Photo+Journalism
I just listened to a pretty good NPR discussion on positive stereotypes.
Are Positive Stereotypes Racist, Too?
L’Heureux Lewis, assistant professor of sociology and black studies at the City College of New York, said, “…we have to recognize that [positive stereotypes] are gross generalizations. They may have a kernel of truth based on some social reality but ultimately they limit the choices and limit the opportunities and limit the things that people can do.”
In retrospect, I think this is…sort of…what the humor in Yo Teach! is trying to do with the teacher telling the Asian student that she will never be the president, and should instead aim for menial work. However, my problem is that the Asian kid is THAT “Asian kid.”
I think that the more common complaint about Asian American portrayal in the media these days is that the Asian characters are always either imported from Asia (and thus, Asian, not Asian American), or they are specifically ethnic Asian American characters. There are very few (though their numbers are growing*) simply “American” or “normal” characters that happen to be Asian American.
If you missed it earlier, check out this wonderful NPR piece:
Long Duk Dong: Last of the Hollywood Stereotypes?
It features founders of Giant Robot magazine, Martin Wong and Eric Nakamura, as well as Gedde Watanabe himself, the actor behind Long Duk Dong.
And here’s Adrian Tomine’s take on it (also on the NPR page):
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*Here’s a short(hand) list of some characters that just so happen to be Asian American. Some aren’t the greatest actors, characters, or parts, but hey, “The Donger” set our standards pretty low, and anything is better.
John Cho and Kal Penn as Harold and Kumar in Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmSvLOLy0gY]
I remember that when this first came out, “grownups” from my Chinese church were recommending that we go see this. “Finally!” they said, “A movie featuring two Asian protagonists in a non-stereotypical way!” I don’t think they realized that the main reason they aren’t stereotypical is because well…they’re in a stoner flick.
In any case, Cho is widely recognized a big groundbreaker for Asian men in the media, especially beginning with his work in Better Luck Tomorrow.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bf9q7twWZlc]
Not my favorite film, but certainly noteworthy as an Asian-Am film.
On to more recent stuff, Daniel Henney plays a pretty swell Agent Zero in the latest X-Men: Origins film.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtSqnuml2_s]
Zero is a pretty slick character with some nice gun-handling skills, though he’s a bit of a d-bag and is pretty much William Stryker’s lackey. At least he makes it look good!
Aaron Yoo: I want him to be my best friend.
Yoo plays a really great best friend to Shia LaBeouf’s character in Disturbia.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZR6EqjbzwI]
Of course, he’s usually stuck as a supporting actor. Kind of like James Franco. He’s always stuck being the backup man: Pineapple Express, Milk, Spider-Man. Some actors never really catch a break.
As for actresses….this one’s a tough one. In my opinion, Asian American women have it the hardest getting into non-specifically-Asian roles in movies.
Well…here’s a shoddy list:
Maggie Q sort of gets the short end of the straw in Die Hard 4, and is pretty much the serious lady on the wrong side who gets owned by her prickish evil lover. And then by Bruce Willis. But who wouldn’t get owned by Bruce Willis?
At least she has a good sense of humor about it:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnI6eia1wQU]
She was also in MI:3 and a bunch of Hong Kong films, where she got her start.
Hmmm..a bit like Henney, who also started in Korean films/dramas.
So…I guess for some of these newer stars, they’re following the ol’ Imported from Asia path, though in Asia, they’re imported from America.
Ah, Asia-America.
The fat kid in the new Pixar movie, Up is Asian American too. Except the movie makes no mention of his Asian-ness. Not once. It’s refreshing. It is as it should be with all Asian American characters.
He is simply a kid who happens to be Asian American.
Oh! True! I was going to mention him but I forgot.
I’m still so…emotionally exhausted from the first 5 minutes of that film.
But yeah, Russell is a really refreshing character. And his eyes aren’t slanty/chinky. They’re…almond-ish?
He’s got some family issues–but not “Asian family” issues.
He’s got some strange interests–but not “Asian kid” interests.
And he’s a funny character–but not because he’s Asian comic relief.
THANK YOU, PIXAR.
Have you seen Gran Torino? If you have, I wonder what you think of it.
Steve- I just re-posted a note I wrote on Facebook on this topic:
http://daughterofbob.wordpress.com/2009/06/17/post-post-thoughts-on-gran-torino-mild-spoiler-alert/