I don’t think I’ll ever be able to sway a Kingstonian because they hate me by default. It’s like, “You’re male. You practice footbinding!” And then that’s it. That’s why I think it’s good to get more voices out there like yours and like Julia Oh’s. We really need balance in the mainstream discussion.

Kwak,

Jenn’s totally pro-AM. I disagree with a lot of her methods of being pro-AM, but I think her heart is in the right place. I actually hope she’ll someday come around to see it our way.

Incidentally, she runs runs a “feminist” blog, but her Haloscan crew is like 90% Asian male, some of whom are really angry. Go figure.

When this movie was in the work (this is what Will told me) they did have an script for AM/AF casting but got no money or support. I don’t know the details but got this from Will. So they changed it to WM/AF. Again I’m not 100%.

When it comes to debates like this you do have to become careful. Jenn seems to be fair in her debate which surprises me because some of the posters here thinks Jenn has this anti-Asian male position. Which I don’t 100% agree.
I don’t agree with everything she says and on this issue but she seems fair and open to debates.

Kwak,

Where did you hear the story about them switching scripts? We’ve been debating the movie for a while now, but I’ve not heard anything about that. I know some of Georgia Lee’s Red Doors people were making excuses about not having an Asian male actor, but I was unaware of any such excuses from Fay Lee.

BTB,

Thanks for your input.

I actually agree 100% with your slightly different approach–I think it’s also about portrayals. But as a guy debating with a woman, it’s hard for me to say it outright with respect to the female side. Jenn is totally cool and fair, but if I had said that the pairing perpetuates the stereotype that “all AF’s are into white dudes because all AMs are emasculated misogynists” to a major Kingstonian, I would’ve been destroyed by a deluge of postmodern nonsense. They would’ve twisted it around into making me look as if I were trying to control their sexuality. They would’ve said, “Who are you to dictate who I’m with?”

And if I brought in the feminist argument, a Kingstonian propagandist would’ve accused me of trying to create a feminism that only benefits men. I would’ve spent half the 18 minute debate dodging blows as I cowered in the corner. Jenn is not like this, but I think it makes sense to always be prepared to face someone who really hates Asian men–and there are tons of those out there.

I don’t know; do you think I’m being paranoid? Maybe I am. I’ve just had so many conversations of that kind, and even more than the question of getting tarred and smeared, the sheer racial arrogance of Kingstonians just turns my stomach with its stupidity and irony. So I try to be a little pre-emptive in making sure my bases are covered.

BTB,

I hear what you saying. At first when “Falling for Grace”, was in writing. There was two scripts. The first scripts was for AM/AF and did not get any money even though this was an independent film. The second script was AF/WM and all of sudden got money.

If you think about it this way, it’s not JUST about IR. It becomes an issue of how all Asians are unfairly portrayed.

Also, I’m a little tired of shoulderpad feminism being interjected into debates like this when it has nothing to do with it. It becomes divisive to any kind of AA cause. So we should watch Falling From Grace to support AA movies, but Better Luck Tomorrow we shouldn’t support because some women found it offensive even though the argument could be made that both movies are equally offensive to women?

By the way, great job, jaehwan!