Category Archives: Observations

The next evolution of pen twirling

Posted on March 25, 2008 by Ben

I don’t care where you learned it or how. It seems that at some point, there was probably an Asian involved, wasn’t there? Pen twirling that is. Don’t deny it. You were in awe when you first saw it and … Continue reading →

Posted in Observations | 8 Comments

NPR: Long Duk Dong: Last of the Hollywood Stereotypes?

Posted on March 24, 2008 by John

I was just driving home from work when I heard this National Public Radio (NPR) piece on (listen/read at): “Long Duk Dong: Last of the Hollywood Stereotypes?” and knew I had to blog about this right away. In “Sixteen Candles,” … Continue reading →

Posted in Discrimination, Entertainment, Movies, Observations | 9 Comments

Mixed Messenger: Obama, bi-racial / Hapa America

Posted on March 23, 2008 by John

Reporter Peggy Orenstein discuss the role of race, racial identity and Obama (with Obama’s speech on race bringing up much discussion in America), as well as America’s growing, bi-racial nature. I thought Orenstein’s thoughts, as a parent of a bi-racial … Continue reading →

Posted in Current Events, Observations | 12 Comments

Taiwan’s Ma wins in presidential polls; UN referendums fail

Posted on March 22, 2008 by John

Today, Taiwan held it’s fourth truly democratic election for president, where it elected its first president who had campaigned for closer economic relations with Beijing, paving the way for a considerable lessening of tensions between the Taiwan Straits, as reported … Continue reading →

Posted in Current Events, Observations, Politics | 4 Comments

On Visit, Pelosi Offers Support to Dalai Lama

Posted on March 21, 2008 by John

Apparently San Francisco’s own Nancy Pelosi, along with others, in a Congressional delegation are currently in India, and had an opportunity to meet the Dalai Lama, as reported in The New York Times: “On Visit, Pelosi Offers Support to Dalai … Continue reading →

Posted in Current Events, Observations, Politics | Leave a comment

Kaba Modern from America’s Next Dance Crew Eliminated: Racial Card Played?

Posted on March 21, 2008 by Ernie

First, the bad news – after dancing their Asian-American hearts out on a reality show, Kaba Modern was eliminated from MTV’s America’s Next Dance Crew this week. Here’s a performance of Kaba, Fysh N Chicks and JabbaWockeeZ – the eventual … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, Observations | 22 Comments

SF Mayor hints at 2008 Beijing Olympic torch route

Posted on March 21, 2008 by John

In today’s front page story in the San Francisco Chronicle, the newspaper reports on a little bit more detail about the 2008 Beijing Olympic torch relay happening in San Francisco on April 9th – the only city to be represented … Continue reading →

Posted in Current Events, Observations | Leave a comment

On fringes today in film, Asians had early pioneer

Posted on March 20, 2008 by John

Stephen Whitty does a nice profile of Japanese-American actor Sessue Hayakawa, an early pioneer in a new medium of silent films, and one of the most well known Hollywood movie stars in his day: “Born in 1889 to a prominent … Continue reading →

Posted in Current Events, Movies, Observations | 1 Comment

Quick poll: Do you know any Taiwanese who traveled to Taiwan to vote this year?

Posted on March 20, 2008 by jozjozjoz

John just posted a nice piece called “Taiwanese in Bay Area return to island for closely fought presidential election” and I thought I’d follow up with a quick poll. From my own personal observations, I’ve seen Taiwanese Americans/Canadians/expats travel back … Continue reading →

Posted in Current Events, Observations, Politics | 10 Comments

Obama’s Race in America Speech: What does it mean for Asian-Americans?

Posted on March 19, 2008 by Bo

Not quite the watershed moment a la JFK’s speech on religion, Barack Obama’s speech on the state of race and racism in America had its moments. Was it just me or did any one else feel like he seriously under-emphasized … Continue reading →

Posted in Observations, Politics | 49 Comments

Kaba Modern’s Mike Song

Posted on March 18, 2008 by Andy

America’s Best Dance Crew… Best show EVAR! At least in my opinion. If you haven’t seen the show, where in the world have you been? Okay, so our very own Ernie did a great writeup about the extremely talented crew, … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, Observations | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

WSJ: Are Hard-Working Chinese Kids A Model for American Students?

Posted on March 17, 2008 by John

Have you ever read or heard about the book The World is Flat by Thomas Friedman? Well, this Wall Street Journal article only reinforces the fact that, as this world become more integrated, it will get more competitive. Bob Compton, … Continue reading →

Posted in Current Events, Observations | 17 Comments