I seemed to have the unfortunate luck (or maybe fortunate depending on how you look at it) to have caught this current episode.
No wonder this looks to be getting cancelled - if this is the type of show they produce - they should get cancelled.
Because they obviously are too lazy to come up with something other than just...wth...
Let's just run down a quick list.
1. The title of the episode alone is simply FUBAR.
2. Of course it's set in Chinatown.
3. With a laundry store.
4. And there's underground gambling.
5. In the laundry.
6. Prostitutes (because we're in Chinatown!).
7. And in one scene, the main character played by Rain Wilson, after stating that they have a search warrant (for the laundry/gambling house) looks at an Asian woman working in a red dress and also talks about how it covers strip search too. Basically a white cop molestation fantasy. With an Asian woman.
Yeah...
WTH: Backstrom Ep. Called "Ancient, Chinese, Secret" Has Laundry, Prostitutes, Gambling, Chinatown, And More (?)
Thursday, February 26, 2015White On White: Dale Hansen + Smacking Down His People On WFAA-TV Of Dallas/Fort Worth
Thursday, February 26, 2015We can't do it alone - so I'm glad to see Dale Hansen use his position for a little news smackdown.
#saveSelfie update: CAPE podcast
Thursday, February 26, 2015
Net Neutrality + Winners: Mignon Clyburn, Tom Wheeler, And Jessica Rosenworcel + Bad Bad Ajit Varadaraj Pai + Why Bet Against Vinton Cerf And Tim Berners-Lee?
Thursday, February 26, 2015
Mignon Clyburn, Tom Wheeler, Jessica Rosenworcel
I'm glad to see that at least sometimes we can come to our senses in this country.
Most of us...
Well..not Ajit Varadaraj Pai who voted against it - dissenter.
But who cares?
He lost anyway.
Loser!
Serves him right to go against Vinton Cerf And Tim Berners-Lee - you know - two guys who helped create the Internet and Web...
Mignon Clyburn, Tom Wheeler, and Jessica Rosenworcel?
Winners.
Hallmark It + In Pics + Ashley Argota
Thursday, February 26, 2015
Asking the hosts some questions she looked comfortable (next tv job perhaps?)
Tickets To Nowhere? Bobby Jindal Goes Completely CPAC
Thursday, February 26, 2015
I'm not going to CPAC.
Ever.
Well...
Unless it's to laugh...
Or point fingers...
Or laugh and point fingers...
But that doesn't need to stop the rest of us.
Or Bobby J.
The J to the B.
The Jindal With The Windmiaaaaaall!!!*
Contender in 2016?
Ummm....
I won't vote for him...but we deserve - just like with trashy television (and yes that is the measuring stick we can go by) - to see ourselves reflected...somewhat...
Because I'm not South Asian.
*Sorry, that's all I could come up with and I don't even know if he can windmill dunk like Dr. J....
So No Asian Americans On American Idol? None? Nada? Is This The Future Of Music Without Us? How Bland And Tasteless.
Wednesday, February 25, 2015Really.
Bland.
Tasteless.
Spending Cash: Mayweather Vs. Pacquiao
Wednesday, February 25, 2015From Forbes:
Tickets have not gone on sale to the public yet, but they are expected to start at $1,000 with ringside seats fetching a face value of $5,000. This will result in a total gate of around $40 million for the 16,800-seat MGM Grand Garden Arena. It would double the previous biggest gate in boxing history, which was $20 million for the Mayweather vs. Canelo Alvarez fight billed as “The One” in September 2013.
Two Asian Americans. One Office.
Monday, February 23, 2015Yes. Yes you can. It's becoming almost - normal?
Okay - maybe not that normal quite yet (as much as White and Black candidates).
But we're getting there.
From the Korean American Democratic Committee (KADC)
Let's help elect a Korean-American to the LA City Council!
For the first time, there are TWO Korean-American candidates vying for a City of Los Angeles Council seat! It will all be decided with the City of LA Primary Nominating Election, to be held March 3, 2015.
DAVID RYU - Candidate for Council District 4
GRACE YOO - Candidate for Council District 10
There has never been a KA on the City Council - and the last Asian-American Councilmember was Michael Woo over 20 years ago!
To help elect our very first Korean American Councilmember(s), KADC will be holding 2 phonebanking events for each candidate. Please join us for as many of these events as you wish!! If none of the dates and times work for you, we have also included the hours for each respective campaign office - go by at any time!
For David Ryu's campaign:
KADC Phonebanking Event
Monday, Feb. 23: 5:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, Mar. 1: 5:00 - 8:00 p.m.
* Light refreshments will be provided
521 N. Wilton Pl.
Los Angeles, CA 90004
(213) 973-8350
lyna.chon@davidryu.com | haley.hager@davidryu.com
facebook.com/davidryu4citycouncil
Regular Campaign Office Hours:
9am-10pm, 7 days a week.
For Grace Yoo's campaign:
KADC Phonebanking Event
Tuesday, Feb. 24: 5:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 28: 2:00 - 5:00 p.m.
* Light refreshments will be provided
3962 W. 6th St
Los Angeles, CA 90005
(323) 487-2310
yonahcares@yahoo.com | steve.graceyoocd10@gmail.com
www.graceyooCD10.com
facebook.com/graceyooCD10
twitter.com/graceyooCD10
instagram.com/graceyooCD10
Regular Campaign Office Hours:
M-Sat: 9am to 9pm | Sun: 12pm to 9pm
On Sale Now: Romeo & Juliet vs. Zombies By Koji Steven Sakai
Friday, February 20, 2015
40 Thousand Views And Counting: That's A Crazy Fly 50 Shades Of Grey "Crazy In Love" Remake By David Chen
Friday, February 20, 2015
Here's a write-up in Bustle.
I know right?
Find more music videos at http://www.davechenmusic.com
Find more of David's work at http://www.davechen.net
SoundCloud: http://www.soundcloud.com/davechenmusic
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/davechensky
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/davechenmusic
Are You Going To Mars Maggie Liu?
Friday, February 20, 2015Maggie Liu, a 24 year old student who is writing her doctorate in astrophysics at the University of Birmingham in the UK is one of the candidates fighting for a place on the spaceship to Mars. “I always loved science and space,” she said. “From an early age it was my dream. No [sic] it has pretty much come true.”
Gazillion Strong + Fundraiser + Through Our Eyes
Friday, February 20, 2015Still time to get some tickets for the Gazillion Strong fundraiser.
Check out “Through Our Eyes”, the end result of a video production and distribution program for teens part of the LGBTQ, adoptee, foster care, immigrant, and POC communities.
Maybe There's An Issue With The Trademark Office? + Angry Versus Angry + I'll Up You A Slant
Friday, February 20, 2015
I'm not a trademark attorney - or any type of attorney relating to business - so I can't tell you about the nuances of the law - but I do have to question an office that won't let the band "The Slants" trademark their own name as an Asian American group (who obviously aren't trying to slur themselves and we all get it) - as well as not granting a trademark for "Angry Asian Man" because one already exists for "Angry Little Asian Girl".
Both are great brands but completely different.
One's a media outlet (in the broader sense) - at it's base a blog expanded to other digital properties - and the other a character/set of characters - expanded to cartoons, dvd, merchandise, etc. (and there's a mug, dvd, and ALAG handbag in my house).
It's the Asian that confuses everyone.
It's the Angry that confuses everyone.
But you can have companies and brands with the same name or similar ones.
It's not unheard of. It's not a new concept.
Isn't it a little racist to deny those applications?
I'm going with yes.
On ALAG VS AAM
From a business standpoint - I get it.
You have to look after your brand and things aren't always as cut and dry as everyone makes it out to seem. As the owner of a trademark you have the absolute right to enforce that trademark because you've put in work to attain that trademark.
Your money. Your time. That's fair. That's business.
If someone can't get a trademark because I already own it or something similar - good. That's why I put in the trademark - to help protect my business. And it's up to me as the trademark holder, my right as that trademark holder, to be able to enforce it at will - even if it's with another company I've done business with previously because objectives, niches, and core audiences change.
Do I try to enforce trademark with a company that's helped my brand?
Do I suggest theft of IP?
Do I make it all public even with the grey areas?
Well - that's a different story...
Non-Profits, Social Justice, And Making A Living At It
If you've worked in the non-profit sector, you'll know that similar organizations compete for similar dollars and a lot of non-profits are run like businesses - and sometimes it's just strange to see like minded organizations, for good, work against each other - or rub up against each other uncomfortably in small corners.
I view this in the same way.
Or like being in Being John Malkovich.
Maybe.
Apropos Of Nothing (AKA My WGP): If Brian Williams Can't Get Some Benefit Of The Doubt And A "2nd Chance" Who Can?
Tuesday, February 17, 2015I'm just saying - mistake, misread, memory lapse (because if my helicopter was in combat fire no matter what...) but I get it - but is that how we do things?
One and done?
No room for growth? Second chances? A little benefit of the doubt?
He did apologize - could have been left at that.
But it's a witch hunt. And if we're going that route, why not just let FOX News rule the world?
I know we're a cynical bunch but do we have to try and topple everyone to the ground until we make them eat dirt all the while taking selfies while we tweet on their demise?
Vince Vaughn Says Affirmative Action Is Racist - Which Means He Doesn't Know Anything About Racism. #CluelessWhiteGuyShit #ThatsNotMoney
Tuesday, February 17, 2015From http://www.playboy.com/articles/playboy-interview-vince-vaughn:
So you’re not a fan of affirmative action?
I’ll answer that with a question. Do you believe that using race as a factor in evaluating a person is a good way to operate?
The idea is that those who have been at a disadvantage because of race deserve a leg up when it comes to landing opportunities.
But then you’re evaluating someone based on race, which is racism. Rights don’t come to you because you’re a man or a woman or African American or European or Jewish. And I certainly don’t think the federal government should be in the business of deciding things or handing out money based on factors like these. It’s the same with same-sex marriage. Who cares what people feel about each other? Let people decide for themselves who they can marry. It’s not the government’s job. It’s between you and your partner and your church or synagogue or whatever you believe in.
I think history has proven without a doubt that the proper role of government is to protect individuals’ rights and liberties. That has always been the most prosperous, freest society for people to live in. And when government gets too involved, society turns into a place that gets very, very ugly. But I think we’ve walked more into Crossfire here than Playboy.
Why Do Asian Americans In New Jersey Have A Longer Life Expectancy?
Monday, February 16, 2015
Sex + Cartoons = Fifty Shades Of Baymax
Sunday, February 15, 2015
Short, sweet, and no I have not seen Fifty Shades Of Grey yet (I'm sure I will) - but I did find two pieces of information from the following VF article:
Fifty Shades of Grey’s” opening weekend audience was 68% female, 52% Caucasian, 22% Hispanic and 15% African-American.
And - because they were talking about other movies in the same article:
Among milestones, “Big Hero 6″ passed “Beauty and the Beast” to become the third highest-grossing Disney Animation release with $219.3 million, behind “The Lion King” and “Frozen.”
And that's it I guess...
Although I do wonder if there are people out there who would want to create their own fluffy Baymax to have their own Fifty Shades moments in the privacy of no one else's business?
Hmmm....
Apparently there is a connection after all...
Kickstart it: Josh Fu's Man in Ceiling
Friday, February 13, 2015
Who's Josh Fu?
Josh is a writer, filmmaker, and musician based in Los Angeles. He formerly worked in marketing at Oscilloscope Laboratories on films such as We Need to Talk About Kevin, Meek’s Cutoff, It's a Disaster, 12 O’Clock Boys, Teenage, Coherence, and many more. He continues to run their social media. He has a BFA in Screenwriting from NYU Tisch School of the Arts. He has participated in NBC’s Late Night Writers Workshop, is the recipient of the Venable Herndon Screenwriting Award, and is a California Arts Scholar.
Check out the Kickstarter project.
What's the film about?
MAN IN CEILING follows Ryan, a mid-20s slacker who’s desperately trying to get his act together. He persuades his sister to get him a temp job in her office doing menial data entry, and in an attempt to make a good impression, pulls an all-nighter in the office to finish a time-sensitive project.
But in the middle of the night, when everyone’s gone, he discovers a man hiding above the ceiling tiles of the office. He’s an ex-employee, the one that Ryan is essentially replacing... and stuff gets weird.
MAN IN CEILING explores the anxiety of entering the working world, the weirdness of office culture, and the dissolution of identity in corporate environments -- stuff that’s highly relatable to anyone who’s ever worked in an office. It also involves the early movies of Angelina Jolie, false etymology, and a corned beef sandwich. Because it’s a comedy.
On Steven Yeun & Conan Visiting A Korean Spa (Overall Funny But I Could Use Less Of The Chinky Music)
Thursday, February 12, 2015
I've always liked Conan and I think this bit is funny overall, but like other things, why ruin it with Chinky Music? When they edited this together someone had to add that in - and to me it just feels lazy - and that's not what you want a Conan skit to be. If anything it should be the complete opposite of that - and it almost was because what late night talk show host does that with Steven Yeun? No one.
So that's awesome.
Let's just leave lazy edit music stereotyping bits at the door.
I Feel Like There Has To Be Something Other Than #Koreitnamese For The Offspring Of Vietnamese + Korean: #Vietnorean? #Vietnamean?
Thursday, February 12, 2015I'm not saying that #Koreitnamese is bad, I just figure there has to be something with Viet first that has a good bite to it...
#Vietnorean?
#Vietnamean?
#VietKo?
Sao Lue Vang: Kevin Elberg's Arraignment Set For Later This Month (Feb. 23) + Well...
Thursday, February 12, 2015While a jury will eventually decide the fate of Kevin Elberg (and who knows what that will mean) at least the process is still moving....well kind of...
I mean...I don't know...I guess I just feel like if you beat down a 64 year old guy and you have 20 years on him - it should be automatic.
Why get a jury involved?
The only question that really needs answering is if you get a hate crime added on to that...
I Wonder If I Could Run For Some Political Office On The #chautacular Platform...
Thursday, February 12, 2015I'm not sure what the #chautacular platform is but I assume it would be something #chaurrific and #chaunormous and I'm sure that in this political climate that's gotta be enough for me to win at least some votes?
Sometimes Being An American Means Giving The Middle Finger To America
Thursday, February 12, 2015It's just in our nation's DNA and when I think about all the questionable structures of power that we have to report to but that we also have the power to shape, I can't help but think to myself that it has to be taken by revolt and usurped. They'll always tell you that there are rules and processes to follow to get it the right way - to say it the right way - but if the systems are slowly decaying and overflowing with corruption where your mouth is gagged most of the time anyway, you have to come at it from a completely different view.
Go Home Gwen Stefani. Go Home.
Thursday, February 12, 2015I've just been seeing more of Gwen Stefani lately and while I can't discount what she's done as a female artist and some of her catchy tunes, her racial perspectives and non-enlightened white woman enlightenment just makes me want to wave my magic wand until she goes poof.
And then she's gone.
Not like gone gone.
But just gone.
#saveSelfie (Keep It Alive: Hint Hint Netflix/Amazon/TBS) At Least I Can Try
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
Seattle Asian American Film Festival: Feb 12-15
Tuesday, February 10, 2015
Get.Tix.Check.The.Films @ www.seattleaaff.org.
Amazon Insta Watch: Katie Leung + One Child
Tuesday, February 10, 2015
I was curious to see what Katie Leung has been up to since the Harry Potters so I checked into IMDB and the now 27 year-old last starred in UK's "One Child" which can be seen on Amazon now.
Red Bands, Trailers, Straight Outta Compton, N.W.A., And Fuck Tha Police (Now That Was Some Shit)
Tuesday, February 10, 2015
If you think about a film in relation to movements, even if not the whole film itself, this is a little more my speed and time.
Take it any way you have to take it.
Viet Am Jason Dinh Doesn't Get The Death Penalty
Monday, February 09, 2015
I'm not trying to judge or anything...but sometimes you have to know your limits and taking out a loan for 20K at the casino (after you already lost your stash) and then losing it and saying yes to being a drug mule in Vietnam to repay that debt (if that's truly what happened...) - well - I'd say that's past my limit...and most other people's as well.
The People’s Supreme Court on Friday ordered cancellation of the capital punishment for Dinh Jason, a 42-year-old Vietnamese American, who appealed the sentence given to him by the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Court on April 22, 2014, according to VnExpress.
Dinh was charged with “illegally transporting drugs” pursuant to Article 194 of the Penal Code.
After reviewing the case file, the Supreme Court requested the investigation agency to re-probe it and determine the exact volume of heroin carried by Dinh as an important basis for conviction.
Using Chipotle For Bad, UT Austin Frats, Being That First Black Officer, And The Oneida Indian Nation’s Yellow Brick Road Casino
Monday, February 09, 2015A quick roundup of some race infused stories:
Chipotle apologizes for racist tweets during Twitter hack: What will the crazy people think of next? Is nothing sacred? If life has taught us anything, it's that food should never be used for evil.
Orting officer claims workplace racism: If it were up to me I don't think I would stay either and when this is what happens with your first Black officer...is there really going to be a second (because who wants to put themselves out there like that)?
UT-Austin Frat Under Fire For Racist 'Border Patrol' Party: This just doesn't surprise me...and it never seems to get better because every year there's always someone doing something...sigh...
Tribe fighting Redskins name plans ‘Oz’ casino despite author’s racist past: Just an interesting dichotomy going on here...
#AAPIhealth Matters: #GetCovered by February 15
Monday, February 09, 2015I get ya - I've done it myself and been w/o health insurance because I figured I could get away with it and it would mean I could use that money for other things - but - current options didn't exist - we have new ones now.
Get some knowledge - http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2015/02/09/aapihealth-matters-getcovered-february-15
Tom Huang's Unusual Targets: A Hit Man Specializing In Supernatural Beings (Like Vampires And Werewolves)
Monday, February 09, 2015
From writer and director Tom Huang, if you haven't caught the Web Series Unusual Targets - now is your chance.
"...a supernatural comic book-noir web series that follows the story LEE LIN, a man learning the family business... that being a hit man specializing in very unusual targets. Starring Teddy Chen Culver, Jaycie Dotin, Joyce Liu and Elise Cantu, catch this premiere episode, then look out every Tuesday for weekly episodes of Season 1."
Here's a little more from Tom Huang:
"It’s a comic book style show which features something rare in Hollywood today: an Asian-American hero lead. Teddy Chen Culver (“Eat With Me”) plays Lee Lin, a guy trying to learn the family business of being a hit man… a hit man specializing in supernatural beings like vampires and werewolves...The show is shown in weekly 10-minute webisodes, and is now in the second half of its first season. It provides an unique experience within the popular creature-show genre: a black and white presentation, with a retro, 40’s horror film/film noir look."
For more information check out the site @ www.unusualtargets.com and the youtube channel @ www.youtube.com/channel/UCOxbq8a-UF-bEF5NmmNHB9g
Go Go Grace Rowe (AKA IndieGoGo + A Msg To Asian Americans)
Monday, February 09, 2015Got sent in some info from writer, actor, director Grace Rowe and wanted to make sure and post up some of her projects.
Help Fund The IndieGoGo campaign for Virtually.
Here's her call for other Asian Americans to join her fight in Hollywood.
After Math: Random Thoughts On "Fresh Off The Boat" (AKA The Same But Different)
Monday, February 09, 2015
Some of my general non-coherent thoughts on ABC's FOB:
What's The Reason Not To Watch? There really is none. To see portions of our community mirrored in Prime Time - the cultural relevance of the show alone compels me to watch. The fact that I think it's funny and smart and has endearing characters should keep me going until Season 2 (because the cultural relevance alone can only keep it going for so long). Sure, it's early...
It Can't Be Everything To Everyone. Like anything else I can't look to FOB as the end all be all of everything in regard to reflection. 3rd/4th/5th gens, mixed race, transracial adoptees - this isn't their families - and that's okay because we are a diverse group and community who passionately talks about how we aren't joined at the hip. We have a lot of stories to tell just like everyone else (but it does go both ways too - see below).
Tiger Mommy. I loved Constance Wu and her transformation into the lock down laser focused mom, and I think in a lot of ways her character played in the gray versus all or nothing - which I think is important and central to her character not becoming a cardboard cutout stereotype. Is it possible that it does go the other way? Absolutely. So they have to be careful or they could turn off viewers.
He's Got A Girlfriend? One of the story lines I liked (mostly) was that Eddie's brother Emery slipped in to his new surroundings fairly easy and I liked to see the juxtaposition of how it's not always the same for every kid who's Asian American - because it can be different depending on age, school, etc. At the same time I can't help but feel they also glossed over some of the racial and xenophobic bias on those fronts as well (because we know it's not all.good.all.the.time and I'm sure little Emery had some issues fitting in didn't he?).
Oh Randall. I think he's perfect for this role and that's all I really have to say right now.
It's Still The Immigrant We're Still New To The Country Story. As much as I laughed and loved the two episodes and found mirrors from my own immigrant upbringing and my life as an Asian American (both as a kid and adult) even though in slightly different times - it's still the immigrant 1st & 2nd gen stories. From that view, when people tune in - if this is their taste of APIA-ness (which is also their own fault) - for that portion (versus the parts of the show that dealt with race in a great way) some of it is still the same - and I do wish we'd have an Asian American family on TV that was more like My Wife and Kids - because we do have 3rd/4th/5th gens, and we are just as much a piece of the American fabric as anyone else - embedded for many many years. I mean I love my immigrant stories - but I also want to see more and I think as much as it's great to see FOB on TV and what that means for APIA actors and people behind the scenes - it's okay to push for more. Again, FOB can't be everything to everyone - but with other APIA actors out there in diverse roles - I think we have to keep on pushing for that parity (and that's also one of the reasons I liked Selfie).
Black Americans Call Asian Americans Chink Too? While I hope they delve into this more, I'm glad they also showed how racial bias comes from all sides for Asian Americans because it starts that dialogue on Prime Time in another way about how complicated it can be for Asian Americans - being part of a community of color who shares that inequity with other groups of color, but also still being the other, outside of the Black and White communities who are linked together because of history. It's both push and pull.
I'm Pulling For A Few Seasons. I'll be crossing my fingers and hoping that I can buy seasons 1-4 in a few years.
David Choi "All I Need" Lyric Video
Wednesday, February 04, 2015
Not only do I like this song and the video lyrics are great, but just like seeing Mr. David Choi keep on doing what he's doing.
Taylor Swift's Next Single Is Going To Be "Style" And It Will Have Sung Kang Or Harry Shum Jr. In The Video As The Cool James Dean Guy???
Tuesday, February 03, 2015
Actually no.
Only 1/2 of that is true - but that's why I put in the question marks.
Three to be exact.
They symbolize my wants.
My needs.
James Dean cool as one of these two or someone similar in the pop of the pantheon of the juggernaut currently called 1989.
Because it would just be nice to see...
Desert, sand, cars, jean jackets, collars up, and little red dresses.
Steven Yeun + Having A Lot More Sex + I Just Like That Picture
Tuesday, February 03, 2015
1. Nice
To play comic relief in the beginning, to play 'plucky'—that was the adjective to use—and now, to be considered a romantic lead or a leader, I’ve been very fortunate to play that entire gamut. Even to speak on a further level, to be an Asian-American male and play that has been fantastic. Because we also have sex. In fact, per capita, we have a lot more sex. So, let’s just play it how it is! We know what we’re doing. And in all seriousness, in all honesty…2. Yeah - I like that green background too...
Pushing For Better Relationships Between Police And Asian Americans In Sin City
Tuesday, February 03, 2015Always good to read an article on how the police would like to reach out to the Asian American community to create better relationships between them. It's just important that the dialogue keeps on happening and that everyone is working on both sides.
Reporting crimes is a good thing.
Especially when the law is on your side.
Otherwise...
Orange County Board of Supervisors = Majority Asian American
Tuesday, February 03, 2015Sure...I can lament the Republicans...but...that's a post for another day...
Last week, Republican candidate Andrew Do, a Vietnamese-American attorney and former Garden Grove city council member was elected to the O.C. board by just 43 votes, narrowly beating a well-known Orange County Democrat, Lou Correa. Do, a native of Vietnam, fills the seat vacated when Janet Nguyen was elected to the state Senate in November. Also in November, Michelle Steel, a native of South Korea, and Lisa Bartlett, a U.S.-born Japanese-American, were elected to the board.
Let The Fresh Off The Boat Countdown Begin
Tuesday, February 03, 2015
Like everyone else I'm going to be parked right in front of the television watching tomorrow night's two episode premiere amid all the controversies and news and no matter what happens to this show it'll still be landmark simply because of what's already surrounded it and what it hopes to overcome from the top on down.
Can we actually have a sitcom on TV about an Asian American family that doesn't pander down to the lowest common denominator?
We'll see.
EWP + The 51% Preparedness Plan for the American Theatre
Monday, February 02, 2015This is definitely pretty cool and I wanted to make sure and get something posted up.
From the PR:
East West Players (EWP), the nation’s largest producing organization of Asian American artistic work and the longest-running professional theater of color in the country, is leading a “call to action” to the American Theatre demanding equity, diversity and inclusion affecting artistic and production personnel as well as programming for the communities they serve.
“The 51% Preparedness Plan for the American Theatre” is a vision statement authored by Tim Dang, EWP’s Producing Artistic Director, in response to the lack of diversity in theater. This plan is part of a larger effort by East West Players entitled “2042: See Change” to build a coalition of theatres and allies in preparing the American Theatre for 2042 when people of color are projected to become the majority of the population, according to the US Census in reports by the New York Times and Council of Urban Professionals.
“2042: See Change” is East West Players’ own diversity initiative, which recently concluded a submission process for a playwriting competition encouraging new work that reflects the dramatically changing American or transnational landscape. Other strategic efforts will be rolling out through the year, the 50th Anniversary of East West Players.
“The 51% Preparedness Plan for the American Theatre” was created as a platform for East West Players while attending the 2014 Theatre Communications Group National Conference in San Diego. This plan challenges American theatres to:
Commit to a goal, over the course of the next 5 years (to 2020), of reaching at least one of the following levels:
· 51% of your organization’s artists and production personnel (combined) will be PEOPLE OF COLOR; or
· 51% of your organization’s artists and production personnel (combined) will be WOMEN; or
· 51% of your organization’s artists and production personnel (combined) will be UNDER 35 years of age.
The entire “51% Preparedness Plan for the American Theatre” document is attached and can be found on the website www.2042seechange.org. The Plan notes that America's labor pools, audiences, and donors all are rapidly changing and if theaters don’t act now to address these changes, they risk becoming irrelevant or worse. Dang encourages theatres that feel they may not succeed with this aggressive call to action, to create their own diversity policy and to share it with other theatres. “Theatre is all about advancing the conversation with robust dialogue and different points of view,” said Dang. “All theaters can and should wrestle with coming up with a plan to measurably move the needle toward greater equity, diversity and inclusion in all that they do. Strict quotas are unlawful and none are called for. But to have no aggressive and accountable plan in place is to plan for failure and obsolescence.” The 51% Plan has already garnered support from various theatres and community organizations nationwide.
"I greatly applaud the efforts that are being made by my colleague Tim Dang and East West Players,” said Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director of the Pasadena Playhouse. “I have long believed that it is necessary to turn talk and discussion into genuine action in order to address the issue of diversity in our field. Comprehensive and dynamic commitment to that will be the only way to truly achieve the necessary changes, both onstage and off, that will allow our theatre companies to truly reflect the diversity of the communities that we serve at this moment in time."
"As our state and nation rapidly diversify, we support initiatives that help reflect those demographic shifts in our key cultural, educational and political institutions," said Stewart Kwoh, President and Executive Director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Los Angeles. "As champions of equal opportunity for marginalized communities, we applaud East West Players for its innovative campaign to encourage theaters to embrace youth, women and people of color who struggle for equitable access to opportunities in American theater."
“Inclusion is one of our core values at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, and our efforts to create true equity in our organization for artists, artisans and administrators are at the heart of all our work” said Bill Rauch, Artistic Director of Oregon Shakespeare Festival. “I am so grateful for Tim Dang's and East West Players' leadership with this bold call for specific measurements of progress. It will no doubt help make a significant difference in our national dialogue as a field.”
Alex Nogales, President and CEO of the National Hispanic Media Coalition, added, “This is another effort to diversify the entertainment industry by going directly to the source where many of our performers get their start, the theatrical stage. It is an action whose time has come, which has to be accelerated to reflect the diversity of our nation, of our stories and the outstanding talents of our performers.”
Other theaters that have endorsed the initiative:
A Noise Within
African Continuum Theatre Company
Ensemble Studio Theatre – New York
LA Women’s Shakespeare Company
Lark Play Development Center
Latino Theater Company operators of The Los Angeles Theatre Center
National Asian American Theatre Co.
Native Voices At The Autry
2g
National Black Theatre
Pasadena Playhouse
Playwrights’ Arena
Shakespeare By The Sea/Little Fish Theatre
The Movement Theatre Company
Theater Of The Offensive
Two Pence Theatre Company
Supporting Community Organizations:
American Indians in Film + Television
Asian Americans Advancing Justice—Los Angeles
Los Angeles LGBT Center
National Hispanic Media Coalition
OCA – Asian Pacific American Advocates
For the most updated list and more information on the initiative, visit 2042seechange.org or contact Leslie Ishii, Diversity Liaison at lishii@eastwestplayers.org.
Individuals available for interview regarding the 51% Preparedness Plan:
Tim Dang, Producing Artistic Director, East West Players
Leslie Ishii, Diversity Liaison, East West Players
Daniel M. Mayeda, Legal Counsel, East West Players, Co-Chair of the Asian Pacific American Media Coalition
Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director, Pasadena Playhouse
Stewart Kwoh, President and Executive Director, Asian Americans Advancing Justice
Alex Nogales, President and CEO, The National Hispanic Media Coalition
