By: A Kim
Pages: 1 2
Stereotypes are specific schemas we use in order to save time while processing information. Rather than come up with new schemas whenever we meet someone, we just use the stereotype we have stored in our memories. So, while it is true that stereotypes are sometimes based on fact, they are often distorted by the biases surrounding the individual.
Unfortunately, no other group faces discrimination by stereotyping as much as minorities (ethnic, economic, religious); and there may even exist multiple stereotypes within one minority group. For example, there are at least three main stereotypes Asian women are judged by. Asian men, also, labor under various stereotypes that are detrimental to their identity and dignity.
Long Duk Dong
Ahhh…remember the 80’s? This was the era of the big hair, heavy metal, questionable fashion and teen movies. While some of these movies are entertaining to watch, at least for nostalgia’s sake, there is one that will always be vilified for introducing the world to the stereotype of the Asian nerd. Sixteen Candles, starring Molly Ringwald, is primarily a movie about a teen girl who is turning sixteen but everyone in her family seems to have forgotten her birthday. For some reason, her grandparents have agreed to host a foreign exchange student, Long Duk Dong, who is decidedly very weird. Interspersed with the main character’s angst is the comic relief provided by the foreigner with his broken English and clownish antics.
Long Duk Dong is the personification of the Asian clown and/or the Asian nerd. There is an unfortunate tradition in Western civilization dating from the time of Imperialism where anyone not from the West is considered the “Other.” If you are not one of “us,” you are something “other” than us. From this, we get the idea of the foreigner as someone who has customs and personalities that are different from what we perceive as “normal.” Just by virtue of this definition of the “Other,” Long Duk Dong, the foreigner, is definitely abnormal. Furthermore, he is not merely strange because he doesn’t know the customs of the society, but he is the comedian, bolstering his differences with funny phrases spoken in broken English and chasing after the buxom white women. This last part also emphasizes the belief that Asian men desire white women; this is the basis for the “Yellow Peril,” which was a popular belief in the early twentieth century.
Aside from being the foreign clown, Long Duk Dong is also the Asian nerd. Though there isn’t much evidence for his “nerdishness” in the movie, we can draw our own conclusions regarding this facet of his personality. The student that Ringwald’s character has a crush on is the popular boy in the high school. He’s handsome, dresses well, drives a cool car and is well-liked and well-regarded by others. Long Duk Dong, on the other hand, is the antithesis of cool. Therefore, the opposite of being cool and popular is a nerd. Though this is a bit of a stretch, it’s not an implausible deduction. After all, I doubt many people walked out of the theater thinking, “Man, I wish I could be just like Long Duk Dong.”
Next Page: Fu Manchu and the Asian Gangster
Pages: 1 2
August 7th, 2005 at 9:58 pm
Although stereotyping may be a broad brush, I would have to say that a great segment of the Asian population at the time (myself included) tended to be more nerdy and awkward.
Another point about Long’s English - let’s face it, English is difficult to learn. I’ve had many friends that immigrated here to North America with the same level of English as Dong’s. But they all went through the awkwardness of it life as an ESL student and developed a full command of the English Language.
Personally, I really liked Long Duk Dong in 16 candles, in spite of being of Asian descent. One thing that this article fails to mention is that Long Duk Dong has more success in relationships than the main character does. As the main character in the movie puts it, “Dong has been here one day and he has somebody. I’ve lived here all of my life and I like a disease.”
It’s roles like Long Duk Dong that allow us Asians an opportunity to laugh at ourselves as Asians. The article assumes that there is a Western civilization conspiracy to label the Asian as the “Other” person. Possibly, but so what? I’m not an “Asian Pride” fanatic, but I don’t really care if I’m labelled into the Mainstream of Western Culture. I’m just happy enough to be who I am - an awkward nerdy asian who just happens to find a Little bit of Long Duk Dong in himself and can laugh about it at the same time.
“No more time to … yankee!” …The Donger need food!”
Thank you for your time.
August 7th, 2005 at 10:40 pm
Just read the second page of the article so I have a few more comments.
The author mentions that Asians females tend to be hyper sexual. In the case of Lucy Liu, I would have to agree. But don’t you think that Ms. Liu has a say in the roles that she chooses to play? In the Case of Charlie’s angels, Ms. Liu is clearly hyper sexual. But so were Drew Barrymore and Cameron Diaz.
The point I’m trying to make here is that although Asian females tend to be hyper sexual this is not exclusive to the Asian female. Most women (and men for that matter) regardless of race tend to be overly sexualized in Western movies. If it were not so, I doubt that people would continue to go watch movies!
Another thing. Have you noticed that in Cartoon movies and in many action films, the Evil guy tends to be a white person with a British accent?
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Why do I point out these examples? Western media (movies, TV shows, etc.) rely on hyperbole and unfamiliarity and the concept of the “Other guy”. I guess this is where we agree. Where I disagree is that the article seems to indicate that this is exclusive to the Asian actors and actresses when in fact the hyperbole and “Other Guy” concept applies to all races.
To me, I see Western media as “Equal Opportunity” enabelers for their stereotypes, not just for Asians.
August 28th, 2005 at 3:57 am
…it can also be generalized that the stereotype of Asian men knowing kung fu means that Asian men have a propensity towards violence.
Yes, I’ve been asked the kung fu question many, many times. Yet, I didn’t feel in any of those occassions that the question was asked with any sense of fear behind it. It was either a serious question, a joke, or an insult/threat directed at me. It was a method of getting to know something about me or a way to ask, “Yeah, but can you kick my ass?”
That being said, I did learn kung fu because of all the Long Duk Dong jokes I heard in grade school, and if I ever catch up with any of those people back home, I’ll be the one doing the yankee
.