Reflecting My Blog

I dared to create my own blog and to open my thoughts to the public because I thought that my writing skill in English was not good and I had to bear the burden of the responsibility of it.

However, I chose this class for my English composition class and I created my first blog. The first post and layout of my blog was very simple like a house without any decorations. I was learning how to maintain and upgrade the blog while learning computer skills in this class. It made me be excited to upgrade my blog step by step: the simple layout of my blog was transformed by the addition of pictures and designs. I felt that I became a professional blogger.

Blogging helped me a lot in developing my English composition skills through social interaction on the network. Following academic techniques in this blog made me also keep in mind that this blogging was used as an English composition class. The more I studied and researched about my topic “multiculturalism”, the more I could educate other bloggers with it being used as an informative guide. Comments from other bloggers corrected my prejudices or wrong information on cultures from other nations. Posting of each issue in the blog and the instant responses by other bloggers made this a very vivid class.

Before starting this class, I never thought about creating my own blog. Actually I have used others’ blogs to obtain information for several reasons. Maintaining my blog and reading others’ blogs has become a part of my daily life. I am not afraid to blog and search my thoughts to the public anymore. What a life enriching experience this was.

Chinese Movies in Hollywood

When I think of Hollywood, I think of blond haired actresses or blue eyed actors walking the red carpet. I had never thought that Chinese actors and actresses as well as Chinese directors would one day partake in the red carpet ceremonies in Hollywood. Actually a Chinese actor, Jackie Chan has acted in minor roles in Hollywood movie beginning in the 1980’s. Some of the international movies that won prizes in film festivals have been released in America, but these movies and actors/actresses were not seen as equal to Hollywood’s productions.

However, the fame and popularity of Chinese actress, Zhang Zhi Yi and a Chinese actor, Jet Li have brought recognition to China’s movie capabilities. The films that the actress and actor have stared in include a Chinese language movie, “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”, “Memoirs of A Geisha”, “Romeo Must Die”, and “Hero” have made an impact in ticket sales.

Hollywood movies such as “Broken Arrow”, “Matrix”, “Kill Bill”, “Brokeback Mountain”, and “Incredible Hulk” also have been influenced by Chinese film making talents of Chinese directors, martial arts directors, and special effect artists: John Woo, Lee Ang, Woo Yeun Ping, Zhang Yimou, and Jackie Chan.

“Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” by Lee Nag made a sensation in Hollywood in 2000. Not only do the movies show the martial arts of Kung Fu, but the movies also expose viewers to sentimental and legendary storylines, colorful traditional costumes, and nature’s beautiful background in this Chinese movie.

The fact that this Chinese movie has been a sensational popularity in Hollywood means “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” signals a major paradigm shift in Hollywood's repertoire as well as in the tastes of American audiences” (qtd in Pham). Orientalism, actually Chinese traditional philosophy and culture as well as exaggerated martial art scenes by Chinese film making talents in Chinese movie are enough to stimulate the American mind, not only through visual sensation.

According to Yingjin Zhang, Chinese movie connotes “a more meaningful way” beyond only entertainment: “nor merely in one of 'authentic' Chinese culture and history, but ultimately in the context of cross-cultural, multiethnic”(qtd in Pham). Nowadays Chinese films are aimed at the global market, especially Hollywood: that Chinese movies have invaded Hollywood is not accidental.

Therefore, appropriate harmony of Eastern and Western tastes is intended in order to assimilate the Chinese culture in the world as well as in America.

References:

“Chinese movies and Hollywood.”

<http://www.chinese-culture.net/html/chinese_movies.html>

Pham, Minh-Ha T. “The Asian invasion (of multiculturalism) in Hollywood.” Journal of Popular Film and Television. 22 September 2004. http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G1-123589388.html

“Hong Kong movie skills grow in Hollywood.” International Market News. 11 July 2002. <http://www.piercelawgroupllp.com/hongkong_movie_skills.PDF>

Mafia's deep-rooted Power in America

In the passage from “Training for Statesmanship” written 1953, George F. Kennan’s most compelling observation is the diffusion of “power” that exists in political organizations, the economy, the criminal justice system, and to the other extreme, the criminal element in the United States. It still holds true for the United States today.

I did not recognize that the power of irregular forces and their influence on our society until I read George F. Kennan’s passage. There have been many kinds of immigrant mobs such as African, Hispanic, Russian, Italian, Chinese, Korean, and Japanese gangsters as well as American gangsters in America. Among irregular forces that possess the power, I will focus on Italian mob and its power in America. In the movie, “The Godfather” and some of articles about the Mafia: “Five Families: Made Men in America”, and “Special Investigative Report: American Mafia Recruit Sicilian Mafia”, I have been fascinated by the Mafia’s empire, organized crime, business, and history of Sicilian mafia.

The Italian American mafia began with the adoption of most of its Sicilian heritage. The mafia had known that there was money to be made in the United States through extortion, prostitution, gambling, and bootlegging. Mafia occupied every big city in the United States from early 1900’s. Some of the corporate empires established in this way came to dominate the heart of the America economy but still operated in ways that involved destructive criminals.

Furthermore, the mafia has connected members of our government and law enforcement agencies with the lure of money. “This image is public perception of Italian Americans, especially politicians” (Buenker and Ratner 185). However, “it is only a minuscule percentage of the twelve million Italian Americans could possibly be part of the organized crime network” (Buenker and Ratner 185).

In the early 20th century, our government made efforts to bring a new order, stability, and honesty to American businesses by enacting and enforcing laws. These efforts, however, did not reduce the Mafia’s business crime.

Even now in 21 century, the American mafia is still recruiting Sicilian mafia members. According to Clarence Walker, “Sicilian mafia criminal’s migration into America has alarmed U.S. authorities” in his article, “Special Investigative Report”.

The mafia’s deep-rooted power has been established for many generations in America. The mafia is one of the most successful organized crime syndicates and has fascinated many people in our society. Our government probably will never get rid of organized crime, but we can limit their effectiveness by on-going and persistent prosecution.

References:

Kennan, George F. “Training for Statesmanship”

<http://www.collegeboard.com/prod_downloads/ap/students/english/ap05_frq_english_lang.pdf >

Buenker, John A., Lorman A. Ratner., ed. Multiculturalism in the United States. New York: Greenwood Press, 1992.

Raab, Selwyn. “Five Families: The Rise, Decline, and Resurgence of America’s Most Powerful Mafia Empires.” The New York Times.
<http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/11/books/review/11burrough.html>

Walker, Clarence. “A Special Investigative Report: American Mafia Recruits Sicilian Mafia.” Feature Articles. August 2004. http://www.americanmafia.com/Feature_Articles_272.html>

Japanese Mangas and Animations in America

There are always many people who are reading books in the bookstores, Borders, Barnes and Noble, Books-A-Million, and so on. I also love to go to those bookstores because I can read all of the books in the store while drinking coffee and tea. One day I have recognized that one of the sections in these stores was very popular. It is the manga section. Most teenagers and some of adults are reading the mangas while sitting on the floor. I am astonished that Americans use the Japanese word, manga, which means comic book. It sounds like manga has become part of the genre in America.

Japanese animations, Pokemon, Dragon Ball Z, and so on have also occupied the American TV screen. These Japanese animations have influenced American cartoons, Abarta whose styles and characters are from Asian cultures. In Hollywood, a Japanese animation, “Spirited Away” by Hayao Miyazaki received an Oscar Award in 2003. It beat out American animations, “Ice Age” and “Lilo & Stitch”. Japanese animation is even called Japanimation in America.

When I was a teenager I loved to read Korean comic books and to watch cartoons in Korea. Actually I still enjoy reading some comic books and cartoons sometimes. Nowadays most popular comic books and cartoons in Korea have been imported from Japan. Korean teenagers also love to read Japanese comic books and cartoons as well as American teenagers. Korean teenagers make many fan clubs of Japanese animation or manga. They even download and share the Japanese animation and manga, which is not allowed to be imported, by sending it to each other via the internet.

Today the number of fans of Japanese manga and animation has grown dramatically in America.
Why has the Japanese comic book, Manga and Animation take over in America? America has had its own comics such as Superman, Spiderman, and so on. Most of characters from American cartoon are imagined as powerful, super heroes who are repulsing the bad or saving world.

However, the scenarios of Japanese manga and animation emphasize mostly spiritual parts. The plots are not straight planning as well as characters from them are complex. They are both comic and serious in content. Some of them are almost novels with illustrations. It is very different from American comic books and cartoons. The differences makes American eyes turn to Japanese mangas and animations.

Kazuo Koike mentions that American children are getting sick and tired of “the U.S. military forces with their high tech weapons” (qtd in Lam) in the American cartoons. Therefore, Japanese mangas and animations emphasize the complicated spiritual worlds which have seduced America.

On the other hand, these serious stories in Japanese animation and manga encourage American teenagers to commit suicide because their emotions and sympathizes in the story deeply. According to Momoko Mano, a graduate student at the University of Tokyo, “Like soap opera in the U.S. you feel very involved with the characters. Teenagers have committed suicide because their favorite characters were killed" (qtd in Lam).

If American teenagers and younger kids are growing up with Japanese animation which includes Japanese life style and spirit they can accept more Japanese culture without any resistance in the future. Even they can not filter out bad influence from imaginary world once their emotions become involved in it.

The influence of manga and animation is part of the influence that the Japanese have on America which now includes automobiles, food, and small electronics. Manga and Japanimation are deeply rooted as a Japanese pop culture continues to grow in America.

References:

<http://www.digital.anime.org.uk/news/20030323.html>

Lam, Andrew. “Japanese Manga and Anime Take Over America.” Pacific News Service, Aug 28, 2003. <http://news.pacificnews.org/news/view_article.html?article_id=afe4632414d29b3d5e324597a8eaffec>

Potential Sources for My Analysis Paper

While I have maintained and edited my blog on multicultarism in society, I have learned how to create, decorate, and write following appropriate style. I thought that writing a blog would be easier than an academic paper that has to utilize in-text citations and references. However, I have recognized that writing a blog requires me to multitask. I am still required to follow MLA or APA style, but now I have learn new computer skills such as attaching pictures, music and hyperlinks. What is great about blogs is that my information can be read by anyone with access to a computer and they can even reply back with comments or thoughts on my topic.
The responsibility of maintaining my blog has made me concentrate on finding credible and academically stimulating information. Even though this is my first blog, I feel that I am learning quickly.

I researched many blogs in my community that have a similar topic. Some of them are popular. One of them is on cultural differences, http://vaproro.blogspot.com/. The blog is evenly balanced between content and the author’s opinion. However, it needs more illustrations or pictures to support its contents.

The other is on Islam in Europe, http://islamineurope.blgspot.com/. The layout of the blog is very simple, but the contents are very credible with diverse references.

I analyzed why they are very popular in comparison to my blog. I will focus on design and academic form as well as content to improve my blog.

References:

Vlad, Andrei. "Cutural Differences." <http://vaproro.blogspot.com>

"Islam in Europ." <http://islamineurope.blogspot.com>

Tacos and Burritos

American eating habits are very diverse. These diverse foods in America are influenced by immigrants. One of most enjoyed cuisines from other countries is Mexican food. There are not only a lot of original and fusion style Mexican cuisines, but people can enjoy Mexican fast food. Especially the consumption rate of tacos and burritos is growing in the food service industry. Most Americans love to eat tacos and burritos. We cannot look over the influence that the Mexican culture has had on foods consumed in America.

When I go to the mall, downtown, or neighboring cities, I see a lot of Mexicans or those from Central America. The Hispanic population in America is growing faster than any other ethnic group for the past decade. One day I saw seven Mexican kids with their parents were getting off a van in Manassas city. Many Hispanic families live together in accommodations that are not large enough for large family. Some people cannot understand why the Hispanic population gives birth to so many children, even though parents are not able to support their families. Overcrowding and immigration issues have become heated topics in today’s political races, both locally and nationally.

Mexican families have stronger ties than other nationalities. Most of the Mexicans that are unwed stay with their parents compared to the youth of other countries that move out on their own when they are financial stable. Mexicans also are very close to and share their celebrations or other events with their relatives. Therefore, the unity of members of family and their friends makes the Mexican community the largest cultural group in America. As the word spreads that America is a great place to live, more Mexicans are leaving their native country to better their lives.

Those Mexicans that have lived in America for many generations are due to historical reasons as well as migrating to America in the early 1900’s to nowadays. The United States acquired California, New Mexico, Arizona, and Texas from Mexico. Mexican and American cultures were mixed by early American and Mexican settlers. Mexicans maintained the mixed culture of American because of a necessity for allegiances and geographic condition (Buenker and Ratner 219). After the Mexican Revolution in 1910, the United States opened its borders for immigrant Mexican as unskilled workers; such as agricultural, railroad track, steel, auto, and packinghouse labor (Buenker and Ratner 220-221). Mexicans’ still immigrating and walking across the border makes the population explode when they give birth to children in America.
Mexican culture and foods are deeply rooted in America, due mainly to the geographical proximity and shear numbers of Mexican immigrants.

We can trace the rich heritage and the characteristic lifestyle of Mexicans from Texas to California. I visited Texas several times. I fondly recall my trips there and all of Mexican heritage that I was able to enjoy including: the Alamo, Mission Road, and the Mexican architecture and arts.

Most Mexicans are Catholic but they do not recognize the Virgin Mary. Their Catholicism worships the Virgin of Guadalupe, a dark skinned Virgin Mary. According to Mexican Americans. com, the "shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe" began with the appearance of Virgin Mary’s spirit to Juan Diego who was an Indian neophyte in 1531.

Mexicans enjoy their parties, called “fiestas” with family and friends, dancing the salsa, singing, and playing their own style of music.

One of distinguish characteristics of Mexican culture is the time devoted to sitting down and enjoying their meals. Mexicans have five meals a day. "The three-meal pattern prevails, although whether or not the major meal of the day occurs in mid-afternoon is unclear" (Warrix). The most important meal is dinner, which can last for about four hours.

The Mexican culture is very distinguished and unique but it has been able to fuse itself into American society.

References:

Buenker, John A. and Lorman A. Ratner., ed. Multiculturalism in the United States. New York: Greenwood Press, 1992.

Warrix, Marisa. Cultural Diversity: Eating in America Mexican American. <http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-Fact/5000/5255.html>

<http://www.mexicanamericans.com/>

New Orleans Culture

New Orleans
I lived in Louisiana for three years before moving to Virginia last year. Most of my friends whom I have met here think Louisiana is a terrible place to live and very boring. However, they are interested in and eager to visit and enjoy New Orleans. Fortunately, I visited New Orleans three times before Hurricane Katrina destroyed it.

In fact, New Orleans is one of most attractive places in America. There are historical and cultural homes, Jazz, the Cajun and the Creole race with their foods, Mardi Gras, French Quarter, Café de Monde, Spanish moss, fine arts, and so on to draw our eyes. We can tell all of them that they have come from other nations and have created the culture of New Orleans. There is very liberal in drinking, dancing, sexual appealing, and other events.
Above all, I am always interested where Cajuns, Mardi Gras, and Creoles come from.

Cajuns
Cajuns are Canadian French that originated from Acadia in Canada in the early 1700s by French colonists. Acadian refugees moved to southern Louisiana because the British gained possession of the area. They live with their own language, culture, and architecture. The melancholy music they produce is unique because they have settled down and have been isolated in the swaps and bayous. Some Cajun foods have spread and are popular in every area of America. Crawfish etouffee, crawfish pie, gumbo, jambalaya, boudin, many kinds of seafood, and spicy food are representative of Cajun food. I especially loved crawfish that is boiled with corn, potatoes, and Cajun seasoning. The crawfish is so spicy that my fingers are sore while peeling the shells. I saw a poster that illustrated how to eat crawfish on a wall in a restaurant.

Creoles
Another remarkable culture in New Orleans is the Creoles. Creoles are early settlers who are descendants of French and Spanish bloodline and are mixed with the Guinean descendants of African slaves in Louisiana. They even still speak French and Spanish. The historical district in New Orleans contains beautiful Spanish colonial architecture. All of souvenir shops were decorated with scary voodoo sculptures. Voodoo (voudun in Haiti) is related to Afro-Catholic rituals dating back to the black Creoles in New Orleans. Black Creoles created their own music that they called zydeco music. Zydeco is of mixed Cajun tunes, African-American blues, and Caribbean rhythms.

Mardi Gras
The Mardi Gras in New Orleans begun in 1857. The festival is a very exotic and liberal carnival with masks, costumes, and parades. The carnival was imported by Creoles, but it did not originated from them. Mardi Gras originated from Egypt. It was a kind of ritual ceremony for fertility and to diminish the Nile’s flood. The carnival was absorbed in some European countries and New Orleans.

I visited in New Orleans during Mardi Gras season. There were many tourists from all over the world. I really enjoyed the parades where everyone yelled for more beads. I still have all the beads from that memorable day.
After watching parades, I looked around Bourbon Street in one of the historical districts in New Orleans to find a restaurant for dinner and some souvenirs. I witnessed a shocking scene. People were gathering, shouting, and throwing beads to a woman who showed her breasts to the public. It was shocking to me.

Korea also has some festivals for Korean citizens and tourists. However, our festivals are quite conservative traditional performances that people wear traditional costumes. They recreate all kinds of old style events with Korean classical instruments, such as Samulnori, drum dance, fan dance, tight rope walking, reacting of the civil service examination of Joseon Dynasty, and so on. Korean events in the public are conservative.

Mardi Gras can be a very aggressive carnival when compared to Korean festivals. This carnival made me feel uncomfortable and not familiar with this American party.

References:

Black Creoles of Louisiana and Religion and Expressive Culture.

<http://www.everyculture.com/North-America/Black-Creoles-of-Louisiana-Religion-and-Expressive-Culture.html>

<http://www.gatewayno.com/culture/Mardi_Gras.html>

Chung, Ah-young. "World Samulnori Competition in Gongju." The Korea Times. 7 Nov. 2007 <http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2007/11/135_13322.html>