We wonder why nobody buys Asians in show biz when blacks, Latinos, Jews and even redneck Americans exploit stereotypes for fun and profit. Chris Tucker plays up the street-smart African American against Jackie Chan. Adult Swim’s Boondocks explores how black kids might try to get into heaven for white people. Jeff Foxworthy lampooned his own redneck heritage before he quizzed fifth graders. CMT’s countdown of Christmas videos seemed to be a continuous celebration of how backwards and uncultured rural Americans are. Britain’s Top Gear road trip in the American South was run out of town after a color-blind reaction to painting “Hillary for president” and “NASCAR sucks” on their cars. The King of the Hill’s less-than-model minority Khan goes native in one episode when he trades in his Maxima for an ’80s El Camino. His wife joins the local gun nuts to get into the country club.
Tila Tequila’s appeal is obvious, but why do a million and a half people who watch HappySlip make fun of her mother on YouTube? I don’t think America even has that many sympathetic Filipinas. At a respectable half a million views, Christopher Toy’s “Just Because” looks like a slick music video. It not only asks why the image of Asian guys lags, but paints a whole constellation of what sets us apart from other Americans. A boy picks up the guitar, which brings him up to 14 instruments if you count the bagpipes. That’s not real at all; my family of seven has covered a string quartet, guitar, clarinet and trumpet, and my kids sing, do piano, drums, electric bass and Guitar Hero.
Toy’s crooner asks his love interest if she’s bugged by his anime or manga or standing in line for Pokemon Pearl. Being timid or shy doesn’t mean he’s not the right guy because he’s not the white guy. He lives at home with his mother when the American norm is to live independently. He’s great at Dance Dance Revolution and drifting. His folks cover their couch and phone in plastic (the phone?).
He loves her more than rice or kimchee. She’s more important that his computer science degree, and would rather have “us” than a Wii. She said it was selfish to give all his time to a medical degree, but it was for the sake of supporting two extended families. Being nerdy, lacking hairy chests or arms, and falling for Korean dramas isn’t as important as getting straight A’s just to get his girl.
I’ll bet Asians got more roles in the bad old ’60s than they do in today’s promised land of PC. Except for MADtv’s Bobby Lee and Lost, nobody — Asian or otherwise — plays openly Asian parts on TV or film.
My parents’ generation was unrealistic to expect to completely assimilate into a generic American dream. But we need to get beyond rejecting stereotypes. We should follow the lead of other Americans before us who have chosen keep their heritage, accents, unique cultures and humor alive.