https://www.wevideo.com/view/2691731006
One point that really influenced my video was the idea that portrayals of stereotypical behavior wasn’t necessarily bad. Usually, stereotypes are poor representations of a particular race; however, that doesn’t mean that these types of people don’t exist. For example, the idea that East Asian parents are more strict might be true to some extent– more so because of Chinese traditional values. In my video, for example, I showed two examples of this stereotype: Jessica in Fresh off the Boat, and Mrs. Kim in Gilmore Girls. While Mrs. Kim was used more for entertainment purposes or to build the plot, Jessica in Fresh off the Boat offered a unique and vulnerable narrative.
Another influential point that influenced my perspective was about the way Asian parents express love. From a study that I read, second generation Asian Americans expressed that their parents’ way of showing affection was by moving to America and enduring the hardships. Thus, pressuring their kids to perform better academically was more to ensure that their children wouldn’t end up in the same position they once were in. From watching my video, I hope people can understand why Asian representation in the media is important, particularly of Asian families as I think it really adds a different aspect than the token Asian character.
The most important thing I learned about myself and the world around me is that sometimes it might not feel like everything’s okay in the moment, but everything will work out. To future North seniors, everything will be okay.
Hi Faith! I liked your video essay–it was super engaging and the point you made came across very strongly and clearly. I agree with your argument–Asian-Americans do need more representation in media! I actually considered one of the examples you brought up as Asian-American representation from Gilmore girls as slightly harmful because it seemed as though the lady was there as a simplified stereotype and there to laugh at because she was the stereotypical and unaware Asian mother. They didn’t seem to show the nuances and human-like side of her as they do with the other white moms on the show. I also loved your reflection on high school! The advice is really great and I will carry that with me so thank you for it!
Hey Faith, I really enjoyed the composition of your video essay, as the visuals enabled me to understand the characteristics of your voice better. I also completely agree with your estimation that multidimensional Asian portrayals are sparse in the mainstream media. Fresh Off the Boat did a good job of portraying Asian characters as real, in the flesh people, though I think that was simply a product of the show’s premise. Many times, in movies and shows where Asians play side characters, scriptwriters rely more on stereotypes and tropes. I believe this to be damaging to both race relations in society and the overall self esteem of Asian youth. I am encouraged by the rise of narratives that feature Asian stories, such as Kim’s Convenience, but believe we are still a long way from seeing authentic portrayals in shows that are not centered around the Asian experience. And, as a South Asian, I think that recognizing that the Asian community is not a monolith is so so so important in constructing nuanced, diverse narratives.