While Washington made anti-Asian sentiment
into policy, Hollywood made it famous. - The stigmas and the stereotypes
associated with Asian Americans didn’t just pop up over the last year. They
are very much a part of American culture. - When people think of Asians, scenes from
Hollywood favorites often come to mind. - What’s happening, hot stuff?
Wow, Sixteen Candles. I expected more from a movie where Anthony Michael Hall takes photos
with a passed-out drunk girl to show his friends. Hollywood was promoting harmful racial stereotypes
long before this lighthearted tale of teen sexual assault, relegating Asian performers
to playing prostitutes, maids, butlers, laundry workers, and craven villains. Sessue Hayakawa
was one of the first Asian movie stars, but he gained a reputation for his portrayals of
“dangerously seductive” villains, and rising anti-Asian sentiment forced him to seek roles
in Europe at the start of World War II. No one should have to flee Hollywood for Europe—except
for Roman Polanski. Anna May Wong was cinema’s first celebrated Asian American actress,
yet she was denied the lead role of an Asian character in The Good Earth, apparently due to
industry rules forbidding non-white actresses from playing opposite white actors. Instead,
she was offered the stereotypical role of Lotus Flower, a “villainous concubine,” which she
admirably turned down—something a lot of actors wouldn’t have had the integrity to do. I didn’t
even turn down Ishtar 2: Gone Ishing. While Hollywood occasionally featured Asian characters
in major roles as sympathetic protagonists, it was far more likely to depict them as
demonic villains who tortured men and threatened the virtue of white women. But either way,
they were almost always played by white people. So for decades, Asian viewers saw themselves
represented onscreen by the likes of Katharine Hepburn, Tony Randall, Mickey Rooney, and our most
iconic Asian American actor of all: John Wayne. - You do well, Kumlek. For while I have
fingers to grasp a sword and eyes to see, your treacherous head is not safe on your shoulders.
What did you expect? The only range John Wayne had was the range he rode on in his other
nine million identical roles. Hollywood also demonized and ridiculed Asian people in cartoons.
These grotesque caricatures were especially vile during World War
II. But ugly stereotypes continued long afterward in cartoons that were
rerun endlessly for generations of impressionable children. Yeah, that’s a Yabba Dabba Don’t.
Asian Americans were almost thoroughly excluded from popular culture, except when someone needed
an exotic villain, a sex object, a cheap joke, or, of course, a marketing ploy.
- How do you get shirts so clean, Mr. Lee? - Ancient Chinese secret.
- We need more Calgon! - Ancient Chinese secret, huh?
Those commercials were so bad, I stopped drinking Calgon entirely. In recent years,
stereotypes of Asians have continued to serve as easy gags for movies, television shows,
and commercials. Like this hilarious example. - You break-a my wall, you bastard man!
- I’m sorry, man. It was an accident, okay? - I try to make duck dinner! Now
plaster everywhere! - No, chill out, okay?
Yep, you can always count on Mark Wahlberg to practice nonviolence toward Asian people. Do not
google that. White actors have also continued to be cast in dramatic roles as Asian characters.
Meanwhile, many roles for actual Asian actors still perpetuate stereotypes
that are especially harmful to women. - Asian women are often portrayed in
Hollywood as sex workers—either dominatrixes like this scene in Billions or more submissive
like the women in massage parlors in Rush Hour 2. - And it’s this scene from Full Metal Jacket that
has permeated American culture like few others. - Me love you long time.
I have never uttered those words. Mostly because they’re racist, but also because my maximum loving
time is 13 minutes. Fortunately, Hollywood has made some progress in Asian representation, with
acclaimed movies like Crazy Rich Asians, Minari, and The Farewell,
and TV shows like Fresh Off the Boat and Killing Eve. And Oscars history was made
this year when Steven Yeun became the first Asian American to be nominated for Best Actor.
When asked about the nomination, Yeun’s Walking Dead co-stars said, [zombie noises].
They may sound genuine, but you know they’re jealous.
Some people think what happens in Hollywood doesn’t matter. But seeing yourself reflected
in the culture does matter. And seeing other people’s stories makes it harder
to deny their humanity. And if nothing else, greater diversity in Hollywood means we’ll
see fewer movies starring Mark Wahlberg. And that is something we can all agree on.