To Keep Pushing.

Currently Listening to: Wale – Letter ft. John Mayer

This song is awesome.  Seriously.  can’t stop listening to it.  Attention Deficit drops in like.. 2 weeks?  Whenever 11.10.2009 is.

To whom it may concern
I refuse to be another being on this earth
I’m breathing for a purpose
I wanna be the centerpiece of my entire culture
and I’ve been thinking ’bout you ’cause you’ve done such
by doing such, I get a pen and paper
write you a letter ’cause you are appreciated
I’m dreaming to be great while workin’ on my mistakes
you promised us change, I’m doin’ the same thing

By far the most interesting thing that happened this week was the Cool Kids visit.  They are awesome live.  They basically rocked all of Bake Sale, half of Gone Fishing, and two tracks off When Fish Ride Bicycles.. WHATTT??!  You can strike that off the bucket list.  Gotta focus on visiting Lambeau now.

On a different note:  I had one major project this fall break, and that’s Fil-I-Am, the annual benefit concert out at Pitzer College, and I basically spent 48 hours watching football and working on three different posters.  One of them just got printed on Quest Crew’s website, which is sort of nice.  I mean they have to in that there aren’t any other posters, so it doesn’t validate the quality, but its nice that the stuff is out there.

Check it out:

http://www.questcrew.com/quest-events/filiam-benefit-showcase-ft-quest-crew/

The event is on Thurs, October 29th, 2009.  Doors will open at 6:30.

click.

Perhaps there’s hope for me yet.

To Take a Step Back.

Currently Listening to: Underoath – Some Will Seek Forgiveness, Others Escape

I used to love this song… well I still do, but I don’t listen to it as much as I should.

Today was one of those days where, living through it, it seemed somewhat unspectacular until you take the time to reflect on it a little bit.  It’s fall break and I’m just trying to recollect myself for a second push through first semester.  For some reason, I feel kind of sad that it’s fall break, mostly because I want to keep pushing, keep going, and carry through until the semester’s over, and this seems more like a hindrance then a welcome relief.

Anyway, woke up from about 4 hours of sleep to go to eat lunch with the extended fam.  Donald came back from HK, and it’s probably the first time I’ve seen him in about 30 months, that was pretty exciting.  Had some delicious pho.  Finished up, headed home and started watching some college football games.  UT v. OU, USC v Notre Dame, Florida v. Arkansas.  Those were three beautiful games… Headed over to Stanley’s house to Halo a little bit and then headed out to Daikokuya for RAMENN!!. I love Daiko, I’ve said this a couple of times, but if I had to choose a last meal, Daiko Ramen w/ salmon roe rice bowl might be it.  Got back to see the epic ending to Game 2 of the ALCS.  How is A-rod so clutch all of a sudden?    Headed home, chilled for a bit and then some more Halo at Stan’s.    I don’t know, it’s just good to surround yourself with good people.

To Look up in the Sky.

Currently Listening to: Lupe Fiasco ft. Matthew Santos – Shining Down

Today was one of those days where you’re like, “I want to be back here again and again.”  It was one of those days that was awesome like no other.  One that you look forward to, look back upon and always wonder how much more awesome it could/’ve been.  It’s one where you have no regrets and all the regrets in the world.

A week ago, I saw that Far*East Movement was going to share the stage with Talib Kweli and Lupe Fiasco.  I almost did a double take…. LUPE FIASCO AND TALIB KWELI?  Now the guys of FM are my heroes, they really are.  They NEVER fail to impress and today was no different… Jumping off a plane to perform in front of a crowd of 6000?  That’s not easy.  But Lupe Fiasco probably saved my life.  His music picked me up when I was at my lowest in high school, he made me realize that my life isn’t really that bad, but he also made me realize how small I am in the greater scheme of things.  It didn’t mean I didn’t matter, the opposite in fact.  It just meant that I had to keep pushing.

To be fair, I feel sort of guilty.  I feel like I used FM.  Then again, this pays back a hundred fold all the work I’ve done for them.  Not that I needed any sort of reimbursement or reward.  They are the coolest of the cool and the best of the best.

On to the day at hand.  I woke up early, at like 9:20 just giddy.  I was jumping up and down, breathing just to relax, and trying to get some nerves out.  I ate an egg, it was pretty delicious.  at 10:30, Diana came over and we drove over to Cal State Northridge.  Nothing serious, we got there, parked, waited for FM to get there and then it sort of hit me.. WE GOT ALL ACCESS PASSES.  I could go ANYWHERE.  I could go backstage WHENEVER I WANT.  It was just sort of a surreal moment.  we set up the merch booth and just hung out for a bit, sold a bit of stuff (FM needs to get their name out more. I was really surprised at how many people knew Girls on the Dancefloor but NOT FM) and ate some Don Chow’s.  It was decently delicious but kind of sloppy.  FM got on, did their thing, a good amount of people in the crowd got really into it.  They stepped off and then Kev gave Diana the call where they were leaving and we didn’t have to do merch anymore.  Awesome.

That meant we would be able to stay backstage the rest of the afternoon and watch Talib and Lupe.  To be honest, I was tired at that point and didn’t really want to wait for Talib AND Lupe.. I was contemplating leaving, or at least leaving for a little bit and then coming back for Lupe.. BUT THEN WE FOUND OUT THAT LUPE WAS COMING ON FIRST!.  I just sat there for about 10 minutes.  It was the most exciting 10 minutes of my ENTIRE LIFE.  My mind was just racing. holyshitholyshitholyshitholyshit lupe is coming lupe is coming lupe is coming. wow wow wow wow.  I’m going to see him walk by in about 3 minutes.  I was literally a fan boy at heart.  I controlled myself by NOT wearing my Lupe t-shirt and NOT bring my camera.   And then he came on, in this like tan jacket and jeans and this awesome Jack Purcell’s.  I  nudged Diana and was like, “that’s him in the tan.”  He met some people, gave some hugs and got ready by himself, silent prayer, gathering thoughts, and got on stage.  First song was a Justice mix of “The Instrumental”.. I sort was just star struck after that.. I think there was another song before he went into a freestyle of a Ice Cube track?  I can’t remember what it was, and then ran with “Run this Town”  It was awesome.  like AWESOME. AND THEN IT WAS “CRS’s EVERYBODY NOSE”.  ALL THE GIRLS STANDING IN THE LINE FOR THE BATHROOOOMMMM.

I’m doing this off memory for the rest but it went a little like.  “Hip Hop Saved My Life”  I mean its my favorite song of all time.  ALL TIME.  “Go Go Gadget Flow”, “I Gotcha”, “Little Weapon”  “Streets on Fire”, “Kick Push” and then…. “SHINING DOWNNNNN!”  awesome live. no auto tune, which makes it better. Celebrated by singing happy birthday to Talib Kweli and then finished off solid with “DAYDREAMIN’”  Solid drum solo at the end where he got the crowd all into it and shit.  It was awesome.  HE. WAS. RIGHT. THERE.

“Peace and much love to ya”, and he was gone, walking back to his tent and peacing out.   I’ve never been so star-struck in my life.  It was the most awesome day of my life.  Seriously just. wow.  That really just happened.  I wasn’t dreaming.

One of the only pics we took, couldn't be that big of a fan boy in front of some VIP's.

To head to the APAM retreat

Currently Listening to: Jay Z – Real as it Gets

I’m a bit late on this.  Friday-Saturday was pretty eventful.

APAM mentee retreat started off with the bus being about 45 minutes late (awesome!) but we got there in time to lay out the house and head to the beach, where we ran a couple of icebreakers (really, really fun.. Justine and Chantal did a really good job) but also did a really good workshop.  Got to know a lot of people and I think it really mellowed spirits and set the tone for the rest of the evening.  We got back and had SUPER delicious dinner (thanks to everyone that cooked!) of Pasta, meatballs, salad, and garlic bread. yum.  After it was the race workshop, which ran okay (kind of random and the path i wanted people to walk got.. revealed.. a bit early, but nonetheless productive) and then Harold and Kumar goes to Guantanimo Bay.  I forgot how hilarious that movie is.  NPH is bomb.  After we just hung out a bit and watched Finding Forrester, again, an awesome movie.  TV kind of kills relationships in that you don’t really talk,  but thats okay.  I ended up getting 3 hours of sleep before breakfast and the relationship/appreciation web… Bus back was eventful, saw Rose Hills and got a bit emotional.

Hung out with Koko and Jessica for a bit to run some errands and then headed back home to watch the UT vs. TT game.  Feel asleep before heading out to Kev Yau’s house to see some TAF people.  Got Boiling Crab and it. was. DE.LI.CIOUS.  Awesome hanging out with TAF’ers.  Got Konjac after, that place on valley is mediocre.

Sunday was football day.  Pack lost.  Fantasy went 1-3.  To say it went bad is an understatement.

Just finished skyping with Jessica Shen.  I miss my co-co .  It was just great to talk to her though.  Got a lot of feelings to sort out.  Something about me and my priorities and .. ‘friends’ I should keep.  etc.   Its kind of an awesome feeling, but it also kind of sucks.

To see an Arctic Monkeys Live (and not do homework)

Currently Listening to: Arctic Monkeys – When the Sun Goes Down

I’m so sad that they didn’t play this song tonight. so so sad.

I’ll cut right to the chase.  I headed to LA at around 4:15 with the awesome Helen Kim.  We arrived at around 5:00 to a lineless Daikokuya. YES. RAMEN. DELICIOUS RAMEN.  from the salad, to the rice bowl, to the pork, green onions, and bean sprouts. It is literally my favorite food in the world right now.

We wander for a bit after dinner because we have time to burn, so Little Tokyo site seeing!  I go to the market place and grab some gummy candy and hi-chews. awesome.

Head over to the Hollywood Paladium to a line thats around the block and then some.  Call tinman and Bingham, because the last time I saw an Arctic Monkeys concert, it was with them (and chip).  I miss those guys.  The Like opens, an all girl band that has an awesome drummer, but nothing else.  It was one of those love at first sound kind of things.

They drop out, and the Monkeys come on.  The first thing you notice is their hair. like all of them.  It’s crazy and different.  They started with stuff from Humbug, but hit up some Favourite Worst Nightmare and But they’ve really matured as a group.  Highlight of my night was the View from the Afternoon.  That song live never gets old.  NEVER.  Anyway, they’re starting to add variety to their sound and their songs really do tell a story.  It has to grow on you, both Helen and I agreed on the drive back that listening to the album after hearing them live just makes it ten times better.  You can recognize the sound and songs and its not a conglomerate of mess.   I really like it.

btw. I totally have the hots for Alex Turner.

That ISA is bomb.

Currently Listening to: Jay – Z ft. Pharrell – So Ambitious

First of all, I feel like I’ve been writing a lot of these, which really sucks because “these” represent an end of a period of my life.  (or in the case of TAF, the end of a great period of bliss and joy).  This is actually a really strange moment for me, in the sense that I know I’m moving on, and I’m excited to be moving on, but to know that I won’t see so many people for such a long time just makes me sad.

Let’s just go over the awesome and pain that was my day, September 6th, 2009, AKA ISA LA 2009.

10:00 wake up, shower, watch some West Wing (Season 5) in which Toby Ziegler manages to save Social Security (proof that Sorkin-less West Wing is just ridiculous.

11:30 Go to Chris’ house and then head over to Vietnam house for some PHO NOOODLE!!! delicious.  Got pork with spring roll vermicelli.  great on a hot day.

12:15 return to Chris’ house, pick up the car and head over the San Gabriel Mission Playhouse

12:50 park my car and see the people are already lined up. (WTF?!), head through the back and I see Ryan Oka and Chris Oka, awesome.  See James and say hi, (haven’t seen the FM guys in awhile) and meet Esna and Mama D.  In the next 10 hours, they will be two of the six most awesome people in my life. (the others being Christina, Diana, Jane, and Linda)

1:30  Meet Diana, talk over some stuff, head over to the Hilton to pick up GLP.  They have awesome British accents.   Hand out t-shirts too/meet all the volunteers (a conglomerate of 4C the power, UCLA volunteers, USC volunteers from some org (I forget) and FM Street Team).  See Linda, which is a good thing. See Jane Yoo, which is (always) a very good thing.  yay.

The next 7 hours or so is a blur.  I will summarize/guestimate to the best of my ability

2-4  Handed a walkie talkie, run around unloading stuff w/ Ted Wes and Phil for ISA merch, moving tables, setting up, delegating, figuring out things for will call/VIP/merch booths, get made fun of my Brian Fabello for having a walkie talkie, see the great and wonderful Judy Huang, who doesn’t make fun of me, unlike Brian Fabello.

4:33 realize that two people who are supposed to be manning the will call booth about 3 minutes ago are still in Hacienda Heights and USC.  Person in Hacienda Heights has to pick up person in USC and then come to SGV.  Bomb.

4:35  Mama D saves my ass, hands me two volunteers and I get things rolling, hand them list and instructions as I run around like chicken with its head cut off getting merch, money, and materials to the places that need them.  Forget about tickets for will call booth.. for like 30 minutes. FAIL

5:00 Find out that people are on the list but don’t have tickets, people who aren’t on the list that are with little kids, people who lost their tickets in San Jose but have “proof” of purchase.  My life sucks.  I hate having to bother Diana but I have no choice.  Josie drops a text, and BOOM. SHE’S THERE. YAY. JOSIE! makes my day.  I subsequently see Andrew Mai.  TWO LOVEBOATERS IN ONE DAY. IT CAN’T GET ANY BETTER!. until. JASMINE QUAN LIU AND BRYAN YOUNG. awesome.  Kev and Jae float around AWESOME. Sunny says hi to me.  She’s officially my favorite mentee (that’s not part of my mentee group).  doors open. chaos.  Sneak Christina Chou and Jon Lee past the line, they’re my heroes.  CMC’ers and Scrippsies follow.  Johnny Ko, Teresa Wen, Tina Hsu, and Emi Sawada.  Yay.

6:00 People are all in, a couple will call people trickle in.  Life resumes to being semi normal.  People watch shows, etc.  I am running off adrenaline and caffeine at this point.  My mind is a blur.  Sorry life.  David Chin tells me Enzo has moved to the Philippines.  dumbstruck.  It definitely doesn’t help me with my current mental situation.

7:00ish    Hang out with Calista Wu, Jon Lee, and Christina Chou.  Begin to realize this is my last day with some Plan C people.  Sadness begins.

7:30 Working, but find time to talk to Eric Leong, meet his brother as I bring him to the booths.  Sadness continues.

8:00 FM goes on, I watch part of it as I sneak away from work.  It is legendary.  Now this is the highlight of the night.  I’ve seen these guys perform about 10-12 times now, but they never cease to amaze.  The saddest thing is that this is probably the last possible time I see them in a long long time, and as such, I start to think about my impact on them and on the community, and more importantly, my impact on their growth (albeit minimal).

8:30.  Grab sharpies, walk over to artists area, walk w/ them to meet and greet everyone.  I am star struck, which is weird because I work with half of these artists.  Here are the 20+ performers at ISA right now.  Wow.

10:00? Group picture, running around to clean stuff up.  Ryan tells me that Tom thanked me at the end, it was a humbling moment.

11:00 head to KT.  Grab food w/ Diana, Esna, Christina, Jane, Linda, Judy, Kev, Jae, David Choi, Kina Grannis, and others (memory fades) .  I have never ate such delicious bad food, I am ridiculously hungry.

12:00 Say goodbye to volunteers, the Oka’s, Kev, Jae, Diana, Jane, Linda, and Brian.  Sadness ensues.

1:15 Arrive at CMC.  life is both good and bad.

At this point, my mind is incoherent.  This post is going to be a vicious blur that I don’t remember and will have to re-read 30 times.  I just wanted to give a quick shout out to a couple people I’ve been blessed to work with.

FM – You guys are just awesome.  The drive you guys have and the work you guys put in is just inspiring.  I stuck with this internship so long because I wanted to help, as much as I can, as little as I can,  you guys reach your goals and drive you to succeed because you guys deserve it.  I say this a lot to people, but keep doing what y’all are doing because the more people you reach out to, the better our world becomes.   I was so surprised at how loyal and appreciative you guys are of the people who celebrate you, not your fans, but each individual fan.

Kev -  officially the nicest guy in the world, truly enjoys his work and wholly appreciates each connection he makes..

James – so dedicated and motivated, ridiculously smart, a true inspiration.

Jae – Cooler than the other side of the pillow.  Soulful and passionate.

The second part of the equation comes from everyone who works to make FM/Plan C work.  In addition to just being great at what you do, you guys are truly genuine people who I’m happy to call friends.

Jane – the one who gave me the opportunity to do all the things and meet all these people.  She personifies awesome. (good luck @ your job!)

Diana – the lifeblood behind FM these last couple of months.  Without her, the group would fail.  Amazing.  She deserves so much more credit.

Judy, Brian, Ryan, Elliot and Jaimie -  Awesome people I’ve been able to work with, laugh with, and spend time with.

Christina – great great great great great person.  great friend. great mentor. great role model. my hero.

Eric – great guide towards the industry and all the functions behind it, showed me just how much work is necessary to gain little steps or progress and success.  Just cool to hang out with.

Tom – Just a blast to hang out with, always knows how to have fun, always a pleasure to work with.

Linda – The calm and level headed one who always pulls through, no matter what.  just special.

I will do a self reflection later.  Class is in 7 hours. must sleep.

That it was one of those Weekends.

Currently Listening to: Far*East Movement – 2 is Better

It was just one of those weekends.  Got to hang out with a couple of frien ds from SM.. grabbed some delicious food, played a lot of Halo.. Last weekend with Calvin, Leo, Mike, Jeff, Stanley, Harrison, Eddy, and others… Nice to see Chris, hang out with him for a couple of hours and stuff.  Awesome to hang out with TAF crew.. see Hochie, Christina, Jon, and meet new people.  It was just one of those weekends that you’re sad it had to end, and you can’t write much about it because it’s something personal.. y’know?

To Recap the Fast & Furious Workshop on Racism

Currently Listening to: Fabolous ft. Jeremiah – It’s My Time

NOTE: This post is written for the TAF blog as a recap for the Fast and Furious workshop.  See the post here.

I’m re-posting this because I wanted to give credit to where credit is due.  Shout outs to: Ann Wu, Justin Yang, Jon Lee, Christina Chou, Kevin Yau, and Hochie Tsai for making this workshop possible.  I might be forgetting some people, especially from TAFMedia who might have done some things for this.

—

You always have to be careful when you talk about race because you don’t want to understate it to a point where it becomes seemingly insignificant.  But you also don’t want to overstate it to the point where you radicalize, dichotomize, or otherize  your audience.  Therefore, to maintain that balance in this year’s JH program, Ann Wu, Justin Yang, and myself focused on three major goals in our Fast and Furious workshop about race: understanding stereotypes,  breaking down social barriers, and reaffirming the campers’ self-identity.

With stereotypes, we wanted the campers to discuss moments in their lives where they’ve been stereotyped, but we also wanted them to understand that they consciously or subconsciously use stereotype themselves.  We began by having the campers list Asian American or Taiwanese American stereotypes in their small group, and then compiling it into a big list for everyone to see.  By having a tangible list, it allowed small groups to confront stereotyping and personal experiences with stereotypes more easily. Bringing it full circle, we also wanted the JH campers to acknowledge that while they were victims of stereotyping, they also stereotyped as well.

To do that, we showed pictures of men like Josef Mengele, Nelson Mandela, MIA, and others and let each camper shout out what their first impression of each person was.  After we showed all the pictures, we would reveal who each person is and what they had done.  Each person would have a list of accomplishments opposite of what their stereotype was.  For example, one picture we used was that  of General John L. Dewitt.  Imagine a stoic general in full uniform and the adjectives associated with that picture.  The campers responded to that picture with words like “honorable”, “patriotic”, “proud”, and “general” only to find out later that General Dewitt was a huge proponent and organizer of Japanese Internment in World War II, his famous quote being “A Jap is a Jap, whether or not he is an American Citizen.”  Not very patriotic or honorable at all.

To break down social barriers, we showed a video compiled by Jon Lee, Christina Chou, Ho Chie Tsai, Justin Yang, and myself of famous Asian/Taiwanese Americans in the entertainment industry.  We compiled a list of questions about stereotyping and social barriers for Musician Dawen Wang, Hip Hop Group Far*East Movement, Producer Karen Lin, Actor/Writer/Producer Will Tiao, and the writers of Asian American focused comic book Secret Identities.

In a “Post-Obama” world, many people think that all the social barriers for women or racial minorities have been torn down.  Even the campers have the same impression as many of the JH students in my small group thought that social progress for many Taiwanese Americans was “good” or at least “getting better.”  However, while these speakers in the video are Asian American pioneers and leaders in the entertainment industry, many of the campers admitted that they didn’t know any of these entertainers.  Asian American representation in the media is still heavily based on stereotypes and that shows that, if anything,  America has a misconception about race relations in our modern world.  The recent arrest of Professor Henry Louis Gates and the backlash that followed reveals that perfectly.  We wanted to make sure that our campers realized some of these barriers still exist, and that there is still much room for progress and growth.

Finally there’s identity reaffirmation.  We wanted to make sure that the campers saw themselves as Asian or Taiwanese American, but only in a smaller scope of their greater identity.  Many times I’ve seen people radicalize or otherize their experience as Asian Americans and ostracize themselves from the greater community.  It was important that they understand that they are more than an Asian American boy or girl.  While we all share cultural backgrounds, each individual has a different path and a different identity that is beyond race, gender, socioeconomics, and so on.  It is critical for us to embrace our culture or heritage, but only in terms of our greater autonomous identity.

All of the counselors came away with the experience feeling confident about the JH campers ability to comprehend some of the issues.  Other issues, we realized, would be better resolved by time than by discourse.  Overall, we were amazed by the maturity of the JH campers in discussing such issues; I know for a fact that I was not thinking or talking about such issues at such a level at their age.

However, the discussion doesn’t stop there.  The pursuit for great social equality is an ever-evolving process that melds with a greater society.  To keep up with that, I recommend TAFers read and educate themselves as much as possible.  Blogs are a great medium for people of all ages to do just that.  A couple recommendations:  Angryasianman is a blog that updates its readers on the most recent news in the greater Asian American community.  Disgrasian is a social commentary blog by two ladies who post about things from politics to fashion.  Slant Eye for the Round Eye is a blog focused on but not specific to Asian America and its role in the media.  8asians is a community blog where a handful of Asian Americans (including myself) from all different backgrounds and places that post about anything and everything pertaining to Asia America.  And finally, for an open discussion on greater issues of race, one should visit Racialicious.

To watch District 9

Currently Listening to: India Arie ft. Akon – I Am Not My Hair

I was hooked onto the movie the minute I realized that the bus bench I see everytime I commute was an advertisement for a movie… produced by Peter Jackson.  That’s all it took.  It’s viral marketing at its best.  The websites are more innovative and inspired than the ones that were sprung for The Dark Knight (which was amazing).  Still, the selling point for every movie is that movie is/will be a critical and commercial hit, simply because it couples a sizable amount of action with great character development.

–spoilers start here and will run throughout the post–

District 9 is, at its most fundamental level, a movie about race (more specifically apartheid), human rights, and the social effects of otherization and dehumanization.  It also touches briefly on the issue of PMC’s and philosophies on the War on Terror and torture.  It’s also an action movie, filled with inherent plot holes and questions that can only (hopefully) be answered by the sequel.  I want to address all of these issues, but I’m going to jump back and forth, and it might seem incoherent and rambling: a warning.

Onto the task at hand.  I’m surprised that Racialicious hasn’t touched on the subject, probably because the social criticism is so open and blatant throughout the movie.  It’s clearly a movie about Apartheid; it’s set in South Africa.. the name “District 9″ is a play off “District 6“, the living conditions and perhaps the hopelessness of many of the ‘prawns’ reflects that of ‘non-whites’ during the Apartheid era.

It does beg a couple of questions.  If the ‘prawns’ are so repressed, why was there never any talk of a violent uprising, when they seem to have the weapons and numbers to do so?  To speculate, the actions of the ‘prawns’ seem somewhat irrational and therefore they aren’t conscientious or repressed enough to revolt.  For one, they have their catfood, albeit at exorbitant prices, and for the most part, live in an arguably manageable world.  It could be that, as hypothesized in the movie, that without leadership the “worker” prawns live in a State of Nature, and therefore do not care about ‘prawn’ well being as a whole but simply individualistic well being.   It still doesn’t explain why ‘prawns’ TRADE weapons for food instead of USE weapons for food, unless of course they’re pacifists or, due to some ‘prawn’ caste system, cannot use the weapons.

Still, plot holes only reflect that the movie is an action film, and almost all action films have major plot holes.

Another issue with the film, and this is not a personal criticism but more one from the NYPress’ Armond White, is that it is an inadequate portrayal of Apartheid history.  I don’t know enough about the history to say if this is an adequate analysis, but an interesting one nonetheless.

It does bring into question a greater criticism I have with the social message of  the film.  For one, the movie puts the ‘prawns’, the metaphor for racial minorities, into a state of social limbo.  They are lower than humans but higher than animals.  At one point during the UMC tests on Wikus, he states that he does not want to fire on a ‘prawn’ and instead will shoot another pig or cow.  That puts the ‘prawns’ at a social status above our standard animals, probably because on some level humans understand that they are a rational and intelligent species; how else do you explain the ‘prawn’ technology, which is far superior to that of humans?  The problem then is how they justify the vicious treatment of the ‘prawns’, and therfore “racial minorities”.  They simply otherize them.

It digs deeper.  The leading UMC mercenary, who is killed at the very end by various ‘prawns’ is more the monster than say Christopher Johnson is.  Therefore the non-humans are actually more human than the humans themselves, in that there is no registered act of brutality or evil by any of the ‘prawns’.  Torture is conducted by the humans.  Humans experimented with weapons on ‘prawns’, not the other way around.  Humans are the ones that are committing executions.  The evolution of Wikus goes from human to ‘prawn’, and his understanding of the world is better.  He is the hero, and he becomes more of a hero as he becomes more ‘prawn’.  Christopher Johnson is the only character throughout the movie with no lapse in judgment or vices, CJ Jr doesn’t have any as well (but its childhood innocence).  Christopher, after seeing the effects of experiments, doesn’t claim to seek revenge for his people, but simply to save them.  It’s a role reversal.  Those the humans dehumanize are actually the good to the humans’ evil, and the animalistic ‘prawns’ while vicious, simply seek to survive not to commit evil.

What Blomkamp and Jackson could have been doing is just showing how tragic the process of otherization and dehumanization is.  Therefore the film is inherently an argument against such a process… and it touches on various hot topics, specifically that of torture, terrorism, crime, and gun control. I hear arguments all the time that “criminals deserve to be punished because they committed some atrocious crime” or that “Jews deserve to die because they killed my family” or that “we can torture all Arabs because the sacrifice of some is worth it for the protection of many”.   You see the problem with this mentality within the movie;  after Christopher Johnson leaves, many people speculate that he will return and wage war against the humans.  Why?  Because they know that war is justifiable.  Wouldn’t you want revenge if you were in the ‘prawns’ shoes?  Instead of attacking the source of crime (and therefore not criminals) or terrorism (and therefore not terrorists), American society does dehumanize and otherize individuals.  For the sake of time and length, I don’t want to get to into it, but How To Win a Cosmic War by Reza Aslan addresses the issue more thoroughly and I advise people to at least skim it.

Anyway, I’m going to rant a little and vent.  This topic reminded me of criminal justice and gun control in that I recently read an article, shared onto facebook by a conservative out at Berkeley (that narrows it down).  I’m really tempted to share his name and the link just to show how stupid his argument is, but I refrain.  It basically tries to justify gun control for protection (fair), but the people I were debating with went on to say that the dehumanization of criminals and terrorists is justified because they committed atrocious acts.  As if torture and capital punishment aren’t atrocious acts within themselves.  I would get into more, but I don’t want to bash people.

Essentially, I think the movie does both  a really good and a really poor job in its portrayal of dehumanization and its effects.  I say that because, simply, the ‘prawns’ aren’t human, and it might even justify, to some people, why we should dehumanize.  This really is a motif that I can see easily fly over people’s heads, despite it being so “in your face.”

One last thing.  PMC’s are bad.  I could write more about why this is so, but I don’t want to make this any longer.  Maybe another time.

To teach a bunch and to learn a whole bunch more.

Currently Listening to: 許茹芸 – 一有爱就走吧

This is part two (probably of a two part, potentially three part) of my TAF appreciation.  The first one was dedicated to JH  staff and can be located here.

It’s weird because I can’t tell what TAF did to change me.  I just know I changed.  Maybe I’ve become less goal orientated, and now am just more focused on the experience.  I used to think my goals were just and legit and that I had to achieve them, ignoring everything else around me.  I take that back;  I still do think they’re legit.  Now, I just think how I reach those goals is more important.  I also know that I’m more “bipartisan?” or introspective now;  I can better understand where people are coming from and why they do things.  At least I think I do.  I also realize that TAF will only carry me so far, because the world around me is already trying to pull me down.  TAF really is a magical world where you fly up to a beautiful castle in the sky.

I was tempted to start by saying that people at TAF all put up a facade of happiness and joy.  But the more I think about, the more authentic these people are.  We are a victim to our environment and TAF just happens to let us be ourselves.  Too many times I’m drawn into Social Contract theory or watching the world corrode itself away that I forget that human nature, at its very core, is and always will be good.  Okay so there are exceptions, but I mean they’re rare.  TAF doesn’t force people to put on a mask, it allows them to take off the mask the world forces on them.  That’s why I’m eternally grateful.

–

I am thoroughly amazed by each and every JH camper who sat through TAF this year.  As a counselor one is supposed to teach, guide, and… well… babysit these kids for a week but none of that was truly necessary.  They all understood complex and intangible ideas perfectly; not only that they remembered it after the week was over.  It’s one thing to understand something, but to remember it and keep it within your personal values as a junior high student?  That’s a whole different story.  Their maturity and comprehension for tough topics was astonishing, not to mention that they were willing to listen and understood the tone of each moment perfectly.  I could take that and say that I/we are bomb counselors, but I honestly don’t think that’s the case.  I truly believe that these kids are extremely talented and special.

I promised the Turkey Subs an epic note and letter, but I’ve run it through a couple times in my head and written out a few rough drafts (that’s why it’s taken so long) and they all seem underwhelming.  Instead I think I’ll just do what I did for the JH staff and write blatantly and openly from the heart.

This might be a little long, so do me a favor and do a little smurf dance before you read.  Thanks :]

CINCO

Ada – I have so many bruises on my shins right now, its not even funny.  That’s just intolerable cruelty.  First, I’d like to say that you better come back next year.  If you don’t my shins will heal and there won’t be anyone to hurt them, which is unacceptable.  I’d like to think that you had at least a little fun?  (at least it seemed like you had a lot of fun!)  I mean I don’t see why anyone WOULDN’T want to come back right?  At the very least, I’ll always be here if you need someone to talk to or want to vent or something.  Okay, so maybe sometimes I only ACT like I’m listening, but for you I’ll make an exception.

You absorb everything around you like a sponge, and nothing leaks.  I think Roger and all the counselors threw things at all the campers one after another  and you never budged.  Some people spaced out or lost focus, but never you.  Plus you always do it with a smile on your face… sometimes I worry that you or Ellery aren’t having fun because its your first year and an experience like TAF could be kind of intimidating, but you just flash that smile and everything seems okay… I guess that’s why I was super surprised when you said you might not want to come back next year.

The moral of the story is simple. Come back next year.  If you don’t I will be thoroughly disappointed.  Okay? Okay.  come back. Okay.

Kevin – Waddup Kev.  It’s the same as the first day man, I still dig your name.  We might have different views on certain things, but its awesome that we connected on so many things.  If your parents ever tell you not to play video games or read less mangas, tell them that video games or drawing is your passion and drive.  I think your art and creativity will take you places that I can only dream of going to.  You already have your influences, your motivations, and your talent… now all it takes is practice and practice and practice.  Never lose that drive and never lose that passion.

When we had our first small group meeting, I was really worried that you were being forced here by your parents and that you weren’t having fun.  As time grew and I got to know you a little better, I was more confident and comfortable in thinking that you wanted to be at TAF and that it was a good fit for you.  It was awesome to see you grow over a short week and I can’t wait to see how much you’ve grown over the next 51 weeks.

Dorothy – OH HEY ERIN FROM HAWAII?  WHAT’S UP?  I hear Hawaii is super nice nowadays… I should totally visit you and your sister there some time.  It’d be super fun!  In all seriousness, there are so many things I wish we could’ve talked about.  I know sitting in small group that sometimes you just wanted to let something off your shoulders or let something all out and I would turn away and really wouldn’t let you.  I was kind of selfish and I wanted to touch on other topics but you handled it really maturely.  That’s what amazes me about you; your spiritual and emotional maturity and depth.  I think you go through a lot and deal with it in ways I didn’t even think feasible when I was your age.

But I mean that’s not it.  You love to have fun, you’re easy to get along with, and it just been an experience hanging out with you.  Even if you do sometimes flirt with the line of offensive and funny (those california jokes were hurtful).  Rah rah rah.  Stay cool.  Stay good to your friends (and your sister… I didn’t know you two were related until like.. that last sunday.)

Willy – WILLY WILLLY WILLY willy WILLLYYYY willy?  WILLY? WiLlLY!!1!! YEAH WILLY!  *does the willy dance*  WHATS GOOD DEL MAR?  Hope you’re soaking up the sun and getting ready for school.  You are awesome in every single way.  From that tuxedo shirt to your crazy little antics, it just an experience within itself hanging out with you, and just hanging out with you made going to TAF worth it.  You were the young’un in our group but you got along with everyone so well.  At times I hoped that you would talk and participate a little more, but I mean you are so freaking young!  Still, you know when to sit and listen, you respect others when they speak, and you never zone off or complain when we’re sitting in small groups.  That speaks a lot about you and your maturity.  Plus, you’re quite the ladies man, and that makes me proud little man.

Tiffany – I’m sort of blanking out, but when did you land?  Did you land on saturday and hang out with the staff?  If so, I think I techincally spent more time with you than anyone at TAF except for Karen (who I rode to Manchester College with, and hung out with at the terminal).  You’re a tough one, because sometimes I felt like you were more watching and observing; which is totally awesome, but I never really got to truly talk with you.  You’re defintely the most mature one in our group though (I think that’s a compliment, its supposed to be one) and you really understand everything Roger and the counselors throw at you.  I dig how you made a conscious effort to hang out with us though (say at meals, or during free time), it was pretty fantastic to have you around when we were forced into our little small groups.  You always seemed to answer questions when others were hesitant to and really shared.  It made our jobs as counselors easier, because we all hate awkward silences, or making you guys answer with awkward silences.  We wanted it to be natural, smooth, and flowing, which you helped do.  It is SO AWESOME for a facilitator or counselor or advisor to just have someone in that group.  You were that person. THANKS FOR THAT!

Reggie – If you had facebook, you’d see that you are the focal point of my profile pic right now.  That’s how awesome you are.  I have no idea how that represents how awesome you are, I just really like the picture.  But you’re bombdiggitytastic.  It’s just been a blast hanging out with you during TAF.  You absorb everything like a sponge and then throw it right back at Jessica and me.  We just go like, YES! WE HAVE A CAMPER WHO UNDERSTANDS WHAT ROGER AND WE ARE TALKING ABOUT! Plus, you’re just fun to have around.  I WANTED to eat all my meals with you Josh and Willy.  When I had to go eat with other people, it was just like “Oh wow, this kind of sucks right now.”  I just remember all those salted mountain dews and salads, and then screaming at the Jello, that was pretty bomb.  Reg, you just bring a such a big and uplifting spirit into our small group and all of our lives.  Keep on  having fun.  Keep on pushing.  Just remember to take off the bags that might be weighing you down… and always do it for yourself (without being selfish of course) and I know everything will turn out okay.  YOU. ARE. AWESOME.

Ellery – So I know I owe you a 17 page thing, but we’re going have to put that on hiatus.  More because I think the longest paper I’ve ever written was 17 pages and that thing took like 2 weeks to research and write, but also because I don’t know how to measure 17 pages while blogging.  Seventeen.  What funny number/word to say.  Just say it out loud right now.  Seventeen.  SEVEN. TEEN. SEVENTEEN. sev-en-teen. teenseven. seventeen. 7teen.  neetneves.  (<— LOL NEETNEVES!) oneseven. I think i wrote seventeen seventeen times.  Nope not yet, two more.  Like seventeen minus fifteen.  SEVENTEEN.  Okay i’m done.

Oh why, hello Ellery.  I remember first seeing your name and telling Jessica how I thought we had the most awesome camper because it rhymed with celery.  We were right on both parts.  You brought a really unique vision and insight into our small group.  I think you grew up in a different environment then a lot of us (it seems like you have a really stable family, which is a great, great thing.  Hold on to that) so you had a really positive outlook on life.  I really dig that.  I love ‘glass half full’ people who love to have fun, can always smile, make friends quickly, and fit right in.  It sort of helps that you and Colleena are two peas in a pod, and I loved that you had kept your friends super close and brought new friends into your circle.  I dunno what else.  I had seventeen pages planned, but what keeps popping back is just seeing you having so much fun during swing choir.  Whether it was practicing or just teaching some of the moves to some of the boys.  It was something you were really good at and you seemed to really enjoy it.  It’s been awesome getting to know you and hanging out with you.  Let’s just say we’re at 12 pages, and that we have 5 + however many for next year.  Until then!

Turkey subs. Yeah, we're that delicious. and nutritious.

To wrap it all up just a couple of shout outs.  Bob Lin and HoChie for being awesome.  Dave Chiou for making it possible for me to come.  Justin for introducing me to TAF.   John D. for your advice on our walk to the final dance.  Steve and Grace for your advice on that first Sunday night.  Karen for just being so easy to talk to during our ride to the airport and sitting in the terminal.  Christina Chou for being cool like the other side of the pillow.  Jon Lee for being too cool for school.  Godwin for the props on our revenge prank (I don’t think you know me though. hah)  Ming and Emily for keeping on top of sib letters and just being awesome people to work with.  That handshake was seriously underappreciated by the campers.  It was Michael Phelps status.  Andrew Lo for showing just how dedicated I should be to TAF.  What you did with exams and all is just admirable.  Connie for getting me out of dancing and having those deep convos.  Andrew Kuo for being the first person I talked to at Manchester.  TAFmedia for just chronicling everything and connecting with everyone.  TO ALL THE JH KIDS.  I have some particulars, you guys all gave me some unique memory but I’m doing this on the top of my head and can’t really remember.  Jennifer, because now I will remember your name.   Angela Shiue because you rock bomb sweaters that are 3x too big for you.  Andrew for being bomb at soccer.  Raymond for being the only who guessed right for when we were introducing staff with the two clues.  Eric for being awesome at guitar.  Jesse for being so sexy in Project Tafway.  Josh for being too big for a sixth/seventh grader.  Jarrell for that moment in the beginning during swing choir.  Colleena for making sure I remember who you are in my yearbook, and your entire suite for making ramen with bathtub water. gross.  Mitchell for that awesome catch on the football field.  Justin and Jeff for really participating during the Parent JH dialogue, they were good questions and I hope you guys manage to deal with your parents.  ALL THE JH KIDS.

I probably forgot a lot of people. sorry.