Hello Class,
In this blog, you will first have to read Margaret Cho's essay on 224-225. After reading the excerpt, please answer the following questions.
In this essay, what is Cho rebelling against? What is Cho saying about the way Asian women are portrayed in Hollywood or the media? By rejecting these images, what is Cho saying about her own identity?
67 comments:
In the essay, "Margaret Cho: "I Got This Part...," Cho is rebelling against the stereotypes that are placed on Asian women in Hollywood, rebelling against being typecast. Cho is saying that Asian women are portrayed negatively in Hollywood and media. By rejecting these images, Cho is saying that her identity counters the negative stereotypes of Asian women and that she is a strong, successful, intelligent and funny individual.
Margaret Cho is essentially breaking "from the mold" in this essay. She is rebelling against the fixed idea that American society has of the typical Asian. She is rebelling against tons of assumption that are pitted against her as an Asian woman.
Cho points out that as a whole, Asian women are either portrayed as these damsel in distress' or ninja warriors. Asian women in the media are shown as fighting their way through finding a steady place in between East and West, culture and American norm. The media just doesn't take Asian actors seriously, at all. She is also pointing out that in a still very racist America, the average Asian won't get credit for what they have given to the United States.
Margaret Cho is a very controversial comedian. I'm not a fan of her comedy, but she really is her own self. She toots her own horn and goes by what she characterizes for herself, not what society characterizes for a "poor Asian woman".
Hello Anna,
Again, a solid response. How is Cho's experience different from other women in Hollywood? Or is it?
Ms. Wanzo
Hello Werdah,
This is a great response. What is the typical Asian woman? I notice that you think Cho is "rebelling against tons of assumptions," in this case how does this make her different? Or does it?
Cho is rebelling against the stereotypical Asian woman that's presented by the media, being typical Asian stereotypes. The whole excerpt is basically an overall example of the types of characters Asian women that society automatically assumes as roles only Asians can play. Society has categorized Asian women based on what they see through the media, making it hard for Cho and other Asian actors to be taking seriously in the industry. Cho is saying that Asian women are portrayed negatively by the media, being the reason why she avoids those roles. They fit the stereotypical assumption of what Americans think about Asians. By rejecting these images, it shows that Cho wants to keep her own identity, keeping her individuality. She doesn’t want to conform to what the media wants her to be, not selling out.
Cho rebelled against the misunderstanding of Asian women. Cho claimed that Asian women were portrayed as the people who only have their professions and yet don’t have any personal life by media. What is more, sometimes the professions for Asian women were some unreality professions. As rejecting these images, Cho was saying that Asian women have little difference with others. Most of the Asian women live an ordinary life. They talk care of their families; they work as office workers, cashier, and waitress.
Cho is rebelling against the image of how Asian women are viewed by the media. Cho is saying that the media portrays negative images of Asian women in the media, giving them roles that are less superior than others such as the role of "being the second wife and committing suicide to avenge the first wife by coming back as a ghost and scaring the shit out of everyone" or the stereotypical role of an Asian person "kicking a black person" out of the store. By rejecting these images, Cho is breaking free from the pact and creating her own identity. She is a strong minded and determined individual who is not afraid to be different from the image that the press has already set in place for all Asian women.
I think other women in Hollywood have the same experience as Cho unless you are an "A" list actor. There are a limited number of Asian actors in Hollywood history, so this indicates that most Asians would be typecast for a specific roles. I have never seen Halle Berry or Angelina Jolie fit into one specific category.
I took an acting class a few semesters back, and my teacher told us that he would turn down any offers that asked him to be a mexican ganster or a cholo. He said that even if they paid him $1,000,000, he would still turn it down. It was kind of like Margaret Cho's response, and it seems as though Cho's experience can affect other women, but men as well.
Margaret cho is being a rebelled against media of how they like to portray Asian women. The media gives attention to Asian but in a stereotypical way, giving negative information about Asian women that makes them different other races. She mentions that we’re all living in a country that is racist.
She is a determined comedian, that’s wants to be different then the image that is are being used in media and to be a hero.
In this essay, Margaret Cho is rebelling against the numerous stereotypes that are labeled on Asian women. Also, she is rebelling against the fact that just because she is an Asian woman, she is always given "bad" parts. She is never given the actual lead part, mainly because she is Asian. Cho is saying that Asian women in Hollywood or the media are portrayed in a negative way. Some of these parts that she mentioned are really disrespectful and she refuses to take them. By rejecting these images, she is staying true to her own identity and she refuses to follow the crowd by accepting the stereotypes.
I am not a fan of Cho’s comedy either. However, she is a great artist. She is not only a comedian, but also is author and recording artist. As in “Marlys Mayfield” stated that she launched her career as a stand-up comic. She stands for social and political problems, especially race, sexuality, and sex.
The typical Asian woman shown in the media is helpless, obedient to her husband, and an all around perfect human being.
We all try to break from the pre-established mold that people put us in. Cho is attempting to prove that she's not that Asian, but being proud of your ancestry stands for something too.
I'm South-east Asian and I'm proud, but I'm not a typical Asian either.
It's sad that Asian Americans don't really have many opportunities in the entertainment industry. There are hardly any movies where there is an Asian lead actor.
Margaret cho is rebelling against the way the media potrays Asian Woman associating them with all negative things thus being stereotype.The media even potray them as not learned and unsuccessful, and this make the actors in hollywood just to be taken with the same altitude.
By rejecting these images, Cho want to prove to the people that Asia Woman are successful people just as the rest, by giving example of herself how her identity falls under the same category and how intelligent she is.
In the essay "I got this" written by "Margaret Cho" Cho is rebelling against all of the stereotypes that people have place on Asian woman. Cho is saying that hollywood has negativly portrayed asian woman in Hollywood. By cho rejecting these images she not only stands up for herself but all woman of her race by saying youncant treat them any kind of way.
Cho Stands up for herself and shows readers she is confident,funny, strong willed.
Personally after watching her reality show i can understand where she comes from. She shows whats its like to live as an Asian american woman.
To Jane From Alisha:
I agree with you about it showing her intelligance as an Asian woman. It also show's her character and how she want let the media stereotype her just because they have the power to do so.
In her essay, Margaret Cho is rebelling against the stereotyped images for Asian Women actors in Hollywood. She states that Asian women actors are only conserved as supports and always portrayed negatively in Holly and media. However, even if the Asian Women actors are successful on their roles, they are never considered as “hero” and never receive “major endorsement contact”, that is, they never receive respect and appreciation.
By rejecting these images, Margaret Cho is creating her own identity as a strong mined, unique individual, and refusing to follow what stereotyped images that the media or Hollywood want her to be.
In the reading, “I Got This Part” by Margaret Cho describes the roles of Asian women in Hollywood films. She rebels against the degrading roles of Asian women because she knows deep down that the way Asians are being portrayed it is not true. She wants to break down the stereotypical images of Asian women in films that are made to be a liquor stores owner, works as a rude and harried waitress, or a maid. Asian women are being degraded to society because when people all over America watches any films with an Asian actress that are played to be a soft, exotic lady. People would believe that all asian women are suppose to be that way. Furthermore, Cho rejects the images that are being projected to society among Asian women.Cho wants to keep her own identity as a positive individual who is not afraid to be different from the images that are portrayed in films.
In the essay, Margret Cho is rebelling against old stereotypes of Asian women that are descripted in books, given by movies. Descriptions of Asian women that are portrayed by hollywood and media tend to be evil, selfish, less of confidence and even stupid.
By rejecting these negative images, Cho shows us her personality that kind of funny, full of confidence and independent.
In Margaret Cho’s essay, “I Got This Part…”, she is rebelling against America is a racist country, especially in Hollywood or the media, because the media always portrays negative sides of Asian women. In the second paragraph of her essay in page 224, the whole paragraph is written in one sentence, and it is all about what the negative ways of Asian women are portrayed in the media. She says “I have never had any desire to play a maid,” Asian women only can play “bad” roles that are the negative side of society, never play a maid in that time. She also says that “no matter what anybody says, this is still a racist country,” it clearly shows her rebellions of racist. According to this essay, Cho is a proponent of loving herself and has such positivity. She urges an inter-sectional approach to race and nation, and she is brave and honest about race, sexuality, and sex.
Margaret Cho exposed the stereotypical perspectives on Asians throughout her detailed enumerations. She specified phenomena of how Asians were being misrepresented and misunderstood across the society. The overall rebellion of hers is primarily targeted on racial prejudices that individuals have while considering Asians as a whole.
The portrayal of Asian women in public media, according to Cho’s indication, had been associated with overall identifications as being inferior or racially distinguishable. One such inferior expression may be referred to “a rude and harried waitress.” The inferiority, on one hand, is obviously detectable throughout negative words “rude” and “harried;” on the other hand, the specification – as a waitress – implicitly satirized stereotypical consciousness such as that waitress is the mere occupation that Asian women may do. In addition, Cho also mentioned that Asian women were excessively demanded in playing racially distinguishable roles – such as ninja, Geisha, et cetera – because they were the ones who are more “culturally” appropriated. Doing so would undoubted limited the possibility or variety of identifications that Asian women could, would, or had been achieved.
By rejecting these images, Cho illustrated herself as being one of the ordinary Asian women as same as others, but with a higher of pursuance of independence in expressing her own comprehension of what an Asian woman was. To further elaborate, she also attempted to gain herself more and more independence in deciding how to portray Asian women, rather than obeying the social favor that were being applied on Asian women.
In the essay, "I Got This Part" by Margaret Cho, she rebels against the typical Asian women roles that are given by the media. Cho is saying that these roles are not being correctly portrayed to the public and hence giving a wrong image to viewers. Cho is implying that not all Asian women are "prostitutes" or a "young girl being raped and killed by GIs in the Killing Fields," In other words Asian women are being portrayed in a negative way that is humiliating and be seen as second class citizens. By accepting these roles, Cho would be saying that she is accepting how Asian women like her are being viewed. To reject these image, Cho is showing that she is an individual and a leader attempting to stop the negative images even if she have to be excluded from a movie or a TV show.
In this essay, Cho is rebelling against the stereotype of Asian women in movies. Moreover, Cho is saying that Asian women are only considered to act or play the negative characters in Hollywood or the media. By rejecting these images, Cho is saying about she doesn't want to play the negative images of Asian women like her examples of characters in her essay. Also, she thinks that it's important to show Asian women in movies with positive and real images.
Hello Anna,
I agree with your point of view which Cho is saying "that Asian women are portrayed negatively in Hollywood and media". Because the examples of characters that Cho describes in her essay are negative characters, I think she claims that the characters of Asian women are considered to be negative.
I truly agree with your explanation of stereotype of Asians, by phrasing it as "tons of assumptions." The examples that Cho referred indeed represent how the American society views Asians and Asian cultures, extending from their respective prediction in what Asians might be. Such estrangement across different ethnic groups, from my comprehension, eventually induces serious racial discrimination.
To Werdah,
I agree with you that "the media just deosn't take Asian actors seriously". Asian people are usually portrayed as characters that are only included for a sense of humor with their unclear pronunciation of the English language. With this, their role is taken as joke and so no one takes these actors and actresses seriously or give them much importance.
She is rebelling against the prejudice and stereotype toward the Asian women. We can see her attack toward the prejudice from this line:"even though I fucking won that goddamn medal for America I will never be considered the hero that I truly am." It fulfills her anger about the prejudice.
In Hollywood movies, Asian women often play supporting roles or sidekicks. As Cho described, in the media's eyes, Asian women are weak both physically and emotionally, and rely too much on men. That is stereotype. By rejecting these images, Cho shows that she is strong, self-confident, and independent Asian woman.
I agree that Cho showed a lot of negative stereotypes in the excerpt and the negative stereotypes "limited the possibility or variety of identifications that Asian women could, would, or had been achieved." I think positive stereotypes can also do the same thing. For example, "good at math or sciences" is a positive stereotype toward Asian men and women. Then, people expect their successes in math or sciences and maybe ignore their successes in other areas. What do you think?
Hi Jing,
I agree with your point about the importance to “show Asian women in movies with positive and real images”. Nowadays, there should not be any standard or rule in Hollywood or media that requires negative or supporting roles can be only played by Asian women or black women or any other racial women. However, as Margaret Cho says in her essay, “no matter what anybody says, this is still a racist country,” this kind of racism still exits not only in media but also other professional fields. Margaret Cho is such a brave Asian American woman who is confident to show up her own identity but not the “roles” the majority what she to be.
Pei Liang
In her essay, Margaret Cho is rebelling against the media and the stereotypes that the media has placed on Asian women. Cho is saying that Asian women are portrayed negatively as lesser beings by Hollywood and the media. This is aparent from the roles that she describe, all of which are not lead roles. These roles show that Hollywood and the media do not think that Asian women are important enough for lead roles because they are not on equal grounds with them. By rejecting these images, Cho is saying that she does not fit these sterotypes and is not what everybody thinks she is.
In the essay, “I Got This Part…,” Margaret Cho is rebelling against being typecast as just an Asian woman, as opposed to a talented actress who happens to be Asian. For example, various “people are calling [her] up” and offering her “[parts] for an Asian woman” (224). Such phone calls infuriate her.
Cho believes that Asian women are discriminated against by limited, clichéd roles in Hollywood stereotyped as war victims, child prodigies, Olympians, peasants, and servants.
Cho is confident in her identity as a “hero”, a talented actress and a witty comedienne armed with a very dry sense of humor.
Racquel to Phillip:
I liked how you noticed that Cho "doesn't want to conform to what the media wants her to be..."
I appreciate and respect her decision not to be typecasted and stereotyped against.
That is a great response in that you say, "Cho is showing that she is an individual and a leader..." It takes a lot of courage and belief to stand for what you are. I think most women or actors in Hollywood are in the business for the money and sells out for these particular roles. Cho really makes you think about who you are and inspires women to be bold, beautiful, intelligent, and most of all stand up for what you believe in.
Hey Qiwei, I agree with you when you said that the media portrayed Asian women as people who don't have any personal life. Some of the roles offered to Cho were really a slap in the face. I also agree when you said they portrayed Asian women as having unrealistic professions. The media offers Cho these parts because they believed mostly Asian women would do something like that, which is a stereotype. Most Asian women do live a ordinary life, but the media would never know it
Hey Qiwei, I agree with you when you said that the media portrayed Asian women as people who don't have any personal life. Some of the roles offered to Cho were really a slap in the face. I also agree when you said they portrayed Asian women as having unrealistic professions. The media offers Cho these parts because they believed mostly Asian women would do something like that, which is a stereotype. Most Asian women do live a ordinary life, but the media would never know it
In the essay, Margaret Cho is rebelling against the stereotype of Asian women playing roles in Hollywood movies. She pointed out those roles, such as “a prostitute”, “a young girl being raped and killed by Gls in the Killing Fields” that were portrayed in negative images with low and degrading level. By rejecting these images, she’s saying that she could never be regarded as a hero even though she won the Gold in figure-skating in the Olympics, because she thinks America is a racist country that is difficult to be identified. She is showing her own identity to be an independent and strong lady, and would like to change the ways that people see and think toward the stereotype of Asian women.
Hey Werdah, I like how you swaid that "Asian women in the media are shown as fighting their way through finding a steady place in between East and West, culture and American norm." I guess the media wants to show that Asian American women are lost individuals and Margaret Cho feels that she knows who she is and feels that she is not one of these lost individuals.
I agree with you that those characters Cho mentioned showed the images of Asian women are weak in both physical and emotional. We could see that those characters she was describing are mostly negative. In the media and movie field, Asian women are less likely to play in the leading roles because of the prejudice and stereotype that people applied to Asian women.
In this excerpt, I got this part is about how Margaret Cho think the stereotype of Asin women in a Hollywood movie. Cho is rebelling against the stereotye of Asian women in the media.She is rebelling against the negative role of asain women in American's mind . Cho is saying about that asain women prtrayed the funny, ,deceitful characters most of the time in the hollywood.By rejecting these images, Cho rejected the script because she didn't want to do somthing that is unreal for asain women.
In the essay, Margret Cho tried to show how she againsted old stereotypes of Asian women thought the movies. The hollywood and media tend to be evil, selfish, less of confidence and even stupid in order to show the descriptions of Asian women looked like. By reading this essay, I found that she was one of the best actors of the Asian. Not only had she tried to show how the true Asian women like, but also try to tell others that how the Asian women confidence and independent. She also tried to let other know that what the Asian women like by showing that lots of funny thing in the movies.
I agreed with what you said. In fact, when we look around, most of Asian people , species for the Asian women, they are so shy and not to say anything. I thought that was the reasons why most people would like to make stories. They thought Asian women are not confidences enough to talk to others. Margaret Cho is the women who try to act the way most Asian women would not like to do in order to protect our Asian women’s confidences. She also tried to show other people that for the Asian women, they also have another side.
I agreed with what you said. In fact, when we look around, most of Asian people , species for the Asian women, they are so shy and not to say anything. I thought that was the reasons why most people would like to make stories. They thought Asian women are not confidences enough to talk to others. Margaret Cho is the women who try to act the way most Asian women would not like to do in order to protect our Asian women’s confidences. She also tried to show other people that for the Asian women, they also have another side.
To David Cao
I agree with the point you bring up that she mentions that we 're al living in a country that is racist.it 's true.In this society, Differnt people came from different country with different race.There might be the culture difference and stereotype,They have the various personal viewpoints to different race of people that are not base on the fact.So it exist racism in a country.
Margaret Cho is rebelling against the stereotypes of Asian women that portrayed in the media. Through her experience as a actor, Margaret is antipathy on the characteristic and personality of Asian women that presented in Hollywood movies. These scripts of Asian women usually unrealistic and belittled. Most of these characters are comic and inferior social status. By rejecting these images, Cho not only stands up for herself but also proves that Asian women are wise and confident. Her action of rejecting those scripts can help building a positive image about Asian women on the screen.
Hi Ricky,
I agree with your point that "Hollywood and the media do not think that Asian women are important enough for lead roles because they are not on equal grounds with them". In America, such a multi-culture country, it's hard to identify a race correctly, but it's important to show the respect to each other, both in unrealistic movies and real daily life.
Margaret Cho is rebelling against stereotypes of asian women. Asian women are portrayed as a negative and an inferior characters who are either manicurists or waitresses etc. Hollywood or the media is painting asian women as people who doesn't have individuality or identity other than underrated/ disregarded housewives who religiously follows their husbands' commands.
Margaret Cho is expressing that she has a voice and she is individual who is strong and has big character. She doesn't want to be molded into the stereotype and be remembered as the "asian comedian".
Solongo to Sang Min:
I think your wording "second class citizen" was very interesting. Indeed, it's true that asian women gets portrayed as inferior individual with no voice of their own.
Hi Ricky,
I agree with your point that Cho is rebelling against the stereotype that has been placed on the Asian woman and by Cho rejecting these images,she say that she daoes not fit any of those stereotype but because she is an Asian people tend to think she fall under them because they are brain washed by the media.
Hi Ricky,
I agree with your point that cho is rebelling against the stereotype that has been placed on the Asian woman and by Cho rejecting these images, she say that she does not fit any of these sterotype because she is an Asian but people tend to think that she falls under them as they are brain washed by the media.
Hello Solongo,
I like what you said "Hollywood or the media is painting asian women as people who doesn't have individuality or identity other than underrated/ disregarded housewives who religiously follows their husbands' commands". It is not always true that Asian women follows the commands of their husband. People think that Asian women are suppose to be waitresses or maids, but it is not always the case because Asian women are positve individuals who work hard. As for Cho, she is an intelligent individual who is not afraid to be different from the media.
Hey Sin Yee,
I would just like to say that i completely agree with you when you said that Cho is an independent strong lady that is trying to influence the viewers by giving them a new outlook. I personally think that she is an unsung hero because i do not think that many people know her and what she is doing. Also, there are many more Asian actors out there that is just like her, but they just do not get any recognition.
In this essay," Margaret Cho: " I Got this part", cho is rebelling agaginst the stereotyoes on Asian women in hollywood, and how they are treated in hollywood. Cho says that the discrimination on the asian women becaue she never get a najor endorsement contract because she never will be considered as the hero. She trys to point out that she is hero and can not be treated differently in this country
I do agree with your opinion because in the hoollywood every actors should have the equal rights to do what they want to act and what they want to show; therefore, every actors should not be treated differently.
I like how described the roles that Cho was offered, portraying women in "low and degrading level[s]". It's true that Asian women are often seemed as objects since the media portrays them as hyper-feminine, always being seduce. This makes it hard for Asian women to be taken seriously since they have to deal with that stereotype.
Margaret Cho is rebelling against the stereotypes that Americas society places on Asian actresses. She is saying that Asain women are given these same roles in movies, and its became more of a stereotype then a role in the newest film. Not wanting to take any of these roles, Cho is standing up for Asian women that have different characteristics and can perform different roles.
Margaret Cho's identity is different from these stereotypical roles given by the media. She's more of a funny comedian type woman.
Devonte Pitre To Everyone:
What does everything think about the stereotypes and same roles Hollywood and the media give different nationalities and cultures? Do you think its fair that even though we all are Americans we still have these certain groups that we are silently assigned to?
In this essay Cho is rebelling the stereotypical associations of Asian American Women portrayal in the media. she demostrates her extreme disgust that it is the only way to see Asian Woman and the feedback from people tend to be tailored by what perception the media have given them on the roles that Asian Woman play. Cho is saying that Asian Woman are never taken seriously in Hollywood and they do not have the ability to portray any other role other than Cho says "manicurist,liquor store owners, or a geisha girl"(224) Cho clearly defies these stereotypical views while elaborating on the many other talents that Asian woman have that are quickly dismissed because the media is only paying attention to what they feel will best suite Asian Women. Cho is boldly stating that she is a woman of many wonderful characteristics and talents and would like Hollywood to allow her to share some of her diversity with america so that their views can be broader when identifying Asian Women in the media. i have to say i have watched a few of her stand up comedy acts and she is very outspoken and opinionated, and advocates strongly for Asian women to be taken more seriously in the media.
@Philip;
you have a very valid point with Cho's rebellion. what did you mean by her not "selling out"? i think her rebelling is a cry for recognition as a woman of individuality, Who can be Asian and still have the ability to associate with others and relate to their views on things and just wants to be recognized as such. good points tho???
In this eaaasy Cho is rebelling against the prejudice, the stereotytpe and the misunderstand that Asain women are subject to,and place by the media in Hollywood.
From what she said it isd very dissicult for an Asian woman to have a leading role in American movies. They are more likely to play secondary part where most of the time they play as sidekicks, nanies, or waitressesetc...
She expresses her voice as a strong, intelligent and independent woman.
Hi Meuy
I totally agree with the point that you are making, Asian women are not fully respected by the movie industry in Hollywood.
Asian women are less recompensate for thier work, they have minority role, jusut like black in Hollywood with part like gansters, robbers, drugs dealers ect...
I think by voicing up minority people can break the circle.
In the essay by Margaret Cho "I got this part". Cho is saying that she does not agree with all of the stereotypes agains asian women these days. Basically asian women are portrayed in hollywood with all of the basic stereotypes. They are quiet smart and very stern. Margaret does not want to accept any of these roles because it's disrespectfull to her and it seems like this is the only way asian women are portrayed in hollywood. There's not much chances for asian people to make it in the movie industry and when they do they have to play a stereotypical role which is very demeaning. By rejecting these images Margaret is saying that they are not true. She's saying that she doesnt go along with these negative stereotypes and shows that asian women can be positive and different not all the same.
In the essay "I Got This Part..." by Margaret Cho she is rebelling against stereotypical roles which Asian woman play. She lists a myriad of roled which a typical Asian woman would play in a movie or on telivision. The way Hollywood portrays Asian woman is that they are not appreciated enough to play a role as a decent American woman lifestyle. Cho is saying she deserves a better role rather than being portrayed as the stereotypes which are depicted on Asian women. She is saying her identity is not the same as an Asian woman, and she is American as well.
To Anna,
it is true that Asian women are portrayed negative in the Hollywood media. There is many stereotypes which are made on them, and those are the roles which Hollywood thinks they can only take part of. It is good to see Cho rebelling on this because she does deserve to be in a better role.
To Meuy,
I would not neccessarily say they are displayed as less superior because they play roles that are more stereotypical than negative. Its wrong that they are only accepted in playing these types of roles, but it could be worse.
IN the essay Cho talking about how asians are portrayed in hollywood. Cho is stating how asians have been portrayed in a negative light in the media and hollywood. Cho rejecting these images, she is stating that her identities in these images shows the negative stereotypes of asian women and that she appears to be a very funny entertaining women. Unfortunetly, hollywood doesn't give asian actors a lot of credit.
I agree hollywood doesn't give asians a lot of credit as actors. They don't take them very seriously, which is probably why you don't see a lot of those people all over the media.
to Daniel
i guess it kinda sucks to not really see much asian playing big roles in hollywood. it seems like there always going to be sterotyping in hollywood and not much can change.... in my point of view.
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