What do I call this one?

I will answer Wendy’s questions later.

Let me briefly post a topic that came up for us recently. (I tried writing this a few days ago, but it got mysteriously deleted) I went to a family reunion, and saw my sister and her daughters (who live out-of-state). We took a huge picture of all of the cousins (actually, many pictures were snapped at the same time). But as we were sitting there posing for the pictures, it actually took a few minutes due to the logistics of everone’s camera and look-over-here, so-and-so isn’t smiling, say cheese, etc. I heard someone in the back say something in a fake Chinese accent – to try to be funny for the last couple of pictures. It was pretty off-color, I won’t repeat it.

However, later on when I was discussing it with my cousin’s husband (who is non-Chinese, but bi-racial), he brought up that he heard a different comment, the Ch!nk word.

Me: What?! (because I didn’t hear it).
Him: Yeah, someone in your family said it.
Me: who?
Someone else across the table: Insert name (niece-who's Dad is non-Chinese)
Me: What?!
Person across the table: yeah, she calls herself half-Ch!nk.
DW (my wife): (Insert name), don’t say that. That is REALLY offensive. You should NOT say that. EVER.
Everyone in room: quiet
Niece sulks away

Now I don’t know if the population of the majority-White state she lives in often refers to Chinese people as Ch!nks or is it a measure of her uncomfortableness in her skin, or her beginnings, or is it because she’s 14. Her mom (my sister) wasn’t there at the time, so I don’t know what she would have said or what she has told her in the past. Maybe that’s OK language in their home, I don’t know. I wonder if my niece knows about our long history in the United States, building railroads, facing discrimination, etc. Does she now live under White Priveledge?

Shame on NBC's Today Show

I am disgusted by a major media displaying the use of the RickShaw font.  We all already know that 08_08_08 is special for Chinese (because you are telling us verbally at the same time this is being blasted as an image). We don't need the numbers to 'look more Chinese' by using the red color and slivery font.  

You are just a 1/2 step away from having cartoony images little Chinamen in bamboo hats running rickshaws around the date so proudly displayed in the center of the screen.

I can understand the use of Chinese music to lead into certain stories of China's landscape and culture, but truthfully, a rickshaw font of English numbers is not "Chinese."

No comment on the 'chinese' dress.

Ouch.

I copied part of a posting from angryasianman, the rest of it is there.

but here's the excerpt:
Now that we're looking at the serious possibility that John McCain could be elected President, I think it's important that people are continually reminded of his past use of the racial slur "gook," as in "I hate the gooks. I will hate them as long as I live." He said this eight years ago on the campaign trail, referring to the the prison guards who tortured and held him captive during the Vietnam War: McCain Criticized for Slur.The fact that someone running for public office—the President of the United States, no less—would unabashedly use this term, and then repeatedly refuse to apologize for it (he eventually did), is reasons enough for me to question his character. We as Asian Americans are no strangers to racial epithets being thrown our way, whether they're meant as "jokes" or meant to cause harm. Here, "gook" was clearly being used as expression of resentment. The fact that McCain was a P.O.W. does not excuse him from harboring these feelings. Why is this even under debate?

Shame on you, S F Gate

the story of the S F Giant s loss to the D e t r oi t T i g e r s

was coverpage titled Bar ry Zi to, Tig er Meat

poor journalism. is that what you call a 'sensational headline?'

Updates (no food)

I think we made it. (I600A deadline). Overnight delivery was confirmed on Monday morning. Check for the application with fingerprinting fee cleared the bank, so I guess the app. is in the system!

Meanwhile, I was looking at a sight that lists adopting from China blogs, some are Waiting for Referral, others are Waiting for TA, some are In China Now, others are Home with Child.

Most of them are titled something like Red Thread something-or-other, or Journey to (Insert Name), or (Insert Family surname) Adoption. I still bristle at the ones which are decidedly offensive to Asians or Chinese. Like 4kids and a China Girl. Or Fortune Cookie Fantasies. Or Journey to Our Slit-eyed Sub-servient girl. Or Dim Sum and Potatoes. Rickshaws and Ricebowls. Eggrolls and (insert word). Chopsticks Are Fun.

Slightly different than Red Thread Jounrey, or Our Wait for Mei-mei. Or Waiting for Meili. (which are totally OK with me) How so? It’s the Objectification of a culture or of a child. Would I title my blog, Adoption and BBQ Chicken, or Journey to a Bigot Baby, or Child-laborer Makes 3, or Absolut Baby? No Way.

I know, it’s difficult to come up with a unique and ‘catchy’ name for your blog. And the Paerchase and Wait are emotionally tough, so you get into some wacky moods when ‘relieving stress via blogging.’ But it’s really important to try to be aware.

Please blog about this for other soon-to-be-adopting families. Consider yourself tagged.

It's called Rickshaw Font

And I hate seeing it on Chinese restaurants. Well, let me clarify. It's usually not used on quality or authentic Chinese restaurants. Most of the time it would be used on a Chinese-American take-out type place. Where things like chop suey are served (what is chop suey anyway?)

At any rate, I think it's lame to see it on Adopting from China blogs. Sometimes you see it with Japanese images as well. Uh, that's not Chinese culture. I guess it's supposed to "look" like a Chinese person used an ancient Chinese calligraphy brush and 'wrote' English words and numbers with it in a sort of Chinese-way? Or that the Japanese images look Asian, and Chinese kids are Asian, so therefore it's OK?

But then again, my sister has mistakenly bought Japanese chopsticks, thinking they were decorative Chinese chopsticks! (there's alot of history there, but I'm getting into it now)