Bending not Broken: Redefining Asian Masculinity & Stories of Resilience

 

This one-hour panel discussion, co-hosted by The Asian Institute and The Asian Gold Ribbon campaign, focused on Redefining Asian Masculinity. It engaged debates about how North American societal expectations and definitions of Asian masculinity have relegated Asian men to the position of overlooked victims in a culture of toxic masculinity. The discussion will touched upon topics such as: mental health, social location, personal identity, societal influence, familial pressures, and immigration status. This event engaged in a communal effort to deconstruct and reconstruct conceptions of Asian masculinity with the shared goals of understanding intersectionality/ies, enhancing visibility, instilling pride, and encouraging overall well-being.

 

 

 

Devo Brown (he/him), has worked in the broadcast industry with over 15 years of experience. He's spent most of those years in Toronto where he has hosted morning and afternoon drive shows on FLOW 93.5 FM as well as the highly rated 'Devo Brown Show', evenings on KiSS 92.5 FM. Devo took his experience - and face made for radio - to make the leap into the world of television. Devo is currently seen daily across Canada on Breakfast Television - a national morning television show. His experience and reputation as a great interviewer has led him to chat with many of the industry's most sought after celebrities: Drake, Jennifer Lawrence, Justin Bieber, Katy Perry, Billie Eilish, Jamie Foxx, Rihanna, Michael B. Jordan, Nicole Kidman, Jon Bon Jovi, Harrison Ford, Mariah Carey, Hilary Swank, just to name a few. Many athletes, filmmakers, creators, and entrepreneurs have also shared their stories with Devo. When he's not connecting with viewers on social media Devo's fun, upbeat, and laid-back personality keeps his schedule busy. He is a highly sought-after host of major events such as concerts, festivals, corporate functions, charitable events, parties, competitions and more across Canada and the United States.

 

(Welcome Remarks) Carol Chin (she/her), is an Associate Professor for the Department of History at University of Toronto. Her research and teaching interests are in late nineteenth- through twentieth-century American foreign relations, specializing in U.S.-East Asian relations. Her particular interest is in the intersection of national identity with concepts of empire, culture, and gender and the ways in which these themes can enhance the study of international relations. She is the author of “Beneficent Imperialists: American Women Missionaries in China at the Turn of the Century” (Diplomatic History 2003); “Translating the New Woman: Chinese Feminists View the West, 1905-1915” (Gender and History 2006); and Modernity and National Identity in the United States and East Asia, 1895–1919 (Kent State University Press 2010). In 2022-23 she co-chaired the university’s Anti-Asian Racism Working Group.

 

Robert Diaz (he/him), is an Associate Professor in the Women and Gender Studies Institute (WGSI) at University of Toronto. His research focuses on the experiences of sexual minorities in Asia, with particular attention to diasporic communities in the transpacific, Southeast Asia, and the Philippines. He examines transnational representations of sexual minority Filipinos in contemporary new media, film, and popular culture in order to better understand how notions of human rights, national belonging, and social justice are embodied across different cultural, historical, and political contexts. Collectively, his work broadly identifies the shared barriers that many sexual, gender, and racial minorities face globally.

 

William Lou (he/him), is a podcast and radio host and writer for TV. He hosts a TV and radio daily and a podcast. He has previously worked at theScore, Raptors Republic, and Yahoo Sports Canada.

 

Alex Wong (he/him), is a writer, author, and content producer based in Toronto. He has written about basketball and culture for publications including The New Yorker, GQ SLAM, The New York Times, and The Atlantic. He is the author of Cover Story: The NBA and Modern Basketball as Told Through Its Most Iconic Magazine Covers and PreHistoric:  he Audaciou and Improbable Origin Story of the Toronto Raptors.  He co-authored the Canadian bestseller We The Champs:  The Toronto Raptors' Historic Run to the 2019 NBA Title. Alex also has experience producing content with athletes and brands, working as a consultant and producer on Serge Ibaka’s “How Hungry Are You” and helping with the launch of Red Bull Canada’s partnership with Pascal Siakam. He currently produces and co-hosts “The Raptors Show with Will Lou” on Sportsnet 590 The Fan.

 

(Moderator) Joseph Wong (he/him), is a Professor at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, as well as in the Department of Political Science and serves as the Vice President, International, for the University of Toronto. He was the Ralph and Roz Halbert Professor of Innovation at the Munk School through June 2023. He previously held the Canada Research Chair in Democratization, Health and Development for two full terms, ending 2016. Wong’s research interests are in comparative public policy and political economy. His latest book, From Development to Democracy: The Transformations of Modern Asia, was published by Princeton University Press in 2002. Professor Wong is also the host of the award-winning video series, Joe’s Basketball Diaries.

 

 

 

The Asian Gold Ribbon (AGR) Campaign is a platform developed for social change. We focus upon and celebrate the beauty of our Asian cultures and heritages and are united against all forms of racism. We stand in solidarity and support Asian mental health and wellbeing, amplify Asian voices, and educate to raise awareness. We unite to celebrate rather than hate.