So where do we stand now?
American society continues to perceive Asian Americans as the “other.”
Asian culture is frequently warped to suit the narrative of a white protagonist, and while Asians are seldom championed in American media, in those rare instances, their portrayals are often problematic.
Yellow Peril
Yellow Peril villains use their mystical powers and inevitable martial arts expertise for criminal ends. Wikipedia
As seen here: Anti-Asianism in Netflix’s Otherwise Brilliant Daredevil
Desexualization of Asian Men
Identifying Asian men as undesirable, unsexy, foreign, and devoid of sensuality. The Asian American Man Study (Medium)
As seen here: The quintessential Asian stereotype American Idol (2003) contestant, William Hung
Exoticization of Asian culture
Mishmosh of vague Asian culture where Asians are relegated to the role of spiritual advisors, guides, and sacrifices for a white protagonist.
As seen here: ‘Doctor Strange’ and the tiresome, stereotypical journey east to discover magical Asian awesomeness
Model Minority
Generalizes that a minority group whose hard work and success offer proof that American meritocracy works as intended. Wikipedia
As seen here: Chris Rock makes a joke about Asian American accountants at the Oscars
White Savior
In which a white protagonist rescues people of color from their plight. Wikipedia
As seen here: Matt Damon Whitewashes Chinese History in ‘The Great Wall’
Cultural Appropriation
Refers to using elements of a culture by a member of another culture without permission.Wikipedia
As seen here: Katy Perry opened the 2013 American Music Awards with a rendition of “Unconditionally” that was confusingly “geisha-inspired”
Whitewashing
Casting white actors to play characters of Asian origin (as well as other people of color). Wikipedia
As seen here: Scarlett Johansson cast as Major Motoko Kusanagi in Ghost in the Shell (2017)
Hypersexualization of Asian Women
Seeing Asian women as exoticized and eroticized objects in the Western imagination
As seen here: Brenda Song’s Crazed Hypersexualized Asian Female Stereotype in the Social Network
Sidekick
If East Asian actors aren’t playing villains, then they’re often serving as sidekicks to heroic protagonists.
As seen here: Karen Fukuhara played the almost entirely wordless accomplice in the DC Comics Film Suicide Squad.
“Why would you complain?
You people are doing so well.”
“The term ‘Asian American’ is preferable to ‘Oriental’, which connotes rugs, spices, and other objects of western colonialism in Asia rather than people. The ‘Orient,’ after all, is a concept generated by the colonial experience. In contrast, the continent of Asia is an actual geographic location from which many people in the United States trace their origins.”
— Peter N. Kiang, Asia Society
“We are placed in the awkward position of buffer or intermediary, elevated as the preferred racial minority at the expense of denigrating African Americans.”
— Frank Wu, author of “Yellow”
“[Assumption of minority myth] conceals a reality that’s seldom acknowledged. To render a population invisible is really a problem. You really strip them of a voice in terms of broader conversations in our nation.”
— Eunsook Lee, Director of the AAPICEF
“We have rich histories of political and social activism and have shown our support for various movements. It’s time we honor that legacy and demand that American politicians work for us, too.”
— Madhuri Sathish, Writer for Bustle
Well, yes and no.
Let’s look at the facts.
A People Divided
The Myth
Growing Pains
Why should we care?
Inclusion and legitimizing the voices of all people of color is important.
Solidarity is key.
Educate yourself.
Don't make assumptions.
Stay woke.
Support Asian Americans
The best way to support Asian American representation is by putting your time and money towards them.
We are not your model minority and we deserve to be heard.
Here’s a few amazing Asian Americans to follow and support:
Julie Zhuo
Product Design VP at Facebook
Joined Facebook at age 22 and contributed to the last two major site redesigns. On her watch, the Facebook site grew from 8 million college students to 350 million people across the globe.
Grace Meng
Lawyer, Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives
First Asian-American Member of the Congress from New York state and has passed several pieces of legislation in law, including striking “Oriental” from federal law.
Ali Wong
Actress, stand-up comic, writer
Performed in her stand-up special, “Baby Cobra,” while seven and a half months pregnant and named her daughter after Marie Kondo, the Japanese home-organizing guru.
Eddie Huang
Restauranteur, chef, food personality, writer, attorney
ABC’s “Fresh Off the Boat” is based on Eddie Huang’s bestselling memoir of the same name. The show is only the third prime time series to center on an Asian American family.
M. Night Shyamalan
Film director, screenwriter, producer, actor
Known for writing supernatural plots and his most well-known film, “The Sixth Sense,” garnered six Academy Award nominations.
Wong Fu Productions
Independent online filmmaking trio (Wesley Chan, Ted Fu, and Philip Wang)
The group started making online videos in college and now has a loyal following of over 2.5 million subscribers on YouTube.