American Films and the Chinese Culture - Research Proposal Example

College American films and the Chinese Culture This research is meant to critically explore and exhaust the influence that films, especially those in in the United States of America have on the perceptions of people for the Chinese culture. The basic and main purpose of this research is to critically analyze and evaluate how people perceive the Chinese culture in accordance to how it is portrayed in films and media in general. Films and media at time intentionally or unintentionally convey misleading information about a culture and the general public will digest this making it part of the perception they have about that culture. For instance, most of American films normally depict the Chinese culture as that of violence, majorly because of the culture of Kung Fu. This has an impact of creating a wrong perception amongst people, that the Chinese people are violent. In supporting this claim, the researcher will have to analyze some important movies and various literatures that talks about the Chinese culture, for purposes of identifying positive cultural practices amongst the Chinese people. To help in proving the fact the Chinese people are not violent, this research aims at answering two major questions, In what manner do films in United States influence the perception that people have towards the Chinese culture? What are some positive cultural values of the Chinese people? This research is very important because everybody belongs to a culture. Furthermore, we are living in a globalized environment that values a cultural and racial diversity. To efficiently and effectively work together, it is important to understand the cultural and values of other people. This would in turn play a positive role in helping people to interact efficiently and effectively with each other. Having a wrong perception and the one which is negative concerning a particular culture may lead to stigmatization, discrimination, social labeling to the culture that is portrayed negatively. This would in turn affect the development and growth of diversity in the international system. This research is therefore important because it would play a role in correcting the negative perceptions that people may have towards the Chinese culture. The culture under consideration is that the Chinese people are violent, majorly because of their Kung Fu cultural value. There is a considerable debate on the importance of Kung Fu amongst the Chinese people. However, controversy arises on the role of Kung Fu amongst the Chinese people. One side of debate argues that Kung Fu, is a violent cultural practice of the Chinese people. This is majorly because it promotes the use of martial arts, for purposes of killing the opponents of an individual. This is normally depicted in movies that have been acted by famous Chinese actors, such as Jackie Chan, Bruce Lee, Jet Lee, etc. Another side of the debate is the Chinese culture is not violent, and that Kung Fu is a cultural practice, by the Chinese people, whose major aim is for self defense. This school of thought argues that it is the media, particularly the film media that has played a role in misrepresenting the role of the Kung Fu, amongst the Chinese people. Kung Fu as a cultural practice began in the early centuries, and during the period in which the people of China were led by emperors, and hence it is a positive cultural value amongst the Chinese, that is, if it is used properly. Of major interest of this study are multinational corporations like Apple Inc, Microsoft, Coca Cola, etc. These countries have a significant interest in China, and this is majorly because they have invested heavily in the Chinese market. For instance, a company such as Apple Inc has a manufacturing plant in China; hence having knowledge of the Chinese culture is important, as it would help the company in drafting its market strategy for the particular market. Furthermore, these companies normally seek to employ a diverse work-force, and this includes the Chinese. Having the correct knowledge about their culture is important, as it would help the company to devise strategies that can play a role for efficient and effective handling of these employees. Politicians and foreign policy formulators are also concerned about the cultural practices and values of the Chinese people. This is basically because of the rising China and the influential role that it plays in the global politics. Having knowledge of their cultural practices would help in determining and understanding the various policies that the Chinese leaders are developing, and the intention of these policies. For purposes of completing this research, there will be a critical analysis of primary and secondary data. One of the important sources of data is an article written by MANAA, which is a media network for Asian Americans. This article provides a description of the manner which movies normally depict the Chinese people as violent people, responsible for engaging in illegal activities, such as drug trade. This source is important in this research, majorly because it help in correcting the negative image that is portrayed by movies about the Chinese people. In its analysis on the importance of Kung Fu, the article talks about the movie Lethal Weapon, this provides an example of the positive use of the skills of Kung Fu, to help the society. Another important secondary source in use is a web page by Stein, Friedrich. This article provides information concerning the impact of the media, in shaping the identity of the Chinese culture. This paper agrees with the assertion of the researcher, that the Western media normally portray Asian people as very violent. Stein Friedrich agrees with MANAA that the media is wrong in portraying the Chinese people as violent. This is majorly because, the media has wrongly portrayed the importance of Kung Fu amongst the Chinese people, and it is equating it, as a source of violence. This article recognizes the importance of the media in shaping the perception of people, and hence it is advocating for a change in attitude and the manner in which the Chinese people are depicted in the media. This article is therefore very important, because it would help in reinforcing the results of my research. An important primary source in use is the encyclopedia of films by Barrow et al. This is a primary source and it reinforces the fact that the American movies wrongly depict the Chinese culture as violent. This is by focusing on the negative use of Kung Fu, as opposed to its positive use. In examining some other positive cultural values of the Chinese, this source is able to identify the Wuxia genre of movies, which normally seek to portray the Chinese people as very intelligent, peace loving, and influential people within the society. This source is therefore important, as it would help in providing evidence that apart from violence, there are other positive cultural values of the Chinese people. The researcher would also examine the views of Chan Kenneth, regarding the manner which Hollywood movies are made, that depict the Asian cultural values. This secondary source is extremely important majorly because it helps in examining the reasons why Hollywood producers are able to depict Asian people as violent. This is an example of prejudice, and racial stereotyping, which is unacceptable. Other important secondary sources in use are articles by Kin-Yan Szeto and Ying Huang. These articles are very important in this research, basically because they seek to examine the manner which the Kung Fu culture is wrongly depicted in American movies, and they explain that Kung Fu is not only about violent, but it also consists of honor, discipline, and loyalty. These are some important values of the Chinese people. Finally, the researcher would analyze a book review written by Ming Yeh Rawnsley. This article would be used to confirm the results of this research, and this is because it is a book review on the manner which Kung Fu is displayed in American films. Based on these facts, it is important to explain that the use of primary and secondary sources of data collection is important because it would help in comparing the results of the data collected for purposes of seeing if theu are consistent or not. Any information that is not consistent would not be used. Read More