Common topics throughout the postings include society’s perception of Asian Americans, common stereotypes, racism, and the concept of Orientalism/the Oriental. Racism in today’s society in compliance with Asian Americans is still prevalent. I agree with Jean’s statement that the Western concept of “the Oriental” is such an altered and messed up image. The fact that the various pieces we have read/seen so far suggest that “the Oriental” and the Asian American images will cross paths in the future is almost a horrifying thing to imagine. Why would these pieces suggest this if the image of “the oriental “ is such a horrible depiction of Asian culture? Do people just not understand what exactly this image/stereotype entails? Are people just not educated enough on the subject matter? Do people just perceive different scenarios and situations differently?
Everyone seemed to come to the mutual conclusion that Orientalism is as Marian states “a racist construction.” One of the main ways that people learn about Asian culture and society is through the media which most of the time portrays them negatively and stereotypically, as Tin-Yan Chan states. I hypothesize that the lack of education about Asian culture causes people to stereotype and categorize Asians and Asian Americans. Maybe if people were more educated on the subject matter, they would be more careful and think twice about stereotyping. I agree with Jean in saying that Amy Tan collaborated with Western distortions through he novels. She portrays the common struggles that Asian Americans go through in her novels, but they are very stereotypical. This is just like how in many movies Asian actors portray stereotypical Asian characters. For example, Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee are in films where they are martial arts masters. This issue brings into account is it/was it better to get a big role that is a stereotype and publicize your heritage or to reject the role. Even though Asian actors got/get big parts in films, I would think it would be insulting to their culture to be portrayed as a stereotype. Anna Sophia Moran raises an interesting point about whether stereotypes are to degrade Asian culture because they are viewed as a threat. In conclusion, I think that Asian history and culture should be taught/worked in to curriculums in high school to help get rid of typical Asian stereotypes. If people become more educated on the subject matter, they will be less susceptible to comply with stereotyping.
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