tag:www.schemamag.ca,2013://1 2013-05-14T03:35:23Z Schema Magazine: More Than Ethnic Movable Type Pro 4.23-en SchemaMagazinehttp://feedburner.google.com tag:www.schemamag.ca,2013://1.3340 2013-05-13T16:00:00Z 2013-05-14T03:35:23Z

Kristi Choi Image courtesy of Caroline Teng This Indian restaurant might be difficult to find because it has no flashy lights that are characteristic of most stores on Yonge Street. But once you've found it and tasted their food, you could probably find your way there blindfolded—especially if you like Indian food. Kothur boasts an incredible variety of authentic Indian dishes like Paneer Makhani (cottage cheese butter masala) and the more usual lamb and chicken curries. The staff is generally friendly which makes up for their sometimes slow service. There is the option of biryani, plain rice or naan to accompany your curry entree. I strongly recommend the naan or biryani to share. Also up for choice is the level of spiciness—even with generally non-spicy dishes like Butter Chicken (which is great for people who can't take spice). Prices range between $15.00-$25.00 for a full meal, but you will definitely be stuffed. Because of the vast amount of choices available to you, I strongly recommend going with a bunch of friends just so you can try each other's curries and dishes. Kothur Indian Cuisine could improve on service and ambiance but they most assuredly do a fantastic job of satisfying your craving for any kind of authentic Indian food. Kothur Indian Cuisine 649 Yonge Street Toronto, ON M4Y 1Z9 *** Caroline Teng is pursuing her BA in English and Cinema Studies at the University of Toronto. She enjoys photography and exploring good and affordable places to eat within Downtown Toronto. ]]> http://www.schemamag.ca/archive2/2013/05/kothur_indian_cuisine.php tag:www.schemamag.ca,2013://1.3339 2013-05-06T16:00:00Z 2013-05-07T04:29:44Z

Located just south of College on Spadina, 1 Hr cafe is a neat and refreshing difference to Chinatown.

Kristi Choi Photo courtesy of Caroline Teng Located just south of College on Spadina, 1 Hr cafe is a neat and refreshing difference to Chinatown. The cafe sports super comfortable beanbag chairs which will scream at you to walk in, and wonderfully unique cutlery—their cups have round bases! The interior is simple and cosy with ambient lighting and there are neat coat hangers on the wall so you don't have to worry about your coat getting in your way. The architecture is as much a part of the cafe as the menu is. Whilst the menu is rather limited (six or seven main items), it does have dessert items and a unique variety of bubble tea flavours like red bean and white peach. The mains are all Chinese-Taiwanese dishes that have an authentic feel to them. The food that is served is visually enticing; everything is impeccably arranged. Meal portions are just right for a small-to-medium eater. If you are a large eater I don't recommend you go there for a full meal. Their drinks and desserts are somewhat overpriced but if you think you're going to be there for awhile, $4.99* won't feel so painful. 1 Hr attracts students and young adults in general with its spacious and comfortable setting. However, it is a little pricey and something of a small indulgence (especially with the amount of relaxing it encourages). This place is great for catching up with friends over bubble tea and a simple meal. 1 Hr Cafe 435 Spadina Avenue Toronto, ON M5T 2G6 *** Caroline Teng is pursuing her BA in English and Cinema Studies at the University of Toronto. She enjoys photography and exploring good and affordable places to eat within Downtown Toronto. ]]> http://www.schemamag.ca/archive2/2013/05/ethnic_food_series_toronto_1_h.php tag:www.schemamag.ca,2013://1.3346 2013-05-03T07:42:27Z 2013-05-03T22:57:52Z

Chinese audiences will be screened a different version than the one being released everywhere else. This Chinese version will contain footage specifically shot for the Chinese audience, featuring top Chinese actress Fan Bingbing.

Alden http://schemamag.ca/alden/ Disney just released Iron Man 3, the blockbuster franchise that jump started Robert Downey Jr.'s career and launched the Marvel cinematic universe. Interestingly, Chinese audiences will be screened a different version than the one being released everywhere else. This Chinese version will contain footage specifically shot for the Chinese audience, featuring top Chinese actress Fan Bingbing. Schema Magazine wrote a story about it a year ago. Last year, Disney partnered with Chinese film company DMG who brought a whopping $60 million dollars to the table in financing, so it makes sense that they would at the very least, custom create a version of the film that catered to Chinese audiences. Further, the People's Republic of China only allow 34 non-Chinese films into their cinemas per year. With a potential 1.34 billion moviegoers, China overtook Japan to become the biggest foreign market for Hollywood films. These 34 slots are coveted by Hollywood producers and it makes sense that Disney would partner with DMG to ensure that their film (whose total budget was over $200 million dollars) would occupy one of these spots. Better still, if they make an alternate version with more focus on popular Chinese actors to entice Chinese moviegoers into the theatre. Interestingly, if (when?) Iron Man 3 dominates the box office, will this compel other Hollywood producers to team up with Chinese companies to secure a screening of their films in China? Will we be seeing more 'Chinese alternate' versions of films in the future? And what will the demand be for the "Chinese cut" of these films in Canada and the US? While many (us included) are greatly anticipating the release of the film for its grandiose action sequences, others (Schema included) are waiting with baited breath to see how Ben Kingsley will portray the villain character of the Mandarin. Historically in the comic books, the Mandarin was a racist caricature with mystical powers competing against the science and technology of the West. Director Shane Black has stated that he will not rehash old stereotypes, and recent interviews had indicated that the Mandarin will not be Kingsley in yellowface (phew!) but a terrorist obsessed with Sun-Tzu's Art of War and incorporates Chinese culture and history into his persona. ]]> http://www.schemamag.ca/archive2/2013/05/disney_to_release_alternate_cu.php tag:www.schemamag.ca,2013://1.3345 2013-05-02T21:23:10Z 2013-05-06T06:57:57Z

The Powell Street Festival Society and The Cinematheque present the fifth edition of "Kibatsu Cinema", a celebration of the odd and the eccentric in Japanese pop culture and contemporary Japanese film.

Annie Chung Powell Street Festival Society and Pacific Cinematheque have teamed up once again to present the fifth edition of "Kibatsu Cinema". Kibatsu, in Japanese, refers to a person or thing that is unusual by ordinary standards. This series celebrates the odd and the eccentric in Japanese pop culture and film. Chris MaGee, founder of J-Film Pow-Wow blog and the co-founder and co-curator of Shinsedai Cinema Festival Toronto, curates this year's collection of 8 films, exploring the worlds of anime, indie rock groupies, outsider art, iconoclast sound artists, and unconventional love stories. Preceding Vancouver's 37th annual Powell Street Festival in August, "Kibatsu Cinema" will run on Thursdays all throughout June. Schema Magazine is proud to be the community sponsor of Casting Blossoms to the Sky Thursday, June 6th @ 6:30pm |Japan 2012 | Director: Nobuhiko Obayashi | Cast: Akira Emoto, Yasuko Matsuyuki, Sumiko Fuji, Saki Terashima, Masahiro Takashima, Takashi Sasano | 160 minutes The first film in the series is Casting Blossoms to the Sky. From Nobuhiko Obayashi, director of the 1977 cult hit House, comes a humorous and heart-warming tale that explores the stories of Nagaoka's 2011 earthquake and World War II bombing through Reiko, a reporter, and her old lover Keneichi, a high school teacher. Schema will be giving away 1 pair of tickets for this film! Please enter the giveaway either by commenting on this post with your name and email address or by following us on Twitter and leaving a comment @schema_magazine. Deadline to enter is Thursday, May 21, 2013 @ 12am. Only entrants able to attend the film in person, in Vancouver, are eligible.]]> http://www.schemamag.ca/archive2/2013/05/kibatsu_cinema.php tag:www.schemamag.ca,2013://1.3334 2013-04-28T16:00:00Z 2013-04-29T03:35:07Z

There are an astonishing number of stay-at-home wives in Japan. Somewhere around 70% of women do not return to work after the birth of their first child, which is a staggering figure for a country widely hailed as Mecca of modernity and for its diligent workforce. The reason behind this is a combination of stubborn cultural beliefs interplayed with financial burdens.

Codi Hauka Photo courtesy of newyorktimes.com Outside of Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto and Osaka, you'll find that a lot of the culture is still very much embedded in traditional Japanese aesthetics flavored with 1960s American nuances. While the country can feel like a futuristic wonderland straight out of an anime, there are a handful of things in Japanese culture that are surprising to find in such an affluent country, including its treatment of women. There are an astonishing number of stay-at-home wives in Japan. Somewhere around 70% of women do not return to work after the birth of their first child, which is a staggering figure for a country widely hailed as a Mecca of modernity and for its diligent workforce. The reason behind this is a combination of stubborn cultural beliefs interplayed with financial burdens. There is a crippling lack of childcare in densely populated urban centers, although the government has recognized this problem in the face of Japan's exponentially aging population. But the problem persists. Day cares are few and far between and often expensive for a family subsisting on one income, leaving wives with little choice but to care for their children themselves. The next contributing factor is found ingrained cultural practices. While men are entitled to paternity leave, less than 3% do so, as a result of the Japanese work paradigm which is based on seniority. Many men fear that if they leave the workplace to care for their family they may lose crucial promotional opportunities or even their job. Japanese fathers statistically spend far less time with their children than those from other first world countries, hitting around 15 minutes a day. Some may jump to the conclusion that Japanese men show a Draconian callousness towards women and their children, but this is not necessarily true when you consider that many men with families will work 12 or more hours a day, plus commute time, often six days a week to provide crucial financial support. The legal and cultural system in play here has resulted in an unfortunate dichotomy forcing women to choose between work or children, contributing hugely to the stagnating birth rate that threatens to eliminate roughly a third of Japan's population within the next 50 years. Ironically, this is an issue that Japan cannot afford to ignore. ]]> http://www.schemamag.ca/archive2/2013/04/the_desperate_housewives_of_ja.php tag:www.schemamag.ca,2013://1.3338 2013-04-23T18:34:34Z 2013-04-26T01:33:31Z

Seriously, it's not just that Rick Yune plays a villain that is troubling. Yune has played villain many times before, often against white male protagonists. It's also the portrayals of other Asian characters in Olympus Has Fallen as latent terrorists bent to destroy symbols of American culture.

Phuong Nguyen Photo courtesy of Millennium Films Disclaimer: Spoilers abound. It's hard to go from seeing a visceral film like Django Unchained, where director Quentin Tarantino expected contemporary audiences to cheer the violence against racist white bodies, to seeing a movie like Olympus Has Fallen, where white hard bodies like Gerard Butler's stab and torture Asian ones in the name of defending American values. The connection between movie entertainment is too close to the historical racism alluded to off-screen, and in the case of Olympus Has Fallen, it reveals a disturbing domestic psyche. Olympus Has Fallen is a movie about the White House (Secret Service code: Olympus) overrun by a group of Korean nationalists, who have also kidnapped the President and his Cabinet. Butler plays the one-man rescue team, aka Mike Banning, who has to save the President (Aaron Eckhart) before the Koreans retrieve the missile codes. Marissa Lee at Racebending.com framed the racial dynamic behind the casting in Olympus Has Fallen as a yet another example of "the white nativist" vs. "perpetual foreigner" trope where "white is default 'American' while 'Asian' (and by extension, Asian American) is forever foreign," despite the fact that Gerard Butler is Scottish by birth, and Rick Yune is a D.C. native. "How many Americans can boast about being born in our nation's capital?" Lee asks. "Yet, [Yune] is playing a terrorist invader trying to destroy Washington D.C., rather than the American patriot trying to save it. The privilege of playing that American hero goes to a white actor- because Hollywood's institutional culture posits that any white actor is still more 'American patriot' than an Asian American actor." Why is it more likely that an Asian actor plays a villain rather than the hero in Hollywood movies? The answer to that question is bigger than this review, so let's just focus on Rick Yune's "villain" in Olympus Has Fallen for now. Yune's character is often referred by the American government officials in the movie as "Kang" (a common Korean surname). We find out from the start that his interest is infiltrating, and defiling, the nation's capital. He also wants to be taken to the nation's leader. Hmm, does that sound kind of similar? Photo courtesy of FOX Seriously, it's not just Yune playing a villain that is troubling. Yune has played villain many times before, often against white male protagonists. It's also the portrayals of other Asian characters in Olympus Has Fallen as latent terrorists bent to destroy symbols of American culture. It's the one-dimensionality of not only a single character, but of an entire cast of characters of a particular race. All the Asian characters, except for the South Korean Prime Minister, are part of Kang's terrorist cache. They storm and overtake the White House crudely and in a strange mixture of all the stereotypes normally associated with "insurgents" or "terrorists": they are suicide bombers with bombs strapped to their chest; they are guerilla fighters dressed in civilian clothing with scarves wrapped around their faces; they are distinctly "foreign" because they speak mostly in subtitles. At one point, Banning tortures two Korean fighters for information, and when they laugh at him, he taunts them, "Do you speak English, huh? Because where I'm from, we're taught English..." That could be a bad line from any other bad action film, but Olympus Has Fallen stands out in two ways. It's become a box-office success, at least domestically, despite initial projections, and it's considered the comeback film for Gerard Butler's career. One critic credited part of the movie's success to the leading man, suggesting Butler was well-received because "he looked the part." Who does Butler "look" like? Film District, the movie's distributor, found that 53% of the opening audience were males, and 75% were males over the age of 25, while pre-screenings at "cities with large military population" (Norfolk, Va., El Paso, Texas, and Honolulu) all "overperformed." The way that technology and military codes are used in the movie betrays the anticipated demographics. While complex military operations and codes are barely explained, one of the movie's most suspenseful moments occurs when Banning receives help from the war room to reset the missile launch codes, and he has to have the "hashtag" symbol explained to him."Shift 3!" Angela Bassett's character finally has to scream. Depending on how well the movie is reviewed, the genre of the film changes. At its best, it's called a political thriller; at its worst, it's another generic action film. I found Olympus Has Fallen to be closer to The Manchurian Candidate (1962), but without all the qualities that made the latter a good film. What's left, after you strip the story, the acting, and the writing, are the workings of a paranoid and frightened mind violently reacting against the inability to identify a clear domestic enemy. In lieu of that certainty, we have this movie establishing clear racial distinctions to determine who can be an American patriot, who can be a traitor, and who can be an enemy of the state. The major "enemy of the American state" is Yune's character Kang. Unlike the other Korean infiltrators, Kang represents the ultimate American nightmare of a domestic threat: he is well-dressed in a three-piece suit; he is bilingual; and he knows more about American history than most Americans do. The difference, and this is why Olympus Has Fallen is significant, is that it anticipates Kang as this villainous character. Looking at Kang's appearance, he seems like any other upwardly mobile, well-educated Asian man in America - except that Olympus Has Fallen makes it clear that there is no place for Asian Americans in its cinematic portrayal of patriotism. -- Phuong Nguyen is interested in writing about race, class, language, and gender. She is also a TV addict who loves reality shows, and doesn't see them as a sign of the apocalypse.]]> http://www.schemamag.ca/archive2/2013/04/why_even_bad_films_like_olympus_has_fallen_should_be_taken_seriously.php tag:www.schemamag.ca,2013://1.3336 2013-04-19T16:00:13Z 2013-04-18T23:47:36Z

The second episode in the web series "They're All So Beautiful" asks this big question: Do you have to be white to have "yellow fever"?

Vinnie Yuen The second episode in the web series "They're All So Beautiful" asks this big question: Do you have to be white to have "yellow fever"? In this episode, men and women weigh in on who exactly finds "Asian-ness" attractive. Some say that Asian women seem more willing to listen. One of them says that you can be an Asian and have "yellow fever". White women can also have "yellow fever" when they find Asian men exotic. With the help of interns Annie Chung and Omar Kutbi, I asked a few Asian men whether they personally have "yellow fever": "Well, I am no expert in this field but one would assume most would be most easily attracted to their own 'kind'. " - Jackson "Fever? More like the Yellow Plague! I have nothing against other races, but I just have an Asian preference. Having dated non-Asians, I think it's easier to 'relate' with similar family values." - Darren "I don't think it really applies to Asians, but if it counts I have no racial preference when it comes to girls." - Jordan "No - I date any attractive girl!" - Steve "I don't have it. I'm pretty sure I've been attracted to girls of all races all the same." - Steven "... Yes, for 2 women who are equally beautiful and sophisticated, I would choose the Asian over the non-Asian." - Howard So I guess Asian men can have "yellow fever" after all! Remember to check out TheyreAllSoBeautiful.com for additional episodes to this fascinating series. Vinnie Yuen writes about sex and relationships, and all that fun stuff in between. Follow her at @vinnieyuen]]> http://www.schemamag.ca/archive2/2013/04/episode_2_of_theyre_all_so_bea.php tag:www.schemamag.ca,2013://1.3337 2013-04-17T16:00:00Z 2013-04-18T03:43:38Z

CBS' weekly news magazine show, 60 Minutes, aired a near-14 minute piece last week (April 7) on Jeremy Lin, the Taiwanese-American NBA point guard for the Houston Rockets.

Annie Chung Jeremy Lin. Photo credit: videotvguide CBS' weekly news magazine show, 60 Minutes, aired a near-14 minute piece last week (April 7) on Jeremy Lin, the Taiwanese-American NBA point guard for the Houston Rockets. Lin became an overnight sensation last season, during a five-game stretch of outstanding performances while playing for the New York Knicks—this stretch became known as "Linsanity." While the segment wasn't overly expository to those familiar with the story (let alone die-hard J-Lin fans like myself), it was well done and informative to a general audience. By well done, I mean they had 60 Minutes access to interviews with Jeremy Lin himself, his parents and even NBA Commissioner David Stern. Below are a few of the highlights from the piece: "That stretch, that was the most fun I've had in my life," said Lin of his historic run last season.

Stern on Linsanity: "We couldn't get enough Jeremy Lin material into NBA stores fast enough."

Lin on visiting to China as a newly minted superstar: "It was probably like five times crazier than I thought it would be."

On his visit to China, Lin was just as interested in sharing his evangelical Christian beliefs as he was in making basketball-related appearances. "I was born and raised in the Church... There are too many ways that faith plays into the big picture (of my life)."

Growing up in Palo Alto, California, Lin asked his parents if he could quit piano lessons to focus more on basketball. They allowed it, but they, too, focused their energy on his athletic development: "Very few Asian-American parents push their kids in sport like mine did."

Although he was named California player of the year his senior year in high school, he didn't get a single Division I scholarship offer, not even from Stanford, located in his hometown. Lin says the fact that he's Asian-American "was a barrier" to getting the college basketball opportunities he deserved. Instead he went to Harvard, which didn't offer him an athletic scholarship (no Ivy League schools do), but did promise him a spot on their team.

Lin says the on-court racial slurs he heard playing basketball growing up—and even while he played at Harvard—made him a stronger person. "It used to get me down, but now, it doesn't bother anymore."

In spite of playing well during his four years at Harvard, he went undrafted and made it to the NBA as a walk-on with the Golden State Warriors. Was he again a victim of Asian-American discrimination? David Stern: "In the rawest sense, yes... But I don't know if he was discriminated against because he was at Harvard or because he was Asian." But it was assumed he couldn't be that good because he doesn't have the same background as others? "Correct."

There's no doubt Jeremy Lin is an atypical NBA basketball player, but he's holding his job as a starting point guard with the Houston Rockets, covering the likes of Chris Paul, Tony Parker and Russell Westbrook on a nightly basis. Not a lot of basketball experts would have predicted this fate for him. In fact, as 60 Minutes uncovered, not a lot of people predicted he'd even play college ball at a high level. But these things drive Jeremy Lin to perform. Beneath his trademark humility, a fire burns in Lin. It's a desire to silence his critics, overcome barriers (perceived or real, he doesn't care), and show the world this Asian-American kid can ball. Allan Pulga is Schema's J-Lin correspondent and a lifelong basketball fan. A University of Regina Journalism grad, he lives in Regina and is incessantly taking photos of his food. And his sneakers. You can follow him on Twitter @poonisms.]]> http://www.schemamag.ca/archive2/2013/04/jeremy_lin_on_60_minutes.php tag:www.schemamag.ca,2013://1.3333 2013-04-08T17:17:47Z 2013-04-17T23:11:42Z

Annie Chung Kerry Washington on the red carpet. Photo credit: Posh24 Kerry Washington is among the few that has been able to work in television and film. Actors usually stick to one because switching between different audiences can be hard and so it's rare for us to see movie actors also star in lead TV roles. Washington, however, handles this difficulty with ease. Born in New York City, Washington grew up in the Bronx, the only child of her educational consultant mother and real estate broker father. She studied at George Washington University and graduated with a double major in sociology and anthropology and later studied continued acting at Michael Howard Studios. Her degree in sociology and anthropology is interesting and seems to reflect in her movie and TV roles, so many of which confront race and culture directly. She's starred in The Last King of Scotland, in David Marnet's play Race and in Tyler Perry's For Colored Girls. Kerry Washington with Jamie Foxx in Django Unchained. Photo credit: The Film Experience Most recently she's starred in Django Unchained as Broomhilda von Schaft and on ABC's Scandal as Olivia Pope. On this, she commented to The Telegraph UK, "It's quite a dichotomy, to go from playing a slave, who isn't even considered a full person, to playing literally one of the most powerful women in the country." The switch from big screen to TV screen is one thing, but the change from damsel in distress to elite political crisis manager is another. Her Scandal role is "groundbreaking". It's the first prime-time TV show to feature an African-American lead actress for more than 30 years. Kerry Washington in Scandal. Photo credit: BeyondHollywood Washington still says she prefers TV over film. In an interview with The Telegraph UK 'Sometimes in features there are a lot of cooks, and story is not the most important thing. The director has one agenda, the producers have another, the lead actor has another and so the story can get muddied. But in television, the writer is king - or in the case of Shonda [Rhimes, Scandal's creator], queen. The person in charge of story is in charge." Kerry Washington at the Human Rights Campaign Gala. Photo credit: Daily Mail UK Off-screen, Washington is also a political activist and a fashion icon. She has been campaigning for Obama since 2008, serving on his Committee on the Arts and the Humanities to help schools in Washington, D.C. expand their arts programs. At the Human Rights Campaign Gala in Los Angeles on March 23rd, Washington wore a wonderful strapless Jason Wu gown with a simple headband while showing her support for equal rights among lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender groups. Brilliant, gorgeous and political — what's not to love? Annie Chung is Schema's Associate Web Producer. Currently studying English Literature at the University of British Columbia, she is also a TV addict, movie fanatic and bookworm. You can follow her musings on Twitter @missanniechung.]]> http://www.schemamag.ca/archive2/2013/04/kerry_washington_celeb_bio.php tag:www.schemamag.ca,2013://1.3335 2013-04-05T23:50:15Z 2013-04-06T00:28:16Z

Sadiya Ansari CTV British Columbia reported that organizers for TOIFA directed contractors that they did not want "brown" people working the event — including drivers, security guards and the like. This was based on the assumption these brownies wouldn't know how to calm their shit around Bollywood stars and potentially kidnap them like one crazy dude did. Strange, when Rihanna came to town, I don't recall reading a similar story about all the ridiculous Barbadian people who ought not to be allowed near the woman. TOIFA public relations representative Laura Ballance told CTV it was an "unfortunate word choice" that wasn't meant to be racist but the reality remains that stars like Aishwarya Rai Bachchan need protection. Which is why you hire security — oh wait, make sure they aren't brown because you know their brains will just stop working on the job as their sense of reason becomes paralyzed by these ethereal, magical beings. Saying brown people can't work the event is racist. All brown people aren't Indian and all Indians don't want to kidnap Bollywood stars. It seems hilariously stupid to have to clarify this. STARS HAVE STALKERS. That is part of the price of celebrity. The person who wants to kidnap a Bollywood star is not your local security guard just trying to do his or her job and pay the bills. Hosting this award show has been steeped in controversy since the provincial government's announced in January it would be contributing $11 million to host Bollywood stars in our fair city, many accusing Christy Clark's Liberals of pandering to the "ethnic vote." (Just another reminder, brown people aren't just going to vote for you cause you hosted an event that brown people flew in for.) The so-called ethnic voter bloc was also pretty unimpressed with the little plan Ms. Clark and her staff put together to win their hearts and minds of voters with "quick wins" like apologizing for horrendous events that had already been apologized for — like turning away 356 Indians who came via sea on the Komagata Maru in 1914. By the way, what most people don't know is that 19 of those passengers were shot and killed upon arrival to India because they were seen as political agitators by the British Raj. Apologizing again for this won't change any of that. Neither will hosting glitzy Bollywood stars nearly 100 years later. In sum, WTF?? ]]> http://www.schemamag.ca/archive2/2013/04/wtf_friday_toifa_star-struck_b.php tag:www.schemamag.ca,2013://1.3311 2013-04-02T21:49:29Z 2013-04-02T20:41:06Z

We've long observed that Asian women date white men at a much great number than Asian men date white women. And Asian women often find it offensive to be objectified based on their race.

Vinnie Yuen I'm sure everyone remember the original Wong Fu Productions video from 2006. "Yellow Fever" went viral in just a few months. Yes, it was funny, but the content also resonated with a lot of Asian Americans and Asian Canadians. We've long observed that Asian women date white men at a much great number than Asian men date white women. And Asian women often find it offensive to be objectified based on their race. There's even an entire Tumblr documenting ridiculous encounters with white men with "Yellow Fever", who assume a myriad of things about us just because we're Asian and female. On April 1st, episode 1: "What is yellow fever?" premiered online on TheyreAllSoBeautiful.com. The online forum was created as a companion piece to Debbie Lum's film "Seeking Asian Female", with the goal to discuss the complex issues that form the backdrop of this intimate personal documentary about one man's obsession to find a Chinese bride. Schema Magazine asked a few Asian men what they think about yellow fever, with some help from interns Annie Chung and Omar Kutbi. We asked various Asian men: "Do you know what 'Yellow Fever' is? What are your thoughts on it?" Steven tries to explain why some white guys might have "Yellow Fever": "I think it's because a lot of Caucasian guys like exotic stuff which satisfies their sexual desires and for Asian guys, well, its within their own ethnicity, so that's more or less self-explanatory." - Steven One guy say it's harder for Asian males to get the same kind of girls: "As a CBC, I have no problems with the social infatuation of Asians. However, it definitely makes it more challenging for Asian males who only seek Asian females - same pond, more predators!" - Darren Some say they know what it is, but just don't care about the issue: "Yeah I do. I don't there's anything wrong with being attracted to certain features more than others." - Jordan "Yeah, I don't know what to say about it, some people like Asians, so what?" - Steve And one Asian dude think it might just be an issue of availability: "I know what [Yellow Fever] is, but I don't think all Caucasian-Asian relationships are due to this. Sometimes in bulge-bracket corporations / financial world, all the women you see are Asian women. People spend a great portion of their time at work, so all the guys see is Asian women at work, and they grow more attached to Asian women than women of other races." - Howard Are you weirded out by "Yellow Fever"? Offended? Indifferent? Let us know in the comments below. And remember to check out TheyreAllSoBeautiful.com for Episode 2: Do you have to be white to have "yellow fever"? Vinnie Yuen writes about sex and relationships, and all that fun stuff in between. Follow her at @vinnieyuen]]> http://www.schemamag.ca/archive2/2013/04/what_some_asian_dudes_think_ab.php tag:www.schemamag.ca,2013://1.3331 2013-04-01T16:00:00Z 2013-04-03T02:16:52Z

Mindy is surprised on her birthday with a party with her nearest and dearest friends (and a few randoms her friends found in her contacts). Despite this sweet gesture, she throws a fit and leaves. Will she spend her birthday alone?

Omar Kutbi http://www.schemamag.ca/archive2/2013/04/the_mindy_project_season_1_epi_6.php tag:www.schemamag.ca,2013://1.3326 2013-03-25T16:00:00Z 2013-03-26T03:47:22Z

It's no secret that vending machines are as much a staple of Japanese culture as Tim Hortons is to Canadian culture. But there is a misconception regarding the contents of these vending machines and the sort of moral wavering they exhibit. Can you really buy underwear? Beer? Condoms? The answers may surprise you.

Codi Hauka Photo courtesy of Codi Hauka It's no secret that vending machines are as much a staple of Japanese culture as Tim Hortons is to Canadian culture. They cover the nation, supplying millions of people with refreshing beverages and snacks in even the most remote places for little money. But there is a misconception regarding the contents of these vending machines and the sort of moral wavering they exhibit. Can you really buy underwear? Beer? Condoms? The answers may surprise you. Myth Used women's underwear Okay, this is a bit of fact that morphed into myth when it became horribly hyperbolized as something readily available across Japan. Yes, there were once a few vending machines that sold used women's underwear. Just a few. They were made illegal for selling used school girls' panties which is just not cool. So while you might find it's existence disturbing and creepy, it was never a mainstay in the vending machine market and no longer exists, forcing all Japanese men (and women) to get their soiled panties the old fashioned way: from the store. Porn/Sex toy vending machines Once again, I cannot deny the existence of such dispensers, however I have never seen one, not even in Osaka or Tokyo. But I know they're out there. Some people say these exist partly to maintain anonymity when purchasing such things, which must be true considering the lengths you would have to go through to find one. Photo courtesy of Codi Hauka Fact Vending machines dispense both hot and cool drinks This is one of my favorite things about vending machines in Japan. Why don't we utilize this technology in North America? Are you telling me Canada couldn't benefit from warmed beverages? And I'm not talking about those questionable hot coffee/chocolate mixed drinks that are dispensed into a paper cup. These are canned and bottled drinks heated to the perfect temperature for drinking. There's no waiting period—as soon as you open it, the beverage is stabilized at the perfect threshold between being scalding or disappointingly cool. The Japanese have this down to an art. More drink than food vending machines There are way more options for drinking than eating when it comes to vending machines, which is not to say that there aren't a lot for eating. But let's consider that you can easily find five drink vending machines per block in almost any city. Yeah. So there's still a number of food vendors (these usually sell pastries, cookies and other sweets because "sweets" and "snack" in Japanese is the same word), but I would guess that they are fewer in number because of the number of convenience stores (konbini) that are everywhere instead. Way more than in North America and with way better food for cheaper. Japan is truly a land of cheap convenience. Egg vending machines These vending machines are only out in the country, usually adjacent to a chicken coop. Smells terrible and I wouldn't recommend trying to get them home in the heat of the summer this way. Really, its just a machine for the novelty factor. Photo courtesy of Codi Hauka Beer vending machines Yes these are totally real, and it's not just beer you can purchase: highballs sake and other liquors from vending machines as well (and for pretty cheap, I might add). Japan has no prohibition against open liquor, and it is completely legal to drink in public. So alcohol designated vending machines totally work here. Some things to note: they do not operate at all hours. They aren't available in every vending machine, but you'll usually find them in downtown/business districts, but again not necessarily true. There's a whole corner of them right by my apartment and I live nowhere special. There is, of course, no means to ID anyone who uses these machines, so drinking underage here is like taking candy from a candy-hating baby. You can purchase anything from a standard pint, to a tallboy, to over a litre of sake from these bad boys. And yet there aren't an obscene number of people running around hammed all the time. I can say with absolute certainty that this is the only place in the world that such a system would work. Except maybe North Korea. Cigarette vending machines More readily available than alcohol vending machines, the Japanese love to smoke. It may sound like a stereotype, but it's like saying almost everyone in Vancouver owns something from Lululemon: it's just true. Again, really nothing to stop the kids from indulging in this vice. Youth in North America would constantly be on a rampage in Japan. Condoms Not terribly prevalent but still, they exist. Not a huge selection to choose from, and yes the pun was intended. Underwear Now, while used underwear may be a myth, unused underwear from vending machines is absolutely real. They're usually disposable underwear, made of some kind of rice derivative, and meant for one time use if you get stuck (which is more of a thing in big cities when you missed the last train home). I don't want to think about the other reasons you may need disposable underwear. There you have it. There is a great deal of truth to the things you'll hear about vending machines in Japan, but don't go telling all your friends about the used panties you can readily buy, because it's just not true, and they're pretty expensive too ($30 for used undies? Please). There are lots of quirks to Japanese culture, but vending machines are an absolute perk, and it fills me with joy see Tommy Lee Jones drinking his boss coffee like a boss whenever I need a beverage, hot or cold. ]]> http://www.schemamag.ca/archive2/2013/03/japanese_vending_machines_biza.php tag:www.schemamag.ca,2013://1.3328 2013-03-22T16:00:00Z 2013-03-22T20:25:14Z

I love pinning! Following people with similar tastes and sharing our treasure hunt for beautifully stunning, dreamy images that take us away from our sometimes mundane realities is the perfect pick-me-up. Make sure to check out Schema's Pinterest account and follow us on our visual exploration of all things "ethnic cool"!

Jessica Lin Schema's Pinterest account and follow us on our visual exploration of all things ethnic cool! 1. Photo courtesy of behance.net [Global Eats] Cheeky Buns: Taiwanese Food Truck Following food trucks is one of my favourite ways to eat like a local and experience a local community's creativity! 2. Photo courtesy of Jessica Lin [Global Eats] Japadog in Vancouver, Canada Vancouver's pride & joy, our precious Japadog! I post pictures like this every once and a while on my Facebook, and they never fail in attracting my foodie friends to come visit me in Vancouver. 3. Photo courtesy of Naoki Oha [World of Art] Naoshima, Japan Naoshima is a small island known for its many contemporary art pieces, scattered throughout the island. A wonderful testimony of what artists can do to contribute to the local community and economy. 4. Photo courtesy of itsallaboutlola.tumblr.com [Schema Street Style] Monde de Chevval High-waisted jean shorts, brilliant blue Ash sneakers. A simple, comfy, pretty look for Spring! 5. Photo courtesy of buzzfeed.com [Global Eats] How To Make The Best Japanese Curry Rice Japanese curry has a hint of fruity sweetness that makes it my favourite curry choice. So easy to make that if I know I have a busy week ahead, I will make a curry stew like this and eat it for the next few days. 6. Photo courtesy of Billy Kidd [Photo Capture] Decaying Roses, 2012 by Billy Kidd I collect flowers images everywhere I go and pin them onto Pinterest. "Decaying Roses" by Billy Kidd is my most recent find that I love. 7. Photo courtesy of designboom.com [Delightful Design] the dog house sofa by Seungji Mun Designed by Korean designer Seungji Mun, "the dog house sofa" is created to serve the coexistence of people and their pets. 8. Photo courtesy of blushingapples.tumblr.com [Fashion & Style] Black High Heels Beautiful black high heels are timeless, a true fashion staple. 9.
















Photo courtesy of belvoirfruitfarms.co.uk [Delightful Design] Pretty Packaging Sometimes package design makes a drink look so beautiful that I would just buy it and admire it. I'm not a juice drinker, but a design fan. 10. Photo courtesy of designlifekids.com [World of Art] PANTONE PAIRINGS: Classic Food Combinations Make Art David Schwen made Pantone colours relevant to everyone by matching Pantone colour chips with everyday food pairings, like peas and carrots. Designer's magic! Born in Taipei, Jessica came to Canada when she was 17 and first settled in Three Hills, Alberta. Studying interpretation and translation at Simon Fraser University, she also holds a B.A. in Media Communications and Theater and works as a freelance graphic artist. As the first and only member of her family living in North America, Jessica constantly finds herself as not just a language interpreter, but also a cultural translator. You can follow her on Twitter @JaessicaLin or on Instagram @sicilywonder.]]> http://www.schemamag.ca/archive2/2013/03/top_10_pinterest_posts_from_sc_1.php tag:www.schemamag.ca,2013://1.3330 2013-03-22T16:00:00Z 2013-03-22T20:22:58Z

You know what gets to me? When people mess up a good thing. Kinder Surprise did just that by messing up chocolate with sexist toys they've recently introduced into the market: Kinder Surprise Toys for Girls.

Sadiya Ansari GoldieBlox. The story of GoldieBlox goes a little something like this: GoldieBlox is a toy company founded in 2012 by Debbie Sterling, a female engineer from Stanford University. GoldieBlox offers a much-needed female engineer role model who is smart, curious and accessible, she has the potential to get girls interested in engineering, develop their spatial skills and build self-confidence in their problem solving abilities. This means that GoldieBlox will nurture a generation of girls who are more confidence, courageous and tech-savvy, giving them a real opportunity to contribute to the progress made by engineers in our society. Now that's what I'm talking about! A toy that sheds away the pink and frilliness and embraces a sophisticated, smart and ambitious characteristic that girls are able to relate to. Listen, if a girl wants to play with the doll in the pink dress, so be it. But it should be her choice rather than indoctrination from pop culture and mainstream society - and she should be afforded with different options: the doctor character, the writer, and the hot wheels. Hey Kinder: Surprise! You really messed up. ]]> http://www.schemamag.ca/archive2/2013/03/kinder_surprises_new_toys_sexi.php