Comments on: Does comedy excuse racism? Trailer for “The Goods: Live Hard Sell Hard”

By: Philip Fullington Ripper

Philip Fullington Ripper — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 04:03:47 +0000

Gil – I believe you, like many people who invest themselves in seeking equality and the justice of a greater future, have aquired a greater and natural sensativity to the perspectives and dignities of all kinds of peoples. Consider yourself complimented and respected.

Since it’s not so easy to quote the millions of equally wonderful, but mostly unheard voices, here are a couple famous ones that might add to my point.

“Means we use must be as pure as the Ends we seek.” MLK Jr.

“Darkness cannot dispell darkness; only light can do that. Hatred cannot dispell hatred; only love can.” MLK Jr.

“An honest disagreement is often a sign of great progress.” Ghandi.

By: Gil Asakawa

Gil Asakawa — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 16:20:12 +0000

Hi Ted, I think Ryan’s comment was posted as a sincere reflection of his thoughts and they’re legitimate. Besides, I didn’t think they were so negative (plus, I think a lot of people would agree with him, even if I don’t). I also know that he’s hapa but wasn’t raised in a very traditional JA culture. I like the fact that people who have differing opinions can voice themselves on Nikkei View — as long as they’re within the bounds of civil discussion. Thanks for your note!

By: Ted

Ted — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 15:30:22 +0000

In future Gil , the comments of Ryan Olson have no value in my opion for this site.
I would appreciate that his comments be ,not made public on this URL.
Frankly he has no idea, as he has shown us of Asian American or Asian Canadian culture.
He should keep his 2 cent and wonder on to another site, staying far away from this one if he so decide to make negative remarks.
Thanks Gil and more power to you.

Regards,

Ted

By: Ryan Olson

Ryan Olson — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 01:16:24 +0000

I’m kinda struggling to get worked up about this. I concur that the cash bag gag was stupid, but that could’ve been race and gender neutral.

The second example is also stupid, but I saw it reflected poorest on the characters that attacked Dr. Jeong’s character. I did try to imagine other ethnicities into that positions including Latinos for the Spanish-American War (“Remember the Maine!”). I will note that there was a lot of hate-mongering in that war.

When I was growing up, we learned in school about covert racism and overt racism. Having lived in both the Deep South and California, I could see examples of both (thankfully not directly).

Are we now supposed to be aware and concerned of a combination of the two general types of racism? An example of overt racism that is so totally over the top and exaggerated that it conceals covert racism?

I suppose movies like “The Goods” may help perpetuate racism, but it is ultimately up to each individual to decide how they will view something.

Since I’m thinking about racism in movies, I’m sure that we would embrace dynamic characters of all backgrounds. Until that day comes, is it better that Asian characters be bit players or not seen at all?

By: Lxy

Lxy — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 03:48:22 +0000

Asian is not the same thing as Asian American. I am Chinese American, and I sure as hell wouldn’t laugh at this piece of crap.

And, like I said before, this type of humor is a classic example of Hipster Racism.

These White Liberals love this type of shit. They get to have their cake and eat it too. They can indulge in racial humor but also hide behind the alibi that it’s actually satire and making fun of racism.

Sure, whatever.

The JACL, the leading Japanese American civil rights organization, sure ain’t buying that “satire” argument.

“Japanese American group outraged by film”
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gQ2yBZ3ITKIHBcGuq2w39UzqJ52g

See Amy Sedaris’ “humor” for examples of how hipster racism works:

Amy Sedaris and Hipster Racism
http://contexts.org/socimages/2009/05/17/amy-sedaris-and-hipster-racism/

And that YouTube video that “everybody’s a little bit racist” sounds like more self-serving White political tripe.

This idea conveniently overlooks the issue of White institutional power and racial dominance, and reduces racism merely to a question of “bad attitudes” that everybody has. If only everybody could hold hands and get to know each other, racism would vanish, they insist. Kumbaya.

White Liberal racism is in many ways worse than the so-called “bigoted Redneck” with its pretensions to being superior to the latter and its disingenous progressive veneer.

And Hollywood is the living embodiment of this type of White Liberal racism.