Comments on: how a conflict played out in social media http://djchuang.com/2009/how-a-conflict-played-out-in-social-media/ / strategist / ideator / Asian American / connector / gamechanger Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:21:54 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Daniel Decker http://djchuang.com/2009/how-a-conflict-played-out-in-social-media/#comment-9043 Daniel Decker Tue, 24 Nov 2009 05:03:19 +0000 http://www.djchuang.com/?p=3590#comment-9043 I just want to add a note about the 10,000+ at Catalyst 2008 who didn't catch the offensive side of the book. That is a point not many are discussing and is a good point to bring up. Most 30+ year old Americans (boys probably more so than girls) grew up being exposed to some sort of Kung Fu / Martial Arts related influence whether it be via Bruce Lee, Chuck Norris, Jackie Chan, Karate Kid, dressing up like a Ninja at Halloween... etc. Many of the Kung Fu movies I grew up watching were direct imports or movies created by Chinese people. My point is that it can be easy for us to miss a potential offense when the lines of two cultures have been blurred together in even subtle ways for so many years, often even originating from the same culture who claims offense. Walk into Target right now and you'll see DVDs, kids toys, etc that are martial arts related with Asian spins. Most of those don't have anywhere close to the positive message that Deadly Viper had. For those at Catalyst in 2008, most probably saw the message and not the wrapper since the wrapper has been so engrained into the DNA of acceptable. Doesn't mean it is right and that it's any less offensive to certain people but it's true if we reflect on it. I just think there is often something bigger at play that on occasion we have to look at, sometimes putting our individual offenses aside to allow for the greater impact to be had. The DV book, even modified, was already making a huge impact and could have been on its way to speaking into the lives of so many more in a way that most "Christian" books don't get the ability to. All in all, this is a great discussion to be had and one I hope everyone involved can use to benefit the Body of Christ going forward. I just want to add a note about the 10,000+ at Catalyst 2008 who didn’t catch the offensive side of the book. That is a point not many are discussing and is a good point to bring up. Most 30+ year old Americans (boys probably more so than girls) grew up being exposed to some sort of Kung Fu / Martial Arts related influence whether it be via Bruce Lee, Chuck Norris, Jackie Chan, Karate Kid, dressing up like a Ninja at Halloween… etc. Many of the Kung Fu movies I grew up watching were direct imports or movies created by Chinese people. My point is that it can be easy for us to miss a potential offense when the lines of two cultures have been blurred together in even subtle ways for so many years, often even originating from the same culture who claims offense. Walk into Target right now and you’ll see DVDs, kids toys, etc that are martial arts related with Asian spins. Most of those don’t have anywhere close to the positive message that Deadly Viper had. For those at Catalyst in 2008, most probably saw the message and not the wrapper since the wrapper has been so engrained into the DNA of acceptable. Doesn’t mean it is right and that it’s any less offensive to certain people but it’s true if we reflect on it. I just think there is often something bigger at play that on occasion we have to look at, sometimes putting our individual offenses aside to allow for the greater impact to be had. The DV book, even modified, was already making a huge impact and could have been on its way to speaking into the lives of so many more in a way that most “Christian” books don’t get the ability to. All in all, this is a great discussion to be had and one I hope everyone involved can use to benefit the Body of Christ going forward.

]]> By: Deadly Viper: Character Assassins | jenniclayville.com http://djchuang.com/2009/how-a-conflict-played-out-in-social-media/#comment-9022 Deadly Viper: Character Assassins | jenniclayville.com Mon, 23 Nov 2009 07:41:39 +0000 http://www.djchuang.com/?p=3590#comment-9022 [...] with their thoughts. You can read some written by Professor Soong-Chan Rah, Eugene Cho, DJ Chuang, Dave Gibbons and Kathy Khang. Then later I was quoted HERE by DJ Chuang… twice.  I highly [...] [...] with their thoughts. You can read some written by Professor Soong-Chan Rah, Eugene Cho, DJ Chuang, Dave Gibbons and Kathy Khang. Then later I was quoted HERE by DJ Chuang… twice.  I highly [...]

]]> By: Sausage « City of God http://djchuang.com/2009/how-a-conflict-played-out-in-social-media/#comment-9006 Sausage « City of God Sun, 22 Nov 2009 18:16:05 +0000 http://www.djchuang.com/?p=3590#comment-9006 [...] missed this as it was unfolding, but Christian publisher Zondervan learned a lesson about racism – I [...] [...] missed this as it was unfolding, but Christian publisher Zondervan learned a lesson about racism – I [...]

]]> By: DJ Chuang http://djchuang.com/2009/how-a-conflict-played-out-in-social-media/#comment-8974 DJ Chuang Sat, 21 Nov 2009 18:35:31 +0000 http://www.djchuang.com/?p=3590#comment-8974 <span class="topsy_trackback_comment"><span class="topsy_twitter_username"><span class="topsy_trackback_content">@daveingland my links at http://bit.ly/8kO0Pc</span></span> @daveingland my links at http://bit.ly/8kO0Pc

]]> By: Asian Americans don’t look or think alike « djchuang.com http://djchuang.com/2009/how-a-conflict-played-out-in-social-media/#comment-8970 Asian Americans don’t look or think alike « djchuang.com Sat, 21 Nov 2009 16:56:22 +0000 http://www.djchuang.com/?p=3590#comment-8970 [...] recent incident around the Deadly Viper book has stirred quite the confusion, particularly when the reaction from Asian Americans is very mixed. [...] [...] recent incident around the Deadly Viper book has stirred quite the confusion, particularly when the reaction from Asian Americans is very mixed. [...]

]]> By: Ken Fong http://djchuang.com/2009/how-a-conflict-played-out-in-social-media/#comment-8964 Ken Fong Sat, 21 Nov 2009 08:07:35 +0000 http://www.djchuang.com/?p=3590#comment-8964 Now that Zondervan has admitted fault and taken concrete steps to remedy the situation (not just pulling the book and related products in present form but appointing Stan Gundry to be CEO over Zondervan to vet and improve the organization and its processes so that this kind of thing will be less likely to happen again) and authors Foster and Wilhite have shut down their DV site, I'm told that there was almost an immediate backlash from some DV fans. I pretty much knew this was going to happen. And so I purposely choose not to peruse those barbed blogs and comments, praying all the while for my more exposed colleagues Rah and Cho, who seem to be attracting the brunt of the post-Viper vitriol. I have to wonder if the beneficiaries of this Viper-approach to building and strengthening Christian character in men see any glaring inconsistency in their responses to the pulling of this product? I can only speculate, but if I were Mike and Jud and I had poured my own money and passion into this ministry on character, I would be quite disturbed if this was the fruit displayed by some of 'my' disciples. Giving them the benefit of the doubt, I am guessing that the authors are more discomfited than comforted by these ruthless displays of suspicion, distrust, and disdain. If this book and the DV ministry was really all about the importance of Christian character, especially in difficult or trying circumstances, then I find it ironic and ultimately tragic that more of us aren't displaying more of the fruit of the Spirit. Now that Zondervan has admitted fault and taken concrete steps to remedy the situation (not just pulling the book and related products in present form but appointing Stan Gundry to be CEO over Zondervan to vet and improve the organization and its processes so that this kind of thing will be less likely to happen again) and authors Foster and Wilhite have shut down their DV site, I’m told that there was almost an immediate backlash from some DV fans. I pretty much knew this was going to happen. And so I purposely choose not to peruse those barbed blogs and comments, praying all the while for my more exposed colleagues Rah and Cho, who seem to be attracting the brunt of the post-Viper vitriol. I have to wonder if the beneficiaries of this Viper-approach to building and strengthening Christian character in men see any glaring inconsistency in their responses to the pulling of this product? I can only speculate, but if I were Mike and Jud and I had poured my own money and passion into this ministry on character, I would be quite disturbed if this was the fruit displayed by some of ‘my’ disciples. Giving them the benefit of the doubt, I am guessing that the authors are more discomfited than comforted by these ruthless displays of suspicion, distrust, and disdain.
If this book and the DV ministry was really all about the importance of Christian character, especially in difficult or trying circumstances, then I find it ironic and ultimately tragic that more of us aren’t displaying more of the fruit of the Spirit.

]]> By: rhetter http://djchuang.com/2009/how-a-conflict-played-out-in-social-media/#comment-8961 rhetter Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:05:31 +0000 http://www.djchuang.com/?p=3590#comment-8961 <span class="topsy_trackback_comment"><span class="topsy_twitter_username"><span class="topsy_trackback_content">@Randduren, fyi, (via @djchuang blog), http://bit.ly/8kO0Pc</span></span> @Randduren, fyi, (via @djchuang blog), http://bit.ly/8kO0Pc

]]> By: rhetter http://djchuang.com/2009/how-a-conflict-played-out-in-social-media/#comment-8962 rhetter Sat, 21 Nov 2009 02:56:23 +0000 http://www.djchuang.com/?p=3590#comment-8962 <span class="topsy_trackback_comment"><span class="topsy_twitter_username"><span class="topsy_trackback_content">@randyduren, fyi, (via @djchuang blog), http://bit.ly/8kO0Pc</span></span> @randyduren, fyi, (via @djchuang blog), http://bit.ly/8kO0Pc

]]> By: Church via the White Man (a collateral damage issue) | churchrelevance.com http://djchuang.com/2009/how-a-conflict-played-out-in-social-media/#comment-8951 Church via the White Man (a collateral damage issue) | churchrelevance.com Fri, 20 Nov 2009 06:37:56 +0000 http://www.djchuang.com/?p=3590#comment-8951 [...] Zondervan, Mike, and Jud decided to pull the plug on the whole thing out of respect.  DJ Chuang has a great debriefing on the whole Deadly Viper situation. And Eugene Cho speaks responsibly and [...] [...] Zondervan, Mike, and Jud decided to pull the plug on the whole thing out of respect.  DJ Chuang has a great debriefing on the whole Deadly Viper situation. And Eugene Cho speaks responsibly and [...]

]]> By: Allan White http://djchuang.com/2009/how-a-conflict-played-out-in-social-media/#comment-8947 Allan White Fri, 20 Nov 2009 04:38:59 +0000 http://www.djchuang.com/?p=3590#comment-8947 My feelings on the outcome - pulling of the book & site - are mixed. I was really surprised at the depth of offense and feeling when reading some of the comments. This could be a product of my "blind spot". As a designer & communicator, I missed the potential for offense entirely, perhaps because I'm deeply fond of "kung-fu [pop] culture". I know, I know: that's a caricature, a pale shadow of <em>real</em> Asian culture, but it's just way more interesting than my dried out, boring WASP-y culture (to a degree, the target audience of the DV concept). It's made me want to get to know my Asian-American brothers and sisters more. My world is missing their perspectives. My feelings on the outcome – pulling of the book & site – are mixed. I was really surprised at the depth of offense and feeling when reading some of the comments. This could be a product of my “blind spot”. As a designer & communicator, I missed the potential for offense entirely, perhaps because I’m deeply fond of “kung-fu [pop] culture”. I know, I know: that’s a caricature, a pale shadow of real Asian culture, but it’s just way more interesting than my dried out, boring WASP-y culture (to a degree, the target audience of the DV concept).

It’s made me want to get to know my Asian-American brothers and sisters more. My world is missing their perspectives.

]]> By: Allan White http://djchuang.com/2009/how-a-conflict-played-out-in-social-media/#comment-8946 Allan White Fri, 20 Nov 2009 04:34:05 +0000 http://www.djchuang.com/?p=3590#comment-8946 I'm still processing the whole affair. A few quick thoughts: - I met more Asian American Christians this year than ever: DJ, @charlesTLee, @humanerror (you're Asian, right? Small avatar...), @onlywon, Francis Chan, and more. I started reading their tweets and blogs, and felt like, "how did I miss these guys"? - That trend (interesting that it preceded all this) met this debate and revealed a blind spot: how little I understood how Asian pop-culture imagery was perceived by Asian Americans. I feel like I've spent lots of time with African-Americans and Latinos (the dominant groups when we think of race relations in the US), and have at least a basic "map" of sensitivities and cultural pressure points. But, my understanding of how Asian-Americans (a very broad & diverse group, like any other) think about themselves, each other, and other groups is pretty absent. I’m still processing the whole affair. A few quick thoughts:

- I met more Asian American Christians this year than ever: DJ, @charlesTLee, @humanerror (you’re Asian, right? Small avatar…), @onlywon, Francis Chan, and more. I started reading their tweets and blogs, and felt like, “how did I miss these guys”?

- That trend (interesting that it preceded all this) met this debate and revealed a blind spot: how little I understood how Asian pop-culture imagery was perceived by Asian Americans. I feel like I’ve spent lots of time with African-Americans and Latinos (the dominant groups when we think of race relations in the US), and have at least a basic “map” of sensitivities and cultural pressure points. But, my understanding of how Asian-Americans (a very broad & diverse group, like any other) think about themselves, each other, and other groups is pretty absent.

]]> By: DJ Chuang http://djchuang.com/2009/how-a-conflict-played-out-in-social-media/#comment-8948 DJ Chuang Fri, 20 Nov 2009 04:29:20 +0000 http://www.djchuang.com/?p=3590#comment-8948 <span class="topsy_trackback_comment"><span class="topsy_twitter_username"><span class="topsy_trackback_content">@michaelmcminn @Rick_Smith: gist of the Deadly Viper incident? summary at http://bit.ly/2ZlaTC & chronology http://bit.ly/xFQ4v</span></span> @michaelmcminn @Rick_Smith: gist of the Deadly Viper incident? summary at http://bit.ly/2ZlaTC & chronology http://bit.ly/xFQ4v

]]> By: allanwhite http://djchuang.com/2009/how-a-conflict-played-out-in-social-media/#comment-8945 allanwhite Fri, 20 Nov 2009 03:56:51 +0000 http://www.djchuang.com/?p=3590#comment-8945 <span class="topsy_trackback_comment"><span class="topsy_twitter_username"><span class="topsy_trackback_content">RT @djchuang's chronology about Deadly Viper incident at http://bit.ly/xFQ4v</span></span> RT @djchuang's chronology about Deadly Viper incident at http://bit.ly/xFQ4v

]]> By: DJ Chuang http://djchuang.com/2009/how-a-conflict-played-out-in-social-media/#comment-8944 DJ Chuang Fri, 20 Nov 2009 03:55:23 +0000 http://www.djchuang.com/?p=3590#comment-8944 <span class="topsy_trackback_comment"><span class="topsy_twitter_username"><span class="topsy_trackback_content">@tonysteward see my chronology about Deadly Viper incident at http://bit.ly/xFQ4v</span></span> @tonysteward see my chronology about Deadly Viper incident at http://bit.ly/xFQ4v

]]>