Article, Review and Plug From June 2006

Debunking The 100% Hapa Fetish by Frank Y Pak Agostinelli

When Part Asian 100% Hapa was released back in April of this year, I was very happy to see someone throwing us a coming out party. Unfortunately as with every celebration, there are some who aren’t having fun at the party. They’re party-poopers who forgot what it is like to enjoy a celebration. They become critical of the ambiance, they are disruptive, and annoying. To say I was a little peeved with what Anastasia and Drusilla had said about 100% Hapa in a SFGate.com review is an understatement. Their feedback was a Swiss cheese critique done in poor taste. I had written in my review of Kip’s book “the participants were tastefully photographed,” but for some reason the focal point was on what they deemed inappropriate instead of what the totality of the book represented. It’s sad some in the Hapa community pull out the Fetishism/Sexualizing/Exoticism card any time there is a hint of skin.

What The Hell Is Fetishism?

The word fetish is always grouped with sex. Always. The origins of the word are not of this connotation. The fact was centered on the supernatural attachment to religions. Would Charles de Brosses say a Hapa has supernatural beauty? I am more than certain a female of Mixed Asian ancestry would deem this a cheesy pick-up line, if ever delivered, from the movie “A Night At The Roxbury.” Ditto for a Mixed Asian male. In Das Capital, Karl Marx spoke of commodity fetishism. "A commodity appears, at first sight, a very trivial thing, and easily understood. Its analysis shows that it is, in reality, a very queer thing, abounding in metaphysical subtleties and theological niceties," (319). If one applies the previous sentence to Mixed Asians, we weren’t a big deal until someone placed us on a pedestal. Sigmund Freud is connected with fetishism because he expounded further than Alfred Binet did. Sexual fetishism is a form of paraphilia where the object of affection is a specific inanimate object or part of a person's body. Some of our parts? The perfect fusion of East and West? Previous to 2006 the word fetish has evolved to embody anything teetering on extreme affection for someone or something. Hence, this evolved definition of fetish in particular for people of mixed ancestry.

Any Hapa can look in the mirror and say to themselves, “I’m beautiful” or “I’m handsome,” and it will have zero to do with being mixed. Zero. When someone who is not Hapa makes the comment and couples it with the individual being mixed, this is a shallow remark. It gets the Mixed Asian fetish ball rolling unbeknownst to both parties until it morphs into an unspoken component of culture, a “loose” prescriptive norm. Mixed Asians are getting a push from mainstream America because we are a “commodity.” The attractive person has been there since day one regardless of their mixed ethnic background. Beauty is skin deep and it cannot be avoided. Being mixed is entirely different from being beautiful. Beauty and mixed are 2 different qualities. Being mixed does not constitute beauty and vice versa. The two are not synonymous though some people may have a preference for the mixed look just as some prefer blondes. From personal experience I have had women come up to me and state proudly they have an Asian fetish. Or ½ Asian fetish in my case. “I think part Asians are so gorgeous!” Wonderful, let me execute a lion dance for you! If I am enamored with a woman’s intellect to a somewhat perverted plateau of admiration, do I have an intelligence fetish? Do I sexualize intelligent women? I know, I know. Got it bad, got it bad, got it bad, I’m hot for teacher. As an individual you have to determine who is into you for you. Are they into you because you are beautiful/handsome? Or are they into you because you are beautiful/handsome and mixed? If it is the latter, is it a matter of personal preference or is it a fetish? If someone can come up with something empirical how and why being mixed equals beautiful then snowballs into fetishistic desires, sexualizing and exoticism of Hapas please forward me the report.

Why do some in the Hapa community embellish the truth about these fetishes? Let us not be ridiculous. I acknowledge through and through these fetishes are there but truth be told just because Mixed Asians are looked upon with over-exaggerated adoration it does not equal a fetish, sexualizing or exoticism. Don’t drill this propaganda into every living human being so it eventually becomes ingrained in society! Oh wait a minute, it already is. Channeling Michelangelo Buonarroti, I can paint with a broad stroke and state every ethnicity, every beautiful person, separate or together has been looked upon salaciously. This point is concrete as well redundant but must be stressed because Hapas are not the only ones on Fantasy Island. If we are to discuss this fetish with Hapas, why not fetishes among all human beings? Being an object of fascination and the question “what are you?” are part of the mixed experience and something we have to deal with as individuals and as a community. It is up to us to turn those oohs and ahhs into, “Hey you’re a helluva person.” Don’t bitch and moan about it. Do something about it. Don’t spin a positive event and attempt to discredit the celebration of Part Asian 100% Hapa. Here’s an idea, embrace the positive someone does for the Hapa community and take it to the next level.

Introducing MAW Productions

I'm not a comic book aficionado by any stretch. The last time I read one was before many of you were born but I want to tell you about a comic book produced by my Hapa sister Janet and her husband Martheus, Jetta: Tales Of The Toshigawa. Based out of Memphis, TN, MAW PRODUCTIONS is the creative husband and wife team behind the graphic novel Jetta: Tales of the Toshigawa. The concept for the Jetta character began in 1985 when Martheus Wade was inspired by the video game Ninja Gaiden. Janet Stone and Martheus met in 1996 while taking an intensive writing course at the University of Memphis and have been working hard on Jetta: Tales of the Toshigawa ever since. The couple has put in many hours into creating well illustrated comic books with an emotional yet action-packed storyline, with characters that struggle internally as well as with outside forces.

Martheus love for martial arts (he is a 2nd degree black belt in Shotokan Karate and a kickboxing practitioner) along with his talent as a graphic artist, was a natural fit for creating the characters and storyline. His artistic style is a unique blend of Japanese manga and traditional American cartooning. Martheus is a 1998 University of Memphis alumni with a degree in fine arts/graphic design. Janet co-writes Jetta: Tales of the Toshigawa. Not only does she help write the storylines, she also creates characters, compose pin-ups, and inks (its not tracing!) the pages of the comic books. Having lived in Okinawa, Japan for the early part of her childhood helps contribute to some of the research put into Jetta: Tales of the Toshigawa. Janet is an alumna of Southwest Tennessee Community College with a degree in graphic design/interactive media.

There are three graphic novels in the series, Last Chances vol.0, Defiance vol.1, and Rain vol.2. The independent graphic novels of Jetta: Tales of the Toshigawa has so far had a successful following, with fans from all across the country. The first book, Jetta: Tales of the Toshigawa - Last Chances vol.0 was released independently by MAW PRODUCTIONS in 2004. The first print run of Last Chances has since sold out, and the second print run is available for online. Jetta: Tales of the Toshigawa - Defiance vol.1 was published by Shooting Star Comics in 2005 and had an ad in Diamonds 2005 catalog. The most recent book, Jetta: Tales of the Toshigawa - Rain vol.2, was released just this month (May 2006). For book signings, interviews, reviews and to purchase Jetta, visit Toshigawa.com. MAW PRODUCTIONS Art With An Attitude!

Multiracial Apparel: Multiracial Clothing For The Multiracial Person

It’s not every day one can walk into your mainstream clothing store and pick up a shirt that represents your multiracial and/or multiethnic background. The last time I checked, Princess and So Hot I Sizzle weren’t ethnic groups. So what is one to do?! Let me introduce you to Multiracial Apparel. It was launched in 2005 by Rudy Guevarra to provide people of mixed ancestry with clothing that represented their identities, as well as celebrated their multiplicity. Rudy wanted to provide others like himself with clothing that represented our experiences. Other identities Multiracial Apparel explores through their clothing line include those who are involved in interracial relationships, parents of multiracial children, as well as transracial adoptees and their families. The gear is tight! I plan on purchasing some shirts as I am sure you will do the same! I encourage everyone to visit Multiracial Apparel and see for yourself!