In the past few years there, there has been an influx of Asian representation on the cinematic stage. they break down stereotypes and misconceptions about Asian heritage and how many different types of cultures encompass the title "Asian". In many movies, they are typecasted and pushed to the back as a "sidekick", "nerdy best friend", or "overbearing neighbor" which are comedic roles based on racism. The ushering in of this new era normalizes roles that would normally go to a white actor/actress as Hollywood has been notorious for whitewashing Asian roles over the years.
With TV series like Master of None and Fresh of The Boat and actor roles like Kelly Tran's role in Star War
Why does on-screen representation matter? As a child, the people you see on TV and in movies are your role models and people you want to imitate. When those people do not look like you or share some of your traits, it leads kids to believe that the way they look is not normal or important. They strive to fit a norm that is typically white since those are the type of role models they see on a daily basis.
People of color only recently started appearing in leading roles, such as Jane The Virgin, Empire, Hidden Figures, Girls Trip, and many others. In addition, TV series like Master of None and Fresh Off The Boat and actor roles like Kelly Tran's role in Star War are the most recent examples of Asian representation and directing in Hollywood.
The companies distributing movies by female, Black, & Asian directors across the last 10 years. #InclusionCrisis… https://t.co/caFZKAyBOL— Annenberg Inclusion Initiative (@Annenberg Inclusion Initiative) 1485985512.0
For people of color, these movies feel like a sense of relief. Like their existence and dramatization of their lives is not unusual. These movies are not solely focusing on their Asian heritage, but illustrating it as the new normal in an industry that refuses to present their stories as natural. For example, Lara Jean, the main character in To All The Boys I've Loved Before, is half-Korean and half-Caucasian and while the movie highlights her Asian heritage, it is not the sole premise of the movie. It is a coming-of-age romantic comedy about a girl that deals with love. It is not framed as "the Asian girl" falling in love, it is simply "a girl falling in love".
Seeing movies like Crazy Rich Asian helps those who are not accurately represented feel like their existence is not so out of the ordinary. Growing up there were so few movies that felt like they could identify with. It gives hope that a change in Hollywood will happen and we are moving forward as a society.
Our generations have the ability to show these movies to future generations and illustrate that their culture is something to embrace and look up to, not adjusting who they are to fit a norm. White used to be the accepted norm, but that is changing in our day and age.
