Category: Commentary

My comments on different issues, topics, current events, etc.

Unsurprised but Devastated

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No real post today because I have been reeling since the Breonna Taylor grand jury verdict was released.

Even though I started making a really concerted effort this week to schedule time to socialize with people and call them and chat, I have cancelled (/postponed) everything to mostly spend my evenings crying on the floor.

It feels hopeless but we can’t believe it is.
We knew the system would let us down but we must believe in a way to move forward, a better way.

Justice for Breonna Taylor.
Black lives matter.

Go easy on your friends and coworkers and family. The news cycle has been so much, and barely anyone has escaped untouched.
Go easy on yourself, too. Show yourself some compassion, it’ll serve you better in the long run.

If you need something pure and wholesome to put a small smile on your face through all this, please enjoy this compilation of ducklings wearing flowers as hats.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CFcyOyVHhMP/

The Privilege of Learning History That Isn’t Your Own

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L’shana tovah!
Today is Rosh Hashanah, the celebration of the Jewish new year.

Rosh Hashanah Apples And Honey GIF by Lawrence Family JCC

My Jewish friends often get a kick out of me — a Chinese-American, and more key here, non-Jewish person — keeping up with major Jewish holidays. But I grew up in a school district where Jewish holidays were school holidays, due to what I’m assuming was a large Jewish population in my town. I still remember moving to a different school district and expressing surprise at having school on Yom Kippur, a high holiday!

Recently, The Guardian published findings from a study that found a startling amount of ignorance about the Holocaust among Americans:

  • Nearly 2/3 don’t know 6 million Jewish people were killed during the Holocaust
  • More than 10% believe Jewish people caused the Holocaust
  • Almost 25% think the Holocaust is a myth or exaggerated or weren’t sure
  • 1/8 said they hadn’t heard of, or didn’t think they had heard of, the Holocaust

These findings have been shocking, to say the least, to learn about one of the darkest legacies of modern human history. There are still Holocaust survivors among us.

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My Issue With Disney Live-Action Remakes (and Some Suggestions)

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After going off about the soon-to-be-released Mulan live-action adaptation, (and seeing that they are remaking the animated Robin Hood,) I do need to give credit where it’s due on that film because it does not have the issue that I most take with Disney’s live-action remake:

The live-action movies should be human stories. Any non-human characters are unsettling and live in the Uncanny Valley.

The example I get most heated about is the 2017 Beauty and the Beast remake. (I’ll talk about 2019’s Lion King in a minute.) When the movie was first announced, I’ll admit even I was excited, even about the casting of Emma Watson! (Who among us did not fall for that Tumblr rumor that she was cast years and years ago with Guillermo Del Toro to direct?) But then I saw the trailer… with the creepy live-action Mrs. Potts and Lumiere and Cogsworth…

NO THANKS

I can never unsee them. I actually stopped wanting to see the movie and only watched it on a streaming service much later because my husband is a big Emma Watson fan. (I can’t get into the music in this post…) It is just really unnerving to have so much time spent on non-human characters.Read More »

Thoughts on the Upcoming “Mulan”

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The Mulan live-action adaptation release date has been pushed back to July 24, after being delayed indefinitely and after the red carpet premiere took place earlier last month, before Hollywood was shut down.

Amazon.com: Mulan 2020 Poster 27x40 Original D/S Movie Poster ...

Will I watch it? Absolutely.
Am I excited to watch it? No. I’m really really skeptical of how much I will like this movie, even though I do really want to like it. Watching the first trailer planted many doubts in my mind that I’ve ranted about enough to friends that I figured it was worth it to write it all down to save everyone some time the next time I need to get this off my chest.

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Orlando

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I am heartbroken. My thoughts and heavy heart are with the victims and their families. With the people around the country and around the world who feel a little less safe leaving their house. With the parents who have to explain to their children why people died. Please keep love in your hearts and hatred […]