This is absolutely wonderful.

Here's mine.

awesome, atlasien! thanks!

My submission:
http://uhohmeshelleyooz.blogspot.com/2009/04/grandmothers-story.html
Hope you like it!

thanks, michelle!

Incoming:
http://wofflings.wofflehouse.com/?p=1343

groovy! thanks, woff!

mine's right here =)

http://ennie18.xanga.com

excellent, thanks, ennie!

Claire, I'm sorry to have to disagree so strongly here, but I absolutely despise 'Joy Luck Club', Amy Tan for writing it, and also Wayne Wang for making that movie. Allow me to explain why.

This movie caused way more damage than it did help. I believe Amy Tan is an Uncle Tom author who writes garbage that panders to White audiences. She has a history of demonizing the Asian male characters in her books, characterizing East Asian families as more backwards/sexist/misogynistic than Western ones, and also has an uncomfortable White Knight mentality throughout nearly all her works. Her commercial success led to later generations of followers to create equally painful White worshiping movies like "Red Doors", "Falling for Grace", and have their young creators actually think they were also movies that Asian America would embrace (wrong).

My strong stance on this may surprise you. Try growing up as an AA male forced to read this garbage in American English school curriculums, and to live in a society completely influenced by Uncle Tom literature like this which gives Americans (including many AA women) an unfair, negative impression of Asian and Asian American men.

I can go into more detail over the falsely perpetuated MYTH of how East Asian cultures were and are more sexist/misogynist/oppressive toward women compared to Western cultures if you want, but I'll wait to see the responses here first.

If you have a problem with Esther Ku, or Bai Ling, or Tila Tequila, or that "Single Asians" youtube video, I don't see how you can like 'Joy Luck Club'. I am confident if you ask other Asian males, you'd get many strong reactions to Amy Tan.

Um, Alvin, while I appreciate your opinion, did you actually READ my post? What part of "the book that, for better or for worse, defined Asian America to a generation of readers" didn't you get? The "better" part or the "worse" part? What part of hey, let's do a whole blog carnival ARGUING with the Joy Luck Club's vision of Asian America means that I LIKE and approve of that book?

The first thing about your critique that I would outright disagree with is blaming Amy Tan for everything that came afterward. Yeah, you could fault her for not creating any good younger generation AA male characters -- although there are arguments to be made in another direction there as well, but I essentially agree with you. (As far as the fathers' generation goes, there are bad, apathetic, and good men represented.)

But whatever her feelings about assimilation and male dominance in Asian American communities, Tan didn't have much control over how incredibly popular the book became, or how whites took the book to be a bible of all things East Asian American. And she had no control or say over subsequent crap movies or over the appearance of fame chasers like Bai Ling or Tila Tequila. (By the way, you're sounding awfully judgmental of women who wear their sexuality in public. Is the problem that they date white men, or is the problem that they're not doing what you want them to with their sexuality? Is there a difference?)

And here's my biggest problem with your critique:

... Uncle Tom literature like this which gives Americans (including many AA women) an unfair, negative impression of Asian and Asian American men.

I agree that too much of Asian American representation in books and films is hateful towards Asian and AA men, and I agree that the white mainstream takes advantage of AA women's complaints of misogyny to further marginalize AA men while objectifying AA women. But let's separate the AA women's complaints *stringently* from the mainstream use that is made of them. I've been marginalized and dismissed by Asian American men, particularly of the older generation, often enough to know that it happens far more often to women less outspoken than I am.

If you look at the rates of domestic violence in Asian American communities, or the rates of depression and suicide among AA women as compared to men, there's a lot more to be said about gender dynamics within our communities. Let's be careful not to put AA women into the position of being silent about their marginalization, or else being accused of being race traitors.

Claire, you seem to care more about feminism than about the marginalization and prejudice Asian guys face in the US. But I don't blame you. You're an AAF after all. And most older Asian men are oppressors of Asian women to you. My question to you is why you don't look at and criticize how racist and misogynistic white men with yellow fever are. They marry Asian women because they expect some good old sucky sucky and "me love you long time." It doesn't matter how much the white guy loves Asian culture or tries to understand it. He is contributing to the IR relations disparity that marginalizes Asian men.

BLK, try (real hard) not to put words in my mouth.

You're an AAF after all. And most older Asian men are oppressors of Asian women to you.

If you're feeling a lack of warmth from your Asian sisters, it might be because you're not listening to what we're saying. Setting up your oppression AGAINST ours will only get you the cold shoulder, not justice.

Hi Claire,
I applaud this project. I see it as showing how limited Joy Luck Club and any other type of media narrative is when trying to describe an Asian American identity. More often than not, any type of Asian American media falls short and only can apply fully to a few people.

Sure you can relate to bits and pieces of it, but rarely say "THATS MY STORY!" That's the problematic/interesting thing about the Asian American community: its so damn diverse that we each have perspectives that go all over the map. I feel this project is just celebrating that and at the same time telling people "not all Asian Americans are what you see in Joy Luck Club or any other book/movie/etc."

Also, ignore Alvin. I've been in constant contact with him on an Asian American issues forum and if he sees an Asian American female and Joy Luck Club together, he automatically assumes that the female is praising it.

Keep up the great work

Thanks for getting it, Jon!;)

Do YOU have a story to contribute? Our contributors seem to be all women so far ...

[What part of "the book that, for better or for worse...]

Claire when you describe 'the worse' as meaning, "the book also limited a generation of writers to a particular narrative", it suggests to me you're missing the point of why that book sucks so bad.

[You're assuming here that "many AA women" aren't capable of forming fair, positive impressions of Asian and Asian American men]

If you say this, then why bring up domestic violence and suicide later on? It appears you use them as examples to insinuate that Asian or AA men ARE more sexist/misogynist than Western males. You say most Asian or AA women are smart enough not to be influenced by Amy Tan and similar work, but then in your following text, I'm not sure if you yourself aren't influenced by it.

[If you're feeling a lack of warmth from your Asian sisters, it might be because you're not listening to what we're saying. ]

Funny, because that is what I think when I hear certain AA women turn a deaf ear when AA men try to explain why 'Joy Luck Club', 'Red Doors', and 'Falling for Grace' are not actually these amazing works of progressive Asian American art. I fail to see how art that caters to White men and Asian women is somehow now representative of Asian America. I also don't think it's accurate to say that past or present Asian cultures were/are more sexist/misogynist than past or present Western cultures. Yet, it appears some (or many) feminist AA's would disagree with that.

[If you look at the rates of domestic violence in Asian American communities...]

Claire, I'm not sure what rates you're looking at. I'm not dismissing the fact it happens in Asian and AA families, but for assault, rape, domestic violence, and child abuse rates, almost by any measure AA males have the lowest rates of any men in the United States. They are also not as high as you probably think they are in Asia. Are you going to now say that they're somehow being under-reported and those stats are false due to the *myth* that Asian women are conditioned to be quieter?

As for depression and suicide among AA women, you bring it up almost to serve as an example of Asian male sexism. Perhaps it has to do more with the fact AA teens are constantly bombarded with images that reinforce a White-centric female version of beauty, and which also tell insecure Asian girls that in order to be accepted they must essentially assimilate to the point of rejecting parts of their identity. Do you bring up suicide to insinuate that Asian men are somehow the cause of this?

You're giving some weak examples. I could do the same thing you're doing, and say there are wimpy, unassertive Asian or Asian American men out there because of extremely overbearing, controlling, emasculating mothers who control most of the consumer, decision-making, and family power in Asian families.

Here are some issues that can't be explained simply by demonizing Asian males as the root cause: (1) Asian men have extremely high suicide rates in Asia, and (2) AA women have much higher suicide rates in the US compared to Asian women in Asia. How do you reconcile this?

Alvin,

I don't know who you're arguing with here, but it's certainly not me. Clearly you're hearing some sort of stereotypical "feminist AA" argument that perhaps someone has made in the past, or perhaps no one has ever made but you have constructed in your head. What you're not hearing is MY argument.

In any case, my words are there for you to read again at your leisure. I don't feel like taking on the frustrating and probably fruitless task of educating you against your own misdirected anger. When you're ready to admit that "The Joy Luck Club" is not the root of all gonad-kicking, earth-salting, castrating, well-poisoning evil, let me know and we can talk about the REAL reasons that book is problematic. The last word is yours, if you want it.

By the way, I've never even HEARD of "Red Doors" or "Falling for Grace." Are you sure they're THAT influential?

http://www.littleyellowdifferent.com/the-joy-luck-club/

awesome, ernie. that's perfect! thanks!

I don't want to make this personal. I apologize if I did. Claire, I did read your entry in its entirety. You wrote a fairly balanced post, but I am strongly opposed to any sort of honoring or 'celebrating' (as you wrote in your other blog) the anniversary of this book. There is a difference between collecting more immigrant stories to celebrate the work versus denounce it, and your use of words like 'celebrate', 'honor', and 'wonderful' in this post and in your other blog, make it unclear on where you stand concerning that difference. It's not clear to me if you think she presented a 'wonderful' narrow slice of immigrant stories that represented a high level of truth, or fictional immigrant stories that were essentially exaggerated pandering BS.

[What you're not hearing is MY argument.]

I hear your arguments, and think they're generally sensible and on point (with exceptions, especially pertaining to Amy Tan). Are you hearing what I'm saying? You seem indifferent about the impact of a hugely popular book taught in many school curriculums nationwide. Certainly it isn't the root or sole reason for certain effects, but you're dismissing its far reach and impact both on the AA community and the non-Asian American community. To some or many AA males, it's not just some book. I'm not sure if you're 'hearing' that.

[I've been marginalized and dismissed by Asian American men...If you look at the rates of domestic violence in Asian American communities, or the rates of depression and suicide among AA women...]

I acknowledge issues exist in Asian and AA communities, but I won't agree to any sort of argument that historically or in modern times, that East Asian cultures or males were/are more oppressive to women compared to Western cultures or men in those same time periods.

Hi Claire!

Okay, so I didn't read the full post but would you be interested in an Asian-Australian perspective? The Australian immigrant experience is a bit different from the US, but if you're interested, I'm interested.

Wootness! Thanks for challenging the way we perceive the film =)

Yes, Asian Australian would be fascinating. But please do read the full post. There are instructions there. And ... uh, it's really more about the book than the film. :)

Here's my short story. I really like this idea although, 300 words really forced me to be more creative with my delivery of my immigrant story.

Here it is:
http://www.hanabi-chan.com/2009/04/my-first-american-crush.html

Finally grew the gonads to post this (after seeing others post theirs), though I wish I had one of those minimalistic Wordpress blog layouts instead of this dorky Blogspot polka-dot background. (Oh, here's my response.)

alright, i did it. pretty much by accident. i wish i had pretty pictures like wofford but i'm too lazy to scan mine in.

http://acompanionpiece.wordpress.com/2009/04/24/queer-luck-club/

wow. all of these stories are awesome! thanks so much you guys!

Here is mine :o)

Immigration in increments:
http://www.lilledeshan.com/?p=481

Mr. Cliff Notes…
I am currently living in my car. It’s been over three years now, and this American Dream loves to play “Catch me if you can.“ What is this American dream? To represent Asian American Actors properly in the media especially in T.V/FILM.

My parents are 1st generation Korean Americans who arrived here in Chicago in 1978 pursuing their American dream. They worked over-time on jobs that paid minimum wage in order to feed us while they didn‘t have much for themselves.

While my brother and I grew up watching the Cosby Show and the Brady Bunch, my parents worked extremely long hours, coming home around 10 pm. Family dinner was around 10:30-11p.m. A few year later they eventually save up enough finances to open a Martial Arts studio in 1981. Some of my parents’ relatives ridiculed them saying that the American people would not understand this business. They advised not to quit their job but my father was passionate and believed in his idea and proved them wrong. The business succeeded and excelled providing a better means and location, moving us out of the city and into the suburbs. They are forever my role models and my deepest love.

They currently do not know my lifestyle because I would never let them know. I am doing perfectly fine and I as “Happy” as “Gilmore.“ As long as my friends and family are happy I can feel no less. Besides, why bring something to the table that they could not be able to digest?

Though my lifestyle may not reflect their efforts in raising the average child, the day will come when they will be proud of the first born son.
It is their unconditional love, that keeps me going.

-AAAA-Anonymous Asian American Actor
Much love and peace.

And here's Johanna's, which I just posted on my blog:
http://wofflings.wofflehouse.com/?p=1407

Here's my story. Great blog, by the way.

It always takes a deadline for me to put these things together! Here's my post:

http://www.mommybytes.com/2009/04/asian-american-immigration-my-parents.html

In terms of your other comments about Joy Luck Club promoting the myth of misogyny, I never felt this was the case. My mother has far worse stories to tell about her own experiences, but I won't go into them here.

Loving all the submissions so far!

this is mine: http://venti.wordpress.com/2009/04/30/one-lucky-day/

i may be in the minority here, but i liked JLC. it was the first book i read that was about asian people, and i think i was drawn to it not because i could relate (because i couldn't really), but because it was interesting and different from everything else that was assigned in school. and she's a good storyteller. simple as that.

check it: http://prouderneveralways.blogspot.com/2009/04/eye-closing-experience.html

I also wanted to add a comment about Red Doors. I really loved this movie, and don't feel that it has the same narrative as Amy Tam books. I posted about it when it came out here:
http://www.mommybytes.com/2006/04/red-doors.html

In this movie, the father of three daughters is kind and loving, and in now way oppressive, sexist or misogynistic. He had become a bit lost in his life after retirement, and tries to find himself. This is a typical storyline for all cultures and does not necessarily speak badly of AA men.

The movie is mostly about the lives of the three Chinese sisters, and also touches on lesbian themes. Just because it is a movie about strong women, it doesn't automatically cater to white men and Asian women. Just my two cents.

The call for stories for the blog carnival is now CLOSED! I'm closing comments on this post. If you want to comment or discuss anything about this blog carnival, please do so on the main carnival post. Thanks!