Jackie Chan on Chinese Freedom; Miss California on Gay Marriage

Once in a while, I will be sharing my thoughts on fascinating / interesting news that I come across while browsing the Internet. I’d be labeling these posts under “interesting” and “an igorot’s opinion”. It’s my own small take on the big world out there. This is post # 002.

*** Jackie Chan: Chinese not ready for Freedom *** Jackie Chan's comments that freedom may not be good for China were taken out of context, his spokesman said Tuesday. Meanwhile, Facebook users and Chinese scholars condemned the veteran actor on the Internet in a spreading backlash, alleging the actor of insulting the Chinese people. "I'm not sure if it's good to have freedom or not," Chan said Saturday that adding freedoms in his native Hong Kong and Taiwan made those societies "chaotic." He made the statement while speaking at a business forum. Taiwan, which split from China in 1949, is democratic and Hong Kong, a separately ruled Chinese territory, enjoys some free elections.

A group of Chinese scholars published a letter on the Internet on Monday accusing Chan of "not understanding how precious freedom is," even though "free Hong Kong provided the conditions for you to become an international action star."

MY TAKE: Jackie Chan is a favorite action star to a lot of Igorot fans, myself included. His movies are always entertaining and creative. I’m fascinated at how far reaching this furor has come to. He is, after all, a movie star – not an elected official. On the other hand, he is a public figure and that means that all his words and actions are going to be scrutinized under a microscope. I’m not sure why those who wrote or review his speech for him didn’t understand how insensitive his comment would appear especially if reported in the Western media. His spokesman’s claim on being taken out of context is not going to help.

Related Link: Jackie Chan comments out of context

*** Miss California - Question on Gay Marriage *** Miss America 2009 was crowned last Sunday evening, and we were watching a family movie so we didn’t watch it. But it’s not the winner that this year’s pageant will be remembered for, at least not yet. Rather, it is the answer of the runner-up to a question on gay marriage that has sent newspapers, television networks, and bloggers buzzing. Perez Hilton, a gay gossip blogger was one of the judges and asked Carrie Prejean of California, the following question - “Vermont recently became the 4th state to legalize same-sex marriage. Do you think every state should follow suit. Why or why not?”

Prejean answered, “Well I think it’s great that Americans are able to choose one or the other. We live in a land where you can choose same-sex marriage or opposite marriage. And you know what, in my country, in my family, I think that I believe that a marriage should be between a man and a woman. No offense to anybody out there, but that’s how I was raised and that’s how I think it should be between a man and a woman. Thank you very much.” The answer didn’t sit well with the judge, and he even blogged about Miss Prejean being a “dumb bitch”. Fox News went as far to say that her answer cost her the title.

MY TAKE: I join fellow bloggers in applauding Miss California’s stand, and her decision to voice it out even if it meant displeasing that particular judge, or the audience. She was being asked a personal stand, and she communicated it, maybe not in the most eloquent manner, but clear enough under the circumstances. She wasn’t judgmental, she wasn’t disrespectful, she was being honest. What is appalling is Perez Hilton’s response. To call someone a “dumb bitch” based on her personal stand is mean-spirited, spiteful, bitter, unfair, un-intelligent, and un-American. He definitely showed that he didn’t deserve his position as a judge for one of America’s more popular icons. Worse, he hurt the cause of pro-gay activists by being such a sour example.

Related Links: Carrie Prejean Blogs; Gay Marriage Issue cost Miss California the Miss USA title; 'God Was Testing My Faith' With Gay Marriage Question; Beauty chooses pride over pageantry