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ASIAMS.NET |
ASIAN AMERICAN ISSUES
A New Image for Asian Men?
he original flavor stereotype of Asian men may have its inspiration in Hollywood mockery of the first wave of Chinese immigrants in the Old West. Bonanza's gimpy Hop Sing was the only recurring image of Asian men for most of TV's formative decades. For variety's sake, Hollywood racked its brain and added the coolie, the waiter and the bucktoothed enemy soldier.
Corean soccer star Ahn Jung-hwan
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Fortunately, Hollywood is no longer a one-stop outlet for depictions of Asian men.
Pro sports's $30 billion estimated annual U.S. rake rivals the $35 billion pocketed by Hollywood. Driven by athletic excellence, pro sports allow no room for image jiggering to satisfy racial biases. The exploits of dashing Ahn Jung-hwan in the World Cup wasn't scripted for white American mass audiences. The straight-sets drubbing that a tall young Thai named Paradorn Srichaphan gave Andre Agassi at Wimbledon can't be left on the cutting-room floor. Ichiro's leadoff-hitting and base-stealing can't be imitated with wires and special effects.
Hi-tech and bio-tech -- whose estimated $400 billion annual revenues dwarf the media -- have spawned another set of images that clash with Hollywood's. How do Americans reconcile premiere AIDS researcher David Ho or Yahoo co-founder Jerry Yang with Hollywood's Hop Sings and Long Duck Dongs?
Questions arise. Doubts are engendered.
Even modern culture -- commonly tarred by association -- isn't entirely subject to Hollywood's reflexive Asian-male undercutting. Classical music lovers are nourished by Yo-Yo Ma's gourmet cello notes and thrill to the daring rifts of Japan's iron chefs. Younger Americans surrender racial identities to a no-holds-barred universe created by manga artists. Linguists and speed readers frequently abandon Hollywood's relentless quest for the lowest common denominator in favor of films made for Asian sensibilities.
To the extent sports, culture and business enjoy a tighter relationship with reality than does Hollywood, they offer Asian men a fairer, more compelling stage. And these spheres too pack big audiences that take note of the yawning abyss that separates Hollywood's "original flavor" Asian men from the crispier, spicier variety in the real world.
Is America seeing the emergence of a new, improved Asian male image? If so, is it making life easier for Asian American men? Or just stimulating a more determined effort at undercutting?
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WHAT YOU SAY
[This page is closed to new input. --Ed.]
(Updated
Wednesday, Jan 22, 2025, 06:38:55 AM)
It's about money. When the USA, or any other country, realizes that there is a large market for Asian + portrayals they will definitely jump on the bandwagon. Somethimes all it takes is someone to have the entrprising forsight that Spike Lee has in his "She's Gotta Have It'. Sure there is the financial risk, and it takes time to develop a cult-following with the American mainstream, but trust me they are there.
It doesn't take a large languid river, just a quick, small stream to make a difference.
It can be so easy.
A package of Asian movies, food breakouts after the movie where people can munch and chat [Americans love to eat],workshop announcements on stress-busting relaxation techniques [who isn't stressed out now-days?] and voila! You've got American in its heart, stomach, and wallet!
connie
Sunday, June 30, 2002 at 05:33:09 (PDT)
Yeah, I think sports might do a bit. Movies are controlled by marketers and image makers who have to appeal to as wide an audience as possible. As Booker T. Washington said, the white man will always need the black man to appear inferior to assuage his modern, fragile ego...well, the Asian man can take his place in that...e.g., Star Wars--veiled racist stereotypes.
There are about 10 to fifteen Koreans and Taiwanese in the minor leagues, including a few power hitters. One guy for the dodgers, a Taiwanese, is in AAA and about to come out--6'1" and a power hitter. Another Korean guy for the cubs is 6'5"! and another power hitter. Most of them are over 6' except Kim for the Diamondbacks and Suzuki for the Mariners. I know height seems like such an irrelevent thing but that seems to be the main stereotype of Asian males and certainly some truth but way too exxagerated...it's not like we're all midgets. Sure, I don't think Asians will represent more than 10% of Major Leaguers and 1% of NBA players in the next ten years--if that--but even a few make a huge difference just to see Asian males playing at the highest level. There are LOTS of people, not just whites, but blacks, even other Asians--especially those with inferiority complexes, who couldn't even imagine an Asian over six feet tall or able to play sports at a high level.
First, there may be general, average physical differences between whites, asians, blacks, but when I went to Korea the young guys were a whole lot taller than non-Asians or even Asians might think. 5'11" was not unusual at all and I even saw, including several of my cousins and one of my dad's friend's daughters!, several who were over 6' tall. Plus they were thicker and physicall bigger than many might expect. And, I know Japanese men are pretty tall. I don't know much about native Chinese but look at recently drafted Yao Ming.
I'm Korean myself but, as an Korean American, cheer for any Asian--it makes me really sad and mad when Asians fight amongst each other--especially if they live in America there is no excuse. Koreans should not get mad at Ichiro...what the hell is this about Chinese attacking Korean success in the world cup.
These Italians and Spaniards should study racist thought, they can't believe they lost to some little Asians so they blame the refs!!
AsianThoughts
Saturday, June 29, 2002 at 21:17:21 (PDT)
To T.H. Lien
Many Chinese were angry at Korea for cheering for Turkey during the Turkey vs. China match. Koreans consider Turkey to be a "brother country" (apparently more so than China) because of deep historical and cultural ties. Turkey was probably THE favorite non-Korean team for Korea this past month. This caught many Chinese by surprise, and this explains the negative feelings we've been witnessing.
sudcoreano
Saturday, June 29, 2002 at 20:15:23 (PDT)
Wayne,
I totally agree with you.
I am sick and tired of people telling me that there are enough Asian presences on screen. And their examples often include Jackie Chan, Jet Li, Michelle Yeoh, Zhang yizi, and John Woo. I am so tired of watching the same Jackie Chan's and Jet Li's kung fu displays. So are millions of Americans!
I got news for you people. Jackie, Jet, Michelle, Yizi, and John Woo are not Asian Americans. They DO NOT have to struggle like most Asian-"American" actors have to face for so many years. John Woo HAVE NOT done anything for Asian-American artists. Zilch. He has enough power by now to at least produce an Asian-American theme movie. I know that he has done a lot of "Hong Kong" movies. Now that he has somewhat achieved his status in Hollywood, he needs to lend a hand to Asian-American artists.
I see less and less of real Asian-American actors such as Tamlyn Tomita, Jason Scott Lee, Dustin Nguyen. What is going on? The only person that is hot right now is Kelly Hu (a true Asian American). As an aspiring artist in Hollywood, I see a lot of contradictions in Hollywood. They (mostly Jews) state that there aren't enough Asian-American writers to write about Asian-American characters and lives. On the contrary, it IS absolutely normal for these executives to turn down scripts that feature all Asian-American cast.
Here is where I disagree with you, Wayne.
When it comes to TV, Asian-American representation is as scarce as movies. If there are Asian-American characters on TV, they usually are background characters with one line if they're lucky. For example, Ming Na's Debra Chen on ER. What is the purpose of putting her on the show and pushing her character to the background. Asian-American community is over populated with doctors, and there are no Asian-American doctors in an urban (Chicago) hospital.
Gay white males are (and I have nothing against gay white males) evidently doing better than Asian Americans.
Give me a break!
T
Saturday, June 29, 2002 at 01:13:44 (PDT)
Brad Renfro?
Hahahah... yeah right. I didn't know that movie actors even browsed thru websites like this!
you're funny man....
Friday, June 28, 2002 at 23:24:32 (PDT)
Hmmm, CaliGirl made me laugh !
You seem to think that whites are the only ones that stereotype, but I have seen plenty of blacks do the same. You see it on comedy shows all the time. Eddie Murphy was the one that said Asian men have little rice d**ks. Also how many black people have I seen with Chinese tattoos....to many to count.
Also...I have seen hollywood sterotype other whites..like white southerners, Italians, Irish, Germans...etc...In fact Hollywood is one big stereotype machine. It even type casts its actors.
MiMi
Friday, June 28, 2002 at 19:49:25 (PDT)
I can understand the Europeans complaining. But why are Chinese and overseas Chinese wasting so much time whining about Korea's success instead of enjoying it? Ironically I am now proud to be Asian and ashamed to be Chinese.
***huh? u are saying as though all chinese in the mainland and in asia are envious of korea's success in he world cup. wrong! many chinese are proud that this time, at least, an asian country gets into the semi's. not only many chinese are proud of korea, theyre glad the japanese have kicked white asses in the world cup, e.g. defeating russia! pls dont talk as if ABC's are the only people with "sense" compared to their counterparts in asia. Sorry, even if you're proud to be asian, you are still chinese! Dont hate ur race just becoz of a few whiners in some silly sports bulletin, they dont represent everyone!
CrouchingKangaroo
Friday, June 28, 2002 at 18:30:36 (PDT)
ac drop-out,
agree, further more, once china become the global power (in 40-50years), the world media will not longer be revolved around whites like what it's been in the past 2 hundred years.
asians will be the main characters in the world, whites will be the supporting cast.
dan
Friday, June 28, 2002 at 17:03:35 (PDT)
Yonsei,
You have a distorted understanding of why more Asian men are not viewed favorably by US media. If it were left up to me, personally, all races would be portrayed fairly as long as they're liked by the movie going public and attract a wide enough audience.
I do not buy your bullshit statement "Whites are already exhausting themselves bending over backwards for blacks when they really don't want to."
That's just like saying that most white people are not capable of doing the right thing unless we absolutely have to. I agree with Brad Renfro. People are too caught up trying to live our own lives to be plotting social agendas. There are people who do that that most are politicians, corporate moguls and social activists.
And I certainly don't buy the bullshit about whites and blacks supposedly being in cahoots to keep the Asian man down. Give me a break. Better yet...oh yea! blacks and whites have been in bed together for 400 years to keep the Asian man out of sight.
Come on, dude. Are you really that jaded.
Political Observer
Friday, June 28, 2002 at 15:45:46 (PDT)
I wouldn't count on Hollywood making films especially for the growing Chinese market. The Japanese market is the second largest in the world, but I haven't noticed any films specifically targeted at it. Hollywood has a lot of success internationally with many films specifically targeted at the US domestic audience.
It'll probably take a breakthrough leading role for Asian Americans to get noticed in Hollywood. Some director will have to take a chance. Maybe Jackie?
Desslar
Friday, June 28, 2002 at 10:34:30 (PDT)
Brad,
Thanks for your response to my comments. I was in a cynical mood, sought clarification, and hoped people would respond. It's good to receive affirmation that WMs like you are out there. But believe me, not all WMs are moderate in their ways of thought like you. I live in Boston, where Asians are pretty well underrepresented and misunderstood, but I grew up in Hawaii, where Asians are quite arguably the dominant culture. Hence my perspective. As I mention in another post in this site, people in Boston are much more likely to align me with Japanese WWII Zero Pilots than the 442nd American war heroes. Most northeast whites are Europe-oriented (their own backgrounds), and simply have little or no idea who or what AAs really are, and I can't wholly blame them (we could all learn more about other cultures). While you're right that the average WM has little or no direct executive media power, he is still a predominant consumer, and is well-represented by the WMs at the top. Therefore, along with WFs, WM tastes will be reflected in the media to the strongest degree. This understandably reflects economic and population demographics, and though I complain now and then, I accept it as self-evident that a free market economy and participatory democracy will yield this balance (and I wouldn't trade being American for anything-- certainly not for occasional potshots from the media!). But I still believe that racism against Asians and Asian Americans in this country-- including the media --is still more accepted and perpetuated than against other, more "disenfranchised" groups. Whenever I observe this, I reflect on the utter hypocrisy of the American media in their "liberal" stance. So many of the other readers of this website seem to be in agreement with this. Given that AAs have not historically exploited the racism trump card to the degree that other groups have-- it's not the route we generally choose to earn middle-class prosperity --I think there is definitely something to this observation, not just minority paranoia/persecution complex.
Yonsei
Friday, June 28, 2002 at 09:00:35 (PDT)
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