MovieChat Forums > Red Doors (2006) Discussion > The Racist Portrayal of Asian Americans ...

The Racist Portrayal of Asian Americans in America

posted 16 years ago by Roark_0009
8 replies | jump to latest

How come in Hollywood flicks we see mostly see Black-Black couples, or Latin-Latin couples, but Asian women are always paired with a White guy? It seems like most TV shows and movies in the past ten years exclusively pair an Asian girl with a White (or Black) guy romatically. Asian men are being completely suppressed and excluded in television and film.

It blows my mind that no Asian actresses are willing to object to the scripts, or fight against these negative stereotypes. They don't understand the power of TV/film to mold the way people think. Way too many AA writers and creators these days have self hate or White worship.

These shows affect kids. Teens, especially girls, judge themselves on others' opinions, and are easily influenced. Young, insecure Asian girls are conditioned through social norms/media to 'act White' and want only White men (self hate), and young Asian American boys growing up in the US are conditioned to think they are unattractive. Some Asian youth resolve identity conflict by developing self-hate and bashing their heritage, family, and people (ex 'I won't date Asians', or criticizing other Asians).

Whether it be fashion magazines, gossip mags, TV, movies, or our friends, all of us are influenced and emulate in some way what we see on screen. Entertainment can be as influential as advertising. So many shows and movies in America demean Asian men, while perpetuating an 'Asian Girl Fetish' in this country. It is Hollywood Colonialism.

[–] djdylema78 16 years ago

As an Asian woman, I think it's a bit harsh to say wanting to date a white man is "self hate." I've had debates and discussions about this very subject with other Asian females, and there are many reasons why some of them end up with other races rather than with other Asian men, none of them having to do with how asian men are perceived in Hollywood.

One girl said she was adopted so the thought of dating an asian male made her think that there was a possible chance that she could truly be dating her brother! The concept of affluent white couples adopting Asian girls has affected the Asian-American society. What is the big deal about staying within certain race lines anyway? If we can be raised by white people, why is it seen negatively to date them?

Another girl said her mother adamantly asserted when she was only 13 and barely into boys yet, that she MARRY an Asian male when she was old enough, that if she dated any white, black, latin or any other group she would be shunned and should wait until her mother died to do so. This narrow-minded (racist) view even in her young age she knew was wrong. Because of such a harsh statement, she has never been attracted to an Asian man. Maybe we should stop FORCING our kids to think they need to date a certain type and we won't screw them up psychologically and make them subconsciously choose outside of that race.

Which brings me to my final point. Maybe some asian women are just NOT ATTRACTED TO ASIAN MEN. As Asian-American women, we are surrounded by people of all colors, don't you think it's pretty close-minded to make yourself only date within a specific race category? You can't choose who you love, wouldn't it be better to find someone who loves you than to decide based on the color of their skin??

I think Georgia was right to cast the male roles color-blind. (She had originally cast Asian males for two of the roles but when they dropped out at the last minute she only had a short time to recast and no asian males showed for the recast).

It should be about good acting and not about race. I wouldn't want to see any of the roles with a bad actor just so an Asian male could be represented in the movie.

[–] ljr-x25 16 years ago

I've seen this argument before and I don't get it why does it matter what color the BF's where (it's also been applied to the Mia).As the above poster said the director had cast Asian men who had dropped out but I don't think it would have changed anything either way the character was still written the same.

I just saw it as maybe the daughters didn't care about race and were attracted to the person,why do you insist it's necessary for them to date just within the Asian community anyway doesn't that reenforce intolerence to interracial couples.I liked this movie and think the romances worked well and can honestly say I wasn't thinking of race when I watched them together but their characters.

[–] Roark_0009 16 years ago

It is laughable that you claim to be open minded, to justify a preference some people have for *only* White men. If it really was about tolerance and open mindedness, why is it almost always chasing a White male in movies? Show me a script of an Asian women with a Black or Indian man.

Also, attraction and preference aren't created out of a vacuum. People who say Asian men are 'like their brother', are just using a lame excuse to mask EITHER self hate, or White worship.

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] djdylema78 16 years ago

Hmm, i guess your name suits you, angryasianwoman. I never understood why people are so adamant about dating only one type of person. I didn't say anywhere in my post that the people I talked about dating *only* white people... I said that race should not be a factor. The specific girl that said Asian men are "like her brother" dates people of many races.

Preference is preference. Why do you care where other people find love? If you enjoy dating asian men, date Asian men! If other asian women like dating other races, why shouldn't they?

[–] vegas1day 16 years ago

I loved this movie because it was gentle and kind; like my wife.

She is Chinese; born in Hong Kong.
I am Cuban; born in Havana.
We love each other deeply and enjoy our diverse backgrounds.
In fact, our favorite eatery is La Dinastia China on 72nd Street between Broadway and Columbus Avenue in Manhattan.
It is a Chinese Cuban restaurant.
It is the perfect blend of great food in a low rent setting.

It is great to proud of one's heritage. However, in my opinion, one becomes a better person by knowing and embracing other cultures.

Sometimes staying within one's own breeds ignorance...ethnic cleansing.

You almost spoiled the movie for me. Tsk. Tsk.

Try the ropa vieja at La Dinastia. You might not be so angry anymore...

You're looking for me and you're going to find me...

[–] Roark_0009 15 years ago

Interracial dating is racist if the individuals *only* date people of a certain race. It is blatant stereotyping and close-minded thinking. Movies like this are only welcomed by White men with Asian fetishes, and the White worshiping Asian women who are brainwashed by Western media

[–] 15 years ago

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