I think this is a great blog to discuss some issues that concern the community.I think the reason Asian are invisible in American pop culture is because of lack of orginality, or trying to cross over into artforms that are dominated by other cultures and has been for decades. Lets take Martial Arts, Martial Arts films are making billions of dollars around the world. Its Asian culture imported from Asia, with its foundation laid by Bruce Lee. The point im making is at the end of the day Martial Arts is Asian. Originality is the key, Rock N Roll, Jazz, R@B, Hip Hop came from Black Americans, or people African dispoaria. Its their culture, a lot of it was stolen from them, so I can understand why their so defensive at times when it comes to hip hop. You would have to really know your history in music to understand were im comming from. Another example, has anyone seen that new animation on spike tv "AFRO SUMARAI', Samuel Jackson, Kelly Hu voices. Its a Hip Hop Japanese anime, the first collaboration of its kind (Black and Japanese). Will it offend Japanese, My mother thought it was kind of stupid, but I dont. Maybe because I can relate to both worlds. Why is pop culture becomming such a hot topic with asians as of late? What is an African American Indie Rocker? scratching my head on that one Rebecca.

If I had my way I would help the crossculturing of music. There are very talented singers that come from all over Asia that (if it were embraced) could thrive very well in America. It is true that Black Americans are the biggest contributors to music, but does that mean we have to be the only ones? Music should be able to reach everyone. I've always felt it's important to embrace other cultures simply because we live, communicate, and associate with people from different cultures all the time. Some people everyday. HOWEVER (which is like saying but), Black Americans are not accepted by all cultures. In fact, I have seen Black Americans depicted in some of the most horrible ways in other Asian countries. I have seen parents of Asian women (the most) and Men whose parents would rather disown their children for dating someone Black than admit it to others about their childs choice for dating or marriage, because of the negativity media has given Black Americans. So yes it's true we defend or territory and why shouldn't we, when we aren't accepted or respected and often prejudged by others of different ethnicities who don't "want" us, but "want" to be like us? Does that make since? I hope it changes one day, and that eyes and ears start to open and realize that everybody (Black, Asian, indifferent) cannot be lumped in together and we are all different, and therefore we think and feel different. Until then, we have to deal with what we have now.

good articlehttp://www.asiaarts.ucla.edu/article.asp?parentid=47346