If only for the Icon Win -

[kyburg]

There's a Media Action Network for Asian Americans (MANAA) meeting tomorrow, April 16th in Chinatown, Los Angeles-- where they will be discussing next steps to take for THE LAST AIRBENDER.

When: April 16, 2009 at 7:30PM
Where: Chinatown Public Safety Association, 823 N. Hill Street (between Alpine and College Streets) Los Angeles, CA

I've been working with MANAA over the last few months on this topic and there is a lot they talk about at these meetings that cannot be discussed online. If you're interested in making a tangible difference, and in getting the inside scoop on their communications with Paramount and Nickelodeon, this is the meeting to attend.

MANAA has told me that they would like to see more Avatar fans attend to gauge how many people are genuinely interested in working this issue. I think they're kind of skeptical about the fact that I'm literally the only one who ever shows up. Los Angeles is a huge city. It really makes us look bad--like only a handful of people genuinely care about the issue and are willing to work for it.

It would be me, except for the hour. About that time, a very adorable small child goes to sleep in my house, primarily because I'm bedside insisting on it. I'm VERY certain this is not going to change in my favor, so if anyone else can go - PLEASE DO.

This is one of those times geographic proximity will be in our favor - so if you're as pissed as I am about the whitewash of Avatar, SHOW UP.

Thanks.

Comments

[odiedragon.livejournal.com]

I'm really confused. Call me out of the loop (and a recent Avatar convert) but I can't even tell what that meeting is about...?

[kyburg.livejournal.com]

Live action Avatar movie.

The other reason for the buzz — which is mainly debated online — is due to “Avatar” fans being critical of the recent news that three of the four principal characters will be played by white actors despite the obvious use of Asian characters in the original series.

The casting directors initially planned to use four white actors to play the main roles; however, Variety magazine reported earlier this month that singer Jesse McCartney dropped out of the movie, and he was replaced by Dev Patel (“Slumdog Millionaire”).

[odiedragon.livejournal.com]

Ahhhhh... now THAT makes more sense. I thought people were bitching about the current series, which made no sense.

[feyandstrange.livejournal.com]

Oh FFS.

I'm not even a fan and I'm cranky now. Too bad I'm in the wrong town... thanks for the explanation.

[sakuya-masaki.livejournal.com]

I'm glad someone's doing something about it. I was very disappointed when I saw the original cast list for the movie. But it's to be expected of Nickelodeon, I suppose. They are a child star factory like Disney so they're going to saturate all their works w/whatever little teeny bopper idols they have under contract.

[amizadai.livejournal.com]

Aaargh, I wish I could attend!

[http://users.livejournal.com/_darkvictory/]

Thanks for posting this. Can't make the meeting, but am definitely interested in showing support.