Why dont asian people get as much exposure as any other race?

Question

im doing a project on asians in america and would like to know why are there so many white black and hispanic models and actresses but there are not a lot of asian ones.

Answer 1

Asian countries have their own fashion & entertainment industries overseas, and they are huge- just look at the population of China.

Bollywood makes more movies than anyplace else on earth. In Japan and China, most faces that appear on billboards and commerically in magazines and TV are asian- not caucasian, not black, not latino.

Now America is a different story. Although there's growing diversity, for many years it was rare to see non-white faces in Hollywood or on TV (think of 40's and 50's) and that slowly began to change with the civil rights movement in the 60's. But it wasn't just acting and modeling, it was much more fundamental than that- non-whites were basically invisible to the mainstream media prior to that era.

Since blacks have achieved huge success in the entertainment industry (particularly music & sports) that created even more opportunities. But it took early pioneers to break down those doors.

In sports, everyone loves a winner. Every company wants Hank Aaron, Muhammad Ali, Michael Jordan, Oscar De La Hoya, The Williams sisters, A-Rod or Tiger Woods to pitch their products.

But it wasn't always that way- before Jackie Robinson, blacks were excluded from playing in Major League Baseball!

Look at the music scene today- Latinos and Blacks have even greater visibility and success there.

But the entertainment industry isn't an arena where most Asian immigrants focused their energies. Even 2nd and 3rd generation Asian americans were often culturally, part of more closed communities. And if movie studios didn't perceive much demand for Asian leads, they wouldn't cast any.

Nowadays most of those old prejudices are gone, and the industries have become more global. Models do fashion shows in L.A., Tokyo and Italy. But in Asian markets that have their own huge media machines, I don't think American agencies are really trying to compete with them. Why fly some girl from the USA to do a commercial for Tsing Tao beer when there's local talent?

Answer 2

Here are some famous and well renowned Asians
1. Connie Chong
2. Jackie Chan
3. Bruce Lee
4. Pat Morae
5. Dahlip Singh
6.Dr. Feng Shan Ho
7.Steven Chu
8.Jerry Yang
9.Michelle Kwan
10. Tia Carrere
11. Ann Curry
12. Keanu Reeves
13.Yoko Ono
14. Catherine Fox
15. Duke Kahanmoko
16.Tommy Kono
17.Brooke Lee
18.George Takei
19.Victor Wong
20. Anna Sui

Answer 3

Traditional asian values seem to emphasize modesty, and "fitting in." To be a model or an actress, you must focus more on assertiveness and "Standing out." In effect, to get "exposure," an asian would have to go against traditional asian values.

Some hollywood types feel it is important to represent the downtrodden minorities, but in doing so, they tend to overlook asians, who for the most part have made successful lives for themselves.

So, as a broad, nearly racist generalization, you would expect less asian people seeking to become models and actresses, and you would expect less people to be seeking out asians to be actresses and models.

Of course, when you ask a question about races, you shouldn't be too surprised if we have to make these broad, nearly racist generalizations to answer it. There are a lot of successful asian models and actresses that have made it, and I'd like to see you back up the claim that they really are not getting as much exposure as people of other races... I'd also like to know why you don't include actors in this question.

Answer 4

I understand what you mean, but 'race' is not accepted as a concept that regards people in many countries. They think you are joking if you ask what 'race' another person belongs to...or if you tell them they should identify with other blacks just because they have some black African descent.... One of my best friends is Dominican and she looks 100% native American, her mum looks 100% Spanish and two of her sisters look mixed black, but when I asked her about 'race' she said they never thought about that 'the way Americans do' and that they were just Dominicans... You know, 'race' is very much an American and British way of seeing things, and if Mexicans or Italians or whoever don't want to ascribe to that, they should be free to do so. In some European countries you're not even allowed to consider 'race' as a serious concept (ie. it can't be used in newspapers or research).

Answer 5

Because Asians haven't assimilated as much as other races. Most black, white and hispanic americans have "lost" some of their traditional cultural identity and have "found" a new similar identity. Asians still hold on to some of their traditions. You can find three average "Joe"s that are white, black and mexican, and they can have a whole lot in common, such as, their religion, their favorite foods, the music they like to listen to, etc.. But they asian "Joe" would be different. By the way, good luck in finding an asian named "Joe".

Answer 6

I agree i ask the same question!!!!!!!!! we were raised with morals and values,we grow to be docters and engineers while others grow up to be pole dancers , burger flippers, rapist and pscho manics .Have you noticed these jobs are uasally occuppied by white people. i think asians are more exotic and mysterious than the white people. I think the thing is that people are still racist even after Martin Luther king ,white people are still looking down on the black community and thats the same wit asians they asy we're equal ,but its still harder for us to get a job as a model.I admire people like Kimora Lee and Lucy Lui they made a name for us,and broke through racist judgements

Answer 7

Racism. The very fact that Asian communities often remain "invisible" in the media indicates that they are being discriminated against. Racism takes many forms. We must be aware of that and work together to overcome it where ever we find it.

Answer 8

in asian culture, the asian parents usually want the child to study hard and receive a high end job (i.e. doctor, lawyer)

they don't want their children to have a job that isn't consistent (for example a model could be "HOT" and the next day be someother girl)

Answer 9

How much exposure do they need? every damn time a cure comes out it's a white/asian doctor who finds it. every damn time a new technology comes out it's a white/asian engineer. spelling bees/math tournaments it's only whites/asians.

didn't know there were many black models. LOL

Answer 10

Perhaps Asians have more self-respect than the rest of us and are not inclined to be exploited.