From: clare@nynexst.com (Clare Chu)
Subject: Montel Williams Show (Re: Hoyt Sze will be on TV!
Organization: Nynex Science and Technology
Distribution: na
Date: Wed, 30 Sep 92 12:44:28 GMT


  Well I saw it.  I rushed home and would just missed the first few
  minutes because of an accident on the freeway.  Anyway I was
  disappointed in Hoyt.  He didn't get in many words, and just
  sat there looking like a passive Asian stereotype, unless I missed
  anything in the first few minutes, someone please fill me in.

  Three men, Black, Asian and White and three women (same backgrounds)
  were on the show.  The three men were:  Yoshua Barak, a controversial
  author of a book saying women should submit to men.  Kyle Mills (didn't
  catch his occupation) who loves Black women, and Hoyt Sze (law student)
  who is turned off by Asian women dating white men.  The three women
  were Tanya Powell, President of African Amerian Women's Association,
  Angela Lee (didn't get her profession), and Felicia Midievel, comedian.

  I turned on the show right in the middle of an Asian American
  woman saying she was turned off by Asian American me.  Montel
  asked her, "Why?"  She said because they're ugly and they gross
  her out and make her want to throw up.  She said, specifically
  they have bad table manners.  Montel says something like how
  can you say all Asian men have bad table manners.  And the
  girl just giggles and shakes her head.  Hoyt then says that
  is a typical person with low self-esteem, she hates her own
  looks so much that she thinks her father or brother is ugly.

  Montel goes straight for the white guy Kyle Mills and says
  "How come when you say you like Black women we get this crowd (a lot
  of black women) cheering, and when she (pointing to the simpering
  Asian American women who hates Asian men) says something we get
  this low self-esteem stuff?"  Then some Black woman stands up
  and says, "Because he appreciates us, Black women are the best
  there can be, and he realizes this."  Kyle then says that Black
  women are independent, tell it like it is, unlike White American
  women who are conniving and want someone to take care of them.

  [My comment:  Sometimes I really think Asian American women should
  get with the program.  I mean, here this chick goes on national
  TV and says she thinks Asian men are gross and have bad eating
  habits.  How many Black, White, Hispanic women do you see going
  on TV squealing about, "Yuk, gross me out, these guys are ugly
  (referring to any group?)".  Seriously I wonder what Black women
  think about us (as a group), if they deign to give us a passing
  thought.  Probably something along the line of "clueless, simpering,
  twit."]  (any Black woman care to comment?)

  Then we get into the barrage started by Yoshua Barak.  He thinks
  men should command and women should submit.  He is sick and tired
  of Black women who are unwilling to submit to his authority.  As
  he gets shouted down by the legions of Black women, he says, "See
  what I mean?"  He then says that his mate submits and "follows
  my instructions."  The women ask him if she's here, and he says
  she is in the audience.  Then the women ask if she has anything
  to say, and he says not.  It turns out, after Hoyt points it out
  that Mr. Barak's book is full of references to getting a mail-order
  bride and that he himself has a Filipino woman.  Hoyt is upset
  and says that these people are taking all their aggressions and
  getting them off on Asian women.

  [My comments:  From the examples of Asian American womanhood on
  the show, I'm not surprised a jerk like Yoshua can take it out
  on them.  No self-respecting Black (or White) woman would bend
  over for a pompous ass who says "women should cook, keep control
  of the kids, keep the house clean, and give it a few times a
  day with a smile."  Only someone who wants so badly to have
  a man (any nonAsian one, that is) would put up with the likes of him.]

  Then they bring the three women onto the panel.  They argue over
  Yoshua's book and how mail-order brides will realize they've been
  had once they see what other American women get to do.  The
  comedian (with the Minine Mouse voice) says that white women work
  just as hard as Black women and says Kyle "needs to wake up".
  Kyle says that Black women are strong because they had to be
  and that he admires intelligent strong, independent women.  He's
  not saying there aren't any white women like that, but that because
  of societal circumstances, MORE Black women happen to fit the qualities
  that he desires than whites.  Squeaky (comedian) then says that
  if a man wants to make a sperm deposit, then he should pay up.
  Kyle laughes and says that's exactly the agenda most white women have.

  Angela Lee, who is married to Montel's brother (a Black man) says she
  gets more grief from Blacks than anyone else.  Even before she finishes
  Tanya Powell jumps in and says it's not all Blacks.  Then Angela
  says, "We're all Americans, and I'm sick of this Asian this, Asian
  that."  Hoyt just shrugs his shoulders (he can't seem to get a word in).
  Then Angela goes on, "I mean, we're all Americans, America is a
  big melting pot..."  and Tanya cuts in, "Oh let's not live in
  euphoria.  There's racism."  

  [My comments:  I LOVE IT!  Living in euphoria.  Indeed many 
  Asian American women are living in euphoria.  Because most 
  personally have not experienced overt racism.  They don't see 
  that racism directed against their father or brother
  effects them at all.  After all, they're excepted, they're loved
  by all.  They're living in euphoria!]

  Then Hoyt manages to get in, "Oh next time you're discriminated
  against in a job, or turned down from an apartment, try telling
  them 'We're all Americans.'"

  The show ends in a shouting match between a Black woman and
  Angela.  Angela says, "I'm an American."  The Black woman says,
  "No you're not, you're not considered an American.  Heck
  I'm not considered an American."  Angela says, "Well I
  was born in Los Angeles."  The Black woman says, "You're still
  not accepted as an American."  "Is so." "Is not." "Is so." "Is not."

  [My comments:  The Black woman's definition of who is accepted
  as an American probably means, who has the power and all rights
  and privileges of an American.  Her comment about herself not
  being an American, means that she doesn't feel that her group
  is part of the power structure here.  Angela meanwhile is arguing
  semantics.  I was born in L.A., L.A. is in America, therefore
  I'm an American.]

  [I really wonder what Black women think about Asian American
  women, in general.  I mean they must laugh at the self-hate
  and denial.  Probably think we're brainless twits who've bought
  it all, hook line and sinker (probably wanna buy a bridge too).
  Another thing, I admire Black women because they stand up for
  themselves.  If that Asian woman were a Black woman saying
  Black men were ugly...  Why they would have told her a thing
  or two.]