José E. León’s Post

It's time for another #KCultureSpotting! 🇰🇷✨ We're exploring how Korean Culture and the Korean American community are being represented in the latest news articles and highlighting Korean American contributions and influence. In this post, we're highlighting the growing entertainment connections between Korean Americans and those Koreans living in Korea. This was shown at a public discussion at the Busan International Film Festival, between Steven Yeun, John Cho and Justin Chon, who are all either first or second generation immigrants to the U.S. ➡️ Scroll to see more stories. 💙 What recent news related to Korean culture and the Korean American community has inspired you lately? Share your thoughts and stories in the comments below! 

How do films of other cultures remember and understand World War II? How has that understanding changed over time? In "Han Heroes and Yamato Warriors: Competing Masculinities in Chinese and Japanese War Cinema," our Amanda Weiss explores this question. bit.ly/3uYWvCc

🎥 Celebrating the power of cinema and diversity! Dive into the significance of embracing Hispanic culture through these films in our latest blog post. These 10 movies are just the beginning of a rich tapestry of stories. Join Screens in Focus on this journey. Read the full blog now! #DiversityInCinema #HispanicHeritage #RepresentationMatters

For over a century, Hollywood has played a pivotal role in crafting America's cultural narrative. Yet, its portrayal of Native Americans has often leaned on stereotypes rather than substance, casting them repeatedly as the antagonists in over 4,000 films. These depictions reinforce outdated myths of Native Americans as "bloodthirsty savages," ignoring the rich heritage of indigenous cultures, histories, and contributions to the American story.   As the first Native American nominated for a Best Actress Academy Award, Lily Gladstone is challenging the stereotypes, shining a light on Native American histories long ignored by mainstream narratives.  Her story marks a critical juncture in our collective reckoning with these portrayals. Gladstone, by challenging Hollywood's traditional narratives, brings to light the long-overlooked stories and histories of Native Americans. Her efforts underscore a broader movement within the industry and society at large to confront and correct historical inaccuracies and prejudices.   This shift is more than overdue. The simplistic portrayal of Native Americans as villains in cinematic tales has perpetuated a limited and damaging perspective, obscuring the true diversity and depth of indigenous cultures. It's high time Hollywood, and those who consume its creations, recognize the responsibility it bears in shaping perceptions and prejudices.   Acknowledging and addressing these stereotypes is not merely an act of cultural correction but a necessary step toward embracing the multifaceted reality of American history. By elevating indigenous voices and stories, we can begin to dismantle the harmful myths and appreciate the invaluable contributions Native Americans have made—and continue to make—to our society.   Lily Gladstone's persistence serves as a beacon, calling on Hollywood and its audience to reject false histories and embrace a more inclusive and accurate storytelling paradigm. Her actions remind us of the power of film not just to entertain but to enlighten, educating all of humanity about the crucial roles Native Americans have played in shaping our great country. It's time for Hollywood to wake up, step up, and accurately represent the rich, diverse stories of Native American tribes, whose histories are an indelible part of our national narrative.   Lily Gladstone's presence at the Oscars transcends the award itself; her nomination is a triumph for authentic representation and a beacon for future narratives in cinema. https://lnkd.in/gtUk8Ubr

Is Netflix's Queen Cleopatra an act of cultural appreciation or appropriation? With recent conversations around the representation of people of color, this topic is making waves. Check out our article and share your thoughts in the comments below! https://ow.ly/2mAh50P6655 #netflixseries #inclusionmatters #inclusionanddiversity

We draw on African and Indigenous ways of knowing and being, starting with cultural humility and curiosity.  Our philosophy is intended to initiate a journey of investigation into the relationships between Ancestrality, Communality, and Affirmation (African aesthetic values first proposed by Trinidadian theatre maker Rawle Gibbons), and how they arrive in our mind, body, voice/breath, and spirit. We will be sharing some of our philosophy and core principles over the summer, and we’d love to hear your thoughts on the concepts we share!  What resonates?  What raises questions?  What can you take from this philosophy when designing and making your creative projects?  #ALPphilosophy