4 posts tagged “asian australian”
Just a quick post about some Asian representation on television.
-The latest Mitsubishi Lancer commercial features a cool Asian guy lounging and thinking.
-ANZ has a commercial with an Asian guy and his wife. (I'm cheering for some rare good ol' normal representation!)
-Anh Do is still representing in Dancing With the Stars!
-Asian guy on the show Cold Case. (Didn't really pay attention, since I was watching House. A good show, but where are the Asians? Why are there so many medical dramas without Asian guys? It doesn't make sense!)
Also found this funny commercial on one of my favourite blogs.
Media: "Hi, we're looking for a Japanese actor for a commercial..."
Me: "Um... I'm not Japanese..." (At this point I was wondering if I would have taken the role even if I was).
Media: "Oh... what nationality are you?"
Me: "I'm Australian."
*Pause*
Media: "I mean, of course you're Australian, we're all Australian, I mean like... you know..."
Me: "I'm Chinese Australian."
I was sure I had lost the role at that point. Not that it mattered since:
a) They weren't colour-blind casting
b) I was too busy with work
So my wait continues.
But it makes me wonder... which commercial was it?
I've seen a few Asian faces popping up - from posters in Market City to commercials for Nokia's latest phone. There was actually a full face shot of an Asian guy watching fish swim by in a tank.
I cheered.
***
In any case, it's great to see Secret Asian Man now doing the daily comics section. His voice is getting out there and people are listening. The day we stood quiet is now over, we will speak, shout, even scream... and we will be heard.
It was Anzac Day yesterday, and while we all pay our respects and remember those who fought for this beautiful country we live in, please do not forget the hundreds of Chinese Australians who fought and died for us in the World Wars.
I have yet to see an Anzac Day commercial featuring Asian Australians. I pray for one every year, but every year I am disappointed by the lack of acknowledgement we deserve. Well, the rest of Australia may have forgotten our fearless Asian Australian diggers, but I will not, because I can't... I refuse to.
Most of Australia may not know or acknowledge this, but did you know that over 400 Asian Australians fought in the war to defend us? They fought for Australia as Australians... in a country that at the time, did not even consider them as Australian.
"You got a lot of this 'Ching-Chong Chinaman' business," recalls Jack Goon, an 86-year old World War II ex-servicemen. "But it didn't worry me. Wearing uniform gave you a lot of confidence and a lot of pride."
Maurice Hor, a Vietnam veteran, recalls being woken up by loudspeakers every morning blaring out information about the "yellow peril" and accusing "evil Chinese barbarians" of taking over the country.
"There were always constant references to Asians, the enemies," he said. "Slant eyes and yellow people who weren't the same as 'us'."
But despite all the racism they went through, they marched on proud to defend our future. I will forever pay respect to my forefathers, real men who fought for our freedom and everything we have today. I would not be here without them. Thank you.
They are not only a part of my history, they are a part of yours too.
Hey guys, this is my first post on Vox. I'm looking forward to sharing my thoughts with everyone. I'm just a random Asian Australian guy who loves everything Asian and this blog will deal with anything Asian-related that I come across.
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