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When They're Not Studying...

Posted by Valencia Chang 04/28/2008 7:46 PM

Tags: asians, Shisan, China Nite, Chinese Student Organization, CSO

In terms of an Asian experience, it simulated the crowded atmosphere of China very effectively, and the rationed food handed out by staff members was rather meager for the $15 entrance fee.

The event itself lasted a very long 3+ hours, like sitting through Lord of the Rings, except with a bathroom break. There was a plot somewhere, but it was basically a very, very long fashion show...full of very thin Asian girls in very short skirts and several pounds of hooker makeup.

The audience members were very enthusiastic, though what little drama the story had was destroyed by the incessant catcalling of friends of the cast. At least it's not hard to keep a straight face on stage when there's so much foundation holding your face in place.

Comments

Anonymous says,

ahahah you guys are stupid. that girl DOES look slutty... Posted 05/11/2008 12:18 PMReply

Anonymous says,

why would you even watch the show if you don't know/ don't care what it is about..? Posted 05/11/2008 12:45 PMReply

Anonymous says,

Sadly, you devote your free time to writing this nonsense. You should at least research before you criticize, then maybe this wouldn't be such a poor example of journalism. You may have found out how much work and time was put into this show, with clothing sponsors. Yea CLOTHING SPONSORS meaning people who are WHITE also wear these clothes. Media eithics would eat you alive in the real world. You're lucky you can write whatever you want through blogging. Please don't become a journalist. You will wind up black listed in society. Posted 05/11/2008 1:03 PMReply

Valencia Chang says,

So this post is a little saucier than what you're used to, I'm not sure how this constitutes racism. Posted 05/11/2008 2:29 PMReply

Anonymous says,

Hey, everybody's gotta get layed Posted 05/11/2008 2:37 PMReply

Valencia Chang says,

If China Nite wasn't supposed to be an "Asian experience", I don't know what it was supposed to be. Judging by some of the comments I got, I think you guys can handle a little bit of political incorrect humor.

As for my attendance, I went to this show because I didn't know what it was going to be like.

Lastly, I apologize for the tag, I've already removed it. Posted 05/11/2008 5:10 PMReply

Anonymous says,

=) is okies we need haters to make us stronger. can you said someone is Jealous?

Chris Posted 05/11/2008 5:10 PMReply

Anonymous says,

the racism is implying that
-asian people just study all the time
-chinese people ration their food
etc..
this type of stereotyping is very ignorant. Posted 05/11/2008 5:35 PMReply

Anonymous says,

Continually assaulting the performers and their amount of makeup is pretty pointless. It was a show...obviously, all the performers would want to look nice.

People worked rather hard on their performances for that night and your critisms as you sit behind a computer screen making judgements just goes to show that you have no appreciation for the work that they did. Oh, and you have no life =] Posted 05/11/2008 5:45 PMReply

Valencia Chang says,

Are people entitled to appreciation because they worked hard, or because they impressed the audience? Posted 05/11/2008 6:49 PMReply

Anonymous says,

Are you entitled your position as a chief contributor even though your posts are an embarrassment to journalism? Posted 05/11/2008 7:03 PMReply

Valencia Chang says,

Since when is blogging journalism? Posted 05/11/2008 7:05 PMReply

Anonymous says,

^^ you guys are like the morons that boo Simon on American Idol. Also, you're late for your CS tournaments and half-price bubble tea. gtfo. Posted 05/11/2008 7:20 PMReply

Anonymous says,

I'm sorry you have to try and put others down in order to try and rebuild your obviously low self esteem.

I'm sorry you had nothing better to do on that saturday night than "pull alot of strings" just so you could get a ticket to go to a show you had no idea about by yourself. And then blog about it.

I feel bad for you Miss Darcy, I really do. And apparently, thin Asian girls with stage makeup really bring out your insecurities.

But it's nice to see the show had that much of an effect on you that you posted it online for the entire world to see. Posted 05/12/2008 09:26 AMReply

Hector Nazario says,

Make constructive comments about the post, people. You are free to agree or disagree with the opinions of the blogger, but insults won't be tolerated. Posted 05/12/2008 09:41 AMReply

Anonymous says,

hector, how are we to make constructive comments about the post when we feel as though the blogger has insulted those who worked hard for the show? "hooker makeup"? "so much foundation holding your face in place"? darcy, how are you to write an article basing the whole show on maybe 5 girls out of 30 who were "very thin" and wore short skirts? Posted 05/12/2008 12:12 PMReply

Anonymous says,

if shes going to insult us, then same goes back to her Posted 05/12/2008 12:13 PMReply

Anonymous says,

i seriously think that if you were not part of the show, you would not understand how hard it was for all of us involved. just because we are asian does not mean we study all the time. i mean you study too does that make you asian? you seriously have no life to go to the show just sit in front of your computer and talk trash about all those "models", not "very thin Asian girls in very short skirts and several pounds of hooker makeup". obviously you wouldnt understand and are apparently jealous and racist. and for the "incessant catcalling" if you went to your friends show, (that is if you have friends), you would understand that they are there to cheer on their friends. this sounds nothing like an article, its just someone having to put down others in hopes of recognition and attention. Posted 05/12/2008 8:11 PMReply

Anonymous says,

I'll Leave a constructive comments for Darcy:
1. Take more than 3 pictures of 1 out of 10 scenes and use that as evidence before you go and write your thesis because your thesis is so incorrectly out of context that I can post up 50 pictures that make this show looks a whole lot different than what you are depicting.

2. The clothes are provided by sponsors. "Whorey" or fashionable who are you to decide do you have fashion background? What constitutes you the right to label a person a whore for wearing clothes that are require of them by their sponsors. Please prove this fact about yourself in yourself before you start judging others. Because if you have no credentials in doing in so then I simply telling you to SHUT THE HELL UP if you dont know what you talking about.

3. Seriously do your research. There is A LOT more to the show than just what you are saying. Don't put insult on what you don't know. People put tremendous amount of hard works into this show. So if you going to criticize than do it right or don't do it at all.

After reading your article or "blog" I feel like its nothing more than an a jealousy attitude towards the show express in annoying insulting comments. So to improve your thesis about the show. Do your research or simply shut up!!

love,
PHAT

PS. Food are first come first serve basis at ANY Rutgers Events and there was no promise made by anyone that you WILL get food upon going to the show. so if you didn't get any food than deal with it =). There were tons of left over food at the show I even took some home, so if you want some stop by. Therefore DON'T LIE THAT'LL DISCREDIT YOUR BLOG!! Posted 05/12/2008 8:28 PMReply

Anonymous says,

@ Anonymous: how about you can go suck a d**k and we call it a day =) Posted 05/12/2008 9:11 PMReply

Anonymous says,

@ Anonymous: uh engrish please Posted 05/12/2008 10:48 PMReply

Anonymous says,

i understand the whole concept of freedom of speech and all, but that doesn't make it right for you to spew ignorance Posted 05/12/2008 11:51 PMReply

Anonymous says,

I understand what you mean by the "sluttiness," but this show has been the most covered than shows in previous years. Unfortunately, you have not been able to see previous shows, but you would have appreciated the changes that we had made this year. However, from a point of view from someone that was not part of the show or previous shows, I am grateful for your feedback.

As for the "hooker makeup," it is not like that at all! It's called "stage makeup." We just wanted to the models to look colorful on stage because the lights tend to drown out their faces. All actors, models, and dancers (even 4 year-olds) wear stage makeup, if not more.

3+ hours ... the show was only 2.5 hours: the shortest it has been in three years.

As for the drama --- it's only a fashion show. It's supposed to mainly be about the clothing.

That's only a taste of things that are done for this show. I'm glad you were able to find a ticket. Hopefully next year they can create a show that will exceed your expectations.

By the way, I think the "catcalling" of friends' names is one of the best things in shows (maybe not plays)! It really pushes the models to perform to the best of their abilities. I love audiences like that = ) Posted 05/13/2008 06:39 AMReply

Valencia Chang says,

@ Anonymous: Was it really suppose to be mostly a fashion show? I went in expecting more of a variety show of some sort.

Are the China Nite performances always fashion shows, or could they be more cultural? It would been nice to see the Chinese Dance Troupe perform with you guys, for instance. Posted 05/13/2008 06:56 AMReply

Anonymous says,

I hope this isn't supposed to be considered journalism of any sort or that you were writing this hoping for some form of respect because this is by far the worst article I have ever read. If your "contributor" worked as hard as he/she did to see the show, you'd think the article would reflect that. Instead, it's only a few lines, but it's full of bitching and off-base criticisms, since the previous poster was right: 1) it's a fashion show and 2) it is stage makeup. You are the perfect example of ignorance, and as a chief contributor, that speaks negatively on this entire website. Despite your attendance there, you are clearly not a credible source of information, nor are you funny. Chinese Cultural Revolution? Hilarious, for someone whose trying too hard to be witty. Give your readers a real article and a real journalist. Posted 05/13/2008 08:04 AMReply

Anonymous says,

@ Anonymous: just read your previous comment--"since when is blogging journalism?" I guess you're right. Only credible writers would consider their content to be journalism since journalism implies that the journalist was responsible in researching the subject matter. Posted 05/13/2008 08:11 AMReply

Anonymous says,

@ Miss Darcy: yes.. it was a fashion show.. there was a runway and a beautiful stage built. Normal variety shows do not have runways. Posted 05/13/2008 08:48 AMReply

Anonymous says,

"When [we're] not studying?" Maybe if you actually did some studying you'd be able to write something better than a lazy attempt at a decent article with elementary-school vocabulary and middle-school word-play. Maybe when you actually graduate with your undergraduate journalism degree you stop play-pretending journalist. At this rate, I doubt even the Daily Targum will accept this mindless drivel and ill-researched 10-minute fluff piece as an actual article.

How dare you insulate anyone as a hooker or joke about the social practices of Asian Americans when they're "not studying?" The show took over 9 months of planning and over 150 performers, staff, and University staff to coordinate and manage. This show has evolved over 13 years from humble cultural roots to a dynamic modern exposition of Asian American life. Students with full academic schedules and personal responsibilities contributed hundreds of excess man-hours for the success of the show. How dare you insult the work and dedication of these people with this pathetic excuse of objective journalism?

I don't know what "strings" you pulled, but I will personally make sure you are blacklisted from the next show. I sincerely hope your editors will carefully reconsider the integrity of the "contributors" who represent them in their firm.

-Ying Wang
Rutgers Chinese Student Organization Posted 05/13/2008 1:59 PMReply

Anonymous says,

i think you should be careful about what you write before you post things like this. i understand your personal way of looking at things, but i can't help but feel offended that it's kinda of stereotypical and ignorant. i don't know if you know much about American Asians, but it's obviously a lot more than just studying and being slutty.

if your commenting to say how show how "slutty" the show is, why don't you comment on other fashion shows at rutgers? have you even been to other ones? and you shouldn't use one scene to represent the whole show, because there were also nine other parts that represented very different types of fashion.

and yes, it is strictly a fashion show. it's not so much about traditional culture at it is to embody modern day Asian cultural experience--Cultural performances group use to perform at China Nite, but this year the coordinators decided to keep it a fashion show, and there's nothing wrong with that if it is what it is. if you want to see cultural performances, go to cultural shows that say these groups will perform.

any work of art can produce negative or positive critics. whether the show was impressive or not, all of this is just your personal opinion in the end. but this article is "funny," but also really judgmental and ignorant. Posted 05/13/2008 2:10 PMReply

Valencia Chang says,

Ying, don't you think you're reading too much into this? The blog posts on this site is meant to be short opinion pieces (again, NOT journalism see here http://mooreslore.corante.com/archives/2005/04/29/is_blogging_journalism.php). I'm sorry I can't say that I loved the show, because I didn't.

No where in this article did I discredit hard work that was put into the preparation, I simply didn't mention it, because I do have a word limit to adhere to.

Once again, I apologize for the political incorrect humor that is taken by many of the commentors as racism, because I did not intend for this article to be an attack on Asians at all. It's merely an unimpressed review of a show I had different expectations for.

Rest assured that I will not try to go to any further China Nite shows, now that I know they are not for me. Please waste no more anger over this article. Posted 05/13/2008 2:16 PMReply

Anonymous says,

@ Miss Darcy:
Miss Darcy, your blog is in the public sphere with a public audience. Furthermore, you write about the show in the voice and intent of a reporter. Regardless if you intend your blog to be journalistic or a personal exposition of your thoughts, you have a public reach and for you to publicly insinuate my performers akin to "hookers" and perpetuate the Asian stereotype of studious bookworms is UNACCEPTABLE and DEGRADING.

While I understand that anyone in the public is afforded their own opinions (both positive and negative) on all public events and gatherings, a person such as yourself who is in a position to publish work to reach a public audience have a responsibility to make his/her work objective, meaningful, and fair. Insulting my staff and performers in such an uncouth manner is UNACCEPTABLE and will not be tolerated.

I suggest you either edit the article so that it adequately reflects your opinions but in an non-insulting and non-abusive manner or post a retraction of the entry. I intend to get in contact with your editors if otherwise.

-Ying Posted 05/13/2008 2:52 PMReply

Hector Nazario says,

@ Anonymous:
Mr. Ying, we appreciate your feedback but feel the article is fine as-is. Miss Darcy has already made all the necessary changes to it. As far as I am concerned, this matter is closed. Posted 05/13/2008 3:16 PMReply

Anonymous says,

If those people who are anonymously commenting are seriously offended, why not propose to serve collegeOTR.com on the charges of libel? If anybody, "Miss Darcy" will be ultimately be liable for her contributions if not the whole company. I'm not too sure but I believe this website is created by four recent college graduates who probably will not be able to incur even half the monetary costs of settling a lawsuit out of court. Just throwing it out there if you guys just want to see this article gone. Posted 05/13/2008 3:21 PMReply

Anonymous says,

@ HectorOTR: I hardly consider this matter closed or resolved. My concerns and objections are neither addressed nor were they validated in any respect. I am appalled that your website would allow this sort of brazen and insulting material to be published on your website. Your contributor, Miss Darcy's, irresponsible work comparing my female performers as "hookers" and perpetuating the Asian studious stereotype is insulting to the organization that I represent and the staff members involved in it.

In your 5/12/2008 09:41 AM post, you had chided the public to keep their comments "constructive" and that "insults will not be tolerated." I applaud you for your defense of your contributor, but implore you to extend the same kind of respect for the my organization and and the community in which Miss Darcy's irresponsible article has insulted brazenly.

Your contributor's opinions regarding the show are her own, but regardless, I wish for the article to remove any reference to "hooker," and for the title of the article to be changed to something that is not clearly referring to a race stereotype. Posted 05/13/2008 3:41 PMReply

Anonymous says,

@ HectorOTR: First and foremost I would like to see an apology towards all the models, coordinators, head coordinators, sponsors, and everyone else that she has offended by this blog. I, as one of the coordinators, am completely offended by the same statements Ying had made above. Furthermore, stating that the show should be more cultural is another low blow, if you will. There were a few cultural aspects of the show in which perhaps she may have failed to see.

Cultural Aspect #1: There was a Chinese lion dance, which by the way was a southern lion head. Usually, the lion comes out during the new year, banquets, grand openings, or other special performances. This being the case of one... I would like to see a picture of that instead of the chosen pictures that she had used to represent the show...but i guess that was non-cultural to her i assume...

Cultural Aspect #2: The Use of the Chinese Kung fu weaponry. Chinese Kung fu is part of the Chinese heritage so essentially part of the Chinese culture. The weapons used were appoved by the campus Admins. Such weapons used were the twin daggers, kung fu bamboo fan, meridian axes, and the spear. I don't know how someone can miss the spear with red hair on it but i guess she did. I guess the meridian axes, commonly used in the Ba gua style, was not visible even though it was pretty much blinging, if you will, with the stage lights going on. I guess she failed to see this Cultural aspect as well.

Cultural Aspect #3: the use of small lights to create the stars. Chinese Astronomy...need i go on... i don't think soo...

Cultural Aspect #4: the make-up... Chinese Concubines...what do u think they were?!?!? This is indeed a cultural aspect as well. So a little bit of the sexual aspect has appeared yet modernized a little...but you know the saying Sex sells...

So Hector...I would like to see that apology blog from her!!! thanks!

Jeff
China Nite 13 Shisan Coordinator Posted 05/13/2008 3:58 PMReply

Anonymous says,

do you even know what Libel is? you are fools and you demonstrate ignorance the way you piggyback each other as a racial bandwagon. The blog is about China Nite, not asian americans. Focus, daniel-san! Posted 05/13/2008 6:32 PMReply

Anonymous says,

This article makes use of offensive, racial rhetoric, endorses negative racial stereotyping, and even goes so far as to insinuate a relationship between Asians and prostitution. The very fact that it is still allowed to stand on a public forum as an acceptable article is outrageous, and in fact its existence implies that the editors view all of its contents as within acceptable standards of the site. I am sure that Miss Darcy as well as the editors are fully aware that a criticism of the show can be easily written without racial undertones. Posted 05/13/2008 6:35 PMReply

Anonymous says,

Grow up people. Read the post again and you'll realize how harmless it really was. Granted, I didn't attend China Nite, but as far as I can tell no one has made a single rational criticism of this post so far. If you think that she has in some way made a mistake, address her comments specifically. Maybe then you can be taken seriously. Posted 05/13/2008 10:05 PMReply

Anonymous says,

funny funny...reading this piece of writing definitely made me crack up...title: when they're not studying...seems to have some hint of racial stereotyping...its in big, bold, and in the beginning for some of the ppl who couldnt see it.
yes everybody has their own right to have an opinion but maybe you just want to be careful with your words...you should understand that there were some things you mentioned that were very insulting to people who put their time and dedication into china nite...a show that has been running for now its 13th year, mind you....people have poured sweat and blood into keeping the tradition of giving a show that will sell out w/in 20-30 mins...can you name another performance in a university, actually just Rutgers, that also has that title every year? There must be something about this china nite show then that gathers such a crowd every year, correct? If you have never heard of china nite before then the organization cannot blame you for coming in with no clue of what to expect but people who do have knowledge of china nite understand that the show is meant to be more of a modern fashion show that includes modern hip hop choreographed dancing and skits...it is not meant to be another traditional cultural show. Now you know. Your opinions of ideas to the show (ie.chinese dance troupe) are greatful but they shy away from what the theme of china nite is. Maybe watching the previous china nite performances may let you in on what china nite has been like, is like, and will be like. So you must understand why people were angered by this "blog". Even though you say you have limited amounts of writing, you could have replaced some of the insulting pieces with at least some positive of the show. There were parts that seem to start with a positive light, but was then hit with another negative comment. Not loving the show, fine, but implying many insulting negative things, (such as being like sluts/hookers) isn't as fine, let's just say.
Another thing, if your friend was in an performance, would you not cheer for them? Maybe you might or might not, but many audience members who come to china nite are ecstatic to see their friends' hardwork pay off in the performance.Thats why performers actually have a hard time staying in character which ask for a straight face b/c hearing their friends brings smiles to our faces. If china nite was a play of some sort where cheering is not accepted until the end then it could be very distracting, but that isnt china nite. China nite feeds off the energy of the audience and is very greatful to recieve the cheering, shouting, whooting, whistling, screaming, clapping, and "catcalling" from the audience members.
Also, the beginning of the article says, "Our contributor explains why she had to "pull a lot of strings to find an extra ticket in just to check out the spectacle." As a reader, reading that headline I was expecting the article to be about that. Just wondering though, where in the article did you explain that headline?
Thank you for your opinion Miss Darcy, as you have now heard many of ours.

-china nite performer
p.s. even though you call it hooker makeup...its just stage makeup...ask any performer of any show or just go to another show (ie. broadway, if you want a very distinguished performance)...stage makeup asks for a much more necesarry amount than normal wear makeup...performers call it stage makeup for a reason Posted 05/13/2008 11:20 PMReply

Anonymous says,

as an audience.. i liked the show. cool =) Posted 05/13/2008 11:46 PMReply

Anonymous says,

i like this monkey picture too. Posted 05/13/2008 11:46 PMReply

Anonymous says,

As an Asian American I did not see any real racist slurs toward Asian people or particularly Chinese individuals. Assuming that the comments were towards Asians or Chinese people shows that you still think of those stereotypes. What I did see was an opinion from the audience. I did go to the show and I thought it was pretty good. So one person did not like your show , so every member of China Nite gangs up on her? Obviously your show cannot please everybody. It is a very small blog no need for everyone to take it to heart. Like I said show was pretty good. Posted 05/14/2008 11:13 AMReply

Anonymous says,

hahahaha look at you guys taking one blog seriously, obviously not a big show if you guys get mad at one review. I bet these are the same people that wrote shit about Status quo when they beat out kabba modern. HAHAHHAHA Posted 05/14/2008 11:18 AMReply

Anonymous says,

@ Anonymous: Okay, well if the blog is about China Nite and not Asian Americans, then why is the headline "Asians don't just study, they can look slutty too"? Posted 05/14/2008 4:03 PMReply

Anonymous says,

Of course people would write sh!t about Status Quo... they suck. hahahaha Posted 05/14/2008 4:06 PMReply

Anonymous says,

I totally agree with Miss Darcy....that show sucked ass...the whole fashion show aspect was lost to them. It was pretty much just a bunch of friends who got together and orchestrated a performance that resembled something that Barnum&Bailey would present. As for the models, I'm sure there were people better fitted to "model", who weren't picked due to the fact that they didnt know one of the illustrious China nite coordinators. It made no sense, not even really a fashion show, Coordinators couldnt think of a good theme so they bit off Chronicles of Narnia(why? maybe next year Transformer theme), lacked any real cultural insight, show sucked, shouldve been called Ass nite 13 shitshit. Posted 05/14/2008 7:39 PMReply

Anonymous says,

Not really even a fashion show? Riiiiight.. Okay let's see:
1. There was a runway
2. Every scene had some kind of a walk down the runway
3. People wore fashionable clothing

Idiot.

And if i recall, i didn't see any semblance to a barnum&bailey show due to the fact that there were no trapeze acts, clowns, or zoo animals. That was a terrible reference. In my opinion, I think its pretty sweet and creative to incorporate a story and/or theme within a fashion show or vice versa instead of just one or the other.

And as for who got chosen and who didnt, stop hating because YOU didnt make it. There was alot of new talent brought to China Nite this year, many of whom didn't know any of the coordinators personally.

And lastly, a Transformers theme could be a clever idea. We can all do the robot.

-Addy Posted 05/14/2008 11:07 PMReply

TheBookworm says,

While I agree that the title is a little questionable, I really don't see anything super offensive in this post. To be fair, though, I did not read the original, un-edited entry.

The poster never called the girls hookers, just insinuated that their make was "hooker make up" (and I'm sorry "China Nite Performer", but judging by the photos and as someone that does theatre make up, what the girls are wearing is NOT "stage make up". It's very clearly ALOT of "sexy" make up). And I mean, if the photos show the type of fashion there, the girls really were representing a certain kind of fashion. And just because there are stars projecting will probably NOT make most audience members think of Chinese Astronomy.

Oh, and saying that they're a play of "Chinese concubines" does NOT help your case.

Look, if you guys are so pissed, why don't you post some more pictures of the show? Or video or something? Maybe that way the non-audience readers can get a "more rounded" idea? Posted 05/14/2008 11:45 PMReply

Anonymous says,

Bookworm, here you go:

http://www.pbase.com/jpena/cnxiii&page=1

It's a lot of pictures, but hopefully they will give the readers a better understanding of what the show was about. I don't think the 3 pictures Miss Darcy put up does it any justice. Posted 05/15/2008 12:44 PMReply

Anonymous says,

but i bet you were still "modeling" Posted 05/15/2008 10:33 PMReply

Anonymous says,

and i def. did see some zoo animals Posted 05/15/2008 10:42 PMReply

Anonymous says,

The reason no one finds anything offensive is because asian stereotypes don't hold as much weight. If this were a black fashion show and people were making chicken and watermelon jokes, everyone would shit their pants about it. Posted 05/24/2008 12:24 AMReply