Aziz, Aziz, Aziz + I Just Don't Know + But I Do + But I'm Thinking

I don't know what to think about everything on Aziz Ansari, the article down at babe.net, and the ensuing conversations that have been happening. I think there's a lot to this - and there's a lot that's valid - for and against Aziz Ansari and what happened that evening. I do know this though (as I'm still thinking through some other things).

1. The story is triggering for a lot of women - of all ages - and that should tell us something - and it is telling.

2. This wasn't sexual assault or rape. To say so denigrates victims of rape, sexual assault, and abuse. Period. If you feel defensive or angry at that statement, I understand, but it's true.

3. I'm not standing up for Aziz Ansari. I wasn't there. Not knowing, or trying to figure things out in my own mind (or for anyone else for that matter), doesn't equate to standing up for, or condoning anyone's actions.

4. If someone tells you no and that they're uncomfortable - that's the line. That's the limit. End of date - well - maybe?

5. There's personal responsibility we have to take. If we're uncomfortable we have to leave. In many normal cases and scenarios, we have the right to opt out.

6. As a man, is it right for me to say #5 in this context giving the pressures of society and patriarchy? I don't know - but I know I'm still thinking about this.

EDIT: Adding In Aziz Ansari's response here:

"In September of last year, I met a woman at a party. We exchanged numbers. We texted back and forth and eventually went on a date. We went out to dinner, and afterwards we ended up engaging in sexual activity, which by all indications was completely consensual," Ansari wrote in a statement obtained by CNN on Sunday.
"The next day, I got a text from her saying that although 'it may have seemed okay,' upon further reflection, she felt uncomfortable. It was true that everything did seem okay to me, so when I heard that it was not the case for her, I was surprised and concerned," Ansari's statement continued. "I took her words to heart and responded privately after taking the time to process what she had said."

On Stephane Gauger...

Last week I had heard the news that Stephane Gauger - Asian American and Vietnamese American filmmaker - had passed away in Saigon and while I didn't know him well, I did have the pleasure of corresponding with him in the past - and I just know he is and will be missed by so many people in the communities here and abroad in Vietnam. Anderson down at YOMYOMF wrote up a great post on his legacy and their friendship.

It's a beautiful read.

If you never have, I urge you to check out Stephane Gauger's work and his contributions to the Vietnamese, Asian American, and films communities.

You will be missed.

Hope you are kicking it in the Saigon above relaxing and having a beer.

You're A First: Aziz Ansari Gets Best Actor For Master of None (And Gets Bleeped Out)

Netflix email drop:

A night of firsts at the #GoldenGlobes ...

• Sterling K. Brown: first black actor to win for leading performance in a TV drama.
• Aziz Ansari: first Asian male actor to win best leading performance in a TV comedy.
• Oprah: first black woman to receive Cecil B. DeMille Award. pic.twitter.com/8JsbOTcxM4

— CNN (@CNN) January 8, 2018

People:

Ansari, in disbelief, took home the statue for best comedy actor in a television series during Sunday night’s award show for his role in Master of None.

“I genuinely didn’t think I was gonna win cause all the websites said I was going to lose,” Ansari, 34, said in his acceptance speech. “That would’ve been s—-y if I had lost two years in a row.”

The actor — who also created the show with collaborator Alan Yang — went on to talk about his acting skills.

Viet Goodness #8: Sambi + Như Cái Lò + DreamSteady

More dislikes than likes on the video (52K to 62K), but the reaction videos were the best.

Original



Overall I liked it.

Viet Goodness #7: Kevin Minh Allen’s "Go In Clean, Come Out Dirty"

No better way to say it than the publisher:

Clean, dirty, transformed—Kevin Minh Allen’s Go In Clean, Come Out Dirty puts a magnifying glass on what seems to be mere minutiae, elevating the smallness of details that build up into larger territories of home, belonging, and liminality. Allen paints pastoral landscapes in the U.S. and in Viet Nam on a canvas of clay, grass, trees, wind, roots, hilltops, and holes. The scenes frame a dual and fragmented identity for the Amerasian adoptee poet, who breathes urgency into the transience and legacy of war and resettlement. Allen brings the reader into the bellies of bomb craters and the mouths of rivers East and West. Grouped into three parts, the poems reveal the expectations and realities underneath the fossils of memory and mystery.

Pick it up @ https://www.rabbitfoolpress.com/products/go-in-clean-come-out-dirty.

Viet Goodness #6: Ưng Hoàng Phúc

Sure - everyone loves them some Sơn Tùng M-TP and some Soobin Hoàng Sơn - and that includes me too.

But I also gotta get me some Ưng Hoàng Phúc.

Silky.

Viet Goodness #5: Thu Thủy's "Hết Yêu"

*Apparently the video got de-listed already....check it out @ http://us.24h.com.vn/doi-song-showbiz/thu-thuy-trut-het-tam-can-hat-ve-hon-nhan-do-vo-c729a929453.html - keeping the embed up in case it comes back online...

On my playlist. On my playlist. On my playlist.

I mean - can you blame me?

No.

No you can't.

Viet Goodness #4: TOULIVER X LÊ HIẾU X SOOBIN HOÀNG SƠN - NGÀY MAI EM ĐI 2017

I think this comment says a lot about one of the smoothest vibes from last year:

OMG I love this song so much I will learn how to sing it ...I promise I'm Thai and never listen to Vietnamese song before.. Never expected it is this beautiful Jesus Christsake! Please recommend this type of Vietnamese song for me more pleaseeee

Sleep on us Viets and sleep with the cá - well you know - metaphorically speaking because you'll just miss out on a ton of great music.

Viet Goodness #3: Tóc Tiên (Best Asian Artist Vietnam 2017)

And why wouldn't she? Yeah - I know I know - but you've gotta make way for the new guard (well you know what I mean). Here's her acceptance speech down at MAMA Vietnam.

Viet Goodness #2: Bitcoin Heist

Kept me guessing until the end, and I was definitely loving the slick action sequences and comedy along the way - and while I wasn't sure about everything for her character - holy MF - Suboi is so good in this - forget up and coming - she's arrived.

Great cast, fun flick - what more do you want?

Viet Goodness #1: Bring It On 2018 + Made In Vietnam

I wanted to start off 2018 with some love to my Viets - one of the many great communities I get to call my own - here and all over the world, and do a set of posts about some of the things I've been loving, making me think, or just want to post about (and yeah - maybe a little music heavy here and there - but do your own list as I like to say xD).

So for the first post I wanted to send up some love to the MADE IN VIETNAM project (and hopefully a little more on this) which looks to have been germinating for a little bit, and has been out on Soundcloud:

“Made In Vietnam” là một tuyển tập những bài nhạc rap được sản xuất bởi A.P và Lac Su. Những nghệ sĩ tham gia đều là những nghệ sĩ hip hop đã thành danh và dành thời gian quý báu của họ ra để đóng góp cho album này. Thứ duy nhất Lac gợi ý cho những nghệ sĩ trước khi họ sáng tác là “Made In Vietnam có ý nghĩa gì với bạn?”. Những ca từ và câu chuyện được chia sẻ trên nền beat du dương độc đáo mang nhiều ngọt bùi đắng cay nhưng cũng đầy hi vọng. Những bài hát này giống như những cỗ máy thời gian đáng để hậu thế thưởng thức và nghiên cứu. Nếu thích cứ thoải mái chia sẻ album này. Ko có gì ngoài hoà bình và tình yêu dành cho các bạn.

“Made In Vietnam” is a collection of creative rap songs co-produced by A.P and Lac Su. The artists featured in this compilation are established hip hop artists. They have spared their valuable time to contribute to this album. The only premise Lac provided them for their deliverables was, “What does ‘Made In Vietnam’ mean to you?” The stories the artists shared through melodic and original beats produced by A.P are bitter-sweet, yet full of hope. These cherished songs are like time capsules to be enjoyed and studied by future generations to come. Please feel free to share this album. Peace and Love.

Peep it down @ https://soundcloud.com/lac/sets/made-in-vietnam-a-compilation