Anyone catch CNN's Paula Zahn special on "Asian-Americans?"

[Heyyu]

It was a 1 hour show on Asian-Americans and all the stereotypes they face... from the model minority tag to the sexualization of Asian females in the media (including an interview with Ming Na). They had it all and I was pretty surprised by how thorough they were. I guess now it's catching on to the mainstream media (CNN and Paula Zahn are as mainstream as you can get) which can only be a good thing.

[RebelAzn]

It was a 1 hour show on Asian-Americans and all the stereotypes they face... from the model minority tag to the sexualization of Asian females in the media (including an interview with Ming Na). They had it all and I was pretty surprised by how thorough they were. I guess now it's catching on to the mainstream media (CNN and Paula Zahn are as mainstream as you can get) which can only be a good thing.

Hey can you summarize a little more? They interviewed Ming-Na? She is a great lady and a great role model for Asian Americans. She and her husband is doing a lot for the community. I am glad it is being covered in the media more. The problem is getting out of the hand and get worse in this country. How do we see a replay?

[Heyyu]

Hey can you summarize a little more? They interviewed Ming-Na? She is a great lady and a great role model for Asian Americans. She and her husband is doing a lot for the community. I am glad it is being covered in the media more. The problem is getting out of the hand and get worse in this country. How do we see a replay?

Well they went through the whole spectrum: From the model minority stereotype (including the pressures to succeed for those that can't live up to it). They even brought in a guest panel of Asian-Americans (1 female, 1 male, and 1 happa girl). They talked about the reluctance in the Asian community to talk openly about problems such as depression. They brought up the media stereotypes of Asians, even showing clips of Long Duk Dong. They even brought up the trend of Asians getting eye-widening surgery and trying to emulate the whole Caucasian look (and the reaction from the panel of the Asian-American guests including the male who talked about the "happa" look and the happa girl saying how much Asians idolize the whole Eurasian thing).

And yes, they talked about the sexualization and fetishization of Asian females as submissive and even interviewed Ming Na about the stereotypes and her difficulties in overcoming those stereotypes. Ming Na even mentioned William Hung as one of the negative stereotypes. I have to say that out of all the prominent Asian-American female stars Ming Na really knows her stuff and seems to "get it" and is not afraid of speaking out (I really wish others like Lucy Liu would learn from Ming Na).

[blockthebox]

Here's a rough transcript of the show:

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0705/16/pzn.01.html

[blockthebox]

The problem is getting out of the hand and get worse in this country. How do we see a replay?

What does this mean? Jesus, it's not like it's a fucking ebola epidemic.

[RebelAzn]

Well they went through the whole spectrum: From the model minority stereotype (including the pressures to succeed for those that can't live up to it). They even brought in a guest panel of Asian-Americans (1 female, 1 male, and 1 happa girl). They talked about the reluctance in the Asian community to talk openly about problems such as depression. They brought up the media stereotypes of Asians, even showing clips of Long Duk Dong. They even brought up the trend of Asians getting eye-widening surgery and trying to emulate the whole Caucasian look (and the reaction from the panel of the Asian-American guests including the male who talked about the "happa" look and the happa girl saying how much Asians idolize the whole Eurasian thing).

And yes, they talked about the sexualization and fetishization of Asian females as submissive and even interviewed Ming Na about the stereotypes and her difficulties in overcoming those stereotypes. Ming Na even mentioned William Hung as one of the negative stereotypes. I have to say that out of all the prominent Asian-American female stars Ming Na really knows her stuff and seems to "get it" and is not afraid of speaking out (I really wish others like Lucy Liu would learn from Ming Na).

Awesome stuff. I am glad CNN is doing this. Yul is doing a ton for us now he is in the CNN. Ming-Na is just a great lady. She and her husband Eric are trying to do what they can to help solve this Asian American issue. Her daughter is cute as a button. And yes, I wish other Asian American actors would do some more for the Asian American community. I think Lucy Liu pretty much turned her back on the Asian community. I am still not sure about Sandra Oh.

If anyone cares, here are some CNN links to some of the stories:

http://www.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/american.morning/

[theme]

Yeah I saw it. I think it's a whole month of it or something CNN is doing.

I thought the Ming Na interview was awesome. It's one of the first times I've seen or heard of an Asian female celebrity who addresses racism as a whole against Asians rather than just specific issues about Asian females. i.e. submissive china doll stereotypes. That really legitimizes her beliefs because, unlike Kelly Hu or Lucy Liu for example, it doesn't seem like she's just in it for herself or that she's afraid to really speak her mind.

[RebelAzn]

What does this mean? Jesus, it's not like it's a fucking ebola epidemic.

Maybe because many of us are more aware of these issues. When you are aware, you start to notice a lot of stuff around you that's not right. I guess there are a lot more information out there. Regardless, it is a community issue we should be aware of and do our little part to help solve it.

[theme]

Stop acting like we're all idiots. Most of us are probably more aware than you.

[RebelAzn]

She and her husband did a play called something like "Myth of the Dragon" or something like that dealing with Asian male stereotypes. She and Eric also started an All Asian male band called "At Last". She is indeed doing what she can. I have no idea what other Asian actors do. I know Lucy Liu and Sandra Oh aren't doing much. I was really hoping her last TV show make it but it did not last on TV. And for this world to be so damn small, I know a girl who dated Yul too.

[RebelAzn]

Stop acting like we're all idiots. Most of us are probably more aware than you.

You are truly a little prick. Let's hope I never meet your ass in real life.

[blockthebox]

Listen, buddy. You said "The problem is getting out of the hand and get worse in this country [sic]."

Don't you think the fact that CNN even aired a program about the marginalization of AAs is progress and a step forward and not, as you imply, a worsening of "the problem?"

[RebelAzn]

Listen, buddy. You said "The problem is getting out of the hand and get worse in this country [sic.]"

Don't you think the fact that CNN even aired a program about the marginalization of AAs is progress and a step forward and not, as you imply, a worsening of "the problem?"

Hey I am very happy they did. People in the community need to be aware of these issues. I am glad CNN did it. I wish all the networks would do a series about experiences of Asian Americans. When I said when the problem is get worse, I mean all these Asian American identity issues are getting worse with zero positive role models in the media. I am glad people like Yul are going to CNN and putting it on national TV. While some of us who read up on Internet forums are aware of these issues, many young kids don't have a clue what they are going through. It is good to see real people talking about it on TV.

[SamuraiJack]

Did they talk about all the stereotypes and negative media exposure Asian men face? Or was it more focused on Asian women?

[theme]

^It was Ming Na who touched on the William Hung stuff. The two Asian women Betty and I don't know the other chicks name were pretty shitty reps if you ask me. This is what Betty Nguyen said about being Asian:

When I was young I was walking home and someone yelled out 'chink'! For the first time I realized that I was Asian. And it's okay!

The other anchor was pretty retarded. They did a segment on eye surgery and paula turned to her and asked her if she's ever thought of it. The asian woman looked shocked but said 'no, because i wouldn't be accepted back into the family'. That's a weak answer.

The lone Asian guy was pushed to the edge of the damn table and basically had to fight to get his word in. Not surprisingly, his answers did not parallel the Asian women's that much. He basically talked about feeling alienated while one of the women said she's never felt like an outsider. Surprise surprise.

The Ming Na segment rocked. It's hard for me to look into the eyes of an Asian woman but Ming Na really stepped up.

[Ike]

It's hard for me to look into the eyes of an Asian woman <snip>

Did you just call me squinty-eyed?

[theme]

Did you just call me squinty-eyed?

maybe if you scramble the letters around to form a new sentence.

I don't know.

[Vahz]

The lone Asian guy was pushed to the edge of the damn table and basically had to fight to get his word in. Not surprisingly, his answers did not parallel the Asian women's that much. He basically talked about feeling alienated while one of the women said she's never felt like an outsider. Surprise surprise.

Gender divide will do that. Asian women and men need to talk to each other before we can talk to anyone else. There is such a huge lack of communication.

[lycheng]

I was on jury duty yesterday. While waiting to be called in the jury waiting area, they had the TV on with the CNN piece on full volume. As I looked around the room, my eyes made contact with other Asian Americans where I sensed a communal .... wow, they're doing a piece on us.

Of course I also happened to be within earshot of a 60ish Caucasian male talking about his travels to China and Cambodia. I didn't mind him talking about how things worked differently in China. But when he started talking about the rural Cambodia village where a father offered his daughter to be the old white guy's wife ... ugh!

lycheng

[RebelAzn]

But when he started talking about the rural Cambodia village where a father offered his daughter to be the old white guy's wife ... ugh!

lycheng

Yes that's disturbing. It happened once to me in the USA. I was visiting an immigrant Vietnamese family with a friend of mine. The father brought his 8 daughters out and told me to pick one. I did not know what to do since I was only 20 at the time. His youngest daughter is like 14. I am not sure how it is done in some parts of Asia but that was a little disturbing if that's how they pick men to marry.

[Presto]

Yes that's disturbing. It happened once to me in the USA. I was visiting an immigrant Vietnamese family with a friend of mine. The father brought his 8 daughters out and told me to pick one. I did not know what to do since I was only 20 at the time. His youngest daughter is like 14. I am not sure how it is done in some parts of Asia but that was a little disturbing if that's how they pick men to marry.

I live around Vietnamese people and that's the first time I ever heard a Vietnamese father doing something like that.

[RebelAzn]

I live around Vietnamese people and that's the first time I ever heard a Vietnamese father doing something like that.

Well it never happened to me twice so maybe it was just that family. They definitely looked like they just arrived in the USA via the refugee camp though. And no, I did not take up on his offer.

[Lum]

I was on jury duty yesterday. While waiting to be called in the jury waiting area, they had the TV on with the CNN piece on full volume. As I looked around the room, my eyes made contact with other Asian Americans where I sensed a communal .... wow, they're doing a piece on us.

Of course I also happened to be within earshot of a 60ish Caucasian male talking about his travels to China and Cambodia. I didn't mind him talking about how things worked differently in China. But when he started talking about the rural Cambodia village where a father offered his daughter to be the old white guy's wife ... ugh!

lycheng

Sick! He was probably lying and testing the idea on someone. I'll bet he's thinking he can go back and buy a 15 year-old girl. Oh man, I just puked in my mouth a little.

[theme]

Well it never happened to me twice so maybe it was just that family. They definitely looked like they just arrived in the USA via the refugee camp though. And no, I did not take up on his offer.

I'm starting to feel like an ass.

[Lum]

Ack, I can't play video on cnn.com. If anyone catches this elsewhere let me know, I'd really like to see this. Thanks.

[nekohead]

Gender divide will do that. Asian women and men need to talk to each other before we can talk to anyone else. There is such a huge lack of communication.

That is the SAME way in the BLACK Community. We need to talk FIRST before going to the Whites and dating and such.

[Vahz]

I know it's going to sound controversial for me to say but I was doing some research on WAR (White Aryan Resistance) and the leader preached that women were to be treated as equals but he protested feminism which he stated only served to divide the genders rather than unite them. Any truth to that?