Kelly Hu: Do Your Own Thing
by guest contributor Jennifer Fang, originally published at Reappropriate
While in Las Vegas, this weekend, I had the opportunity to interview actress Kelly Hu. This is that interview. Many thanks to Cate Park, of Asian Pacific Americans for Progress, for setting up this interview, and of course to Hu herself for agreeing to do it.
Whether portraying a deadly mutant assassin or a sensual Egyptian queen, Kelly Hu appears to be a larger-than-life character: the quintessential warrior woman. For those of us who aren’t part of the film industry, it’s easy to blur the line between reality and this entertaining fiction. I admit – when I first heard that I might have the opportunity to meet Hu during my trip to Las Vegas this weekend, part of me wondered whether she would be anything like the intimidating characters we are familiar with on-screen. Would she attempt to canvass in the chilly Nevada weather wearing the scant costume of The Scorpion King fame? Would an inappropriate remark cause her to metamorphose into the terrifying martial artist that had X2’s Wolverine shivering in his overly-tight X-Men britches? Should I be checking for mutant claws?
It only took a few minutes of chatting with Hu for me to put those silly fantasies to rest. In direct contrast to the emotionally severe women she has played in her most well-known roles, Hu is warm, open, and clearly impassioned.
According to her IMDB entry, Hu is a fourth-generation Asian American of Chinese-Filipino-Hawaiian and English identity. Originally from Hawaii, Hu made a name for herself in Hollywood in the late 80’s and early 90’s as one of a limited number of female Asian American actors consistently finding roles. “There weren’t many [Asian American actresses] to choose from,” Hu notes, listing Tamilyn Tomita, Rosalind Chao and Tia Carrere among her competitors at the time. With so few actors competing for the same roles, “it was easier to get noticed.” Hu also cites her “cross-over look” as one of the reasons for her success: “I could [also] go for roles not specifically written for Asian Americans”.
With that success, Hu has ventured into political activism. In 2004, Hu recorded a PSA, still available for download at LeastLikely.com, about Asian American voter participation. And in a recent YouTube clip, Hu (along with several other notable Asian American faces) vocally supports Senator Barack Obama’s candidacy for the presidency.
I asked Hu: why Obama?
“Obama [is] really sincere… it actually sounds like he writes his own speeches.” Hu is energized by Obama’s insistence on a fresh take to politics, and is encouraged by his lack of ties to the existing Washington establishment. Unlike his opposition, Obama “doesn’t owe anyone any favours. He’s more pure and real.”
After spending a great deal of energy trying to get out the Asian American vote in 2004, (and perhaps being disappointed since it’s unclear that 2004 represented a huge change in APIA voter participation) Hu seems to be reinvigorated by Obama’s influence amongst voters, particularly youth voters. “Obama is bringing a new generation” of young people into the political process; indeed, Obama’s early victory in Iowa included a sizable chunk of new and youth voters. And while his influence amongst Asian American voters has yet to be determined (neither Iowa nor New Hampshire have a significant Asian American population), Obama could be the watershed candidate to shatter the myth of the apathetic Asian American (non-)voter. He certainly was for Hu; she was so inspired by Obama’s candidacy that she “felt the need to get the word out” in support of his candidacy, despite her history of shying away from politics during her early career.
Hu also cites her cultural upbringing — both as an Asian American and as a Hawaiian — for her early reluctance to involve herself in politics. “Being born in Hawaii, I was always in the majority so I didn’t see myself as a minority… Like other Asians, my mother told me ‘don’t rock the boat’ and ‘don’t stick out’. I always worried that I would suffer backlash if I became too political.” Like many Asian Americans, Hu chose to avoid politics out of fear of these consequences, until the sociopolitical realities of Asian Americans overwhelmed these concerns. “Studio executives and publicists all told me not to become too political, but why can’t a person really care? I feel like it’s a responsibility.”
Hu’s story should be a familiar one to Asian Americans. We have a long history of political activism in America, dating back to the nineteenth century. And yet, we still struggle to overcome the traditional adages that encourage assimilation over activism. But, in this landmark moment in American political history, will we continue to hide in apathy or will we begin to take control of our destiny? Hu suggests “for some Asians, it’s easier to keep quiet than to do the right thing.” But here in Las Vegas, more than thirty Asian Americans have chosen action.
Propelled by her own sense of responsibility, Hu joined the rest of the Asian Pacific Americans for Progress congregation here in Las Vegas this weekend, where she spent the day canvassing for Senator Obama. In addition to her support of Obama, Hu is strongly involved in environmentalism because of her childhood in Hawaii. Last year, she ran a marathon in Honolulu to benefit Reef Check, an organization dedicated to the conservation of reefs worldwide.
Hu is also working with organizations focused on poverty and lack of education in Africa. Hu recounts a story about a boy she met in Africa, whom she escorted to school. After walking for twenty minutes, she was shocked to find that the boy had walked the whole time with one shoe. When she asked the boy about his other shoe, he smiled broadly rather than answer that he only had the one. Hu remembers other people she met during her trip to Africa: young mothers who were unable to attend school because of newborn babies, and little boys who lived in huts and owned little more than the clothes on their backs. “We have poor people in the United States,” Hu says, “but you don’t know what poverty is like until you go to Africa”. She is hoping to work with organizations in Botswana, Mali and Ghana to help build schools for poverty-stricken children. Concerned Asian Americans who want to get more involved can go to Think Tank Thuto — one of the organizations Hu is involved with – for more information.
I asked Hu whether she felt her status as a celebrity helped or hindered her ability to work for these varied causes. While Hu felt that she was able to draw more attention to the causes she felt most passionate about, she noted that mostly her status as a celebrity caused her to “be more nervous [and] more careful. I get criticized a bit more.”
“Not everybody gets quoted,” Hu continued. “People write all kinds of stuff, particularly on the internet, and there’s no accountability.” It’s not clear if Hu is alluding to anything in particular, but her point is well-made: our community sometimes seem more eager to criticize rather than celebrate the accomplishments of many of our activists. After all, when Helen Zia led the movement to prosecute the murder of Vincent Chin as a hate crime, she received countless criticisms from the established Asian American community, ranging from derision of Zia’s inability to speak in an Asian language to the same fears of “sticking out” that Hu alluded to earlier.
Despite the pressures of intense media (and Netroots) scrutiny, Hu seems to embrace her political and activist endeavours. She doesn’t seem concerned about the fears over become politicized that initially gave her pause, and she recounts how her traditionally Republican family has accepted her outspoken support of Senator Obama with great enthusiasm. In a piece of advice offered to strong young Asian American actors, she says something that, in retrospect, seems equally applicable to all of us young political activists and to Hu herself: “Do your own thing. Don’t worry about what people will say.”
The Asian American community could learn a lot from that mantra.
Carmen Van Kerckhove is co-founder and president of 
Josh wrote:
i dont know that hu woman, but she doesnt seem to be any smarter than the average american calfifornia ditz, who doesnt vote for rational reasons, but because she “felt a personal connection with him.” (hus words) that other lady even “fell in love with him.” people like that shouldnt get into politics; none of them has any kind of argument. anyway, im commenting because this article is imho counterproductive to this sites goal of spreading racial awareness or whatever. diversive as teh american politics are, any republican seeing this will probably disregard this site because it sides with the enemy.
Posted 25 Jan 2008 at 2:55 pm ¶
think about it wrote:
didn’t Kelly Hu infamously remark that Asian men have small dicks? and she’s suppose to represent Asian Americans? or…Asian women…with White men
Posted 25 Jan 2008 at 6:31 pm ¶
kmt00 wrote:
Josh,
I too am astonished by the sheer numbers of those, old and new, who think that a fresh-faced, charismatic with a “lack of ties to the existing Washington establishment” is what this country needs to move forward. Are people really that nonchalant that theyre willing to gamble this country’s future on “something new” ? Don’t get me wrong, up until this lastest mud slinging event, Ive admired Mr. Obama’s audacity; just a little. He’s managed to get in a few “free-throws” at the Clinton camp the last couple of months and just as soon as they start to stand up to him, with facts, mind you, he plays the daggone race card. Though, it’s no wonder he’s resorting to such dirty political tricks. He has very little, if any, political merit to front. What’s wrong with choosing a candidate with a proven track record… someone who can provide the force behind the change we all hope for?
Someone with a progressive and open-minded agenda that includes everyone?
Think people, Think!
I’m a lefty by heart, but if it came down to him and McCain; I’m looking to the right.
Just as predicted in years past, the Dem. vote is being split right down the middle…
Posted 25 Jan 2008 at 9:30 pm ¶
michael wrote:
““Obama [is] really sincere… it actually sounds like he writes his own speeches.””
That statement alone makes her sound really stupid.
Posted 26 Jan 2008 at 12:30 am ¶
Colin wrote:
Josh,
Republicans probably would think this site is “the enemy” because it has the word “race” in its title, and as we all know, Republicans can’t see race, only angry, dangerous minorities can and do regularly.
—————————————-
kmtoo,
I would be willing to show you how and where you erred in your anti-Obama diatribe, if you’ll humor me.
1) It’s puzzing that you’d call voters non-chalant for voting for a fresh face over the Washington establishment, if we’re assuming you’re a Hillary supporter. (as you’re taking her talking points it seems likely)
This is odd because that’s the message then-Gov. Bill Clinton used to ascend to the presidency. He was the young, charming, affable man, with a longer track record to be sure, but he was still running on a change mantra. It was still, in your own words, a “gamble”.
Also, one could ask you this: Do we want a political dynasty…again? Do we need another president with a familiar last name? Do we need a president whose foreign policy record suggests a pro-war administration capable of the same mistakes we’ve endured for the past 5+ years? Isn’t that a GAMBLE?
2) You admired Sen. Obama’s audacity, how cute of you. You used one of his words and turned it into a sneering backhanded sort-of compliment. How classy. You know what was REALLY audacious? Actually saying something, anything opposing the war in 2002, something one of the candidates did, but I won’t say who, all you need to know is it wasn’t a Clinton.
Okay, so let’s say Clinton voted to authorize the war in Iraq (cause she did, you know) and let’s say she voted to label the Iran Rev. Guards Corp, a terrorist organization, effectively giving the Bush adminstration a pretext for a third war, (cause she did that too) then let me ask you, is that progressive? Is that the sort of agenda you think America needs? Or is that less important than having someone who’s been in Washington since the early nineties?
I want change, real change, not just a Washington politician taking lobbyist money and defense industry money (she got the most of all the candidates of either party from defense) who tells me that she’ll bring “change”, especially when, as a black male, her husband’s change HURT me and when her mixed Senate record enabled President Bush to HURT my country.
3) Obama played the “race card”? And you’re a liberal? These are the sorts of comments that can help one understand why neither party will treat the issues of certain groups with any seriousness.
a. The term “race card” is a vague rhetorical tool used by both liberals and conservatives, like “reverse racism” or “political correctness” to silence criticism and discussion on racial issues and now to, apparently, characterize political candidates of color as marginal. While charges of racism can at times be used silence debate, they are often launching pads for discussion, arguments, debates, criticism, etc. The “race card” however, rarely is questioned in the mainstream media nor in regular life, from my own experience at least. This shows to me a greater acceptance of the finality of the “race card” charge and that in and of itself should give true liberals pause when using it to shut us uppity people of color up.
b) You have yet to show HOW Sen. Obama used the race card, but I worry you may have your facts mixed up, or maybe you don’t and you just don’t know any better than to just out-and-out lie about it.
The media was first to talk about race, and they did it a LOT, and still do. How black is he, is he black enough, will black people vote for him, will he make us feel good for being white, is he the race candidate, is he like Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton, etc…
Now add on the racially-charged barbs Clinton’s campaign has thrown out, from Shaheen to Cuomo to Booty-Shake/BET Bob Johnson, and you get tons of racist material about US Senator Barack Obama (he is still a Senator, you know) from Clinton surrogates, only one of which she let go, and you get…Obama race-baiting?
Was it because he made a stink about the Clinton campaign’s racist tactics? That begs the question…
Is it wrong to bring up racism when one sees it?
Posted 26 Jan 2008 at 2:20 am ¶
LeAnne wrote:
I’m happy that Obama is compaigning to Asians. It was part of the reasons I didn’t want to vote for him. If he were to isolate a big demographic of the U.S., then how long before he felt caribbeans or black immigrant issues were of no concern. But, since he doesn’t feel that way and asians ( i guess) don’t feel that way about him.
BTW Kelly: Stop spreading that nonsense about Asian men having small penises. I’m so sick of hearing it. Like white men have big wamalamadingdongs.GTFOHWTBS. You know better than that.
hairsmystory.com
Posted 26 Jan 2008 at 2:24 pm ¶
Carmen Van Kerckhove wrote:
think about it and LeAnne,
Where did Kelly Hu make these remarks? If you’re going to reference it, please provide a link.
Posted 26 Jan 2008 at 5:17 pm ¶
LeAnne wrote:
Someone mentioned it above, and then I looked it up. I actually didn’t know that she had said it. There was a really good response on it here. It’s really the most standard and ignorant thing I ever hear people say. No one really has a “big” penis…. there’s always going to be bigger. She really needed to get out of here with that foolishness.
An Open Letter To Kelly Hu
Posted 26 Jan 2008 at 7:49 pm ¶
Colin wrote:
LeAnne,
What was the big reason you didn’t want to vote for Obama, BECAUSE he’s campaigning to Asians? I don’t get what you’re saying. If you say it’s because he is backed by corporate interests, then I would cede that point, but I don’t see anything wrong with including Asians into one’s campaign.
Posted 27 Jan 2008 at 12:09 pm ¶
LeAnne wrote:
No, I was worried that he wasn’t, or any candidate for that matter. It’s hard for me take someone serious when they speak of racial harmony, but don’t let their actions back it up. Also, any candidate who doesn’t concern himself with every bit of the nation’s people, probably won’t care about my issues, either. I only represent a small portion of the black community, but I’m here and so are the rest of us black immigrants. We don’t have a big voters turn out, us caribs, but we want to… especially if we feel the person would fairly represent us. So, If he was planning on neglecting the asian population then I would have wondered about his charecter. You can’t say one thing about unity and then disassemble yourself from the “little people”.
Posted 27 Jan 2008 at 3:59 pm ¶
Colin wrote:
Okay, I hear you now. I wonder, how do you know if someone would be a good representative for you if they do not look like you and their rhetoric doesn’t sound like something you’d say? I mean that more like this: How do you decipher a candidate’s rhetoric and mannerisms and identity to figure out who you should vote for if anyone?
Posted 27 Jan 2008 at 10:31 pm ¶
Jenn wrote:
“““Obama [is] really sincere… it actually sounds like he writes his own speeches.””
That statement alone makes her sound really stupid.”
Why? Are we so blase that we mock the idea that a politician might actually be so sincere that supporters could like that they sound like they mean what they’re saying?
I think it’s a very insightful point that Kelly made — does Clinton sound like she writes her own speeches?
Posted 28 Jan 2008 at 11:41 pm ¶