Now that the Deadly Vipers controv has died down I can comment in retrospect and objectively.
More so than the controversy itself I think I’ll comment on the emerging asian-american consensus that is arising, a vociferous element that has finally gotten in touch with its angry side, its unabashed and bold calling out of the “white man” and its strong presence on the internet. I would say the DV controv is in some respects the hallmark event that congealed the solidarity of this movement, a sort of historic moment in my opinion. I see strengths and weaknesses of this incipient movement: Read more…
I know this is a charged debate, nonetheless, this guy’s story needs to be told.
Ju Hong’s story presents another dimension to the immigration debate, one of the children of illegals. Deporting these hopeful and aspiring ones, in some cases promising individuals with a bright future shows that comprehensive immigration policy can quickly wash over the particulars, lumping all immigrants into a mass of modern-day untouchables. The rhetoric is charged:
“I don’t understand. You willfully overstayed your visa. You violated the law, and committed a crime by you own admission. You are displaying bad manners and making thing worse for other Koreans who wish to “visit” the USA. I have no sympathy or respect for someone like you…”
Read more…
from: racialicious.com
Re-posting this because it’s so great. Racialicious does a great annual Halloween round-up here.
Contrary to what some may think, Korean-American society has its greaseballs too – played brilliantly by Jun Kim in West 32nd. The crime drama had an eerie sense of familiarity, so accurately capturing the essence of immigrant society in New York City’s Korea town. Of course there were the familiar sights – W 32nd St. – a place I worked just around the corner for 2 years, and parts of Flushing – Main St. NY – where I pretty much grew up. But it was the criminal element that both disturbed and resonated with me. It was simultaneously familiar and frightening and artistically portrayed; I am glad to see Asian-American directors and actors comign into their own. Oh yes – and there’s John Cho – who is such a hottie right now on Flash Forward. Read more…
[Props: portraits of my parents taken by http://joshdurias.com - simply elegant]
Almost 10 years ago I looked mom and dad in the eye and said, “I’m leaving for good – and far away”. I made good on that statement and packed everything I had into a little Toyota Corolla and trekked 3000 miles cross-country, ocean to ocean. I’ll never forget crossing the GWB (George Washington Bridge) for the very last time as a lifelong New Yorker – but that’s another story. Almost a decade later I have so many mixed feelings about my parents – to the point that I want them near me / to be near them again. I think it has something to do with Read more…
Soong-Chan Rah: Another Angry Asian Man?
Reading “Prof Rah’s” The Next Evangelicalism is like gargling with salt. It stings in the throat but at the same time clears the sinuses of the stuffiness and congestion of poorly thought-out racial dialogue. Sure, we like to talk about color-blindness, and melting pots, and model minorities, but do we know what we’re really saying when we talk about these things? Surely the Church – that glorious multicultural reality – is exempt from these faux-pas assumptions… Or is she? Perhaps a little deconstruction is in order – and maybe that aint such a bad thing.
Read more…
While I thought some of the acting was kinda kitschy and predictable, (yo holmes, I’m from the South Side, I represent) I found this movie pregnant with so many important themes. Faith, Place, & Race are three of them (and also happen to be the title of this blog) but it wrestles deeply with issues of urbanization, neighborhood, culture, and so many things. David Swanson gives a more complete review, titling it “urban exile” and I think that captures the essence of Gran Torino; being stuck in a place with people you don’t like and making the most of it. Staying put. And this is faith. What’d u think of the movie?
Surprisingly, this story doesn’t get much play in the American media.
Perhaps it’s because of North Korea’s history of brinkmanship – saber-rattling just to get attention and turning confrontation and bluster into negotiations that reward it with food, fuel and other concessions. Maybe we all know they’re gonna be released eventually and this is just the “dear leader” acting up once again. Or maybe we just don’t know at all. Fact of the matter is, two Americans have been sentenced to 12 yrs of hard labor in North Korea – under charges of illegal entry – and Stateside, no one seems to know about it. Here’s the thing: Read more…
We had a discussion among our staff about the art of Makoto Fujimura this morning. He’s a New Yorker. He’s a Greenwich Village artist (my old haunting grounds back in the day @ Parsons School of Design). He’s asian (yay!) And he’s a Christian. So it intrigued me to watch an emerging figure who represents two worlds I inhabit, as an Asian-American as well as a Christian within the arts. So I did some homework only to find this little endorsement here to the left that he receives from CT mag, and to find out that he’s received some accolade from some great sources. See his blog here and professional page here. So I’m thrilled for this guy who is making a statement in numerous ways – as an urbanite, a religious person, an ethnic person – just thrilled. But the one question that seemed to echo in our group was: Read more…
I’m gonna be honest here as the past several posts have been on racial issues. While it’s important for me, I should say it’s not the only thing I think about. But I’m sure a little book that’s making BIG waves has something to do with it (see previous post). Rah’s book is influential; and people are talking about it everywhere and it’s lighting up the blogosphere. So naturally there’s a lot more chatter about race issues. But a small detail has gone unnoticed – anyone recognize that’s it’s “Asian / Pacific-American Heritage Month”? Holla. Read more…
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