Asian-American Opportunities: Asian American Stereotypes

Allison Garcia

TA 300

Professor Fortin

02 December 2015

Asian American Opportunities At this day and age, it may seem as though everyone of all shapes, sizes, ethnicity, and gender are being treated fairly and equally, however that is not the case. One particular discrimination common is ethnicity wise, especially in Films, Television, and Broadway. Recently there have been more and more opportunities for Asian- Americans, however most times they are required to play stereotypical roles. Media portrays Asians to be smart and good at math, when in fact not everyone with an Asian background succeeds in mathematics. There are only a few instances in which Asian Americans do not portray the stereotypical role. Before in the theatre, since

They were tired of being called “oriental” and they were also tired of being inferior to the Europeans residing in the United States. These inferior races which also included Mexicans and Negroes were disenfranchised by the United States and excluded from the National Immigration. They were not only excluded in National Immigration, but also in theatre. Often the theatres enjoyed creating false pretenses about the Chinese, and performing it by portraying them. The Chinese were portrayed by Europeans who are dressed up as in traditional clothing and would often have their face painted yellow to resemble their skin tones. “The first relationship American Theatre established with Asia and Asianess was founded on Exoticism and Voyeurism.” (Lee,7) In Samsome St., San Francisco, CA The first Chinese theatrical performance was presented on stage by 42 members from the Guangdong province that made up the Tong Hook Tong Dramatic Company in mid October in the year 1852. They were successful and they even decided to expand their horizons by expanding in the west. They started performing in Portland Oregon and they were famous among Chinese impacted communities and cities. Since this occurred a few years after the Gold Rush, there were already Chines immigrants that were starting to build their new life in the United States and looking for jobs. Since they were successful, the head of the Tong Hook Ton Dramatic Company decide to expand to the east as well. Having heard that the Europeans residing in the East Coast enjoyed watching Chinese inspired theatre they thought that it was a good idea to go to the East Coast. At first they were skeptical about this opportunity and when they arrived to New York, their intuitions were correct. The European Audience did not