representASIAN The evolution and effects of Asian representation in Hollywood
G
rowing up, junior Priya Gupta never saw anyone who looked like her embracing their culture in the media. “So for a long period of time,” Gupta said, “I felt ashamed of my culture.” While many of her (white) peers saw people who looked like them on TV growing up, Gupta never felt represented. As a result of minimal Asian representation in the media, Gupta grew uncomfortable in her own skin, a phenomenon that many Asian people living in the United States have experienced. Fifty years ago, Asian representation in the media was scarce. The movie industry consisted of predominantly white, physically abled and conventionally attractive actors, and diversity in Hollywood was greatly lacking. When “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” came out, it quickly became an iconic movie in American pop culture. However, many viewers failed to notice the white man portraying a stereotypical Japanese man.
Buck teeth. Slanted eyes. Jet-black hair. Tanned yellow skin. Mickey Rooney, a white actor, cast as Mr. Yunioshi, a Japanese character, is one of many examples of Hollywood’s misrepresentation of Asian people. Whether it be the hyper-sexualized young Asian girl, the poor non-English speaking immigrant or the smart nerdy engineer, the media reinforces these stereotypes through movies, TV shows and even current news. The influence of these stereotypes and the lack of positive and accurate representation made it difficult for Asian children to learn about themselves and their place in the world around them as they grew up. “I couldn’t figure out how to fit my own identity into my life when I couldn’t find people who represented me,” Gupta said. When Paly Humanities teacher Mimi Park watches yet another movie where the only Asian character keeps their head and voice down, she finds herself disappointed at the lack of accurate representation found in the media. “Oftentimes [the]
BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY’S
Featuring Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golighty, Breakfast at Tiffany’s faced a lot of controversy over Mickey Rooney’s role as a white man portraying a stereotypical Japanese person.
1961
1993 THE JOY LUCK CLUB
Following the storyline of Amy Tan’s novel, the film depicts a group of Chinese women who come together to reflect on the cultural differences.
24 • cmagazine.org
TO ALL THE BOYS I’VE LOVED BEFORE
A movie remake of the New York Times bestselling book, To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han, stars Lana Condor playing Lara Jean, a young women trying to find her place in society.
2018
