Quote:
Originally Posted by mysterio
 HOW can we get MORE ASIAN MEN IN THE MAINSTREAM media? 
...let’s see if we can make it snowball into the birth of a masculine Asian American male image. |
I can see where you are coming from mysterio, agree that media has a very strong influence in everyone's lives because it molds a societies presumptions. However I believe more positive representations of Asian men in the mainstream media is not going to happen anytime soon, here's why:
The mainstream media, which is mostly run and owned by white males, is not against asians or asian males. The only thing which drives the mainstream media is pure profit. Movies pander to the lowest common denominator, because that's what strikes a chord with the most people, more people go see the movie = highest profit.
The Asian population of the US is 4.2%, that figure includes people you would probably not think of when you think of the word "asian" - people from India and Pakistan. Imagine if you are in a comedy festival with 96 Republicans and 4 Democrats... are you doing your "GWB looks like a chimp" routine? Not if you wanted to stay in business (with working arms and legs).
Hollywood isn't in the anti-asian male industry, it's in the pro-majority viewer industry, and historically, that majority is white males. Pro-white maleness means making movies that white males will feel good about (why males and not females? because white males take females to movies, and want to see something that makes them look good), so all the males of other races are portrayed as brutish, violent, stupid (ie black males in media) or effeminate, weak, cowards (ie asian males in media). That is also why asian females are highly-sexualized (but only when paired with white males). Both the weak asian male and the sexy white-preferring asian female in media is constructed for the same purpose - to serve the agenda of white males. If you want an example of how that can be changed, notice the increase of Latino male centric shows as the white latino male demographic has increased (and as widely noted, outgrown the non-latino white population in places). Hell, forget race, notice how fat the actors are getting in regular sitcoms. Why? Not because that's all they could cast on that multi-million dollar prime-time show, but because fat guys on tv makes the fat majority feel better (notice the women are still lithe and desirable though - and in love with the fatso. ) That would be about the only realistic way Hollywood changes it's tune, if that 4.2% suddenly jumped up to a majority - not going to happen anytime soon.
Hollywood is also deeply in bed with the government (and has been ever since the first world wars when the film industry was recognized as a excellent recruitment tool) - all the films featuring military hardware would be prohibitively expensive without a discount from a government agency - so long as said agency has control over the plot and representation of anything relating to the government, of course. This means as long as asian countries, particularly China, has the potential to challenge the US, you probably won't see asian guys portrayed as anything but untrustworthy on the mainstream silver screen.
There are some jokers in our deck though:
Locational Majority: Although that 4.2% is for the US overall, there are places where asians males heavily outnumber white males. These will be the places where the media starts to turn, and churn out some asian-promoting shows. Right now, the immigrant asian population is far greater than the ABC population, so usually these places import media, news and radio from their home countries (eg Chinese news programs/newspapers more in demand than western counterparts in Chinatown). Perhaps as the ABC population rises and the profit margins increase, there will be some local talent shown.
China's movie industry: will wipe Hollywood's profit off the charts as soon as the middle class grows enough in China. Will we start seeing Chinese companies buying up movie "giants" in America - there are many obstacles but the trend has already started in other businesses. Or will Hollywood try to steal a lick of the 1.3 billion Chinese pie (you can bank on it) and start making some movies asian people will not revolt against? Definetly, but don't expect white males to be degraded in them, unless the movie is shown only in Asia (in which case it won't make much difference to you or me).
I've often thought it tragic that the iconic asian male promoter, the one amongst few to maintain his raw masculinity (unlike the Jackie Chans and Yao Mings of today) - Bruce Lee (who rose in popularity completely unplanned, just by sheer force of personality eclipsing his sidekick role) died so young, as did his son.
Gaming industry/Internet: The fact is, movies don't bring as much money as they used to, now the internet is kicking, people can pick and choose their own entertainment (the gaming industry is already larger than show biz), or download the latest flick for nothing or, shock and horror, make their own entertainment sources, such as a website promoting the image of asian males
And what is the biggest gaming demographic in the world? China. And what are the chances that the next generation of programmers (and gamers) will be asian? Take a look at any uni....better than average.
ABC public debate: The asians that grow up immersed in Hollywood imagery are not stupid, they will wake up to the bias as their numbers grow and they stop trying to mesh into the white mold that always pushes them to the bottom and start forging their on identity. Perhaps we will begin to see open public televised debate (particularly from mixed asian/white kids who'll feel entitled as Americans not to have half their lineage ridiculed on the wide screen) and litigation against the film industry. Hollywood is ultra-sensitive to defamation lawsuits - very bad for the pocketbook.
Change of target: First it was the blacks, then it was asians, then it was the middle east. Hollywood degrades anything but it's majority viewers, but not to the same extent. The stereotype of the crazy, bloodthirsty arab (and please, I don't want to spark a debate as to whether this is true or not, we've got our own shit to deal with) captures the imagination far better than the asian man cowering in the backlot of a convenience store under an alpha white males gun (who happens to now have an adopted asian son, interesting). The focus on asian women is a relatively new trend, it was not too long ago asians, male or female were seen as ugly, slanty-eyed, too skinny peoples. Which race could be considered more of a prize next? Middle Eastern? Indian? African? Back to white? I think all human affairs are a swing of a pendulum, there will be reversal.
Benevolent leadership: Maybe, if we are really lucky, a leader - asian or not, will step up to the podium with a personal (because it sure the hell won't be supported by business) burning desire to end racial prejudice in mass media. Maybe he (or she?) will be asian, or half-asian, or have good asian friends or maybe he or she will simply be compelled to make a change because it's the right thing, as an American, to do. Maybe he or she will believe racial and societal harmony is necessary for a country to overcome future emergencies. If we are lucky.
By the way, I'm not in America or an American, I'm in Australia - Asians here make up about 8% of the population, we are also bombarded (sometimes to the annoyance of white Australians) with Hollywood films.
Our Drive: this is not so much a joker in the deck than a positive observation. When it comes to education and economics, asians lead the way. As a group, we graduate, we go into professional jobs, doctors, business keepers, lawyers, these are positions of power. This seems to be the culture we came from, somewhat atypical of other immigrant groups. I say keep the education flowing, keep asian kids brainy, don't be too quick to be shun all trace of nerdiness and smarts. Let loose once in a while and be cool, but not too cool. Good jobs means good money, and money is the supreme force of society.
Personally, I find the film industry, western or eastern, an exercise in group masturbation at best; a disturbing, morally-bankrupt force of evil at worst. I don't feel good when I see depictions of any group being degraded, or even when my own group is artificially promoted, and perhaps there will come a time when another majority usurps the current kings, and smarmy asian/latino/black males mock white males as fat, stupid wretches all the while bedding the thin, eager women of other races. I don't look forward to that day. I like to think I'm not the opposite side of the same empty coin. I ignore the film industry as much as I can, and seek those who see it as the self-serving, profit-addicted entity I see it to be. I try to self improve, because I don't think a good looking asian male on tv should go far in making me look better, or many strong asian males shown on tv make me stronger or many brave asian males on tv make me braver. These are qualities I want to grow within myself, and if I do, I don't see any stereotype in existence that could not be overcome. I haven't read every post in this thread, but can see there are other people here who take the same view. This is the real way we make a change.
Jeez I crapped on too much here, guess it's been on the tip of my brain for a while.
By the way, if anybody wants to flame anything I've said here (and there's always a few points of contention), that's okay, just remember if ur asian, we are all in the same boat, buffeted by the same prejudices. Argue with me like a brother, because that's what I am.
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