Asians in America : Magazine

Asian People Like Stuff Too

By Michelle Geslani for Asians in America | June 18 2009

Do you enjoy naming your daughters after jewelry? Are you a fan of plastic furniture covers? Does the term "being a banana" mean anything to you?

Stuff White People Like seemingly unites together those summer scarf-wearing, coffee-addicted, Michael Gondry-obsessed people, through its ever-growing list of sometimes embarrassing, sometimes absolutely true points further providing [supposedly unequivocal] evidence for ultimate whiteness.

In much the same way, the blog Stuff Asian People Like seeks to round up a general consensus of what makes Asian people...well, Asian.

Of course there are shining moments on the list, which I find very funny. One part of me laughs hysterically because of the undeniable precision of some of the reasons. Like, at first glance, they would speak directly to me and I'd think in my head "THAT IS MY LIFE." There was a sort of resonance within me, one-third a tad embarrassing and two thirds a sense of pride. And when I say pride, I don't mean that "I take pride in consuming a lot of MSG and fish sauce." I mean that "I am proud to be a part of a community."

Storytelling with Christine Toy Johnson

By Vivian L. Huang for Asians in America | April 8, 2009

Our very own Vivian Huang has an exciting afternoon with the multitalented artist.

A couple of weeks ago I got the opportunity to chat with a performing arts jack of all trades, Christine Toy Johnson. Though her name is not necessarily ubiquitous, Johnson's oeuvre speaks for itself. I can attest to her warmth and charm - I was so engrossed in her words that I didn't even notice when my bag got stolen! (Consider this your PSA to watch your belongings.) Even that realization at the interview's end, however, did not detract from the pleasure of speaking with Johnson. I'll let you read for yourself...Thanks again, Christine!

Maybe for our readers to gain a familiarity with your work, for those who aren't, what are you working on now?
I have all these different kinds of hats on. I have actually made my living as an actor for my entire adult life - I don't know how, honestly! So what that means is theater, film, television, commercials,... whatever! I have been involved with a play called Seven for about a year and a half or so that is written by seven playwrights about seven political female leaders. It is an amazing piece because it is really about these women and the work they do in the world. It is sponsored by an organization called Vital Voices. They bring us to the different venues, and typically four to five of the seven real women come as well, and they speak to the panel afterwards. They call it documentary theater. You can read about it at sevenplay.org.

Barack Obama: Our First Asian President

By Alex Chavez for AIA | April 1, 2009

Some compelling facts that may prove once and for all that the President is a "rice-brother."

Before Barack Obama was actually elected president, Asian American pop culture columnist Jeff Yang had suggested that the Hawaii-born, Indonesian-raised democratic candidate could be considered the first Asian American president in the same way Bill Clinton was jokingly referred to as the first Black president. Well, now that he's been our commander-in-chief for a few months, I've gotten to know Mr. Obama a lot better which leads me to believe that Jeff was even more on target than before.

If I may, I'd like to take this concept a few steps further (perhaps right off a cliff) and run through a list of qualities that, I believe, make Barack Obama, an honorary Asian American.

Q & A, Xs and Os with actress Lynn Chen

By Vivian Huang for Asians in America | March 4, 2009

If you have seen Alice Wu's film Saving Face (which I highly recommend you do), you know actress Lynn Chen as Vivian Shing, bold and vulnerable modern dancer. But what is Chen into when she's not on screen? I had so much fun coming up with questions for Kelvin Yu last month, I thought I would send Lynn Chen a similar e-mail and see what happened. Thank you to Lynn Chen for humoring me and taking me seriously at the same time.

Fruits or vegetables?
Both!

Anything you're kind of obsessed with or currently fascinated by?
Super Mario Kart for Wii - whenever I think I'm getting pretty good I play online and am instantly humbled.

What are your favorite comfort foods?
Because I have a history with eating disorders, I try to really honor whatever I'm truly hungry for and not eat emotionally. That said, I pretty much enjoy anything with sweet potatoes, pumpkin, dates, or figs.

Where do you think the film industry is in terms of Asian & Pacific Islander American representation?
There is such a wonderful pool of talent out there that is finally getting recognized. Slooooowly, unfortunately.

Milk's Kelvin Yu is a Funny Guy

By Vivian Huang for Asians in America | February 2009

Speaking of Oscar buzz, I recently got inspired to e-mail Kelvin Yu, the actor who plays Michael Wong in Gus Van Sant's film Milk. I hope that you, dear reader, have gotten out to watch this film; I had high hopes for it, and the cast and crew delivered. Big thanks to Kelvin Yu (or should we say Wad?) for humoring my questions.

If you could be a character in any animated show, who would you be and why?
Funny you should ask. I think about this often and the obvious answer would have to be Optimus Prime. Why, you ask...? Why would I want to spontaneously morph into a fire engine at my own whim and then instantaneously back into a 40 foot robot? For chicks. Obviously.

What is your favorite part of the movie- and television-making process?
The best part of making a film is the decision making. I know that sounds broad and maybe there's no better way to articulate it for me. As an actor, you are very much part of a larger army of ants whose umbrella goal is the telling of a greater story. However, you do have control over this one small aspect--and that's your character. Who is he and how do my choices affect the bigger picture as we move forward and paint this picture together? How do my decisions affect the director, the DP, the other actors? That's a very exciting aspect of acting in film for me, because it's not something that has methodology built into it. It forces people to be present and aware of each moment. The second best part is goodie bags. Any kind of free item. And the best part of television is residuals. Anyone will tell you that.

Interview with Dev Patel: Slumdog speaks

By Allison Williams for Time Out New York | January 22-29, 2009

Young star Dev Patel on millions, Mumbai and the Oscars.

Minutes before accepting an award for Breakthrough Performance by an Actor from the National Board of Review, Dev Patel, the teenage star of Slumdog Millionaire (and TONY cover model), talked money.

What would you do if you were a millionaire? Wait, are you?
No! I’d probably do the clever thing and invest it in something like property, with the unsteady London banks and everything.

But that’s so adult!
That was just for my dad; he’s an accountant. What would I do? I’d probably buy a phat-ass Rolls-Royce Phantom—I’d buy three in, like, different colors, yeah. One in a silly color, like purple. And the rest of it for a year’s supply of popcorn. Because I love my popcorn.

To read the complete interview, visit Time Out New York.

Race Encounters of the Third Kind

By Alex Chavez for AIA | July 2008

Somebody's gotta say it: Asians are racists. Now I'm not talking about "Asian Americans." I'm talking about ASIAN Asians, still-living-in-the-mother-country Asians. And the occasional first generation parents who want their sons and daughters to marry "their own kind."

And everyone's heard of cases where this Asian enslaved that Asian for 10 years, took away their passports and made them sleep on the floor and eat dried fish. That hits the news almost yearly. And then there's the less known fact that IN Asia, white people get paid more than native Asian people in the same positions. Wassupwitdat?!!

But last night I discovered something truly mind boggling that goes beyond any of the above examples of self-discrimination. But let me start from the beginning:

Asian Aussie Kicks Ass

By Ramon Gil for AIA | July 2008

For over a year now, I've been watching Natalie (aka Community Channel) Tran of Sydney, Australia blog on YouTube about life in general incorporating a lot of one-person skits and amusing monologues.

This girl's got charm and talent and I'd always wanted to do a feature on her here on Asians in America but 1) She's not in America and 2) she never responds to my e-mails. Short of stalking her to doing an interview with us, I simply backed off and admired her work from afar.

Then two things happened: 1) She came to America. New York City of all places. True, she went back after only a week, but we'll take it. Then 2) she created the video above. Though her ethnicity is seldom an issue on her blog, this one was a response to some racist's comments. And what a great response it was!

Of course, there was that whole controversy with the purple contacts, but I don't think purple is ethno-centric in either direction, so nevermind.

Anyway, Nat, if you see this, well done. And for those of you who've never seen her before, Enjoy!

Asian Dirt: Our New "Gossip" Format

By Alex Chavez for AIA | April 1 2008

While brainstorming about how to make AIA more relevant and increase traffic, the idea of making Asians in America magazine into a trashy tabloid was seriously (not really) considered. Following are some of the kind of gutter-scum stories that we were thinking of running:

Battlestar Galactica's Grace Park denies eye-lid surgery.
Upon her return from a recent trip to Korea, reporters questioned Ms. Park on whether or not she had her eyelids surgically altered. A popular procedure in Korea but a controversial one in the United States because of it's connotation that "western" style eyes are more beautiful than Asian eyes. Shocked at the question, Ms. Park broke out in tears sobbing "These are my REAL eyelids!" When pressed further about why she was so upset, she simply said "I'm not upset. It's just that the stitches still hurt."

It's Official: David Carradine is not Asian!
Actor and YellowBook spokesperson David Carradine who played Kwai Chang Kane in the 70's TV show Kung Fu and it's horrible sequel Kung Fu: The Legend Continues, joined a growing list of celebrities who have had their geneology traced through DNA testing. The results astounded Carradine and the world. David Carradine has absolutely no Asian blood in him. Not a pint, not an ounce, not a drop. The actor was crushed by the news and vowed to continue play an Asian on TV and teach Tai Chi. When asked about this latest development, a Yellowbook executive said "What, he's not Oriental? Does this mean we have to pay him more money now?"

Not Quite Shakespeare. Not Even Close.

By Romeo & Juliet | August 2006

After much anguish over offering a forum, we're finally featuring an advice column. But unlike others, we're offering 2 points of view. A he and a she, and without further ado...

Dear Romeo & Juliet,

I'm a single Asian female and I've recently started dating a white guy. When my brother found out, he got all upset. And I can tell my parents aren't too pleased either. Why are they acting this way and what should I do?

ROMEO: I think you should dump the white guy already and go back to dating Asian men. We have been getting the short end of the stick since God knows when. In the media, we are portrayed as either effeminate, nerdy or FOBish. Ever notice how America embraced William Hung (the American Idol loser) and ignored Harlemm Lee (the actual winner)? And women buy into this, both Asians and non-Asians. You should learn to see through these stereotypes and appreciate single Asian guys like me. We're not all nerds and FOBS. Not only are we very masculine, but we're usually smart and well employed. Did I already mention that I'm single?