by Alkemyst
It was the turn of the 21st century
By that time, he was supposed to know who to be
But every month he'd stare at the full moon
Depending on God to determine the rest of his tune
Back up a minute and reminisce, his life
An invisible prison cell, locked in a set path, despite
His dreams to become an entertainer
Suffocating himself, left in a' empty container
Blindly living and ignoring the chains on his wrists,
He said to himself, it's all I can do about this
As the sun crossed east to west, his soul diluted
From rising currents of doubt, left undisputed
Lost and confused, he had gripped the fear
And fabricated a future full of pouring tears
So he stopped,
Imagined the easy route, to just give up life, sink and drop,
Facing the blackness, your future's at stake
There ain't just one shell that you gotta break
It's a continuous cracking at your comfort zone
Sometimes you have to accept the discomfort to break the mold
Everyone needs change in their lives
Without it, we lose our way, morph into parasites
Screw growing up, try growing young
Our minds hunger for knowledge, we'll never be done
Few years later, after taking the easy route
His face in his hands, mind in the clouds
Until one day, he heard an emerging voice
Arguing with his will to be glued to a safe choice
From his secluded cube he looked straight up
The glass ceiling was never there, was all made up
He pushed himself off the rails,
Realized that life's too short to even think to fail
He rose from the grave that stopped his blood
With new energy, broke away, and planted a bud
Soon it sprouted, fed his soul, grew in his veins
Replenished his mind, forever changing the game
Never regretting the past, living day by day,
He made his own story without losing his way
He left the hustle, popped his bubble
And finally accepted that life was a beautiful struggle
Your future's not meant to be a blackhole
Even realists need idealism to reach their goals
Rise above the fear of the unknown
Cut the chains, let freedom reign, and release the soul
Everyone needs change in their lives
Without it, we lose our way, morph into parasites
Screw growing up, try growing young
Our minds hunger for knowledge, we'll never be done
So get up, forget about whatever anybody tells you, and make a choice.
May 24, 2007
May 02, 2007
The Parking Lot
Friday and breezy. A perfect end to an okay week.
I'm driving through the high school parking lot, windows down.
I pass by a car with its windows down too.
I haven't cut him off; I haven't slowed him down in any way.
No provoking.
He turns to me.
Yells ching chong noises and laughs.
I'm so shocked I can't even react.
For about 30 seconds I want to put my car in park...get out...and beat up this random high school bully.
Then, "Student Teacher Assaults Local Boy" details at 9, flashes through my thoughts.
Obviously an assault would be less than ideal.
And so I just keep driving. Keep driving along.
Then it really hits me. This raw, raw anger and hurt.
It's been at least four or five years since someone has yelled fucked up shit to my face.
Four or five years since I've had to deal with unprovokedignorantbelligeranthatespeech.
Four or five years since I shed my thick skin and left bullshit high school for more discreet forms of hate.
Four or five years since someone could make me feel like I'm back in 1st grade again, trying to defend myself unarmed, my words failing me completely.
And then I cried.
I'm driving through the high school parking lot, windows down.
I pass by a car with its windows down too.
I haven't cut him off; I haven't slowed him down in any way.
No provoking.
He turns to me.
Yells ching chong noises and laughs.
I'm so shocked I can't even react.
For about 30 seconds I want to put my car in park...get out...and beat up this random high school bully.
Then, "Student Teacher Assaults Local Boy" details at 9, flashes through my thoughts.
Obviously an assault would be less than ideal.
And so I just keep driving. Keep driving along.
Then it really hits me. This raw, raw anger and hurt.
It's been at least four or five years since someone has yelled fucked up shit to my face.
Four or five years since I've had to deal with unprovokedignorantbelligeranthatespeech.
Four or five years since I shed my thick skin and left bullshit high school for more discreet forms of hate.
Four or five years since someone could make me feel like I'm back in 1st grade again, trying to defend myself unarmed, my words failing me completely.
And then I cried.
April 23, 2007
Prom in 2007
I thought we lived in the 21st century, well more than halfway into its first decade at that.
Proms are still segregated?
http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/04/23/turner.prom/index.html
It's my night to be naive. Sorry.
-jp
Proms are still segregated?
http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/04/23/turner.prom/index.html
It's my night to be naive. Sorry.
-jp
On "Being Colorblind"
I haven't made a post in a while, but I feel that it's time again.
As the semester drives to a close, my Diversity/Identity class is putting the finishing touches on our exhibit, which we hope to soon have up in front of the Co-Op. My specific part of the exhibit deals with "Diversity on Campus." Let me share a few quotes from opposite ends of the spectrum:
“There’s diversity—but I don’t know, I just feel like everyone is—there’s people of every ethnicity here, but it’s not like we’re intermingling with one another. It’s like we’re all in our little cliques. So it’s’ kind of like some people say like a melting pot or a salad. It’s like somebody just threw a big chunk of lettuce in there, and then somebody threw a whole tomato in there, instead of chopping it up and mixing up the whole salad.”
“And so I guess with UT, I don’t see it as diverse because I see really—for me, I see the population being really Asian and White. I don’t really see anything else, and so I don’t really see it as diverse…to define diversity, I guess you have to look at the—not only just the different species or types that are in one little area, you also have to look at the numbers. I mean, I don’t think you want to say that just because you have one of each one, that’s diverse; because you can have one of one species, and fifty of another species, and I don’t think that’s diverse at all, and that’s kind of what I see at UT.”
“…I think that UT could use more diversity not for my sake but for everyone else’s sake—because I think that it is really sad when people have to rely on stereotypes to know a race because they don’t know a lot of Black people and have misconceptions and ideas that are most of the time just wrong. And if there were more Blacks or if there were just more of anything I think it could open people’s minds.”
(I'm keeping all quotes anonymous although all narrators have signed appropriate release forms)
While extracting quotes from a series of about 24 interviews, I came across many that had to do with the concept of "being colorblind." And I present:
“I’ve just been brought up in a way that’s colorblind and I don’t understand how people can be like that [so conscious of race]. When I was younger, I used to think that people were Black if they had Black hair, so I thought that my grandpa was Black because he had Black hair. But he was White. And I thought I was White because I had blonde hair, so I just don’t understand how people—how they can be like that and why it means so much.”
“It doesn’t matter what race I am. To me, it’s wherever you grew up at, wherever you were raised is how you’re going to act.”
“And so that’s always been sort of my stance as far as that, that you know, race and color doesn’t really matter. And I try to prove that performing well academically, and showing people that everything is based on skill, and that’s what’s important, not color.”
All interviews were conducted with people of color.
I've run into a huge problem while putting together my exhibit. Obviously, my narrators care about diversity, no question about it. But if all we should strive to be is colorblind, WHY IN THE HELL WOULD DIVERSITY BE IMPORTANT?!
Explain that one away and I'll give you...hell, I'll let you have the A on my project.
--jp
As the semester drives to a close, my Diversity/Identity class is putting the finishing touches on our exhibit, which we hope to soon have up in front of the Co-Op. My specific part of the exhibit deals with "Diversity on Campus." Let me share a few quotes from opposite ends of the spectrum:
“There’s diversity—but I don’t know, I just feel like everyone is—there’s people of every ethnicity here, but it’s not like we’re intermingling with one another. It’s like we’re all in our little cliques. So it’s’ kind of like some people say like a melting pot or a salad. It’s like somebody just threw a big chunk of lettuce in there, and then somebody threw a whole tomato in there, instead of chopping it up and mixing up the whole salad.”
“And so I guess with UT, I don’t see it as diverse because I see really—for me, I see the population being really Asian and White. I don’t really see anything else, and so I don’t really see it as diverse…to define diversity, I guess you have to look at the—not only just the different species or types that are in one little area, you also have to look at the numbers. I mean, I don’t think you want to say that just because you have one of each one, that’s diverse; because you can have one of one species, and fifty of another species, and I don’t think that’s diverse at all, and that’s kind of what I see at UT.”
“…I think that UT could use more diversity not for my sake but for everyone else’s sake—because I think that it is really sad when people have to rely on stereotypes to know a race because they don’t know a lot of Black people and have misconceptions and ideas that are most of the time just wrong. And if there were more Blacks or if there were just more of anything I think it could open people’s minds.”
(I'm keeping all quotes anonymous although all narrators have signed appropriate release forms)
While extracting quotes from a series of about 24 interviews, I came across many that had to do with the concept of "being colorblind." And I present:
“I’ve just been brought up in a way that’s colorblind and I don’t understand how people can be like that [so conscious of race]. When I was younger, I used to think that people were Black if they had Black hair, so I thought that my grandpa was Black because he had Black hair. But he was White. And I thought I was White because I had blonde hair, so I just don’t understand how people—how they can be like that and why it means so much.”
“It doesn’t matter what race I am. To me, it’s wherever you grew up at, wherever you were raised is how you’re going to act.”
“And so that’s always been sort of my stance as far as that, that you know, race and color doesn’t really matter. And I try to prove that performing well academically, and showing people that everything is based on skill, and that’s what’s important, not color.”
All interviews were conducted with people of color.
I've run into a huge problem while putting together my exhibit. Obviously, my narrators care about diversity, no question about it. But if all we should strive to be is colorblind, WHY IN THE HELL WOULD DIVERSITY BE IMPORTANT?!
Explain that one away and I'll give you...hell, I'll let you have the A on my project.
--jp
April 12, 2007
Faulty Scanners
My brother recently got hired to work in San Francisco, threw away his furniture and car, and headed up there last week. This is the first time the "baby" of the family is really showing some independence and it is a proud moment for our family.
As he was checking in his ticket in one of those self-serve kiosks at the airport, 2 guards came up and asked that he be scanned. Supposedly, he was consistently setting the alarm off, even after several articles of clothing were removed. Then, he was taken to another room - to take off all of his clothing for a full body search.
After he put his clothes back on, he was held and questioned repeatedly: they wanted to know why his ticket to San Francisco was one-way and what his real plans for the city are.
Oh, I'm sure the search was completely random.
As he was checking in his ticket in one of those self-serve kiosks at the airport, 2 guards came up and asked that he be scanned. Supposedly, he was consistently setting the alarm off, even after several articles of clothing were removed. Then, he was taken to another room - to take off all of his clothing for a full body search.
After he put his clothes back on, he was held and questioned repeatedly: they wanted to know why his ticket to San Francisco was one-way and what his real plans for the city are.
Oh, I'm sure the search was completely random.
April 10, 2007
My Cousin, Part II
Brought to you by the Jean family tree.
---------
Chinese Food Buffet, a rant about that which really isn't.
FRIED CHICKEN, MEATBALLS, TERIYAKI CHICKEN, CORNED BEEF, FRENCH FRIES, PUDDING; since when did these become part of Chinese cuisine? I guess one could call them Chinese fries and 90-degree angle beef and Pu-Ding, yet we must realize that they are still truly NOT Chinese. How misleading and deceptive it is to call a buffet restaurant “Chinese” when it actually has few authentic dishes; even these few “genuine” Chinese dishes are not genuine. It is true that they serve General Tso’s Chicken, Orange Chicken, and Sesame Chicken found in China. Yet why give these three dishes the different names here when THEY ARE ESSENTIALLY THE SAME??? Admit it “Chinese” buffet restaurants, you use the same sauce and you use the same chicken. The only difference is that difference in the name. No need to ask the waiter what's in each dish, it's all in the name. Orange flavor is added to Orange chicken and sesame is added to Sesame Chicken. However, General Tso presents some astounding change with the brilliant idea of adding peppers and pineapple to the mono-tasting “chicken sauce”, thus giving his name to the exhausted dish today. Thank you General Tso for some nominal diversity, otherwise we’d have Pepper and Pineapple Chicken, and can’t have that, for we are the nation of diversity. Oh wait, it’s supposed to be Chinese food, not American.
But it’s not. It’s what we Chinese call “Americanized-Chinese food”. It’s the Sweet and Sour Chicken. It’s the Sesame Beef. It’s the Broccoli and Beef. It’s everything that isn’t. It’s the great culinary paradox that is diluting the Chinese cultural cuisine in this country. I go to a Chinese buffet and expect to eat Chinese food, yet what I find is the same everywhere: dishes as repetitive and bland as a bad English essay. The blooming entrepreneur restaurant owner and chef of today can splash some “Chinese Sauce” over everything, give out fortune cookies (which I must say have not yet once been correct), and BAM you got yourself a 100%, true dat, authentic, bona fide, genuine Americanized Not-So-Much Chinese Buffet. Way to go, now all you have to do is compete with the twenty other identical buffet’s and you’re set.
The American customers love it, and even some Chinese have become accustomed to eating at these spurious buffets. I admit to having eating my share of General Tso’s Chicken and generic Lo Mien, but honestly, it’s not real. It's so superficial. It satisfies the stomach but not my soul, not my desire to absorb and eat the scrumptious dim sum of my true heritage. But what can I do, for it IS America, and everything here is American to some extent. Maybe I might be too cynical (nah), to critical (no), and to demanding (nope). Oh well, it’s hopeless. At least there are a few good actual Chinese (sit-down) Restaurants; our last resort. Perhaps the massive buffet’s will take a hint, and realize quality might be better than quantity, and authenticity better than conformity.
Or perhaps not. Either way, finish your Chinese Sauce smothered chicken, eat your fortune cookie, and leave with a full stomach, happy that there are no dishes to wash tonight.
Don’t forget to jack some Skittles on the way out.
-peta pong
---------
Chinese Food Buffet, a rant about that which really isn't.
FRIED CHICKEN, MEATBALLS, TERIYAKI CHICKEN, CORNED BEEF, FRENCH FRIES, PUDDING; since when did these become part of Chinese cuisine? I guess one could call them Chinese fries and 90-degree angle beef and Pu-Ding, yet we must realize that they are still truly NOT Chinese. How misleading and deceptive it is to call a buffet restaurant “Chinese” when it actually has few authentic dishes; even these few “genuine” Chinese dishes are not genuine. It is true that they serve General Tso’s Chicken, Orange Chicken, and Sesame Chicken found in China. Yet why give these three dishes the different names here when THEY ARE ESSENTIALLY THE SAME??? Admit it “Chinese” buffet restaurants, you use the same sauce and you use the same chicken. The only difference is that difference in the name. No need to ask the waiter what's in each dish, it's all in the name. Orange flavor is added to Orange chicken and sesame is added to Sesame Chicken. However, General Tso presents some astounding change with the brilliant idea of adding peppers and pineapple to the mono-tasting “chicken sauce”, thus giving his name to the exhausted dish today. Thank you General Tso for some nominal diversity, otherwise we’d have Pepper and Pineapple Chicken, and can’t have that, for we are the nation of diversity. Oh wait, it’s supposed to be Chinese food, not American.
But it’s not. It’s what we Chinese call “Americanized-Chinese food”. It’s the Sweet and Sour Chicken. It’s the Sesame Beef. It’s the Broccoli and Beef. It’s everything that isn’t. It’s the great culinary paradox that is diluting the Chinese cultural cuisine in this country. I go to a Chinese buffet and expect to eat Chinese food, yet what I find is the same everywhere: dishes as repetitive and bland as a bad English essay. The blooming entrepreneur restaurant owner and chef of today can splash some “Chinese Sauce” over everything, give out fortune cookies (which I must say have not yet once been correct), and BAM you got yourself a 100%, true dat, authentic, bona fide, genuine Americanized Not-So-Much Chinese Buffet. Way to go, now all you have to do is compete with the twenty other identical buffet’s and you’re set.
The American customers love it, and even some Chinese have become accustomed to eating at these spurious buffets. I admit to having eating my share of General Tso’s Chicken and generic Lo Mien, but honestly, it’s not real. It's so superficial. It satisfies the stomach but not my soul, not my desire to absorb and eat the scrumptious dim sum of my true heritage. But what can I do, for it IS America, and everything here is American to some extent. Maybe I might be too cynical (nah), to critical (no), and to demanding (nope). Oh well, it’s hopeless. At least there are a few good actual Chinese (sit-down) Restaurants; our last resort. Perhaps the massive buffet’s will take a hint, and realize quality might be better than quantity, and authenticity better than conformity.
Or perhaps not. Either way, finish your Chinese Sauce smothered chicken, eat your fortune cookie, and leave with a full stomach, happy that there are no dishes to wash tonight.
Don’t forget to jack some Skittles on the way out.
-peta pong
My Cousin, Part I
So I discovered my little cousin on Facebook and I read some of his notes, and they are amazing. I wanted to post them (with his permission, of course) since when I was his age, I was no where near this level of awareness. I'm proud. =)
----------
Yellow Label, a reflection on individualism.
BRUCE LEE; CONFUCIUS; IRON CHEF; YO-YO MA are the persona that I embody to become that shade of yellow that we all know. Or think we know. Or rather assume to be true. "Asian" is what society labels me, how most people label me, and what I sometimes consider myself to be. Whatever that is...
A stereotype? a culture? an ethnicity?
the terms "asian" or "black" or "white" or "mexican" by themselves are meaningless, but with society, people have added meaning and implication and assumption. and history. However, whatever it comes out to be, it is always a biased view. A view that may not always be right, yet may not always be wrong - because that's the thing with opinion: one's never wrong. (Isn't that what our educators keep emphasizing?) Then what I also ask is this: is one's opinion therefore also never right? Opinion is the result of a subjective topic, and what's more subjective then attempting to place one image on millions of different frames. So we arrive at the solution that so many civil rights activists and stereotype fighters have advocated for so long: end labeling.
So what am I if I am not an implication or an assumption? if I do not study every hour of the day? if I don't eat dumplings and fried rice everyday? if I don't know martial arts? if I do not play piano of violin? if I do not play ping pong continuously? if I'm not frugal with money? what am I if I do not fit like a jig-saw into the stereotype puzzle?
I become an individual.
-peta pong
----------
Yellow Label, a reflection on individualism.
BRUCE LEE; CONFUCIUS; IRON CHEF; YO-YO MA are the persona that I embody to become that shade of yellow that we all know. Or think we know. Or rather assume to be true. "Asian" is what society labels me, how most people label me, and what I sometimes consider myself to be. Whatever that is...
A stereotype? a culture? an ethnicity?
the terms "asian" or "black" or "white" or "mexican" by themselves are meaningless, but with society, people have added meaning and implication and assumption. and history. However, whatever it comes out to be, it is always a biased view. A view that may not always be right, yet may not always be wrong - because that's the thing with opinion: one's never wrong. (Isn't that what our educators keep emphasizing?) Then what I also ask is this: is one's opinion therefore also never right? Opinion is the result of a subjective topic, and what's more subjective then attempting to place one image on millions of different frames. So we arrive at the solution that so many civil rights activists and stereotype fighters have advocated for so long: end labeling.
So what am I if I am not an implication or an assumption? if I do not study every hour of the day? if I don't eat dumplings and fried rice everyday? if I don't know martial arts? if I do not play piano of violin? if I do not play ping pong continuously? if I'm not frugal with money? what am I if I do not fit like a jig-saw into the stereotype puzzle?
I become an individual.
-peta pong
April 07, 2007
Smile, it's not that bad.
Be forewarned. This isn't about a social justice issue or an -ism.
I was walking to campus yesterday on beautiful Guadalupe Street. It had been a long night of drinking and dancing, and I was already late for my first meeting of the day. I just got finished cleaning my glasses off as I was walking. As I'm passing some person on the sidewalk, she looks like at me with disgust, and says, "Smile, it's not that bad."
When I'm walking alone on the street in the morning, it's not very likely I'll be smiling. Especially when you take into account all the factors listed above. Cleaning my glasses isn't a very smile-worthy activity. And I'm not sure why I should smile constantly, or why someone else feels the need to tell me I should.
What really gets me is that the person who told me to smile wasn't smiling.
I was walking to campus yesterday on beautiful Guadalupe Street. It had been a long night of drinking and dancing, and I was already late for my first meeting of the day. I just got finished cleaning my glasses off as I was walking. As I'm passing some person on the sidewalk, she looks like at me with disgust, and says, "Smile, it's not that bad."
When I'm walking alone on the street in the morning, it's not very likely I'll be smiling. Especially when you take into account all the factors listed above. Cleaning my glasses isn't a very smile-worthy activity. And I'm not sure why I should smile constantly, or why someone else feels the need to tell me I should.
What really gets me is that the person who told me to smile wasn't smiling.
Killing American Idol
This weekend at VASCON3, I was in awe at the amount of TALENT and PASSION all the entertainers had for what they do. Amongst them, there were several singers and bands such as Thomas' Apartment and Vudoo Soul. So it got me thinking, why do I have to come to a Vietnamese American conference to hear Asian Americans perform? And why is it that I hear "this is why I'm hot" three times before I get to work? Let's rewind.
A few weeks ago, I read this article: Trying To Crack the Hot 100
For those who don't feel like clicking the link, the article baisically analyzes Asian Americans in the music industry and how we seem to be unable to break that "glass ceiling" into stardom and make it to the radio. Harlem Lee won the NBC's version of American Idol but nobody remembers that. Maybe because it got swept under the rug faster than a stain you're trying to cover up before your in-laws come over. The NY Times seems to feel that the reason being is not that we lack talent or the desire, but rather we have this "Asian thing" going against us. ASIAN THING? Hmm.
Then, I thought WAIT. Every now and then, I watch American Idol. Right now, there's all this controversy about Sanjaya Malakar, the Indian born no-talent laughing-stock who is single-handedly "killing american idol." I know he can't sing, and by no means am I advocating that he should win. However, there is not a lack of talent amongst APIDAs when it comes to musical talent, including singing. Yet the ones who make it past the tens of thousands of eager auditionees and the rigorous and critical eyes of the judges are William Hung and Sanjaya Malakar. Seriously?
Either the process isn't working, or somebody thinks its funny to put William Hung and Sanjaya on national television so that they can help reinfoce the fact that Asian Americans can't sing. Which (per the NY Time's article) is just not true.
So: Is Sanjaya really killing American Idol? Or is American Idol killing the chances that Asian Americans have of breaking that invisible barrier into being taken seriously as performers and artists?
Jean
A few weeks ago, I read this article: Trying To Crack the Hot 100
For those who don't feel like clicking the link, the article baisically analyzes Asian Americans in the music industry and how we seem to be unable to break that "glass ceiling" into stardom and make it to the radio. Harlem Lee won the NBC's version of American Idol but nobody remembers that. Maybe because it got swept under the rug faster than a stain you're trying to cover up before your in-laws come over. The NY Times seems to feel that the reason being is not that we lack talent or the desire, but rather we have this "Asian thing" going against us. ASIAN THING? Hmm.
Then, I thought WAIT. Every now and then, I watch American Idol. Right now, there's all this controversy about Sanjaya Malakar, the Indian born no-talent laughing-stock who is single-handedly "killing american idol." I know he can't sing, and by no means am I advocating that he should win. However, there is not a lack of talent amongst APIDAs when it comes to musical talent, including singing. Yet the ones who make it past the tens of thousands of eager auditionees and the rigorous and critical eyes of the judges are William Hung and Sanjaya Malakar. Seriously?
Either the process isn't working, or somebody thinks its funny to put William Hung and Sanjaya on national television so that they can help reinfoce the fact that Asian Americans can't sing. Which (per the NY Time's article) is just not true.
So: Is Sanjaya really killing American Idol? Or is American Idol killing the chances that Asian Americans have of breaking that invisible barrier into being taken seriously as performers and artists?
Jean
March 24, 2007
PAWS Meetings
PAWS stands for Professional Advocates With Students...or something like that. Either way, it's a more structured form of homeroom. Teachers at my school hate it.
The other day, my supervising teacher gets an IEP (individualized education plan) for a student in her PAWS. An IEP is designed for students with special needs. My teacher is livid. "WHY!? Why do I need to modify my instruction for a student that's in my HOMEROOM?! We don't do anything in there anyway?"
Silently, I considered that she was overreacting. After all, if nothing truly happens in advisory, then modification won't be necessary. Done.
But then it was time for our mandatory PAWS meeting to discuss the plans for the next month. My teacher seeks out the special ed teacher, Phyllis, for advice about this new IEP. Now, I knew Phyllis was a little shady when she casually commented during the meeting, "My juniors are more stupid than my special ed kids!"
And what did Phyllis say to my teacher about having to modify instruction for a student with special needs in her homeroom?
"That's SOOO RETARDED!!!"
The other day, my supervising teacher gets an IEP (individualized education plan) for a student in her PAWS. An IEP is designed for students with special needs. My teacher is livid. "WHY!? Why do I need to modify my instruction for a student that's in my HOMEROOM?! We don't do anything in there anyway?"
Silently, I considered that she was overreacting. After all, if nothing truly happens in advisory, then modification won't be necessary. Done.
But then it was time for our mandatory PAWS meeting to discuss the plans for the next month. My teacher seeks out the special ed teacher, Phyllis, for advice about this new IEP. Now, I knew Phyllis was a little shady when she casually commented during the meeting, "My juniors are more stupid than my special ed kids!"
And what did Phyllis say to my teacher about having to modify instruction for a student with special needs in her homeroom?
"That's SOOO RETARDED!!!"
March 20, 2007
Blondes, Brunettes, and...?
Check out THIS latest advertisement series for the Sunsilk hair product line. I suppose the hair possibilities are divided into blondes, brunettes, and other? I'm not surprised that the hair care industry doesn't cater to black hair, but its never been this obvious. And yes, there is the argument that brunette includes black hair, but seriously, as Ani points out, brunettes is what white people with brown hair call themselves. Alright, media, woot.
This entry is brought to you by Sunsilk.
Jean
This entry is brought to you by Sunsilk.
Jean
March 09, 2007
Food Crisis
I suggested we order in Thai food today at work (cause when we work late, we always order in... and its ALWAYS burgers or sandwiches).
Everybody looked at me like I was psycho.
And then a blonde girl said that they try to order American food so that everybody can find something they like.
This is food deprivation, yo.
Can I just take this moment and rant a little about "sandwiches". Why would you pay somebody 6 bucks to make you a sandwich? That's not even cooking, you don't even add heat. You're baisically taking about 5 individual items and stacking it on top of each other. Not too hard or complicated. I don't get what all the buzz is about sandwiches.
Moral of the story? No heat = not cooking = boring food = food crisis.
Jean
Everybody looked at me like I was psycho.
And then a blonde girl said that they try to order American food so that everybody can find something they like.
This is food deprivation, yo.
Can I just take this moment and rant a little about "sandwiches". Why would you pay somebody 6 bucks to make you a sandwich? That's not even cooking, you don't even add heat. You're baisically taking about 5 individual items and stacking it on top of each other. Not too hard or complicated. I don't get what all the buzz is about sandwiches.
Moral of the story? No heat = not cooking = boring food = food crisis.
Jean
Im in my foreign policy class and we are talking about groups who tend to vote democratic or republican and we are looking at a statistic that states that African Americans tend to vote more Democratic.
An African American gentleman raises his hand and says:
"That's cause Black people don't know what the hell they are talking about. I'm from Southside San Antonio, and they are pretty ghetto, you know, they are as black as they come...
Professor stops at this point with the WTF look on her face and says "maybe you need to stop right there..."
and he says, "No no, I'm serious, they are really ghetto, they live in project housing and they don't know what they are doing, they vote democratic cause they think it will get them more money. I can say this cause I'm black, it's ok."
I found it interesting that he chose to say "they" and also that when he wanted to talk about the whole entire African American population, he referenced section 8 project housing. Nice. Seeing as he is the only African American student that showed up in class today and the professor doesn't know jack squat about race relations in America, the rest of the class slowly absorbed this and concluded that it had to be true.
sigh
An African American gentleman raises his hand and says:
"That's cause Black people don't know what the hell they are talking about. I'm from Southside San Antonio, and they are pretty ghetto, you know, they are as black as they come...
Professor stops at this point with the WTF look on her face and says "maybe you need to stop right there..."
and he says, "No no, I'm serious, they are really ghetto, they live in project housing and they don't know what they are doing, they vote democratic cause they think it will get them more money. I can say this cause I'm black, it's ok."
I found it interesting that he chose to say "they" and also that when he wanted to talk about the whole entire African American population, he referenced section 8 project housing. Nice. Seeing as he is the only African American student that showed up in class today and the professor doesn't know jack squat about race relations in America, the rest of the class slowly absorbed this and concluded that it had to be true.
sigh
March 04, 2007
Black Heritage Celebration
Wednesday was the high school's Black Heritage Celebration aka Celebration of Religious Privilege.
Featuring: Church hymns! Praising the Lord! Lead singers of local church choirs singing about Jesus saving people's souls!
Weird Moment: when the 85% white jazz choir sang "Thank You" by Boyz II Men.
WTF Moment: when I noticed that the posters entitled "From Slavery to Freedom" on the walls featured great African Americans like Denzel Washington playing Malcolm X, Tyra Banks, and Mrs. Brisco...the school's speech teacher. I know we're aiming towards moving past the token Black Americans that have impacted history, but REALLY!!?!? Mrs. Brisco can be replaced by Josephine Baker or Marcus Garvey.
AND WHY is the theme from slavery to freedom? Is this a national theme?
I'm sorry this wasn't a very cohesive post.
Featuring: Church hymns! Praising the Lord! Lead singers of local church choirs singing about Jesus saving people's souls!
Weird Moment: when the 85% white jazz choir sang "Thank You" by Boyz II Men.
WTF Moment: when I noticed that the posters entitled "From Slavery to Freedom" on the walls featured great African Americans like Denzel Washington playing Malcolm X, Tyra Banks, and Mrs. Brisco...the school's speech teacher. I know we're aiming towards moving past the token Black Americans that have impacted history, but REALLY!!?!? Mrs. Brisco can be replaced by Josephine Baker or Marcus Garvey.
AND WHY is the theme from slavery to freedom? Is this a national theme?
I'm sorry this wasn't a very cohesive post.
March 02, 2007
February 28, 2007
Degrading in all cultures?
I don’t know how we got there, but somehow in a conversation with a student we ended up talking about her ex-boyfriend’s father, who lived in Thailand.
Her: He lives in Thailand.
Me: Oh, is he Thai?
Her: No, he married a Thai woman
Me: Oh (thinking about exotification and sexualization of Asian women already)
Her: Yeah, and I used to talk to him all the time, and they do everything for you, they’ll even wipe your ass.
Me: Huh? You mean the wife?
Her: Yup. He calls his wife into the bathroom to wipe his ass.
Me: Wow. Seriously? That sounds kind of degrading…
Her: It’s not degrading if its in your culture to do it. She’s happy to do it.
Me: Interesting…
(conversation continues with me trying to convince her that ass-wiping is degrading across all cultures…I am unsuccessful.)
How is it not degrading to have to wipe the shit off of your husband’s ignorant white ass? How does that not create dynamics of power, and privilege, when a white person is asking a brown person to kneel down and service you? How does it not create sexism? Clearly the husband is not wiping his wife’s ass…
Damn WPs.
Her: He lives in Thailand.
Me: Oh, is he Thai?
Her: No, he married a Thai woman
Me: Oh (thinking about exotification and sexualization of Asian women already)
Her: Yeah, and I used to talk to him all the time, and they do everything for you, they’ll even wipe your ass.
Me: Huh? You mean the wife?
Her: Yup. He calls his wife into the bathroom to wipe his ass.
Me: Wow. Seriously? That sounds kind of degrading…
Her: It’s not degrading if its in your culture to do it. She’s happy to do it.
Me: Interesting…
(conversation continues with me trying to convince her that ass-wiping is degrading across all cultures…I am unsuccessful.)
How is it not degrading to have to wipe the shit off of your husband’s ignorant white ass? How does that not create dynamics of power, and privilege, when a white person is asking a brown person to kneel down and service you? How does it not create sexism? Clearly the husband is not wiping his wife’s ass…
Damn WPs.
February 24, 2007
Nono, your REAL name.
At work, I have to sign off on papers when I hand them to my manager. Typically, you have to first print your name and then sign next to it. So, I figure that I should probably print my given/legal name, since Jean is a nickname. My given name looks pretty "foreign" and "unspellable"... but I figure.. yeah.
So I print my given name and hand it off. My manager comes back and tells me, "Its okay, you can put your real nem when you sign off." I look at her like.. what? I seriously didn't get what she meant. And seeing my look of utter confusion, she clarifies, "Oh, you can just sign Jean."
So I print my given name and hand it off. My manager comes back and tells me, "Its okay, you can put your real nem when you sign off." I look at her like.. what? I seriously didn't get what she meant. And seeing my look of utter confusion, she clarifies, "Oh, you can just sign Jean."
February 23, 2007
Communication Breakdown
I was tabling for a charity I'm involved with (that shall not be named), and I showed up at my allotted time and stood with another member to wait for the prime organizer of the event. She showed up in a huff, just a little bit late:
"Hey guys, I'm sorry I'm late. These construction workers were trying to tow my friends car, and we had such a hard time getting them to realize that they couldn't do that, but they couldn't speak ANY ENGLISH!"
"..."
"Yeah, and it's so difficult to talk to them because you can't communicate... it makes your life so hard."
...
And that makes YOUR life difficult? I'm pretty sure that you make THEIR life difficult. When people are living in a world made to obstruct non-English speakers, in a place where they are ostracized and stigmatized, when they are busting their ass to build YOUR buildings...whose life do you think is difficult?
BLARGH. It didn't help that she constantly bossed around the APIDA who was from our co-sponsor organization.
"Hey guys, I'm sorry I'm late. These construction workers were trying to tow my friends car, and we had such a hard time getting them to realize that they couldn't do that, but they couldn't speak ANY ENGLISH!"
"..."
"Yeah, and it's so difficult to talk to them because you can't communicate... it makes your life so hard."
...
And that makes YOUR life difficult? I'm pretty sure that you make THEIR life difficult. When people are living in a world made to obstruct non-English speakers, in a place where they are ostracized and stigmatized, when they are busting their ass to build YOUR buildings...whose life do you think is difficult?
BLARGH. It didn't help that she constantly bossed around the APIDA who was from our co-sponsor organization.
February 16, 2007
Another Primate to Consider
This post is one of the happier ones...
We're learning about the Great Apes, or the Old World Monkeys in my Human Biology class. Most of the primates live in male-dominated, male-centered communities with females as secondary individuals in each society. Most of the primates only have heterosexual sex.
The Chimpanzee is generally regarded to be the most closely related primate to humans. In chimp communities, food is passed on in this order: the alpha male, the close friends of the alpha male, other males, and finally, females are able to eat the scraps. Now, a species of primate that is just as genetically related to us challenges assumptions about male supremacy and norms of sexuality in human evolution.
Enter the Bonobo. I won't give all of the juicy nerdy super-science-ie details, but the bonobo lives in female-dominated, female-centered groups. Status of males depends on status of their mothers (a stark contrast to human societies), and females are given priority access to food. Additionally, casual sex occurs in every possible partner combination. The Bonobo has separated sex from reproduction, and uses sex as a way to diffuse tension and prevent aggression. Aggression is virtually non-existent in bonobo communities because sex is used so effectively to calm anxiety.
The last paragraph of an article:
"Just imagine that we had never heard of chimpanzees or baboons and had known bonobos first. We would at present most likely believe that early hominids lived in female-centered societies in which sex served important social functions and which warfare was rare or absent."
And bonobos are so cute! Just look at them: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonobo
And if you're super-interested, an article: http://www.bio.utexas.edu/courses/kalthoff/bio346/PDF/Readings/02de_Waal(1995)BonoboSoc.pdf
-Darlenica
We're learning about the Great Apes, or the Old World Monkeys in my Human Biology class. Most of the primates live in male-dominated, male-centered communities with females as secondary individuals in each society. Most of the primates only have heterosexual sex.
The Chimpanzee is generally regarded to be the most closely related primate to humans. In chimp communities, food is passed on in this order: the alpha male, the close friends of the alpha male, other males, and finally, females are able to eat the scraps. Now, a species of primate that is just as genetically related to us challenges assumptions about male supremacy and norms of sexuality in human evolution.
Enter the Bonobo. I won't give all of the juicy nerdy super-science-ie details, but the bonobo lives in female-dominated, female-centered groups. Status of males depends on status of their mothers (a stark contrast to human societies), and females are given priority access to food. Additionally, casual sex occurs in every possible partner combination. The Bonobo has separated sex from reproduction, and uses sex as a way to diffuse tension and prevent aggression. Aggression is virtually non-existent in bonobo communities because sex is used so effectively to calm anxiety.
The last paragraph of an article:
"Just imagine that we had never heard of chimpanzees or baboons and had known bonobos first. We would at present most likely believe that early hominids lived in female-centered societies in which sex served important social functions and which warfare was rare or absent."
And bonobos are so cute! Just look at them: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonobo
And if you're super-interested, an article: http://www.bio.utexas.edu/courses/kalthoff/bio346/PDF/Readings/02de_Waal(1995)BonoboSoc.pdf
-Darlenica
"Black people don't have pretty eyes"
I don't have a point with the post, it's just an interesting observation. I've gotten this link in 2 emails today already. Photographer Terry Green did a photoshoot for a baby boy who's family was affected by Hurricane Katrina. Both the parents of the baby are African American and Laren, the baby, was born with blue eyes.
You can view the gallery here:
http://terrygreen.smugmug.com/gallery/1280988#62728180
What's interesting are the comments that random "guests" left behind. "Lighter=better."
(they are 35+ pages long!)
And a few dozen comments about how this proves that God can work miracles(which blue eyes must be) and even comparisons to Jesus. Plus insinuations that the parents stuck contacts on the infant or that the image was photoshopped. Would all these comments about Laren having "pretty eyes" be there if Laren had brown eyes?
You can view the gallery here:
http://terrygreen.smugmug.com/gallery/1280988#62728180
What's interesting are the comments that random "guests" left behind. "Lighter=better."
(they are 35+ pages long!)
I have never seen such beautiful eyes on a black
child.
He is a beautiful baby regardless of his eyes. It's just
a plus for him. I love brown babies.
Yeah, he's cute now, but
who knows what will happen when he gets
older...all the attention may get to
his head, he then turns into a thug, gets a
grill, and then most of you that
said he was cute will say..."I CANT STAND THESE
THUGS!...but his eyes are
cute!" WTF....
This adorable baby has the same eye colour that I do
and I'm a WF. I would love to see more AA's with blue eyes. Actually looking
at him, it is like looking at my own eyes..... HE'S GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!!! I
just wish my son or daughter had my eye colour. Truly amazing....
And a few dozen comments about how this proves that God can work miracles(which blue eyes must be) and even comparisons to Jesus. Plus insinuations that the parents stuck contacts on the infant or that the image was photoshopped. Would all these comments about Laren having "pretty eyes" be there if Laren had brown eyes?
February 15, 2007
Institutionalizing Homphobia in the classroom
Today a friend and a fellow teaching assistant, J, called me. He explained that after lecture this morning (when the professor teaches), Professor M came up and told him he was going to move 5 students out of his class and into the electronic sessions (don't even get me started on the fact that he's willing to teach electronically). He asked if that was okay. J said it was fine but asked why. Professor M told him: "they're frat and sorority types, you know?" J looked blankly at the M, because he did, in fact, not know. M repeated again, "you know? You know." And then M walked away and put the 5 students in another teaching assistant's already overloaded class. The important thing to know in this situation is that J is legibly queer, and the only reason that any of us can come up with for why sorority and frat types (and only them) want out of J's class is that they're homophobic. This is further supported by the fact that M has made comments disparaging underepresented groups from queer people to individual ethnic groups in lecture so that the students have no question about his views of these groups. Professor M supports and affirms the students homophobia, and they know that he will.
February 13, 2007
Diversity "Training"
At work at this big not-to-be-named fortune 500 firm, we must go through this diversity session. Sounds great? Let's examine this more closely.
1. The diversity module is done online through a series of windows you click through.
2. Nothing keeps employees from clicking through the screens without even glancing at them.
3. The diversity module is done through the "self-honor" system. Which means, nobody reads a word.
And perhaps the saddest part of it all is that the diversity session offered is actually really good. It points out a lot of myths and really communicates the way we marginalize people in an effective yet professional way. I actually took the time to read every page of that module and I'm pretty sure the ones who actually needed the diversity-for-dummies module just kept clicking..
Jean
1. The diversity module is done online through a series of windows you click through.
2. Nothing keeps employees from clicking through the screens without even glancing at them.
3. The diversity module is done through the "self-honor" system. Which means, nobody reads a word.
And perhaps the saddest part of it all is that the diversity session offered is actually really good. It points out a lot of myths and really communicates the way we marginalize people in an effective yet professional way. I actually took the time to read every page of that module and I'm pretty sure the ones who actually needed the diversity-for-dummies module just kept clicking..
Jean
I don't think this is very professional of me...
I had to do a workshop during a conference for UT staff members in student affairs, and it was a disaster cause the first 30 mins. were spent trying to fix the computer and I had to rush an hour's workshop in half the time (and I still didn't finish! Yes, I went home and crawled into bed for a few hours after this).
My workshop is about racist APIDA images in the media and how they create and perpetuate stereotypes that eventually become institutionalized. I didn't realize that the staff members attending there wanted to:
"Know how to communicate with Asians and know ya'lls customs"
"know what the stereotypes of Asians are so I can see if I have them" (if you have to ask yourself that, you probably do, and diversity training is not about crossing things off of your list of politically incorrect things to say)
"know how to deal with International students"
Had I known this, I would've presented a different workshop. I feel awful for both sides. I appreciate the honest feedback about their expectations, but I can't lie, I'm embarassed that professionals who are hired to deal with students don't already have training about these issues.
One woman came to me afterwards and disagreed with my little schindig about perpetual foreigner myth (how I feel that we should stop saying Asians and add in the American part when we refer to APIDA students). She doesn't feel that many of the students she works with are Americans (I think she works with international student housing). "They are just Asians, from Asia and I don't want to call them American cause they are not, they are international students".
I say that, although I personally refer to APIDs living and paying taxes in America as APIDAmericans, but it is always a good idea to ask someone how they personally identify and use that. We are a very diverse group :)
What I really wanted to say but couldn't articulate was:
adding that last part, that "-American" part is so much more than what degree of assimilation immigrants are comfortable with and what box should technically be checked off. It emphasizes that we are at least worthy of becoming citizens through this impossible process you have set up, that we deserve the same rights, and to think of us as human. For so long, we have been detained, imprisoned, bombed on, raped, and beaten down without much justice because it is easier to do all this to someone who looks like the enemy, who is the other, who is far removed from all things you consider American - just so that you don't have to feel bad about it.
Does my documentation status make me American or does my sense of entitlement to American rights make me American? Does an international student, who has to pay higher taxes, higher tuition fees, are not allowed to be self suffficient , and are given a short time to stay before they are kicked out of the country any less American when they have struggled more than most to simply exist in these geographic borders? My mother was one of those international students in 1992. When did she transform from Asian to Asian American? Why do you get to decide?
My workshop is about racist APIDA images in the media and how they create and perpetuate stereotypes that eventually become institutionalized. I didn't realize that the staff members attending there wanted to:
"Know how to communicate with Asians and know ya'lls customs"
"know what the stereotypes of Asians are so I can see if I have them" (if you have to ask yourself that, you probably do, and diversity training is not about crossing things off of your list of politically incorrect things to say)
"know how to deal with International students"
Had I known this, I would've presented a different workshop. I feel awful for both sides. I appreciate the honest feedback about their expectations, but I can't lie, I'm embarassed that professionals who are hired to deal with students don't already have training about these issues.
One woman came to me afterwards and disagreed with my little schindig about perpetual foreigner myth (how I feel that we should stop saying Asians and add in the American part when we refer to APIDA students). She doesn't feel that many of the students she works with are Americans (I think she works with international student housing). "They are just Asians, from Asia and I don't want to call them American cause they are not, they are international students".
I say that, although I personally refer to APIDs living and paying taxes in America as APIDAmericans, but it is always a good idea to ask someone how they personally identify and use that. We are a very diverse group :)
What I really wanted to say but couldn't articulate was:
adding that last part, that "-American" part is so much more than what degree of assimilation immigrants are comfortable with and what box should technically be checked off. It emphasizes that we are at least worthy of becoming citizens through this impossible process you have set up, that we deserve the same rights, and to think of us as human. For so long, we have been detained, imprisoned, bombed on, raped, and beaten down without much justice because it is easier to do all this to someone who looks like the enemy, who is the other, who is far removed from all things you consider American - just so that you don't have to feel bad about it.
Does my documentation status make me American or does my sense of entitlement to American rights make me American? Does an international student, who has to pay higher taxes, higher tuition fees, are not allowed to be self suffficient , and are given a short time to stay before they are kicked out of the country any less American when they have struggled more than most to simply exist in these geographic borders? My mother was one of those international students in 1992. When did she transform from Asian to Asian American? Why do you get to decide?
February 12, 2007
A Happy Thought
I know this is a place for grievances, but today I got a "Woot Woot" moment. In this business, we stress ourselves out planning, fundraising, publicizing, and hosting. By the time the event finally rolls around, we are tired, strung out...basically over it.
Last year, I was in charge of the Building a Better FoundAsian Conference for high school students. And they came! They came; some fell asleep, some ate a lot of candy, some left sweet feedback surveys, and some did not. Some looked as bored as if they were sitting in American History class halfway through the semester listening to another boring lecture.
I remember one quite clearly. He kept his black leather jacket on all day--prepared to make a run for it at any time. Half asleep, his face lacked any kind of enthusiasm, engagement, or investment in our conference.
Last Thursday, as I'm student teaching juniors in American Lit at Bowie High School, in walks this same young man. Same expression; same jacket. For two days, he sleeps in class and never speaks...until today!
Today, I showed my classes a mini-movie about myself. Afterwards, I asked them to answer questions about me and also to tell me about them... When I finally got to this student's questionnaire--under "Ask me a question"....he writes, "Do you know about BABFA??"
Aly and I definitely failed in publicizing to Bowie High so I am SURE he remembered from last year!!!
I know it's a small thing. Almost undetectable in our busy lives. But for me, today, it's monumental.
-ms. ngo
(p.s. Under "Anything else I should know about you?" He writes, "I'm Vietnamese." Teehee)
Last year, I was in charge of the Building a Better FoundAsian Conference for high school students. And they came! They came; some fell asleep, some ate a lot of candy, some left sweet feedback surveys, and some did not. Some looked as bored as if they were sitting in American History class halfway through the semester listening to another boring lecture.
I remember one quite clearly. He kept his black leather jacket on all day--prepared to make a run for it at any time. Half asleep, his face lacked any kind of enthusiasm, engagement, or investment in our conference.
Last Thursday, as I'm student teaching juniors in American Lit at Bowie High School, in walks this same young man. Same expression; same jacket. For two days, he sleeps in class and never speaks...until today!
Today, I showed my classes a mini-movie about myself. Afterwards, I asked them to answer questions about me and also to tell me about them... When I finally got to this student's questionnaire--under "Ask me a question"....he writes, "Do you know about BABFA??"
Aly and I definitely failed in publicizing to Bowie High so I am SURE he remembered from last year!!!
I know it's a small thing. Almost undetectable in our busy lives. But for me, today, it's monumental.
-ms. ngo
(p.s. Under "Anything else I should know about you?" He writes, "I'm Vietnamese." Teehee)
"Black Enough"
A poll in NY Times website asks "Do you think Obama is Black enough?" The options are yes, no and maybe.
Articulatation, cleanliness, cocaine use, and not being Black enough, are you keeping tabs? The NY times posted a (pretty slanted) article questioning Barack Obama's racial identity (hell, the interview Stanley Crouch of all people)and the messages is clear. America has room for only one type of Black American. If you are not articulate enough, you make white people uncomfortable, if you are articulate enough, then you aren't Black. We've been hearing about this the past week a lot.
But NYT brings in issues of nationalism:
Obama wouldn't be able to run for presidency if he wasn't born in America, his nationality IS American. I know that APIDAs get the perpetual foreigner stereotype thrown at us all the time, but I still ask, at what point does someone become American? Do most people consider Arnold Scherzenegger to be Americanized or iconic for our culture? Does he get questioned for being American enough (or white enough)while in office?
The article continues to debate his blackness, saying that he didn't lead the life of a "typical" Black American. I doubt most politicians or high achievers led typical lives, period. I find it funny that the author didn't use any Obama's direct quotes about how he identifies in his memoirs, or talk about his experiences working being a community organizer, or his experiences with racism.
And I voted "YES"
This is about the only voting I can do. I just downloaded my forms to apply for U.S. citizenship (from Dept. of Homeland Security- haha) and I may not get accepted (or rejected) in time to vote in 2008. At what point am I allowed to legally become American? If 15 years isn't long enough, please stop taking my tax money.
*sigh*
note: I was going to link the article, but NYtimes requires an account to login.
Articulatation, cleanliness, cocaine use, and not being Black enough, are you keeping tabs? The NY times posted a (pretty slanted) article questioning Barack Obama's racial identity (hell, the interview Stanley Crouch of all people)and the messages is clear. America has room for only one type of Black American. If you are not articulate enough, you make white people uncomfortable, if you are articulate enough, then you aren't Black. We've been hearing about this the past week a lot.
But NYT brings in issues of nationalism:
“When you think of a president, you think of an American,” said Mr. Lanier, a 58-year-old barber who is still considering whether to support Mr. Obama. “We’ve been taught that a president should come from right here, born, raised, bred, fed in America. To go outside and bring somebody in from another nationality, now that doesn’t feel right to some people.”
“They [Americans] have a right to be somewhat suspicious of people who come into the country and don’t share their experience.”
Obama wouldn't be able to run for presidency if he wasn't born in America, his nationality IS American. I know that APIDAs get the perpetual foreigner stereotype thrown at us all the time, but I still ask, at what point does someone become American? Do most people consider Arnold Scherzenegger to be Americanized or iconic for our culture? Does he get questioned for being American enough (or white enough)while in office?
The article continues to debate his blackness, saying that he didn't lead the life of a "typical" Black American. I doubt most politicians or high achievers led typical lives, period. I find it funny that the author didn't use any Obama's direct quotes about how he identifies in his memoirs, or talk about his experiences working being a community organizer, or his experiences with racism.
And I voted "YES"
This is about the only voting I can do. I just downloaded my forms to apply for U.S. citizenship (from Dept. of Homeland Security- haha) and I may not get accepted (or rejected) in time to vote in 2008. At what point am I allowed to legally become American? If 15 years isn't long enough, please stop taking my tax money.
*sigh*
note: I was going to link the article, but NYtimes requires an account to login.
February 08, 2007
How to Pick a Storyteller (By Her Looks, Of Course)
The point of the class is to conduct interviews with people of a different racial or ethnic identity and to listen to their stories.
When asked who he interviewed, the young man (White/Asian biracial male) in my class said:
"Well, she was some girl I had met on the bus a few months ago. I couldn't really find anyone, so I was flipping through my phone and I saw her name and I thought, well, she looked really exotic, so she must be something. So I called her and asked her if I could interview her."
(The young woman was a Latina Asian American)
Might I mention that this is the same young man who said a week earlier,
"When I talk to girls, I have to use softer language because they're girls and I can't be as vulgar."
--jp
When asked who he interviewed, the young man (White/Asian biracial male) in my class said:
"Well, she was some girl I had met on the bus a few months ago. I couldn't really find anyone, so I was flipping through my phone and I saw her name and I thought, well, she looked really exotic, so she must be something. So I called her and asked her if I could interview her."
(The young woman was a Latina Asian American)
Might I mention that this is the same young man who said a week earlier,
"When I talk to girls, I have to use softer language because they're girls and I can't be as vulgar."
--jp
February 07, 2007
The Journey Home (Part II)
"Blackout"
(II. Worker-in-me)
Holy shit, it's as easy as 1-2-3
We live in America, land of opportunity
Wise old owls, they lent me some advice
You should take care of yourself first otherwise
You can't love yourself enough
To help the ones you love, gotta get up bub, gotta get up bub
I plan to work the cube indefinitely
For me to build up financial stability
Money isn't everything, but money pays
Just gotta make enough to pave my way
Blackout the worry from check to check
Replacing regret to an earned happiness
The words selfish and selfless work together,
They like brothers from different mothers, they'll take you further.
-alkemyst
(II. Worker-in-me)
Holy shit, it's as easy as 1-2-3
We live in America, land of opportunity
Wise old owls, they lent me some advice
You should take care of yourself first otherwise
You can't love yourself enough
To help the ones you love, gotta get up bub, gotta get up bub
I plan to work the cube indefinitely
For me to build up financial stability
Money isn't everything, but money pays
Just gotta make enough to pave my way
Blackout the worry from check to check
Replacing regret to an earned happiness
The words selfish and selfless work together,
They like brothers from different mothers, they'll take you further.
-alkemyst
February 06, 2007
Let's Eliminate White Denial Month, Too
In response to Michael Fulton’s claim that White History Month does not exist in his Feb. 6 Firing Line, I’d like to offer that it does. In fact, it’s celebrated over the course of several months, by my count: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December.
As long as history is written and taught with a consistent white norm, these White History Months will flourish. The reason specific months are set aside to call greater attention to the contributions of oppressed communities – including Black History Month – is because the allegedly inclusive, value-neutral history that is taught in this country is typically derived from a white, Euro-centric perspective.
Once the educational system expands to give a representative view of history that includes the contributions of the full variety of cultures that have shaped our society, there probably won’t be a need for group-specific history months. Until that time, these months are necessary to call specific attention to what is frequently left out of the textbooks.
That White History Months are not named does not mean they do not exist.
r@m
As long as history is written and taught with a consistent white norm, these White History Months will flourish. The reason specific months are set aside to call greater attention to the contributions of oppressed communities – including Black History Month – is because the allegedly inclusive, value-neutral history that is taught in this country is typically derived from a white, Euro-centric perspective.
Once the educational system expands to give a representative view of history that includes the contributions of the full variety of cultures that have shaped our society, there probably won’t be a need for group-specific history months. Until that time, these months are necessary to call specific attention to what is frequently left out of the textbooks.
That White History Months are not named does not mean they do not exist.
r@m
VASCON
I have been invited to facilitate a workshop for the Vietnamese American Student Conference this year.
The executive director, a woman whom I despise, has casually mentioned that this workshop should focus on activism--its purpose and its feasibility. Seems easy enough, inspiring the uninspired to enact change in their own lives. A noble cause! Except, for some reason, I'm frozen.
I feel disconnected from my...my Viet-ness.
What are the issues that my community faces? How are they unique? Why am I not more plugged into the Viet community?! What will fire us up? What will matter?
And suddenly, I feel like a hypocrite.
I've dedicated these past few years to many things. Finding my inner strength. Pursuing my goals. Challenging myself and others to reconsider and reshape our realities. Redefining what had already been defined for me long ago before I knew how to think and speak for myself. Have I done these things while simultaneously losing contact with my ethnic identity?
Why have I let two semesters go by without attending a single VSA event? Why did I drop Viet language class because of the time committment? When am I going to commit to preserving this important part of my identity? Why don't I even own a RICE COOKER--much to my mother's bewilderment? Why do words flow out of my mouth eloquently in English only to rust in the back of my throat in Viet?
Since I've been in college, I've developed an appreciation for all things Viet that I previously considered embarrassing. But now, as I comb my brain thinking about my community, I consider the possibility that I appreciate my Viet-ness as if it's a vintage pair of jeans that's gone back into style.
-loan
The executive director, a woman whom I despise, has casually mentioned that this workshop should focus on activism--its purpose and its feasibility. Seems easy enough, inspiring the uninspired to enact change in their own lives. A noble cause! Except, for some reason, I'm frozen.
I feel disconnected from my...my Viet-ness.
What are the issues that my community faces? How are they unique? Why am I not more plugged into the Viet community?! What will fire us up? What will matter?
And suddenly, I feel like a hypocrite.
I've dedicated these past few years to many things. Finding my inner strength. Pursuing my goals. Challenging myself and others to reconsider and reshape our realities. Redefining what had already been defined for me long ago before I knew how to think and speak for myself. Have I done these things while simultaneously losing contact with my ethnic identity?
Why have I let two semesters go by without attending a single VSA event? Why did I drop Viet language class because of the time committment? When am I going to commit to preserving this important part of my identity? Why don't I even own a RICE COOKER--much to my mother's bewilderment? Why do words flow out of my mouth eloquently in English only to rust in the back of my throat in Viet?
Since I've been in college, I've developed an appreciation for all things Viet that I previously considered embarrassing. But now, as I comb my brain thinking about my community, I consider the possibility that I appreciate my Viet-ness as if it's a vintage pair of jeans that's gone back into style.
-loan
Re: Eliminate Black History Month
Black history month is not :
- the designated time of the year to talk about race relations
- the time to air your grievances out about the black communities
- the time to debate the effects of slavery, affirmative action, reparations, Katrina, Tupac, BET
It's about celebration, empowerment, and appreciation.
I wrote a firing line the hour I read the Michael Fulton's proposal to eliminate Black History Month. I doubt that the Texan will post my firing line, and I was going to cut and paste it here, but I'm tired. Not physically, but emotionally. I'm tired of having to defend things we have already fought (and won) to have and I don't have to defend it to anybody. Our heritage months are about celebrating and honoring our achievements - because no one else did.
-If America celebrated White History Month, what would white America want us all to focus on?
-What achievements made exclusively by the white community would white America want us all to learn about?
- Are there any great white unknown historical figures that have been integral to the development of America but given little recognition for their role in shaping our nation?
Hmm.
-Ani
- the designated time of the year to talk about race relations
- the time to air your grievances out about the black communities
- the time to debate the effects of slavery, affirmative action, reparations, Katrina, Tupac, BET
It's about celebration, empowerment, and appreciation.
I wrote a firing line the hour I read the Michael Fulton's proposal to eliminate Black History Month. I doubt that the Texan will post my firing line, and I was going to cut and paste it here, but I'm tired. Not physically, but emotionally. I'm tired of having to defend things we have already fought (and won) to have and I don't have to defend it to anybody. Our heritage months are about celebrating and honoring our achievements - because no one else did.
-If America celebrated White History Month, what would white America want us all to focus on?
-What achievements made exclusively by the white community would white America want us all to learn about?
- Are there any great white unknown historical figures that have been integral to the development of America but given little recognition for their role in shaping our nation?
Hmm.
-Ani
Qualities of a Mate
APIDA (Asian Pacific Islander Desi American) Female: I just don't find Asian men attractive.
Me: Oh, really?
Female: Yeah, they aren't assertive enough.
Such a beautiful day: blue, clear skies, and a cool breeze. Too bad that it's tainted by this firing line published in the Daily Texan today. Read below:
-dar
Eliminate Black History Month
The concept of diversity can be a good thing. It enables people to take a look at others' differences, experience new things and ultimately allows us all to get a real sense of the human experience. However, I believe there are times when diversity, taken to its extreme, degenerates into bigotry and racism. This brings me to the issue of Black History Month.
I'll be blunt. Black History Month is indicative of a blatant racial double-standard, bestowing preferential treatment to one group of people on the sole basis of their color. Why should blacks have a month that caters to them on the sole basis of their race when every other ethnic group here on campus is denied the same? Shouldn't black history be inclusive to the American experience as a whole? Are black achievements somehow superior to those of other ethnic groups? I think Morgan Freeman said it best in a "60 Minutes" interview: "You're going to relegate my history to a month?"
Along with this month, schools around the country celebrate a cadre of black leaders, such as Martin Luther King Jr., who are much too sacrosanct to have their faults pointed out. I mean, come on, who here in high school actually learned about MLK's alleged proclivities for Caucasian prostitutes or Malcolm X's extreme sense of black supremacy during his early years in the Nation of Islam? Instead, children are taught about MLK's dream and Malcolm X is portrayed as a model of First-Amendment exercise.
Blacks are the only ethnic group to have such a period of national recognition. Considering there isn't a "White History Month," "Jewish History Month," "Arab History Month" or "Indian History Month," does this mean that all these other groups are not deemed worthy? Do they not also have the right of extolling the greatness of their own people? Probably not. Being of Anglo-Saxon descent myself, if I were to propose the creation of an Anglo-Saxon History Month, I'm certain that I would be branded a hatemonger, Nazi and bigot (which I'm sure many have already prejudicially done upon reading my commentary).
It is in my honest opinion that Black History Month should be depicted for what it truly represents - racism. While I do not have a problem with anyone hating me for the color of my skin, I do, however, have issues with double standards. The only way to make it right is to simply eliminate these ethnic dichotomies and start looking at humanity as a whole.
Michael Fulton
Ancient history and classical
civilizations senior
February 5, 2007
Me: Oh, really?
Female: Yeah, they aren't assertive enough.
Such a beautiful day: blue, clear skies, and a cool breeze. Too bad that it's tainted by this firing line published in the Daily Texan today. Read below:
-dar
Eliminate Black History Month
The concept of diversity can be a good thing. It enables people to take a look at others' differences, experience new things and ultimately allows us all to get a real sense of the human experience. However, I believe there are times when diversity, taken to its extreme, degenerates into bigotry and racism. This brings me to the issue of Black History Month.
I'll be blunt. Black History Month is indicative of a blatant racial double-standard, bestowing preferential treatment to one group of people on the sole basis of their color. Why should blacks have a month that caters to them on the sole basis of their race when every other ethnic group here on campus is denied the same? Shouldn't black history be inclusive to the American experience as a whole? Are black achievements somehow superior to those of other ethnic groups? I think Morgan Freeman said it best in a "60 Minutes" interview: "You're going to relegate my history to a month?"
Along with this month, schools around the country celebrate a cadre of black leaders, such as Martin Luther King Jr., who are much too sacrosanct to have their faults pointed out. I mean, come on, who here in high school actually learned about MLK's alleged proclivities for Caucasian prostitutes or Malcolm X's extreme sense of black supremacy during his early years in the Nation of Islam? Instead, children are taught about MLK's dream and Malcolm X is portrayed as a model of First-Amendment exercise.
Blacks are the only ethnic group to have such a period of national recognition. Considering there isn't a "White History Month," "Jewish History Month," "Arab History Month" or "Indian History Month," does this mean that all these other groups are not deemed worthy? Do they not also have the right of extolling the greatness of their own people? Probably not. Being of Anglo-Saxon descent myself, if I were to propose the creation of an Anglo-Saxon History Month, I'm certain that I would be branded a hatemonger, Nazi and bigot (which I'm sure many have already prejudicially done upon reading my commentary).
It is in my honest opinion that Black History Month should be depicted for what it truly represents - racism. While I do not have a problem with anyone hating me for the color of my skin, I do, however, have issues with double standards. The only way to make it right is to simply eliminate these ethnic dichotomies and start looking at humanity as a whole.
Michael Fulton
Ancient history and classical
civilizations senior
February 5, 2007
Hip Hop Night is Cancelled
gay club.
big sign:
"hip hop night is cancelled due to fights."
"no jerseys."
"no do-rags."
black folks at the door enforcing the rules.
white ownership.
back to the music every other gay club plays.
back to white customers.
r@m
big sign:
"hip hop night is cancelled due to fights."
"no jerseys."
"no do-rags."
black folks at the door enforcing the rules.
white ownership.
back to the music every other gay club plays.
back to white customers.
r@m
February 03, 2007
The Journey Home
"Who am I?"
My life has always been a question of identity and I am gradually finding more and more answers in the most unexpected place: me. So... here I am.
"Blackout"
(I. Artist-in-me)
Art envelops the soul of a man, a master plan
Swirl of emotions, can you understand?
Give me the life of the starvin' artist
The paint is my soul, and the brush is my wrist
My fate spills on the soaked papyrus
Soon my hero emerges from the shade of the mist
Creating an alien language for the ages
Mold a species of seasons from my pages
Pushing uphill and sweating for changes
Screw the status quo, I'm fucking DANGEROUS
"WATCH YOURSELF!" show me what you're working with
Mind full of bullets gonna blast the myths
I'm a multi-colored abyss, wheat bread enriched
I'm that hard-to-scratch itch, no one's bitch
Go ahead, try to crush my extravagant figurine
My fist will make you blackout 'n' lose some teeth...
-alkemyst
My life has always been a question of identity and I am gradually finding more and more answers in the most unexpected place: me. So... here I am.
"Blackout"
(I. Artist-in-me)
Art envelops the soul of a man, a master plan
Swirl of emotions, can you understand?
Give me the life of the starvin' artist
The paint is my soul, and the brush is my wrist
My fate spills on the soaked papyrus
Soon my hero emerges from the shade of the mist
Creating an alien language for the ages
Mold a species of seasons from my pages
Pushing uphill and sweating for changes
Screw the status quo, I'm fucking DANGEROUS
"WATCH YOURSELF!" show me what you're working with
Mind full of bullets gonna blast the myths
I'm a multi-colored abyss, wheat bread enriched
I'm that hard-to-scratch itch, no one's bitch
Go ahead, try to crush my extravagant figurine
My fist will make you blackout 'n' lose some teeth...
-alkemyst
The Rainbow and the Blonde
Often times, people simply blurt things out. Sometimes, they come out like this:
"Its too bad gay people claimed the rainbow.. I used to like it so much."
Other times, people develop well-formed opinions about certain topics. Like this one:
(Blonde woman), "I support the man's right to choose whether or not to keep the baby, even if the woman wants an abortion."
Really? Even when the woman has different ideals? Even though its the woman that must carry the baby for 9 months and then some? It was shocking to hear her say it out loud. I'd feel shackled into it, if it were me. Our bodies become our prisons.
Jean
"Its too bad gay people claimed the rainbow.. I used to like it so much."
Other times, people develop well-formed opinions about certain topics. Like this one:
(Blonde woman), "I support the man's right to choose whether or not to keep the baby, even if the woman wants an abortion."
Really? Even when the woman has different ideals? Even though its the woman that must carry the baby for 9 months and then some? It was shocking to hear her say it out loud. I'd feel shackled into it, if it were me. Our bodies become our prisons.
Jean
The Beginning
Let us introduce ourselves. We are a group of Asian American females who self-identify as activists in our extraordinary lives. We have grown together, faced many tribulations together, we eat together, love together, and write together. One an English teacher, one an aspiring doctor, one an Asian American studies major, and me.. well I could do your taxes in an hour. We are all in struggle and are on the long path to self-actualization. We hope that our writing and the writing of those who will join us will touch your life or at least keep you entertained as you pass through. We are always touching each others lives, whether we know it or not. But hopefully we will be able to make everybody a little bit more aware of how we much we really do affect each other. Everything written here is nothing merely but a reflection of our social reality. We hope that you respect ours as we respect yours. Enjoy the stories.
Jean
Jean
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)