Images of Asian-Americans - Article Example

Asian-Americans in Television The present research argues that the portrayal of Asian-Americans in the media has reached a bamboo ceiling and that because of this pro-active measures are necessary to counter-act these limited and negative depictions. While Asian Americans constitute an important part of the American economic system, they have additionally faced challenges related to oppression and discrimination throughout the their lives in the United States. One considers that perhaps the most seminal example of this occurred during World War II when Asian-Americans were gathered and placed in interment camps because of suspicion that they would engage in treasonous activities.

A significant amount of evidence attests to the occurrence of a major problem in relation to the depiction of Asian Americans in the media. A major theory is that a “bamboo ceiling” exists wherein Asian Americans are limited in terms of their depictions in the media (Newamericanmedia, 2014). Tung (2006) similarly indicated that Asians were misrepresented in the media. In order to overcome the bamboo ceiling individuals, researchers, and the general public must increasingly seek novel ways to overcome such depictions.

Other researchers have focused on the various ways that this ethnic group actually benefits from pervading racial attitudes in the United States. One theorist considered that the course of United States media has presented an attitude that can be termed anti-blackness. This attitude is such that “white” characters in media, including Asian-Americans, have benefitted while “black” characters (this definition includes Latinos for the discussion) have consistently been oppressed (Race Files, 2014).

Still, while Asian-Americans may not face the same levels of discrimination in the media as black and Latinos, a substantial amount of discrimination exists such that pro-active measures need to be taken to reduce the oppression. Changing the depictions of Asian Americans in the media requires a pro-active approach. One example of this pro-active approach was undertaken by performance artist Kristina Wong. Wong recognized that not only was there a limited amount of depictions of Asian Americans on television but that these depictions were often-based on out-dated stereotypes that did not effectively display the Asian American experience.

As a means of counter-acting these depictions Wong joined a reality television show and used the venue as a means of portraying Asian Americans in different contexts (Wong, 2014). While Wong’s approach to changing the dominant cultural-perspective is something that not all Americans are able to participate in, her approach to changing the paradigm by making pro-active contributions is something that all people, even children can make in their daily lives. In conclusion, this research has argued that a bamboo ceiling regarding the depiction of Asian Americans in the media exists and that this bamboo ceiling must be overcome through pro-active measures that counter-act such depictions.

Within this spectrum of investigation, the research has examined the various ways Asian Americans have been depicted. These depictions are either limited or they occur in discriminatory ways. Subsequently, tangible changes need to be made that improve these depictions. ReferencesNewamericamedia.org,. (2014). The ‘Bamboo Ceiling’: Hollywood Shuns Asians, While New Media Embraces Them - New America Media. Retrieved 3 August 2014, from http://newamericamedia.org/2014/01/the-bamboo-ceiling-hollywood-shuns-asians-while- new-media-embraces-them.

phpRace Files,. (2014). On Asian American Privilege. Retrieved 3 August 2014, from http://www.racefiles.com/2014/01/23/on-asian-american-privilege/Tung, L. (2006). Images of Asians and Asian-Americans: The under-representation and misrepresentation of Asians and Asian-Americans on American television. INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION STUDIES, 15(1), 87.Wong, K. (2014). I jumped into reality TV to raise the profile of Asian Americans. CNN. Retrieved 3 August 2014, from http://www.cnn.com/2014/05/21/living/asian-american- identity/