• MEMBERS

Beyond Black and White

While America heals and moves forward, the Asian-American community has also shown its allegiance to the country it calls its own. Although often targeted as scapegoats in terms of racial profiling and backlashes, Asian-Americans display the nation's symbol in front of their residences and businesses.

This sends a strong message to people who are not familiar with customs vastly different from their own. It is an initiative communicating the shared grief they also feel.

However, fear and insecurities plague the minds of those who misdirect their anger on Muslims, Sikhs or anyone resembling Middle Eastern or South Asian decent. So how do we prevent hate crimes? How do we prevent events similar to the internment of Japanese Americans in World War II? How do we combat racial profiling? Taking steps to educate the community about the Asian American culture is a demand in our country because these voices also deserve to be heard.

The mystery of being an Asian in America can arouse suspicion. One of the most prominent ways people learn about what Asians are like in America is through the media.

The media are powerful learning tools. Consequently they also have the potential to shape the way we perceive different people. I am fed with Karate Kid, the Last Emperor, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, The Golden Child, 21 Jump Street, The Joy Luck Club, Snow Falling on Cedars, Madame Butterfly, Heaven and Earth, Martial Law and countless Jet Li and Jackie Chan flicks.

These roles create a perception that Asians are invaders and spies ready to take over the world. The movies I listed show most of the actors and actresses as foreign people--not representing characteristics that are American. For example, Mr. Miyagi in Karate Kid and Princess Pei Pei in Shanghai Noon are foreign roles played by Asian-American actors. As for the other films, Asians are either supporting actors or extras that are foreign such as Jet Li, Jackie Chan, and Zhang ZiYi. Are Asian Americans strictly confined to roles as martial artists, nerds, seductresses, rude merchants and anything foreign?

You may wonder, "So how do the media tie in with Sept. 11?"

As I have stated, the media are powerful means that dictate how we see other people. They also have the influence of separating us. In the early 20th century, comics portraying Asians sent a strong message that Asians, particularly the Chinese, were not wanted in America. This culture of anti-Asian sentiment is not as blatant as it was then, but it is still insidiously happening now. And one of the stereotypes perpetuated by media is that Asians are foreign.

The media also do a poor job of distinguishing between Asian-Americans and their foreign counterparts. Therefore, with all this hoopla about racial profiling and backlashes, one cannot help but wonder how united we can be as a country.

More importantly, we cannot help but wonder how much wisdom we can gain from intercultural communication as a result of Sept. 11.

http://www.unewsonline.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2002/09/12/3d8391b7d56f5