2008 Woodie Awards
Slaying the Dragon examines Asian-American stereotypes
Presentation showcases effects of media on society's views
Kate Stickelmaier
Issue date: 4/26/07 Section: News
The presentation of Slaying the Dragon by Diversity Advocacy showcased the negative stereotypes surrounding Asian-American women and the effect the media has had on society's perception of them.
The event took place in the Circus Room of the Bone Student Center on Tuesday evening at 7 p.m.
A discussion amongst the audience members was held after the viewing of the documentary as well.
The film, which was shot by director Deborah Gee in 1988 explores the reasons attributed to the typecasting of Asian-American actresses in Hollywood since the silent film era.
In the past, according to commentators who contributed to the film, compared to other races, the Asian American race has been used as a media scapegoat most often since typically as a whole, they keep quiet.
Asian-American women as well as Asian-American men have been given demeaning roles.
In 1929, Anna May Wong became the first lady of Asian cinema when she was cast in the role of a villain in The Thief of Baghdad.
Other films such as Sayonara in 1957, The World of Susie Wong in 1960 and the Year of the Dragon in 1980 have also depicted women as sensual and exotic who were believed to pamper men as docile creatures.
As mentioned in the film, since the mid- seventies, 70 to 80 percent of Asian-American women have married outside of their race, most often to Caucasian men such as the ones portrayed as heroes on screen.
"Caucasian male roles [were] seen as a manly men you want to love," Bernice Yanhao, a junior human resources management major, said.
In the early days of film, Caucasian actors were discouraged from kissing Asian-American actors on film and oftentimes, famous actors such as Katherine Hepburn and Fred Astaire played the parts of Asian-Americans until the passage of interracial marriages laws in the United States shattered that unwritten rule.
Since then many Asian-American women have broken their stereotypes with advances made by women such as Connie Chung in the field of broadcast journalism.
"Now I think Asian people have a new stereotype," Sarah Han, a senior biology major, said. "If people see us in a different [way then] we are still exotic."
Anti-Asian sentiments during World War II reflected the threat felt by American workers, which were fueled by the passage of the anti-Asian immigration laws.
The view towards the Japanese was especially hampered after the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941.
After the Vietnam War ended, films such as Deer Hunter in 1979 portrayed Vietnamese women as prostitutes.
"I think lot of it [stereotypes] was historical especially with the war in Vietnam," Will McCorkle, a senior social science education major, said.
The first all Asian musical Flower Drum Song on Broadway in 1961 helped change the image of Asian American women from one-dimensional characters for the better and since then, fewer of those stereotypes have existed.
The event took place in the Circus Room of the Bone Student Center on Tuesday evening at 7 p.m.
A discussion amongst the audience members was held after the viewing of the documentary as well.
The film, which was shot by director Deborah Gee in 1988 explores the reasons attributed to the typecasting of Asian-American actresses in Hollywood since the silent film era.
In the past, according to commentators who contributed to the film, compared to other races, the Asian American race has been used as a media scapegoat most often since typically as a whole, they keep quiet.
Asian-American women as well as Asian-American men have been given demeaning roles.
In 1929, Anna May Wong became the first lady of Asian cinema when she was cast in the role of a villain in The Thief of Baghdad.
Other films such as Sayonara in 1957, The World of Susie Wong in 1960 and the Year of the Dragon in 1980 have also depicted women as sensual and exotic who were believed to pamper men as docile creatures.
As mentioned in the film, since the mid- seventies, 70 to 80 percent of Asian-American women have married outside of their race, most often to Caucasian men such as the ones portrayed as heroes on screen.
"Caucasian male roles [were] seen as a manly men you want to love," Bernice Yanhao, a junior human resources management major, said.
In the early days of film, Caucasian actors were discouraged from kissing Asian-American actors on film and oftentimes, famous actors such as Katherine Hepburn and Fred Astaire played the parts of Asian-Americans until the passage of interracial marriages laws in the United States shattered that unwritten rule.
Since then many Asian-American women have broken their stereotypes with advances made by women such as Connie Chung in the field of broadcast journalism.
"Now I think Asian people have a new stereotype," Sarah Han, a senior biology major, said. "If people see us in a different [way then] we are still exotic."
Anti-Asian sentiments during World War II reflected the threat felt by American workers, which were fueled by the passage of the anti-Asian immigration laws.
The view towards the Japanese was especially hampered after the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941.
After the Vietnam War ended, films such as Deer Hunter in 1979 portrayed Vietnamese women as prostitutes.
"I think lot of it [stereotypes] was historical especially with the war in Vietnam," Will McCorkle, a senior social science education major, said.
The first all Asian musical Flower Drum Song on Broadway in 1961 helped change the image of Asian American women from one-dimensional characters for the better and since then, fewer of those stereotypes have existed.
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