You are currently browsing all entries tagged with 'stereotypes'

We Take Your Jobs

  • February 6, 2012 2:07 pm

A while back, we had some interesting blogs here and here about taking on roles that perpetuate stereotypes.  Normally, I would take the actor’s side on this—they’re just struggling for gigs in this town.

But I have to say that I’m going to eat my words now, because I am completely outraged that an attractive, young, Asian-American actress would sellout to being the face for a completely racist, anti-Asian campaign for politician Peter Hoekstra.

Here’s the ad that ran during the Super Bowl:

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Whoever this actress is, in this day and age, has sold out big time.

Of course, the real culprit in all of this is Peter Hoekstra, who continues to refuse to apologize for this ridiculous ad.

Mr. Hashimoto Teaches the Flintstones Judo

  • August 1, 2011 12:01 am

Occasionally, I like to post a clip from some classic TV show or film that portrays Asians in a “non-politically correct” light.

Today’s classic clip is from a December 1960 episode of The Flintstones entitled “The Prowler.” A burglar is terrorizing the good citizens of Bedrock so Fred & co. decide that taking judo lessons from Mr. Hashimoto might be one way to deal with their situation. Check it out:

And I’m sure that the fact that Breakfast at Tiffany’s came out just a year later and featured a character that looked exactly like the Flintstone’s Mr. Hasimoto was just a coincidence:

Debunking 5 Hollywood Stereotypes about White People

  • May 27, 2011 12:01 am

Here at YOMYOMF, we’ve often written about stereotypes concerning Asians and other minorities. Since most of us work in the entertainment industry, we’ve especially been interested in the stereotypes perpetuated by Hollywood. And oftentimes, we’ve debunked them by using sound and irrefutable arguments like the “Because I said so” defense or the “If You Disagree with me, You’re a Racist” methodology.

But while shattering stereotypes of minorities is good and all, I realized I’ve forgotten about the white people. Yes, they may hold a disproportionate amount of power and wealth in America, but that doesn’t mean that Hollywood doesn’t unfairly stereotype them too. So to support my white brothers and sisters, I will examine 5 stereotypes of white people perpetuated by Hollywood and expose them for the lies they are.

1) 80-YEAR-OLD WHITE GRANDMOTHERS LOVE TO RAP AT WEDDING RECEPTIONS

Having grown up without attending any white people weddings, I’m ashamed to admit I completely bought into this stereotype. So when I finally went to the wedding of two white friends, I most looked forward to the reception when I would finally get to witness an elderly grandmother pick up the mike and bust out some “Rapper’s Delight” or “Fuck Tha Police” live.

WTF?! The Chinese and Japanese Lagging When it Comes to Orgasms.

  • March 1, 2011 12:01 am

According to a recent Durex Sexual Wellbeing Global survey of 26,000 people in 26 countries, South Africans are tops in the world when it comes to orgasms. Sixty-six percent of South Africans say they have an orgasm every time they have sex. Other top orgasm-ers include the Spaniards, Mexicans, Italians and Brazilians. And who was at the very bottom of this list with the lowest orgasm rates? The Chinese (including Hong Kong residents) at only 24% and the Japanese at 27%.

To which I say…What the fuck?!

OK, it’s bad enough that Asians are oftentimes seen as being asexual (well, except for hot Asian women), do we really need something like this to further the stereotype? Now, I’m going to trust that the results of this survey are “accurate” and this isn’t some vast conspiracy to defame and belittle our peeps. Which would then leave us with this question for our Chinese and Japanese friends—what the hell is wrong with you?

Five Otherwise Decent Films Ruined by Asian Stereotypes

  • October 20, 2010 12:01 am

The new film, The Social Network, is proving to be a critical and box office success, but that hasn’t prevented it from being called out for its not so flattering portrayal of Asian women as over-sexed, white boy-loving crazies (see different takes on this issue here, here and here).

But this isn’t the first time Hollywood has produced an otherwise decent film that has raised the ire of the community. Following are my choice for five quality films (in no particular order) that would have otherwise been indisputably greater if not for their problematic Asian characters.

1. BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY’S (1961)

Based on a novella by Truman Capote, many consider this film about a New York prostitute named Holly Golightly (the luminous Audrey Hepburn) and her search for love to be a bona-fide romantic classic. And what’s not to like? This is Hepburn at her most charming (I dare you not to fall in love with her after seeing this movie), director Blake Edwards brings a firm but still lighter-than-air touch to the proceedings and Henry Mancini introduced the great love song “Moon River” on the soundtrack.

It would have been absolutely perfect if not for Mickey Rooney’s yellow face performance as the Japanese Mr. Yunioshi. It’s not just that this is arguably the most offensive Asian character in an American movie (every stereotype from the buck teeth to the accent is represented here), but the character is so broadly drawn that it belongs in another movie altogether; only serving to pull the audience out of the story every time he appears.

Angry Korean Lady

  • August 3, 2010 8:07 pm

I know this title is synonymous with other stereotypes like Filipino who can sing and dance.  But, this is actually the name of a hole-in-the-wall restaurant in Honolulu. And guess what? It’s run by a Korean lady, and yes, she’s angry. Like Soup Nazi angry. Apparently, she’s the only one running the joint. Here’s a snapshot of the menu:

Whenever you’re in town, check it out.  I wonder what “Most people can handle a 3 or 4?” Is it dishes or parties of 4 are the maximum that she can handle?

Hollywood and Asians: Do We Really Need More Asian Americans In Positions Of Power?

  • June 30, 2010 2:26 am

With the casting controversy surrounding the about-to-be-released live-action version of The Last Airbender coming to a head (see both sides of the issue here and here), I’ve been hearing the familiar refrain of how we need more Asian Americans in positions of power in Hollywood so this sort of thing won’t happen. There is obviously a logic to this: more Asians=better Asian representation. But like many things in Hollywood, logic doesn’t always apply. So let me offer a different perspective that goes something like this: More Asians will not necessarily mean better representation. In fact, it could add to the problem.

You heard me right. And the reason I say this? Because we already have a fairly decent number of Asian Americans in those power positions and they aren’t helping us any. So what makes us think more of the same will improve our lot? Permit me to explain further:

I’m fully aware that there’s still a glass ceiling and we don’t have the people at the very top where it truly counts—the folks who can greenlight the projects and wield the real power. But as many Asian Americans in the biz are proud to point out, if you look at the ranks of the behind-the-scenes, decision-making positions–executives, producers, agents and so forth—you’ll find that there are probably more Asian Americans represented there than many other minorities. But the problem is that a lot of the people in those positions aren’t helping the cause and, in some cases, are making things worse.

Thirteen Ways To Tell If Someone Is Chinese

  • November 3, 2009 4:37 pm

Continuing my trend of offending every Asian ethnic group, today I turn to the Chinese. Here are thirteen ways you can tell if that groovy Asian dude or chick is from China.

china.11. When a non-Chinese person sees a majestic bird flying through the air, he will think to himself, “I wish I could soar like that majestic bird.” When a Chinese person sees the same bird, he will think to himself, “I wonder how that bird will taste with oyster sauce and bok choy?”

2. They will claim that everything was invented and/or stolen from the Chinese. Examples: “Thomas Edison didn’t invent the light bulb. He stole it from the Chinese.” or “Ronald McDonald didn’t invent the Happy Meal. He stole it from the Chinese.”

Thirteen Ways To Tell If Someone Is Japanese

  • October 23, 2009 1:57 am

OK, now it’s time for me to offend the Japanese. Here are some ways you can tell if that groovy dude or chick you’re hanging with is from the land of the rising sun.

japan11. If you do not urinate or defecate on them during sex, they will think you don’t love them anymore.

2. When they enter a business run by a Chinese or Korean, they will try to annex it for themselves.

3. If you yell “Godzilla,” they will run for their lives.

4. They’re the only Asians who can’t eat spicy foods.

5. They’ll deny the existence of comfort women and other historical unpleasantries, but they have no problem believing that Tom Cruise came to Japan in the 19th century to save the samurai culture and way of life.

Thirteen Ways To Tell If Someone Is Vietnamese

  • October 17, 2009 2:47 pm

If you were offended by my post yesterday about how to tell if someone is Korean or my previous one focusing on Filipinos, then it’s best you stop reading right now. Today, I turn my attention to our Southeast Asian friends. Here are some ways you can tell if that groovy Asian dude or chick you’re hanging with is Vietnamese.

333168390v4_350x350_Front1. They refuse to go on the “Pirates of the Caribbean” ride at Disneyland because they’re afraid the pirates will rob and rape them.

2. They have a relative or close friend who was killed by either Rambo or Chuck Norris.

3. They’re fully aware that furniture and indoor plumbing exists, but they still prefer to sit on the floor and shit in the hole in their backyard.

Thirteen Ways To Tell If Someone Is A Filipino

  • August 28, 2009 12:25 am

i-am-a-filipinoI’m sure some of our readers are not Asian, but sincerely want to know what makes all the different Asian ethnic groups unique. Periodically, I’ll write about how each ethnic group is distinct. Today, I start with our Pinoy and Pinay brothers and sisters—the Filipino Americans. You’d think it’d be simple to tell Filipinos apart from other Asians because they tend to be physically darker in complexion, but you could easily be fooled. That person you think is Filipino might actually be a really tan Korean from Jeju Island or a Mexican. But here are thirteen things that are pretty good tip-offs that the groovy dude and/or chick you’re hanging with is Filipino: