Check Out My New Blog

I recently started this Asian American blog for the today.com network. It's called "Asian America". For those you who are interested, be sure to check it out at:

http://asianamerica.today.com/

So far, I've been trying to divide my time between "The Mad Hermit" and "Asian America". It's been quite a hassle, to say the least, but hopefully I'll get use to this. From now on, this site will be included in the "Links" section.

The Earthquake in China and The Disaster in Myanmar

Though I’ve severely criticized China in the past about their human rights violations and history of religious persecution, I would like to put that all aside for this post. In light of the recent earthquake in China (with a death toll curently approaching 20,000), I’m making a call out to anyone who reads this post and this blog to pray for the victims of and the rescue efforts for this disaster.

Please, pray that things will work out despite the current situation and loss of life. Even for those of you who are not religious, just maybe take a moment to acknowledge the situation. Either way, let it be known that I truly lend my sympathy and that my heart goes out to the nation of China at this time.

Also pray or make a shout out about the situation in Myanmar. From what I've heard the current death toll has surpassed 100,000. Pray for the safety of the survivors and the rescue efforts there.

-The Mad Hermit

Shanghai Kiss: The Cover of Shanghai Kiss Can Kiss My _ _ _!

Just a year ago, this independent flick featuring an Asian American actor trying to reconcile himself with his culture was released. Below is the imdb summary for this film:

“A struggling Chinese-American actor, who unwittingly finds himself involved with a high school girl, learns he has inherited his grandmother's home in Shanghai. The American-raised character moves to China in an attempt to connect with his ancestry, leaving behind quite possibly the only girl who has ever loved him.”

Though I never watched this film before, but I read enough about it and saw its trailer to know that, obviously, the central character to this film’s an Asian guy. I mean, I think that’s obvious for anyone. In addition to that, besides Hayden Panettiere, there are a decent number of supporting characters who are also Asian.

But the thing that gets me about this film is this—its cover. Why is the main character featured in the far background (with his face blurred in a side view motion shot) and a supporting character featured in the foreground (perfectly posed in a perfectly clear still image)? I mean who’s really the central character here? Read the summary. Look at the title.

Call me crazy, biased, or over-reacting, but I think all of you know the reason why, just as I do. Keep the scrawny, not too attractive, Asian guy in the back and keep the hot blonde Caucasian girl (who’s not even the main character) WAYYYYY up in the front.

If it’s not a Kung Fu film or a film with an Asian in a stereotypical role, what’s the point of seeing the film? Oh yeah, there’s Hayden Panettiere in it, that’s why! That should get the predominantly Caucasian audiences revved up in their seats. Cause who wants to see an Asian actor break pre-determined stereotypes? Who wants to see an Asian guy not do kung fu, fix a computer, be a gangster, or be a minor FOB character in an American movie? That’ll be insane!!!! It’ll be madness, I tell you, MADNESS!!!

Seriously, although this work, as a film, might be a step up for Asian portrayals in American cinema, its presentation just seems to be real step back for it. True, Hayden’s over-magnified presence on the cover will probably get more people to see it as opposed to having the main character over-magnified, but something really says “keep the Asian man down” about it. What say you?

China Wants to Become a Leader - Be Careful What You Wish For

Ever since America took the center stage, China has been struggling to achieve the position of the strongest nation in the world. But the truth is, is it really prepared to take that position? Well, before China becomes the center of the world it has to

- Be prepared to be hated and betrayed by many other nations, even if it has helped those nations in the past through economic difficulty or military conflict (like France, for instance, after America saved its butt).

- Be prepared to be targeted/threatened by several hostile nations, including terrorist organizations.

- Be prepared to be ridiculed and mocked by other nations behind their back, if not in front of their face, just for being what it is.

- Be prepared to get involved in nearly every major conflict or crisis that happens in the world even if it doesn't necessarily involve China. And if China doesn’t get involved, it has to be prepared to be heavily criticized for that.

- Be prepared to be constantly accused and knit-picked by other nations and outside groups, even for the smallest things (like for not being “cultured” enough or junk like that).

- Be prepared to have its national history held up, knit-picked, criticized, and mocked on the world stage from time to time.

- Be prepared to handle more internal conflicts as its own people become more exposed to the outside world and outside ideas (once you’re #1 in the world, there’s very little you could do to keep the outside world out).

From everything that I've heard from most of the Chinese nationalists that I’ve known and run into, they always seem to carry the assumption that once China becomes the leader of the world, then it would be smooth sailing for that nation from there on in. As a proud American and as a person who lived in America all his life, trust me—being considered the leading nation of the world isn’t as thrilling as some native Chinese would think. In fact, if China wants so badly to have that position, then it can go ahead and take it. Chances are, America needs a short break (heck, I need a break from all this crap being thrown at my country) and China will probably end up regretting it. But that’s just me. What say you?

Minorities Becoming the Majority in America by 2050

Just tonight, I saw a news report saying that by 2050, the minorities will become the new majority in America.

(For the online version of the story, see http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/03/17/national/main607022.shtml).

I found this to be a very interesting scenario and wondered whether or not that would drastically change the American culture if that were the case. This also made me start to wonder about whether there would someday be an Asian president of the United States.

With Hillary Clinton possibly becoming the first woman president or Barack Obama possibly the first black one--what would happen if America elected an Asian president? Or, more importantly, how would the Asian nations, like China, react to an American Chinese president?

Part of me thinks that the Chinese would simply see him as just as another American, given that most native Chinese tend to view all ABCs (American Born Chinese) as non-Asian (i.e. "gwei-lo") or, more bluntly, white. But, at the same time, I've seen many Chinese use certain American-Chinese achievements (Michelle Kwon) as bragging rights for they're own culture, even when that subject in particular is as American as any person can get.

Herein lies the problem.

From all the times I've seen it, if you're an Asian American and you haven't done anything special, most native Asians would view you as just another spoiled, naive "American". But, somehow, if you do something "special" or if you're known for something special then they would instantly credit your achievement as something achieved simply because your Asian.

So when it comes to a Chinese president of the United States, expect to hear this response from most native Chinese in general: "You see! Even America's president is Chinese! That's because we Chinese are so smart!!! He's gonna be the best president in American history!!!"

But if you're a regular ABC, like me, and take a trip to China, you might expect to hear more of this disgruntled whisper behind your back: "Huh...an American..."

See the difference.

Gung Hay Fat Choy - Happy Chinese New Year!!!

Given that I'm Chinese and given that I get money out this holiday, I guess I'm somewhat obligated to wish everyone a Happy Chinese New Year.

For those of you who wanna know more about what Chinese New Year is all about, just visit the wiki about it here (click "here").

This year's the Year of the Rat, so all of you who were born in this Chinese zodiac year, best wishes to you.

As for me, I'm just gonna sit back and enjoy all that fancy red evelope action that I get this year(as you see above) and hopefully spend the money on something sweet (probably paying bills). All in all, it's fair to say that being Chinese definitely comes with its perks.

Gung Hay Fat Choy to everyone and to everyone a Happy Gung Hay Fat Choy (yeah, it's not really proper to say it that way, but hey...it's poetic license)!!!!

My Two Cents on the “China Rise”

Ever since Beijing was chosen for the 2008 Olympics, China has been prepping to peacock itself to the entire world. From rush programs to clean up its own smog to teaching its own citizens and merchants how to deal “politely” with foreigners, China is going the whole nine-yards in reputation building.

But the biggest thing that troubles me about China is that, over the past few years since their economic boom, their focus seems so geared on becoming a “great nation” that they seem to lose sight of what it means to be a great nation. Yes, every nation isn’t perfect and every nation has its number of flaws (even America), but hear me out on this.

Based on the current trend, much of China’s focus is presently devoted to economic growth and public image. But what about improving human rights and religious freedoms? But what about proving itself as a moral nation to the international community, rather that continue to sell weapons to such countries as Sudan and North Korea? But what about proving itself as a nation of economic integrity, by pumping out quality products without cutting corners or adding in dangerous substances that can be detrimental to anyone exposed?

China is currently in a similar position that the United States was during its Industrial Revolution. Its economy is booming and its upper class population is swelling. But concepts, such as workers’ rights and environmental regulation, are still in infantile stages within the nation and, as a result, both the global environment and its own people have suffered. And to make things worse, countries that buy Chinese products suffer as well. In my opinion, China is growing in success faster than it can adapt to the responsibilities that come with success. And unless it’s willing to take a good look at itself, beyond the seduction of economic wealth and the superficial glitter of public image—it will never truly be a great nation.