Clarification on the “Dogs” and “Stunt People”
I’m not sure what’s more interesting: the fact that we’re still talking about this movie, or the fact that we’ve got tons of martial artists here and only one person so far has commented on Lyoto Machida’s title shot.
So here’s my view on the whole “Dogs of Chinatown” debate–I guess we’re talking about the debate now, rather than the movie itself.
First, I’d like to retract my statement that Blake and Eric are third rate nobodies. I made that comment in good faith, given the fact that their initial comments were obnoxious and totally dismissed Asian American concerns about the film. You can see their comments here–first Blake, and then Eric. I think their initial comments, both on the BcB site and the Stunt People site, were purposely inflammatory. Eric himself was encouraging people to rag on him, he was purposely being annoying so that people would jump in, and I made a judgment based on what I was reading from them, probably because, as some have mentioned, these guys probably didn’t see how racial stereotypes affect non-white people before this discussion. Aznheartthrob’s message to them describes it well:
The fact that you UNDERSTAND you’re being funny about your racism (throwing the term Yellow around) and sexism (Thi in a school girl uniform) doesn’t make it any better. You can’t appropriate the terms used to be derogatory against Asians and use it in your own language and think its ok because you have Asian friends and you understand its ironic that a white guy is using it. In no setting should you be using the term “me love you long time” even as a joke, esp if its not funny and esp on a site dedicated to calling out racism against Asian. Subtle and sometimes not so subtle.
And now that Eric is, in the words of Derek (I don’t want to be accused of putting words into people’s mouths), “trying to distance himself from the content of the film,” I’m guessing that Eric may be starting to see the racism behind it.
In any case, after speaking with them, both Blake and Eric seem like decent people, so I’ll take the “third rate nobodies” statement back. However, an apology is not in order, given the fact that they came onto an Asian American site and just starting acting like frat boys flouting their racial privilege. I do think–nay, I know–that they’ve internalized a lot of racist preconceptions of people, but it looks like that’s being worked on. Hopefully some good will come of this discussion.
Now as for apologies on the rest of it, here’s the story: they’d like an apology for me laying the blame on the Stunt People, and I’d think an apology from them would be appropriate for promoting stereotypes, although I think it would be silly of me to ask. Given the differences in opinion that still exist, it makes little sense for either me or them to apologize at this time. We just state our positions, and at some point, we agree to disagree.
Eric is the de-facto leader of the Stunt People, and the Stunt People is an institution. This is exactly the institutional racism that minorities always decry. If you look at those Stunt People bios, how do people get involved with them? That’s right; they meet Eric and he takes ‘em in. This is why I do think that Eric should take responsibility for the film since he’s the main face promoting it. That’s why I think Asian Americans in the Stunt People should say something about it. I’m not saying that it’s all or nothing–maybe the Stunt People does some good for them, as Derek mentions in his thoughtful comments. But for a member of a minority race who has to see this kind of stuff over and over, I think it’s a fair question to ask. And honestly, I don’t regret asking. Otherwise I wouldn’t have gotten the comments from Derek, Ed, Pete, and Tyler. I think everyone should ask questions like this.
I told Eric that I would correct misleading statements, so check my old post for corrections to the implication that the Stunt People and Blake’s company are the same. I think that’s the only misleading part of my statement, although, as I mention, it’s fair to question both.
I’m guessing that we’ll probably talk a bit about Dogs, but more about the industry and the nature of stereotypes. Let me know if this works. We can always adjust accordingly. We’ll have a set agenda of topics beforehand.
