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ASIAN AMERICAN ISSUES
Kristin Kreuk: Next Asian American Beauty?
t isn't a question of droolworthiness. Her looks are dazzling enough to have locked up a lead role in each of her first three auditions, including the title role in an upcoming TV movie. It's more a question of whether most of us would identify hazel-eyed Smallville heartthrob Lana Lang as a fellow Asian.
Kristin Laura Kreuk was born to a Chinese mother and a Dutch father on December 30, 1982. She grew up in Vancouver, Canada. Kreuk, 5-4, had decided to go to college to study forensic pathology until, in her senior year, her drama teacher suggested she go to an audition for a new Fox Family series called Edgement. She was promptly plucked out of the open audition to play a Chinese Canadian high scool student named Laurel Yeung. Even as she won fans in the role, she landed the Lana Lang role for WB's dramatization of Superboy's life as Clark Kent, then the role of Snow White in the ABC TV movie set for release in 2002. Kreuk's star-quality was obvious to all who tuned in for Smallville's premiere last October. Some even proclaimed her the show's main attraction.
But many Asian American viewers didn't even suspect Kreuk's Asian ancestry. Even those who learned of her mother's nationality questioned whether she can be claimed by Asian Americans. Without an Asian surname or obvious Asian facial features, they argue, Kreuk's success would do nothing for the image of Asians in the American media. Others might argue that most African American stars are, in fact, only fractionally of African descent.
Should we claim Kristin Kreuk and other hapas like her as Asian American celebrities? Or should that designation be reserved for those with a more obviously Asian identity?
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WHAT YOU SAY
[This page is closed to new input. --Ed.]
(Updated
Tuesday, Apr 1, 2008, 06:00:13 PM)
I dunno about Asian identity but I know that with the gorgeous eyes and smile she can reach heights.
Fresh Kristin Fan
Saturday, April 20, 2002 at 21:45:51 (PDT)
I work in the entertainment industry and many executives, producers, writers, directors *ARE* Jewish. Though many in the business are not, many more ARE. It is not scapegoating to point out the fact that many racist movies, shows, etc., have in fact been written, produced and/or directed by a Jew. This is not to say that they are all racist or complicit, but it is obvious from their films, shows, etc., that many of them do have racist views of us and other minorities -- whether they are conscious of it or not. And this is not to scapegoat Jews, for it is true that many other racist images coming from Hollywood have been created by a non-Jew. But the fact is: Jews, as a class, repeatedly self-proclaim a history of persecution. Hence of all people, they should know what it's like to feel discrimination -- yet despite this, they *still* create racist images of us and other minorities. Don't be fooled by the trite excuse that they -- or anyone -- is pressured to produce racist images b/c it sells and sh*t. The fact is, there are *many* ideas and images that would likewise sell -- BUT are consciously, affirmatively excluded from view b/c they offend a dominant group in power. Since Jews have taken major control of the entertainment industry, it is now rare to see racist images of them in the media. Stereotypes of the shrewd Jew has dissipated through the years, while stereotypes of Asians and other minorities persist. Further, Jews constantly hold lead roles in shows and movies, playing the hero, while it is rare to see an Asian doing this -- unless the movie is produced, directed, etc., by an Asian company. And again, the trite excuse is that Asian lead characters don't sell. But the fact is, they DO sell -- consider Bruce Lee, Crouching Tiger, etc. Another excuse is that stereotypes sell and that's why they persist -- however, that means stereotypes of Jews would also sell. Yet we hardly see that in the media! This is b/c they dominate it. Look beyond the curtain of excuses and see the light. Did you know that soooo many Anglo actor-hopefuls that want to break into the business have converted to Judiasm just to have an advantage?!! While they are welcomed into the clan, Asians are not. Asian Jews are disliked by white Jews. And again, this is not to scapegoat Jews for reinforcing stereotypes. True, many racist images do come from all sorts of ethnic groups. But the fact is, Jews DO dominate the entertainment industry and many of them ARE responsible -- though not solely responsible -- for the creation and persistence of negative images of Asians and other minorities in the media. And the fact that Jews are an historically persecuted group just makes it that much more of a hypocrisy!
The Entertainment Underworld
Friday, April 19, 2002 at 10:11:09 (PDT)
To TH Lien: "You're saying that the cultural perspective etc. of media types has no influence on how they approach their job?" Yes it does, but whatever perspective you're talking about would not hold true for all of these people. You are assuming that they are Jewish culturally, not that they are only semitic in last name. Then there's also the fine line between Jewish religion and Jewish race. It's all very confusing. Maybe alot of these jewish execs have the same worldview as average white americans. you're asssuming that all of them are brought up in the same way. Consider the fact that many people assimilate american culture in america (regardlesss of race). Anyway, even if they're all orthodox jews (which i assure you they're not. Many execs are NOT jewish. Ther are many other europeans who control the media also), they just should not be the scapegoat for yet another fabricated idea with no basis. you may recall the rise of nazi germany. "If 500 guys from group A are messing with me, I tend to think this is something to do with group A" nope. still doesn't hold true. the last time i checked, that was still called a racist stereotype. if you choose to believe it, fine. don't deny you're stereotyping, which is pretty sad considering all the stereotyping that asians fight. you youself proclaim to hate thoise stereotypes. Like i said before, blame the media as a whole, not a group within (unless you are saying that ONLY jewish people do whatever you think is wrong that they do about asian representation.. what problem ar you addressing anyway?). Blame the the blacks, the whites, the indians, the whole melting pot (yup even the asians) that comprises the media.
"So basically you assert that the prevalence of Asian stereotypes in the media is either the influence of the society at large or a side effect of living in a multicultural democracy." BOTH. i thought this was assumed! It is definitely the society at large which perpetuate these cultural myths. Every ethnic group has its own set of "flaws" that are made fun of, and our multicultural society feeds upon these. The media only reflects everyday life. They don't just get these ideas from thin air. I'm sure that the average biggie in the media is only out there to make money. he is pressured to deliver and satisfy the unwashed masses, not to quiet the comparatively small group that fights for racial equality on tv. That is not his priority. It is improving though. The ethnic scene on TV and movies is the best it's ever been and improving. It's not close to perfect though.
lilywater47
Thursday, April 18, 2002 at 19:33:16 (PDT)
Kristin is definitely my role model! I agree that it is ultimately up to Kristin to want to be identified as Asian; however, I am absolutely proud of her regardless. And I recognized her Asian features immediately upon seeing her on Smallville -- there was no doubt in my mind she was part Asian. Unlike stereotypes, many full-blooded Asians don't look "Asian" as protrayed on American TV. In fact, Kristin has a striking resemblance to some full-blooded beautiful Asians in Asian media. That's how I knew Kristin was part Asian -- it was obvious. I think many people who don't see the Asian in Kristin has internalized Asian stereotypes.
Please don't question her fitness among us -- for that's what she's been getting from many white viewers. Many white folks have been rejecting her b/c of her Asian heritage -- and we don't need to do the same because of her whiteness. We should open our arms to her, not push her away. While she is not full Asian, she does do wonders for our image.
A Big Kristin Fan
Nancyw003@aol.com
Thursday, April 18, 2002 at 17:11:52 (PDT)
If she can speak Chinese, that would be even more cool.
By the way, since I don't watch the show...is her character presented as simply Caucasian, or Hapa?
L
Thursday, April 18, 2002 at 12:44:00 (PDT)
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