We’re one of the “best links on the web” according to Jeff Yang for Wall Street Journal’s “Speakeasy” blog: Kim Jong Il: A Guide to the Best Links on the Web

Appropriate? Inappropriate? Haha. I admit, it’s a little bit strange to be poking fun at someone who just passed away, but I think we can make a special case for Mr. Kim. *insert moment of silence* On a serious note, I’m definitely hoping and praying for positive changes for North Korea… and with the passing of KJI, the future’s definitely looking brighter.

“Soy Sauce is Love Potion” from Disgrasian

Just Your Typical Soy Sauce Love Story Commercial” from 8Asians

I’m not surprised at all.

My two cents: why a White guy and an Asian girl? Most likely somebody in marketing’s idea. From what I gathered, they were trying to make it “modern”… interracial couple, man cooking for woman… something like that. The same exact story could’ve been told with an Asian guy. Totally. If it were up to me, I would’ve casted an Asian guy + White girl. But until more politically conscious peeps write things differently…

I personally didn’t and don’t find anything wrong with the commercial. If you disagree, well, then, please be the one to write things differently and I’ll support you all the way (as long as it’s not Kenneth Eng style).

Anyway, political stuff aside, a lot of the comments and blogs totally cracked me up. I was definitely questioning the onion rings dipped in pork belly and soy sauce juice, too… lol.

And well, you sure made a statement with that photo of yours, which once again, I feel bad for you, cuz’ I’m sure that photo was not supposed to be distributed publicly (the suck of being famous). So if you didn’t know before, you obviously know now that making the “slant eye” is offensive and you probably should avoid doing it again… especially when cameras are around. I’m pretty sure you didn’t need me to tell you that.

Now, you are still a teenager. That is another reason why I forgive you. However, you are also a huge star and probably a role model for many young girls out there (heck, my younger cousin loves you). Therefore, I would hope you would truly take this as a learning experience to better yourself as an individual.

That’s all I really have to say about that.

I highly doubt Miley will ever see this… but I am writing this because I just think this whole thing is super blown out of proportion. It was not cool what her and her friends did, but was she really trying to circulate that photo around and anger us Asians? I don’t think so. And I’m pretty sure it ain’t gonna happen again, at least not with her. Maybe this is the vessel to make a loud statement to the mass media… but seriously… a class-action lawsuit against Miley Cyrus for this? C’mon now.

Sign the petition to cancel “Maui Fever”

When I found out that they were doing a Laguna Beach spin-off called “Maui Fever”…my first thought was: wtf, where are the Asians at? (kinda like how it was with “The OC”) But you know…that’s not why I’m so upset with a show like this. I’m actually GRATEFUL that I haven’t seen an Asian kid in one of these reality shows. It’s like, people do these things because they’re freakin’ attention hungry or something. Most of the time I don’t even want to hear about it or see it…but it’s EVERYWHERE. Grocery stores, when co-workers talk, when people are watching TV… maybe it wouldn’t be so bad to be a hermit or move to some island.

It just makes me sad and frustrated that American pop culture has been and is dominated by tabloids, sex, vanity, he did this, she did that, “OMG, look at how anorexic they are!”…”oh no! he’s left her for another woman” etc, etc.

When will it stop?

A) Forget about it.  It was just a joke.

B) Send email / letters to Adam Carolla’s people and CBS execs because it was racist and hopefully they’ll do something about it.

C) Be part of a public demonstration / protest against Adam Carolla’s show.  Get people to recognize what’s up.

D) Other ________________

As we are all entitled to our own opinions, here is mine at the current time:

A) I can’t forget about it, cuz’ this isn’t the first time something like this has happened (A&F, Yao Ming + Shaq, Hot 97′s Tsunami Song, etc.).  And well, it is one of my long-term career goals to change mainstream America’s view on people of Asian Pacific descent.  Plus, “Ching Chong” blah ain’t so funny.

B) I admit I have never personally written a letter to any studio execs in regards to an issue like this (because how realistic is it that these busy ass people are going to read a letter from some random girl?  BUT if I were a politician or some established, important person, I might have a better chance, so PROPS to those organizations and people who have given their two cents to CBS).  As far as making an effort to get some sort of input in, I have, in the past, signed online petitions in hopes that my addition will add to the target number of signatures needed to get the attention of whoever it is we are trying to get the attention of–numbers / statistics mean a lot more to people who are trying to sell things.

C) Whoa, public what?  Yah, that’s right.  Can you imagine?  Asian Pacific Americans rallying together?  Hmm.  No?  You can’t?  Is it because it hasn’t really been done before?  Besides the few rare occasions in our history.  And what?  Asian Pacific Americans?  Yes.  I’m talking about a pan Asian Pacific American rally.  But wait a minute.  Is this type of situation worth the rallying?  If we had 100+ people in front of CBS…couldn’t it possibly make the news?  Especially if it would have some sort of shock value to it?  Would this change peoples’ opinions about APAs?  Or would it just make it seem like we’re just bitching?  So when is it worth rallying?  Shoot.  We’re known to be silent and quiet.  And that, my friends, is something I want to change.  Just a matter of picking the right fights.  Adam Carolla?  Is he worth it?  And if so, isn’t he just going to get more publicity–and the more power to him?

D) I guess we could be sneaky and tricky and find a way to infiltrate the system.  Not burn any bridges and prove to the masses that yes, we can do it.  But seriously, how many people are actually doing this?  If you are, you must be damn sneaky.  And actually, I know of a few people who are taking this route.  They’re by no means ignorant of the “Ching Chong” whatevers, but they’ve chosen a path that is quite untread.  Obviously, I’m not really secretive about my intentions whenever I promote Asian American talent, events, etc.  At the same time, I am beginning to see how the Entertainment/Media industry is quite a game.

Anyway, I’m not quite sure where this is going.  Just some thoughts I wanted to sort out.  I do want to say though, that I am proud to be Asian American and that I am super proud of all the APA artists who are pushing for what they love to do.  Future Rockstars of America, “we’re here and we’re here to stay” (stated by J Splif of Far*East Movement).

I think, it’s just a matter of getting others to acknowledge that we’re not “Ching Chong” people.  Cuz’ when it comes down to it, the harsh reality of the present-day is that a majority of mainstream America may still see us in a narrow scope.  So what can we do to change that?  Hmm.  Well.  I think some of us are taking steps (and perhaps in different ways) to change things around here.  I think that as long as we constructively act in response to such incidents, we will be heard.