Ask me anything about me and my life or any random shit at all, and I'll answer! Ask me as many times as you want! Ask anonymously! Exclamation marks!

p.s. this entry is always at the top of my journal!

So, I feel like I should mention this. During Transformers 2, I saw the preview for the Avatar movie, and although I LOVE the show more than anything, I am so disappointed in the movie. To begin with, it's being directed by M. Night Shyamalan (uh) but the WORST part is the casting.

Is there any doubt - any doubt at all - that the Avatar world is based in an oriental/Inuit setting? Is there any doubt that the majority of the characters are, in fact, Asian? Well, then take a look at the casting that Paramount did.


Clockwise from top left: Aang, Zuko, Katara, and Sokka.

If you are not familiar with those characters, let me show you an image of them:


Katara, Sokka, Zuko.

As an Asian-American, I am shocked and disgusted. I have nothing against these actors personally, but why weren't Asian-Americans considered or casted for these roles? I have no doubt that there are children of Asian heritage out there who could act and carry leading roles. One of my favorite comic artists, Derek Kirk Kim, sums my feelings up more eloquently than I can:

"Or let me draw a closer parallel—imagine if someone had made a “fantasy” movie in which the entire world was built around African culture. Everyone is wearing ancient African clothes, African hats, eating traditional African food, writing in an African language, living in African homes, all encompassed in an African landscape...

...but everyone is white.

How offensive, insulting, and disrespectful would that be toward Africans and African Americans? How much more offensive would it be if only the heroes were white and all the villians and background characters were African American? (I wince in fear thinking about "The Last Airbender" suffering from the latter dynamic—which it probably will.)

...And the reason this miscasting is particularly stinging when it comes to “Avatar” is because of the high quality of the source material. "The Last Airbender" has the potential to be something like "Star Wars"—something with lasting value that could give new heroes to your average household in America. And to have something for Asian American kids, and ethnic kids in general, to look up to. To let them know heroes can also look like them and speak fluent English like them. I think it could give immeasurable confidence and pride to these under-represented kids to have something like "Avatar" if it turns out to be as good as I hope. There's no reason Asian Americans should have to forsake "Star Wars" for "Citizen Kane." Both kinds of films have their merits and places in culture and it would be healthy to strive for both--to have Asian Americans and all minority Americans be a part of the entire spectrum

...African Americans kids can finally, realistically dream of being president one day. Can't Asian American kids— perhaps my kids —at least dream of being something as relatively insignificant as central characters in some escapist Hollywood movie where everything is stolen from their heritage?

Can't they be a part of America too?

Please support the Media Action Network for Asian Americans and the East West Players (founded by Mako, the voice of Uncle Iroh himself!!), which are both in support of providing more opportunities for Asian-American actors.

And while the movie production is already under way and there is probably no chance of us getting a recast, please just realize that although this may be a great opportunity lost, we can still protest and let Hollywood know that we realize what they've done.

Also, check out racebending.com for a ton more information.

Bleh.

Edit: Also, I realize a lot of progress has been made in Hollywood (like in Disney/Pixar's Up!), but there's always room for more progress.

Yesterday I saw the new Transformers movie which was TOTALLY AWESOME, oh, god, Rampage, and Starscream, and Bumblebee... loved it. Super cheesy but still totally worth it.

Today I went surfing for the first time in my life - I did not even get a chance to try to catch a wave! I basically spent the whole time fighting the waves to get out there, and since I did not have a good teacher, it was difficult. I am gonna just take my board and paddle around Richardsons for a while to get used to being on top the damn thing and build up some upper body strength. Also, my feet got all sorts of cut up from the rocks! Blood EVERYWHERES. But Walter was nice and we spent the rest of the time collecting sea glass while we waited for the other guys to finish surfing.

Also, I took photos of my friends a while ago and should share them here- this will be old to a lot of you by now, but new for some, so!

I like who I am.

I like that my hair smells like coconuts and my hands smell like cherry blossoms.
I like that I am so thin without even trying.
I like that I have read so many books about cats that I can share the knowledge with my friends.
I like that I collect older brother figures.
I like that I have a toe ring.
I like that I have freckles. Me, an Asian, with freckles!!
I like that I do crosswords.
I like that I have dainty, elegant hands that people envy.
I like my taste in music.
I like my taste in literature.
I like that I am unashamed to be me.

No, scratch all of that, I love those things about me!

I'm a giant robot living very far from home
and I miss my planet very much, but I have to be strong

I came here upon the ark with some friends of mine
We were looking for some energon when we crash-landed on earth

Now I live among little humans I could squish beneath my feet
But I don't cuz I'm a gentle creature who doesn't like to kill

Unless we're talking 'bout Megatron, cuz I want that bastard dead!
He's a menace to the universe, his terror is widespread

I am Optimus Prime
I'll always fight for what I know is right
And I'll never say never
And I'll never say die
So as long as there's Decepticons, I'll be here by your side

Ironhide once told me, "Prime you've got to get away
You've been working for 4 million years, you could use a holiday"

I said, "Thank you friend I do agree, I'm getting pretty tired,
But my Autobots need me here to keep them safe from harm"

Besides where's a giant robot go when he wants to be alone?
On a planet full of tiny life, there's no place he can hide

The trees come up to my knees and won't shade my weary head
The mountain range might be okay, but my paint gives me away

I am Optimus Prime
This planet I'm on will never feel like mine
But I'll never say never
And I'll never say die
So as long as humans need me here
I'll be here by their side

Sometimes I turn into a truck to blend in with the crowd
And I'll drive as far as I can go until someone calls for help

Then it's back to being a robot who shadows everything
And the humans don't want my help, because they're scared of me

Maybe one day I'll go to the moon and make my home up there
I think I'll call it Moon Base 1, and I will not have to care
But that's not in my soul, I can't ignore a distress call
If you need me just say the word and I'll be your protector

Cuz I am Optimus Prime
I carry the Matrix that shows me the light
So I'll never say never
And I'll never say never
So as long as there's Decepticons
I'll be here by your side.