Orientalism in American films is often

Orientalism in American films is often times overlooked in its offensiveness compared to the stereotyping of other cultures. If asked to name films that you have seen where a race or culture was offensively portrayed, the first ethnic groups that come to mind are likely African-American and Latino. If this is true for you, why do you think Asian stereotyping isn’t as noticeable or striking to you as other stereotyping? If not, what experiences can you attribute to shaping your point of view?

As soon as I read the definition of Orientalism in the lecture, I immediately thought of Breakfast at Tiffany’s. In the film, Mickey Rooney, a white actor, plays Mr. Yunioshi, a Japanese man who is the maintenance man for the building the main character lives in. He is constantly hunched in a subservient nodding bow, has crocked bucked teeth, and an extremely stereotypical Asian accent. Miss Golightly is Mriss Gowriteree. I saw this movie for the first time in middle school and I couldn’t believe the filmmakers thought this was ok. Can you site an example of Orientalism in American film? What was your reaction?

Student sample : I think it is a mixture of all ethnic groups. One can easily argue that the majority of all crimes and violence in movies usually depict African Americans, and the majority of Kidnapping, and drug related crimes are portrayed by Latinos. When It comes to any sort of martial arts movie, Asians are the ones usually depicted. There are stereotypes for all countries around the world. I bet that people around the world view America differently as well. From what I’ve heard, Americans are stereotyped as being loud know it alls who do nothing but drink Budweiser and act stupid. Again , stereotypes are everywhere in the world. A lot of times the news that is broadcasted in the media usually brings out the bad in ethnic groups, and overshadows the good.

As a person with Latin American roots I am more attuned to stereotyping against Latinos. I am very quick to see the Latinos playing the parts of maids, yard workers and of course drug lords. I am also very aware of the blacks stereotypes as lazy, absent fathers and welfare dependent which can be attributed to the racial awareness that the African Americans have accomplished. Although African American are still heavily discriminated in this country they have accomplished the awareness of what is politically and socially correct to say or do. However, I don’t believe the peoples that represent orientalism have been successful in highlighting the discrimination against them. We as a society are still less aware of the discrimination faced by the oriental people. I hope that they emulate the methods of the African Americans to educate us in the discrimination that they suffer.