The North Quarter

Once upon a time (like, 2-3 years-ish ago), I sat down to pen a novel with yet another Asian-American male protagonist.  But I told myself, "I want the title to be special.  It has to grab the reader.  It has to be short and to the point.  And it most definitely has to be ironic."

So I started a project under the title Passive, which changed, as the story changed, to The North Quarter.  And ever since the title changed, writing it got sooooo much easier.

The fabulous Blasian pair in this new tale (which won't be out this year, by the way; barring any unusual circumstances, either Midnight Bride or Velvet Hall will be out first) comprises Dr. Hong Ru Qin and Dr. Lalia Tawe Moore.

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The Blasian Narrative

Yup...I've been a busy little bee (by the way, how hot is this couple!).

This afternoon I opened up a LiveJournal Community geared towards the support, analysis, and artistic portrayal of Blasian couples, specifically Black Women paired with Asian Men (much like I did in Folklore, and Other Stories).

And while I have a thousand and nine fascinating reasons and goals, etc., I'd rather not get repetitive, so I'll just post the link here, so you can go there, and read all about it!

And hopefully...contribute!

Behold...The Blasian Narrative.

Underappreciated Actress of Color #17: Essence Atkins

Can't talk True without talkin' Essence; the two did a show together, after all.  Essence Uhura Atkins (yes, that is her middle name, y'all) is the beautiful, sassy New Yorker who's been working Hollywood since childhood, and has being written out to show for it.

Essence is one of those good-looking, hard-working actresses who's been in a whole lotta shows, but not enough films.  I see her as a comedy diva, but I also see her as someone with great dramatic potential, capable of heading a big-budget film.

So...this hasn't happened why?

Underappreciated Actress of Color #16: Karina Lombard

Like many of ladies on here, Tahiti-born, Lakota Sioux-blooded Karina Lombard is doing okay; however, she deserves a little better, especially since her early life was kinda harsh.

A sexy, sensual, singing, multilingual goddess, Karina strikes me as the kind of woman who should most definitely be dominating the film industry.  Her taste in roles is open-minded, so her acting career so far has been quite diverse.  She's definitely got a following, which she probably earned mostly from her work on The L Word, so it's safe to she's in demand.

At the age of 41, she simply looks like a twenty-something-year-old with depth.  Put her in a film with a semi-original plot and halfway decent dialogue and I'm sure she'd instantly turn it into a success.

Underappreciated Actress of Color #15: Mamaengaroa

Uh-uh, y'all; the folks Down Under aren't exempt.  Maori-blooded Miss Mamaengaroa Kerr-Bell (don't you just love her name?!) got her stellar, break-out role at the age of 16...by accident.  As Grace Heke in the acclaimed Once Were Warriors (depicted left), she brought tragedy and vulnerability to a violent tale of familial dysfunction and post-colonial cultural identity struggle.

And yet, even though she kept acting after that, I still can't find a decent publicity photo of the woman.  Pourquoi?  When she did what she did at 16, in 1994, in one of the most visceral and heart-wrenching films of that decade, why wasn't Hollywood blowing up her number?  You could say, "But, like, dude, she's, like, foreign or whatever."  Uh...does that's stop Hollywood from wooing and overpaying white actresses from Western Europe, Australia, and Canada?  I don't think so!

Underappreciated Actress of Color #14: Q'Orianka Kilcher

So not only does Hollywood tend to underappreciate its actresses of color, but sometimes sees fit to violate them as well (were her parents that desperate for her to have a film career?  And what was he thinking when he was asked to do love scenes with a 14-year-old?  Did he object at all or was he even grossed out?).  *Shudder*  Anyhoo, like any age-old cliche, the gods forbid an actress of indigenous American descent really grasp people's attention if she plays anything other than some stereotypical role.

Surveys says?  FAIL.

At 14, Q'Orianka showed depth, great emotion, ambition and potential (she was, after all, willing to roll around in the sack on camera...with that).  But half a decade after the-creepfest-that-shall-not-be-named, Hollywood still hasn't really tried to do much for Miss Thang here and that seriously offends me.  Look at that face, people.  Look at the grace and untapped ability.  This girl is a gold mine, especially if America wants to start doing films featuring Native American characters.

Underappreciated Actress of Color #13: Meagan Good

As you may have with Gabrielle Union (with whom she actually did a movie), you're probably wondering why our Lucky #13 is on my list.  That's an indication of not paying attention.  Meagan Good has been working steadily in Hollywood since childhood, and Hollywood has not been grateful whatsoever.  There are films I would have gladly gone to see simply because a beautiful young actress of color was in it, but then the trailer, with its transparent plot, atrocious dialogue, and overly made-up cast (of which the AoC was not the leading lady) sent me fleeing for the hills.

Meagan is a hard worker, willing to take roles and jobs in whatever form they may come.  She is fine, but that goes without saying (notice that she outranks even Gabrielle).  Not only is she fine, but she has substance, standards, and principles, which apparently is a huge fantasy killer to people who'd prefer her to just shut up and be pretty (yeah see, if you read the comments below you can see why men sometimes aren't the greatest allies for women--especially WoC--trying to be taken seriously in Hollywood).