Fritz Liess writes
My best friend is renting a room to a Monterey Institute of International Studies student from China. This visitor was quite troubled by Thursday’s Go! section cover article about Pacific Grove’s Feast of Lanterns. We found ourselves trying to explain why white westerners put on such a pageant dressed in stereotypical Chinese costumes.
We did not have answers to the following questions: How is the Feast of Lanterns different from anti-Semitic passion plays in Europe and black-face minstrel shows of the Jim Crow South?
It’s a play, that’s all. And maybe the student should first look in the mirror and ask questions about racism in China
Here’s an answer for ya, Fritz:
The pageant may be corny, but does it IN ANY WAY portray the Chinese people in a negative light? NO.
If someone wanted to diss China, there are a thousand GOOD reasons to do so.
This “student” is lucky to have the freedom to express an opinion – however misguided it may be. Oh, whoops, did I just stereotype the Chinese government as oppressive, and stifling of free speech?
Now to return to my roots:
IF YOU DON’T LIKE IT, GO THE HELL BACK TO CHINA.
Sorry, I should have addressed that reply to “Ashamed To Be A White Westerner”.
I don’t think the Feast of Lanterns is racist. Last I checked there were no rules that stated that characters in a play must be native of the nationality that they portray.
However, the following comment left by this site is just as retarded: “And maybe the student should look in the mirror and ask questions about racism in China.”
What is this, a “two wrongs make a right” argument?
Well as a newer PG resident, I will confess to feeling some “racist” emotions about the Feast. I looked at the PG Historical website about the event and the only asian person depicted in any of the old pictures from the photo archives (not this year’s event) was PULLING THE RICKSHAW holding the “white” gem princesses (or whatever they are). That was a little troubling… I also heard some tourists laughing about the “phoney Chinese crap going on”. The fireworks were great though.
Odd that the Feast Of Lanterns has been a multi-culture event before it was ever politically correct to be multicultural.
The dragon does not resemble any Asian dragons, looks like west-European with the sawtooth back.
The belly dancers are more Middle Eastern.
The temple dancers – Japanese.
Blue Willow play – Chinese.
There are entertainment acts that display a wide selection of Americana. I especially enjoy the dance acts with children from all reaches of the peninsula that share a common joy – dance. There is not a hint of hate in the air when they are performing. Then you get folk music, rock and roll, blues, classical, barbershop quartet and even accordion players. They all get applause.
The princesses are all Pacific Grove schoolkids. Have to admit – there are few non-white kids in P.G.
If this was your first time – you lucked out. 9 out of 10 times the fog is thick enough to blur the fireworks and muffle the noise.
Sometimes people do bring up the fact about the Chinese settlement that once was where Hopkins Marine is. It burned down and was never rebuilt. Some say it was intolerant Pacific Grove residents, some say it was Cannery owners that wanted any competition gone, some say it was just an accident. It had nothing to do with Feast Of Lanterns. Just someone trying to be PC and give reparations.
There should be a special section for tourists. Like out at Roberts Lake.
Yay! Roberts Lake!
I get the island….