L.A. Times’ Dana Parsons, on anti-communism in the Viet community
January 16th, 2009
Dana Parsons (pictured) put in his two cents in an L.A. Times column today entitled “Vietnamese Americans’ hatred of communism shouldn’t inhibit free speech.” Click here.
Excerpts:
Street protests are about as American as you can get, but the scent of political repression too often has hung over these “anti-communist” confrontations. Sporadically in Little Saigon over the years, political and media figures, shop owners and average citizens have been subjected to fearsome threats if they’re perceived to be pro-communist.
The problem is that it often hasn’t taken more than depicting the flag of Vietnam to incite angry protests. The Vietnamese American artists told The Times that they didn’t set out to offend but felt that they shouldn’t censor themselves in creating art.
They are on the right side of this argument.
It is a hard pill to swallow for some in Little Saigon. I’ve even argued in the past that we should cut some slack for the people especially pained by the war years. Yes, they have over-the-top reactions to all things communist — reactions that don’t conform to American traditions of political freedom of expression — but it’s too glib to tell them to forget the past and get on with things.
So, I wouldn’t tell them anything glibly. Nor would I tell them they can’t protest an art exhibit.
In fact, I wouldn’t tell them a thing if they would tell me that they respect American protections of speech. And that artistic expression is a large part of that.
If they’re saying that, I’m not hearing it. For the life of me, I can’t imagine why the Westminster council would even come close to siding with people who want to take down art exhibits.
Tags: art, artist, FOB.II, VAALA, what do vietnamese-american artists do all day
January 16th, 2009 at 12:55 pm
Mr. Bolsavik,
I am sad that this protesting had to take place a week before the Lunar New Year. Whatever issues can’t be resolved after the holiday?
January 16th, 2009 at 1:05 pm
The lesson here is:
* Some of you might be hell-bent to WIN this exhibit battle, and then LOSE the war on publicity.
* Winning over communist by any means including destroying individual liberty and freedom. Radicalism must be expunged from our community.
* It is your choice of following the dark side of your hatred and revenge, or the good side of your conscious of rational opposition.
January 16th, 2009 at 1:06 pm
I understand the pain some of the protestors may have gone thru. But this is all about art, if you don’t wanna see it, don’t go see it then you won’t have to see that damn VC flag! “nuff said
January 16th, 2009 at 1:15 pm
I am curious to know if anyone can comment on the quality of the art work, if the topic were removed from the discussion. Sounds like the artists did a great job of evoking strong feelings/reaction from the viewer.
January 16th, 2009 at 1:55 pm
Unfortunately, the morons never have choices for they are morons. Their only choice is the moronic choice. Those morons are serving our enemy’s interest, believing that they are fighting against our enemy…
January 16th, 2009 at 6:08 pm
Artists did a wnderful job promoting commie govt. propaganda.
Another group of hungry prostitute artists.
January 16th, 2009 at 6:52 pm
Hey actually my 5yr old niece can draw better pictures.
One of my friend said he saw these pictures in Riverside outdoor swapmeet for $50-$75 each.
January 16th, 2009 at 6:56 pm
My parents were getting ready to board the bus tomorrow to protest the artwork.
January 16th, 2009 at 6:58 pm
……………….and no one was buying them. Sad.. poor low grade arist wannabe students.
January 16th, 2009 at 7:00 pm
Does anybody know why the FOB II article won’t show the comments? The article would not expand fully.
January 16th, 2009 at 7:27 pm
Upset communist girl/Bolsavik’s ex. is attacking this site?
January 16th, 2009 at 8:57 pm
I wrote this in another post in response to that idiot Ky-Phong, “As long as it’s legal, each side can express their freedom of speech or freedom of expression or freedom to assemble and protest. That is freedom. Don’t ever let anyone actually define for you what you’re freedom should be. Go experience it for yourself.” What the hell are “reactions that don’t conform to American traditions of political freedom of expression”? Has this guy ever heard of change? So if we Vietnamese wish to assemble (as it is our right to do so) and express ourselves in a way that does not conform to this old white guy’s “American traditions”, we are on the wrong side of the argument? Please, get a life old dude. Even if these artists are not intending to offend, they have offended and those that are offended are exercising their right to assemble peacefully and to express their discontent with these artists and further do everything in their power to legally to destroy their livelihood. Fine with me.
January 16th, 2009 at 10:27 pm
The censorship can be found plenty in communist society and one at ” FOB II closed early” posting because we are not alloewed to add our comments.
I am afraid we might have high tech communist agents attacking Bolsavik blog……sucessgfully blocking all anti-communist comments.
Maybe FBI should be alerted if it continues.
January 16th, 2009 at 10:30 pm
It is very possible according to my friend, a cyber hackers from vietnam are posing this problem. For now only time can tell…
January 16th, 2009 at 10:35 pm
Unfortunately nowdays many communist countries train and raise computer savy hackers to attack political sensitive blogs…usually to steal information materials but they maybe using these agents to prevent anti communist comments/truths to be posted in certain blog.
January 16th, 2009 at 10:41 pm
It could have been some of my comments which triggered this bold move by the communist vietnam government agency.
The truth does hurt criminal’s heart!
January 16th, 2009 at 10:41 pm
Here is some coverage on the art closure reported by OC Register:
http://artsblog.freedomblogging.com/2009/01/16/protesters-shut-down-fob-ii-exhibition/6432/
http://www.ocregister.com/photos/exhibit-community-flag-2283385-vietnamese-photo/pid2283386
Although I am not an art critic, I am curious to know if Brian Doan is intending to show Vietnam consisting mostly of younger people born after the war. The bust of HCM is to reiterate this woman’s homeland, communist VN. This picture appears to have too much lighting casting a shadow behind the objects.
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/vm.html
According to these statistics, the median age of a male VN is 26 years old and female 28, overall being 27 years old. Median is where 50% of the population is above the statistic and 50% below.
The politics of Vietnam is up to the individuals to interprete. I wonder if Brian Doan has other ideas behind the picture.
January 16th, 2009 at 10:43 pm
The communist government became the eventual winner in this bogus art propaganda show.
The biggest loser was ofcourse, the naive orgainzers!
January 16th, 2009 at 10:46 pm
By being completely closed down by the communist cyber hackers we can also realize these comments are read by the aching communist government employees……great!
January 16th, 2009 at 10:53 pm
As a communist state entity, you can’t imagine to offer pro communism propaganda show in the broad day light in USA idependently.
The communist government must be delighted of this bogus art association’s effort being used as commercial avenue for the spreading communist ideology in this soil..close to little saigon!
January 16th, 2009 at 11:04 pm
The communist leaders LOVE naive people and HATE the real thinkers.
This is where the word “think tank” was created. We see the situation in a complete digested manner covering all four corners…. and there is absolutely no room for the commusnist penetration.
The organizers were evidently the naive ones ….allowing themselves to be repeatly raped by the communist party in vietnam.
January 16th, 2009 at 11:12 pm
Brian Doan has been disowned by his own father ….becoming a first official bastard in viet community with his communst kissing photos. Congrats bastard Doan!
January 16th, 2009 at 11:17 pm
Good job of breaking your own dad’s heart…Lord Bastard Brian Doan.
January 16th, 2009 at 11:20 pm
Brian Doan own shown us how to become a instant bastard…do not try it in your own home!
January 17th, 2009 at 8:44 am
wow jung kim, 11 posts in a row?! a new record even for you! but as usual you dont realize you’re an idiot. and as far as the exibit shutting down, why should i be suprised? once again communist filth in our community has shown it’s ugly head.
January 17th, 2009 at 10:10 am
jose solorio wannabe……… a shutting down of pro communist propaganda offense is bad?
You must had a another cup of poisin ivy tea… you ding dong brain!
This idiot is clueless as to the definition of communism! A confused short one.
We need to shut down your flat face with this commie show by the Bastard Brian Doan.
January 17th, 2009 at 11:23 am
The next step Santa Ana should take is to close down Art Pedroza’s Big Orange Lie blog…
January 17th, 2009 at 11:26 am
Art Pedroza can keep his nose out of our viet business.
He hates our viet leaders with passion..what a retardo cholo.
January 17th, 2009 at 11:54 am
Poor Art The Cholo Pedroza. Nobody wants to play with him and now he’s coming over to thge Viet community to kick up some sand. Get backl to your sand box Artie.
January 17th, 2009 at 11:59 am
This so-called Exhibit is no real art, it’s whitewash propaganda. My five-year old can paint better and with more flair.
What’s so artistic about a girl wearing the blood flag next to a bust of the Viet version of Pol Pot, Grand Uncle Ho? Looks like unimaginative propaganda to me.
January 17th, 2009 at 12:05 pm
The real commies are the ones doing the protesting day in and day out. Sometimes you have to wonder where they get the money to fund all that activities.
January 17th, 2009 at 12:07 pm
Why do people keep posting under my name? Stop it, damn it.
January 17th, 2009 at 12:07 pm
Bolsavik,
How do you “dialogue” with each other when you shut down the comment portion of your own post? This is a very funny way to “dialogue”.
How do you start a “dialogue” by offending and provoking the very people you claim to want to “dialouge” with?
How do you “dialouge” by promoting the symbols of oppresion (HCM, Red Flag) andf denigfrating the symbols that this communbity holds dear (Nationalist flag)?
Just keep in mind that freedom comes with responsibility. A few displays in the exhibit were clearly irresponsible and an abuse of thsat same freedom of expression without any regard for the community’s feelings and sensibilities.
January 17th, 2009 at 12:17 pm
Art Critic… they must use mirrors for the “dialogue” purpose.
January 17th, 2009 at 12:21 pm
Well, on the other hand Art Pedroza often speak to his own picture hung on the wall at the DA’s office.
January 17th, 2009 at 12:25 pm
Art Critic.. I think it cost now $20 per comment …….to have it post on the “F.O.B closed early”
January 17th, 2009 at 12:27 pm
If you have a communist party membership card… ofcourse you can post your comments for free.
January 17th, 2009 at 12:49 pm
FYI…… we are still unable to post comments at ” F.O.B. II closed early”!
January 17th, 2009 at 12:50 pm
Someone needs to contact FBI for the possible cyber hacker attack on this blog.
January 17th, 2009 at 12:52 pm
The communist agents are blocking anti- art popaganda comments at “F.O.B II closed early”
January 17th, 2009 at 3:21 pm
The “F.O.B II closed early” has been completely seized by the communist hackers….. we can’t post any comments/
January 17th, 2009 at 4:29 pm
You communist can have toFU all by yourself!
January 17th, 2009 at 6:47 pm
I want to have this kind of exhibition in a Jewish community too. Right now I need some sculptures of Hitler and a hot girl (who is gonna wear a beautiful swastika bra) for a photo shoot. Anyone wants to help me out?
January 29th, 2009 at 9:02 am
Please stop using the jewish-Hitler analogy for this case for it exposes more of your ignorance of history :
* in the 60s and 70s Hollywood Jews, particularly Mel Brooke, financed and produced most of the movies, broadway shows, TV shows, art exhibits about Hitler.
Where is the proof ? The current PBS documentary ” Make ‘em Laugh: The Funny Business of America” being shown on your local PBS channel.
January 29th, 2009 at 9:44 am
Youtube has plenty of Mel Brooks’ video clips on Hitler
Springtime for Hitler
To be or not to be Hitler
Hitler Rap