LE Jason
Asian stereotypes are nothing short of a misconception, where Asian stereotypes are largely internalized by society. The result? Repercussions which stereotyped Asian people in a negative light. Society as we know it has commonly associated Asians to be submissive, childish, and weak. However, the ‘positive’ stereotypes that surround Asians are believed to be mollifying. This is in fact untrue, these stereotypes simply undermine the many achievements that have been accomplished by Asians. As such accomplishments are related to ‘natural intellect or gifts’.
The stereotypes of Asians being left brained was quickly turned over with Bruce Lee’s revolutionary introduction of Chinese martial arts into Western media. Admittedly it did not erase the previous stereotypes surrounding Asians but paved the way for change in the way Asians would be perceived by Western society.
Western culture has a long tradition of emasculating Asian men and fetishizing Asian women.
Asian women were over-sexualised and made into submissive beings, eager to fulfil a white man’s desires. Evident in The World of Suzie Hong 1960, a Western movie that follows a submissive Asian prostitute who is sexually turned on by the idea of being beaten by a white man. Asian women have also been portrayed as aggressive or opportunistic sexual slaves who use their feminine wiles to seduce white men for personal gain. These predatory gold diggers have been dubbed as ‘Dragon Lady’ by Western media, a term used to undermine Asian women as real people.
Asian men have been portrayed in the opposite fashion. This has taken the form of Asian men being both desexualized and emasculated. Studies have shown that Asian men are less desirable than other races, this is due to the racial and sexual discrimination they have faced. Common stereotypes used to mock them have been accepted among Western communities and are often played off as a joke. Examples of such are: Dog eating jokes, Fox eye trend and assumptions of all Asians being Chinese.
This stereotype has led to no concept of masculinity in the Asian race, this has led to Asians being inferior to their white and black counterparts. The stereotype that portrays Asian men having small penises has done nothing but fuel the phenomenon of them being homosexual. This perception of Asian men is more of what is to be expected of them, rather a desire.
Perception of Asian men was not only a lack of masculinity but cowardliness. Asian men were portrayed as misogynistic – predators of white women. These depictions of Asian men as ‘lascivious and predatory’ became increasingly common ensuing the end of WWII. The portrayal of Asian men being misogynistic, insensitive, and disrespectful towards women have negatively impacted how they are perceived in their communities. However, it has been shown that Asian men express more gender-egalitarian attitudes than the average citizen in Western countries. The portrayal of Japanese businessmen mistreating their wives has shown Japanese patriarchs as domineering and controlling of their female family members. This has affected the lives of many Asians through another common stereotype of all Asians looking the same.
But how has Bruce Lee redefined the Asian stereotype? Bruce Lee has had a huge influence on how Asian people are now perceived in Western countries. It is not to say that the previous stereotypes mentioned are not present anymore, of course, they are. But it is Bruce Lee’s presence in Western media that has created stereotypes that present Asian people in a new light.
Stereotypes showed that Asian people were submissive. Bruce Lee set out to change these stereotypes through his portrayal of Asian male leads. Bruce Lee broke barriers by showing we could be fierce, strong and a force to be reckoned with. Lee marrying Linda Lee Cadwell showed that Asian men could be attractive. Lee’s constant portrayal of Asian male leads inspired a new generation. Effectively redefining stereotypes and proving to the world what Asian men could be capable of.
Bruce Lee’s achievements are also impressive, capable of punching with the same power as Heavyweight Boxing champion Muhammed Ali. Lee was only a lightweight class. These achievements spawned new stereotypes, not that stereotypes are ever a good thing. It presented Asian men in a new light that they were not the punching bag Westerners once loved to beat around.
However, it just was not Lee’s physical prowess that showed Asians what they were capable of. Lee’s spiritualism and philosophical teachings were wise and meaningful. “Be like water,” Lee said. Water stays true to its nature, adapting to the environment around them. It teaches Asians that they are worth something, to ignore the negatives remarks, to push on, to show them that we are capable of.
Bruce Lee’s influence has planted a seed that will continue to grow and be nurtured by future generations. Bruce Lee was a role model, now it's our time as the new generation to be that role model for the future to come.
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