I disagreed with this article stating J-rock was a subgenre (“J-Pop Is the Quiet Storm in American Culture,” July 7). An American parallel would be saying that the rock scene, including bands like Korn and slipknot, is a subgenre of pop. J-pop has the connotation of manufactured and marketed boy/girl bands. In J-rock, you almost immediately identify a band with vocals, guitars, bass and drums. They are two separate genres of music.

  Kristen Shiraki

Via e-mail

Yes, J-pop has lots of influence here in the USA. Hopefully this will inspire many Asian artists to sing a little bit of English to make in the U.S. like Utada, for example.

Matthew Doyle

Via e-mail

Defenders
Of Chiu

I disagree with the “Potstickers” column (“5 G’s: Guns, God, Gays, GOP and ‘Grassroots,’” July 21) associating David Chiu with the “conservative national republican 3G agenda.” I worked with David when he led the effort on the “Noncitizen Voting in School Board Elections” proposition 2004.

Alan Wong

San Diego Democratic County Central Committee

San Diego, Calif.

I was very disappointed by the insinuations that suggested David Chiu’s company works for pro-gun, anti-gay and conservative religious causes, which is simply not true. I have known him for many years as an effective, progressive leadership on many issues to our community.

Gordon Chin

Chinatown Community
Development Center

San Francisco, Calif.

‘Cars’ Casting Catch-22

Cast them or not, “Asian Americans” (“Steamed at ‘Cars,’” June 30) are going to get mad at you. If you do cast Asian Americans, they’ll find a way to smear you as a racist and, worse, use footage from your own film against you. If you don’t cast them, you’ll still be called a racist, but they won’t have anything from your film for Connie Chung to broadcast nationwide as she calls you a racist. Therefore, you’re less damned if you don’t cast them.

“Sum Yung Gai”

[pseudonym, writer isn’t APA]

Via e-mail

Will Work for
No Money

I am very impressed with Kris Valderrama’s credentials (“A Valderrama Family Tradition,” June 30). I would like to help in her campaign. I do not want money or any other considerations. I was and am impressed by her father whom I always voted for.

Lee [last name withheld]

Fort Washington, MD

Roar Woman, Roar …

Back then and still today people are sexist. (“Judging Women,” July 21). Men claiming women are not as good as men and cannot do what men do. But we have proven them wrong. Today, we are rising to the top, more than men. We’ve done it before and they’ve seen it!

Christine Xiong

Via e-mail

I’m Going All the Way

Nicole Tubiola really relates to me because I’m Indian (“Actress Gets ‘Rich Girl’ Roles, Not Ethnic,” July 21) and I want to go into acting. I always thought my ethnicity would get in the way. After reading this, it really inspired me to go all the way.

Alyssa [last name withheld]

Via e-mail