I exist, therefore I am visible.

[rogueslayer452]

++ Both Crazy Rich Asians and To All The Boys I Loved Before are Asian-led, with the former being an all-Asian cast, films (on the big screen and Netflix, respectively) that have gained a lot of positive reception from audiences and critics alike. Both have succeeded in charming audiences with being adorable and hilarious romantic comedies, something that we haven't had in recent years since the genre itself has dwindled significantly in light of superhero and action films dominating the box office. It also proves once again that representation absolutely matters, and that it is successful. But it's absolutely disgusting knowing that production companies still wanted to whitewash these projects. Ugh. I'm glad the creators stood their ground and didn't give in.

There isn't much Asian representation in Western media to begin with, the Asian-American experience in particular. We need more of this kind of exposure, which hopefully will get more stories out there that focus on other aspects of different Asian cultures, without erasing/whitewashing or any of that offensive nonsense.

++ Lately, I've been watching a bunch of booktube videos. Not any one person specifically, just randomly searching things. I don't quite know how it started, I think there was a video recommendation of someone reviewing a book that I watched and I just continued going down the rabbit hole. It's very fascinating since it is a different side of YouTube that I wasn't that familiar with, since I do watch a lot of YouTubers but most of them are entertainers in some form. This is just a book community on YouTube talking about, well, books. Though it's interesting, after watching a number of different booktube videos specifically reviewing or talking about YA™ I'm realizing that it's not my preferred genre. Don't get me wrong, I've read books that have been categorized as young adult throughout the years (as seen in this brief but fantastic video discussing the evolution of young adult fiction), but the recent YA™ subgenre that has exploded in the market lately is completely different and while it's not to say that I won't read it if it captures my interest since I'm definitely not dismissing the entirety of YA as a whole, it's just not something I normally gravitate towards. My personal reading preferences tend to lean more towards horror/suspense, mystery/crime thrillers, with some science fiction and gothic literature added in.

Comments

[tabaqui]

WOW, i did not know that, that's awesome.
I get so everlastingly *tired* of the whiny, whiny white boys who act like a diverse cast is somehow the end of the world as they know it.

If minorities are expected to watch, like, and identify with white male heroes and leads (and the random white women leads/heroes), then white people sure as fuck should be able to do the same.

I'll definitely be seeing C-R-A when it's not gonna bust the bank. :D And apparently 'All The Boys', too, as it's no longer at my local theater. Shocker! Had to make room for some ridiculous 'boy finds robot dog' mess.

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

If minorities are expected to watch, like, and identify with white male heroes and leads (and the random white women leads/heroes), then white people sure as fuck should be able to do the same.

Exactly. I keep hearing the same argument over and over from ignorant people who just don't get it. Like, yeah, I've watched, liked, and even identified with white characters, but I would like for once to see someone who looks like me and represent the culture that I am, same with so many other minorities who don't get to see themselves as anything other than a background token character. Why are we supposedly to automatically accept the white protagonist and yet white people cannot accept a POC as a protagonist? It makes no sense, and is a prime example why this needs to change.

Thankfully, we're in a climate now that hopefully will progress forward instead of backwards or, worse, remaining the same.

And apparently 'All The Boys', too, as it's no longer at my local theater. Shocker!

To All The Boys I Loved Before was never released in movie theaters. It's a Netflix movie, so if you have Netflix you should be able to watch it whenever at your leisure!

[tabaqui]

OH. I could have sworn i saw the poster/ad on the theatre website. How weird. Lucky me, then!

:)

And yes - how hard is it to comprehend that someone that looks like you, from a similar background or family situation is something that everybody needs to have? They are willfully ignorant and happy to stay that way.

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

You might have, though probably just to promote the movie on Netflix, not actually it being in theaters.

It's honestly so frustrating having the same conversation over and over and over again. People are either going to realize that we need to improve and move forward or they're not. We just need something to break the cycle because otherwise nothing will change.

[tabaqui]

So I watched 'All the Boys'! That was so adorable. I really enjoyed it. Not my usual go-to genre, but it was really cute, and fun.