Films: Harold and Kumar-Minstral Show?

[Rob_Hugo@PortNW]

I have been thinking about this for a while and after discussing it with several people I though that this might at least begin some conversation. Several weeks ago I saw the film "Harold and Kumar: Escape from Guantanamo Bay" which is a sequel to "Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle". These two films are ridiculous comedies and would definitely be classified as stoner films, however I do think that it's interesting that the main characters are two well educated, middle class Asian American males, of South Asian and Korean descent. In both films the young men deal with racism, assimilation to American values, family expectations and their own growing sense of self, all in a drug induced haze.(In the sequel they are accused of being Arabic and North Korean terrorists that have joined forced against America.)

The South Asian male (Kumar) is the slacker who fights against his parents expectations and things only of what brings him pleasure, women, food and marijuana. While the Korean-American, is much more straight edge, works in the financial world, is very sensitive and can't cut a brake when it comes to women.

What I am wondering is if this is one of the few places that we have for Asian-American males in film? They are following many of the same old stereotypes, the feminization of the Asian American male? Or is the film, that makes fun of all sorts of groups, just a comment on the ridiculousness of American life and it should be celebrated that something this ridiculous can be made with such a multi-cultural cast? Is it that stoner films appeal to such a limited demographic that they can be multicultural and people will still watch them and not care about who stars in it? Cheech and Chong were multi-cultural and I don't think that I have as of yet to see another film with a mixed race man named Chong and a Mexican-American in the lead?
Ok, these movies are fairly stupid, but they are still one of the few placed in American popular culture where I have seen people of color? So are these good things, or just another minstrel show for the master?

[Anonymous]

These films are just ridiculous; no more explanation warranted.

[Anonymous]

I think it is an interesting point that you bring up and think that their is probably some validity to your argument. The is definately a biased as to what actors are chosen to play leading roles and it does seem that asian-americans have been left with a small sterotypical role to play, which seems to be the case with all minority groups. In addition to your thoughts I wonder how often we find an asian-american actor who is expected to play a role other than martial arts. It is really said to think about. I really liked the Rush Hour movies, here you have to minority groups teaming up to work together, but again you are confronted with sterotypes. Our asian character (Jackie Chan) is a quiet, sensible, martial arts expert and our african-american character (Chris Tucker) is vocal, outlandish, and self-destructive. Why are people type cast into such limited roles?...how big of a role does hollywood play in perpetuating pseudo racism?

[Anonymous]

Thank Henness for you comments because I think that these films do require discussion. I think that our students and our kids watch them, like it or not and they do play a part of our culture. Rush Hour is a perfect example. I do enjoy those films myself, but both of the characters are males of color and the only role that is left for them is one dimensional and stereotypical. Chris Tucker is a typical Sambo, laughing it up for the master and Jackie Chan is quiet, intense and loyal, but really has a very superficial role. One is oversexed and the other might as well be androgynous. Maybe they are all vulgarities, but they are reflections of what we as a society think of as funny. Sambo was funny, so now we are doing the same thing to all out males of color and placing them in roles than don't protray them as full complex human beings worthy of respect.

[Anonymous]

I agree that these films are silly. However, if we did not have such films with stereotypical roles for minorities, I do believe that more actors of color would be out of work. It's sad to say, but I think that's the reality of it all. On the flip side, if we didn't not watch actors play bafoon-like characters Hollywood would not make money off of these films. Instead screenwriters would have to come up with something the the public would watch. If we show filmakers that we prefer to watch characters who are enlightened with a great deal of self-respect, then that is what we will get more of. Unfortunately, this is not the case in today's world.

[Anonymous]

Many things aren't the case in today's world. So we just leave it all as is and let things stay the way that they are?

[Anonymous]

I don't think we leave everything as is. We change what we can. However, we can only control what we do, not what others do. It is always hoped that when we do what is right, others will follow our example. Unfortunately, it is the case that everyone will not follow the best path. Therefore, we must control what is in our hands to control by doing what is right, honorable, and just. Many will follow, others won't. We cannot worry about the others. It won't help us to do so.

[Anonymous]

Of course we can only control what we do, but that doesn't mean that we can't talk about and point out the injustices and stupidities of stereotypes. You have to rock and make people think, otherwise how do you create social change, even if it's in the media. You have to call people out on their "crap" sometimes so that they can know that they are being watched and can't always get away with it.

[Anonymous]

Harold and Kumar is NOT and NO WAY a minstral show. In fact, both films are two of the most EMPOWERING movies for Asian Americans, and let me tell you why.

1. Harold and Kumar are "normal" dudes - For once, we see in a film two "normal" dudes who happen to be Asian American. Yes their race comes into play in many scenes, especially in the second film, but they are still just regular old fashioned dudes. We never ever ever see asian americans portrayed in this "regular" type of role where they speak English without an accent. Sure, there are exceptions such as Sandra Oh and Lucy Liu, but for the most part, there rarely are instances where you see two regular asian american MALE characters.

Here's three examples of 3 dis-empowering (if thats a word) roles for asian american men:

1. HEROES - Masi Oka and James Kyson Lee are both foreigners, speak with heavy accents, and basically have no sex appeal. I dont blame them, I blame the writers and the creators of the show. Though i like the show, I still wish these two guys spoke normal English.

2. LOST - Sigh, Jin the over protective Korean male that cannot speak English and can't make children. Wow. Thanks Hollywood! I've met Daniel Dae Kim and he's such a great guy that needs stronger "regular" roles.

3. CHUCK AND LARRY - The priest is basically yellowface, I think its a white actor with his eyes slanted. Thanks Hollywood!

[Anonymous]

I just came back from a "History Alive" seminar and at one point, the facilitator asked for volunteers for an interactive demonstration on a lesson about different types of rulers (monarchy vs oligarchy, etc). Three of us were on stage and we were in charge of the music that the class would listen to. The class had to vote who they wanted to be the "monarch" of the group. She judged us on round of applause, and she said, "who will be your monarch? this woman, this woman, or yo yo ma over there?"

And i was like "why you gotta make racial?" in a joking / smiling way, and the black woman next to me was like "i like yo yo ma". That was the funniest thing ever. She said it as if it was perfectly ok to say I look like a chinese person (im filipino) and that it was assumed that I even know who yo yo was because i was asian.

What if I had responded with "Ok Oprah Winfrey?"

Just posting this up there to illustrate the baloney asians go through and I LOVE IT!

[Author]

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