Module 1: Asian American and Pacific Islander Women Stereotypes and Counternarratives
Does the media portrayals of Asian American and Pacific Islander women’s stories change the way they are treated in society?
Ideas about groups and people form not only through experiences, but also through storytelling. Representation of Asian American and Pacific Islander women in the media has historically been scarce and one-dimensional. For example, Nobu McCarthy was a Japanese Canadian actress who was among the few women of Asian descent in Hollywood between 1958 and 2005. She was often cast in different East Asian ethnic roles, despite her actual heritage. During her time, she encountered casting directors who were quick to typecast her.
When recounting her experiences in the documentary film Slaying the Dragon (1988), McCarthy shared:
One time I went to an audition and they said to me, “This character, we see her as a dragon lady.” I said to them, “No, I don’t know what that is, and so I can’t play the role.” I walked out.
Recognizing that she was being asked to play a harmful stereotype, McCarthy refused. Still, given the limited roles in Hollywood, she did often have to play stereotypical parts , including geishas, abused prostitutes, and helpless immigrant women.
This module introduces the origins of stereotypical stories about Asian American and Pacific Islander women in the media, the impact of such stories, and how they persist today.
How does media representation impact how others are viewed and treated?
What are the benefits of telling your own story and the stories of those like you?
What key Asian American and Pacific Islander women-led organizations and collectives have changed how women are viewed and treated?
