Diaspora: Fall 2014

GENERASIAN NYU's premier Asian American publication Fall 2014 • Vol 13 • No 1

Letters

from the

What’s Inside

Editors

Dear Readers,

I am so excited to present to you our Fall 2014 issue: Diaspora. I’ve been a part of Generasian for

almost 3 years now, and I’m pleased to say that the magazine just keeps evolving, improving, and bringing

01 Cover Graphic Georgie Fu 02 Letters from the Editors Catherine Ye & Jolene Hsu and Huiqun Ong

Culture

narrative

04 Shipping Christmas: Filipino Culture and

21 Dearest Darling Daughter Cindy Li

the Balikbayan Boxes Nicole Bernardo

new thoughts and ideas to the current discourse. Much as a diaspora is the dispersion of people from their homeland, we have treated diaspora as an extension of identity, a learning process, an addition of unique

facets to the overall experience of being an Asian American. Now more than ever, Asian American issues

06 First Generation Cuisine Avery Chang

25 Asian, Unmasked Catherine Ye

have come to the forefront and all the important conversations are finally being had--it is our duty as the young generation to lead this movement and make sure that the issues we care about stay relevant.

With each subsequent issue, our writers emerge stronger and more passionate than

09 Asians and Asian Americans: How Do

You Catagorize Yourself? Shirley Foo

27 New Money, Same Parents Jolene Hsu

ever. From short stories to personal anecdotes, from research to informational pieces, each writer has etched into history his or her own voice, raw and perfect at the same time.

Reader, we hope you enjoy listening to our stories. Thank you so much for your support and we look forward to sharing our experiences with you in the next issue.

All the best,

Commentary

11 A Giving Community: Tzu Chi’s Mission

to Provide Universal Aid Jenny Gao

29 The Struggle for Gender Equaltiy Christine Wang

Entertainment 13 A Computer Game as a Sport Jamie Sung

Catherine Ye Editor in Chief

15 Literature in the Landscape of Asian America Alyza Liu

Art

19 A Case for Anime William Shi

8

Ritual Union Georgie Fu

23 Time Temple: Universaltiy Among

18

Dokkaebi Jaimie Kim

31

Asian American Then and Now Huiqun Ong

Dear readers,

During the college years, everything is moving. We move from hometowns to campuses, from cities

Distinctions Yanchu Zho

to bigger cities, even from one country to another. We bring with us our ideas, cultures, and identities, hoping to find a place for these familiar values in a foreign world. In this sense, we are all experiencing a diaspora of sorts. Be it the assimilation of Asian foods in fusion cuisine, the Balikbayan boxes that contain a piece of Filipino home, or the literal movement of Asian populations to America, this issue of Generasian deals with the difficulties and rewards of navigating between different who we were, who we are and who we will be.

This semester’s staff of writers have grappled with these issues of journeying head-on. They have unapologetically explored their own biases and challenged them, coming out with deepened perspectives. There is no right or wrong, but rather, there are only new places to look from. Generasian will continue seeking out unchartered territories, to forward the Asian-American conversation.

Thank you for the support this past semester; we hope that you will

enjoy reading this issue as much we had fun putting it together.

Cheers, and Jolene Hsu and Huiqun Ong

EXECUTIVE STAFF Editor-in-Chief Editors-at-Large Art Director Treasurer Marketing Director Community Manager Online Editors Media Director

Editorial Staff

Catherine Ye

Section Editors

Avery Chang

Jolene Hsu & Huiqun Ong

Kim Chen

Kim Chen

Shirley Foo

Nicole Bernardo

Alyza Liu

Tonya Liang

Layout Editors

Avery Chang

Huiqin Ong

Kim Chen

Joyce Chen & Swan Cho Alex Sim

CHECK OUT GENERASIAN.ORG /nyugenerasian

Editors-at-Large Table of Contents 3

Shipping Christmas:

Filipino Culture and Balikbayan Boxes

by Nicole Bernardo

C

are packages are no strang-

of the Philippines Overseas Employ-

free if customers use the same ship-

and young age, I was not often expected

It was as if we were shipping Christ-

ers to college students, many of

ment Administration in 1983”⁶. With

ping company who provides them¹ .

to give gifts to others— I was always

mas each time. I can only speculate

“The Filipino diaspora has not hindered the ample gift giving familiar to Filipino culture.”

whom delight in receiving the various

so many citizens abroad, Marcos began

receiving them—but with Balikbayan

that the joy of giving to loved ones in

items sent from family or from friends

to allow “tax-free entry of personal

24” x 24” x 24” with slightly smaller and

boxes, I was finally a part of that giving

the Philippines is jointly shared by

such as clothing, gifts, and food that

goods into the country from the several

larger variations available, and have

process. I would be a help in sending

each Filipino migrant as is the need

quell cravings or homesickness. Noth-

million Filipinos working overseas”².

a maximum weight of about 70 lbs.³⁵.

the gifts that would hopefully light up

to always take care of family first.

ing seems to beat the euphoric thrill of

Thus, the cultural phenomenon of

Balikbayan boxes from the United

my cousins’ eyes with delight or bring

Balikbayan boxes are often sent

receiving a “present” at your dorm or

sending Balikbayan boxes was born.

States to Metro Manila—the greater

a smile to my grandparents’ faces. My

as gifts and messages of prosperity

to Filipino culture. With the holiday

A Balikbayan box is approximately

hindered the ample gift giving familiar

apartment—except perhaps giving

area of the Filipino capital—costs $85

sister and I would help our parents pack

from family living abroad. Though I

season upon us here in America, per-

one. Crazy, you say? Actually, giv-

and has a transit time of 35-45 days.

those boxes like a real-life Tetris game

am fortunate that my extended family

haps this is the best time to consider the

The cost and transit time are greater

with fragile items fatly wrapped to keep

in the Philippines lives comfortably,

benefits of giving back to family and

for other areas in the Philippines such

from breaking in transit. The sound of

many relatives of Filipinos abroad are

the joy it may ultimately bring us.

as important as receiving. It has

as Visayas, where it costs $90 to send

long strips of duct tape being rolled out

not as privileged, so the boxes are a

become a custom for families

a box in 30-40 days, and Mindanao,

still makes me cringe today, but the fun

way of giving back to loved ones at

where it costs $100 to send a box

ing is second nature for Filipinos.

In Filipino culture, giving is

“In Filipino culture, giving is as important as receiving.”

living abroad to send the Filipino equivalent of an elaborate care

Balikbayan boxes have cargo ship-

of wrapping an entire cardboard box to

home. Regardless of financial circum-

in 42-52 days⁵. Shipping these boxes

watertight protection in order to send

stances, Balikbayan boxes represent

package to relatives in the Philippines.

pers worldwide. The top countries that

often takes a month or more because

it across an ocean to a faraway land was

a “sending back of oneself,” as if we

These packages are known as Balik-

send the most Balikbayan boxes include

most Balikbayan boxes are sent via

magical indeed to a young girl in the

are sending parts of ourselves back

bayan (buh-lik-buh-yun) boxes ¹.

(from greatest to least): the Middle East,

cargo ships, therefore families often

suburbs. My family often sent books,

home or to our parents’ birthplaces.

USA, Hong Kong, Singapore, Italy, UK,

must plan ahead in order to send gifts

new and gently used toys, clothes, and

Being born in America, and sending

for certain occasions or holidays.

plenty of food and gifts for each extend-

those packages, often with American

ed family member in the Philippines.

goods, truly symbolized me sending

In the 1970s, the Philippine Department of Tourism coined the word

Korea, and Taiwan⁵. With so many

balikbayan, meaning “return to coun-

Filipinos migrating to other countries

try,” in “recognition [of] the hard work

for work and new beginnings, the niche

depends upon each family and what

and persevering spirit of the Filipino

business of providing supplies for and

their relatives in the Philippines

expatriates”⁴. These expatriates were

shipping balikbayan boxes has become

prefer or request. An assortment of

politically dubbed “Overseas Filipino

a lucrative and booming one. As of Au-

food, clothes, toys, gifts, and perhaps

Workers” or OFWs⁶. During this time,

gust 2014, the Philippine Department of

cards or pictures may be included.

and proven that it does not wane with

there was a national campaign encour-

Trade and Industry listed 616 accredited

Boxes are often packed to the brim with

distance. The Filipino diaspora has not

aging Filipinos to work overseas, and

shipping companies just for Balikbayan

goodies for each receiving relative.

as citizens began to leave en masse,

boxes⁷. “Most major cities with major

Western or American commodities

Sources:

concepts such as balikbayan came into

Filipino populations” sell Balikbayan

are also highly valued and desired, so

¹http://www.thefilipino.com/balikbayan-box-to-send-box-to-the-philippines/

use. The encouragement for migration

box services, and “you can either find

American or European brand items

²http://www.kcet.org/arts/artbound/counties/los-angeles/the-balikbayan-box.html

was a consequence of an unsuccessful

a balikbayan cargo box agent, Filipino

are often included in the package.

³http://johannapoethig.com/exhibitions-installations/balikbayan-box-tracing-a-strain/

attempt at independent “free market

store, [or] Filipino restaurant” that will

capitalism” which resulted in “rising

sell the boxes¹. After packing a box,

living outside of the Philippines have

⁵http://www.dti.gov.ph/dti/index.php/resources/consumer-tips

unemployment and serious foreign-

families can drop it off at the shipping

been sending care packages for longer

⁶http://www.academia.edu/242430/OVERSEAS_FILIPINO_WORKERS_EMERGENCE_OF_AN_ASIAN-PACIFIC_DIASPORA

debt problems.” Former president

center or store or have specific Balik-

than they have been receiving them,

⁷http://www.pinoy-ofw.com/news/33400-dti-accredited-balikbayan-box-cargo-forwarders.htmlt

Ferdinand Marcos then “initiated…

bayan box shipping companies pick

and this is true for me. The excitement

8

the Labor Export Policy (LEP)—with

up the package from their houses at

of seeing the box get dropped off and

Presidential Decree 442 in 1974. It

a set date, depending upon the com-

shopping for gifts and special foods was

was followed by the establishment

pany. Often, boxes are provided for

special to me. With my limited means

4 Culture

What goes into these boxes? That

Many young people in families

“It was as if we were shipping Christmas each time.”

G

Nicole is a sophomore in College of Arts and Science majoring in English.

Balikbayan box

8

a part of myself back to the roots my parents had come from. Balikbayan boxes have exemplified the Filipino tradition of familial love and support

⁴http://seethisideup.blogspot.com/2005/03/balikbayan-box-history.html

http://retiringphilippines.org/balikbayan-shipping-items-to-the-philippines/

Read our blog

generasian.org

Shipping Christmas: Filipino Culture and the Balikbayan Boxes 5

Founder of the Momofuku restaurant group, David Chang, among others like Eddie Huang the founder of BaoHaus and food truck maverick Roy Choi, have been dabbling in what can really be called American Asian cuisine. The dishes these young chefs are churning out is nothing like the Chinese takeout Americans loved so dearly in the 1900s or the fusion food that primarily

First Generation Cuisine

white chefs were creating right before the turn of the Twenty-First Century; this cuisine is the culmination of their experiences as Asian Americans living in a wide and varied food landscape.

by Avery Chang

C

These chefs grew up eating the not onsider any beloved

in America was a chicken dish . So

the more adventurous American diner .

only the food their grandparents ate

apparently, this mainstream strain of

But tastes and ingredients typically

when they were children themselves,

in America and you will find myriad

Chinese food we tote around in take-out

linked to the idea of the “Asian flavor”

but also the food of the environment

instances in which traditional dishes

boxes is about as American as it gets.

- soy glazes, notes of ginger, sweet and

around them in America. As a child,

“Asian”food phenomenon here

were adjusted in taste, presentation, or

1

This story of American Chinese food

2

sour sauces - started to find its way into

overall essence to better appeal to the

is something we

average American consumer. Avocado

often see with any

is not exactly a sushi staple in Japan.

introduction of

And cream cheese is almost nonexistent

foreign food to the

in Southeast Asia; so don’t expect to

American palate.

find any “authentic” crab rangoons on

Hard-working im-

your next visit to Thailand. It is clear

migrants relocate

to see that in order to gain mainstream

to America the land

American acceptance, traditional foods

of opportunity; hard-working im-

the restlessness of their food audi-

must undergo a rite of passage struc-

migrants introduce elements of their

tured around the American palate.

ethnic cuisine to the American food

However it remains murky whether this rite of passage is assimilation into

It is clear to see that in order to gain mainstream American acceptance, traditional foods must undergo a rite of passage structured around the American palate.

Pictured Left: Takeout Boxes3 Top: Momofuku Restaurant Group Founder David Chang4 Bottom Left: General Tso’s Chicken5 Bottom Right: Korean Tacos6

David Chang would eat kimchi at home with his family and then go out to eat tacos with friends - and now he is making kimchi tacos for a living.

with crispy wonton bits and a drizzle of

ization, self-proclaimed adventurous

The current state of fusion food

sweet-and-sour dressing. In the years

American diners set out on a hunt for

resembles the sort of awareness that

immediately preceding the Twenty-

more “authentic” cuisine – cuisine

first, and even second generation

First Century, the quality of fusion food

that had stayed immune to the urges

children, have - strong ties to the

became cheapened. Fusion became all

of the American palate and true to its

cultural background of their parents

about putting spicy sauces, sweet-and-

roots. Family-owned-and-run res-

but also a deep appreciation for all of

ence - bored by the usual pastas, meat

sour glaze, peanut pastes - stereotypical

taurants became extremely popular

the other cultures they have come in

loafs, and chicken bakes - chefs started

Asian flavors, if you will - into salads

for this “authenticity.” The hunt was

contact with in America. A title more

environment; hard-working immi-

to dabble in creating hybrid cuisines.

and noodle dishes and then tacking

just a competition for these adventur-

appropriate than “fusion food” for this

grants end up adjusting their cuisine’s

Culinary giants like Jean-Georges Vong-

on “Asian” before the name of the dish

ous eaters, tired of the vanilla cuisine

new development of cuisine is “first

America’s melting pot or a bastard-

flavor to better suit American taste

erichten and Wolfgang Puck pioneered

just to make things official. It was a

they were served at whatever five-star

generation cuisine.” This food is no

ization of cultural cuisine. Does this

buds; hard-working immigrants are

the rise of fusion food - primarily

way for fusion food to become more

restaurant they were trying out. Being

longer about manually and intently

sticky-sweet Chinese food better repre-

rewarded with mainstream societal

mingling Asian flavors with French

accessible to the general public - after

able to boast, “I had real Vietnamese

fusing together the various aspects of

sent America’s multicultural land-

acceptance and subsequently, better

ones - in America about twenty years

all, not everyone could afford to dine

food this weekend” or “I went to the

two cultures to wow a bored crowd. It

scape or a society in which “foreign”

business, for said adjustment. It’s a

preceding the turn of the Twenty-First

regularly on the works of chefs trained

cutest, most authentic Chinese place for

has become something more natural

cultures are secondary to those that

classic story of assimilation at its finest.

Century. Framing Asian Ingredients

both in European and Asian methods

dinner last night” was apparently more

than that - an effortless enmeshing of

Western dishes. To quell

have already established their place?

The first major flood of Chinese

with French techniques created some-

of cooking. Because of the extreme

important than appreciating the actual

cultures that happens as easily as first

When prompted with the term,

immigrants came to the United States

thing chic and exciting - something

artificiality and accessibility, America

cuisine and its cultural background.

generation children becoming friends.

“Chinese food,” many Americans will

in the 1850s, thus introducing this

even more exotic than the weekend

began to think of fusion food as fake

immediately think, “sesame chicken,”

Americanized strain of Chinese food

takeout Americans had been consum-

and cheap, and thus lost all interest.

“chop suey,” and “ General Tso’s

that would reign as America’s favorite

ing for so long already. These renowned

chicken.” And while it has become

token “ethnic” food for practically a de-

chefs playing around with what they

stir fry, and whatever other dish had

have been taking it upon themselves to

ubiquitous all around America, this

cade. Up until mid-to-late 20th century,

thought were exotic and unexplored

undergone an Asian-themed revital-

spotlight the food they grew up eating.

strain of Chinese food does not actu-

the appeal of traditional Asian food lay

Asian flavors was unheard of in the

ally reflect the cuisine found in China.

in the general American perception of

scope of America’s Eurocentric palate.

In fact, descendants of General Tso

its exoticism. Chinese food was strictly

still living out in his hometown of

for a special takeout occasion and chop

to die down, fusion food started to

Xiangyin County actually had no

suey was often just offered as a side dish

take a downward spiral. It started to

idea that the General’s claim to fame

option to supplement a steak dinner for

manifest in fast food salads topped

6 Culture

After the initial excitement started

Forgoing the Asian salad, the Asian

Fusion has only just recently entered its third stage of development. A stage

It is perhaps the most literal embodiment of America’s melting pot title.

G

in which young Asian American chefs Avery Chang is a sophomore studying Psychology in the College of Arts and Science.

1 www.ted.com/talks/jennifer_8_lee_looks_for_general_tso?language=en 2 www.slate.com/articles/life/food/2012/04/asian_fusion_comeback_american_s_love_hate_relationship_with_asian_inspired_cooking_.html 3 http://inkchromatography.wordpress.com 4 http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2010/nov/14/david-chang-momofuku-interview 5 http://comm350.wordpress.com/2014/04/29/the-search-for-general-tso/ Read our blog

generasian.org

First Generation Cuisine 7

ritual union

By Georgie Fu

Two things inspired me to paint “Ritual Union”: The Japanese Koi and Yin & Yang. Koi symbolize love and friendship, and Yin & Yang explains how two contrasting figures can be quite complementary. “Ritual Union” is about a spiritual journey that one takes in order to find his or her identity. Like most Asian Americans, I thought it was hard to accept and live out two cultures. However, like Koi, I’ve found that I must treat every part of myself as a friend. I will always have internal conflicts, but thinking of Yin & Yang, those conflicts will eventually bleed into one another and balance out.

Medium: Watercolor and Ink

8 Art

Asians And Asian Americans: How Do You Categorize Yourself?

by Shirley Foo

T

and

o the general public, Asians

Asian Americans may seem

women being “horrible at driving”.

Yet, in Asia, she considers herself

like a single entity. In actuality, native

American. “I’m American because

Asians (Asians who are born and raised

I speak English, and that’s just how

in Asia) and Asian Americans (Ameri-

people label me,” Halim explained.

cans of Asian descent who have since

When one can switch from being

immigrated to the United States) are

Asian to being American depending on

radically different when certain fac-

geographical location, by straddling the

tors, such as social behavior, are con-

line between an Asian heritage and an

sidered. As a native Asian who recently

American lifestyle, identity becomes

moved to the United States, I noticed

fluid, rather than fixed. From Halim’s

that Asian Americans are generally

point of view, one can conceivably be

more outgoing and open than native

both American and Asian, but only at

Asians, and their ability to assimilate

different times, suggesting that both

Grace Tang, 18

into American culture and society is a cultures cannot necessarily coexist

lot better than that of native Asians.

within someone simultaneously.

Looking at these apparent differences often give rise to questions that can

Instead, it may be a matter of being able

throw a native Asian or Asian Ameri-

to switch from one identity to the other

can’s sense of identity into jeopardy:

at will.

Are Asian Americans “Asian”, “Ameri-

Grace Tsang, an 18-year-old inter-

can”, or both? Can a native Asian

national student from Hong Kong, also

become Asian American, not simply

spoke about the shifts in her identity

in terms of citizenship or immigration

according to geographical location. She

status, but according to one’s own per-

highlights the distance that separates

ception of oneself? Is someone consid-

her from both Asians and Americans. “I

ered an Asian American just because

feel like I need to assert my Asian iden-

they’re an Asian living in America?

tity more when I’m in America,” she said. In Asia, she considers herself more

Chris Halim, age 18, is a United States citizen born to Indonesian parents. She said, “I think of myself as Asian when I’m in America, because most of the time I still feel like an outsider. Sometimes I don’t feel welcome in certain places because I’m Asian.” She

Westernized because she studied at an

Chris Halim, 18

international school instead of a local

Is someone considered an Asian American just because they’re an Asian living in America?

school, but in America, she constantly mentions that she is from Hong Kong.

What fuels this need to emphasize the existence of an Asian background? Why does it matter to distinguish oneself as

cited the example of enroll-

a native Asian, as opposed to an Asian

ing in driving school with an

American? To separate and categorize

instructor who joked about Asian Read our blog

generasian.org

Asians and Asian Americans: How Do You Categorize Yourself? 9

part of either one of these cultures.

Still, others may feel very strongly about clinging onto their Asian side. Kevin Chung, age 18, said, “After studying here for four years, I’ll still consider myself a

Asian Americans often feel that they are “not Asian enough” when they are in Asia and “not American enough when they are in America.

foreign citizen and international student with no association to the

Teresa Lee, 18

native Asians and Asian Americans

American nation.” It is evident that

Asian communities have strong pres-

to some native Asians, their short

ences, she doesn’t find it difficult to stay

stint in America is for the purpose of

connected to Asian culture outside Asia.

education only. “I think we remain

While Lee has assimilated to life in

much more connected to our home

America after years of living here, even

and culture because we may not have

considering herself Asian American

any intention of settling in the United

at this point, native Asians who have

States long-term,” Chung states.

recently moved to the United States

is to underscore the divide between

If it is the lack of intent to fully

both groups of people. They may not

become a part of the American com-

they’re part of the Asian American

may still be struggling to feel like

be physically different, but the differ-

munity that differentiates native

community. After all, are you an Asian

ences in their cultural expectations and

Asians and Asian Americans, it is also

American just because you’re an Asian

societal ideals result in this divide.

interesting to think about whether

living in America? Tsang remarks,

Although the differences between

“I would only consider myself Asian

the two groups appear to be quite divi-

American when America felt like home

sive, at some point, native Asians who

to me. So far, it’s still not a place I feel

have relocated to the United States do

entirely comfortable in.” Presenting

begin calling themselves Asian Ameri-

yet another definition of what it means

can. Teresa Lee is an 18-year-old who

to be Asian American, Tsang suggests

lived in San Francisco before moving

that the transition from native Asian to

to Manhattan, although she was born

Asian American occurs gradually over

in Taiwan and visits periodically. She

time, after one becomes accustomed to

said, “I think I started considering

life outside Asia and inside America,

myself Asian American some time in

shedding light upon the notion that

high school. It wasn’t until then that

it is possible to be natively Asian

the word ‘Asian American’ was really

and later become Asian American.

brought to my attention.” Lee also re-

The term “Asian American” is open

flects on the ambiguous identity of the

for interpretation. Some people believe

Asian in America. “Asian Americans of-

that being Asian American is a mat-

ten feel that they are ‘not Asian enough’

ter of shifting in and out of their Asian

when they are in Asia and ‘not Ameri-

and American identities at will; others

can enough’ when they are in America.

define themselves as Asian American

I consider myself Asian American because I’m caught in the middle, needing to balance drastically different Chinese

Kevin Chung, 18

Asian Americans still consider them-

when they begin to blur both identities into a single one; and to some, it may not be a matter of what kind

and American cultural ideas.” Here, Lee

selves a part of the native Asian com-

of passport they hold or where they

offers another perspective--her own

munity. Lee notes, “I still feel connected

were born, but a matter of if they

definition of what constitutes an Asian

to my Asian heritage because I speak

are able to call America home.

American. To her, being Asian Ameri-

Mandarin at home with my parents

can means having the capacity to be

and they brought me up with Chinese

both Asian and American, even when

values.” Having lived in San Francisco

one doesn’t identify completely as being

and New York, where the respective

10 Culture

G

Shirley Foo is a Freshman studing journalism in the College of Arts and Science.

A Giving Community: Tzu Chi’s Mission to Provide Universal Aid

by Jenny Gao

P

erhaps one of the biggest testimo-

nies to the generosity of mankind

from labor complications but was re-

As her work progressed, Master Cheng

fused treatment because she could not

Yen realized that TC’s work should

is the overwhelming emphasis the

afford the NT8000 (200 USD) medical

not be confined to Taiwan, and thus

global society has placed on service.

fee . Filled with sorrow, Master Cheng

began the development of TC’s global

From Girl Scouts to the American Red

Yen wished to do something to help

presence. Wherever TC goes, it seeks

Cross to the March of Dimes, we pride

those who did not have access to basic

to spread its four pillars: medicine,

ourselves in the small deeds of kindness

health services. After much planning

humanistic culture, charity and educa-

we carry out. Yet, for many, volunteering is a hobby rather than a career.

But in Taiwan, members of Tzu Chi (TC) foundation

1

There is something very genuine and very real about human interaction, and the mission of TC is to foster that sincerity so that at the end of the day, the world is hopefully a little bit better than it was yesterday.

provide the community with a clinic that not only effectively cures diseases, but also at reasonable rates. In 1986, TC constructed the Buddhist Tzu Chi General Hospital in Hualien, Taiwan, which has treated thousands of patients since. The second principle of charity

view community

is meant to guide individuals to help

service not as a side activity, but as a lifetime devotion.

tion2. The first pillar, medicine, aims to

and discussion, Master Cheng Yen and

those around them. By helping others,

her thirty monastic disciples agreed

regardless of his own situation, one

Master Cheng Yen, who was enlight-

to save NT50 (1 US cent) everyday in

becomes more appreciative of what he

ened when she visited a local clinic. At

their respective bamboo banks be-

has. The third principle of culture is to

the clinic, Master Cheng Yen saw a pool

fore going to the market1. The group’s

spread integrity and respect to those

of blood on the floor and upon inquiry,

united efforts would gather enough

from different cultures. TC aims to

the staff members told her that the

money to save the woman’s life.

influence its followers to show re-

TC was founded in 1966 by Dharma

blood was from a woman who suffered

Read our blog

generasian.org

spect not just to each other, but also to

A Giving Community: Tzu Chi’s Mission to Provide Universal Aid 11

Mother Nature by reducing, reusing,

community for all of its members. It

who make them laugh, and family

and recycling materials. Lastly, Master

regularly hosts conferences such as the

that encourage them to be stronger.

Cheng Yen realized that the teachings of

Tzu Chi Collegiate Association Leader-

TC had to be taught to the next genera-

ship Conference and the Northeast

seek to change the world in a gran-

tion in order to raise them to be moral

Region Tzu Chi Fall Retreat. Here in

diose or noble way. They realize that

and upright. And so, TC offers educa-

New York, TC has a branch located in

all humans are coping with some sort

tional services, from kindergarten to

Flushing, Queens. Every Sunday, high

of adversity. And although we may

graduate studies, to students. Beyond

school students arrive at the building to

feel dejected and lost at times, we

teaching classroom material, TC also

gather for various events such as street

must realize that there is always a

educates its students on the impor-

cleaning and flea markets. Members

community that we can reach out to.

tance of being kind-hearted. Students

are also encouraged to participate in

However, perhaps more importantly,

are able to receive quality education

The Power of 5, a fundraiser in which

as members of a global community, we

with emphasis on selfless giving.

participants donate $5 every month

have the responsibility to help those in

for relief efforts and charity works.

need, whether they are friends, foes

wreaked havoc in Haiti, TC volunteers

This program serves as yet another

or strangers. There is something very

organized 84 distributions that benefit-

example of how the modern TC stays

genuine and very real about human

ted 196,411 survivors and sent volunteer

close to its roots by continuing the same

interaction, and the mission of TC is

doctors who treated more than 15,000

method as the fundraiser first started

to foster that sincerity so that at the

wounded citizens . Perhaps what was

by the thirty housewives decades ago.

end of the day, the world is hopefully a

most remarkable was that by 2013, TC

At NYU, TC members collaborate with

little bit better than it was yesterday.

rebuilt three schools for Sisters of St.

other chapters such as the Columbia

.G

Anne, a Roman Catholic institution.

University branch, to host events like

TC’s efforts in Haiti were not limited

the annual Iron Chef Cook-off. Ap-

to immediate relief - they went above

proximately once a month, NYU TC

and beyond to assure quality education

meets with the other chapters in its

for the children after Haiti’s recovery.

Chinatown branch to visit nursing

When Hurricane Sandy devastated

homes or help out at soup kitchens.

thousands of families on the East Coast,

It hopes to promote the ideas of TC to

TC volunteers saw to it that the victims

college students, since they are respon-

did not have to cope with the destruc-

sible for carrying on the missions.

In 2010, when an earthquake

3

tion alone by mobilizing volunteers

There is something incredibly

to the damaged sites. To this day,

heartwarming and poignant about

TC members are still providing the

those who wish to do good in a world

survivors with hot food, eco-blankets,

plagued by disease and suffering. Their

direct cash aid, and moral support.

eagerness to serve inspires optimism

In the end, members of TC do not

Jenny Gao is a freshman in the College of Nursing.

1 www.us.tzuchi.org/us/en/index. php?option=com_content&view=arti cle&id=159&Itemid=198&lang=en 2 www.us.tzuchi.org/us/en/index. php?option=com_content&view=a rticle&id=293&Itemid=283&lang= en www.us.tzuchi.org/us/en/index. php?option=com_content&view=arti cle&id=308&Itemid=282&lang=en 3 Tzu Chi Northeast Region; Yang Shengwei

and motivates me to do something for

4 Tzu Chi Orange County Center; Zhang Wenxian

the countless number of other volun-

others. Oftentimes, humans focus so

5 Tzu Chi Austin Center; Chen Zongkun

teer organizations is its emphasis on

much on the competition that they ne-

creating a harmonious and welcoming

glect things that truly matter - friends

6 Tzu Chi Northridge Service Center; Wang Yili

What truly distinguishes TC from

Farthest left: 2013 Winter clothing distribution in Brooklyn, New York hosted by Tzu Chi Northeast Regional Office to benefit families affected by Hurricane Sandy.

Second from the left: Volunteer nurse GongWang Ziaowen welcomes a patient to the free clinic in Santa Ana, California for immigrant and uninsured families.

Third from the left: Tzu Chi Austin Service Center volunteer signing with an elderly resident of the Westminster nursing home at a Christmas celebration.

Furthest right: Sushi chef and Tzu Chi volunteer Feng Lifan teaching students at a Tzu Chi Northridge Service Center summer camp.

12 Culture

A Computer game as a sport?

An introduction to league of legends, in play and competition

Transparent Teemo (c) Riot Games, rendered by Aurablade on DeviantArt, August 2, 2012

by Jamie Sung

Y

ou’ve probably heard of League of Legends, but what is it exactly?

Why is it so popular? And most importantly, who is Teemo and why do you hate him?

The Game League of Legends (commonly referred to as “League” or “LoL”), is a free to play, online computer game run by Riot Games. The relatively small company, which only produces League, first released the game in late October of 2009. Since then, the game has grown steadily to a player base of 27 million daily players, making it the most popular game of its kind and one of the most popular games of all time.

How do I play?

Step 0: We’re going to start at zero because it’s just that simple. Just download the game on leagueoflegends.com.

Every now and then, the game will update automatically to fix errors in the code and to keep the game interesting.

Sit back, relax, and wait for the action to start.

and backstories. In the most popular gamemode, each person on your team must pick a different character, and the five members of the opposing team will do the same, resulting in 10 different champions.

Captain Teemo is a small creature known as a yordle. Unlike most champions, who stand and fight, Teemo primarily fights using hidden mushrooms that slow and poison enemies that walk over them.

Step 3: Pick a role. The map is separated into three lanes and a jungle. Each role is determined by map position: top lane, mid lane, bot lane (which has two players in it, a marksman and a support), and jungle. Each role brings something different to a good team composition and will take down enemy players, towers, and inhibitors. For example, a marksman gives the most damage, but is easily killed and must be protected by the support. You can also roam and take your champion out of your designated lane to help your teammates across the map.

Step 4: Win! To do so, take down the enemy player’s Nexus, a large crystal in their base, after destroying at least one inhibitor and a number of towers. Each game averages 20-40 minutes. Have fun!

Step 1: You’ve installed the game, and now it’s time to play! You can play with up to 9 other strangers or invite friends to play with you on a team. Your team can also play against computers for a less competitive game.

Step 2: Choose a champion. There are currently 122 playable characters or “champions,” each with unique abilities Summoner’s Rift Minimap (c) Riot Games, taken from League of Legends Wikia, Novemeber 2014.

Read our blog

generasian.org

Meet a Champion

The map is separated into three lanes and a jungle. This is the most common map, Summoner’s Rift.

After playing for a while and gaining enough game experience, you will unlock a ranked game mode. Play to see how your skill matches up with the rest of the League community!

eSports

In recent years, League of Legends has also joined the eSports (short for electronic sports) scene. eSports is a term that is used to refer to professional gaming, and is a relatively new industry that began in 1997 with the first person shooter game Quake. The League competitive scene has been steadily developing across several regions and culminates in a once a year global competition - The League of Legends World Championship, or simply “Worlds.”

All official matches are broadcast through Riot Games on lolesports. com and have around 32 million viewers, many of whom do not even play League of Legends.

Five major regions compete each year: North America, Europe, China, Southeast Asia and Taiwan, and Korea, with a few wildcard teams from other regions. This year, Worlds began A Computer Game as a Sport? 13

on August 7th and spanned a little over 10 weeks.The Finals were held in Seoul, South Korea, and had an intricate opening ceremony with traditional Korean song and dance, an orchestra, and a guest performance by Imagine Dragons,

Matches can have around 32 million viewers, many of whom do not even play.

The Worlds Trophy: The Summoner’s Cup (c) Riot Games,

who are avid players of League as well!

On October 19th, Korean team Samsung White beat Chinese team Star Horn Royal Club 3-1 in a best of five series to take the Worlds Champion title.

The games were ruthless, proving why many cited White as being the best pro League team in history. However, due to upcoming changes in both Korean tournament scene and in the game itself, it is questionable whether or not White will be able to keep hold of their dominance for another year.

The League of Legends eSports scene has officially been around for four “seasons,” each spanning approximately one year. Out of the four seasons, the past three’s winners have all been from

The Season Four Victors, Samsung White (c) Riot Games,

Asia—Taipei Assassins (Southeast Asia/ Taiwan) in Season Two, and SK Telecom T1 K (Korea) in Season 3. The Season 1 victors were FNatic from Europe.

eSports in Asia

League of Legends is extremely popular in Asia and has three major Asian regions in its competitive scene: LoL Pro League or LPL (China), Champions (Korea), and Garena Pro League or GPL (Southeast Asia and Taiwan).

Korea is widely acknowledged

14 Entertainment

taken from the League of Legends Wikia, 2014

as the best region, and contains notable player Lee Sang-hyeok, or “Faker.” The 18 year old member of SK Telecom T1 K is generally regarded as the best mid laner, and even the best League player, in the world.

Outside of Korea, League of Legends is also very popular in China and Southeast Asia. Chinese playstyle is generally characterized as aggressive and chaotic, and is based largely on instinct, whereas Koreans are generally praised for their methodical and careful play.

eSports in North America

If you live in the United States, you most likely play on the North American server. Here, competitive play is organized into the NA LCS, or North American League Championship Series.

While North America is definitely perceived as one of the weaker regions, it is also a quickly changing region that is constantly improving.

The most notable part of North American teams is the diversity in the players. Many teams have players with various nationalities, and even include non-North American residents, with the help of athletic visas.

This year, one all-Chinese team, LMQ, even moved over to North America, prompting a rule change in the total number of foreign players allowed on any starting roster. In the last season, eight Asian players came over on foreign visas, joining five other foreign players from Europe and Latin America.

The high number of imports

reflects the popular belief that Asians are synonymous with strength in the competitive scene. In fact, various amateur teams have tried acquiring foreign players, hoping that their latent skill would help them qualify for the NA LCS. One example of this would be the North American team Coast, who replaced two of their best players in favor of no-name Korean players, and lost their qualifying matches as a result.

Ultimately, while the Asian regions may be more competitive as a whole, the individual players are still human, and must prove their skill just the same as everyone else. G Jamie Sung is a freshman studying Dramatic

Chinese playstyle is generally characterized as aggressive and chaotic, and is based largely on instinct, whereas Koreans are generally praised for their methodical and careful play.

Writing at the Tisch School of the Arts.

Missteps and Monoliths: the Literary Problem of Asian America

by Alyza Liu

I

am Chinese, and I was born

devils. By five, I’d

Princess Returning Pearl, China Television and Hunan Economy TV

in China, which, on the face of

already estab-

it, isn’t all that strange. I mean, on a list

lished Princess

of countries in which a Chinese person

Returning Pearl

might be born, I assume China is at the

as my favourite

very top. But growing up in America,

TV drama for

I’ve always felt a bit estranged from

life (that hasn’t

Chinese-Americanness, if such a thing

changed). So it

were possible, because I was neither

wasn’t really

born in the United States, nor had I

surprising that,

been a citizen of it. I didn’t immigrate

by the time I

to the States until I was five, and so my

learned how to

first exposure to media was Chinese

read, I became a voracious reader as

‘struggling immigrant narrative as the

media. Between cartoons and dramas

well. But mine was the standard fare –

only narrative in AsAm [sic] lit, and

and films, I saw East Asians in a variety

Harry Potter, The Secret Garden, Anne

would like to see more Asian Diaspora

of roles, time periods, and genres. My

of Green Gables, Little Women. It wasn’t

themes explored…specifically…narra-

default human being, as it were, was

until eighth grade that I began to read

tives where Asian American characters

black-haired, black-eyed, and spoke in

Asian American literature, and by tenth

visit their countries of origin.” Veronica

dubbed Standard Mandarin. I never

grade (when I did switch in my red

Wang, a freshman at San Francisco

had to think about my own identity,

passport for a blue one), I was already

State University, says that while “eth-

never even really associated myself

drifting away from its popular canon.

nicity and culture undoubtedly have a

Here’s the problem. After a while,

huge impact on [one’s] life, [she’d] like

until high school, when my parents

it began to feel like I was reading the

to read stories about Asian Americans

began the process of naturalization,

same narratives over and over and

outside of that –like Asian American

and I had to begin to think deeply and

over again. Immigrant narratives,

witches, Asian American superheroes,

critically about the notion of identity.

narratives about living in oppressive

or even something as mundane as high

with the moniker of “Asian American”

Ever since I can remember, I have

or war-torn societies, narratives about

school drama between Asian Ameri-

been an avid consumer of media, both

feeling the pressure to choose between

can kids.” Comic artist and NYU alum

print and broadcast. My favourite film,

clearly-defined, diametrically opposed,

Wendy Xu echoes some of these same

at the age of two, was Disney’s Alice in

“Eastern” and “Western” values. And

sentiments when she commented that

Wonderland (I liked it so much I wanted

it’s not just my problem. Eunice Kim, a

she “would…love to see more Asian

to be named Alice; my mother made me

recent graduate of Fordham University

American protagonists in fantasy, but

a compromise and called me Alyza).

who is now working as an Editorial

without the ‘mystical Asian’ fantasy

When I was three, my father called me

Associate for a major publishing house,

elements. [Asian Americans] can exist

from ten thousand miles away and I

mentions that “sometimes [she gets]

in a diasporic fantasy world.” What

blew him off for Demi-gods and Semi-

a little frustrated when [she sees] the

Asian America lacks in literature is

The “Outrage Machine” and the Facade of Anecdotal Racism 15

the diversity that colours our experi-

fit in, or wasn’t happy being Chinese, I

are perceived limits our own percep-

in, yet it is the land without which we

don’t want to write for the sake of being

ences as children of the world’s largest

loved to watch the Spring Festival Gala

tions of who we are, or what we can be.

would not be who we are. We know it

diverse, or buying something you’re not

continent, and narratives that ap-

every year. Even as I was made fun of

But even books by Asian Ameri-

well enough for others to consider us

interested in for the sake of supporting

peal to us as people, not as prepack-

and had my lunchbox thrown across

can authors that do not fixate on the

capable of telling “authentic” stories

an author, or that throwing money at

aged parcels of Ethnic Experience.

the cafeteria by wrinkle-nosed friends,

immigrant experience show a tenu-

about Asia, yet we do not know it so

a problem is going to make it go away

I loved making dumplings. And even

ous relationship to Asia itself. There is

well to avoid the trap of stereotyping,

(particularly when not everyone has

Diaz once stated that “if you want to

as I began to be involved with feminist,

often almost a performative aspect to

of Orientalism, of applying our own

money to spare), it is important that

make a human being into a monster,

queer, and anti-racist movements, I

the writing – as if we were writing for

Western gaze back onto our homelands.

we are able to understand that popu-

deny them, at the cultural level, any

am still profoundly indebted to my

acceptance by, writing for understand-

Ultimately, writing about Asia as

lar fiction is defined by the populace.

reflection of themselves.” And here,

culture, often mischaracterized as be-

ing from what Filipina writer Rochita

Asian Americans can be a double-edged

As Young Adult author Holly Black

perhaps, is the reason that I’ve turned

ing uniquely sexist, and homophobic,

Loenen-Ruiz terms “the imagined

sword, particularly in genre fiction.

states, “best selling authors don’t just

increasingly towards East Asian media

and ethnocentric. And even though

Western reader.” Sameera Mokkarala,

On one hand, it challenges the notion

HAPPEN [sic] to be in the mainstream

even as I began to feel more American

the bedtime stories my mother used to

a medical student at UC Davis, says that

of the normative West, and challenges

media. Selling a lot of books MAKES

– dramas, music, and even internet nov-

tell me about growing up during the

one of the weaknesses of Asian Ameri-

Western religion, social structures,

someone a bestselling author and GETS

els. In Asian dramas, in Asian novels, I

Cultural Revolution and participating in

can literature is that “it’s still catering

languages, and morality as being the

mainstream media attention.” But

can see myself in a variety of different

the Tiananmen Square protests weren’t

to a mostly-white audience…it seeks to

basis for all forays into the fantastic or

books are sold one at a time to read-

roles, as a number of different people,

always happy, they weren’t always

explain things that, if it were written

speculative. But on the other, there is

ers who make choices about which

from the kind and naïve high school

sad, either. There were stories full of

for an actual Asian American audience,

something essentialist about the tying

books they want to support. Publish-

student, to the street-smart wisecrack-

light, and laughter, and fun as well.

would not require definition or work-

of identity to contemporary geopolitics,

ing houses may channel more money

arounds or italics.” On these italics, Ruiz

particularly in non-realistic fiction. If

into promoting books that fit a certain

Dominican American author Junot

ing wuxia heroine to the driven modern

In a speech given at a TED Confer-

businesswoman and the scheming

ence, Nigerian author Chimamanda

states, that “if [the non-Western reader

Asians can only exist as an element of

mould (and conform to a certain colour

women in the palace harem. It was,

Ngozi Adichie warns of “the danger of

has] read and consumed works from

the fantastic in Asia, what does that say

scheme), they cannot force consum-

then, stifling, limiting, and frankly,

a single story.” “The single story,” she

writers from the West without com-

about the stories that Asian Americans

ers to buy one book over another. “If

tiring to find myself stuffed into these

says, “creates stereotypes, and the prob-

plaint, if we have gone that extra step to

are told about ourselves as distinct from

[readers] want more diversity, [then

very singular narratives that dominated

lem with stereotypes is not that they are

fully engage with that work, surely we

both non-diaspora Asians and white

they] have to buy more diversely.”

the landscape of Asian American litera-

untrue, but that they are incomplete…

can trust that those who seek out our

Americans? Are we still estranged from

ture – always the immigrant daughter,

they make one story become the only

stories will also take that extra step to

the narrative of normative America?

of our shoulders, and there is no easy

caught between sterile dichotomies

story…the consequence of the single

meet us halfway.” Italicised Romaniza-

Barred from the historic, the fantas-

or immediate solution. But ultimately,

of East and West, of tradition versus

story is this: it robs people of dignity.

tions, she claims, are a form of apology.

tic, the scientific , the romantic ?

we have to be confident that our stories,

modernity. Real life is much more nu-

It makes our recognition of our equal

They are a visual marker of the other, of

anced than the life that was offered to

humanity difficult. It emphasizes how

the strange, even in worlds where this

me in fiction – even as I didn’t always

we are different rather than how we

“other” would be the default, the norm1.

As social media has transformed the way we communicate, as well as the ways that social justice advocates disseminate information and mobilize their supporters, we have seen the creation of a seemingly unstoppable Social Justice Outrage Machine.

are similar.” One of

There is also a more fundamental

the dangers of the

tension at play – we may not be treated

immigrant nar-

as truly American in America, yet

rative is this – not

we live in a context that adopts cer-

2

3

It, then, is a problem that falls on all

whatever they are, deserve to be

Being constantly reminded of told, even if they deviate from the how we are perceived limits expected, and our cultures, whatour own perceptions of who ever they are, are interesting enough through whatever lens we experiwe are, or what we can be.

Alyza Liu is a sophomore studying East Asian Studies and an as-yetundecided second major in CAS. Sources: http://www.nj.com/ledgerlive/index.ssf/2009/10/junot_diazs_new_jersey.html http://malindalo.tumblr.com/post/94656672638/ sarahreesbrennan-hollyblack http://www.strangehorizons.com/2014/20140908/ loenenruiz-c.shtml http://lareviewofbooks.org/essay/brown-south-asianfiction-pandering-western-audiences#

ence them, that they do not have to

be dressed up or down to conform to The fault isn’t entirely on the shoul-

every Asian is an

tain attitudes towards our cultures of

immigrant, and even

heritage. And, whether we are aware

ders of Asian American authors, nor

off John Keats on this, fiction is truth

for those of us who

of them or not, we may sometimes

do these narratives exist in a cultural

and truth, fiction, and while that is

are, it is exhausting.

adopt those same mindsets. Asia, for

vacuum that doesn’t influence what

not necessarily all ye know on earth,

Being constantly

us, is at once familiar and strange – for

sorts of stories are viewed as authentic

nor all ye need to know, we need to ask

reminded of how we

many, it is not the land we grew up

and what sorts of stories are viewed as

ourselves what sorts of truths we are

more worthy of publication than others.

aiming to tell impressionable youths

However, as the consumers and the

through the medium of our fiction.

1 I think of Amy Tan’s italicized tang jie in her second novel The Kitchen God’s Wife, a tang jie that was (mis)translated and (incorrectly) explained to an audience that was clearly not meant to be Sino (despite the novel’s focus on Sino American identity) – because any Chinese, or Taiwanese, or Hong Kong, or Chinese diaspora audience with any grasp of Mandarin could tell you that the word does not translate into “sugar sister.” 堂姐, not 糖姐, though they are identically pronounced.

*While I did not cite the essay directly, Jabeen Akhtar’s Why Am I Brown? South Asian Fiction and Pandering to Western Audiences, published in the LA Review of Books, was a huge and formative influence for me through the process of writing this article, and while I wish I could have talked more specifically about the different regions of Asia and how each are presented within narrative fiction, I unfortunately did not have the time, the resources, or the ability to write responsibly about it in a more specific way. Instead, I’ve spoken through the lens of my own experience, and hope that, while the analysis is not as deep as I would have hoped, it raises some relevant questions for your consideration.

Orientalist fiction. Because, if I may riff

G

producers of such fiction, we should be responsible for the content that we consume and produce. And while I

2 It amuses me that Joss Whedon can conceive of a universe where white people participate in Chinese culture and squawk dreadful, poorly-structured Mandarin but cannot, apparently, conceive of a universe where Chinese people exist in a world of science fiction.

don’t believe in writing something you

3 To the surprise of no one, racist depictions do not, in fact, count.

16 Entertainment

Missteps and Monoliths: The Literary Problem of Asian America 17

Dokkaebi

By Jaimie Kim

As October was approaching I decided to do a Halloween themed piece. This portrays a dokkaebi (도깨비), a Korean mythical goblin creature that has horns on its head and carries around a club.

18 Art

Ghost in the Shell (http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--KMoBzPbe--/eeu0akaez3bmxh3cc1hb.jpg)

A Case for Anime

by William Shi

W

hat is anime? Depending on

lar anime, both in Japan and abroad, are

limited exposure to Japanese anime thus breeds a belief that it is similar in scope and depth to American cartoons and is mostly considered as “childish.”

Of course, it is true that not all

whom you ask, it can mean

called the “Big Three,” namely Naruto,

American cartoons are for children, as

several different things. In Ja-

Bleach, and One Piece. Another popular

there are some channels that air adult

pan, it means animation of any kind or

anime is

cartoons, such as

origin. However, in America, two com-

Pokémon,

FOX, Adult Swim

mon images anime seems to conjure up

which,

are as either animated, over-sexualized

due to the

girls or childish cartoons, although,

over-

in a general sense, it actually means

whelming

“animation of Japanese origins.” Anime

popular-

tral. The most

extends across a broad range of genres,

ity of

popular and

including comedies, action shows, dra-

Pokémon games outside of Japan, is

well-received adult cartoons on these

mas, and horror shows. The most popu-

very popular in the United States. These

networks, however, are usually in the

Naruto (http://htv3.tv/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/NarutoShippuden-Wallpapers.jpg)

This limited exposure to Japanese anime thus breeds a belief that it is considered as “childish.”

(the nightly arm of Cartoon Network), and Comedy Cen-

four titles, and many

form of satire and/or comedy, with

others, are characterized

shows such as Futurama, Family Guy,

as shounen (少年) anime,

South Park, and The Simpsons being the

those that are gener-

most recognizable. Although they dem-

ally geared towards an

onstrate a focus audience separate from

audience of young boys.

children’s cartoons, they tend to show

However, although the

a severe lack of variety, as evidenced

Japanese audience has

by the bevy of comedy shows. Unlike

access to anime geared

these American cartoons, anime geared

towards adult audiences,

toward an adult audience contains

the American audience

much more diversity. Such anime can

generally does not. This

be characterized as either seinen (青年) A Case for Anime 19

or josei (女性), meaning young men and

action shows, but it also acts as a format

tations of live action, allowing

young women respectively, illustrating

that rises above certain limits of real-

free reign in its storytelling.

their intended market. In contrast to

ity. Being animated, Japanese anime

American animation, Japanese anime

can take many liberties with the style

media, anime also has several undesir-

demonstrates the variety that is pos-

of art, the emotions and reactions of

able aspects. The “sexual objectification

sible in cartoons, as seen in titles such

characters, and even the laws of phys-

of children” is indeed a problem that

Of course, like the majority of

as Ghost in the Shell, Cowboy Bebop,

damages

and Steins;Gate – all of which explore

the image

deep and well developed themes such as

of anime

the nature and purpose of technology,

both in-

existentialism and loneliness, and the

side and

emotional consequences of time travel.

outside

These ideas display a level

of Japan.

of maturity in content that differenti-

How-

ates anime from American cartoons.

ever, this

Perhaps, then, a better comparison for

doesn’t

Japanese anime are American live ac-

degrade

tion shows. In shows such as House of Cards, The West Wing, Breaking Bad, and Game of Thrones, we see an indus-

the House of Cards (http://www.bolumrehberi.com/images/tv-show/House-of-Cards/ house_of_cards_wallpapers_1920x1080_03.jpg)

quality of those

try similar to that of the Japanese anime

ics. This is in contrast to American live

shows that don’t engage in such ob-

industry. For one, live action shows

action shows that require a great deal

jectification. Likewise, in America,

encompass a wide range of genres, such

of expensive CGI to make the unreal

the quality of a show such as Breaking

as crime, thrillers, dramas, sci-fi, and

real. However, anime requires similar

Bad isn’t affected just because review-

many others, while basing their mate-

effort between those that are true to

ers dislike another series. You just

rial on different aspects of reality or the

reality and those that are fantastical.

have to see bad shows for what they

fantastic. Japanese anime covers similar

It becomes obvious now that anime

are and move on to the better ones.

ground, having shows such as Terror

doesn’t just include either drawn out

in Resonance (thriller, crime, terror-

action sequences (in the case of the “Big

noted that anime isn’t for everyone,

ism), Ghost in the Shell (crime, sci-fi),

Three”) or sexualized pubescent and

and it doesn’t try to cater to every-

Clannad (romance, supernatural),

prepubescent girls, for it also includes

one. However, if your impression of

and Mushishi (historical, adventure,

a rich assortment of mature shows that

anime was formed from the extensive

fantasy). All of these shows, like the

tackle and explore real human prob-

sequences of the Big Three shows

live action ones listed above, are either

lems and concerns, whether through

or from shows that you would find

recently popular or somewhat older

the depiction of true-to-life characters,

distasteful, I urge you to try it one

critical hits for their respective audi-

or those that are as far removed from

more time. With a fantastic history of

reality as is

excellent shows that were mentioned

possible with

previously, and a brighter future with

the medium.

ever more powerful technologies for

And that is

animation, this is truly an excellent

what anime

time to begin getting into anime.

ences. From these shows, and many others, we can discern

…anime isn’t for everyone, and it doesn’t try to cater to everyone.

the quality

is: a medium

of Japanese

of entertain-

animation in not just art, but also in plot

ment that lacks the many limi-

development, character depth, intel-

With this in mind, it must be

G

William Shi is a junior in CAS majoring in History, studying pre-medicine, and minoring

ligent dialogue, and overall direction.

These qualities make anime very attractive for those who desire

Sources:

deeper and more complex stories and

www.animenewsnetwork.com

language. Not only does anime encom-

www.imdb.com

pass a range of topics as broad as live

www.crunchyroll.com

20 Entertainment

Read our blog

generasian.org

DEAREST DArlinG DAUGHTER

by Cindy Li

growing taller with the knowledge that my family had wished for my death

made me question the reflection in the mirror

after all

how does one fade when

you never existed

my mother worked in an abortion clinic and now toils her days away in an ob/gyn sector

she grew so tired of aborting so many female fetuses that she yearned to wash

the red from her heart through a bloody child cradled in her arms thick dusty curtains hid my huddled niche from the world

overhearing people laugh over my grandmother’s hope for my abortion due to which sperm pierced the egg first and how i was not a male child

so i wore snapbacks and loose sturdy blues

kept my hair short and view more narrow

gleaning used scooters to rest my worn out sneakered feet

tears digging a path to the misery contained within my mouth

i had been young and unwanted, but thought i would be able to change the world

i shall be the first girl to be a man

i thought delightedly in my head

i shall do it all i am limitless

the united states is a tear-stained mattress of impossible promises

never broken since they were never truly given

homeland and motherland are familiar as air they are war just as you are

you are genocide

all connected by loss

you are holocaust

you are the past

you thought you could be the hero of the story

what is your ending my mother had a plan to give up

her life

for mine

unable to care for me

my family shipped me back to my motherland so i sat at the sharp edge of a plastic tub

drowning for air

for recognition choking upon the struggle for life the united states is a tear-stained mattress of impossible promises

never broken since they were never truly given

homeland and motherland are familiar as air they are war just as you are

you are genocide

all connected by loss

you are holocaust

you are the past

you thought you could be the hero of the story

what is your ending my mother had a plan to give up

her life

for mine please cut

into the tender flesh of my breast and remove the fat so i can be more human Dearest Darling Daughter 21

when a boy in my class stumbled and bled red

i stumbled and expected myself to bleed blue

my mother held remorse through her body and clung on to

birth as she cried out with pain

waiting for the delivery of her child

whose screams came

to a cacophony of

silence

history bleeds down my thighs

crawls between my legs when i curl over into positions of pain

this war is a self massacre where

the risk of asking for love just outweighs the fear of being

unloved i was given life to lift both feet off the ground and hang from unfeathered wings

tied

around

birth is a joyous event

a celebration of life

and so when i was born into

a coffin

22 Dearest Darling Daughter

my neck

i cried out with the burden of grief. G Cindy Li is a Sophomore in the College of Arts and Science.

Time Temple:

Universality among distinctions

by Yanchu Zhao

C

hina has become the

market with the biggest potential in the art industry within the last decade. More and more artists have been exposed on the world stage. It is neither an accident nor the blessing of chance, but the improved skills of aspiring artists in the new age.

On Oct. 31, Jianwei Wang presented his first solo exhibition, the Time Temple, in North America.

The exhibition was an important

Jianwei Wang and associate

landmark in the Chinese art industry because it was the first feature

in a continuous sense. It is a universal

perspective through different lens

presentation under the Robert Ho

concept that everyone can identify with

and various forms of art. From the

Family Foundation at Guggenheim.

no matter their identity. He expresses

illustration of Guggenheim Museum,

that art should be free of boundaries -

the painting “mounted in four frames of

Jianwei Wang has been a pioneer in

of nationality, race, gender - just like

varying depth... emphasize the idea of

the Chinese contemporary art scene

what the Time Temple stands for. In his

the painting as a staged event much like

since the 70s. Academically trained

view, there is no definite interpretation

theater. When viewed, this variation

as a painter, he dedicated much of his

of time. There

education at the China Academy of Art,

should be tens

reading about existentialist philosophy

of thousands of

and history. “This led him to years of

interpretations

experimentation in conveying complex

of the term, he

ideas with painting before shifting

says, because

his focus to multimedia installation 1.” Wang has been long portrayed as

each person lives in his own concept of time. This

curator also explained how Wang

the philosopher among the artists. His

variety is demonstrated through

related the Time Temple to the futility

complex ideas about the relationship

the numerous types of mediums in

of the search for truth. Each truth

between time and space, reality and

the installation: paintings, films,

undercuts other truths, asserts Wang;

fiction, human nature and the internal

and live theater productions all hold

there is no ultimate truth but only

soul, or the finite life span and the

their own ground in a single space.

eternal time. “It is futile to think about

Born in 1958 in Sichuan, China,

It is a universal concept that everyone can identify with no matter their identity.

and repetition of content suggest both movement and the passage of time 2.”

At the media preview, the

The largest installation in the

painting using traditional terms,

valuable in their artistic refinement

exhibition features a series of large-

such as style and color, but more

but also in the messages they convey.

scale paintings. Four panels are placed

important to think about painting

side by side to exemplify the artist’s

as an interpretation of time.”

infinite time make his works not only

Specifically, Wang considers time 1 Long March Space, 2010.

practice of transcending a single

‘Connection’ and ‘relationship’ Time Temple: Universality Among Distinctions 23

have been the key

and Europe. It is certainly not easy

phrases in Wang’s

to make oneself stand out amongst a

vocabulary. His work

sea of other groundbreaking artists.

can be interpreted as

That said, the prospects for

an attempt to discover

emerging Chinese artists are looking

and expose the

positively bright. The exposure of

connection between

Chinese artists has been increasing

beings, matters and

dramatically through the past decade.

concepts that may

Holding a solo exhibition as a Chinese

seem random on the

artist in one of the best museums

surface. What he

in New York was almost impossible

aspires to achieve is a

a few years ago. Wang’s success is

kind of integration of

therefore not only a reward for his

knowledge in many fields that gives rise

incredible talent and artistic audacity, Wang and the directors of the Guggenheim

to his distinctive

but also the beginning of a golden age for all plucky Chinese artists.

approach. Through abstract depiction

into his work. The art piece must

of ideas and reality, Wang renders the

showcase the artist’s skills while also

Yanchu Zhao is a senior studying Art

distinction between mundane reality

reflecting his independent thinking.

in the College of Arts and Science.

and aesthetic abstraction obsolete.

Being extraordinarily skilled is no

Furthermore, Wang expressly

longer enough. The thing that pushes

states: “I hope in the future I can be

an artist in front the audience is his

identified by my works of art, not

voice within. He has to break the cage

who I am and what I have achieved”.

of uniformity to pursue the unexplored,

His pronouncement highlights a

to shake things up. For Jianwei, that

significant point about the work that

special element is his artistic boldness.

awaits future Chinese artists who are

His courageous experiments in the

looking to make their mark. The bona

use of new media, performances and

fide artist, in the truest sense of the

physical installations are what he

word, has to incorporate personality

is recognized for throughout Asia

24 Entertainment

G

One of Wang’s installations at the Guggenheim.

asian, unmasked

M

Photo courtesy of Thana Brick

by Cathy Ye

y name is Jennifer Lee.

acknowledging a part of her past.

I stood there in shock and horror,

In my 25 years, I have been a mother,

But as time went on, I realized, much

staring back at the man with whom I’d

a daughter, a sister, a girlfriend, a best

as she had, that it was a dead-end

trusted my career for the past three

friend. I have also been a laundromat

job. Most telling, perhaps, was when

years. “I’m a human, Ricky, a person.”

worker, a manicurist, a street peddler,

my agent started handing me roles

I whispered, “God, you piece of shit.”

a trophy wife, an exotic prostitute...

exclusively for minor characters in

Without another word, I fumed my

each of these roles lived out as

blue-collar jobs. One day, I’d finally had

way out of his office and into mine,

reality on stage and on screen. But

enough. I marched into his office on a

taking out my anger on my keyboard

somewhere along the way, I’ve gotten

clear summer day, tired and angry.

by typing up an ad for a new agent.

sick of playing tropes from cultures

“Ricky,” I said, “I don’t want to paint

‘Young female actress, 3 years of

that aren’t mine--a geisha, a Korean

people’s nails on screens for the rest of

experience. Extremely versatile,

mistress, the Chinese seductress. I

my life. Where are the other roles?”

has played roles between the ages of

am Chinese American, a product of

He didn’t even look up from his

16 and 35. Speaks English, Spanish,

two countries who refuse to take me

computer. “Babe, you’ve got to start

and Chinese fluently. Looking for an

as their own and two hardworking

somewhere to go somewhere.”

agent who has experience in casting

parents who paid for my freedom of

“But I’ve been the same damned thing

diverse roles.’ I sat and read it over

expression and access to opportunity

in the last four movies! I want to be

and over. Was I being clear enough?

with their sweat and blood.

someone with character, someone

Did an agent like this exist? After

For a while, I didn’t mind being cast as a

with a story--not that anonymous

another moment of hesitation, I hit

menial worker. My own mother worked

Asian girl hiding behind a surgical

send and brewed myself a strong

for years at the local laundromat,

mask. I didn’t even get my face on

coffee, preparing for the long haul.

pinching pennies and saving up for

the last one! Just my hands!”

And what a long haul it was. For the

a house in a neighborhood with a

He sighed and took his glasses off.

next three days, I received solicitation

good public school. In a way, playing

“Jenny, you’re Asian. What else

calls, men looking for a good time with

that role was paying homage to her,

am I supposed to cast you as?”

a nice Asian chick, more offers to play Asian, Unmasked 25

a geisha and nail salon girl. I was at the

I’ve made more progress than I’d

right on off 15 minutes later, but I

end of my wits and on my fourth cup

ever dreamed was possible. Yet the

sang my heart out for the whole of

of espresso the day I finally received a

most disheartening comments were

those 900 seconds. In a later Time Out

call from a soft-spoken woman whose

not from the mouths of the casting

New York review, I was remembered

first words were ‘Hi Jenny, you sound

directors, but from those around me,

as ‘easily the most passionate and

tired. How hard will you work to get

whether they be from my friends

entertaining minor character I’ve ever

the role you want?’. I clutched at the

and family or from total strangers.

seen in an off-Broadway production’.

arms of my chair as if they were all that

LeeAnn had smiled wider than I’d

were holding me to the ground. “I’ll do

audition for a new take on Newsies.

ever seen and made a point of keeping

anything,” I gasped, “Just don’t make

It was a small production, so the

the magazine it was featured in.

me play a laundromat worker again.”

building in which the auditions took

Her laugh was music to

place had many other casting calls

No mention of you being Asian.

my ears. “I promise.”

taking place at the same time. When

Just you being a human being, an

Her name was LeeAnn, and she was a wizened little Korean woman with laugh lines on her forehead and a knowing gaze that pierced right

Last year, I signed up for an

They forget about what’s under the cover, the mask.

“You see that, Jenny?

actress who rocked that stage.”

I’d looked back at her

thoughtfully. “You think it’ll keep being like that? People seeing me as

through me. Back when the only

an aspiring young female actress...

available roles were the ones I now

without looking at my eyes, my

refused to take, she was the silent

skin color, my ancestry?”

advocate--the actress who played so

I reached for the front desk, I put on

above and beyond her role that even

my best smile, but before I could say

people looking at what makes you you,

the most ignorant audience member

a word, the receptionist glanced up

Jenny. It’s just that people forget the

acknowledged her talent past her skin,

at me and gestured to her right.

whole is more than just a summation

her passion past her family name. She

of the parts. They forget about what’s

was everything I wanted to be, and I

room from the end of the hallway.”

under the cover, the mask. We can’t

was everything she wished she had the

Crestfallen, I simply stood and stared

take off the mask, and we shouldn’t--

chance to be--defiant, stubborn, and

at the top of her head as she continued

we just have to remind them that it’s

living in a time that offered me a good

smacking her gum. Sensing that I

there. Then they do all the work for

shot. We were perfect for each other.

hadn’t moved, she looked up at me

us.” She smiled gently at me. “Asian,

If you have a rule, stick to it, she told

again and mistook my dismay for

unmasked. That’s how it should be.”

me. That meant no exceptions. If I

nervousness. “Oh don’t worry, honey,

wasn’t going to play a heavily-accented

you’re the first Asian girl to walk in all

Cathy Ye is a senior majoring in Biology

character in one production, that meant

day for them, I bet you’re a shoo-in!”

in College of Arts and Science.

I could never do it for any production,

ever. But her best piece of advice had

stiffly, “Miss Saigon isn’t exactly known

nothing to do with what I wouldn’t

for its historical accuracy and cultural

do, and everything with what I was

respect.” We stared at each other.

willing to do and how far I would go.

“I’m here for the Newsies remake.”

“You want to play that role, you earn

it. You fall in love with it, you own

room here on my left. But honey…”

it. Don’t pay any mind to anything

She leaned in as if informing me

that doesn’t matter. The default color

of a great secret. “Honey, between

might be White, but that doesn’t

you and me, I’d turn right. There’s

mean you can’t change their minds.

no Asian people in Newsies.”

If you can relate to it, you can be it.”

I wrote out her words in my best

her. “Well after today, there will be.” I

handwriting and taped it on my

turned right on my heel and stormed

ceiling. I’ve lived by these words for

down the hall for the Newsies audition.

the last two years, and though I’ve

I landed the role of a minor character,

had my fair share of disappointments,

who sweeps on screen and sweeps

26 Narrative

“Miss Saigon, yeah? Second

“I’m not surprised,” I said

“Well...that’s the last

I leaned right back towards

“There’s nothing wrong with

G

New Money, Same Parents

by Jolene Hsu

W

Goodreads: Kevin Kwan; Crazy Rich Asians [11] anted: Asian Teens with Cash

on a trip to China to celebrate the opening

to Burn and Parents Who Hate Their Ameri-

of her father’s brand new shopping mall

can Ways. That was the general message of

in Shanghai. As we watch Wang and her

a recent MTV casting call for their develop-

friends take a midnight stroll through the

ing reality show apparently meant to follow

shiny makeup counters and glossy high end

the rich Asian youths of America. The online

stores, we get a firsthand look at the “New

consensus around the show was less than

Money” accumulating in the country.

favorable: “Sounds like a disaster” “Tune in 6

to see the train wreck”6 From many angles,

Dorothy Wang, as the face of this “New Chinese Money,” echoes a looming presence:

the show appears to be a carbon copy of

Kevin Kwan’s bestselling novel Crazy Rich

countless other reality shows that capital-

Asians. The novel focuses around the ties

ize on vapidity and excessiveness, and

between three extremely wealthy Asian

yet, the idea that being “proud of…Asian

families who, unlike Wang, have had trust

American Heritage ” is a central theme to

funds since the early 1900s. The novel deals

the show reveals a new intrigue from the

with the families’ interactions in Western

media . Consumers have long been “burned

Europe and America, and the internal

out on American and English aspirational

scandals. The biggest struggle hovering

fantasies” . Dukes and Princesses fighting

outside their world is the decision to either

arrives, we put a spotlight on them; we try

in Europe? Typical. Blonde heiresses and

accept or reject the horde of Dorothy Wangs

to decipher and explain and probe. And

NBA players partying in LA? Yawn. These

attempting to break into their society.

the spotlight has just turned eastward.

3

1

MTV producers hope that mixing club

Perhaps this novel became such a best-

scenes with dumplings and catfights with

seller hit because alongside Kwan’s wealthy

This could be taken as a positive turn, especially when it comes to increased repre-

the burden of the American Dream will create some fresh entertainment magic. But rich Asians have been around since basically the

sentation of Asians in American

“Where did all this sudden Chinese wealth come from?

and western media. Each new show or novel or movie will “expand our portfolio of how

dawn of civilization, so why has the

Asians are perceived in the

camera lens only focused in now?

media”4. Every little bit counts.

Along with the developing MTV

families, the White American public is also

Interest in rich Asian Americans brings

show, a slew of wealthy Asian representa-

baffled by the sudden appearance of new

possible interest in Asian Americans in

tions are already circulating in mainstream

Chinese wealth. Both are asking the same

general. The media landscape gets little more

entertainment. One notable example is

question: “Where did all this sudden Chinese

colorful and Asian American experiences

Entertainment Network’s #Rich Kids of

wealth come from?”2 To put this in a global

get some sort of validity in the American

Beverly Hills, led by Cali-born Shanghai-

economic context, in 2013 China accounted

Dream. More likely, though, is a media that

nese heiress Dorothy Wang. Wang is the

for $22 billion of a $92 billion market7. That

merely wants confirmation on what they

epitome of the “New Money” of China with

same year, out of 1,426 billionaires on the

already “knew.” A spotlight cast in Orien-

a family fortune in real estate only recently

Forbes list, 122 were Chinese7. Their rapid

talism shade that does little but perpetuate

created in the 1990s. Wealthy, business

ascent to the top leaves many wondering:

foreignism. In the same episode of #RichKids

savvy and fluent in Chinese, Wang is the

Who are they? What are they like? How

of Beverly Hills that showcases Wang’s new

clear standout and a fan favorite on the

did they become so wealthy? Kwan’s novel

luxurious Chinese shopping center are the

show, and China has become a support-

and the upcoming television shows func-

repulsed reactions of her fellow white cast

ing actor. The second season even opens

tion both as a spectacle, and an explana-

mates to the traditional Chinese markets,

with Wang bringing her fellow cast mates

tion. When anything - or anyone - new

pinching their noses and going off in search New Money, Same Parents 27

of a McDonald’s. The similar foreignism is painted in Kwan’s novel, which caters to

and string of experiences that manifested in

casting an Asian face ever again? Blogger

the “touristy reader” utterly unfamiliar

their current lives. An immigrant who found

Phil Yu, known also as Angry Asian Man,

with anything Asian1. In between all of the

work as an engineer; a second generation

says, “If that [MTV] show makes it there…

complicated plotlines, Kwan finds the time to

child living in an Asian Bubble at college;

I’ma totally watch it”6. But perhaps we need

patiently explain Chinese delicacies, popular

a refugee who came over with nothing and

to do more than watch; we must critique.

vacation spots in Asia and traditional value

is still struggling; an adoptee struggling

Allow these books and television shows to

sets shared among many Asian families.

to find their ties to their heritage; to name

entertain our eyes and ears, but then take

The “voyeuristic” reader leans into these

a few of the different facets of the Asian

a step back, and then use the content as a

situations, observing not only the plot, but

American experience. Common sense tells

jumping point to teach others a more realistic

that obviously not every Asian American

view of the Asian American experience. If

has the same life story. And yet, media

The Jersey Shore doesn’t represent all of the

a more dynamic term from these media

representation (perhaps the enemy of com-

people in New Jersey and Paris Hilton doesn’t

representations; instead, in one fell swoop,

mon sense) continues to willingly clump all

stand in for every white, blonde woman in

the Western perception of Asian Ameri-

Asians under the same label and claim a few

the world, than we should be able to open

cans has us trading in our nail files and

Dorothy Wang/Kevin Kwan creations as the

discourse and reevaluate the views on Doro-

calculators for Prada fur coats and BMW’s.

poster childs. All of the thousands of mil-

thy Wang to understand her story as merely

Guardian book reviewer, Patricia Park com-

lions of different narratives and paths have

one facet of the Asian American experience.

ments that “Kwan presents a belly-aching

been washed out by the searing spotlight.

all aspects of “Asian” being thrown at them .

1

The “Asian American” has not come out

feast of stereotypes [including] ‘Taiwanese

It is clear that American media is lacking

Tornadoes [Taiwanese women-golddiggers

in its understanding of Asian American

who leave destruction wherever they go],’

experiences. Reality television as a form in

Hong Kong fashionista men, ABCs [Ameri-

itself “doesn’t allow for a lot of nuances”6.

can Born Chinese] and Chuppies [Chinese

Very easily these new shows have become

Yuppies or Chinese young professionals]” .

caricatures. Looking at the MTV casting call

These stereotypes have translated in very

again, after asking if one is “proud of their

real ways, especially in viewing Asia as a

Asian American heritage,” it then continues

consumer market. In one Forbes article, a

to ask if “you have trouble balancing between

writer comments that “if [Asians] could buy

living the American dream and your parents’

Broadway and Park Avenue, they would”

expectations of embracing your Asian

. Another categorizes all of China’s taste

culture”3. Jenny Yang notes that conflict be-

in consumerism as “anything new” . Not

tween American values and Asian parents is

only in American markets, but in Canada,

a “strong narrative they like to reinforce on

wealthy Chinese-Canadian immigrants

us”6. Asians have new money, but the same

4

7

7

In one fell swoop, the Western perception of Asian Americans has us trading in our nail files and calculators for Prada fur coats and BMW’s.

parents. The “rich” narrative is glossier, cooler to watch and read about, but nonetheless it has merely replaced rather than added to the facets of the Asian American experience.

been blamed for the “surging real estate

Much of this discussion revolves around

prices” in Vancouver . All of these stereo-

how Eurocentric or white viewers will react

types still leave Asians on the outside of the

to these new representations. But these rep-

American Dream, buying their way into

resentations raise a choice for Asian Ameri-

cities that they implicitly do not belong in.

can audience members as well. If we support

5

Perhaps, then, this fascination has less

the “Crazy Rich Asian” and its characters in

to do with understanding and more to do

full force, will stereotypes and singular nar-

with labeling and explaining away. Every

ratives merely be underscored on the televi-

Asian American has had a different path

sion screen? But if we turn away and reject, will media producers in return, retreat from

28 New Money, Same Parents

Jolene Hsu is a sophomore in Steinhardt studying in Media, Culture and Communication.

1 http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/01/ books/kevin-kwans-crazy-rich-asiansdepicts-a-cult-of-opulence.html?_r=2& 2 http://www.vanityfair.com/online/ daily/2013/06/crazy-rich-asianskevin-kwan-asia-upper-crust 3 http://blog.angryasianman. com/2014/09/mtv-seeks-asianamerican-best-friends.html 4 http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/sep/03/crazyrich-asians-racial-stereotypes 5 http://blogs.wsj.com/scene/2014/06/04/ultra-rich-asian-girls-to-get-reality-tv-show/ 6 https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=xTwftoLPABg 7 http://www.forbes.com/sites/kenrapoza/2014/07/30/for-rich-chinese-us-becoming-giant-monopoly-game/ 8 http://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/15/ business/15sbiz.html?pagewanted=2&_r=0 9 http://www.bangkokpost.com/ business/news/365364/wealthyasians-not-finished-shopping 10 http://www.eonline.com/shows/ rich_kids_of_beverly_hills/news/496252/ the-richkids-of-beverly-hills-spendthousands-argue-and-talk-fetisheswatch-the-exclusive-sneak-peek 11 http://www.goodreads.com/book/ show/16085481-crazy-rich-asians

The Struggle for Gender Equality: Media’s Portrayal of Asian American Women

by Christine Wang

S

exism. Racism. These words

and the latter as what seems to be a

hypersexualized, dehumanized female

touch on centuries of deeply

racially confused empress. Rihanna

props that exist merely for the sexual

entrenched misogyny, centuries of

was featured with chopsticks in her

gratification of the movie’s white male

typecasting and general misunder-

hair, which seemed to be an attempt to

main characters.”4 What was more

standing, especially for the Asian

imitate a Japanese

upsetting, however, was the fact that

American, but most importantly, they

geisha’s tradi-

are still very much in existence.

tional up-do, and

Unfortunately, even when Asian American rights are discussed, from 1970 until the present, there is a “relative absence of gender as a lens for Asian American activism and resistance.”

During the casting of the movie,

in several shots

The Good Earth, Anna May Wong, a

she had numer-

talented Chinese American actress,

ous arms like the

was considered for the main Chinese

Hindu goddess,

character, but was later replaced by a

Durga. But if this

white actress. Anna May was instead—

video was trying

insultingly enough—offered the role of

to pay homage

Lotus, a prostitute with bound feet, to

to a diverse range of Asian cultures, it

female actress Rebecca Davis labelled

which she stated indignantly, “You’re

certainly did not do a very good job. A

the women who were offended by the

asking me – with Chinese blood – to

thought-invoking quote from Michael

portrayal of Brenda Song as “feminist

do the only unsympathetic role in the

Starkey reads: “Imagine if the roles

killjoys,”5 effectively giving society

picture featuring an all-American cast

were reversed and an Asian or Asian-

more of an excuse to ostracize those who dare to identify as feminist.

portraying Chinese characters.” Even

American music star was wearing an

worse, instead of finding other Chi-

afro and doing a bunch of disconnected

nese actors and actresses, the director

stereotypically black things.” This

participate in sexism and who per-

instead decided to just use make-up

instantly makes us realize the uncom-

petuate stereotypes do not always do

artists to create a stereotypically

fortable nature of Coldplay’s portrayal,

so out of ill-will. “People often [per-

‘Chinese’ look with elongated, smaller

but the fact that racism against Asians

petuate stereotypes in a combination

eyes and a wider face structure.

must be framed in these terms in order

of respect, admiration, patroniza-

to be seen is even more disturbing.

tion, and humor....[W]ell-meaning

1

In other cases, Anna May was rejected for roles because “she did not

3

Furthermore, though the problem

Strangely enough the people who

people...go around with the expecta-

fit a Caucasian’s imagined ideal look

of a perpetual lack of strong female

tion that Asian American women

for an Asian woman.” Such instances

film roles has been brought to the

are subservient (sex) workers, and

of racism are not limited to the film

forefront recently, it seems as if Asian

then have the startling realization

industry. Just two years ago, Coldplay

American women have been excluded

that many not only fall outside of this

released a music video for their song,

from the little progress that has been

stereotype, but are offended by it.”7

Princess of China, featuring Chris Mar-

made. In the 2010 movie The Social

With the media coverage lately

tin and Rihanna as the lead characters,

Network, “Brenda Song’s Christy is

of different feminists advocating for

the former as some sort of flying ninja

only the most visible of a long litany of

equality, the idea of dealing with sex-

2

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generasian.org

The Struggle for Gender Equality: Media’s Portrayal of Asian American Women 29

“relative absence of gender as a lens for Asian American activism and resistance.”8 Despite some activism for race equality, this equality incorporates no mention of sexism; this brings Asian American rights to a forefront, making the coverage of Asian American struggles seem sufficient and holistic, while only masking the importance of eliminating sexism towards Asian Americans. In fact, even the “Asian American activists...refute the label “feminist” although their work pays special attention to the experiences of women.” “Sometimes this feeling reflects a fear of alienating men”8 perhaps afraid that by offending men the ability for women to continue activism would diminish, since oftentimes the most powerful advances for feminism are made by men—ironically showing the lack of status women possess.

Or perhaps they are afraid that the strength of the Asian American equality movement as a whole would suffer a debacle because of their actions.

When even activists are unable to truly start the social movement toward gender equality, societies are unable Clockwise from Top Left: Anna May Wong9; Brenda Song in the Social Network10; Rihanna’s Princess of China11

to progress quickly in terms of moral growth. Consequently, without being given a lot of power, yet expected to

ism and the racism that is inevitably

for the equality movement. This is just

live up to impossible expectations

intertwined with it, has somewhat

an illusion. Both sexism and racism

and match unrealistic images, Asian

risen to be a priority. Sadly, this seems

still exist, and parameterizing, still

American women and Asian Americans

to have blinded some into thinking that

exist especially for Asian Americans.

in general have a hard time even begin-

the problem is being solved, or is almost

Unfortunately, even when Asian

completely solved, just based on the

American rights are discussed, from

couple happy stories depicting victories

1970 until the present, there is a

1 http://articles.latimes.com/1987-07-12/entertainment/ca-3279_1_dragon-lady 2 http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0938923/bio 3 http://www.dominionofnewyork.com/2012/06/06/new-rihanna-coldplay-video-full-of-asian-stereotypes/ 4 http://www.racialicious.com/tag/brenda-song/ 5 http://www.businessinsider.com/the-social-networks-missing-female-links-2010-10 6 http://www.wmm.com/filmcatalog/pages/c830.shtml 7 http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/dec/17/not-your-asian-sidekick-asian-women-feminism 8 http://www.asian-nation.org/gender.shtml 9 http://behindthescenes.nyhistory.org/anna-may-wong-americas-first-chinese-american-star/ 10 http://assets.rollingstone.com/assets/images/embedded/20120822-china-2-600x-1345676329.jpg 11 http://www.weheartpop.com/wp-content/uploads/Coldplay-Princess-of-China-Rihanna-e1338868721173.png 30 Commentary

ning to win in this fight for equality.

G

Christine Wang is a freshman, majoring in philosophy in the College of Arts and Science.

1850s

25,000 Chinese left their homes in Guangdong to search for the gold rumored to be in California.

140 000 South Vietnamese mostly skilled professionals fled to the US to escape the communist takeover.

1945

1882

The Chinese Exclusion Act was signed into federal law, prohibiting all immigration of Chinese labourers.

American women who married Asian men had their citizenship revoked.

Then

1922

1903

102 Korean immigrants set foot on Hawai’i. Within the next two years, 7,000+ Koreans arrived to work at sugar plantations.

Men of Asian ancestry who had served in World War I were granted American citizenship.

1918

1905

Enactment of the Californian Alien Land Law, prohibiting ‘aliens ineligible for citizenship’ from owning land.

65,000 Indians entered the States.

They were mostly communities of single men, with a gender imbalance of 75 men to 1 woman.

1913

by Huiqun Ong

ASIAN AMERICA

A BRIEF LOOK AT POPULATION STATISTICS

NOw 12 4.0 $68,780 9000% 80% 1.5M $544B 1.1M MILLION CHINESE IN AMERICA

IWO-JIMAN AMERICANS

Chinese make up the largest Asian-American group, followed by Filipinos at 3.4 million.

GREATEST CONCENTRATION OF ASIANS IN NEW YORK CITY

50%

Rate at which the Bhutanese-American population is increasing. They are the fastest-growing Asian American group.

They are the smallest AsianAmerican group, followed by Maldivans, with only 127.

OF ASIANS AGED >25 YEARS WITH A BACHELOR’S DEGREE OR HIGHTER

MEDIAN INCOME OF ASIANAMERICAN HOUSEHOLDS

Percentage of Asians living in a household with internet accesss. This is the highest rate amongst other races.

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California has the greatest number (510,000) of Asian-owned firms out of all the other states.

NUMBER OF FIRMS OWNED

BY ASIAN AMERICANS

generasian.org

TOTAL PURCHASING POWER OF ASIANS

Asian America, Then and Now 31

Thank You!

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