More Venting

Response to Sex Dialogue

2008-06-24T16:14:00.000-07:00

There is an article written by Marc Balderama, a UCD student, called “Sex, Not for Everyone: Vent Magazine struggles to show diversity in their sophomore effort.” Balderama outlines some reactions of Asian American student leaders at UC Davis towards the Sex Issue and the Bridge dialogue regarding sexual representation. Although it wasn't perfect, Balderama did a pretty good job describing people's views on the Sex Issue. In his article he states how there was controversy regarding the diversity of the Asian American community represented in the issue. According to Balderama's interviewees, the LGBT community and dark-skinned Asian Americans were not represented. Their sexual experiences were silenced.

This weekend, I was talking to my friend Mekka, who happens to be Black, about Asian American representation. He told me, “The reason [Asians] don’t get in the media is because, [Asians] don’t speak up. Where were you when [Blacks] were getting hosed down? Where is Chad Hugo when Pharrell is getting airtime?” In my head, I’m thinking there were Asian Americans who helped in the civil rights movement. In fact, that’s how Asian American studies developed. But in terms of the mainstream media—Mekka was right—Asian Americans are silent. I don’t see Asian Americans speaking up about what is owed to them. We complain amongst ourselves, but to the world we are mute. To put it in perspective, we don’t go on hunger strikes demanding we get on TV. There is no Malcolm X or Caesar Chavez in the Asian American community. If there were, [insert Asian American ethnicity here] would complain if s/he was [insert a different Asian American ethnicity here] and vice versa.

This got me thinking about Vent and its mission. Is it even worth trying? No matter what we do, there’s going to be someone not included—someone who feels we did a poor job representing Asian Americans because their particular segment of the community wasn’t in a photo or article. Someone is going to feel alienated no matter what. Then a thought came to me. Maybe this is exactly why we need Vent—to figure out where Asian America stands. Do we even have a tangible concept of Asian America anymore? Political identities are always changing, and has our identity become so diverse that the term “Asian America” is irrelevant? What does Asian America even mean these days?

I barely know. I can give you a textbook definition, and I am sure someone in ASA 1 can too. The problem is, this definition doesn’t cater to everyone in the community. Asian American Studies is a leftist academic discipline, and it will probably stay that way. So if university professors are arguing that Asian American means to be a supporter of the 1960s civil rights movements and the advancement of people of color, then why are so many Asians I’ve met say they’re going to vote McCain now since Hilary lost the primary? Should we just label those people in our community sellouts, and silence their voices from the discussion? Are they not Asian American anymore because they don’t have a certain political view?

My view is, no. I believe that it’s okay to voice your political opinion. In fact, I believe it’s important to do so. But don’t say you are speaking for everyone, because you can’t. All you can do is convince people to see things the way you see them. Vent shares this perspective. Vent doesn’t say that it’s a publication that speaks foe Asian Americans. Instead, Vent claims it is an avenue for Asian Americans to get heard. I think this is real important to understand.

No one is going to hear you, if you don’t speak louder than the next person. The Vent staff was discontent with how the mainstream media portrays Asian Americans so Vent decided to let individuals in the Asian American community portray themselves. Calvin Iwan wanted to talk about his best orgasm, so Vent published his story. We opened up the magazine to everyone. It so happened that only heterosexuals wanted to talk about their sexuality openly. I understand that sexuality in the LGBT community isn’t easy to discuss. In fact, many people don’t want to touch the subject. So as a magazine that says we are an avenue for people to get heard, this means the people who don’t want to get heard won’t. This is troubling to some, including myself.

To the people who are troubled and want to know what you can do—you need to get heard. So write and get published. If you don’t trust the editorial direction of Vent, create your own publication. You want to see guy on guy or girl on girl photos of dark people? Who is stopping you from conducting a photo-shoot? Make your own magazines or newspapers the way you want them made. It sounds like hard work. It is; politicians and movie stars worked hard to get where they are. So if you’re serious about wanting to get represented, you need to work harder than the people who are already there.

Read a book!

2008-04-28T15:51:00.000-07:00

Crooks and Castles inspired by Rockefeller. Who's that?

Political participation is retarded in part by the lack of ideas, of conflicting paradigms on how to best organize state and society (No one reads anymore)- Forest Colburn (A pretentious scholar on Latin American politics)

Its hella funny how people line up for shirts with politically inspired messages (after copping a pair of jordans) but don't understand the meanings behind them. It's cool that designers are trying hard to make politics a staple of street friendly t-shirts... but in all honesty all its doing is reinforcing divisions along class lines. Do you really think a kid who can benefit most from an inspirational graphic/quote pasted in front of a t-shirt can afford to pay Bobby Hundreds 32 dollars plus tax on top of transportation to fairfax or post st? Hegemony is wonderful. But a lot of people wont know what the fuck I'm talking about, or understand the irony unless they go to the library and pick up some Gramsci or Foucault. The sad part is that once a kid actually tries to read one of these works on power, s/he wont understand it because our education system is set up to make us all illiterate consumers.

Glow in the Dark

2008-04-20T16:23:00.001-07:00

All I have to say is wow! From what I saw, Kanye deserves to be as cocky as he wants. Since security wouldn't let me take a camera inside, you'll just have to look on youtube for videos from people who were stealthy enough to get one in.

Thoughts Inspired by 21

2008-04-02T10:31:00.000-07:00

Haven't we already established that Hollywood could care less about positively representing Asian America? So why are people surprised that 21 is based on a story of Asian American students from MIT?

My opinion in fragments: As a community, we should focus less on complaining about Hollywoood, and start getting into the film/media industry ourselves. Use agency. Master the field. Amass power and wealth. Take CEO positions, and make our own decisions. We should start now. At the same time, we cannot forget that we have a responsibility to ground ourselves in the knowledge of injustice and the political struggles of our community. We don't need to perpetuate or strenghthen the structural racism that continues to enslave us. That is the only way we can truly have diversity and "equality" in the society we live in. I know; it's not as easy as it sounds. But can it hurt to try?

Buy Vent Stuff

2008-03-26T00:17:00.001-07:00

All the cool kids want 'em...

Matches the flyest steez.

The best read on the market.

Visit the Vent Online Store to purchase any of these items.

The Third Issue

2008-03-25T23:42:00.000-07:00

We're in the works of creating the next issue and we decided not to have a theme. Can't really give any more details but we know it's gonna be hot and definitely worth reading. If you're interested in modeling or writing let us know. Email us at staff@vent-magazine.com.

Biking's Not a Crime

2008-03-19T15:59:00.000-07:00

A kid was arrested and tackled for biking on campus. In Davis everyone rides a bike. As a police officer, do you really think it's wise to punish someone for it? The students don't think so. Honestly, this event was poorly mishandled by the UCD Police who have had many students complain about them for years. I feel bad for the police at times because at the end of the day they're just trying to do their jobs... but is it in their job to arbitrarily arrest students who ride fixies? Maybe we should make stickers saying "biking's not a crime" and put them everywhere on campus. Hopefully they take that into consideration before they harass the bicyclists of the student body.

The Pictures were taken on my iPhone. It's like my own personal surveillance camera.

Gone Like Jordan's on a Saturday!

2008-02-28T01:34:00.000-08:00

We appreciate all the support for the release of the Sex Issue. Hope you are enjoying your magazine! All the free copies are gone, but there are $8 issues left and we are working on pay pal orders. If you want one, check the website or facebook group often for more details on how.

White People love Mos Def and Barack Obama?

2008-02-28T01:25:00.000-08:00

According to Stuff White People Like, this blog I saw linked on Jeff Staple's blog, White people are predictable. Check it out, it's interesting to see peoples comments. I wonder where I can find more information on who is in charge of this site and its specific purpose?

Why didn't the Aggie print the Vent Press Release?

2008-02-28T01:18:00.000-08:00

College newspapers will stand up for Max Karson's hatred against Asians but they won't publish a Vent Magazine press release? We try to do something positive, but they don't want the world to know. The workings of white hegemony?

Vent Magazine

2008-02-18T10:15:00.000-08:00

The second issue will be out later this week. More info will be posted about how you can get your hands on one.

Rambo at UC Davis?

2008-02-13T12:17:00.000-08:00

I picked up the California Aggie, UCD's school newspaper, today and found out there was an "attempted robbery" yesterday in Dutton Hall (Cashier's Office). Charles Lorenz Rambo, (24 year old alumni with a BA in Political Science) thought it would be a good idea to threaten and point an air-soft gun at a cashier. His intentions weren't specified but he was charged with a terrorist threat.

What's in my head...(in fragments)

1) Why did he need the money?
-Recession (times are hard)
-Political Science Degrees really are worthless
-Debt from Increasing Student Fees and Tuition forced him to come to extreme measures.

2) He saw Rambo the Movie.
-Violence is contagious and so is the need to act hard.
-How ironic. His name is Rambo.

Bowling Alone: America's Declining Social Capital

2008-02-11T22:05:00.001-08:00

Robert D. Putnam in the Journal of Democracy circa 1995 wrote about how America has declined in civic participation and has analogized the dilemma to the the decrease in bowling league participation. He says that back in the day middle aged white men would join bowling leagues to have weekly open discussions about politics over beer and pizza. Obviously that doesn't happen anymore and he says that causes our apathy towards the government. Bowling is just one aspect of the decline. We also no longer join organizations like the Lion's club and the Boy Scouts and we have shown evidence to not trust our neighbors. Basically we don't value social capital like we used to...

Before you start talking about your facebook and myspace friend count, and how that's technically social capital, he argues that it isn't the same. The conversations people have on internet networking sites aren't as deep and heated as they are when people interact in person (i.e. you're not forced to reply to an offensive forum comment). Maybe Putnam is up to something. Maybe we do need to have more personal relationships and have interactions with others involving debates over weak leadership. Isn't that what democracy is all about--complaining. So let's start them. What do we have to lose? But now you're asking, what makes me so sure that the increase in personal relationships will promote the discussion of politics?

That's when advocating for giving Kanye West his own talk show comes in handy. I'm pretty sure his daily antics could turn the most non political person into Hannity and Colmes. He can ignite any social group. From Tupperware parties in Minnesota to Laotian American barbershops in Fresno. Alright... I'll put the discussion on Kanye to rest for a while. Just promise to stop picking on him.

On the Jabawockeez

2008-02-11T14:17:00.000-08:00

There was a blog entry about the Jabbawockeez last week on the Vent site. Last night my sister IMed me that Rynan used to be friends with my cousin and went to her debut (like a Filipina Quinceanera) What a small world huh?

Leave Kanye West Alone

2008-02-11T09:29:00.000-08:00

All day, I've been hearing non stop complaining about Kanye and his demeanor last night at the Grammy's. I'm sick of it! People of color barely get to talk about how they feel on mainstream television, so I can appreciate when someone takes advantage of every opportunity to vent (or at least when Kanye does it).

Welcome to My Blog

2008-02-11T09:06:00.000-08:00

After working on the Vent Magazine blog for a while, I started finding many more things that I wanted to say to the world. Many of them probably weren't 100% paralleling the ideas of the rest of the Vent family or not necessarily centered on Asian America, so I decided to write my own personal blog. Vent is a "uniter not a divider" (haha...not in the President Bush sense) for our community but that doesn't mean that as individuals we should water down our beliefs. So here are my views unfiltered! Hope you enjoy...