Comments | cherusha: Should I be surprised anymore?

cherusha

Should I be surprised anymore?

Jan 14, 2012 07:08

Now I love British shows, but what is it with the continual racist portrayals of East Asians on their programs? This time it was the one-off sitcom "Hacks" featuring that oh so favorite of stereotypes: the crazy dragon lady. She so crazy! She only live to serve her husband! She make monkey-brain drinks! She break into karate chop during ( Read more... )

Comments 3

alldoubtaboutit January 14 2012, 16:13:33 UTC

Have you read this? http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/jan/11/british-chinese-racism

Speaking from what I know most of the East Asians I know living in Britain have encountered racism in the form of "konnichiwa" and kung-fu noises, and especially the girls who get hit on all the time in a really offensive, racist way. :/

I'd say there is a not-insignificant number of East Asians present and I too am really baffled as to why there is so little understanding of East Asians in the UK. I just really don't know! It's so maddening.

edit: as an addendum, after I read that article in the Guardian, I watched the most recent ep of Sherlock and was pleasantly surprised to see an East Asian Briton portrayed in a totally normal role with zero racial overtones, although I still can't quite forgive them for the really annoying orientalism in the second episode of the previous season.

cherusha January 14 2012, 16:45:39 UTC

Thank you for the article! It was a very interesting read. I'm sad to hear that British Chinese are particularly prone to racial violence. It's very true that we're less vocal about racial prejudice towards us. Will have to second-think visiting the country as well.

I was pleasantly surprised by the Sherlock ep as well. I do hear that the same writer who wrote the racist ep in the last season is writing the finale for this season? Why are they still using him? Ugh.

alldoubtaboutit January 14 2012, 17:07:54 UTC

Hm, when I went there on holiday (and was on my own for half the trip) I was lucky enough to not have encountered any racism, though everyone I know who's staying there on a more long term basis has. :/ And agree that there's not enough people voicing out against this. I do think a lot of it is mere ignorance which can be cured with enough information--I'm always surprised by how many parts of Europe simply have not had the exposure to different cultures because I always think people should know better by now. Terrible TV isn't helping of course. When I was there, one of the things that struck me the most was how so many of the locals had absolutely no idea just how huge the international fan base of their football club was--and then I felt a little indignant, because I'm fairly sure the international fans is where the real money is for the football clubs ( ... )