Top 5 Newsmakers of 2011

Post by Trish • December 30, 2011 • Post a comment

Former UCLA undergrad Alexander Wallace has had quite a year and it was not an overbearing semester that pushed her limits.

The management of finals, group projects and extracurricular activities fell secondary to her so-called “annoying and rude Asian American schoolmates” and she turned to YouTube to create a long and unnecessary rant about non-English speaking orientals that invade her library space.

“Hi, in America it is rude to talk on the phone in the library….and then all of a sudden when I’m about to reach an epiphany, somewhere I hear Ohhhhh Ching Chong Chong,” Wallace righteously stated.

She also blamed stereotypical Asian parenthood techniques for the cause of her un-conformed peers; calling their frequent visits to student apartment buildings an inhibition to their children’s ability to grow efficiently and independently in an American society. Her racist personal attack on a large academic group in a prestigious university generated a profound angry retaliation from media viewers around the nation which unsurprisingly lead her to leave UCLA for personal reasons. Apparently, whatever epiphany that was ruined by the distraction of “ching-chong” chitter chatter was not worth the embarrassment she blatantly broadcasted online. To be clear, it is not the embarrassment of the Asian community that was endured but rather that of her own parents who have somehow managed to raise a rude and un-evolved human being in modern day society. Let it be not forgotten, the shame UCLA experienced. Looks like you’re the annoying and rude minority after all, Ms. Wallace.

It has been known that eastern and western philosophies have been at odds with one another since the creation of written history. Fortunately both sides have made an effort to amicably co-exist despite their differences up until Amy Chua came into the limelight with fighting arms fully loaded with her book “Battle Hymn of The Tiger Mother.” Her novel discusses the positive and successful result of a strict and cut-throat Chinese traditional upbringing often including relentless piano practice and the ultimate sacrifice of sleep over pizza parties. Chua’s emulation of fierce tiger instincts understandably gained her an unforgiving reputation as a harsh and impossible-to-please mom who rejects uncreative birthday cards from her four year-old daughter. She compared the parental standards of the east and west thus indirectly implying western parenting as the less effective approach. Chua claims western children pay too much attention to Facebook and playful activities rather than what really matters – their future. Because of that, western parenting is to blame and eastern parenting is the solution. Her suggestion is to break them down to build them back up. That phrase was on a military boot camp brochure somewhere. With western mom fists in the air, Chua looked to her teen daughters for immediate back up. Without hesitation both of her over-controlled daughters came to her defense and praised their mother in appreciation for their personal and academic success. The question is, although her parenting methods are highly disfavored by most of modern day society, who is to say that they did not work in the best interest of her children? Sure, the girls never experienced all-girl sleep over party with Cheetos and late night pillow fights but how can one really miss something they never had?

Hello Kitty Noir Collection via Sephora.com

Oh What?! Hello Kitty?!?! That seems to be what every Sanrio girl-at-heart is saying lately when they walk into their favorite commercial stores. First Yogurtland and now Sephora with their Noir Collection, it’s an official Hello Kitty take over. Target, McDonalds, and Forever 21 are a few more large market chains that joined the kitty chaos in the last year. What is the most rewarding from the recent Sanrio craze is the affordability of the incredibly cute and one of a kind products both little and big girls just can’t seem to get enough of. Stores such as Forever 21 and Target have driven down the cost of a Hello Kitty accessory to as low as five dollars. That’s a deal! Happy Meals were even gifting small children with Sanrio digital watches.

Interestingly enough more urban-hipster young males were accenting their H&M cardigans with it than young children. Hey, that’s the 21st century man nowadays — a man with options (Hello Kitty included). Don’t Hate. Sanrio has proven now more than over the global inspiration it provides for all different kinds of individuals around the world. What a treat it would be to walk into every store and find Hello Kitty and her friends placed decoratively on shelves for purchase. World take over initiate now!

Maria Aragon via ABS-CBN

Young Filipina YouTube sensation Maria Aragon has gone from Lady Gaga wannabe to Lady Gaga’s co-performer at the Air Canada Centre. Driven by her musical talent and love for the “Poker Face,” singer/ songwriter Aragon caught the attention of millions and landed herself a record deal with Philippine record label Star Records. Invited on several talk shows such as the Ellen Degeneres Show, Aragon continued to shine on stage with her famous retailored pop song covers such as “Born This way,” “Long Song,” and “Someone Like You.” She has made appearances in many television commercials like GAP kids and HTC. Now at 11 years-old she recently released her self-titled album where she sings songs that have influenced her and hold deep meaning to her rise to fame.

Bruno Mars via firststyles.com

Filipino and Puerto Rican, repeating young Grammy nominee Bruno Mars is up for Album of the Year for 2011. alongside other popular artists such as Adele and the Foo Fighters. His album “Doo Wop and Hooligans,” graced the pop scene with refreshing melody compositions that mimmick the style of Elvis, James Brown and Bob Marley. Mars shied from trendy electronic styles of major mainstream artists by keeping his album heavy with storytelling lyrics, adding remnants of Motown beats and actually singing. Yup, with vibrato and everything! He also worked behind quite a few behind-mic projects as producer for hit songs like “F*** You,” by Cee Lo Green. In the last year he has graced the VMAs and Grammys, flawlessly continuing to widen his audience demographic. His songs were also on blast everywhere, from leading television shows such as GLEE on Fox and major motion pictures like Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part 1. If he has proven anything in the last year is that, boy he can croon and the ladies do swoon.

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