I will be in Berkeley, California this weekend studying and listening closely on the first academic conference in the U.S. convened at the campus of the University of California, Berkeley on the fascinating subject of Islamophobia.
The word, "Islamophobia," is defined as the fear surrounding Muslims, from appearances to beliefs. It has gripped the West, an issue permeating politics, pop culture and even the price of gas. A group of professors and academics from around the nation are gathered this weekend at UC Berkeley to discuss what it means. Click on below and learn about this fascinating confab of American academics gathered in Berkeley this weekend.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2008/04/26/MN5110C2DN.DTL
At the confab, I will be especially interested in comparing Islamophobia and Sinophobia.
Sinophobia is defined as hatred of things Chinese, in America's pendulum mood swings from Sinophilia to Sinophobia. What cause Americans to have mood swings from love of China to hate of China nowadays ? Do Americans need to take their Prozac to calm down their nerves and hatred of Chinese and things Chinese these days ? On this topic, click on my previous blog on the subject:
http://spatiumtrientis.blogspot.com/2008/04/georgetown-university-professor-george.html
Heavy stuff aside, Don't forget to go watch "Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay" either, now showing in your local movie theater. Don't forget to bring your own char-siu-bao, much cheaper than popcorn and coca-cola inside your American movie houses. Harold and Kumar's first spoof, "White Castle" is available from your local video store. If not, get it through Amazon.com or Netflix or Blockbuster.
Harold and Kumar, the two new Asian-American "anti-hero" bongheads, are (in "Guantanamo Bay") mistaken for a North Korean spy and Al Queda terrorist in the hilarious parody of stupid America gripped by paranoia and racism. The spoof is absolutely hilarious and will put you in stitches.
Korean-American actor John Cho plays "Harold" and Indo-American actor Sal Penn plays "Kumar." Good spoof. Hilarious but very revealing about America and American culture from an Asian-American fun perspective. Click on my earlier blog about "Harold and Kumar."
http://spatiumtrientis.blogspot.com/2008/04/hollywood-tinseltown-yellow-and-brown.html
