Asianization of Hollywood: From Stereotypes to Diversity

CLASS CMSN 250 F RACE AND STREOTYPES KEY POINTS FROM 3 ARTICLES: Asianization of Hollywood: From Stereotypes to Diversity 1. Moreover, Chinese men were often portrayed as drug addicts with a likening to prostitution and gambling. ( Light Naing). 2. According to the 2020 UCLA Hollywood Diversity Report, 91% of Hollywood executives were White. Furthermore, the report discovered that over 69% of all film roles in Hollywood were occupied by White actors and actresses, with only 4.8% of performers identifying as Asian (Light Naing). 3. "Crazy Rich Asians." "Turning Red." "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings." "Everything, Everywhere, All at Once." These are just a few examples of Hollywood works showcasing great Asian representation, which have achieved great success across the world (Light Naing). ARTICLE 2 Asian Americans in Hollywood: The Effects of 20th Century Stereotypes. 1. Yellow peril was the idea that Asian people from the East threatened the Western way of life and sought ways to destroy it (Charissa Yuen). 2. Yellowface refers to a non-Asian actor portraying an Asian character with the use of makeup, prosthetics, and costumes to give them "Asian features" or an "Asian look." This look was based on heavily exaggerated stereotypes, such as small/slanted eyes, large teeth, and a flat nose while wearing "Asian looking" costumes. (Charissa Yuen). 3. The Lotus Blossom, also sometimes referred to as the "China Doll," is a stereotype of Asian women as being passive, docile, and subservient characteristics that were for the purpose of pleasing a White man (Charissa Yuen). ARTICLE 3 "Anti-Asian Racism: Inside Hollywood's History of Hidden Hate and Stereotypes." 1. Don't perpetuate acts of violence … against Asian people.' (Liem Vu). 2. Hollywood has always been in the business of entertainment, but racial stereotypes and lack of diversity continue to plague the industry. (Liem Vu). 3. Films like Minari, starring The Walking Dead star Steven Yeun, are getting Oscar recognition, with Yeun becoming the first Asian American to be up for Best Actor. Marvel is also releasing its first superhero film, led by an Asian character, Shang-Chi, played by Canada's Simu Liu. (Liem Vu). STEP 2 intro Race plays an essential role in identifying or shaping people. Most of the time, it influences people and how they see themselves. The representation of many racial groups is greatly influenced by the media, especially in Hollywood movies. Positive and diverse representations of minorities can level up self-esteem and promote greater acceptance into society. Stereotypes. have the power to maintain discrimination against different groups of people and produce wrong impressions of it. So, because Asian characters often appear by harmful and incorrect stereotypes, Asian representation in Hollywood has long issues. In the past time, Asian people were always treated fairly and diversely represented in Hollywood. According to the 2020 UCLA Hollywood Diversity report shows tha just 4.8 percent role in Hollywood were given to Asain actorrs, and 91 percent of character were the white people. Because of this discrimination, many viewers do not understand the Asian identity. Furthermore, Asian men were frequently portrayed as dangerous criminals and drug-addicted gamblers. Whereas women were often stereotyped as Chinese dolls or Lotus Blossom, they were shown only to serve white men. The yellow face, in which white men used to perform Asian character's roles in films by using makeup or costumes, has also been a controversial Hollywood practice. Instead of letting Asians share their tales, this illustrated more as offensive and unrealistic. In addition to the problem of stereotypes, Hollywood has not properly stereotyped the wide range of Asian cultures. Insufficient variety in Asian representation Hollywood only includes Chinese, Japanese, and Korean, not any other race, which disrespects other Asians, and they do not get any chance to perform their skill in Hollywood. Even when Asians are featured, they are shown with particular stereotypes like laundry owners and martial arts or math experts. Rather than fully developed or successful men, they are always shown struggling in movies. So, this representation matters because the popular media often shapes thinking and impacts society. STEP 3 __ Here are some examples that represent race in the movie:- 1. Evelyn Wong said to her daughter that the girl she is dating (Becky) is white. She was not saying that she don’t like her but her daughter knew it. 2. When customer says, "i thought u people were very good at math" is another example of race representation. He was judging them on that basis of their culture as most of the chinese people good at math. It is a universal thinking. 3. When Evelyn said, "What a big nose", it represents Chinese culture as in their culture if someone has a big nose, it is a sign of ugliness. 4. In the whole movie, they prefer to fight according to Chinese culture, such as kung fu and karate 5. Evelyn hates that her daughter has a tattoo as it is not acceptable traditionally in Chinese culture 6. Evelyn's daughter (Joy) was not good at speaking their mother tongue, as we can see when she has forgotten how to say "girlfriend" in Chinese. WORK CITED Naing, Light. “Asianization of Hollywood: From Stereotypes to Diversity.” Spheres of Influence, 18 July 2022, spheresofinfluence.ca/asianization-of-hollywood-from-stereotypes-to-diversity/. Yuen, Charissa. “Intertrend Communications | Asian Americans in Hollywood: The Effects of 20th Century Stereotypes.” Intertrend Communications, www.intertrend.com/interject/asianamericans-in-hollywood-the-effects-of-20th-century-stereotypes. Vu, Liem. “Anti-Asian Racism: Inside Hollywood’s History of Hidden Hate and Stereotypes.” Global News, 25 Apr. 2021, globalnews.ca/news/7783650/anti-asian-racisminside-hollywoods-history-of-hidden-hate-and-stereotypes/.