Kal Penn: Americans Coming Together

[sydr58]

lol dude im black worst line ever heared

[hashcr]

kal im half asian too and half latin american, and the truth is that Asians are not americans, they dont have american blood, they dont look like americans, they didnt conquered any american land, so to my eyes pure Asians in america are visitors, and should never pretend they are real americans, cuz its not true, if something they are North Americans, an if that at all, we all know the real US american people: white, blonde,some are a little racist, some not at all, but overall good people.

[SHPlumbing]

@hashcr If one is an American citizen one is American.

[jmlew]

GO KAL PENN!!

[iwasteourtime]

0:52 LOL that killed me

[Senat0rG0vernment]

dot head, suck muh dik, nigga

[shootthedevil]

I think this what white people trying to sell you. To think that you are a part of America, but you will still be second class citizen with no political power.

[Klee15]

Shouldn't exactly say "white people trying to sell you..." Most people don't get up in the morning and think "Hmmm, how can I oppress a person of color today?" It's that some people have racist tendencies without actually knowing they're racist. For example, when polled, apparently somewhere around 45% of those surveyed thought Chinese Americans would support China over America when, the truth is as Kal Penn says, most of us consider ourselves Americans first and foremost.

[shootthedevil]

They don't need to wake up thinking that. It is built into the system. The leadership of American media has made everyone their own personal enforcer of social hierarchy in America. The media affect us subconciously, we treat other according to what is "normal". That is a white person life is more valuable than a non-white person in America. That is why 4th generation Chinese are still consider foreigners. It is built in the system.

[ColorBlindHeart]

What is he talking about? He "hates to see it fragmented into different groups?" Did anyone else see The Namesake? The whole movie preached about how everone needed to stay with their own kind.

[BwainxCwash]

definetly dont want to see that movie then.

[shootthedevil]

How can you think of yourself as an American? It seems to me that American means white. I am not white, so I can't be an American.

[joiewashere]

no, that's purely an ignorant statement. american does not mean white. it's sad how there are people think like you :[

[knoxvilleguy2]

joiewashere:

Yes ! You should have Edward James Olmos give an address to the UN & talk about the fact that in reality, there's just ONE race. Humanity.

[spareld]

americans mean white? oh really and how would you think that? america is still a very young country but you have to think about who was here first and the ones was here first was the natives so I don't know where you get that from but whatever

[shootthedevil]

I am talking about perception of Americans. The perception is American means whites: That is why you your "Asian-American", African American, but you don't have European-American. A white person would just be American, where as everyone have a something in front of American.

[HansCent]

I don't agree if there is discrimination in the statement but you do make an interesting point here(to add to that there are also Native-Americans, the REAL Americans). The older America pretty much put into status quo that americans are generally white but the wiser knows otherwise. And there are people out there that still teach to remain with the status quo.

[blahmeblahblahblah]

Well put!

But to address a white-dominance bias when looking at North American culture as a whole, instead of looking at what it means to be a true American, I look at how pop culture addresses what it means to be human.

In this respect as well, white is seen as "normal" or "human". As a result, we have tons of white characters whose ethnicity isn't focused on as so we get to see more depth of some of those characters.

But an Asian character typically has to do "Asian things".

[shootthedevil]

Yeah, it is pretty sad, because American pop culture is so massive that people in Asia are so clueless about what real Amerikkka is like.

Like the Japanese, they are pretty crazy about white movies stars, but white people would never even watch their face on screen. So there is no reciprocation. I don't understand how Asian people can watch white people and identify with these racist assholes.

Asian leaders are pretty clueless to..the parent are clueless.

[piecelikepeace]

i agree it is interesting how much influence "white americans" have on asian people and their countries.



take for example the most common plastic surgery procedure in china is eyelid surgery (meaning the extra skin above the eye lids that many asians have are removed) and not only that but many asians also use skin whitening cream and have surgery to make their legs and thighs longer. this information came from a documentary btw but im sure u can look it up on the web. @ shootthedevil

[shootthedevil]

I am sure. Asian people are obsessed with being tall. Instead of valuing themselve and create a system where they can flourish, they create a new generation of self-hatred. That is why Eurasian models and actress are so popular in Asia.

White people are really ugly. I am serious. I closely look at a white person, they are really ugly. They have big ass nose, their skins are bad, they are fat. It is amazing what photoshop, good light, and a team of make up artist can do for you

[piecelikepeace]

lol@ white people being ugly. i think theirs beauty in every race but i have to agree that "white beauty" is over-represented and forced upon the masses. but in the coming years i think china will be the ruling country i mean their technology is more advanced than the Germans and the russians so believe me that's saying a lot ! sometimes it seems as if asian people can be more racist than white people or maybe its just my city.. or maybe not. also im seeing a lot of self hate in blacks btw.

[shootthedevil]

White are ugly. White people have the bone structure to look on picture so they are more photogenic, but in real life, they are butt ugly. Their nose is big, they have bad skin, they get old fast, they go bald, their face have all kinds of shit on them. Without makeup and photoshop, plastic surgery, they are UGLY. Just look at models with make up. Most White people are ugly. They look retarded, they are also FAT, with big bellied, they have bad personality.

[Volf99]

@shootthedevil were ugly?

Brad Pitt, Orlando Bloom, David Beckham, Clive Owen, Megan Fox, Angelina Jolie, Keira Knightley, Taylor Swift. Hmm yeah were good. I like other race's, don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to invoke some race riot or Holocaust. However, your kidding yourself if you think were ugly.

[Hoopermazing]

@Volf99 - None of those pasty-faced Northern European types are at all attractive to me. On the other hand, a young Sophia Loren or Natalie Imbruglia type, now you're talking!

[shootthedevil]

Just go outside into the REAL world and observe white people. Most of them are ugly. Without the clothes and make up, they are butt ugly.

[housepate1]

@piecelikepeace

Im sorry mate but I see more self hatred in Asians, than I ever see in Blacks. I really liked this video and what Kal Penn had to say, but at the same time I see more Asians aping notions of White supremacy, than even White people themselves.

[Volf99]

@shootthedevil *ahem* *clears throat and pulls out magic wand and puts on sorcerers hat* With the swing of my magic wand and the power invested to me as a White American, I hear by declare that America no longer means exclusively white.

[wcdevil20]

kal, im a big fan of you'r movies especially harold and kumor go to white castle, i think the second one was better, a lot more action.

you should make a "harold ad kumor 3"

it should be called harold ad kumor the wedding

cause in gbay, you both got girl friends. it would be cool to make a wedding one.

[wcdevil20]

sorry i mean "and"

[congamario654]

if u didnt know there is actually 12 movies of harold and kumar wrote but i think they r doin 4 of them just FYI

[arrogantworms4life]

well actually beileve it or not. Harold and Kumar 3 IS comming out. in 2010.

[zinsky81]

100% yes

[monkeydave999]

Kal, keep your head up. You're awesome.

[naturetranscendsall]

Shouldn't I like people of my own various cultures just as much as I am attracted to white people and how hot I think some of them are? Not every white person is cute though. Zac Efron is so-so. Yunjim Kim is pretty nice on the eyes, and she's better looking than "Juliette."

[spareld]

uummm yeah everyone has there own preference

[naturetranscendsall]

Despite her name, she is Asian. Heidi, you are hot!@ Is there something wrong with me because my definition of A hot man is one who's white?

[naturetranscendsall]

Though I admit, there are people who are just as attractive among the other ethnic groups. Alana de la Garza isn't too shabby. Adam Rodriguez, Danny Pino, and that Hispanic guy from Without A Trace is kind of cute. Irene Bedard is pretty. Ming Na is lovely.

[naturetranscendsall]

It isn't such a bad thing when a white person gets on through any entrance other than the front of the bus. I don't hate white people but I realize I put them on a pedestal. My ideal man is white and athletic (muscular in my definition). I think there are attractive Asian, Black, Hispanic, Middle Eastern, Jewish, Pacific Islander people out there but when I think of a beautiful, hunky man, he's white (of European descent.) Maybe, it's a preference kind of thing. Shoutout to you Heidi!

[elevensmiles11]

dont call urself whitewashed, i hate it when ppl say that, just bc your not as in touch with you ethnic background doesnt mean your whitewashed. i get pissed off when ppl say you acting too white, its like wtf are theyre suppose to act like.what you are acting like is yourself, there is no definition as to how an asian AMERICAN person is suppose to be like.

[elevensmiles11]

& for those of you who have a diffcult time with the whole heritage thing, its ur choice whether or not you want to embrace, personally i think it just broadens your perspective more & understand people better if you do, i embrace my heritage. but that does not mean that you should know the national anthem of theirs or the language or whatever as long as ppl make an effort or are curious i think thats a beautiful thing.

[elevensmiles11]

again, its a personal decision, some people were not taught their heritage & i dont blame them, but if you have the opportunity too, i d say take it while its there.

[naturetranscendsall]

So, basically, is what you're saying is, I'm too hard on myself?

[elevensmiles11]

of course

[spareld]

I personally don't understand why someone gave you the thumbs down on what you siad elevensmiles because I agree speaking on a asian person I wouldn't know why you don't know your culture because I'm not asian maybe if you where in china or somewhere you would be tought more about your culture here in america you don't really see it on tv (there should be more asians on tv) alot of times so who do you suppose to act like? I'm black but I see lots of black I would love to see more asians etc

[naturetranscendsall]

calling him "foreigner." I don't think much of him because he still has some troubles when it comes to English. How would I feel if people only spoke Cebuano? I'd be even more at loss than him-I'd struggle just as much as he does, heck, even worse. I shouldn't judge him based on his understanding of a language, specifically English but rather, based on what he does. At least he's in touch with his culture. Frankly, I'm white-washed and very out of touch with my Filipino and Chinese cultures.

[naturetranscendsall]

Like if a non-white person gets on threw the middle or back of the bus without paying the fare, it's a crime-we're seen as criminals as if all we're capable of is committing crime or doing just something wrong? Do the white Brits look at you that way? There's something else. I'm not sure if losing my Asian identity. I try and act Americanized by crazy fluent in English know my American pop culture. I'm very proud that I'm fluent in English and even insult my dad whenever he pisses me off by...

[Mapleholic]

1:22

MISSED OUT ON MEXICAN-AMERICAN

[mohuq1418]

here it is

[lesliejs]

I think the first commenter kinda touched upon this. I see the need that some Americans feel to pursue this identity of just being American over any "fragmented" groups as Kal says. The question is, what really is the definition of being an American? When Kal says it, is he referring to his citizenship or his cultural tendencies? Rather as citizens all can be Americans (in the US), but Americans must choose to recognize and celebrate cultural diversity, rather than ignore their native background

[spareld]

great point

[ATPADPenergy]

Kal's sentiments are spot on. I'm a London lad and have always felt pigeon-holed by my Asian features. It's really annoying and at times I've felt like punching somebody, especially fremmit foreigners from continental Europe and Australia. I'm a little more comfortable with myself now than when I was going through junior and high schools, and have since massively improved my language abilities in my ancestral language. But still, I just wish people would realize that schools transmit culture.

[naturetranscendsall]

Do you mean when you say "pigeon-holed" that, people treat you differently because you're Asian. They maybe think you are delicate and submissive because you're Asian. I feel this way sometimes...