Category Archives: controversy

Help fund Within Every Woman documentary

Help fund Within Every Woman documentary

Within Every Woman is a documentary film that explores the forgotten history of “The Comfort Woman”, a term used to describe over 200,000 girls who were forced into sexual slavery during World War II in Asia. They began the project in 2008, travelling through rural China, the Philippines, and South Korea to meet and document the survivors of what is known as the largest institutionalized rape system in world history. Today, the survivors are referred to as “the Grandmothers” (aka “Comfort Women”) – all above the age of 80, they are now mothers, grandmothers and wives. But behind their inspiring courage and strength, it is clear they are still haunted with memories of the past. They want to show the complex healing processes that these women who have struggled with their whole lives and ask, ”How does one begin to heal from such brutality?”

Within Every Woman explores the complex layers of healing and the role society plays in perpetuating the shame that silences victims of sexual violence. Told through the lives of 3 survivors, this film will bridge the gap between young and old, connecting survivors from different parts of the world in an effort to raise awareness and show the grace, strength and resilience of these incredible women. (These women are in their 80’s and 90’s. If they wait any longer, it will be too late! Their stories and experiences will be lost forever.)

The film will embark on a journey of hope, reminding survivors everywhere that they are not fighting alone, and that together, they can overcome their past with grace and strength to find kindness in an unkind world. It’s dedicated to honoring the process of healing and challenging the shame that still silences victims today.

The people behind Within Every Woman are looking to raise $50,000. Learn more on how you can support them here.

Within Every Woman documentary trailer

Fundraising Campaign Video

California Considers Shark Fin Soup Ban

California Considers Shark Fin Soup Ban

California lawmakers are considering a bill that would make the sale of shark fins in the state illegal. Assemblymembers Paul Fong and Jared Huffman co-wrote AB 376, which who essentially put a ban on sale, possession and trade in shark fins in California. Shark fins are used in an expensive, traditional Chinese soup and usually served at special occasions in the Chinese-American community. It has been an esteemed delicacy for thousands of year. The proposed ban on shark fins chips away at this Chinese tradition.

Houston Rockets center Yao Ming is throwing his weight behind the ban. He has joined with the organization Wild Aid, promising he will never eat it again and he is urging others to do the same. The Monterey Bay Aquarium, a lead sponsor of AB 376, released a poll last week stating a survey of 600 registered voters found that 76 percent of all voters and 70 percent of Chinese-Americans support AB 376. (The margin of error for the sample of 600 California voters is +/- 4.0 percent; the margin of error for the sample of 218 Chinese-American voters is +/- 6.8 percent.) Note: A good percentage of Chinese immigrants are not registered voters.

However, not everyone in the community agrees with the ban. Restaurant owners like Andrew Poon, Chinese Historical Society expert Charlie Chin, and San Francisco mayor Ed Lee oppose the ban. “That sort of thing is one of the dozens of little things people use to erode someone’s cultural identity,” Charlie Chin said.

Oregon and Hawaii have already passed similar bans. Will California be next?

California Considers Shark Fin Soup Ban

San Francisco talks about Shark Fin Soup Ban

Yao Ming PSA for the ban of shark fin soup

Whitewashing Akira by Prince Gomolvilas

Whitewashing Akira by Prince GomolvilasWhitewashing Akira

Playwright/performer Prince Gomolvilas talks candidly about the upcoming film adaptation of “Akira,” in which a number of white actors are being considered for the lead roles. Recent reports are that Warner Bros. have sent scripts to the five actors in contention to play Kaneda including Joaquin Phoenix, Justin Timberlake, Michael Fassbender, Garrett Hedlund, and Chris Pine. Three others including Robert Pattinson, Andrew Garfield, and James McAvoy are going after the role of Tetsuo. Prince would normally save this monologue for JUKEBOX STORIES (a storytelling, song-singing, bingo-playing, theatrical extravaganza starring Prince Gomolvilas and musician Brandon Patton.) However, the subject matter begs to be discussed right now. How would people feel if Boondocks were cast white? So why is Akira being cast white? Hollywood continues to whitewash Asian roles such as 21, The Last Airbender, and Dragonball Evolution. Join the online petition for Don’t Whitewash AKIRA here.

Previously, Prince Gomolvilas brought you the monologue 21 Reasons Why This Movie Sucks.

Whitewashing Akira by Prince Gomolvilas

Alexandra Wallace leaves UCLA

Alexandra Wallace leaves UCLA

On Friday, UCLA Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Janina Montero explained that Alexandra Wallace’s video rant on Asians in the Library did not violate the Student Code of Conduct, and the university does not punish free speech. The Vice Chancellor issued the following statement, “As a public university, UCLA protects free expression. While I and most on campus were appalled by the sentiments expressed in a recent YouTube video, we have uncovered no facts that lead us to believe that the Student Code of Conduct was violated. We have no intention of pursuing a disciplinary matter.”

After the UCLA announcement, Alexandra Wallace issued a statement of her own to the Daily Bruin.

In an attempt to produce a humorous YouTube video, I have offended the UCLA community and the entire Asian culture. I am truly sorry for the hurtful words I said and the pain it caused to anyone who watched the video. Especially in the wake of the ongoing disaster in Japan, I would do anything to take back my insensitive words. I could write apology letters all day and night, but I know they wouldn’t erase the video from your memory, nor would they act to reverse my inappropriate action.

I made a mistake. My mistake, however, has lead to the harassment of my family, the publishing of my personal information, death threats, and being ostracized from an entire community. Accordingly, for personal safety reasons, I have chosen to no longer attend classes at UCLA.

Meanwhile, the Sacramento Bee ran a story about John Wallace, Alexandra’s dad. On his facebook page on Friday morning, he posted:

My daughter wants to start a blog.

She’s asking for domain suggestions for ‘Asians on their cellphones in the library!’ She’s shooting videos as I write.

Something is seriously wrong with this family if the father doesn’t see anything wrong with this and she’s shooting more videos. WTF??? When will her 15 minute be up? Take a look at what the Asian American community thinks of her video.

Alexandra Wallace leaves UCLA

Asian American video responses to Alexandra Wallace

Asian American video responses to Alexandra Wallace

channelAPA.com has been flooded with video responses from Asian Americans (mostly from a comedic stand point) to Alexandra Wallace’s Asians in the Library Rant. These have been some of the most viewed videos on the web. Note: We don’t condone hate for hate actions.

David So (comedic rebuttal of Alexandra Wallace addressing it point by point)

Ching Chong! Asians in the Library Song by Jimmy (get it on Ching Chong (it Means I Love You) - Ching Chong (it Means I Love You) - Single)

JessikaMaexo (Spread the love people…let’s not hate! )

Xuyah (Spoof of Asian in Library)

UCLA alumni Bart Kwan of Just Kidding Films

123waveatme (Spoof of Asian in Library)

asians in the library of the world: a persona poem in the voice of alexandra wallace by Beau Sia

Kimee Balmilero & Lesley Tsina thank UCLA’s Alexandra Wallace

traphik

UCLA Girl PSA by Justin Chon x KevJumba x Victor Kim

Model Minority (Lil’ Wayne/Mike Posner Remix)

I Love Libraries+ I Love My Phone by afterschoolspecial

Asians in the Library by KT Tatara

Asians in Library : Racist Rant by Alexandra Wallace

Asians in Library : Racist Rant

UCLA student Alexandra Wallace isn’t going to have a pleasant time on campus after the racist rant she posted on YouTube. In her 3 minute video she posted on Sunday afternoon, she makes negative comments about Asian students and their families including mocking their language (the ever annoying ching chong stuff) and comments on the tsunami. Her main peeve are the hordes of Asians talking on their cell phones in the library. (ummm, she realizes she just offended about 33% of the campus, right?) The video has gone viral with no end anytime soon. Although the original video was taken down, copies of it are floating online including remixes, video comments, and spoofs. (We expect it to hit TV and the news by Monday.)

UCLA is already investigating Alexandra Wallace. Evidently, her phone number in the university directory has already been connected.

Asians in Library : Racist Rant

Update:

UCLA student Alexandra Wallace issued a brief apology for her Asian in the Library rant:

Clearly the original video posted by me was inappropriate. I cannot explain what possessed me to approach the subject as I did, and if I could undo it, I would. I’d like to offer my apology to the entire UCLA campus. For those who cannot find it within them to accept my apology, I understand.

Before her apology came out, UCLA Chancellor Gene Block had to issue his own statement that he was appalled by her video that disparaged Asians.

The Asian Pacific Coalition at UCLA also sent their response to the Daily Bruin, the UCLA student paper. Here’s the main points (don’t counter hate with more hate):

As a community, we should respond with the grace, sensitivity and civility afforded us through the manners we learned from our parents, and their parents before them. Hence, as a community, we demand the following:

1) We call for a public apology from Alexandra Wallace. Her words and actions are not in line with the UCLA Student Code of Conduct.
2) We call for UCLA to take the appropriate disciplinary measures befitting of Wallace’s violation against the UCLA Student Code of Conduct and UCLA’s Principle of Community
3) We call for UCLA to issue a statement addressing this incident. UCLA must demonstrate its commitment to a culture of diversity, respect, tolerance, and acceptance for all communities by standing against such acts.
4) We call for the UCLA Academic Senate to pass a requirement in the general education curriculum grounded in the UCLA Principles of Community.