To answer the question we must move on to the meat of the topic. Let's take a moment and deconstruct two songs that fall into the racist category. By doing this, we will be able to see who is being negatively affected by the song, how it might affect younger generations and how it helps to increase stereotypes against Asians. First of all, take a second and watch the video presented above. Produced by the talent agency, PMW Live, Chinese Food is a song that focuses on...well just that. Right at the beginning of the video an Asian man is shown cooking a dish that consists of noodles and vegetables. The interesting thing is that throughout the video when Alison Gold is "singing", unnecessary subtitles are provided in various languages. However, when the Asian man in the beginning speaks in his native language, no subtitles are given. Fast forward to the inside of the restaurant, behind the counter is an Asian girl who serves Gold. As Gold "sings" her order to the girl, the girl is shown to be an expert at using the register; she is able to input the order without looking, all while she constantly laughs and smiles at Gold. [Notice how sad it is that PMW Live did not have the decency to at least change the numbers on the register while they are being "imputed", it stays at 65 from the outside and 6.58 on the inside (this was the price of the previous order)] Continuing on, I find it slightly inappropriate that the man under the panda suit places the dog piece on "Oriental Avenue". Now comes the part where Gold and the other females are seen wearing kimonos while the two girls on the side are seen in a geisha like getup. This is very wrong for two reasons. Firstly, the kimono is the traditional Japanese outfit for women; the Chang-ao is the traditional Chinese garment for women and therefore the kimono does not belong in the video. Secondly, a geisha is a traditional Japanese entertainer and thus the getup should not be donned for a video about Chinese food. What makes it worse is the constant bowing which is really unnecessary. Finally, at the end of the video, the words "Fortune Cookies Are Never Wrong" appear while a stereotypical gong is sounded and the Asian man bows. That phrase can be offensive because fortune cookies are not even part of the Chinese cuisine/tradition/culture. It was popularized in the United States and it seems to have originated in Japan. "Fortune Cookies" are not widely present in China. Now if i were to look at this video though the lens of an Asian man, i believe that this would offend me. Not only does it make fun of Asian heritage and the language but it is also disrespectful to the Asian culture and tradition. People may say that i am taking this video too seriously or that i should not analyze this in such a harsh manner, but i believe that it is necessary to do this for two reasons. Firstly, it helps me recognize stereotypes and how they should not be used and abused in society. Secondly, the 12 year old that sings this is just a child and feeding her such stereotypes at such a young may negatively affect her in the future. By analyzing this video, one can understand that this is wrong and that one should not condone it.
Now before i provide you all with my questions i would like to quickly talk about one more thing. That is the song Asian Girlz by Day Above Ground. Due to the video's explicit content i cannot provide it here. Many have said that this song was just a joke and even the band (yes, it's a legitimate band) claimed that it was done for fun. However, these claims only came out when the reviews turned out horrible, before that they were promoting this song everywhere, especially on their new album. To give you a little taste of how racist this song is, i will provide you with some lyrics. Here we start with "I love your sticky rice" and "I love your creamy yellow thighs/Ooh your slanted eyes". Let's skip ahead to the bridge where it says, "Yeah, shark soup/Oh, tradition, tradition, tradition, yeah yeah/Baby, you're my Asian girl/You're here illegally/So baby marry me/Come on sit on my lap/Or we'll send you back/And you age so well/I can barely tell/17 or 23?/Baby doesn't matter to me". Finally the song ends off by listing various stereotypical names and words pointed towards Asians, ranging from Bruce Lee and Sailor Moon to Chinatown and Toyota. Now you see why i find this song to be the epitome of offensive. I have provided you with these two songs just to give you a glimpse of how Asian stereotypes are being used in the music industry. This should not go without saying that other racial stereotypes are also used in music but that should be the topic of...another post.
I would like to leave you all with these questions. Ponder upon them, derive an answer and spark a discussion below. Thank you all for reading. Please forgive any grammatical errors and if i need to correct/clarify anything, please tell me (comment).
1. What other Asian stereotypes have you seen in musical lyrics or music videos?
2. Do you think early exposure to stereotypes can negatively impact the way a child thinks throughout their life?
3. Why do you think PMW Live produced this song? What was it's purpose? It's message?
4. Do you think using stereotypes and racial remarks is a money making scheme using by large music industries?
5. How do songs like these affect you? Do they?
6. If songs like these are mass produced, in what way(s) will society be affected?
This deconstruction of media text is done quite well Fawad, Good Job. Previously, i published an article about asians too because i thought they are the type of people that are being highly discriminated and resented in North America. To answer your second question, i would like to include that early exposure of stereotypes in media texts have a negative impact on a child who is not Asian. The reason for that is that music videos and it's lyrics really discriminate against Asians by making fun of their accent, either mocking their culture by wearing their cultural clothing, and most of all cracking racist jokes. These things highly influence a child's life and how he sees people of Asian descent. To this day, children and teenagers among each other make jokes about how Asians can't see properly and have the most accident; things like those.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much Bilal. You are right, Asians are definitely being discriminated against and i will read your post after this. Jokes can be funny...to an extent. When the line is crossed and bullying occurs or when someone actually feels hurt then those "jokes" are no longer harmless. After reading your comment, i feel as though you lean towards the nurture side in the debate "Nature vs. Nurture" . Which of the two do you think influences children the most?
DeleteWell, my perception about bullying and discrimination does indicate that i am on the nurture side because, i have seen incidences where young teenagers and children naturally tend to be racist and sometimes unintentionally make racist remarks against their Asian peers. Their upbringing has a major affect on their interaction with other people. I am not totally on the nurture side because i think environmental experiences also play a huge role on the person's ideology about others and their behaviour. Perhaps, it is equally both the reasons why children are spoiled. The activities they do at home, such as watching TV, reading Magazines, newspapers and using internet do leave a huge negative impact on children of young age. Since they are young enough to not realize the importance of happiness, it will take a long time for them to mature.
DeleteGood points Bilal. I agree that nurture tends to have more of an impact on individuals in comparison to nature. However, i still believe that individuals are shaped by not one side of the debate but both. I think that the debate can never be ended because one side cannot fully outweigh the other.
DeleteGreat post Mr. Habib. I will start off by answering your second question. I truly believe that early exposure to stereotypes can have a profound effect on how a child thinks throughout their life. This can be seen in all sorts of media including films, ads, music videos and even on our own television. Likewise, as the child is introduce to these early stereotypes and starts to grow up it will seem to him/her that these stereotypes are normal and true. We can't blame the children but the only people to leave accountable for this are the people that produce these media text. Currently, you have kids making stereotypical jokes about Asians and they think its normal because media has embedded into their minds that its normal to stereotype people. I believe that these kids will consume more media showing them the Asian stereotypes and will eventually negatively impact them more.
ReplyDeleteAdditionally, they will start making fun of people of Asian descent and mock them. It's sad to see what society is doing.
DeleteThank you Endrit. I agree, it is definitely sad to see what media is currently doing to our society. While reading your comment, i thought of something. Let me give you a scenario. A child (10-12 yrs of age) watches tv and surfs the web, therefore consuming media. If this child were to go out and act upon the stereotypes that he/she sees, do you think the parents should be held accountable for the actions of their child? What if it was a teenager, are the parents still responsible? (I guess this relates back to Nature vs. Nurture.)
DeleteWell if the child is young then the parents are accountable. If you're a teenager, I think you are accountable for your own actions. Age is a factor and having good parents can help you move away from the stereotypes portrayed in the media.
DeleteI also think about this matter along the same lines. The external influence upon a person can be great, but if nurturing and one's upbringing is done well, I think children will not act on media stereotypes in a negative fashion. Then again many teenagers nowadays don't know how to critically analyze media.
DeleteI have to agree with you because media that we regularly consume has taken a profound affect on our viewing of many stereotypes that exist to this day. Whether being a child or a teenager we have seen how it has taken a negative toll on us.
DeleteVery true Endrit. The only thing to do then is to filter the media we consume and only act upon the things that benefits society in a positive manner and things that do not hurt others.
DeleteAlike the others, I found this post not only very "eye-opening" but quite "insightful" too, hah! Lame jokes and stereotypes aside, you consumed the music videos to the extent where you empathized for those who would be offended by the videos; fantastic. I'm going to start off by answering your sixth question - I think if this sort of media were to be mass produced, I think it would likely become the dominant discourse of society. Not only are the lenses of everyone's point of view now projected onto the new DD, East-Asians will feel subjected to grouping into these stereotypes to "fit" in. But that's just the case if the media is socially accepted. It could also lead to more offensive media being released, in such cases with other races and their respective stereotypes.
ReplyDeleteHAH! Very funny, Kent. Thank you very much. Let's say, for example, what you have stated does happen. As you said, "East-Asians will feel subjected to grouping into these stereotypes to "fit" in." How do you think that is different from what is going on in today's society. Is it not true that many individuals feel pressured into finding their cliques and sticking with them? Unless you are trying to say that individuals will be forced to join groups. But overall i do agree with your point, and i do see what you mean by joining groups run by stereotypes.
DeleteNot at all do I think individuals are forced to join groups, rather the individuals may put themselves in the position where they may need to force themselves to, but truly, there is no need to. Luckily for us, we are of this society and we do not need to exert such efforts to fit in... at least I think that is what society is. If the stereotypes were to drive forward even more, then that's when the situation changes.
DeleteAh yes, that makes sense. Thank you very much for expanding the point you made.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteMoved this comment to the "Reply" area.
DeleteFirst off, I'd like to say that this is a very well thought out and entertaining post. I believe a child exposed to this early in their lives will definitely have a negative impact on them. Considering how impressionable and gullible young children are, It would not take much repetition of these stereotypes, whether it be, "Asians are good at math", or "Asians eat dogs" to ingrain in a child's mind. This will not only mislead them on Eastern-Asian culture but will also cause resentment towards the brainwashed child when he attempts to ask his classmate or friend if they ate man's best friend for breakfast. I don't believe that the Asian stereotype is a money making scheme by the music industry. I believe it's just picking up a remainder from the propaganda after the Vietnam war and other events because at times like those, Asians needed to be demonized to get the support of the American Citizens. The mass production of songs like these will result in a distorted, close minded perception of Asians. Even now when a lot of people hear the word, "Asia", they immediately think of Eastern Asians. The propaganda and brainwashing has narrowed lots of people's knowledge and they are not aware, that Afghans, Pakistani's and Iraqi's are Asian as well. Rather that area of Asia has been dubbed the, "middle east". Going back to my previous point, it has been called that and been figuratively separated from the rest of Asia because the American government needs to demonize that specific area to get their citizens to support the war. They can't have people thinking, dog eaters wear turbans as well. Sorry for getting a but if messages like these are constantly sent out to the masses, people will not be able to truly appreciate the culture of those who are different from them.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much Akber. Insightful comment my friend. When you said,"...to ingrain in a child's mind" i thought of the process of brainwashing. It really is quite simple. Continuous images followed by vague definitions and subliminal messages leave deep impressions in the subconscious mind. (one of the numerous ways to brainwash people) This video popped into my mind. It is from a game called Manhunt 2 and while it may not be the best way of showing how brainwashing works, it is quite interesting to watch.The video is: (the part to watch is 1:07-3:10) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PaHYRwlGBtc
DeleteAlso, do you think that the Americans won at Vietnam. If not, then do you think the reason they demean Eastern Asians is because they feel inferior to them? On another note, i would like to point out one thing. I think the reason why regions in Asia are dubbed "Middle East", "East Asia, and "South Asia" is to help people visualize those areas on a map. At least thats the way i see it. I know that various groups of people live in those areas, but categorizing the sects may help people. Still, i understand the point you're making. It may very well be a mischievous trick used to gain followers.
Hi, Fawad. I'd also like to reply to your second question. I do believe that exposing young people to stereotypes through media does have an impact on them alter in life and there are many examples of this.
DeleteMany major events that were based on incorrect stereotypes and assumptions include, segregation between blacks and whites and even the Holocaust.
When there was segregation in the united states, many people were educated to think that black people were lesser than them. Children were separated into coloured or non-coloured schools and were taught that they weren't supposed to be friends.
The same thing happened with the Holocaust. In world war two there was so much propaganda stating the Jews were of a lower species than humans and portrayed them as monsters or rats. This kind of media really did have an impact on the mindset of the people as they did lead to revolutions and wars.
Ah yes Chelsey, very good point. And hello to you too. I also believe that early exposure to stereotypes can lead to negative consequences later on in life. Who do you think should be responsible for altering the views children have on stereotypes? (meaning that, if a child is exposed to stereotypes who's job is it to dispel them from the child's mind?) Also it is interesting that you brought up the point of propaganda. Did you know that what you said, "stating the Jews were of a lower species than humans and portrayed them as monsters or rats", is actually a war tactic? You equate the enemy to something negative or something that people don't like and therefore gain support from people who have now started to hate on the new-found enemy.
DeleteGreat post Fawad!! This was eye-opening and with you literally deconstructing this video accurately and precisely it made me realize things that happened in the music video that I overlooked and didn't really consider racist. Now that you deconstructed the video and the realization hit me, Asians are stereotyped more then what one may notice. As an individual I'm pretty sure we all crack jokes but it's to an extent where you make jokes and have a good laugh. We hear racist jokes quite often in our lives of many different races and ethnicity. But since we are talking specifically about Asians here, we don't realize how much these jokes may hurt someone until you actually step into their shoes.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much Maryam. It good that you mentioned that you crack jokes and the point you brought up is quite interesting. You said, "but it's to an extent where you make jokes and have a good laugh." Where do you think the line should be drawn in relation to making jokes? Have you seen people who have crossed this line? If so, what are the consequences?
DeleteBased on where the line should be drawn, it should be when the jokes start getting offensive and make the individual or the group of people feel hurt and when bullying comes into play. I'm not going to lie I have seen people who've crossed these lines, in some cases they do not notice that the jokes they are making are harmful.At times these jokes we may find funny are extremely offensive but when you walk into the persons shoes that is when you realize how harmful a simple joke you made, made them feel.
DeleteVery good Maryam. I do agree that jokes can be potentially funny, to an extent. Then again sometimes comedians cross that line but people have no choice but to accept it.
DeleteFawad, its great to see that you have brought up this topic since discrimination against east Asians continues to go on in today's western society. To answer question # 2, I wanted to elaborate on the fact that stereotyping can affect a child in a negative way. The reason why is because children now a days consume large amounts of media, therefore a child will eventually see a racist video targeting east Asians. This will affect the child since they will grow up and discriminate against another east Asian peer. If we can put a control on what the media is putting up from the start, then children would not be exposed stereotyping. Also, to answer question # 4, I believe that stereotyping a certain race is all a money making scheme. For example, if we watch a music video that targets a certain race, some people would find that offensive and some people would find it entertaining. The point is, the more attention that is received through a certain media, the more money the company is making regardless of the likes or dislikes of the video. As a result, I believe that the music video on Chinese food was stereotyping against another race. Additionally, we must approach different ways to make musics videos without stereotyping.
ReplyDeleteThank you Kulvir. You made some great points and i strongly agree with what you said in regard to question 4. You said that "If we can put a control on what the media is putting up from the start, then children would not be exposed stereotyping." This is true, but how do you think we can do this? How can we limit the amount of negative media children take in? Also, what steps can we take to approach making music videos without stereotypes?
DeleteOne stereotype that many do not realize revolving Asians would be that people assume "all Asians are the same" as in from the same country, speak the same language, wear the same clothing, and so on. In the music video presented in this post, Alison Gold is singing about Chinese food. Viewers would assume that everything occurring in the video would be within the Chinese culture. What many do not realize it that Alison had mixed in many Asian cultures in her video and assumed that they are all Chinese. Nearing the end, Alison is dancing in a kimono with other girls dressed up as geisha. This is clearly a Japanese tradition that Alison portrayed to be Chinese. This video is a misrepresentations of the Chinese culture and is very stereotypic.
ReplyDelete...Were you just restating what i said in the post? Nevertheless, thank you for expanding on the points i made. That stereotype,"all Asians are the same", is horribly offensive and many people are ignorant of the fact that there are many Asians native to different countries and regions. Do you think "ignorance is bliss"?
DeleteFawad, I do agree with your point that music shows Eastern Asians in a negative light. Nevertheless, I don't feel that music is so full of Eastern Asian stereotypes. In the Alison Gold video, I felt that the stuff shown to represent the theme of the video were correct. That is except for the few parts were like Geishas appeared; I blame that to complete ignorance. I think that the stuff shown to be of Chinese cultural is traditionally correct. I find there's nothing inappropriate with the man in the panda suit who had a monopoly dog piece, and put it on oriental avenue. Considering oriental is related to Chinese cultural, and like people who say Chinese people eat dog food, that isn't untrue. A minority of Chinese people do eat dogs, but the only problem the media does is to show it so much, that it seems like all Chinese people do. The other song you refer to as being stereotypical, I don't find it to be as much considering from what I know, many Eastern Asians naturally have slanted looking eyes, due to the amount of fat they have below and above their eyes. If you were to pick a color on the color wheel, you would say a Eastern Chinese person is yellow in complexion. Also, sticky rice is a Chinese dish.
ReplyDeleteFinally, shark fin soup is a popular dish in China. I can't see the huge amount of stereotypes in what seems to be facts about the Chinese in the medium of music.
I think the dominant discourse is, that we take those few facts about Eastern Asians( like what you mentioned in your post) and we make it seem as if it is the only things about them or turn it from the minority to the majority. I do believe the media extremely helps in doing that.
FYI: When I read your title for your post, the first thought that popped in my mind was Chinese. I do not believe it is because of the media planting it in my mind, but because it reminded me of the language Mandarin ( not that I speak it, but I've heard it).
-Lydia
Very good Lydia. I am glad that you tried to analyse this post and even even though i do not agree with all of the points you made, you did have some potentially convincing arguments.
DeleteI agree with you when you stated that, "I don't feel that music is so full of Eastern Asian stereotypes." This is an obvious statement. You said, "I think that the stuff shown to be of Chinese cultural is traditionally correct", could you please expand on this point? Also i don't think that there is anything wrong with the man in the panda suit (at least not in relation to this post). However, i do think its offensive that out of all all the pieces he could have chosen (thimble, race car, top hat ect.) he chose the dog. To make it even worse, he places it on oriental avenue. You said, "Considering oriental is related to Chinese cultural, and like people who say Chinese people eat dog food, that isn't untrue." The Orient is a part of Asia. It is not Asia and it does not cover the vast amount of the land's Asian Inhabitants. You may not know this, but the term "oriental" is quite offensive to many Asians. When the Japanese came to America to look for job, that term was used to make them feel unwelcome and inferior to the people in America. I understand what you are saying about dogs and Chinese people but i would like to clarify 2 things.
1. The dominant discourse does not shows Chinese people eating "dog food" as you stated.
2. Just because some might eat dogs, that does not make it right to go around parading this fact like it has no weight. Think about it.
Continuing on, i would like to address this: "I don't find it to be as much considering from what I know, many Eastern Asians naturally have slanted looking eyes, due to the amount of fat they have below and above their eyes."
1. I don't know where you got this information from, but it is horribly inaccurate. Also you are being very insensitive.
2. It's called the Epicanthal Fold, almost all babies are born with it, however some lose it early on. It is used to protect from harsh weather conditions. Evolution is at play when you look at the differences between the eyes of various Asians. The eyes are not actually slanted, they just appear to look this way.
Moving on, your comment about the colour wheel is disgustingly offensive and i find it hard to see that you had posted something like that. Instead of going ahead and talking about it too much i'll just leave you with this question: Are all Eastern Asians "yellow" in complexion? Next, your points about sticky rice and shark fin soup is not untrue, but just because some Asians eat these dishes, that does not mean all Asians do. This is a generalization and it should be watched out for. I will not address this, "I can't see the huge amount of stereotypes in what seems to be facts about the Chinese in the medium of music" because it made me facepalm. (Think about it) Your comment about the dominant discourse is okay, but i would advise you to tread with caution when using the word "we" because i (personally) do not follow what you have stated.
Finally, let's address you FYI statements. My second and third statements in the post are not exactly connected and it really depends on how you read it. Also, i would advise you to think about what i said in my title,"Ching Chong Ling Long" and what you said, "it reminded me of the language Mandarin." Do you not see how insulting your statement was? Keep in mind that just because something may be a fact about some Asians, that does not mean that it is applicable to all of them. Thank you for your comment.
Also, i'm sorry to drag this on, but if you take a look at the video for the "Asian Girlz" song, you will see how offensive it can be. It is not only the lyrics of a song that one should look at, it is the tone with which they are being sung and the context in which they are being sung in.
DeleteFirst off, Fawad and anyone else who reads my comment from before, my intention was not to be offensive, but rather take an unemotionally disagreeing stance on Fawad's post.
ReplyDeleteTo reply back to you Fawad, yes I know oriental is offensive, but the same can be said for a person of European descent being called white. Many say the word white used to describe people of European descent ( like British or French) is offensive because, that was what the Europeans were called by the Aboriginals when they came to the New World. By calling them white, you are tying them back to the atrocities committed by the whites at the time, and grouping them together. Moreover, the modern view of the word oriental isn't as offensive as the true meaning, considering some people of Eastern Asian descent refer to themselves and culture by using the word oriental, just like people of fair complexion don't mind and refer to themselves as being white.
To expand on" I think that the stuff shown to be of Chinese cultural is traditionally correct.", I mean for example, some Chinese people who eat dogs, shark fin soup, fried rice, and many of the things stated in the lyrics to Asian Girlz and Chinese food are from Eastern Asian cultures.
-Lydia
I would like to start off by saying thank you for reading my comments and for separating your comments. In reference to what you were saying about how some Eastern Asians would call themselves "oriental", some of them may be from the Orient. Did you know that the term "oriental" can be dated back to when the Europeans were colonizing Eastern Asia? (it was used in a negative manner) Also, "oriental" is not PC and this also applies to calling someone "white" or "black". Just because a word is used by many people, that does not make the usage appropriate.
DeleteThank you for expanding upon that point.
Sorry it's so long.
ReplyDeleteWhere I said, " who say Chinese people eat dog food", it's a typo, I meant to say eat dogs. Where you said " Just because some might eat dogs, that does not make it right to go around parading this fact like it has no weight", that is when in (my first comment) I said the only problem the media does is show a few Eastern Asian cultural facts, and categorize it to all Chinese or Eastern Asians.
Where you said my information is wrong about Eastern Asians having eyes that look slanted and is "horribly inaccurate", I can't see why. What could be inaccurate with the fact? I don't find the fact to be insensitive because, it's a common feature in their looks. What is so insulting by being told a person has slanted eyes? It's like saying black people have kinky hair, or many white people have thin lips; it's in the genes due to the climate in which the ancestors of that race grew up in. Yes, I know they appear to be slanted, but truly aren't; that is why I said "slanted looking eyes"
-Lydia
No problem.
DeleteI understand. The reason i stated that quote was because it was in reference to this, "Chinese people eat dog food, that isn't untrue." (From your initial comment)
Lydia, it seems that you are not understanding the point i am making. So, instead of me fruitlessly replying, i'm just not going to address your last paragraph. If you cannot see why you were being inaccurate and insensitive despite the statements i provided, then so be it. I cannot replace the foundations of an already-built structure.
Your question:
ReplyDeleteAre all Eastern Asians "yellow" in complexion?
No, in fact many east Asians look pale white in complexion, but it's the same way people are called black, white or brown, when in many cases they don't look close to that color. Also, human skin doesn't look like crayon colors, so it's just a word we use to describe races. If calling a person of Eastern Asian descent yellow is "offensive", then calling an African Canadian black, and a European person white should be offensive too; but it's not.
Where I said " I think the dominant discourse is, that we take those few facts about Eastern Asians" and used "we", I mean Western society. So yes, I know even when I use we I am not talking about the individual person (like you) but the majority.
I can't see why my FYI statement would be considered insulting. I just answered the question you had in the beginning of the post, and justified it with an example to disagree with what you said," that when one of you (my peers) read the title, the thought of Eastern Asians popped into your mind. It is truly amazing how media has influenced our views of society and how it impacts the way we look at the people around us". Since, I don't know how to speak Mandarin, I take it that if a word sounds like a language, I would connect it to the language (like someone guessing the language of a word).
Lastly, I watched the lyrical video of Asian Girlz, and found it to not to be racist. In fact, I can see at some points why it could be offensive, but the entire song seems to just be filled with facts and a hand full of stereotypes. Also, the songs seems to have a comedic tone, so that makes the lyrics seem even less offensive. Yet, after watching the video, it hasn't changed my stance on how I view the lyrics (from what I stated in my first comment).
-Lydia
All three of those are offensive.
DeleteI don't think you should use "we" next time.
Seriously, this is slightly saddening. However, i'll just say it again. If you cannot see why you were being insensitive despite the statements i provided, then so be it.
I should i said music video. Nevertheless if that is your opinion, i am fine with that.
@ Lydia (Emma the crude)
ReplyDeleteI have read all of your comments and have replied to the more recent ones in a short manner. At this point in time, i do not think we are seeing eye to eye in regards to this post. This is fine with me. "C'est la vie." I would like to propose the option to agree to disagree on this matter. What say you?
As I listen to this song, all I think off is “CHINESE FOOD”. It has no purpose except tell me that a “Blond” girl like Chinese food & therefore everyone should eat Chinese food. If they use a person with same race in this video, then I guess no one will mind. But if they use person with different race, then it’s attract peoples attention. I rarely see any Asian in Western music videos. And if there is, they show guy is doing Karate, a girl dress in Chinese tradition cloth or girl dress in Kimono. Media shows how Chinese will be like, without pointing out that everyone is difference.
ReplyDeleteNice point. The producers may have thought that approaching this music video in the way that they did may be in an innocent fashion. However, i think that it does not matter about the race of the singer, what matters are the lyrics and the messages behind them and the video. In both this video and the examples you presented, stereotypes are being used. It is wrong to use them in either forms.
ReplyDeleteVery well written and thought out article, interesting to note that just by reading the title, I pretty much knew exactly what the general topic was going to be about, and what you were referring to, I guess I too am a victim to stereotypes.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with you that these music videos are just perpetuating stereotypes, and they do it very well. It's hard to tell exactly what they are doing without really delving into it, so I guess you could see it as a form of subliminal messaging, interesting to note huh?