5/23/17 Journal 13: Auto Culture and Kelly Loves Tony

Lina Osofsky

913603947

5/23/15

Asian American Auto Biographies

Kelly Loves Tony

In this text Fast and furious serves as a transition of the topic of car imagery and identity. These cars provide masculinity to asian american men -- who are usually seen as inferior and shy. Identities of individuals are based around the cars that they have.

Another major theme in this text was cultural and consumer citizenship. By being a good citizen the consumer should have cultural capital. Cultural capital means that that person has access to certain goods. A lot of young asian american first or second generation immigrants have cars. A lot of the time cars represent that person’s character or how they want to be perceived. Cars are a transnational subculture because it crossed nation states. Import cars are a part of low rider culture (the cars that come from japan or mexico). Only certain people have access to imported cars (upper class, upper middle class). A certain kind of citizen: asian american youths who have disposable income. These kinds of people are called a consumer citizen

The main theme in this text is culture of the import scene is fraught with interaction. Masculine citizenship, rewriting of asian american masculinity.

Continuing the documentary “Kelly Loves Tony” I came to realize that Tony was a horrible influence on Kelly. I found myself getting angry at Tony for ruining Kelly’s life. I also see Kelly as an intelligent person. Most intelligent people know about their rights and the free access to contraceptives provided by Planned Parenthood (especially in California). Elaborating on the cultural context of this story, I also feel that Tony has a closed mindset which is why he is basically forcing her to live with him and his family. I see that she is unhappy and that she is trapped by these old Mien cultural “norms”. I hope that she breaks free from this prison that is her life and maybe start birth control.