Asian American Empowerment

By Ryan James Kim
©2004 The Advocate
August 10, 2004

A few months ago Details, the metrosexual men’s magazine, ran a feature called “Gay or Asian?” as part of its regular section that points out the similarities between gay male stereotypes and other cultural stereotypes. But unlike in previous issues, with features such as “Gay or Eurotrash?” and “Gay or Jesus?” that ran with little to no complaint, the magazine was surprised to see thousands of angry e-mails from subscribers and activists criticizing their latest choice.

“Gay or Asian?” sparked a rare fury not only from the gay community and the gay Asian community but the larger Asian community as well. The reason should be painfully apparent. Asians are one of the least represented racial groups in media, having to continually settle for tiresome stereotypical roles as the exotic seductress or the martial arts master. Asian males in particular are probably the least represented racial group of all when taking into consideration our percentage of the U.S. population.

Because of this underrepresentation, any depiction is crucial to either confirming or destroying common stereotypes. When Details compares the stereotypical gay male and the stereotypical Asian male by writing “one cruises for chicken; the other takes it General Tso–style,” it isn’t just a harmless joke—there’s nothing on TV or in the movies to counterbalance that point. The satire, the very title of which suggests that one cannot be gay and Asian, could well have shaped the only image that a reader has of Asian-Americans.

Obviously, what makes this country great is that we can all say whatever we want, even if it’s heinous. Our so-called president says ridiculous things about John Kerry, Iraq, the economy, and gay families all the time, and unfortunately we have to listen (though only until November, I hope). The key to combating stereotypes is to target the source rather than the symptoms of the misinformation. In terms of the presidency, that means voting. In terms of Asian-Americans, that means gaining representation.

How this is done, of course, is the real question. There’s no easy answer. In a world where Asian female news anchors are frequently paired with a white male anchor but never the other way around, the recent comedy film Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle is an anomaly. It breaks the standard Hollywood formula to bring us two unlikely heroes—both of whom are Asian-American (one Indian-American and one Korean-American)—searching for the perfect burgers to ease a serious case of the late-night munchies.

What I especially liked about Harold and Kumar was its systematic confrontation and denial of all the Asian male stereotypes I’ve come to despise: specifically, that Asians don’t have fun, think about sex, or have to work hard because we’re all geniuses. I found it refreshing to finally see someone on the big screen who looked like me—someone who, in some ways, I could look up to.

Yet what I found disheartening was the film’s use of homophobia as a major part of its comedy. Though not mean-spirited in nature, there are several scenes that attack and stereotype gay males. When Kumar stops to relieve himself in the woods, a man who is evidently looking for anonymous sex suddenly appears. Later, a male nurse hits on Kumar. For the sake of laughs, both characters play on the perception that gay males are sex-crazed and incapable of self-control.

This is an unfortunate symptom of trying to separate one stereotype from another. Perhaps by being homophobic, Harold and Kumar is attempting to combat the perception of the effeminate Asian male. But it is sad that in order to liberate one underrepresented group, Harold and Kumar must attack another.

I feel that move is largely uncharacteristic of the spirit of the film, considering that throughout the movie there is a real sense of rooting for the underdog. Who knows better than gays and lesbians what it’s like to feel less than human? In several scenes, Harold is taunted by a group of punks as being weak and girly. I’m certain that there are many gay men, regardless of race, who can relate to that kind of frustrating situation.

In the end Harold and Kumar’s depiction of gay males didn’t completely ruin the movie for me. I left the theater happy finally to see two Asian males take the lead roles in a major motion picture and really run with it. Even though the film does fall back on some rather easy stereotypes, it combats many others about Asian males, so much so that the movie remains positive in my mind.

I guess my conflicting responses only go to show that we really can be both gay and Asian.