I appreciated the author’s disclosure of their unique position in relationship to this topic and the depth it lends! I’m always surprised how different disciplines have different practices around these things.
In social research we call these sorts of background disclosures by the author/researcher positionality statements.
Likewise, as noted in this interview, not all disciplines or sub disciplines use or endorse them, playing on the differences in beliefs about whether to keep the researcher out of a presumed objective report or to put the researcher in, owing to an unavoidable subjective/interpretive lens.
I often think these sorts of disclosures would be helpful in everyday media like podcast interviews so we know “who you are in relationship to…X”
This was incredibly fascinating. I know very little about Classic Hollywood -- I had never heard of Anna May Wong 🙈, but I am in awe of her and her strength.
The part about the studio head gatekeepers coming late and closing off opportunities for so many was eye-opening. In some ways that should be what's labeled as tragic - how myopic, fear-based views have avenues to run dominant throughout our culture just because of the wealth and power of these gatekeepers, who arrogantly think they know better than the rest of the population. It's heartwarming to see people like AMW doing all in her power to resist these forces as best she could.
I loved this article and interview. Thank you for bringing both to us - the author and her thoughtful insights on how the biographer's worldview is reflected in her treatment, and of course of Anna May Wong herself. I'll get the book on my TBR. ALSO - wowza, the article you shared from Deceptor (last link) packed a huge punch of truth.
Wonderful interview, very excited to read the book, but honestly the reason I’m in the comments is just to marvel at the ruthless, perfect Just Trust Me and then double-marvel at it because it’s by …. Kelsey McKinney…of NORMAL GOSSIP?? New level of fandom unlocked.
Definitely adding this to the 'to-read' pile!! Great interview, really interesting.
I've been listening to the back catalog of Karina Longworth's podcast, "You Must Remember This" and this story seems to fit into the same niche. What we remember isn't necessarily the most important - or even most interesting - part of a lot of Hollywood history. The context of these different events *matters*. Who had the power, what the social climate was like, how the star reacted to success/failure/tragedy/opportunity - it's all interesting and important.
What a great interview/article/book review. I tend to read more memoir than biography, but as the best reviews do, this makes me want to read this book next. Thank you both for such insightful questions and answers.
I appreciated the author’s disclosure of their unique position in relationship to this topic and the depth it lends! I’m always surprised how different disciplines have different practices around these things.
In social research we call these sorts of background disclosures by the author/researcher positionality statements.
Likewise, as noted in this interview, not all disciplines or sub disciplines use or endorse them, playing on the differences in beliefs about whether to keep the researcher out of a presumed objective report or to put the researcher in, owing to an unavoidable subjective/interpretive lens.
I often think these sorts of disclosures would be helpful in everyday media like podcast interviews so we know “who you are in relationship to…X”
https://pressbooks.bccampus.ca/undergradresearch/chapter/1-2-a-note-on-reflexivity-and-positionality/
This was incredibly fascinating. I know very little about Classic Hollywood -- I had never heard of Anna May Wong 🙈, but I am in awe of her and her strength.
The part about the studio head gatekeepers coming late and closing off opportunities for so many was eye-opening. In some ways that should be what's labeled as tragic - how myopic, fear-based views have avenues to run dominant throughout our culture just because of the wealth and power of these gatekeepers, who arrogantly think they know better than the rest of the population. It's heartwarming to see people like AMW doing all in her power to resist these forces as best she could.
Thank you for such an interesting interview!!
I loved this article and interview. Thank you for bringing both to us - the author and her thoughtful insights on how the biographer's worldview is reflected in her treatment, and of course of Anna May Wong herself. I'll get the book on my TBR. ALSO - wowza, the article you shared from Deceptor (last link) packed a huge punch of truth.
Wonderful interview, very excited to read the book, but honestly the reason I’m in the comments is just to marvel at the ruthless, perfect Just Trust Me and then double-marvel at it because it’s by …. Kelsey McKinney…of NORMAL GOSSIP?? New level of fandom unlocked.
Definitely adding this to the 'to-read' pile!! Great interview, really interesting.
I've been listening to the back catalog of Karina Longworth's podcast, "You Must Remember This" and this story seems to fit into the same niche. What we remember isn't necessarily the most important - or even most interesting - part of a lot of Hollywood history. The context of these different events *matters*. Who had the power, what the social climate was like, how the star reacted to success/failure/tragedy/opportunity - it's all interesting and important.
I can't wait to read this book!
What a great interview/article/book review. I tend to read more memoir than biography, but as the best reviews do, this makes me want to read this book next. Thank you both for such insightful questions and answers.
This is such a powerful interview and thank you for shining a light on this Asian American actress who was truly ahead of her time.
Really interesting - looking forward to it.
I didn't know who Anna May Wong was until reading this essay. Today I ran across two poems about her and had to come back to drop links.
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/162166/anna-may-wong-has-breakfast-at-tiffanys
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/149818/anna-may-wong-stars-as-cyborg-86