“You have a B in mathematics class? Really, Asian girl?! That’s a shame.”
Thanks to the propagation of stereotypes on the means of mass communication, I’m obligated to prove to the world my mathematical adeptness or else I’m a “disgrace to my race." The media portrays us, Asian Americans, as mathematically skillful and intellectually superior compared to Westerners.
“Your English is great!”
Gee, thanks? American-born Asian Americans face yet another stereotype, this time in the form of a compliment. The media depicts Asian Americans as foreigners or recent immigrants by having actors and actresses speak with heavy accents. Therefore, had Asian Americans spoken fluent English, it would no doubt be considered a talent rather than the result of natural upbringing.
“You think white guys are cute?”
Often sexualized and objectified in the media, Asian American women are portrayed as being “hungry for sexual relationships," especially with white men, as if they’re hungry for some sort of privilege! If I’m interested in a guy who so happens to be white, it’s out of love and the fact that I’m American.
“What are you?”
Oddly enough, I have been asked that exact question multiple times in my life. Until they hear my last name, they don't often assume that I'm Asian. I have been asked if I am black, Indian or Native American.
I am Chinese, Japanese and Filipino, and I am not the expected “exotic beauty.” Even if I was, it should never be the expectation for women of any race.
When people realize that my last name is Wong, I automatically lose credit to a good portion of my work. If I get an A on a test, it's because I'm Asian, not because I have worked and studied to get that grade. When I was young, I had to sit through and listen to boys in the halls singing, “Chinese, Japanese, look at these!” as they pulled the sides of their eyes to make it seem as if they had the stereotypical “Asian eyes." As I grew older, I saw boys begin to talk about how hot Asian girls were.
From what I have seen in my life, Asian girls are meant to be smart, hot and submissive, and Asian men are supposed to be either ninjas or nerds.
Most of these assumptions and stereotypes are made from representation, or lack thereof, in the Asian community.
Asian countries have passed down some of the strongest values, contributed substantially to the world with some of the most impressive inventions and cultivated the most cherishable cultural traditions. China alone has more than 2,000 years of history! However, when it comes to the understanding of Asian Americans in America, these facts are undermined simply with media portrayals of stereotypes. We should respect the idiosyncratic ways of other ethnicities, and even if some of these stereotypes may be true, we shouldn’t learn to form sweeping generalizations.
In Hollywood films, mainstream media representation lags behind true demographics. Asian American actors and actresses are underrepresented. Therefore, they’re hardly given the chance to counteract the effects of the stereotypes. We hope in the future, Asian Americans will be represented fairly. This goes for all races and ethnicities.
