Stereotype

Stereotypes are a pertinent issue in the film and television genre. Stereotyping in this context is the belief that someone is something based purely on their physical appearance. While not always hurtful, it still is harmful to the overall movement of breaking Asians out of this mold that society has made for them. A personal experience I have had due to stereotyping was when I walked into a theater classroom, and almost all the students assumed I had come from orchestra or band. While I can’t say for certain that all these people were coming from an ignorant place, I do know that most of them were. Stereotyping of all types of people has had a huge presence in American pop culture, and only recently have Asians been able to break out from the “Grumpy Business Owner” or the “Strange Oriental Man.” Now with the release of films like “Crazy Rich Asians” and “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” are Asians able to be seen as more than a punchline, and instead their own individual characters.

A prevalent misconception with stereotypes is that they are always offensive, however, in many cases, this is not true. While the nerdy Asian and loud foreigner are not in low supply by any means, they are not the only stereotype. For example, being smart is an asian stereotype, being good at music is an Asian stereotype, even having a bowl cut can be a stereotype. A little further along this way of thought is the more unrecognizable stereotypes that are in film and media for Asians. These are more recognizable in modern times as the “clumsy funny man,” or the “cold and calculated villian.” While these are not as inherently harmful as many of the other stereotypes it still limits the creative range of an actor, as they are often confined to one particular type of role purely based off of their race.

One great example of this is Adam Sandler. While not being as directly applicable to the situation his general story still rings true. Sandler has been locked in the frame of comedies, and while he is able to wonderfully play dramatic characters, they come few and far between as he has become known (and trapped) to play comedic roles. Another example that pertains a little more of this is Jackie Chan, who has become known for playing action roles, being the kung-fu master and fighter. While these are in no way directly harmful to the actor, they can perpetuate stereotypes and lock in not only actors, but entire races to certain beliefs that are perpetuated by media.

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Aladdin on broadway