Teddy Zee, The Hangover Part 2, And Tossing Some Salad

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

I'll be honest. I was going to see The Hangover 2. Then I decided not too. Then decided "well maybe" - and then - decided I just shouldn't see it.

At least that weekend.

But I'm still not sure if I should spend my hard eared money (which I get by tossing my parole officer's salad three times a week for a cool $300 if you were wondering, and yes, I know it's not much, but I figure it's a living and it could be worse - I might have to lick what I'd call kind of a nasty ass, and I'd rather cook for him thank you very much you dirty MF's).

Because I do struggle somedays with the roles people play and the images that are out there even though I know no one else is going to put a roof over their heads, buy them dinner, or give them peace of mind for just simple things like making sure they have money for a doctor's visit or a few extra bucks saved up in case of an emergency - when push comes to shove I'm not going to tell anyone they shouldn't be doing what they need to do to survive or to follow the path they believe will make their dreams come true.

Whatever those dreams may be.

But just like I don't have to take a job working for White People who treat me less than human or put up with racism in Corporate America - I do think some roles are just one step away from anti-miscegenation laws (at least in the perceptions they breed).

And I think we all do have choices.

I've learned a few things myself about that. Getting into bed with "the mainstream" at the end of the day might not always be the best thing.

But it's different for everyone - there's a personal tipping scale we all have - and in some ways it's also about whether or not there are real counterweights to the inane and the obscene that we sometimes see when it comes to APIA images and how we're portrayed.

From The Teddy Of The Zee

I got an e-mail from the Chief Social Capitalist down at Privy directing me to a blog post by Teddy Zee (which after reading apparently spawned this post) who's responding in part to an article by Jeff Yang.

So I thought I would post up a snippet of it here.

Having actors like Ken Jeong, Jamie Chung and Mason Lee appearing in a film that will earn enough money to break into the top 100 box office hits of all-time is certainly noteworthy. There’s no way that I would have wanted Warner Bros. to make the film in Brazil or Amsterdam and avoid any potential stereotype making situations. The benefits of having the film take place in Thailand far outweigh any of the emotional costs to our community. I know there are instances in the film that prompted negative reactions from Asian Americans. But taken as a whole, I would rather see the glass as half full and not half empty.

The first hurdle Asian Americans face in Hollywood is getting the opportunity to work in mainstream media. One of the biggest issues we face as a community is seeing our image reflected on the screen in film and television. It might not be the image you’d like to see, but being an integral part of a big hit comedy is a worthy step in the right direction. If I sound like a cheerleader, it’s because I want to support the Asian American artists in Hollywood who are pursuing their dream, who try to bring integrity to each and every job, role and project.
I guess that's it.

Back to your regularly scheduled program.