Asian Outlook | Fall 2016 Issue 1 by Asian Outlook

ASIAN OUTLOOK Vol. XXXI, Issue 1

Rodrigo Duterte • National Anthem Protest • North Korean Nuclear Threat

Volume XXXI, Issue 1

contents ASIAN OUTLOOK 2

ASIAN OUTLOOK

10 | North Korea, The Growing Nuclear Threat | Brian Kang

conscience 20 | Justina Liaw 22 | Jacklyn Chan

letter from the editor...

ASIAN OUTLOOK EXECUTIVE BOARD FALL 2016 editors-in-chief

Dear Friends,

conscience editor

It is crazy to think we are already well into the semester. The leaves have begun to change colors and fall, marking that midterm season is upon us, and that soon we will be home for Thanksgiving. With that being said, don’t tune out yet because Asian Outlook has many more events planned for the student body and another issue to look out for! I am immensely proud of the hard work that my e-board has put into this issue. There are many things that go into publishing a magazine, including the quality that we at Asian Outlook strive to achieve. For that, I would like to particularly acknowledge the dedication and hard work that our Conscience Editor, Airi Kojima, puts into her work. Thank you, Airi! I would also like to thank my co-Editor-in-Chief, Alex Ching, who has been nothing short of amazing. He has been a part of Asian Outlook since his freshman year and is currently a senior. He has handled a lot of the nitty gritty in managing Asian Outlook, such as deadlines and planning collaborations, with his expertise and experience. He has been very supportive and patient. I’m grateful to have you as my partner-in-crime, Alex. Although many of us are new to working together in our respective roles, I am confident that by continuing to contribute our individual gifts and talents, while relying on each other, we will surprise ourselves with what we can accomplish. Our upcoming work and events will only be bigger and better. If you are excited by what you see in this issue and would like to contribute, we welcome you to submit your work to our email. Likewise, if you are interested in attending our events, like us on Facebook to stay updated. I look forward to meeting you and reading your works! Special thank you to the Asian Student Union and the 6 other subgroups (Binghamton University Japanese Association, Chinese American Student Union, Korean American Student Association, Taiwanese American Student Coalition, Phillipine-American League, & Vietnamese Student Association) for your support! Check them out on Facebook!

copy editors

layout editors

secretary business manager publicity manager

Alex Ching Angeles Yeung Airi Kojima Brian Kang Nina Ocampo Amy Zhang Alyssa Boyle Benny Louie Alicia Kam Tram Duong Justina Liaw Kana Prasertchoang Kelly Zheng Tiffany Tung Ava Hunt

EDITORIAL POLICY Asian Outlook is the art, literary and news magazine of the Asian Student Union of SUNY’s Binghamton University. Originally conceived and created to challenge, redefine, re-imagine and revolutionize images and perceptions associated with Asians and Asian Americans, Asian Outlook also serves to protect the voice of those in the minority, whether by ethnicity, gender, and/or political orientation. All matter contained within these beautiful pages do not necessarily reflect the views of the editorial board. Asian Outlook reserves the right to edit submissions and publish work as deemed appropriate. Prospective contributors are encouraged to discuss their work with the editors prior to submissions. Articles may be submitted as an e-mail attachment to ao.editor@gmail.com. All artistic and literary pieces may be submitted to aoconscience@gmail.com.

CONTACT POLICY

Angeles Yeung Editor-in-Chief, Fall 2016

Uninvited contact with writers and contributors is forbidden under punishment of pain. Please direct all questions, comments and complaints to ao.editor@gmail.com. interested in contributing?

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Vol. XXXI, Issue 1 3

HollywooD Whitewashing vs.

tvShows

n our previous issues,

Asian Outlook has covered the problem of Hollywood whitewashing, especially in movies. For example, “Ghost in the Shell,” a Japanese manga, stars Scarlett Johansson in the leading role, while Emma Stone was cast to play a Hawaiian and Asian character in the movie “Aloha.” The magazine has also covered the lack of recognition by the Oscars committee in awarding performances by minority actors. Yet while the movie industry has not addressed the problem, it seems that television has been the medium to welcome diversity in both the characters and stories they portray, and in the actors representing these stories.

ASIAN OUTLOOK

By Alex Ching

Scarlett Johansson plays leading role in “Ghost in the Shell.”

Take for example “Master of None,” the critically acclaimed series by Alan Yang and Aziz Ansari, both of whom gained fame through “Parks and Recreation.” The show, which stars Ansari in the leading role as Dev, a 30-year-old actor trying to navigate his professional career and his personal life, garnered multiple nominations for the 68th Emmy Awards, including categories for best comedy, best comedic actor, best writing, and best directing. In a deep field that included “Veep,” “Transparent,” “Modern Family,” and “Silicon Valley” among other comedies, it was surprising and refreshing to see Yang and Ansari win for best writing for

Yang and Ansari pose with their Emmy Awards at the 68th Emmy Awards ceremony.

the episode “Parents.” The episode, which I recommend years ago. In his acceptance speech, Tambor advocated that everyone see, poignantly discusses the sacrifices that for Hollywood to accept more transgender actors, saying, Asian immigrant parents undertake to give their child a “give transgender talent a chance, give them auditions, better life. give them their stories.” Other shows have been It seems that while the movie recognized as well. “Black-ish,” the industry is only focused on ABC comedy that stars Anthony superhero franchises to make Anderson in the lead role, earned investors happy, shirking any a nomination for Best Comedic obligation to portray stories that Actor (Anderson), a nomination are needed in our nation’s discourse for Best Comedic Actress (Tracee on identity, the television industry Ellis Ross), and a nomination for has picked up the slack. Perhaps Best Comedy. The show, which this is because more studios are highlights the struggle between emerging, particularly those such assimilation and maintaining as Netflix and Amazon, that allow cultural identity for a suburban writers and producers to pitch their African American family, has been ideas to smaller networks. FX has praised by the National Association been one of the leading pioneers for the Advancement of Colored Anthony Anderson and costars in TV show “Black-ish.” of this movement, and their show, People, the Peabody Awards, and the American Film “Atlanta,” which recently premiered, has garnered acclaim Institute. Furthermore, “Transparent,” the Amazon show for its discussion on race, police brutality, and mental whose central plot revolves around a Los Angeles family illness. Yet as is always the case, the past and present should following their discovery that their father is transgender, serve as a reminder that the television community can do has garnered praise not only from GLAAD, but from the more, and that we as minorities can make further inroads. Emmys as well. Jill Soloway won for Best Directing last As Alan Yang says, “I know we can get there. I believe in us. year, and Jeffrey Tambor won this year and last year for best It’s just going to take a lot of hard work. Asian parents out actor, portraying Maura Pfefferman, the main character. there, if you could just do me a favor, just a couple of you Both Tambor and Soloway dedicated their wins to the get your kids cameras instead of violins, we’ll be all good.” transgender community, with Soloway dedicating hers to Leelah Alcorn, a transgender teen who killed herself two

Vol. XXXI, Issue 1 5

President Rodrigo Duterte’s War on Crime is a Publicly Supported Massacre By Nina Ocampo

n May of 2016, Rodrigo Duterte was elected president of the Philippines. He started his term riding on high public support due to his strict stance on the country’s problem with crime control. Faced with high rates of crime on top of chronic corruption in both the judicial and legal systems, many citizens have lost faith in the state’s ability to maintain peace and order. They felt increasingly insecure in their own homes and streets, and sought the most immediate and effective solution, along with a leader who actually possessed a strong character. Unfortunately, Duterte’s promise to kill all the criminals, whether through the legal system or not, seems to be the best and strongest methods in their eyes, despite its lack of true efficiency in both the short and long terms. Over 1,800 people have been killed under Duterte’s presidency in the name of stopping crime, particularly drug dealers and users. Most of them were killed by the police and are officially termed “confrontations” or “self-defense.” One decidedly egregious example is the deaths of Renato and Jaypee Bertes, in which the authorities broke into their room, arrested them for drug dealing, beat them severely at the police station, and then fatally shot them afterwards while they were still under their custody and unable to retaliate. It is very likely that there are more instances of this type of authority abuse, but the Bertes’ is one of the few cases that has garnered legal action and attracted public attention. The sheer numbers of these killings and the media coverage surrounding it have led Duterte to receive international condemnations for his criminal policies. There are also plenty of protests from civilians who want the violence to end. All the unrest is inspiring people to come clean about some of the past results of Duterte’s methods of crime control.

ASIAN OUTLOOK

Duterte publicly created the Davao Death Squad (DDS) in Davao City from 1988 to 2013 to aid in administering his proposed solutions to crime, but the group also functioned as his personal assassination squad. The group was composed of rebel returnees, police, and ordinary men; the presence of police officers ensured that no one in the DDS was ever caught in the act. Edgar Matobato, a self-professed former hitman for the DDS, has claimed to have killed a wide variety of people under Duterte and his son’s orders for varying reasons. His targets ranged from rapists and thieves to associates of Duterte’s political rivals and members of non-Catholic religious groups. The DDS was merciless towards all, even to its own members. Matobato barely earned a living wage from his assassination work, and when he asked his superiors if he could leave, his colleagues tortured him for a whole week. He decided to publicly testify against Duterte for the murders, but has not received state protection, meaning that he could be attacked at any time. The violence behind these policies and Duterte’s encouragement of killing criminals has encouraged ordinary civilians to also take matters into their own hands, resulting in a sharp rise in vigilante justice and extrajudicial killings. The vigilantes would often place cardboard signs that read “I’m a drug pusher” or something similar next to their victims’ bodies. None of the victims of vigilantes have been proven guilty in court, and many seem to have been innocent. Yet, the Filipino public supports these killings overall because they believe it is the most immediate way to restore order and personal security while dealing with corruption. Contrary to their beliefs, these extrajudicial killings are rendering the streets even more dangerous than before as people are emboldened to kill rather indiscriminately because of the lack of consequences for their actions. Vigilante justice seems to already have superseded the law’s authority over the land, further drawing the Philippines into lawlessness. Duterte’s presidency has only begun, but his bloodthirsty policies already have a profound effect on the Philippine society. Murder is quickly becoming an acceptable way to resolve disputes and other issues. Even the authorities are engaging in illegal, harsh tactics in their crime control efforts with popular support. The Philippines is spiraling down a path paved in blood that will be exceedingly difficult to halt in the future. Sources: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/20/world/asia/philippines-duterte-drug-killings.html http://www.nytimes.com/video/world/asia/100000004650523/life-on-dutertes-death-squad.html http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/12/world/asia/the-philippines-rodrigo-duterte-vigilante-violence.html http://www.cnn.com/2016/09/16/asia/philippines-edgar-matobato-duterte-hearing/

Vol. XXXI, Issue 1 7

(Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) Colin Kaepernick and Eric Reid of the San Francisco 49ers kneel in protest prior before an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016.

Athletes Refuse to Stand for U.S.A. Anthem at Sports Games to Protest Social Injustices By Kana Prasertchoang

ASIAN OUTLOOK

THLETES FROM VARIOUS SPORTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY, ranging from football to soccer are protesting the national anthem to take a stand against racial injustice and police brutality. Athletes are increasingly choosing to kneel for the national anthem, sit, or raise a fist in the air. People are outraged at this seemingly outright display of unpatriotic disrespect, but a closer look reveals that they are standing up for a noble cause. Colin Kaepernick, the quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, was the first to make major headlines after he refused to stand for the national anthem during preseason games in August. He told the NFL media, “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color.” Many athletes followed in solidarity. Jeremy Lane of the Seattle Seahawks sat for the national anthem during another preseason game in support of Kaepernick. U.S. women’s national soccer team midfielder, Megan Rapinoe, knelt for the game against Thailand as a nod to him as well. She also said, “honestly, being gay, I have stood with my hand over my heart during the national anthem and felt like I haven’t had my liberties protected, so I can absolutely sympathize with that feeling.” Brandon Marshall, linebacker for the Denver Broncos, also knelt at the NFL season opener, saying he was not against the police or America, but against social injustice.

Amid the uproar, the athletes are trying to send a message to the public about racial injustice and police brutality. Many people responded with outrage, claiming that it is unpatriotic and disrespectful to not stand for the national anthem. However, is passively accepting discrimination against citizens and thereby ignoring the basic American belief that all men were created equal unpatriotic as well? A common factor amongst the national anthem protestors is the recurring sense of dissonance between what the flag and national anthem is supposed to represent versus the actions of the people in the country. They aim to shine a light on a heartbreaking issue that should not even be found in the United States. It is hard to comprehend that in a country that was founded on the idea that all men were created equal, racial injustice still runs rampant. A nation that stands to protect the freedoms and basic rights of its people also has law enforcement that often choose to shoot first, ask later when it comes to African Americans. In fact, African Americans are 2.5 times more likely to be shot and killed by police officers than white Americans according to a Washington Post database. It makes people question the sincerity and legitimacy of the beliefs and ideals the country was founded on. The United States of America was not built on a common religion or heritage like many other nations. It was instead founded on common beliefs and ideas that are reflected in the Constitution. These ideas and beliefs are what bind the nation together, and when those ideas appear to be challenged in the daily actions of representatives of the law, the people choose to speak out. The Black Lives Matter movement calls to attention the tragedies and discrimination in our own backyard since only a handful of these shootings takes headline news. The police killed over a hundred unarmed African Americans in 2015 alone, but few of their stories were shown on the news. The athletes are choosing to make a statement by protesting the national anthem. Their choices are not out of hate or disrespect, but to bring to attention the injustices handed to our fellow citizens. As professional athletes, they are in the position to be heard and they chose to give a new voice to those whose stories have fallen on deaf ears.

Picture on right: (Tony Avelar/AP) Seahawks cornerback Jeremy Lane sitting in protest during the national anthem before a preseason NFL game in Oakland, Calif., Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016. SOURCES http://mappingpoliceviolence.org/unarmed/ www.washingtonpost.com/amphtml/news/post-nation/wp/2016/07/11/ arent-more-white-people-than-black-people-killed-by-police-yes-butno http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/17445208/jeremy-lane-seattle-seahawks-sits-national-anthem-oakland-raiders-game http://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/31/sports/football/colin-kaepernicks-anthem-protest-underlines-union-of-sports-and-patriotism. html http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/soccer/2016/09/15/megan-rapinoe-national-anthem-protest-us-friendly-thailand/90438652/

Vol. XXXI, Issue 1 9

North Korea, The Growing Nuclear Threat By Brian Kang 10 ASIAN OUTLOOK

Korea conducted its fifth nuclear weapons Friday, September 9th. An earthquake of magnitude 5 originated in Punggye-ri in northeastern North Korea, a site that is known to be an experimental nuclear test site. Following its successful nuclear test, North Korea issued a statement through its news networks announcing its success and what this means for the future. The strength and seismographic readings of the earthquake discovered early Friday morning indicate that the underground nuclear explosion had a strength of 10 kilotons. This was just 5 kilotons shy of the strength of Little Boy, the nuclear bomb that was dropped on Hiroshima. North Korea’s previous four tests came in 2006, 2009, 2013, and in January of this year. The 10 kiloton mark of this most recent test is greater than of those preceding it, the 2013 test having produced an explosion of 7 kilotons. News of this recent test came just months after North Korea claimed it had successfully detonated a hydrogen bomb back in January, a claim that was refuted by officials familiar with nuclear weaponry. Although North Korea’s test is of great concern, there are two equally pressing matters- North Korea’s plutonium and uranium stockpiles and its faster-than-expected development of nuclear warheads. In a statement from Pyongyang, government officials stated that “the standardization of the nuclear warhead [would] enable the DRPK to produce at will and as many as it wants [sic] a variety of smaller, lighter and diversified nuclear warheads of higher strike power.” North Korea’s test on Friday “examined and confirmed the structure and specific features of movement of [the] nuclear warhead that [was] standardized.” This is a terrifying prospect for South Koreans; North Korea can now reach South Korea with a short-range nuclear warhead missile. Additionally, analysts believe that the DRPK has enough plutonium and uranium to produce 20 nuclear bombs by the end of 2016. North Korea has been working to enrich its uranium reserves to meet weapon-level guidelines. This alone is enough to produce 6 nuclear bombs a year at the rate of 150kg of enriched uranium produced per year. Given its plutonium stockpile and standardization of orth

test on

nuclear warheads, North Korea could soon have an entire arsenal of nuclear weapons. World leaders were quick to condemn North Korea for its actions following this test. South Korean President Park Geun-hye denounced the DRPK saying that the Kim Jong Un regime was “fanatically reckless.” President Obama expressed his concern as well, stating that North Korea’s test was a “grave threat” and that he, President Park and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe would “take necessary steps to defend [their] allies in the region.” Abe said that the test was unjustifiable and that he had instructed analysts to obtain more information to share with neighboring countries. China, a country that has been growing increasingly supportive of sanctions against North Korea, also expressed its opposition to the test. Xi Jinping, however, failed to severely punish North Korea due to their silent trade. This is at odds with Beijing’s personal interests as it grows in international power, straining its relationships with foreign countries that strongly favor sanctions against North Kor ea. Most recently, China has been opposed to South Korea and the United States’ agreement to deploy the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system, saying that it was too aggressive of a maneuver. The implementation of THAAD was announced in July as a means to protect South Korea from North Korean nuclear threats. The THAAD system is able to detect and destroy incoming ballistic missiles before they reach the land. However, there has been resistance from two sides. Firstly, the residents in the areas scouted as potential locations for THAAD are fearful that the radiation emitted from the radar could have adverse health effects. Secondly, China opposed it for fear of stimulating North Korean aggression and because its own missiles can be detected by this system. Despite this, both South Korea and the United States held steadfast to their agreement. North Korea’s most recent test is an indication of its current nuclear capabilities. Its blatant disregard of nuclear sanctions as well as its developing technology may make North Korea a greater global threat than ever before.

Sources: https://www.rt.com/news/358730-north-korea-nuke-test-blast/ http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2016/09/08/north-korea-conducts-apparent-nuclear-weapons-test/90101066/ http://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/08/world/asia/south-korea-and-us-agree-to-deploy-missile-defense-system.html http://www.cnn.com/2016/09/08/asia/north-korea-seismic-activity/ http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/09/north-korea-produce-20-nuclear-bombs-experts-160914045813448.html http://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/08/world/asia/south-korea-and-us-agree-to-deploy-missile-defense-system.html

Vol. XXXI, Issue 1 11

Taiwan

Home Away from Home By Justina Liaw

aiwan.

A small island off the southeast coast of China well known for its abundance of night markets. Rich in culture, Taiwan stands proud for its humble aboriginal background that has helped build its firm foundation. Populated with over 23 million people over 13,974 miles of land, Taiwan is a country you need to make sure you visit. This past summer I had the opportunity to travel to Taiwan through a summer volunteer program known as AID Summer. For one month, I taught as a volunteer teacher with seven other college students from the U.S. and Canada at a junior high school located in a small town called Ruifang. Before going on this trip, I did not know what to expect. I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know anyone that was part of the program nor did I have a travel companion. But, I came in with an open mind because I was excited to see what the summer had in store for me. I left Taiwan with a new family, a very satisfied appetite, and a new found love for the country. I would like to share two truths that were constant throughout my time in Taiwan. 1. You will be treated like family. From the moment I stepped foot into Taiwan, I was greeted with enthusiastic cheers and warm smiles from the program counselors. Little did I know, this was merely a small glimpse of the

12 ASIAN OUTLOOK

loving atmosphere the people of Taiwan provided. From my trip, I have observed the way Taiwanese people treat their guests and people in general. They are all very wellmannered and treat guests as if they are family. Even before I had met the entire staff at Ruifang Junior High School, I was already told that they were all excited to meet me and my team. Upon arriving at the school, my team and I were welcomed by the entire school staff and showered with food. Day in and day out, local restaurants around the school would deliver their finest dishes to thank us for teaching their kids. In Ruifang, everyone treated us as if we were family- making sure we were properly fed, introducing to us their town, and showing us the beauty of Taiwan. There was never any hesitation when we needed help from someone. One day I casually mentioned that I had a painful cut in my mouth. The next thing I knew, one of the teachers immediately went to go get me some medicine. Not only was I taken care, but I also got to build on my relationship with my students, teammates, as well as the teachers at Ruifang Junior High School. While they shared with me Taiwanese culture, I shared with them American culture. I will never forget the unique exchanges between me and my students nor the hospitality that I was shown. Although I do not have family ties to Taiwan, I feel as if I do now.

2.Taiwanese food is bomb. Taiwan not only has wonderful people, but it also has fantastic foods. Although there are over 300 night markets, some of the more popular ones include Tainan Flowers Market, Feng Chia Night Market, and Shilin Night Market. In these night markets, there are a lot of food stands, clothing stands, and accessory stands that sell their products at low prices. I personally recommend shaved ice, beef noodle soup, and bubble tea. Shaved ice is so thin itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s like eating snow.

It is especially good when mixed with different kinds of fruit. The beef noodle soup contains tender beef enriched with a seasoned soup. Furthermore, bubble tea originated from Taiwan, so the tapioca and milk tea should be extraordinary. Obviously there are many more dishes such as rice sausages and stinky tofu that you must try in Taiwan, but these are my top 3 dishes. Taiwan overall is a beautiful country and it would be very unfortunate if you never get a chance to go there. If you are a foodie or if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re simply looking to build lasting relationships, Taiwan is definitely the place to go to. Whether it is just to visit for a few days or to stay for a few months, it will be an amazing experience you will never forget. Taiwan welcomes you with open arms and a place within its loving family.

Vol. XXXI, Issue 1 13

Single by 30:

Review and Commentary By Alicia Kam Attention: Spoilers Alert!

“S

INGLE BY 30”—WONG FU PRODUCTION’S LATEST PROJECT—IS now available on YouTube Red. Directed and created by Philip Wang and Wesley Chan of Wong Fu, “Single by 30” tells the story of best friends from high school who meet again. As Peter, now 30, and Joanna, 29, reminisce, they are reminded of an old promise. “Single by 30” consists of 8 episodes and stars Glee’s Harry Shum Jr. as Peter and singersongwriter Kina Grannis as Joanna. Based in Los Angeles, the show begins with a flashback to Peter and Joanna’s homecoming night. They meet up at Sunny’s, the duo’s favorite milkshake and hangout spot. Joanna asks Peter why he didn’t ask anyone else to prom after his original date bailed on him. Peter explains, “There was another girl…but I wasn’t sure how she felt. Someone else asked her anyway”—possibly referring to Joanna herself. Joanna responds that Peter should have had a backup date. This leads into a discussion of the future. As they clink their milkshake glasses together, they promise to get married as a “back-up plan” if both friends are single by thirty. The episode then skips forward to the present on Peter’s thirtieth birthday. Peter is freshly out of a relationship and works for his parents’ apparel company. Meanwhile, Joanna moves back to LA after living abroad for several years and a failed

relationship. Joanna attends Peter’s birthday party to surprise him, as they haven’t spoken in years. While bonding over how hard it is to “get back out there” in the dating scene, they remember the pact they made years ago. The two decide to help each other find dates but if they are still single before Joanna turns thirty, they will uphold their promise from high school. In reality, however, Peter has a crush on Joanna and purposely introduces her to a man who he knows won’t be able to whisk her off her feet. Joanna remains oblivious and sets Peter up with a doctor named Sarah. Sarah intrigues Peter, who initially was uninterested in anyone else but Joanna. As Peter and Sarah start dating, Joanna reconnects with her ex, only to realize that the person she has been looking for may have been in front of her all along. “Single by 30” is a relatable and sweet love story between two friends. While the show is well written, its plot line is not particularly unique. Nevertheless, its cast certainly stands out. The main characters are played by Asian actors; Shum is of Chinese descent while Grannis is half Japanese. Moreover, the cast of the romantic-drama mini-series includes some of YouTube’s biggest names that are of Asian descent such as Ryan Higa of Nigahiga, Anna Akana, Eric Ochoa of SUPEReeeGO, and Dominic Sandoval of theDOMINICshow. In the entertainment world, especially Hollywood, the biggest stars are all Caucasian.

The creators of “Single by 30”, Ted Fu, Wesley Chan, and Philip Wang

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Recently, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences received massive backlash for choosing predominately white Oscar nominees and the hashtag “#OscarsSoWhite” exploded in popularity. Meanwhile, Tilda Swinton was cast as “The Ancient One” in Doctor Strange although the character is of Tibetan origin, Scarlett Johansson was cast as Motoko Kusanagi for the live-action adaptation of the Japanese anime Ghost in the Shell (although there, her character is renamed Major), and Emma Stone plays an Asian-Hawaiian character in the movie Aloha. Since the beginning of Hollywood, there have been countless “yellow washing” incidents. However, “Single by 30” is a prime example of how all hope is not lost. “Thanks to technology and social platforms,” Philip Wang writes, “we’re at an amazing period of time when Asian American creators/talents don’t need to wait for Hollywood to give them opportunities or an audience.” This holds true especially for Asian YouTubers, who do not need a traditional entertainment company behind them and are able to rise to prominence

on their own. “Single by 30”’s popularity is rising. With millions of views per episode and billboard advertisements across Los Angeles, the show reaches large audiences. Wesley Chan explains that the show reflects America’s melting pot culture: “For ‘Single By 30’, it was important for us to cast a diverse group of actors to reflect the culture of Los Angeles, where the story is set.” Furthermore, the show rejects Asian stereotypes. For instance, Peter is portrayed as handsome and confident to not only other Asians, but also to other non-Asian characters such as Chloe, Joanna’s roommate, and Sarah, Peter’s potential love interest. Asian men are constantly “de-sexualized” in media; they are seen as timid, weak, and not traditionally masculine. “Single by 30” proves that Asian men can be sexy too. Although YouTube Red is a paid service, the first episode is available to watch for free on YouTube (tip: Take advantage of YouTube Red’s free trial to watch the rest). “Single by 30” is well written, pulls your heartstrings, and last but not least, comes highly recommended.

Sources: http://blog.angryasianman.com/2016/08/upset-about-diversity-in-hollywood.html http://www.tubefilter.com/2016/04/28/youtube-red-wraps-production-on-single-by-30-harry-shum-jr-kina-grannis/ http://www.indiewire.com/2016/08/harry-shum-jr-asian-heartthrob-single-by-30-review-youtube-red-1201720071/

Vol. XXXI, Issue 1 15

: g n o Ali W men o W n a i s A o The Her Deserve

By Lyla Cerulli

I don’t have to tell you groundbreaking Ali Wong’s Baby Cobra is, since glimpses of her special on Facebook have been spreading like small pox in an indigenous village. If you haven’t been able to see her yet, let me spoil it for you: It’s an hour of a sevenmonths pregnant Asian woman talking about herself extremely honestly. She confesses to liking rough sex, shitting at home, and doing nothing. If she were a non-pregnant white man, this would be totally normal and somewhat expected. Unfortunately, in spite of the incredibly shocking state of her body, the first fifteen minutes of her Netflix special struck me as unoriginal. A white man could do it easily, so I almost got bored.

However, it’s not every day you can see someone like her, or rather someone like me, doing stand-up in front of a large crowd so I persevered and continued watching despite my boredom . I was not disappointed. Many outlets like Vulture praised Wong’s work for being honest about motherhood, but I saw that as almost insulting. She made it extremely clear that she was much more than just a mother. On stage, she presented herself as a whole person—as you’re supposed to do in standup-- who felt angry about feminism and the continual decline of natural lubrication in her vagina. By performing pregnant, Wong wasn’t just talking about motherhood, nor should she be minimized to that, she was speaking and being honest about womanhood as a whole. Her

opefully how

16 ASIAN OUTLOOK

material touches on hating her body and the bodies of other women, dating white men and feeling like she was in a Wes Anderson movie, being in the workforce, and the whitewashing of Asian culture. While she is aggressively feminist, I feel that she also successfully addresses race issues amongst Asians, while being honest about her own prejudices. Towards the middle of her set, she talks about her husband, a FilipinoJapanese man who studied Latin and went to Harvard business. As a Vietnamese-Chinese woman she says, “As you can see, we’re both half fancy-Asian and jungle-Asian.” Wong goes on to describe a date where her husband

takes her to a restaurant called “Pho Sho”, and thus talks about what makes an Asian restaurant “authentic:” It’s an angry grandma who lives in the bathroom coupled with a rude wait-staff. Compared to the stereotypes of Asian women being docile and obedient, Wong aligns herself with the rude wait-staff in her entire special. She allows herself to be angry about her current place in the world and uses her anger effectively as a teaching tool in her stand-up. So steal your friends Netflix password and learn a few things about what it means to be an angry Asian woman.

Ali Wong gets honest about motherhood and other topics in Baby Cobra

Vol. XXXI, Issue 1 17

CONSCIENCE 18 ASIAN OUTLOOK

PhotoVprovided byIJustina ol. XXXI, ssue 1 Liaw 19

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Photo provided by Justina Liaw

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Drawn by Jacklyn Chan

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artists, writers, journalists, photographers,

graphic designers, articles, opinions, interviews, stories, photographs, recipes, poems, drawings, comics,

glow sticks, a projector, bubble tea, mad caffeine, a secret base, Chinese New Year holiday, a time machine, a disco ball, power, respect, etc.

maybe you can help? Thursday, 8:00pm, UUW 329

ao.editor@gmail.com