Japanophiles...

suck big time.

Ignorance is unacceptable

I came across a great article on Racialicious which was linked from Native Appropriations. Boy, did that get me thinking. The author observes that after presenting a seminar on Native American culture, "No one was embarrassed or ashamed by their lack of knowledge, no one found it out of the ordinary."

I am always asked about the history of the USA especially in terms of ethnicity, culture, the so called melting pot theory and so forth. Many people only think in terms of black and white, but, our history and modern society is so much more than that. Teaching about Native American cultures in Japan worries me. I don't want to misrepresent or appropriate anyone's culture but I don't have any reliable background to pull from. That bothers me. And, it is embarrassing. I have always tried to self-teach but it is hard when I don't even know where to begin for fact-checking. Usually I point at a map of the USA and point out different areas and name some different Native American groups. Everyone quickly catches on that we are not talking about one big homogeneous group. Then I can address some of the stereotypes, teepees, slapping your hand repeatedly against your mouth and going "woo woo woo", feathers, Thanksgiving as a friendly lovefest, the Indian halloween costumes and the like. Even so, I really don't know much beyond that.

When I ask other North Americans how do they explain Native American histories to Japanese people (or other foreigners) I get blank stares. Some people ask, "What do you mean?", or, "I don't". Sometimes the attitude is, "Oh, I just start from American History." That last statement is my favorite. We all know once the Declaration of Independence was signed all native people floated into the air and disappeared into an alternate universe. Everything we do today is a throwback to European cultures and has nothing to do and no influence from anyone else(sarcasm).

It's appalling that so few people see any of this as a problem. I just feel like as a country we can do better.

Hollywood is soiling my childhood memories

Hollywood is single-handedly trying to destroy my fond memories of movie watching. While wasting precious minutes browsing YouTube I noticed the words: "Samuel Jackson to do a remake of THE LAST DRAGON". My back straightened up as the realization smacked me across the cheek. There is going to be a remake of the 80's classic, The Last Dragon! What the? Who the? How the?

Truthfully that is one movie that should never be remade. I am certain the innocence of the characters and the plot will be ruined by new graphics and bringing things up to date (read: hypersexual themes). Something about that unsophisticated orange Tang-colored 'glow' is important. I can't imagine it being brilliant or sparkly like a certain vampire.

Despite my sentiments let's run down who is in line to play the 3 major characters. I did some internet sleuthing and I pray that I am mistaken about 2 of them. Here are the 3 main characters and original actors:

Bruce Leroy played by Taimak
Sho-nuff played by Julius J. Carry III (R.I.P)
Laura Charles played by Vanity


Below is a list of the new actors picked for these roles and my analysis.

Sho-nuff played by Samuel L. Jackson
It is easy to imagine Mr. Jackson bringing a serious, dramatic and evil yet funny and cartoon-ish aspect to the role. For the physical all he would need to do is workout and slap on a wave nouveau wig. We already know he can pull off hair extensions. All in all, he is a reasonable choice. He has star power but he could actually bring something to the table if he kept Sho-nuff in his somewhat original role along.


Laura Charles played by Rihanna
Um...no. I really hope the 'kinky' dominatrix thing is a rumor. That completely supports what I am afraid of, a hypersexual movie. The appeal of The Last Dragon was it's wholesomeness. Damn it. I equate Hollywood's "show more ass" approach to TV's putting a cute kid on a sitcom in order to boost ratings if only for a little bit. People may sit up and take notice but they don't remain loyal when they realize the program on their screen is still crap. If the character has been completely rewritten there will be some serious changes to the plot and feel of the movie. Boo.

And now to the part we have all been waiting for...Bruce Leroy played by Taylor Lautner
At first I was really skeptical (truth be told I still am) but like Taimak, Lautner is trained in martial arts(karate). Taimak wasn't known for overly amazing acting skills and Lautner is the guy without a shirt. Taimak had the glow and Lautner has been in a movie with someone who glows. Unfortunately Lautner is really beefed up and Bruce Leroy, although fit, had an innocent unfinished look. Maybe Lautner's age could give him that innocence. Bruce Leroy didn't look like a fighter and that could be an issue if the character comes across as this seasoned hardcore guy. I suspect he will be the seasoned hardcore guy since he has to win the love of a kinky dominatrix.

After re-reading what I wrote I am beginning to wonder if unlike the original story line are they going to drop the whole theme of communities and neighborhood establishments being overrun by greedy privileged people and showing how a community can find the power from within to stop that from happening? As a little girl I enjoyed watching regular people winning against the big scary guys. As an adult that was something about the movie I appreciated even more.

I know I'm late but I love it!!

Damn right!

My Post Valentine Post

I did nothing this past valentine's day except for reminisce about my former crushes. When I was little I just knew one of these guys was meant to be mine.


1. Taimak aka Bruce Leroy from the Last Dragon
First of all, you couldn't tell me that this was not a serious movie. I mean it was so serious to me. Leroy took on the evil Sho'nuff without flinching. How many guys do you know who have 'the glow'? I knew when he fought it was for my honor. Imagine the shock I go when I watched that movie as an adult. Me thinks Mr. Gordy smoked a bit of the pipe when he wrote that one. Taimak was still fine though.



2. Ralph Macchio aka Daniel-san
Watching him in the first Karate Kid Movie kick the shit out of that smug blond guy was like getting revenge on those stupid smug elite country club wannabes that lived around my way and went to my school. It was about that time that people started to point me out and other me. I identified with Daniel-san. He was fighting for recognition, for both of us.


3. Bilal Abdul-Samad (2nd from left)
Bilal was the third youngest brother of the youthful R&B group The Boys. In fifth grade my friends and I went so far as to form a club with them as a focus. Each of us got to choose one brother to be ours personally. Bilal was mine, with his cute fluffy cheeks and adorable smile. He could Dial My Heart anytime he wanted.


4. Dustin Nguyen (front and center) aka Harry Truman Ioki on 21 Jump Street
Johnny Depp who? Dustin is where it's at. The first time I saw him with his perfectly coiffed hair I knew I was in love. The dude was so cool it hurt. He was probably the most handsome man I had every laid my eyes on. His dangly earring in the left ear was proof that he was bad ass. He always had that I'm chilling side eye glance and a flirty smile. I always thought that "Nah-goo-yen" would be a cool name...(Cut me some slack I was around 10 years old and possibly hooked on phonics.) Even now he is still hot as hell. He is a great actor who never gets the recognition he deserves.



5. Blair Underwood
This is around the time I discovered LA Law and Ebony Man calendars. Oh Blair my cup of chocolat. Wow. Perfection. I didn't know much about him except that I liked him. He was tall (maybe) had a commanding presence and a sparkle in his eye. He always looked so collected and in control whenever I saw him on interviews. He was "husband" material even though I was far too young to have a husband.

The answer is yes...

Rep. Elliot, you would have it done to you. Perhaps you were just fantasizing out loud? A mother just happened to call you yesterday? She didn't complain to the school? Did you get the woman's name or phone number? Was her name something like, "Ima Toole" or "Mary Juana"?

Let me weigh my options...

Poor Rosa Bracero. She had a choice: take her Regents exam, graduate from high school and attend technical college at the expense of putting a roof over her family members' heads or, sit through a mandatory seven hour meeting with a shelter intake program and not graduate, obtain higher education and better herself. Homeless kids miss a lot school. Shelter programs need to change their hours and screen children after school hours. Isn't education essential for having a brighter future? Officials sited that make-up Regents tests cost lots of money. I say, "Pay now or pay later." Luckily the Coalition for the Homeless is on the ball. Both the NYS Education Commissioner and the city are apparently working to rectify this.

I'm trying to help you. Please think about it.

1. Never complain about someone's behavior if you are doing the same thing.

2. Be professional, even if you think someone is not professional towards you. If you are doing right then you have a much stronger case.

3. "I'm going to do this just to piss him/her off," is not cool after the age of 16. It is unacceptable past the age of 24. If you are approaching or past 30 well...it's a damn shame.

4. Unless you have a problem with someone's gender/skin tone/nationality etc...leave it out of your argument.

5. Repeatedly starting sentences with, "No offense but..." is useless. We know you mean to be offensive.

6. I don't recognize your privilege so please go back rethink your approach and try again.

7. If you don't want to be called racist then stop acting like a racist.

8. Shut up and listen. You may learn something.

9. Everyone can tell the difference between true confidence and bravado fueled by insecurity. Work on yourself a bit more.

10. "It's the principle..." reflects one of three things: 1) You truly believe what you are saying, 2) You can't support what you are saying but, are too embarrassed to admit it, 3) You just want to argue because you are too immature to let it go.

11. "Well, we would never do that back home." I appreciate the information; I will remember it when I am in your country but, you are in my house now.

12. Learn the language before you profess to be an expert on someone's culture. This way we can at least attempt to take you seriously.

13. Sleeping with someone of a another color or nationality does not make you open-minded.

13. Put some clothes on. Your ignorance is showing.