Monday, November 21, 2011

Media

If you have noticed, Asians are hardly portrayed in the media other than as their stereotypical counterparts. Examples to illustrate this point:
The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift - Although it was set in Japan and there were a number of Japanese extras, the main character was a white man, and the Japanese characters were viewed in a semi-stereotypical light.
The Ninja Assassin and Rush Hour movies: Although there is an Asian man as the main character, they are seen in the same light everyone knows them to be - karate/kung fu fighters and ninjas.
Why is it like that? How do we change it?

5 comments:

  1. Audience appreciate simplicity rather than a complicated one. Therefore, it's easier for the audience to set the characters by using their stereotypical vision and let the story flow.
    To change it, the directors of making those films should challenge themselves and break the ice by mixing up stereotypes or other creative ways.

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  2. I believe that it reflects on our culture. Yes, it is stereotypical, but in another sense, how else are we known? It is also rare where you find an Asian that is completely Americanized.

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  4. Well, the portrayal of Asians in Western media has always been stereotypical but changed from blatant racism to stereotypical character types.
    I think that we could change this by calling attention and spreading awareness to this issue. For example, on Youtube there are many regular, "westernized" people of Asian descent addressing or making fun of these stereotypes through their videos.

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  5. It is because most of the movies for Chinese characters are playing kung fu. Therefore, most of the Americans think all Chinese people can play kung fu. It is hard to change those stereotypes because those ideas have been stored in their minds.

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