Hamamoto Brings Controversy to CSUMB

On April 26, Dr. Darrell Y. Hamamoto, professor of Asian American Studies at the University of California, Davis, spoke about Asian American YouTubers being co-opted by pharmaceutical companies in the Student Center of Cal State Monterey Bay (CSUMB) as part of Asian Pacific Islander Month. In a provocative presentation, Hamamoto explained to a group of about fifteen attendees how Bay-Area pharmaceutical giants have recruited popular Asian-American YouTube stars such as KevJumba (Kevin Wu) and HappySlip (Christine Gambito) for a nationwide campaign to raise awareness for a disease that, Hamamoto insists is being over-hyped.

The campaign wants Asian-Americans to get vaccinated for Hepatitis B, a disease that the campaign asserts goes undetected too often among Asians. Hamamoto explained through a series of slides that the vaccines and the campaign behind them are part of a more sinister plot, with connections to ‘The Global Elite’ and world population reduction schemes.

The event lasted for about one hour, and although Hamamoto spoke passionately, it was not immediately apparent how much the audience bought into his argument. Dr. Hamamoto is known for his studies on Asian-American sexuality, and is noted for his 50-minute pornographic film Skin on Skin,which addressed the desexualization of Asian-American males in the media.