A few months ago, I was approached by the folx at JoySauce, a new Asian American media company to discuss colorism on Bella’s Table. I was honored to be part of this new outlet. Admittedly, this was one episode where I felt a bit unprepared. Perhaps I was just under the weather. The semester’s stresses caught up to me and I felt a little off my game. Luckily, Bella was super understanding and I really appreciated our conversation. I’m hoping that one day I’ll be able to publish on their website. (Note: This post was backdated.)
Maraming Salamat, Joanne L. Rondilla, Ph.D. San Mateo, CA
This past year, I was a Public Voices fellow through the OpEd Project. The program allowed me to publish a few op-eds through Visible Magazine. In addition, I was invited to discuss anti-Asian violence and Asian American history on this episode of Equal Time with Mary C. Curtis. Anne Lee Benedict rounds out this panel discussion. Enjoy! (Note: This post was backdated.)
Maraming Salamat, Joanne L. Rondilla, Ph.D. San Mateo, CA
Confession: I’m terrible at maintaining this site. Again, this story is about seven months late. As they say, better late than never. Back in October, I had a great conversation with journalist Kelly Ng about a play called White Pearl by Anchuli Felicia King. Until that conversation, I had not heard of the play (and I still don’t have my hands on this lovely thing). Ng’s original story of White Pearl was picked up by another journalist, N. Jamiyla Chisholm and featured on Colorlines. I’d love to hear from anyone who has seen this play (or has access to it). It sounds amazing!
A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of hanging out (virtually) with the incredible team at This Filipino American Life Podcast. I’ve been listening to the podcast on and off for about a year now. Joe Bernardo, one of the hosts, is a friend from college. I knew him as a youngin’ when we were at UC Santa Barbara together. That he is involved with this podcast makes perfect sense. Joe has always been invested in and curious about the various textures of Filipino/American life.
I was so happy to be part of this episode because it allowed me to discuss further, some of the issues that weren’t covered in the Refinery29 story. Since it aired, I have received a tremendous amount of love and support from people who felt connected to the topic. For that, I am very grateful. Again, many thanks to Joe, Elaine, Ryan, and Mike of This Filipino American Life Podcast for the lovely conversation and share.
Maraming Salamat, Joanne L. Rondilla, Ph.D. San Mateo, CA
Alright, if you know me, you know I’m a bit of a media whore. One of the reasons why I started this site is to share some of the things that I’m watching (or have my eye on). Here are some of my current media picks (thoughts and reviews will follow in future posts… hopefully.)
Kudos to Angry Asian Man for their short write-up of the Canadian sitcom. I read the short article and filed it away in my brain. When the preview showed up on Netflix, I couldn’t wait to watch it. As a lover of our friends up north, Kim’s Convenience does not disappoint. Go ahead, watch the first episode. After that, feel free to comment at how much you hate-love me for introducing you to your latest Netflix binge. You’re welcome!
Side note: After bingeing the series, you need to watch Paul Sun-Hyung Lee’s award speeches here and here.
That I’m bay area based, my affinity for Sorry to Bother You is pretty natural. I won’t bore you with my thoughts and love for this film. Instead, I’m just going to tell you to go out and watch the darn thing!
It’s harder to find, so try to organize a local screening for your community: Fattitude the Movie.
A few years back, I contributed to the Kickstarter campaign for Fattitude the Movie. Like many of these campaigns, nothing is guaranteed. (I’m still waiting for my edible spoons and magical French press… just sayin’.) When I received notice that there was a local screening, I jumped at the chance and brought The Huz with me. We’re still chatting about the film and the post-discussion. Since the filmmakers are still sorting out distribution, check out their website for screening info. The great thing about going to these screenings? You may be lucky enough to meet the filmmakers and cast!
What are you watching these days? Please let me know in comments!
Maraming Salamat,
Joanne L. Rondilla, Ph.D.
South San Francisco, CA
Last night, my husband and I had the pleasure of watching Justin Chon’s latest film, Gook. An independent film that is currently screening in smaller theaters across the country, Gook takes place during the first day of the 1992 L.A. riots. Since 2017 marks the twenty five year anniversary of the riots, Gook is an important, timely film that centers on a young girl, Kamilla, and her friendship with two Korean American brothers, Eli and Daniel.
As an Ethnic Studies scholar, inter-ethnic and inter-racial conversations are very important to me. When the riots happened, I was in high school. The images of the burning buildings, the Korean shop owners protecting their stores with guns, the violence, and looting still burn in my memory. Other than shock and odd fascination, I cannot recall any substantive reactions from my sixteen year-old self. I sort of knew about Korean/Black racial tensions at the time. It would be years until I would be in grad school and re-visit the riots and what they continue to mean to the country’s history of race relations.
This post is not meant to be a film review. Rather, I’d like to simply urge you to watch it at your local theater. Justin Chon does a great job at capturing the relationship between these characters, and how their interactions are reflected in the larger backdrop of the riots and race relations in Los Angeles. (Confession: After seeing Chon’s directorial debut in Man Up, I had serious doubts about Gook. Luckily, reading various reviews helped me overcome those ill feelings.) Simone Baker, the film’s lead, is fantastic as Kamilla. David So, who is most notable for his comedy, also treats us to a commanding and touching performance. For your reference, feel free to peruse the videos below for more on Gook.
Maraming Salamat,
Joanne L. Rondilla, Ph.D.
South San Francisco, CA
I greatly apologize for my negligence with respect to this website. A LOT has happened in 2017 and when I finally have the chance to catch my breath, I’ll update you and let you know all about the craziness of my life, and how that will impact the future of this blog. (It’s good news, I promise!) For now, I want to let you know that my newest book project has just been released! I am very fortunate to have worked with Rudy P. Guevarra and Paul Spickard on Red & Yellow, Black & Brown: Decentering Whiteness in Mixed Race Studies. You can purchase it directly from Rutgers University Press here. (Pssst. For 30% off, please use discount code: 02AAAA16. Shhh. You didn’t hear that from me.)
Maraming Salamat,
Joanne L. Rondilla, Ph.D.
Tempe, AZ
Many thanks to Akemi Johnson for chatting with me for her NPR story, What Would It Mean to Have a Hapa Bachelorette. It’s always a pleasure to speak to writers about current events, especially as it relates to my own research. As an academic, feeling like you’re an imposter, or that your research is irrelevant, is a daily insecurity. However, talking to other people who inspire and push you to connect your research to the ideas they’re working on really helps solidify your own work. For that, I am grateful. Hope you enjoy the story!
This weekend, everyone is going crazy watching this:
Personally, I’m waiting for the hype to die down (and for the time to re-visit the original series). Though I will not be watching The Force, I will be watching something that has to do with The Glow:
Confession: In high school and college, I was an artist. (As I write these words, the admission is still tough to wrap my head around.) Photography was my first love and I eventually majored in Art Studio. My areas of concentration were printmaking and performance. I gave up photography because at the time (in the 35mm days), supplies were expensive and the primary photo professor was a jerk. He was known to HATE commercial work, and there were notorious stories about him tearing up student projects, claiming they were shit.
Art classes critiques are hard enough. No one needs Professor Douchebag to add to the misery.
Still, I often fantasize about what life would be like if I actually pursued photography. Would I have walked away from it the same way I did printmaking and performance? Who knows?
Her work shows us how art can be as effective and informative as the academic articles and books we write, and that our own families and experiences are central to understanding the major issues of the time. Perhaps it’s time that we all dust off that old trusty camera.
skin memoirs 