Reader Mail from an Aussie Asian

"Just dropping a line to say that I've been enjoying the Alpha-Asian blog, especially the FunTwo guitar clips, the KoreanAmercian Hitchhikers, The Better Asian blog links. It's really interesting to read about American/Western Asian cultures and thoughts. I'm always impressed at how Americans are very good at marketing and self-promotion, whereas the Asian nations tend to be more humble and noble. I'm in Australia, and our Aussie culture tends to be in between the two.

"The thing about being Asian here is that it's not as distinct as (I believe) it is in the US. We don't get the negative stereotyping in the media as much as what I've heard and seen in the U.S. Maybe our culture is generally tolerant with the mixture of different backgrounds. BTW, this is generally true for Sydney city. There are other places where the residents are not as tolerant or friendly, but that's alright."

-Steve, Sydney


My Answer: Glad you like the blog, Steve. Feel free to post comments or email some interesting stuff you might find on the web. I tend to post positive stuff about Asians and humorous stuff too. Anything that Asians are creating and making headlines about. There are a lot of reactionary and negative Asian American blogs and websites, so I try to present stuff that is a little more happy-go-lucky. Nothing wrong with pointing out and combating injustices against Asians, because if we don't do it, non-Asians sure as hell won't. But I like creating my own reality, one where Asians aren't just seen as Asians and do stuff that's cool.

It's interesting that you note the U.S. is more INtolerant of Asians than Sydney. I've never been to Sydney, so I'll take your word for it. I've met a couple of Aussie Asians, and I get mixed experiences. This one girl I'm friends with just raves about Australia and has that Aussie pride. Much stronger than her Asian pride. Then I met this dude who just hated his time in Australia. He seemed very bitter and a little scary. He must have gone through some racist shit.

Asian pride seems to be much stronger here in the U.S. I don't know if it's my imagination, but there seems to much more cross-Asian unity among the generations born and raised in the U.S. We have Asian American Studies programs and courses in the colleges, not Asian Studies mind you. Hell, we have graduate programs in Asian American Studies. Granted, there are only 2 in the nation, but still, that's something.

Although, I must say that Asians in Canada seem to have a better experience. I've been to Canada, and it is a much more tolerant place. Their media represents Asians much more. The U.S. media and Hollywood presents Asians in a negative light, if at all.

Anyway, an interesting series of documentaries on the Chinese Diaspora is a TV show called Chinese Restaurant. Essentially this dude travels the world and visits Chinese restaurants in the most remote places he can find, places like South America, India, Africa, Israel, Norway and Turkey.

Rock On, Alpha Asians!

I've always been a hard-edged rock guy. AC/DC, Stone Temple Pilots, The White Stripes make up a small portion of my playlist. Something about being a rock star, larger than life and able to move the emotions of thousands of fans has always appealed to me. Check out these Alpha-Asian rockers:


C-Diddy, the first American to win the Air Guitar World Championship. Check him out in the movie Air Guitar Nation


Funtwo featured on CNN

Rollerskating Ninjas

And I thought my commute was bad!

Urban Ninja

This dude is badass!

MadTV: Average Asian

Sometimes I like Bobby Lee, but his comedy is hit and miss sometimes. I think he relies too much on physical comedy and dressing up in drag. I thought he was gay, but he's actually going out with

The Color of Honor: Asian American Police Officers

On a related topic, here's an Asian Week article on Asian American service men and women: Asian American Officers: A Tribute to Asian American Servicemen and Women.

The Truth About Japanese Restaurants

Ever wonder, what the Japanese in Japan think about the sushi restaurants in other countries? The conspiracy has now been exposed!

Proof Fortune Cookies Are An American Invention

Here's what happens when you present fortune cookies to people in China.

Ping Pong Playa and Recent Asian American Films

So here's a new movie out in limited release called Ping Pong Playa. If it looks good to you, then check it out and post a review here.



Speaking of Asian American movies, here are some notable ones of recent years:



Finishing the Game- I'm really suprised more people didn't like this film. The comic timing by actors and by director was hilarious. The mockumentary does a pretty good job of critiquing Hollywood without being too preachy. in fact, it's quite funny. I think some people just didn't get this film, because: 1) they didn't grow up in the 1970's watching Bruce Lee films and cheesy knock-offs 2) most people just don't the see the racism in Hollywood casting, so most viewers will wonder "what the hell is this movie alluding too?" I think you'll enjoy this if you're an Asian American dude who grew up in the 1970's, watched Kung Fu theater and took Asian American Studies in college. This is a VERY niche film.



Better Luck Tomorrow- Another film from Justin Lin and definitely his best. This arguably is the best Asian American film of all time.



Shanghai Kiss- This was a surprisingly entertaining movie, mainly because of the strong acting by Ken Leung and Hayden Panettiere. Kelly Hu's performance sucks big time as always, but Ken and Hayden's performances really save the movie. There was a lot material that, in lesser hands, would have overwhelmed the actors: having a relationship with a minor, floating adrift in life, finding your roots and identity, etc. I only gave it 3 stars, because: 1) the audio was just awful. Do yourself a favor and put the subtitles on. 2) even though the performances are great, you don't really see the rapport between Ken and Hayden or Ken and Kelly Hu. Especially with Ken and Hu, because the audience doesn't see an emotional connection develop, so you don't know why he would stay for her. nevertheless, a good film that speaks to those faking adulthood like Ken.



American Pastime- The great thing about this movie is that it's very balanced and even handed. It didn't just show Japanese Americans solely as victims. Each member of the community had a different response to the internment: some guys joined the military, some protested, and some tried to go with the flow and go on trying to live normally in a rather abnormal situation. It also should varied responses from the white community as well: some were flat out bigots, some realized the tragedy and injustice of it all, and some eventually came around. Overall a well-paced film that is never heavy handed.



Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle- This first one is more entertaining than "Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay," although the second one has more to say about race relations in the U.S.