Negative Stereotyping of Asian Americans Website

http://modelminority.com/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=58:negative-stereotyping-of-asian-americans&catid=44:media&Itemid=56

In this website, "Negative Stereotyping of Asian Americans", the author Mahdzan describes the typical view of an Asian American that is consistently portrayed in the media.  He thorougly describes the image as "newly arrived immigrants who speak fortune cookie (broken) English and cannot assimilate with other members of the American society. Other negative depictions include greedy Asian bandits out to destroy white civilization and defy its man-made laws, and Asian women who are weak, passive and allow themselves to be sexually and emotionally abused by men" (Mahdzan). 

He goes further as to break down the stereotypes between Asian American men and women.  From the rare Hollywood movies that actually has an Asian American character, Mahdzan discovered that the men are usually portrayed as greedy, dumb (compared to their counterparts), and undesirable as a husband.  All the while Asian American women are portrayed as either the "China Doll", a woman who is "supposedly sexually active, exotic, overly feminine and eager to please" (Mahdzan) or the "Dragon Lady" who is "who is perceived as seductive, desirable but at the time she is untrustworthy" (Mahdzan).


Growing up in an Asian American community as well as growing up watching these movies, I can understand why some may portray Asians in this manner.  Although I believe it is absolutely rude and unnecessary, there are true facts that are attached to each prejudice.  Many people of one ethnicity tends to emulate the same characteristics due to their similar backgrounds; however, this is not always the case.  Although there is some truth behind these stereotypes, much of these characteristics only apply to certain Asian Americans.  Every individual, no matter the ethnicity, is completely different.  Although these stereotypes may seem harmless in the media, Americans may believe what they see and soon come to consensus that Asian Americans are not as intelligent and strong-willed as another race, thus making them inferior.