Laurakate5187’s Weblog

Secret Asian Man: Angry Asians and the Politics of Cultural Visibility                                                   by Tasha G. Oren

I found this article to be interesting and I also saw many connections with the movie Better Luck Tomorrow, as well as other articles and books we have read in class. I think the most obvious theme is the idea of identity, and what exactly it means to be Asian American. This is a theme that we have seen in everything we have looked at this semester. I think this article added to the idea of, how Asian Americans are represented. In discussing the movie, many critics believe Asian Americans are being represented in a negative way. According to the article in discussing the movie, “an enthusiastic Roger Ebert praised the work, hailing it as a generational breakthrough: a film mostly populated by Asian American actors that isn’t about Asian Americanness” (page 337).

Another familiar theme the article discussed is the idea first- generation Asian immigrants compared to American born Asian Americans–and what is means to be “Asian” changes over time. Also the idea of stereotypes was widely discussed in this article, such as the common confusion between Chinese, Japanese and Korean Americans (page 342). Also the idea of being viewed as having no sexuality, especially for Asian American men, is a common stereotype, believed by many Americans (page 343). Or the common “Angry Asian man” idea, which we have seen in many other works. I never knew that The Hulk was created by an Asian American (page 345). Also I had never heard of the cartoon Secret Asian Man before readind this article.

I found the cartoon Secret Asian Man to be pretty funny and entertaining. However, the same feelings I had about Margaret Cho, I am feeling here. I am torn when thinking about the idea of Asian Americans, using the stereotypes they face in their work, because I feel that in using these stereotypes they are somewhat accepting them and giving others the permission to use them, and believe them to be true. I feel like SAM and Cho’s comedy are making fun of themselves, and therefore I have torn feelings about it. I feel like they should use their popularity and fame to stand up against the stereotypes and racism they encounter.

I especially found the Secret Asian Man cartoon about Better Luck Tomorrow (page 357) to be very interesting. The fact that the movie included an all Asian American cast as the main characters was a big deal. I think it says something how the cartoon Asian American man has a tear on his face as he is saying “at last” during the movie, because he has been waiting all his life to see a movie with all Asian American actors. Perhaps this was the way many Asian Americans felt, and to see what happens to the characters and how they behave in the movie, was probably insulting to some Asian American people. Overall, I do think the movie was a step forward for Asian American directors, and actors.

While watching this movie I felt many emotions. Overall I really enjoyed the movie! I liked how the movie had characters around our age, going through similar situations we go through, having to do with parties, friends, school, and drugs. I also liked how the movie was held together by the SAT vocabulary words- I could read the definition of the word and get a sense of what the next section or chapter of the movie was going to be about. I also liked how the beginning of the movie was also the end of the movie. The movie kept my attention and I wanted to keep watching till I found out what was going to happen to each of the characters. I think the movie was put together very cleverly, and the details are very interesting.

I think the main character Ben was very interesting. It was sad to see how he got mixed up with the wrong group of friends, mainly Deric, and got into drugs, stealing, lying, violence and alcohol. In the beginning of the movie, I would have never guessed that Ben was going to be the one who kills Steve. Ben is the model student, an overachiever- not a killer. Its hard to know exactly why Ben lost control and smashed Ben uncontrollably with a baseball bat, however I feel he let his emotions and anger take control of him. I think he was very upset about the way Steve treated Stephanie, and he was in the middle of a flashback about Stephanie when he heard the gun go off.

I remember in the class someone talked about how the boys were all freaking out because Steve was dead, but then when they saw him move, and realized he was not dead, instead of being relieved the mood quickly switched to killing Steve. Deric instantly takes control and kills Steve. Its a very sick moment in the movie and its obvious that the other boys are so much in shock they do not know what to do. Steve takes the leadership role, and convinces Virgil to help him kill Steve. I think this is why Virgil feels so guilty, because he knew what Decric was doing was wrong, but he did not do anything to stop him- none of the boys did.

I don’t think I would have picked up on some of the details and themes the movie portrayed if I had not taken this class prior to watching the movie- I think if I watched the movie on my own, I would have viewed it in a much different way. Overall, I think this class opened my eyes to many issues I was unaware of. I did not realize the stereotyping and racism effected Asian Americans in so many ways. It was nice how the movie took the themes and issues we have been discussing all semester and made them come to life in real characters.

While reading through the article The State of Asian American Cinema by Peter Feng, I saw some common themes we have both been discussing in class and read in other articles/books. The idea of identity for Asian Americans is often seen as a battle, in which they are struggling to find out who they are–are they Asian or are they American? What does it mean to be both…for many individuals this is a crisis. The following quote explains how this theme is directly related to cinema.

“If Asian Americans generally experience a crisis of identity-a crisis fostered by continuing American racism-it is not surprising that Asian Americans cinema continues to thematize that identity crisis, and that Asian American filmmakers face similar crisis when attempting to market their films and themselves. Asian Americans are continually asked to choose either an Asian or an American identity: in cinematic terms, the most successful filmmakers have either submerged their Asian identities to make films about white Americans or have added Asian flavor to Hollywood film making” (page 21).

However, how do the filmmakers choose how much, or what exactly Asian “flavor” consists of. Do they add the commonly stereotyped Asian characteristics or do they add Asian culture–this idea reminded me how Marget Cho talked about how they hired an Asian consultant to teach her how to be more Asian. However, wouldn’t someone who is Asian know best, how to act Asian. This idea is very problematic to me.

Another common theme I saw in the article was the idea of grouping Asians together. It made me think of how Margaret Cho talked about how she could adopt a Chinese baby, because no one would ever know the difference. The article discussed how all the Asian films would be grouped together and compared with one another. The films were not grouped together with the American, or even other minority made films–they were placed in group all of their own, because they were different, they were “other”. The following quote explains the frustration one Asian American film maker felt.

“[...]he complains that when the reviews came in, they’re all comparing one piece against the other. Maybe the film world isn’t ready for community just yet-and that may not bode well for Asian American filmmakers, who understandably chafe at having their disparate projects lumped together, but who also realize that, they do not support each other, no one else will (page 24).

I think this quote is suggesting the idea that because the Asian American films are different, and therefore somewhat threatening and hard to understand, so they are all lumped together into one group, because they are not easily defined or relatable to other films. However, just because they are Asian American films does not mean they even have anything in common–they should not be all grouped together in my opinion. I think they should be grouped based upon what the movie is actually about.

Overall, I thought the Margaret Cho stand up comedy had funny parts, but I did not really enjoy watching it all that much. I am not a big fan of stand up comedy so perhaps that is why I didn’t find it all that funny, but I find it somewhat wrong to make fun of your culture. I think that because Margaret is using the stereotypes she faces as an Asian American, it is somewhat telling others its okay to use those stereotypes as well. I think because she is making the stereotypes an important part of her stand up routines, it is making them seem like she has accepted the stereotypes and agrees with them.

However, I did like some of her standup skits, and I think she does a good job of making other people aware of some issues Asian Americans face today. I liked in skit number 4 how she talked about how she never saw any Asian people on television while growing up, except for the ones on MASH in the background. I think even today, Asian Americans are rarely seen on television, especially when compared to other groups of people. I also liked in skit number 5A, how she talked about her mothers reaction to her pilot going to a series. Margaret’s mother said she faced racism coming to the country in the 1960’s and she was very happy to hear things were getting better for her daughter, in her lifetime.

I also liked how in skit number 6, Margaret talked about her obsession to be skinny and fit into mainstream society. I think this skit is important because it something that many women, and even men can relate to. Out society places a large emphasis on skinny people are there is a different correlation to being skinny and being popular and beautiful. I think in order to be a good comedian; you have to be able to relate to your audience in a humorous way. 

I liked the Cho Show, much better than the stand up comedy. I like reality television though, so this is something that I would be more interested in watching. I liked to see how Margaret acted in her own life, with her career, family and friends. I also think I liked the show because it was something new to me, something I could not relate to.

Okay so my prediction was kind of right! Lelia and Henry do get back together! and who knows maybe they will have another baby someday…but anyways at the end of the book Lelia and Henry move back in together, and it seems as if they both want to try and make things work. However I do not feel that they are both completely over the death of their son Mitt, and I feel they may still have some difficulties with their relationship in the future. I was glad as a reader, how Change Rae Lee told us more about Mitt from the past and Henry as a father. I found it very strange that Henry was afraid to read to his son–perhaps he was fearful of Mitt becoming like him? “I feared I might handicap him, stunt the speech blooming in his brain, and that Lelia would provide the best example of how to speak” (239). Why is Henry so obsessed with language, and how sad that he felt he could not even read to his only child. I can remember as a young child, both my mother and father reading to me and my brother and sister a lot. I think Henry wanted to make sure that Mitt did not face any injustices based on his ability to speak, and he felt he would be responsible for this mistreatment or teasing, if it was to occur to Mitt.

I feel bad for both Mitt and Lelia as parents, because I can not even imagine what it would feel like to loose a child. I have lost a close friend and the pain was almost unbearable, so I can only imagine what it would be like to lose your child. I think the death of any close friend or family member takes, a very long time to get over, and for some individuals it is something that can never be fully gotten over. Some people are never able to fully recover from the death of a loved one, and I can only imagine what it would be like if you felt somewhat responsible for that person’s death. I think in Henry and Lelia’s particular situation, Mitt’s death is something that will haunt them forever, and nothing will ever be the same after that horrible day. However, that’s not to say that they can’t get help, and learn to live with their pain and channel is through healthy actions and activities. However, from what I have learned about both their characters, their ability to communicate as a couple with one another, is very limited and for this reason I do not feel their relationship with last.

I found the following quote disturbing. “Of course I didn’t love her, I hardly liked her, but she was so pitiable and I so fearful and ambitious for my new career that we made love on several occasions in a washroom of their Brooklyn warehouse (208). I think it is disgusting that Henry cheated on his wife with the wife of someone he was spying on, especially when he felt that she was so pathetic and he barely liked her. It seems like if Henry wants his relationship with Lelia to work, he needs to find a new career and stop all the lying and pretending. I am not sure if working with Lelia as her assistant, is the right career for Henry.

I thought this section of the book was very interesting. I liked the passages about John Kwang, because it helped me get to understand what type of a person he was. Although I am still somewhat confused by him–there’s sections in the book where it talks about what a wonderful man he is, and how much everyone seems to love him…but then there’s passages when Kwang does not think anyone is watching, and there’s a totally different side to him. Henry even discusses how Kwang has different “faces” which he is trying to uncover.

The following quote shows one of the “faces” of John Kwang. “I began to see the whip of his temper. One afternoon I watched him shout at his wife, May, for what seemed ten straight minutes as they sat inside their white sedan. He was shaking his fist so close to her face, which had gone white. I was across the street in front of the office so I couldn’t hear him, but I was certain that he was yelling in both Korean and English. She sat perfectly still and took it all. Then he stepped from the car and spoke softly to her from the open door, shutting it gently before she drove off.” (page 145). I think this quote is very interesting to me because it shows a side of John Kwang that the public does not see. The calm, kind, somber John Kwang who everyone seems to look up to, especially Henry, had this temper, and dark side to him.

I am starting to wonder who the real bad guys are in this story. Perhaps Henry is not as bad as we all think–maybe John Kwang is the real bad guy with an alternate life we the reader are unaware of. I think maybe Henry’s company is working to reveal the bad side of John Kwang to the public. But then again people who Henry “spies” on end up dead…so I guess people who kill other people are always the real bad guys.

I also found the following quote very interesting. “Before I knew of him, I had never even conceived of someone like him. A Korean man, of his age, as part of the vernacular. Not just a respectable grocer or dry cleaner or doctor, but a larger public figure who was willing to speak and act outside the tight sphere of his family. He displayed an ambition I didn’t recognize, or more, one I find significant or worthy of energy and devotion; he didn’t seem afraid like my mother and father, who were always wary of those who would try to shame us or mistreat us.” (page 139). I think this quote is very interesting because it shows how Henry never even imagined a person like John Kwang would even exist in the world. Henry always thinks of himself as just that Korean guy, just a B+ student, always doing a “good” job but never A+ work, never excellent or outstanding. However, John Kwag is everything Henry wishes he could be–everything he wishes other people saw him as. Henry thinks everyone sees him as an Asian before they see him as an individual.

When I first read this section of the book I was surprised with some of what I read. I was really surprised with how Henry’s mother and father acted in society. They were almost ashamed of their Koreaness and did not want to go out in public because they were afraid of something–maybe the way they would be looked at? or talked to? or treated? But what I wonder is why did they feel this way. Why did they care so much about what other people thought of them?

I thought the following quote was very interesting. “[...] he mostly operated as if the town were just barely tolerating our presence. The only time he’d come out in public was because of me. [...] My mother, too, was even worse, and she would gladly ruin a birthday cake rather than bearing the tiniest of shames in asking her next-door neighbor and friend for the needed egg she’d run out of, the child’s pinch of baking powder. I remember thinking of her, what’s she so afraid of, what could be so bad that we had ot be careful of what people thought of us. [...] That we believed in anything, American, in impressing Americans, in making money, polishing apples in the dead of night perfectly pressed pants, perfect credit, being perfect, shooting black people, watching our stores and offices burn down to the ground.” (page 52-53)

After reading this passage I was starting to think that Henry’s family acted this way because they were afraid of what happened at the Los Angeles riots. Did Henry’s mother and father tip toe around because they did not want to be noticed?–they didn’t want to stand out as being different. I think this passage reminded me of our class discussion about identity. Who did Henry’s family identify with?–Do they consider themselves American, or Korean? Or are they Korean Americans. I am not totally sure who they consider themselves to relate to, but I do remember that in the chapter Henry’s father said “In America, it’s even harder to stay Korean” (page 51).

When I first was reading this book, I didn’t think I was going to like it much and it seemed boring and confusing. However, after the class discussion today, I feel like I am going to be able to understand the book better because I am now more aware of the author’s unique writing style and how he organizes his ideas for a specific reason. I also think that after class today, I have a better grasp on the different characters and their characteristics as well as their jobs.

I thought the following quote was very interesting. “The day my wife left she gave me a list of who I was. I didn’t know what she was handing me. She had been compiling it without my knowledge for the last year or so we were together. Eventually I would understand that she didn’t mean the list as exhaustive, something complete, in any way the sum of my character or nature….She was drawing up idioms in the list, visions of me in the whitest raw light, instant snapshots of the difficult truths native to our time together (page 1).

I found it very strange that Henry first thinks this letter his wife gives him before she goes on vacation is a love poem. It seems as if his wife is giving him many signals that she is unhappy with their marriage but he does not seem to understand or is refusing not to see it. I also found it very strange that Henry made three photo copies of the list his wife gave him–the words on the list are very hurtful and yet Henry almost cherishes the list and it seems sentimental and important to him. Lelia obviously spent a long time on this list of characteristics of her husband, because the letter looked to have been crumpled up, and flattened out, folded and unfolded, written in pen, pencil, crayon, and it had smudges or olive oil or chocolate on it. This was not just a letter Lelia sat down and wrote quickly and then gave to her husband–this letter was something she had been working on for a very long time. But what I wonder is why, why did Lelia write down these characteristics of her husband? What did he do to her that made her feel this way? and why wasn’t Henry deeply hurt by all of these words. He even says “I never considered the thing mean” (page 5). Maybe he knows he is these things on the list and has learned to accept them for who he is. Maybe for his job he has to posses some of these characteristics, such as spy, and traitor. But why does Henry’s wife think her own husband is a stranger and surreptitious?

Overall I was very impressed by the wiki presentations. I learned a lot about the other group’s topics, especially my own group’s topic of the Los Angles Riots. I never expected our topic to be difficult because I thought it was such a well known event, however, there was so much information out there that it was difficult to sift through all the information and narrow the topic down. By talking with some of the other students in the class I discovered that some groups had the opposite problem as my group. Their topics were difficult to find information about, and I guess I can see how this may be because some of the other topics I had never heard of before our class.

I really liked the way the Filipino Cannery Workers wiki was organized– it made it helpful to understand the topic and the pictures of the actual people made the information more meaningful to me. I am glad they took a topic that maybe did not have that much information out there, but used all the information they found to the fullest and made their wiki look really good.

I also liked the Same Sex Marriage wiki because it taught me a lot about Helen Zia, as an individual and how she came out as being a lesbian. I did not even notice she was a lesbian, I must have either missed it while reading or didn’t even remember. I also learned about Loc Minh Truong, a 55-year-old Vietnamese American who was brutally beat outside of a gay bar in Laguna Beach, California. I never really realized that same sex marriage had an Asian American component. I also learned that some people are trying to get rid of same sex marriage in California.

I also learned a lot from the Miss Saigon wiki presentation. I had never heard of yellowface before this class, I had only heard of blackface. I also learned about what the play was about, which was new information to me–all I had remembered was the that the play had Asian American characters. The play Yellowface was also new information to me as well.

While working on the Wiki I have learned many things. First of all I have learned that finding research is easy, however, finding reliable, factual research is much more difficult. It is very easy to type in a topic or keyword into google and have hundreds of hits. However, these websites are not necessarily reliable or factual. Also I learned that using the image feature on google is not always a good idea, because the pictures may not be legal for me to use for my own personal use. I am still however confused by the creative commons idea.

Technological: I have learned how to embedded hyper links into the wiki, which look much better than the long lines of Url’s. Also I have learned how to add videos such as youtube and pictures into the wiki by using the insert tool. I feel this is significant because, by adding pictures and videos it makes our page more meaningful to the viewer. I feel that videos and picture add a sense of realness to our topic.

Research: I think having the librarian come into our class and help us discover new ways of finding information was very helpful. I have since then tried using many of the various search engines he suggested such as; Newspaper Source, Jstor, Socindex, Asian American Drama, Oral History Online and Librarian Internet Index. I found these resources to be very useful and much better than Ebscohost which was what I always used prior to this class. I have found some research on the actual statistics of damage, deaths, injuries and various other effects of the riots. I have also found some information on how the riot was stopped and how many actual police officers, military personal and various other people it took. Information on the specific causes, not just Rodney King and Latisha Harlins was found by me as well. I also found information on the pregnant women who was shot during the riots.

Collaboration: I feel my group members have been finding very good information. I am glad we broke our topic up into specific categories in the begging because it made the research process much easier and it kept us organized as a group. I think it is somewhat difficult to work on the project as a whole, without communication, however we all exchanged e-mail addresses and can leave comments on the wiki so we seem to be on the right track. I think we divided the information up equally and we are all doing our equal share in the research process. I think by meeting in our classroom today for a little while it helped us get reorganized and refocused on what needs to be done. I feel I am playing a leadership role in my group.