JRN Post and responses

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KF18Cqy53o&feature=youtu.be

This week we will review and discuss Asian-Americans and the stereotypes, racism and prejudice experienced by this marginalized group. Currently, this segment of our population is under an increased amount of abuse related to the corona virus, due to the outbreak originating in China and references to the "Chinese virus".

The following videos, podcast and article will give you some history and background on how Asian-Americans have been treated and portrayed by Hollywood, some insight into stereotypes often associated with them and stories of what people are experiencing during our current circumstances.

Watch, read and listen to all of the following in the order posted. Then answer the associated questions and respond to 2 other student's comments.

Videos:

Where Stereotypes About Asian-American Men Come From | Take Back | NBC Asian American

https://youtu.be/5KF18Cqy53o

From "being nerds" to being seen as threats, negative stereotypes about Asian men have existed through history. But where did the stereotypes start?

Yellowface is a bad look, Hollywood

https://youtu.be/zB0lrSebyng

Scarlett Johansson's casting in 'Ghost in the Shell' is just one of the latest examples of a white actor playing an Asian character, a practice that goes back to the earliest days of Hollywood. These casting decisions have made Asians invisible at best and, at worst, the butt of a cruel joke.

#thisis2016 Asian-Americans Respond

The Times's deputy Metro editor, Michael Luo, wrote and open letter to the woman who told him to "go back to China." Asian-Americans responded with their stories of their own racist moments.

https://nyti.ms/2e0F76M

Article:

Spit On, Yelled At, Attacked: Chinese-Americans Fear for Their Safety

As bigots blame them for the coronavirus and President Trump labels it the “Chinese virus,” many Chinese-Americans say they are terrified of what could come next.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/23/us/chinese-coronavirus-racist-attacks.html?campaign_id=37&emc=edit_rr_20200411&instance_id=17561&nl=race%2Frelated&regi_id=67676446&segment_id=24776&te=1&user_id=a9c2de9688820ad9a6b835ca4867e749

Podcast:

‘I Become a Person of Suspicion’

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/10/podcasts/the-daily/racism-chinese-coronavirus-asian-americans.html?smid=tw-share

As bigots blame them for the coronavirus and President Trump labels it the “Chinese virus,” some Asian-Americans now live in fear for their safety. Listen to today’s episode of “The Daily.”

Questions:

Describe some common stereotypes you are aware of related to Asian-Americans?

Name an Asian-American Hollywood character you are familiar with and describe the character.

The Asian-American population has often been referred to as the "model minority." Explain what this means, and why is this label considered a compliment by some but more so racist by others?

During the current pandemic, what do you believe has to the increase in racist comments and attacks on Asian-Americans?

What impact does the of media coverage featuring racist attacks of Asian-Americans have on the targeting of this population?

Then response to these 2 students

Alexandra London

Posted Date:

April 21, 2020 2:11 PM

Status:

Published

Describe some common stereotypes you are aware of related to Asian-Americans?

Smart and Small Genitalia

Name an Asian-American Hollywood character you are familiar with and describe the character. 

Brenda Song she was probably the first Asian-American actor I was introduced to as a kid. When she acted for Disney Channel and other various movies and shows. She played London Tipton on the Suit Life of Zack and Cody but her character was super rich because of her family and she was portrayed as dumb. 

The Asian-American population has often been referred to as the "model minority." Explain what this means, and why is this label considered a compliment by some but more so racist by others? 

Model minority is a demographic whose members are perceived to achieve a higher degree of socioeconomic success than the population average. This could potentially be a compliment because this demographic is viewed as being smart or successful but also racist. The model minority myth ignores the diversity of Asian American cultures. It also holds Asian Americans to a higher standard and if they don't achieve that standard than they could potentially feel like an outcast or it could lead to more negative connotation. 

During the current pandemic, what do you believe has to the increase in racist comments and attacks on Asian-Americans?

I think that the virus coming from China and Trump repeating over and over that it is a "China Virus" has led to an increase on racist comments towards Asian Americans. 

What impact does the of media coverage featuring racist attacks of Asian-Americans have on the targeting of this population?

I think the media more plays into the stereotypes than try to help the situation. The media is  covering how Trump is saying it is the "China Virus" which that will influence a lot of people to think the same negative way. Yes, the spread of the virus began in china but the media turns the issue into more of  a racist issue. Not saying what Trump has said is okay and it is racist for him to speak that way. I just think the media does more to blow up racist comments than it does to try to help, educate or eliminate the issue. If that makes sense

Alexis Schuchert

Posted Date:

April 20, 2020 5:46 PM

Status:

Published

Describe some common stereotypes you are aware of related to Asian-Americans?

· Some common stereotypes I’m aware of are: extremely intelligent, good at math, technologically inclined, “yellow” skin, small genitalia, that all Asians are from China, that all Asian names sound the same, that their sight is affected by their eye shape

Name an Asian-American Hollywood character you are familiar with and describe the character. 

· An Asian-American Hollywood character I’m familiar with is Constance Wu who plays Rachel Chu in “Crazy Rich Asians.” Rachel is down to earth and a natural people pleaser, but isn’t scared to stand up for what she believes in.

The Asian-American population has often been referred to as the "model minority." Explain what this means, and why is this label considered a compliment by some but more so racist by others? 

· “Model minority” refers to a demographic group that are perceived to achieve a higher degree of socioeconomic success than the average population. I’m sure some may take it as a compliment because who doesn’t want to be referred to and thought of as so? But on the other hand, it is a stereotype and makes an assumption about Asian-Americans. This stereotype kind of gives them a standard they may feel they have to live up to and may feel embarrassed or unworthy if they don’t achieve that higher degree of success.

During the current pandemic, what do you believe has lead to the increase in racist comments and attacks on Asian-Americans?

· I think the increase of racial comments and attacks on Asian-Americans is because of the president and his use of words/references. After referring to the coronavirus as the “Chinese virus” and the “Kung flu” it allowed many of “his people” to feel inclined to do the same. The people who are harassing Asia-Americans probably have the mentality of: “if my president can do it, so can i.”

What impact does the media coverage featuring racist attacks of Asian-Americans have on the targeting of this population?

· I feel as though the media coverage of these racist attacks may be encouraging others to attack Asian-Americans as well. Kind of like the “bystander effect” - People see/read others saying racial comments and may feel like it’s acceptable for them to do so too.