"When Hollywood allows Asian leading men to be macho, it rarely gives them the privilege of being “American.” “Asian Americans tend to be looked at as perpetual aliens,” says author and poet David Mura. “In other words, an Asian-American male can’t be seen as representative of all Americans in the way Tom Cruise or Tom Hanks or even Denzel Washington can.”According to University of Delaware English professor Peter X. Feng, the benefit of safely foreign heroes such as Jet Li or Chow Yun Fat is that “they come to these shores to solve a problem and then they leave. So there is never any question of integrating them into the American body politic.” I found this statement from the readings to be very true. A modern example of that in movies is Romeo Must Die where jet Li played a bodyguard to his wealthy boss daughter. In the movie the daughter shows Jet Li how to dance and listen to urban and rap music. however anytime that Jet Li is the hero, it surrounds him protecting the daughter or his boss. After he has completed his duties he is not an important factor or role in the movie. Today Asian men are better off than they were years ago as they are finding traditional ways and no traditional ways in establishing their masculine role in society through novels, movies, magazines, television, computer programming and gaming systems. I can say that it is easier in this day and age for Asian males to establish masculinity in their own self-portrayal vs. years ago when Asian males masculinity was wrapped up in the concept of martial arts, Kung-fu movies and math genius stereotypes.
“traditional” masculinity, and American world, is equated with traditional standard masculinity with White masculinity since White pretty much equals “tradition” in the United States (This is not true, however it is the concept that Americans have adapted. An article that i read Asian American Men and Masculinity: a conversation list several reasons Americans should allow Men of all ethnic groups to find and adapt their own masculinity, because if we don't they adapt one that is forced, or they were influenced by. The article says men are lost without an idea of their masculinity. As mentioned this cause men to adapt ideas of masculinity from else where. In our society today this includes a plethora of violence and sex, which is neither healthy or right. The article speaks on how more and more men are dropping out of society from the epidemic of school shootings all committed by young men, boys are dropping out of school, and men are failing to be good husbands. Men work best when there’s a structure and they know exactly what they’re supposed to be doing.
Second, there’s nobility in traditional masculinity. You want leaders who are brave, truthful, and good. Men usually don’t get there unless they have role models, and unless society respects these values. Of course you want the same in women–courage, truthfulness, and goodness–but it reflects itself differently in its expression, which is why we see so many books by both men and women that differentiate between the leadership styles.
3) We should change as a society. I won’t say that every individual should change. Most men and society in general would benefit from more knowledge of traditional masculinity. They can suit their definition to meet the times, but people should be familiar with it and practice it. When boys and men are forced to adapt a masculine identity that does not fit who they are as a boy or man, it does not good to that person or society.
“traditional” masculinity, and American world, is equated with traditional standard masculinity with White masculinity since White pretty much equals “tradition” in the United States (This is not true, however it is the concept that Americans have adapted. An article that i read Asian American Men and Masculinity: a conversation list several reasons Americans should allow Men of all ethnic groups to find and adapt their own masculinity, because if we don't they adapt one that is forced, or they were influenced by. The article says men are lost without an idea of their masculinity. As mentioned this cause men to adapt ideas of masculinity from else where. In our society today this includes a plethora of violence and sex, which is neither healthy or right. The article speaks on how more and more men are dropping out of society from the epidemic of school shootings all committed by young men, boys are dropping out of school, and men are failing to be good husbands. Men work best when there’s a structure and they know exactly what they’re supposed to be doing.
Second, there’s nobility in traditional masculinity. You want leaders who are brave, truthful, and good. Men usually don’t get there unless they have role models, and unless society respects these values. Of course you want the same in women–courage, truthfulness, and goodness–but it reflects itself differently in its expression, which is why we see so many books by both men and women that differentiate between the leadership styles.
3) We should change as a society. I won’t say that every individual should change. Most men and society in general would benefit from more knowledge of traditional masculinity. They can suit their definition to meet the times, but people should be familiar with it and practice it. When boys and men are forced to adapt a masculine identity that does not fit who they are as a boy or man, it does not good to that person or society.
I also found 2 videos on youtube that provided an interesting view on how society view Asians and how Asians see themselves being represented in the media.
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