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ASIAMS.NET |
ASIAN AMERICAN ISSUES
Asian Men Deliberately Excluded from Star Wars?
ow that the fifth installment of the Star Wars saga has hit theatres, it's official: Asian men have no place in George Lucas's vision of the future. An Asian female Jedi was glimpsed in the most recent installment, but not one single Asian male has been spotted in any of the five movies.
The absence is all the more remarkable given that Star Wars borrows its themes and fight scenes so obviously from samurai and kung-fu flicks. On a purely demographic level, it's difficult to imagine a distant future in which Asians will not be the preponderance of humanity. Even on a mundane economic level, Asians account for at least a third of today's global box office and video revenues.
The utter absence of Asian men in the latest installment is even more glaring in light of the promises Lucas made in response to Asian protests over the omission of Asian actors coupled with suspicious attachment of Asian cultural traits to unsavory alien grotesqueries in The Phantom Menace. Lucas had even hinted that images of Bruce Lee would be used in the installment now known as The Clone Wars.
In The Phantom Menace Lucas used Asian martial artists both to choreograph and perform the kendo-inspired light-saber sequences. But as if wishing to take back the decision, in The Clone Wars Lucas's PR machine made a point of showing that the fight sequences were choreographed by a white man and performed by the actors themselves. That explains why they were so leaden and lackluster, but raises the question why?
Could it be that George Lucas wants to avoid calling attention to his large debt to Asian action films?
Is Lucas afraid that including an Asian man will invite critical focus on the new movie's sub-par swordfight sequences?
Is Lucus slyly inviting viewers to see wizened little Master Yoda as a winking representation of Asian men?
Despite his avowed interest in Chinese and Japanese martial arts, culture, literature and films, is Lucas a closet racist after all?
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WHAT YOU SAY
[This page is closed to new input. --Ed.]
TO: huu76
Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't this discussion specifically about the exlusion of ethnic role balance in cinema concerning Asian-Americans?
There is a compelling and credible argument that entertainment executives do deliberately exclude positive images of Asian-Americans in US movies and television shows. Perhaps part of the reason for this oversight is a lack of political voice. Asians are certainly qualified for better roles, but breaks for Asian actors and actresses are too few.
"Asians don't need to rely on other groups to give ourselves a positive image, our hardwork and reputation is enough"
huu76, you're argument is contradictory. You make a statement then go on an African American bashing spree.
"I do have issues with other groups working against us"
Yes, huu76, you certainly don't like me or my people (your fellow Americans). I admit that criminal young black men do victimize Asian storeowners. They also victimize other black people. That's way I never offer apologies for violent criminals.
"Blacks are 10% of the population, yet they are always represented in fields which are clearly dominated by Asians. Lawyers, doctors, engineers in Star Trek, L.A. Law and The Simpsons"
huu76, law, medical and engineering professions are dominated by white people. Asians do make up a considerable number of lawyers, doctors and engineers. For this, they should definitely be projected in these professions in cinema. It's media bias and it's unfair to loyal Asian-Americans.
"Music artists and athletes often make headlines for being arrested; with rappers, it's actually a good thing for their record sales. Yet, when TV reflects this, they say they're being purposely portrayed negatively."
In some ways I do agree. R Kelly, Alan Iverson and OJ Simpson are criminal thug punks. I wouldn't stand in the same room with those guys for a minute. Yes, gansta rappers are a disgrace to hard-working, law-abiding African-Americans. That's why I don't purchase their product.
"So instead Asians are made out to be the criminals"
Bullshit!!! I rarely watch network TV, but I do see a considerable number of movies. Where is the disproportionate representation of Asian-Americans as criminals? What movies? What television shows? All races are projected as criminals in cinema. The frequency does take politics into account, but I haven't noticed a trend towards Asian-American criminals in cinema.
"The L.A. beatings of the handcuffed youth. Already there's grumblings about race, yet there was a black police officer present"
What? Are you kidding? huu76, again, what does this have to do with exclusion of ethnic role balance for Asian-Americans?
Once again, you're just using this recent incident of police brutality as an excuse to knock black people. With your logic, I should be proud of clarence thomas just because he's a black guy sitting on the supreme court. That's nuts!
"Michael Jackson thinks it's Sony Music's fault that sales of his most recent album are low. He didn't consider maybe he sucks now"
Agreed. Michael Jackson - as rich as he is - needs to go back to his original form if he wants to make money. Just as I was beginning to hold out hope for Al Sharpton to be a national civil rights leader he signs onto a race baiting stunt like this. It's a shame.
However, huu76, I'm not sure how this incident has affected positive images of Asian-Americans. You're at it again.
"Everyday MTV shows rap artists with gold teeth."
huu76, would you like to see images of Asian rappers with gold teeth?
OK, seriously, this is bad media and I'm sure you'd see fewer of these images if more black executives were in the entertainment industry. Unfortunately, images sell $$$ and young black artists buy into it.
"Hollywood often makes Asians the scapegoat or leaves us out altogether since they figure all minorities will be happy as long as there is a minority presence being portrayed"
Agreed. Americans must begin to redefine minority representation to include Hispanics, Native Americans and Asian-Americans. We don't live in a black/white country. We're very much a multi-race nation and we're crazy not to celebrate our rich heritage.
"By the way, my comment there that set you off. That was just an observation.
When I read your post, things just came popping into my head."
huu76, you set me off, too.
It just seems like you don't understand me and I don't fully understand you. I try to be sensitive and fair-minded. Sometimes it works. I'll keep trying.
huu76, you need to learn to express your arguments and not contradict yourself. It's very, very clear that you cannot stand African-Americans, in general. I doubt if you can help it; it's in your blood. You stated a few examples, but Denzel Washington, Samuel Jackson and Wil Smith are actors - actors, huu76.
The fact is America is great because of white Americans, black Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans and Asian Americans.
I honestly think you'd be more happy in a country that's Asians and whites only. That's really disheartening, but as we both know, you're not the only Asian who feels that way.
Geoff DB
GeoffDB02@aol.com
Thursday, July 11, 2002 at 22:19:31 (PDT)
huu76,
you wrote: "Blacks are 10% of the population, yet they are always represented in fields which are clearly dominated by Asians. Lawyers, doctors, engineers in Star Trek, L.A. Law and The Simpsons."
OK, now I understand, the black man and the white man are working hand-in-hand to exclude you from positive images. YES, now I see the plot. Thanks for clearing that up.
Dude, are you discussing positive images of asians in movies and tv, or are you discussing real life economic conditions between african-americans, white people, asians and latinos. If so, that's a totally different set of circumstances. We'll definitely get into a lot of disparities if you want to go there!!! I think it's a different type of argument.
Political Observer
Thursday, July 11, 2002 at 14:04:32 (PDT)
Geoff,
Asians don't need to rely on other groups to give ourselves a positive image, our hardwork and reputation is enough. I do have issues with other groups working against us, either directly or indirectly to undermine what we have accomplished.
Examples.
1. Blacks are 10% of the population, yet they are always represented in fields which are clearly dominated by Asians. Lawyers, doctors, engineers in Star Trek, L.A. Law and The Simpsons.
2. Music artists and athletes often make headlines for being arrested; with rappers, it's actually a good thing for their record sales. Yet, when TV reflects this, they say they're being purposely portrayed negatively. So instead Asians are made out to be the criminals.
3. The L.A. beatings of the handcuffed youth. Already there's grumblings about race, yet there was a black police officer present.
4. Michael Jackson thinks it's Sony Music's fault that sales of his most recent album are low. He didn't consider maybe he sucks now.
5. Civil rights groups suing Toyota Motor Corp. for displaying an image of a blackman with a gold tooth (actually, it was a miniature car) because it was offensive. Everyday MTV shows rap artists with gold teeth.
All of this is related to blacks getting over representation as positive images. Hollywood often makes Asians the scapegoat or leaves us out altogether since they figure all minorities will be happy as long as there is a minority presence being portrayed.
By the way, my comment there that set you off. That was just an observation.
When I read your post, things just came popping into my head.
Guys like Denzel, Samuel and Will get my praises because they got where they were without complaining or stepping on Asians.
Great, now I'm totally off topic.
huu76
Wednesday, July 10, 2002 at 23:34:56 (PDT)
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