17 10 805 https://archives.caaav.org/files/original/c82f022db2cbcb6d5cb3c2122222a5e9.jpg e667838e6a5add83a190715a5462a0f6 Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Volunteers Description An account of the resource Image showing CAAAV volunteers. One volunteer is holding a pen while another rests a hand on a table. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource undated Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Julia Gatenio Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright is held by CAAAV Organizing Asian Communities. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Photograph Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context CAAAV_1502 CAAAV Benefit CAAAV Voice Demonstration Solidarity Work https://archives.caaav.org/files/original/aba3f9a9a909776b4a7f4d8af9569377.jpg 954bb9ca0f1558c42628b3227727c7f5 Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Demonstration in front of a movie theater Description An account of the resource CAAAV banners being held up in front of a movie theater that is advertising the film Rising Sun. There is also a camera on a tripod. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource circa 1993. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Julia Gatenio Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright is held by CAAAV Organizing Asian Communities. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Photograph. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context CAAAV_1531 "Rising Sun" Chinatown Chinatown Justice Project Demonstration https://archives.caaav.org/files/original/361cc11a02981cc06112f304c5566d65.jpg 9174dabf2582820a6a1c0e40d44f1a30 Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Woman Being Interviewed by Newspeople During the "Rising Sun" Protest Description An account of the resource A young woman is interviewed in front of a movie theater by a New York 1 television news reporter and a 1010 WINS radio news reporter during a demonstration protesting the film "Rising Sun" Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource Ca. 1993 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Emma Griffin Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright is held by CAAAV Organizing Asian Communities. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Photograph Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context CAAAV_1550 "Rising Sun" Anti-Asian Violence and Representations Demonstration https://archives.caaav.org/files/original/9ad2608e855a1234c63995de175d9175.jpg 6980bda5a73709252ffa4d71788c4e6d Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Better Roles for Asian Actors Description An account of the resource This image shows a man holding a sign that reads in part: “We Demand Better Roles for Asian Actors''[1] at a demonstration at the opening of the film Rising Sun at the United Artist Theatre in Times Square. On July 30th, 1993, CAAAV, along with several other organizations, gathered to protest this film due to its stereotyping of Asian characters and xenophobic message.[2] Rising Sun was an addition to a long list of films that represent Asian Americans in a way that fans the flames of prejudice and hate towards Asian Americans and Asian nationals. The sign at the center of the photo calls for better representation of Asians in films due to the overwhelming presence of negative portrayals in the media that reinforce pre-existing prejudices. In the case of Rising Sun, Japanese men largely are portrayed as sexual deviants and threats, specifically to white American women, which further reinforces “Yellow Peril” -- the idea that Asian Americans pose a threat to White people.[3] In other films, Asian characters are frequently portrayed as foreigners who are unable to assimilate into American culture, particularly in regards to learning English.[4] Asian women are often depicted as either humble and obedient or hypersexualized, evil, and “ruthless dragon ladies.”[5] Conversely, Asian men are often portrayed as isolated and ignorant, but also cunning and villainous.[6] Over time roles have evolved to show Asian characters in a seemingly more positive light, but these roles typically promote the model minority stereotype by portraying Asians as quiet, nerdy, and passive.[7] Moreover, Asian actors are more often cast as supporting characters rather than in main roles. In a study of Asian American media representation: “70 Asian characters [were] identified among the 25 films in the analytic sample. Fourteen characters served lead roles, while 56 served supporting roles.”[8] There have even been instances in which Asian characters were played by white actors, most notably Mickey Rooney’s offensive role as Mr. Yunioshi in Breakfast at Tiffany’s.[9] While fictional characters may not appear to be directly harmful at first, the inaccurate portrayals of Asian-Americans and Asian nationals in the media have been shown to negatively impact Asian identity [10] and lead to an increase in violence and harassment against Asian Americans.[11] Violence against Asian Americans is worsened by misrepresentations of Asians in popular culture that lead many people to view Asian Americans, whether consciously or subconsciously, in a negative light. The anti-Asian violence that has been shown to stem from these misrepresentations in the media, as well as directly from US policies of systemic and institutional racism, are exactly what CAAAV was founded to stand up against.[12] Protesting films like Rising Sun gives the Asian American community the opportunity to combat directly the negative racial stereotypes that stem from, and perpetuate, institutional racism in the United States. Actions like this protest not only raise awareness for the issue, but bring CAAAV and others one step closer in their fight towards racial justice. Notes [1] “Better Roles for Asian Actors,” CAAAV Organizing Asian Communities Digital Archive, accessed March 17, 2021, http://maggie.hosting.nyu.edu/caaav/admin/items/show/1042. [2]“The CAAAV Voice: Newsletter of the Committee Against Anti-Asian Violence.” CAAAV Organizing Asian Communities, 1993. https://caaav.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Voice_Fall_1993.pdf. [3][4][5][6][7][11]Zhang, Qin. “Asian Americans Beyond the Model Minority Stereotype: The Nerdy and the Left Out.” Journal of International and Intercultural Communication 3, no. 1 (2010): 20–37. https://doi.org/10.1080/17513050903428109. [8][10] Besana, Tiffany, Dalal Katsiaficas, and Aerika Brittian Loyd. “Asian American Media Representation: A Film Analysis and Implications for Identity Development.” Research in Human Development 16, no. 3-4 (2019): 201–25. https://doi.org/10.1080/15427609.2020.1711680. [9] Force, Thessaly La. “Why Do Asian-Americans Remain Largely Unseen in Film and Television?” The New York Times. The New York Times, November 6, 2018. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/06/t-magazine/asian-american-actors-representation.html. [12]“History of CAAAV.” CAAAV.org. Accessed March 17, 2021. https://caaav.org/about-us/history-of-caaav. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource circa 1993. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Nicole Font This post was completed as coursework for HIST-GA 3901 Community Archives, taught by Maggie Schreiner, in the Archives and Public History MA program at New York University. Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright is held by CAAAV Organizing Asian Communities. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Photograph. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context CAAAV_1452 "Rising Sun" Anti-Asian Violence and Representations Demonstration Workers' Rights https://archives.caaav.org/files/original/b857aa85ccd4283ff9d66033b2faa9b1.jpg 9b70a1f407cb1c74fbb1334520c424a1 Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Times Square Demonstration Description An account of the resource Demonstrators in front of a movie theater in Times Square protesting the film Rising Sun. Demonstrators hold up a yellow banner that seems to read "Asian Americans for Equality." Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource circa 1993 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Julia Gatenio Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright is held by CAAAV Organizing Asian Communities. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Photograph Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context CAAAV_1554 "Rising Sun" Anti-Asian Violence and Representations Solidarity Work Workers' Rights Youth Leadership Project https://archives.caaav.org/files/original/fcd1c148f891e57a6d4589bd4d5d71dc.jpg 67547ce6049b6bc3834084ed953973e9 Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource The Protocols of Zion Anti-Asian Style Description An account of the resource Image showing CAAAV demonstrators protesting the movie Rising Sun in Times Square. One protestor holds a sign that reads "The Protocols of Zion Anti-Asian Style." Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource Circa 1993. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Julia Gatenio Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright is held by CAAAV Organizing Asian Communities. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Photograph. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context CAAAV_1564 "Rising Sun" Anti-Asian Violence and Representations Demonstration Racial Justice Committee Solidarity Work Youth Leadership Project https://archives.caaav.org/files/original/d07117ea65191375199b0823c9350e47.jpg 8bf557cc7831dcbbc3ee2e13818fa8c3 Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "Rising Sun" Demonstration Description An account of the resource Following the release of the film Rising Sun on July 30, 1993, members of the Committee Against Anti-Asian Violence (CAAAV), along with members of numerous other activist organizations such as the New York Coalition of Asian Pacific Americans, took part in a protest in front of the Criterion Theater in Times Square. The film is based off of Michael Crichton’s book of the same name which centers on the murder of a white woman discovered in the conference room of a major Japanese business in Los Angeles.[1] Over one hundred protesters joined together to teach moviegoers about the potential of racist, in this case anti-Asian, stereotypes to trigger violence. The majority of the Japanese male characters in the film, which starred Sean Connery and Wesley Snipes, were depicted as “venal and sexually deviant foreigners bent on taking over American institutions.”[2] In his criticism of the film, Joshua S. Mostow asserts that this serves as a means “to exorcise the” supposed “threat to American power, both sexual and commercial, and to reestablish white male hegemony.”[3] CAAAV volunteers protested the fact that the media and entertainment industry are largely responsible for maintaining and perpetuating harmful Asian stereotypes. This particular protest was planned and led by Jonathon Sung Bidol, Ginny Moon, and Julia Wang, interns in the organizations’ Youth Leadership .[4] Although the protest was organized by youth volunteers, people of all ages are present in the photographs from that day. One image in particular, item 1044, shows four large banners being held by a group of protestors.[5] While the writing on some of the banners is hard to make out, one woman holds a sign that reads “Protocols of Zion Anti-Asian Style,” linking the film’s negative portrayal of Asian people to an established Anti-Semitic trope. This woman can be seen in several other photographs including items 1302, 968, and 1104. In numerous other images including item 949, a youth activist holds a large red drum, asserting his heritage proudly as he marches down Times Square.[6] Anti-Asian representations and violence have occurred throughout American history, even before a significant number of people began immigrating to the United States from Asian countries. Unlike other immigrant groups who are able to acquire American national identities, thereby protecting them from violence and exclusion, Asian Americans have remained separate.[7] The correlation between “selective economic scapegoating and racism” is a theme that CAAAV has highlighted and endeavored to combat since its inception in 1986. Even before Rising Sun was released, CAAAV’s newsletter was reporting a rise in “Japan-bashing.”[8] In the case of Japanese Americans, there is a hostility that extends back to the bombing of Pearl Harbor. However, anti-Japanese attitudes have morphed into general anti-Asian attitudes because “Asians are perceived to ‘all look alike.’”[9] Indeed CAAAV was founded in the wake of the murder of Vincent Chin, a Chinese-American mistaken for a Japanese.[10] The omnipresence of these “anti-immigrant sentiments” have for so long served as a cover for racism.[11] Debunking such adverse characterizations is an important step in achieving equality for and stamping out violence towards Asian Americans. Notes [1] “Japan-bashing making mileage,” The CAAAV Voice 1, no. 4 (Spring 1992): 3, https://caaav.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Voice_Spring_1992.pdf. [2] Rising Sun! Raising Hate!” The CAAAV Voice 5, no. 2 (Fall 1993): 3, https://caaav.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Voice_Fall_1993.pdf. [3] Joshua S. Mostow, “Rising Son: Race, Women, and Exchange in the Film Rising Sun,” U.S.-Japan Women’s Journal. English Supplement, no. 16 (1999): 90, https://www.jstor.org/stable/42772141. [4] “Rising Sun! Raising Hate!” [5] “The Protocols of Zion Anti-Asian Style ,” CAAAV Organizing Asian Communities Digital Archive, accessed March 31, 2021, http://maggie.hosting.nyu.edu/caaav/admin/items/show/1044; “Woman Holding Sign at Joint AAALDEF/CAAAV Protest in Times Square,” CAAAV Organizing Asian Communities Digital Archive, accessed March 31, 2021, http://maggie.hosting.nyu.edu/caaav/admin/items/show/1302; “A Protest Against Anti-Asian Sentiments ,” CAAAV Organizing Asian Communities Digital Archive, accessed March 31, 2021, http://maggie.hosting.nyu.edu/caaav/admin/items/show/968; “Demonstration Against Anti-Asian Violence,” CAAAV Organizing Asian Communities Digital Archive, accessed March 31, 2021, http://maggie.hosting.nyu.edu/caaav/admin/items/show/1104. [6] “Interracial Demonstration Against Racism and Anti-Asian Sentiments,” CAAAV Organizing Asian Communities Digital Archive, accessed April 1, 2021, http://maggie.hosting.nyu.edu/caaav/admin/items/show/949. [7] Vivian Wong, Tom Ikeda, Ellen-Rae Cachola, and Florante Peter Ibanez, “Archives (Re)Imagined Elsewhere: Asian American Community-based Archival Organizations,” in [Through the] Archival Looking Glass: A Reader on Diversity and Inclusion, ed. Mary A. Caldera and Kathryn M. Neal (Chicago: Society of American Archivists, 2014, 113; Vivian Truong, “From State-Sanctioned Removal to the Right to the City: The Policing of Asian Immigrants in Southern Brooklyn, 1987-1995, Journal of Asian American Studies 23, no. 1 (February 2020): 61-92. [8] “Remember Pearl Harbor!” The CAAAV Voice 3, no. 1 (Fall 1991): 3, https://caaav.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Voice_Fall_1991.pdf. [9] “Japan-bashing making mileage.” [10] “About Us,” CAAAV: Organizing Asian Communities, accessed March 31, 2021, https://caaav.org/about-us; “History of CAAAV,” CAAAV: Organizing Asian Communities, accessed March 31, 2021, https://caaav.org/about-us/history-of-caaav; “Japan-bashing making mileage.” [11] “Rising Sun! Raising Hate!” Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource Circa 1993 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Julia Gatenio This post was completed as coursework for HIST-GA 3901 Community Archives, taught by Maggie Schreiner, in the Archives and Public History MA program at New York University. Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright is held by CAAAV Organizing Asian Communities. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Photograph. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context CAAAV_1574 "Rising Sun" Anti-Asian Violence and Representations Demonstration Racial Justice Committee Solidarity Work Youth Leadership Project https://archives.caaav.org/files/original/0e1cf392f5869ae149ae22b8aaa42f26.jpg 5721939edf0d05c2356d3621e0fbcff3 Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Sign-Up Sheet Description An account of the resource Two people lean down on a table filling out paper on clipboards. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource Undated. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Julia Gatenio Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright is held by CAAAV Organizing Asian Communities. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Photograph. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context CAAAV_1840 Solidarity Work https://archives.caaav.org/files/original/43a3cdd249714bdb6645fd8de288b788.jpg 932c78acf3376ded344dbcba2a8ea422 Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Affordable Housing Now Description An account of the resource Youth volunteers standing around in a circle. Signs on the wall read "Affordable Housing Now!" and "No Stadium Chinatown." Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource January 1, 1998. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Julia Gatenio Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright is held by CAAAV Organizing Asian Communities. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Photograph. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context CAAAV_938 Chinatown Chinatown Justice Project Chinatown Tenants Union Solidarity Work Street Vendors' Rights https://archives.caaav.org/files/original/8e7e663fbd5fcd51a04681ed9632cfa5.jpg 4d31d207f417dfe88039f8f9d3133fca Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Three Youth Volunteers Description An account of the resource Three youth volunteers chatting. One of them is referring to a piece of paper on her lap. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource January 1, 1998. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Julia Gatenio Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright is held by CAAAV Organizing Asian Communities. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Photograph. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context CAAAV_937