Leng,

I’m not sure why you’re attacking bloggers as a collective group. We could argue over the collective influence on the world of bloggers versus male pageant contestants, and I’d probably win that battle, but that wouldn’t be helpful to either of us.

Let me repeat this: I am NOT against what you’re doing. I think it’s great that you’re raising money for causes. More power to you, Leng, and the other contestants. In fact, as the only finalist/commenter on this site, I thank you for your contribution, and I hope you win. You clearly believe in what you’re doing, and I applaud you for standing up for your beliefs.

My reason for commenting on the pageant was a question over its practicality in overcoming stereotypes and un-emasculating Asian American men. As James stated above, the male pageant places you within a feminized context. And maybe that is the way to go–maybe traditional gender roles are bad. But for me, on an aesthetic level, I don’t see how it challenges the status quo.

If you check out the rest of the blogosphere, you will see how emasculation has affected Asian men. You will see how the disparity has affected Asian men (check out the excellent–in my opinion, of course–podcast here). The question is how do we fix it. Rather than opposing the mainstream, how do we bring Asian men into the mainstream? How do we get more Asian women to date Asian men? (Sorry for being so blunt, but often that’s really what we’re arguing about from the male perspective.)

Claire,

“uh … well i’ve already laid out what happens in the event. and the event is wildly popular among our mostly As Am folks. so i guess the answer to your question is a very simple and straightforward “yes.””

That’s good to hear. The more people who attend, the more money you can raise and the more change you guys can make.

I think I’d pose the same question: Rather than opposing the mainstream, how do we bring Asian men into the mainstream? Is this pageant doing it? Are more Asian American men and women dating because of this pageant? (again, sorry for being so blunt.) Maybe someday I should attend your pageant just to see the dynamics.

By the way, fyi, I had this same argument from the other side with our Miss Asian Oregon pageant:

http://www.bigwowo.com/2009/10/pageant-podcast/

I just see the issues differently between men and women.

I wonder if it actually succeeds in challenging what people really find attractive, i.e. does it challenges wealth, and/or does it challenge Whiteness as a masculine ideal in the minds of some Asian people?

uh … well i’ve already laid out what happens in the event. and the event is wildly popular among our mostly As Am folks. so i guess the answer to your question is a very simple and straightforward “yes.”

Thanks for your comment!

I don’t think that Mr. Hyphen is about wealth. The point I was trying to make is this: isn’t male attractiveness more often than not about wealth? If Brad Pitt were broke and unemployed, would he be considered attractive? I know that your pageant doesn’t judge men on wealth, but do the individuals in your audience judge on wealth?

I don’t have any issues with Mr. Hyphen–you guys and gals are raising money for causes, which is admirable. I think I’m mostly in agreement with Alpha Asian–I wonder if it actually succeeds in challenging what people really find attractive, i.e. does it challenges wealth, and/or does it challenge Whiteness as a masculine ideal in the minds of some Asian people?

(also, can you please name a SINGLE male pageant out there that is about wealth? you only named mr. hyphen and some unnamed bodybuilding contests, which are generally not about wealthy contestants.)

mr. hyphen is VERY SPECIFICALLY about turning around both the emasculation of the asian american man, and the pressure on men to be tall and handsome and rich. mr. hyphen contestants are all from working class and middle class families, and are teachers, activists, and professionals who work in the community with nonprofit organizations.

the application asks about their community accomplishments, their activism, and the nonprofit they are representing. the contest “heats” include a talent portion, a Q&A (again, about their ideas of community, As Am masculinity, and about their nonprofits), a fashion show in which they model clothes designed by As Am community designers, etc.

the contest winner then gets a blog column at hyphen’s website for a year, to talk about whatever he wants to talk about. he also gets a column in the print magazine after his win. he also gets to represent hyphen at university visits and community events in his area.

i’m really having a problem seeing what there is to complain about here. can you elucidate?

That’s great, Sylvie. You did a good thing for the Asian American community as a whole. No arguments about that.

I don’t doubt intentions. Subverting the traditional roles of men and women, expanding the boundaries of what it means to be masculine and feminine. Having fun and raising money for worthwhile causes. All good.

But for the straight Asian American male image, a pageant does reinforce the perception that if an Asian male is allowed to be sexualized, that he can only be sexualized in a traditionally feminine context (not that there is anything wrong with being feminine). Asian American are rarely promoted in a masculine sexual context.

It’s not the intention but the context (a pageant) in which Asian American men are presented that bugs me.

But if everyone involved is having fun raising money for worthwhile causes, then who cares?

……er, i think its more like the “privilege” of being a guy, lol in the mainstream patriarchy guys seem to be judged by society largely based on their merits, while women are mostly seen as objectified eye candy, assessed on their looks alone, lol! (well not really lol, but hey, got to stay happy and optimistic, otherwise guys will call me an angry feminst or something haha, LOL!)

a) was performance related
b) had to do with some kind of action, achievement, or ambition. And these would probably have to be related to serious money (more than $1,000) if it were a debating Shark Tank-like competition.

I think it’s just different, the same way a woman can wear a suit, but a guy can’t wear a dress.

The tyranny of being a guy…