Thaidentity is Moving!

Hi, everyone! I'm moving the site to thaidentity.wordpress.com so that more people can comment, if they wish, without the need of a Google ID. I'll import the original content over, then only post new material on the wordpress site. See you there!

Elementary, My Dear, Watson

It has been quite some time since I've last blogged. As a teacher for a high needs inner city school, let's just say that I'm quite busy.

The title of the post has to do with one of my few television show addictions, "Elementary," which is the modernization of the Sherlock Holmes genre. I'm open to interpretations and playing with the universe. I've been disappointed before, so I was cautious. However, I am thoroughly pleased with the entirety.

What I love is that Watson is not just a woman, but an Asian-American woman who is strong, smart, sensitive, and most of all on equal billing with Johnny Lee Miller who plays Holmes. Yes, Watson is normally the sidekick in the Sherlock Universe, and that is how it starts. However, as the show evolves, so does the relationship. It's not the steampunk Holmes universe. That's different. This is a true evolution of friendship and equality that is a breath of fresh air.

Lucy Liu plays the part brilliantly, and it breaks some of the stereotypes often given Asian women. She was a surgeon. Then she becomes a sober companion to recovering addicts. Now, she is Sherlock Holmes' apprentice and friend whose perspective becomes vital to Holmes. Liu plays a female lead that does not confine Asian women to meek roles, immigrant roles, or the typical modes of employ - doctor, lawyer, scientist, businesswoman, engineer. She does not have an accent. She is whipsmart, but chooses how to use it. She doesn't know martial arts - *gasp!*

Could "Elementary" have done it? Could this show have actually cast an Asian-American woman in a role as woman, one that could have been played by a Caucasian or Black woman? Whose cultural roots are no more harped on than her white or black counterparts? Yes, I think so. 

Culture is a part of us, but it does not have to be the sole defining characteristic of a person. The different characters do not divorce themselves from culture, nor do they rely on culture to make themselves three-dimensional. Detective Bell, a black male, is smart and witty, loyal and calm. Captain Gregson, a white male, is temperamental. The show is smart, and has room to grow. What I like most is that it shows that race is starting to become less of an issue and more just a natural part of a character's background.

Yes, Captain Gregson is a white male in power. That is still an existing power structure today. That is something that the media can improve upon as our society moves into a more diverse and accepting society. Besides, my other favorite show, NCIS, has a black man as the boss. See? Progress.

Now, go watch "Elementary" on CBS. No, they didn't pay me to say that. Seriously, who would pay me for this kind of review? ;-)

Tammy Duckworth Makes Thai-American History!

Congratulations to Tammy Duckworth for her congressional win! She is the first Thai-American to go to Congress. Make us proud, Ms. Duckworth!

On "Cloud Atlas" and the Use of "Yellowface"

I had seen previews for Cloud Atlas a couple of months ago and was very excited. I thirst for movies with any kind of substance, so when a movie of real substance is previewed, I clap and dance like a little schoolgirl.

Imagine how that excitement was extinguished after reading the following review of Cloud Atlas before going to see it.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/25/cloud-atlas-yellowface-wachowski_n_2017624.html

Now, I usually avoid films and books that use such racial stereotypes like the plague, but I was still drawn to the movie, to its premise of the interconnection of our lives - past, present, and future. I also wanted to make my own conclusions about the use of "yellowface" in the movie instead of using the perspective of the reviewer.

I will give my take on things  without spoilers. None of what I'm going to say is going to kill the plot for you, because you can easily get this from reading the synopsis or summary of the book or film online. The actors in Cloud Atlas play a variety of roles, just as the reviewer said on Huff Post. However, what the review fails to mention is that the plot of the movie deals with past lives and how our souls move through time. 

Film and print form differ in that film relies on the visual to tell the story. Each image, each scene, each costume choice reflects the overall perspective the directors want to impart on their audience. For the Wachowskis, their way of showing how the same soul moves through time in different incarnations to change that person's appearance enough to show that they are different people in each lifetime. This could mean a change of race or gender, but the idea is  to show how we continue to be connected because our souls recycle and continue to add to the world.

How does this play out in terms of "yellow-face?" In the review, it focuses on the time-frame of "New Seoul," where every actor is depicted to have some sort of Korean ancestry. Every actor. This means that, in order to continue with the visual continuity of using the same main actors throughout the movie in different incarnations, and to stay with the story-line of "New Seoul," the actors needed to appear of Asian-ancestry. You cannot replace the main characters with Asian ones just to be true to ancestry while still preserving the visual continuity of the plot and the intention of the directors to show the movement of the soul through time. 

I get the rage over whitewashing history. Seriously, I do. It gets my goat to know that there is even a rumor of casting Angelina Jolie as Cleopatra. No offense to Angelina, but there is a serious melanin problem with her playing Cleopatra. And, do not tell me there is a shortage of good, darker-skinned black actresses, because I'm not buying it. 

**I crossed out the information above due to an awesome anthropologist friend who said that Cleopatra had Ptolemaic ancestry, meaning that she was of Greek descent. That means Angelina Jolie will not need to hit the tanning booth should she accept the role. Thanks, Marea Rosedale!**

I get rather emotional when they depict Asian women in submissive roles, or cast them in typical roles where they do what everyone expects. I hate not seeing more people of my race in main roles on television. I hate that there are no casts where the dominant face reflects my own. 

I understand where the anger comes from, the fury. It shouldn't just be some make-up that makes a person appear Asian; why couldn't a white guy get in blackface as a slave? The Wachowski's could've gone the full monty and broken all taboos, but they played it a little safe with the blackface and I can't say I blame them. They are getting slammed for staying true to the continuity of the storyline instead of trying to figure out how to keep all racial groups appeased. Imagine if they were also accused of blackface. They worked with what they thought they could; in the end, they fell victim to the old addage of "you can't please everyone."

With all that said, I am not casting my vote with the reviewer that Cloud Atlas is guilty of "yellow-face." The decision was not a lazy one. The decision was careful, methodical, and most of all, consistent with the way the rest of the movie was shot. Could the make-up been better? Sure! Could they have gotten Daniel Dae Kim from Lost to take on the role and do some white-face? Sure! Anything can be made better when looked at in hindsight. Hollywood definitely has a long way to go when it comes to casting actors of color, that is for damn sure. However, in the case of Cloud Atlas, the story needed everyone to be racially flexible and have the ability to cross-dress. I don't see feminists getting pissed that Hugo Weaving pulled a Mrs. Doubtfire, at least not yet.

There are times to scream "RACISM!" at the top of our lungs, and there are times where it makes us look more ignorant than not. See the movie, make your own decision. You do not have to agree with me. If you're a strong-minded individual, you already knew that. You also know that it is dangerous to judge without all the facts. We cannot trap ourselves into the common social tendency of judging the surface without bothering to see the whole of an argument. That sort of thinking will doom our society.


**In case anyone was wondering what makes me spectacularly better to analyze and judge racism in film and literature, the answer is: nothing. I am an experienced English teacher who loves to analyze everything, but my word is not, and has never been, law. I have always taught that, if you can support your claim, your ideas are just as valid as mine. Do not fear commenting on this post, unless you plan on doing so based on ignorance and lack of credible support.**

Dominant vs. Counter Narrative Part II: Where Do Asians Fit In?

Now that the definitions of Dominant and Counter Narratives have been established, I turn now to the exploration of the complicated place Asian-Americans seem to hold within American society.

Asians and Asian-Americans are often referred to as the "Silent Minority" or as the "Model Minority." These names come from the Asian community's tendency to help ourselves or find help without making a public fuss about it. We also strive to be what we are told to be - successful, smart, and self-sufficient. In this way, the Asian community has publicly done what society often accuses the Black and Latino/a communities of failing to achieve - assimilation into the expectations of the White Anglo culture.

Where this seems to place the Asian community into a coveted position of favor, it nonetheless also takes power away from us. How? Let's go through this piece-by-piece.

The Illusion of Self-Sufficiency: Since Asians seem to be so successful, people often believe that we do not need assistance of any sort. At school, Asian kids are seen as the smart ones, even by teachers, and can get looked over when it can be glaringly obvious that they need help. It also makes Asian kids feel like that can't or shouldn't ask for help because it will make them weak, or open them up for ridicule from the others in the class waiting to pounce on the "smart kid." I've been there. Trust me, those kids are definitely in class and waiting.

Also, the media rarely covers the plights of Asian-Americans. It is definitely, in my humble opinion, an issue that a majority of reported crimes are perpetrated by Blacks, Latinos, and lower class whites. I emphasized the word "reported" because so much more happens than is reported on the news. 

Asian-Americans are often at the news table, reporting the news, but rarely are we a part of that discourse unless it has to do with the traditional stereotypes or the brief break from it. In the political news arena, you don't hear the reporters talking about the all important Asian vote. Nominees go after the other races, women, the elderly, young people ages 18-25. It's as if the Asian-American community disappeared from the social radar the moment it was clear that we have achieved the milestones set for us by the majority, which takes me to my next point of discussion.

Invisible Men and Women: Jeremy Lin is a prime example of this very idea. Lin is an amazing basketball player, playing as a teammate before playing as a star. However, if you read a quick bio about his climb to sports fame, you'll notice that he had been ignored for years and dismissed because he didn't fit the image of the usual basketball player. His Asian ancestry ruled him out for years, denying him access to the sport he now dominates.

This invisibility is maddening, and points to the issue with race in America. Society brands you anathema if your race, overall, fails to meet the goals and expectations set by the white majority. What many people of color do not know is that, once you've done as you were told, you are ignored and still considered a bit lower than your white counter-parts. That's because the final goal and expectation is that you visually become white. It is not enough to walk and talk properly; the skin must magically change or you will never be seen as equal. 

Asians are invisible in American, especially through the persistent omission from societal discourse. In television, movies, and even books, it is rare indeed for an Asian person to be the star, or for the story to be entirely about Asians. Don't sit there and say, "What about Joy Luck Club"  and Margaret Cho's "All American Girl?" Two pieces of evidence in a vast sea of shows and movies where Asians are on the sidelines. We are wives, gay men, stuck in the friend zone, nerds, etc. We are not the heroes, the male romantic leads, the bad guys (not that we want that, but we have the capacity!), or the President. Why? Next point....

Visual Cultural Separate-ness: Our eyes are slanted. Our skin, while pale, has a decidedly golden yellow tinge. We tan like a dream. We can fit in with the dominant culture all we like, but the question on the tip of most lips when meeting a person of Asian decent is: Where are you from? This question is loaded with the notion of alienness, that we are obviously different and therefore cannot possibly be American. Add to this the problem of Asians not speaking the same language as most other races do, and this is prominent reason for the usual hands-off approach to Asians in America.

There are two pieces to the racial puzzle - ethnicity and nationality. Ethnically, I am Thai. That is the country of origin for most of my family, and the home of my second language. Nationalistically, I am American. I was born in America, so therefore, my country of origin is America. "Where are you from?" suggests that most believe it is not possible that I am American, nor does it suggest that saying "I am American" in response is enough. Those of you who are Asian-American know exactly what I'm talking about. If you answer "I am American," it is immediately followed up with "well, you know what I mean. Where are you from?" *sigh* Ok, I'm ranting. I need to stop before I'm penalized with an emotion card.

Why does all this matter? I've actually been asked that by another Thai person. Why does it matter that Asians are not a focus? Why does it matter that we don't band together more tightly like other races? Simple. Divided, we are invisible and ignored. Politicians will work on laws and policies for the other races and cultures; Asians will not factor into their thoughts. Media will tell everyone else's modern stories. Asian will remain the subject of mystery and intrigue a la Kung Fu movies, Anime, and Slumdog Millionaire. Forget about Southeast Asia. Forget about modern China and how it has moved past the Cultural Revolution. Forget that India does more than hold cows sacred and answer your tech support needs. 

We need to care, because, if we don't, no one else will, and right now, no one even knows who we really are.

Dominant vs. Counter Narrative Part I: Definitions for Future Reference

Some of you might be familiar with the ideas of Dominant Narrative/Discourse and Counter Narratives. For those of you who have no idea what these things are about, or perhaps need a quick brush up, here is Narrative and Discourse 101.

Dominant Discourse: The common, accepted way to speak and behave that reflects those with the most power in society. See: http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-dominant-discourse.htm

Dominant Narrative: This is very similar to Dominant Discourse, but as the word 'narrative' suggests, this is about the story. There is a popular and accepted course through life with minor deviations. It includes family structure, schooling, job types, friendships, belief systems, behavior, etc. Again, this narrative reflects the culture of those with the most power.

Counter Narrative: If there is something dominant, you can usually bet on some rebels. This type of story or belief goes against what the Dominant Narrative believes is suppose to happen.

Let's View some Examples!

Dominant Discourse: Wearing a suit to an interview while avoiding slang, making solid eye contact, and coming prepared with prior knowledge of the company with which you are interviewing.

Dominant Narrative #1: A young woman who comes from an upper middle class family in the suburbs with both parents at home and employed, and siblings close in age. Her schools are well reputed to churn out a high percentage of graduates, students who go to and finish college, and go on to middle class or higher jobs. Her grades are high, she is on the honor roll, she gets tutors when she needs help, her class sizes are capped at 25, and schools offer her scholarships based on her GPA, decently high ACT scores, and her eloquent writing.

Dominant Narrative #2: A young man of color is from a family who depends on the welfare system to survive. He lives in subsidized housing, a two bedroom apartment he shares with his mother, three siblings, his aunt and her two kids. He goes to school and gets a C average, works at a diner for extra money, takes three different routes a day to avoid the gangs, takes care of the younger kids and helps them with homework, meals, baths, and bedtime because his mother and aunt are working the night shift for the extra pay. He tries to do his homework, but often gives up around 1 a.m. because he's exhausted. He takes drops the kids at school, gets on the bus and gets to school late, turns in work late, and never tells the teachers why it is his grade do not reflect his obvious intelligence. He graduates just barely, does not go to college, and ends up working at the diner, slowly moving up to different jobs, wondering how he can possibly do something different.

Counter- Narrative: (Based on a true story) A young black man of color has two parents who love him, but only his mother works and brings in money. He is smart and tries, but has yet to be pushed to really challenge his intelligence. He meets a new team of core teachers who challenge him from every angle and bug him about everything. He rises up, meets the challenge, and finds that he wants to them to keep it up. He works through school, despite poor access to technology, a father who continues to go in and out of jobs, spends money on unnecessary items, and place his family last on his list of priorities. He confides in his teachers when he is down, stressed, angry, or just needs support. He graduates on the honor roll and a full ride academic scholarship out of state. Four years later, he graduates with a double major and begins his search for a job.

Why are we talking about this?

This post is to establish the definitions of the types of discourses and narratives I will be referring to as I explore racial, ethnic, and cultural identities. Understanding discourse and narrative is the first step to having honest conversations about identity. Join me next time as I explore where I feel Asian Americans fit into the conversation about Dominant and Counter Narratives.

Let's Get Together and Feel Alright

In the last post, I discussed my conflicting thoughts about my pride and shame as a Thai-American and my confusion as to why we haven't united as a cohesive unit in the current generation. In this post, I hope to garner your thoughts as to what we can do to change things.

I am a board member for Thai Americans For the Future, or TAFF. We have had only two events: 
1.) A Thai community art show at the Consulate Building downtown
2.) A fundraiser at a sushi restaurant for a playground at Wat Dhamaramma in Chicago. 

Why only two events? Because a group of 10 people cannot always group think for an entire generation. We know what we like, but is it necessarily what you want to see and/or attend? I want to meet with my fellow Thais and connect, but I need your help. I need your ideas - only you can tell me the kind of events that would interest you. 

Here's my request/your challenge: What can we do to get together as Thais? What sort of events would you like to see? Would you go to a conference if we put one together? Would you like something formal or casual? Sound off in the comments! Your idea might just be the one I take to TAFF and make happen.