By Alton Jerome McFarland
Generation Rice (located at http://www.generationrice.com)
is a site devoted to the issues that concern Asians and Asian Americans.
With everything ranging from news and editorials to stories and book
reviews, Generation Rice is a one-stop source for a several different
types of information.
Although the site boasts a flashy design, its underlying functionality
is news-oriented. Upon first visiting Generation Rice, users are confronted
with information about the latest in world events. That information
is communicated through a column of news blurbs that run directly
down the middle of the web page. Those blurbs have clickable links
that often lead to other sources like the New York Times or CNN. That
way the casual visitor can quickly scan the current events. Conversely,
more interested parties have the option of clicking through to more
detailed information. The news stories featured on the site, not surprisingly,
focus on Asians and Asian Americans. Issues like the United States'
relationships with China and Taiwan are hot topics that one might
see appear in several news stories.
Along with its function as a news source, Generation Rice also serves
as an outlet for the thoughts and ideas of the Asian and Asian American
community. Visitor submitted stories spice up the site and give insight
into the personal experiences of people from all over the world. This
sort of cultural exchange is very valuable and creates opportunities
for non-Asians (like myself) to glimpse the thoughts and emotions
of our Asian counterparts. Plus, on an artistic level, Generation
Rice is also an outlet for creative expression. Most of the stories
posted are extremely well written and leave the reader craving more.
The attempt to be a comprehensive source of Asian and Asian American
culture is a very bold one. Generation Rice manages to pull it off
quit well. The site is very focused on the issues, but still finds
time and space for its visitors to emote. You don't need to be Asian
to appreciate Generation Rice, but it is necessary to have an open
mind and to be prepared to see things from a perspective other than
your own.