A new generation of APA bloggers are refusing to stay silent and invisible.
By Miyu Kataoka, Reporter,
December 10, 2008
As the media transitions into the cyber world, the means of personal expression also enters the online frontier. What used to be a personal diary hidden under the pillowcase can now be read by anyone with the increase in popularity of blogs and Web communities.
"I started the Alpha Asian Blog as a way to showcase the creativity and positive energy of Asians and Asian Americans," said James Chan, creator and administrator of Alpha Asian Blog, which showcases original videos and forums by APAs. "I've observed lots of talented Asians representing the community in a positive manner and contributing to society. I wanted to compile these positive and talented role models and present them to the world."
From community activism to concert reviews, like many non-Asian bloggers, APA bloggers write about everything from the presidential election to an up and coming new band.
"The purpose of YellowBuzz is to fill in the void of Asian American representation in music," Wendy Hsu, creator and administrator of Yellow Buzz, said. "The blog explores the diverse musical lives in Asian America. It discusses performances and recordings involving Asian and Asian American musicians."
One of the reasons why the APA "blogsphere" is expanding is due to linking sites to each other. Angry Asian Man, one of the most popular APA blogs out there, features other blogs or news related to the APA community by providing links with each post. In return, other blogs link Angry Asian Man on their posts, resulting in more traffic for all blogs that are linked to each other.
With the lack of recognition by the mainstream media, many APAs start blogs because they feel the need for more representation and exposure.
"The Internet has an immense power of reaching individuals of various special interests," Hsu, who is working towards her doctorate degree, said. "This benefits those who ... have less mainstream interest or marginal places in society. Unlike traditional media forms, the Internet has provided an avenue for grassroots participation for various marginal groups and individuals."
During the recent presidential election, there were a number of pro-Barack Obama blogs. While AsianAmericansForObama.com may have been one of the most assertive Web sites promoting his election, many other blogs, including Angry Asian Man, had posts with videos or banners in favor of Obama.
Through the inclusion of more light-hearted topics like movie, concert and video reviews, APA bloggers often incorporate social and political issues that are affecting their community.
"In a small community like ours, I think it's hard to manage sites that are political," Byron Wong, administrator and blogger for bigWOWO and Fighting 44s, said. "But I think it's important that the political and social dialogue is out there, so I'd rather get people mad by speaking my mind than to go through life being silent."
When Bill Richardson was recently nominated as Secretary of Commerce for the Obama Cabinet, some APA community members expressed their displeasure through APA blogs. Minority Militant, a blog that discusses issues of racial inequality among minorities, discussed the APA community's anger over Richardson's nomination with a large photo of Wen Ho Lee, a Taiwanese-American scientist who was accused of being a spy and imprisoned for nine months during the late 1990s under Richardson's watch.
Through more exposure and recognition, APA bloggers hope to represent their community in a positive way.
"I want Asian Americans to understand that our community has a wealth of talent that is largely untapped. My hope with the (blog) is that Asian Americans would develop a more confident and positive outlook," Chan said. "The goal of the Alpha Asian Blog is to shed light on our Asian American role models, the ones that Hollywood ignores."
Trying to reach more people, however, is an uphill battle for many APA bloggers who are always in search of new topics to post or who discuss sensitive issues.
Getting the word out is the hardest part, Wong said. Due to its controversial topics, Wong said that his blog might not be for everyone. However, controversial blogs are oftentimes the most visited blogs.
Increasing traffic to their blogs is an obstacle that all bloggers, regardless of their nationality or topic, must conquer. The more popular a blog is, the more willing companies are to offer paid advertisements.
"The Internet media generally suffers from the symptom of information burial," Hsu said. "Over the last year or so, I have worked to increase the traffic flow to my blog by linking it to other related sites."
Just like non-APA blogs, these blogs feature familiar tools such as YouTube videos, comment boxes and photos. Since blogs are usually updated on a daily basis, bloggers are constantly in search of new material to post.
"Because of the wide-ranging topics of this blog, I get topic ideas from reading the news, talking to other musicians and music enthusiasts," Hsu said. "Since YellowBuzz became more popular, musicians started to contact me."
Due to its accessibility and ease of usage, blogs create an extensive community of people from around the country, regardless of their location or the background of readers.
"Readers begin to know one's personality through reading one's daily blog, and it helps create networks," Wong said. "I've met some really great people through both of my blogs, and I'm hoping to meet more great people as my two blogs grow."
Whether it is about entertaining the audience or conveying a message, APA bloggers are trying to achieve a new level of recognition that TV and movies cannot reach. APA bloggers are sharing the positive and negative sides of being APA.
"The Asian American 'problem' of invisibility seems less problematic in the blogphere," Hsu said. "I'm happy that I'm a part of this new generation of Asian American bloggers who refuse to be silent and invisible."
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