Type of Work
Research Paper
Publication Date
1-19-2021
Description
The primary focus of this report was to investigate trends of Asian and Asian American representation in media and pop culture, with a heavy emphasis through a Western lens. We explore the subjective and relatively objective definitions of the terms “Asian” and “Asian American” as it pertains to identity in the United States in the 21st Century. Beginning with historical context, we examined the documented records of anti-Asian legislation, influences of Asian media in mainstream pop culture, and contemporary accounts of Asians in the United States. We analyzed films that emphasized the Asian and Asian American experience through common themes such as, family, transition, American Dream, feeling out of place, model minority myth, and stigma. Additionally, we used this paper to reflect and vocalize our own experiences as individuals who identify as Asian or Asian American. We not only pondered on how the above-mentioned themes play into our lives but also considered our personal experiences as students attending Hamilton College, a predominantly white institution in upstate New York.
Hamilton Areas of Study
Asian Studies
Hamilton Sponsoring Organization
Levitt Public Affairs Center
Hamilton Scholarship Series
Levitt Winter Research Group Grant
Hamilton Faculty Advisor
Kyoko Omori
Included in
East Asian Languages and Societies Commons, Film and Media Studies Commons, Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons