Uplifting Asian Voices in the Media
Article by Michelle Yap | Art by Jillian Hartshorne
Movies and TV are essential to pop culture and life today, and that means that so many of the ideals of our viewers and creators are reflected in them. Recently, the media has been seeing a shift towards being more inclusive with actors playing the lead role, typically placing more people of color into lead roles. However, even though this movement has good intentions, it leads to many misrepresentations and portrayals of stereotypes associated with different cultures, which needs to be addressed all the way. However, as an Asian American, I grew up noticing the stereotypes and misrepresentations of Asian characters, which I will be focusing on in this piece.
Many movies and TV shows I saw growing up were led predominantly by white actors or characters. The few times that I saw Asian characters, they were portrayed with many harmful stereotypes. For example, in many children's films, such as Kung Fu Panda (2008), Mulan (1998), and Minions: Rise of Gru (2022), Asian characters, whether they be main or side characters, were portrayed as martial artists. Additionally, for many of these films and TV shows, even though there is some sort of Asian representation, Asian culture is often oversimplified or stereotyped as well. For example, in the popular TV show Gilmore Girls, a prominent character, Lane Kim, is depicted with strict Asian parental stereotypes, overbearing discipline, and strict cultural norms. Even though it is enjoyable to see characters that look like me in the mainstream media, there is no use if the portrayals only perpetuate stereotypes and common misconceptions.
These stereotypes can often affect the way people perceive Asian people and the expectations that come with them. For example, in films such as Big Hero 6 (2014), Asian characters are associated with being tech-savvy. They are considered “nerds” or "smart," which are tropes and characteristics that have been pushed onto many Asian people in real life, including myself. This can lead to many toxic mindsets towards qualities that Asian people “should” have, leading to the perpetuation of the stereotyped perspectives that other people have about Asian people. This trend also affects how Asian people are expected to act or behave. For example, many movies and TV shows portray Asian characters as being shy, awkward, or "weird," such as Russell in UP! (2009), Ben Chang in Community (2009-2014), or Lara Jean in the To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before film series.
Additionally, Asian culture is often exoticized through the portrayal of Asian cultures as "oriental." For example, although the Marvel film Shang Chi and the Legend of the Rings (2021) was a breakthrough for Asian representation at the box office, some of the Asian communities are portrayed as dictated by mystical and magical martial arts while being hidden in a bamboo forest. This trend is also seen in Doctor Strange (2016), where a magical martial arts center is portrayed with several Eastern elements. This passes down into societal norms, where the association of dragons with Asian cultures and the romanticization of characters and Asian languages in tattoo culture is commonly observed. This affects the way that many Asian youth view their own cultures, making them want to erase that part of them, which is detrimental to the individualism of Asian youth. Perspectives such as these also cause toxic views on Asian women, leading to either the exoticization or fetishization of Asian women, dehumanizing them and eliminating their true values societally.
Another problem observed is not how Asian characters are portrayed, but who portrays them. Many Asian characters are portrayed by white actors, such as the Ancient One from Doctor Strange (2016). When Asian characters are portrayed, it seems like they are only portrayed by the same big-name Asian actors over and over again, such as Michelle Yeoh and Ke Huy Quan. I don’t see new Asian actors that often, and I think that messes up views on Asian people in the media. Many of those big-name actors either specialize or portray strengths in martial arts. These trends cause Asian Americans to view their own cultures as exotic or weird, leading them to sideline and whitewash their heritage or even their characteristics. Many Asian people go through cosmetic surgeries to make their eyes appear larger, slim their noses, or change other Asian facial features. Many also apply toxic substances to their skin, like mercury, in hopes of lightening their skin tones, all of which are examples of pushing aside naturally Asian characteristics in favor of characteristics to appear Western.
All of these aspects affected how I perceived myself while I was younger. Growing up in an area where Asian people were one of the smallest minorities, I hated my last name because it sounded so different than all of the last names I heard around me. The TV shows and films that I watched only furthered this hatred of a name and culture that I should’ve been proud of, especially with all of the stereotypes being pushed in pop culture. I wasn’t able to find accurate representations of my familial background and culture that weren’t exaggerated or demonized, which led me to try to hide that part of myself. It got to the point where I would refuse to bring Asian foods that my mom would make for me and beg to take lunches that other kids would take to school. Movies and TV shows are so important to the way that kids view the world, and without proper representation in pop culture, many of these kids may view their own cultures as weird or exotic. This affected me so much to the point where I only accepted my cultural background and my last name a couple of years ago when I should’ve been able to be proud of it since I was young. Even today, it isn’t common to see Asians represented in the media, but that representation has expanded. Most recently, the film Everything, Everywhere, All At Once (2022), led by a predominantly Asian cast, won many SAG, Academy, and Golden Globe awards, which I believe is very empowering for Asian American people. Another popular film led by a predominantly Asian cast, Shang Chi and the Legend of 10 Rings (2021), was just as empowering. More personally, the Disney animated film Raya and the Last Dragon (2021) raised awareness about Southeast Asian culture, which I came from, and even though its portrayal wasn’t fully accurate, it was still great to see a representation of my culture on the big screen. Even though these films still pushed some stereotypes and romanticized Asian cultures, their popularity is a step toward increasing accurate Asian representation in the media.
While steps have been made to increase Asian representation in the media, many of these portrayals still perpetuate harmful stereotypes, misrepresentations, or romanticized, exoticized, or demonized views of Asian cultures. These depictions shape the way that society views Asian people, and more importantly, the way that Asian people and youth view themselves. To stop these narratives, we must move beyond surface-level efforts at diversity and embrace more nuanced and authentic stories to reflect the complexity and true nature of Asian experiences and culture. Only then can the media empower and uplift underrepresented communities and cultures and promote pride instead of alienation.
Sources:
https://info.limcollege.edu/lexington-line/where-the-asians-at-why-we-need-greater-media-diversity
https://nbcuacademy.com/asian-american-stereotypes-media/
https://pacificties.org/a-closer-look-into-asian-representation-in-the-media/
