The Oscars proved that Asians still aren’t taken seriously in pop culture

For more than two hours Sunday night, I could not have asked for a better Academy Awards. Chris Rock’s biting criticism of Hollywood’s lack of diversity turned what is typically an awkward, self-serving and uninspired telecast into a funny, witty and provocative performance on race and racial issues at the Oscars.

This is the Oscars we deserve and Rock is the perfect host for it, I thought.

But halfway through the show, I began to wonder — with all the talk of diversity, where was the Asian representation? In the crowd or on the stage, those of Asian descent were scarce. By my tally, only Olivia Munn, whose mother is of Chinese descent, and Bollywood star Priyanka Chopra had made an appearance at that point. Dev Patel of “Slumdog Millionaire” fame would also present later on in the show, followed by South Korean star Byung-hun Lee.

Before I even had time to process my own question, Rock provided me with an answer when he brought three Asian children to the stage, each dressed in a tux and posing as “bankers” from a financial firm.

Unfortunately, the first non-white or black reference by Rock at the Oscars was to make an outdated stereotype about Asians being good at math and a child-labor reference.

“They sent us their most dedicated, accurate and hard-working representatives,” Rock said of the kids, who clearly did not understand the bit. “Please welcome Ming Zhu, Bao Ling and David Moskowitz.”

“If anybody’s upset about that joke, just tweet about it on your phone that was also made by these kids,” Rock continued.

Got it.

“The joke about the Asian kids would’ve stung less if there were more Asians on stage tonight,” ESPN The Magazine senior writer Mina Kimes tweeted.

She was hardly the only one who felt that way.

Asians have struggled to enter the conversation in Hollywood for as long as I can remember. Growing up, I noticed that roles which had Asians in the source material would go to white actors (e.g. “21”) and movies adapted from manga comic books would cast a white lead (“Dragon Ball Z,” anyone?).

It’s why the recent Netflix sitcom “Master of None,” created by Aziz Ansari and Alan Yang, two minorities of Asian descent, was seen as such a breakthrough. I took pride in watching an Asian lead actor talking about issues that I cared about, and not being cast in a stereotypical role. Asians, contrary to what the Hollywood powers may believe, can live typical American lives.

As the Oscars continued, I had trouble laughing at some of Rock’s jokes, unable to shake a bit that clearly proved that Asians in Hollywood, and in society in general, have much further to go to enter social consciousness, and be taken seriously in pop culture.

It did not help that Sacha Baron Cohen, in character as Ali G, also made a crude Asian joke later on in the show.

“How come there’s no Oscar from them very hard-working, little yellow people with tiny dongs?,” he asked. “You know, the Minions!”

Hilarious.

Overall, Rock did an admirable job carrying on the nearly four-hour telecast, and the issue of diversity in Hollywood was discussed and dissected, as it should have been. I’m glad the Oscars are making an effort to improve diversity. I just hope that one day that includes Asians as well.

Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/wp/2016/02/29/the-oscars-proved-that-asians-still-arent-taken-seriously-in-pop-culture/

Image Source: http://static.independent.co.uk/s3fs-public/styles/article_large/public/thumbnails/image/2016/02/29/08/Chris-Rock.jpg

 Vocabulary:

1. Criticism - The expression of disapproval of someone or something on the basis of perceived faults or mistakes.

2. Diverse -  adj. Showing a great deal of variety very different

3. Descent - noun The origin or background of a person in terms of family or nationality.

4. Scarce - adj. Occurring in small numbers or quantities rare.

5. Tally - noun A particular number taken as a group or unit to facilitate ｃounting.

6. Outdated - adj. Out of date.

7. Stereotype - noun A widely held but fixed and oversimplified image or idea of a particular type of person or thing.

8. Dissected - adj. Having a divided form or structure, in particular.

Discussion:

1. Do you think popular award giving bodies like "The Oscars" lack diversity? Why do you think so?

2. Recent controversies regarding award giving bodies are about the lack of diversity. Do you think people of color should be given a chance to win or be nominated for these awards? Why?

3. Is it really important that Asians should be internationally recognized for their contributions in their respective fields? Why so?

4. Do you think respect only comes when a person of a certain race receives an award? Why or why not?

5. What is it  about being Asian are you most proud of?