a great organization. They have been in the community and helping victims of drug abuse for 33 years! So, of course, the refreshments served after the concert were cake and punch. Respectful and so cute. In fact, I stood in solidarity with AADAP members because I too was sober for the entire evening, and still had a fabulous time. It's good to be high on life, although I firmly believe life is better with drugs. But for that night, even without Square One Organic Vodka, I felt social AND socially-conscious. Holla!

Sooooo fucked up

Mister Markus alerted me to this book in my previous post about racialized Survivor.

How fucken gross! For the most part, I don't get offended by racist shit anymore (desensitization is a bitch)... even the racist Addidas shoes didn't bother me. But this is really offensive. What's worse is the author is an Asian guy -- Adam Quan. Fucken self-hating sell-out whore!!

The book came out in 2004, and apparently, many negative comments were posted on Amazon as a result. I was going to post something nasty on Amazon too, until I learned that Amazon eliminated many of the comments regarding the race issue. Fortunately, the Melting Blog captured some of the comments before Amazon erased them.

Who says race doesn't matter?

CBS has announced that the castaways from this fall's Survivor: Cook Islands will -- in what the show's producer and host both acknowledge to be a controversial move -- initially be organized into four tribes divided along ethnic lines: African-American, Asian-American, Hispanic and Caucasian.

Damn. I think that is all I have to say. Damn.

In silent protest (as I do not watch Survivor, although I might this season), I refuse to cheer for any specific racial team. Still, let's review the cast mates on the Asian American team, shall we? They better represent...

• Anh-Tuan "Cao Boi" Bui, a 42-year-old nail salon manager from Christianburg, VA

You go, Bui! I like the untamed hair. It gives him a competitive edge cuz he looks all psycho and barbaric and shit.

• Jenny Guzon-Bae, a 36-year-old real estate agent who currently resides in Lake Forest, IL and is originally from Melrose Park, IL

Illinois in da house! I'll give her some love even though she's from the booty suburbs of Chicago.

• Yul Kwon, a 31-year-old management consultant who currently resides in San Mateo, CA and is originally from Flushing, NY

This is good. Koreans are wild. He will be the muscle.

• Becky Lee, a 28-year-old attorney who currently resides in Washington, DC and is originally from Pittsburgh, PA

Becky Lee? Like Becca Yee? And she's an attorney too... except I would never strike a pose like that. Ewww.

• Brad Virata, a 29-year-old fashion director who currently resides in Los Angeles, CA and is originally from Seattle, WA

Fucken pretty boy. You just better not cry and embarrass your race.

Supporting a local artist

Min and I at the Tofu Fest last weekend, giving love to a Canto singer.

Happy Asian Pacific American Hertiage Month!

You know, I've known the month of May to be APA Heritage Month for, like, forever. But how did it come about? I found some great historical background about our month to share with you, thanks to the fabulous omniscient world wide web.

May is Asian Pacific American (APA) Heritage Month—a celebration of Asians and Pacific Islanders in the United States. Much like Black History or Women's History celebrations, APA Heritage Month originated in a congressional bill.

In June 1977, Representatives Frank Horton of New York and Norman Y. Mineta of California introduced a House resolution that called upon the president to proclaim the first ten days of May as Asian/Pacific Heritage Week. The following month, senators Daniel Inouye and Spark Matsunaga introduced a similar bill in the Senate. Both were passed.

On October 5, 1978, President Jimmy Carter signed a Joint Resolution designating the annual celebration. In May 1990, the holiday was expanded further when President George H.W. Bush designated May to be Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. May was chosen to commemorate the immigration of the first Japanese to the United States on May 7, 1843, and to mark the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869. The majority of the workers who laid the tracks were Chinese immigrants.

This year's theme is "Freedom for All—A Nation We Call Our Own."

Asians and the immigration debate

Many have wondered and discussed the role of Asians and Asian Americans on issues regarding immigration policy and reform. Unfortunately, the voices of our community have been widely ignored or subordinated, despite that most, if not all, Asians and Asian Americans in the United States are immigrants, come from immigrant backgrounds, or have close ties with an immigrant community. Additionally, it is a fact that decisions ultimately made in Congress as well as whatever happens on the streets by wacko xenophobic vigilante groups, like the Minute Men, shall undoubtedly have an impact on the Asian community. You may not see many of our faces during protests and rallies, but it's a complex issue that affects us and our families everyday.

The LA Times recently published an article that I thought was a pretty good introduction to the dialouge of Asians and the immigration issue. I also just read a really interesting article in the lastest New Yorker regarding "snakeheads" -- individuals in the Chinese community who make a lucrative career out of illegally smuggling undocumented Chinese natives into the United States. Despite the wretched and inhuman conditions of their transport, the enormous debt they owe, and the risks of detainment and deportation and death, it seems that many of the Chinese are not regretful, even the ones who didn't make it. Rather, they are extremely grateful to the snakeheads.

It makes you remember how fortunate we Americans are.

**Long live Sister Peng, the greatest snakehead of all time! (By the way, she's Fukinese, for my two Fukinese friends out there... I think she kicks ass. She can be your role model!)

A post-modern dragon lady

Racist shoes

Addidas has recently released a new pair of sneakers that feature a stereotypical caricature with slanted eyes, buck teeth and bowl cut with "Fong" written on it's heel. It is part of their "Yellow" series.

Too bad I'm desensitized to all this racist shit, otherwise I would sue Addidas for intentional infliction of emotion distress. But instead, I'll just sue them under the Right of Publicity doctrine for appropriating my brother's likeness and identity for profit.


But if you don't practice law, I recommend emailing or calling Addidas at their customer service number 1-800-448-1796. That's right, bitch them out... oh, and by the way, do me a favor and ask if they would personalize the shoe with "Yee" instead of "Fong"...

A bit too much school spirit?

A cheerleader who continued to cheer for her team from a gurney despite tumbling 15 feet onto her head said she was worried the accident would distract from the basketball game. Poor girl is pictured here still giving spirit fingers!

"My biggest concern was that I didn't want my squad to be distracted — so that they could continue cheering on the team — and I didn't want my team to be distracted from winning the game," Kristi Yamaoka, 18, told NBC's "Today" show, despite suffering a concussion, a spinal fracture and a bruised lung when she lost her balance atop a human pyramid.

It must be that Asian guilt in her who can't disappoint anyone. Well, Kristi, you continue to represent! I am proud of you even though I think you're a tool.

Oscar hits and misses

Here is a picture of Terrance Howard. He didn't win Best Actor as suspected, but he's so FUINE that I had to attach a picture of him from the film Hustle and Flow.

I didn't watch the Oscars because it's usually so damn boring. Although, I'm kinda bummed I missed Jon Stewart, who I absolutely adore. And of course, I heard he was funny.

Nevertheless, I participated in my office pool. $10 a pop. I didn't hit all the categories, but did better than I thought. Well, actually, I knew I would do well. I'm a good gambler. It's in my genes. Hopefully, I will have my hands on the winning pot tomorrow morning.

Hugh highlights: Ang Lee won Best Director (YES!); Philip Seymour Hoffman won Best Actor; Reese Witherspoon won Best Actress; Rachel Weisz won Best Supporting Actress. These individuals were really outstanding and deserve the statuette.

Deep disappointments: How in the world did Crash win Best Picture? I mean, it's not a bad movie but it's not great either, especially when compared to Brokeback, Capote, Munich and Good Bye, Good Luck... all of which are way better. Also, because Crash's depiction of Asians/American Americans absolutely sucked dick with its one-dimensional image of my people, this movie should not have won the Oscar. Paul Haggis must have sucked some academy dicks to get his statuette. Dammit. I knew I should have written a letter to the Times about how poorly Asians were depicted in this movie...

Read one critic's opinion why Crash prevailed over the other more superior movies in the same category. It's right on.

I'm also upset that Paradise Now did not win... but I have to admit that I chose Tsotsi on my pool sheet... c'mon now, I don't fuck with mah money.

Don't say it's so!

Michelle, I have been waiting for years. YEARS! You deserve a gold. You have always deserved a gold. With each disappointment, I have stayed by your side... despite even the last one when you lost to that ugly talentless redhead girl, I never left your side. Not once.

Now you're telling me your groin hurts too much? WTF? You're a skater, girl! Your groin is suppose be in pain! Groins of winners are on fire! FIRE!

Tuna to blame?

An injured bottle-neck whale was spotted swimming up the River Thames in London today, waving and smirking at Big Ben and Parliment.

But seriously, when whales get sick, old or injured, they often get disoriented and swim away from their pod. Witnesses reported seeing injuries to the whale and said its snout was bloodied. A whole conspiracy (yet to be determined) has developed because other whales have been spotted along the shores of the British Colony, when bottle-nose whales live deep in the northern Atlantic. Something smells fishy here.

Poor guy.

On a brighter note, the stock suffered its greatest fall today (I'm buying low on Monday!) and Osama Bin Laden is alive and kicking... and no one seems to care. I could speculate why, but I don't really care either. I'm more interested in Monica Pang (Miss Georgia) who is competing in the 2006 Miss America Pageant...

Cute, huh? I think she's Chinese American. I hope she wins.