The Toxic “Positive Representation” Idea: Asian American Women in Media
Look back and remember the time when you first saw someone who looked just like you on TV. How did that moment feel? Were you shocked? Were you proud? For minority groups specifically the Asian American community, there has been an increase of representation in the media since the release of the 1993 film, The Joy Luck Club. This news is great when looking at how diverse Hollywood is becoming! However, this kind of representation can also inflict a toxic mindset that Hollywood has begun to develop: Positive Representation.
Now you might be thinking what positive representation is and why it is toxic in media? Though this kind of representation brings in a boost of self-esteem and allows minorities to feel seen, it can also cause a repressive mindset that the community can develop, which ignores the bad side of this positivity. When talking about positive representation in the Asian American community, we must apply this idea to the women as they are the ones who are statistically dismissed and ignored. Historically speaking, women have always been left at the back burner of things whether it comes to mental health, sexual harassment, or sexuality. For women in minority communities, this also includes representation especially in the media.
Constance Wu, an American Chinese actress who rose to fame from her roles in Fresh Off the Boat and Crazy Rich Asians has become the product of this harmful “positive representation” that the Asian American community has been desperately striving for since the 1990s. Recently in May 2019, Wu had been the “black sheep” of the Asian American community after a series of her tweets expressed her unhappiness with Fresh Off the Boat’s renewal for a final season. Wu’s disappointment and anger had caused a wave of criticism from the Asian American community that forced her to take a break from social media and caused Wu’s suicide attempt. Though Wu was not upset at her former cast mates, she was frustrated at the fact that she was unable to pursuit other projects because of the TV show’s renewal.
Wu’s hiatus from Hollywood prompted her to release her insightful memoir, Making a Scene, that addressed the 2019 debacle, her sexual harassment on Fresh Off the Boat, the toxic “positive representation”, and much more.
On July 14th, 2022, Wu posted to Twitter a response to the 2019 incident stating that the Asian American community had claimed that Wu had, “become a blight on the [group]”, and “a disgrace”. It shows how toxic the community can be when one profound member speaks up about the negative side of things. Throughout this incident, many Asian American actors and actresses have spoken up against Constance Wu and have claimed that Wu had become a dishonor to the communities’ representation and image. However, Wu’s incident transformed her image and role as an Asian American woman in the media that brought the much-needed conversation about “positive representation”.
“’While we’re quick to celebrate representation wins, there’s a lot of avoidance around the more uncomfortable issues within our community’”. These “uncomfortable issues” for instance are mental health and sexual harassment. During Constance Wu’s first few years on Fresh Off the Boat, Wu had been sexually harassed by an Asian American producer and confided in a male Asian American figure in the industry. Right after, her concerns were dismissed, and she was back into the loop of positive representation.
Working for a greater good within the community can cause individual concerns to go unheard or to be criticized against. In Constance Wu’s memoir, Making a Scene, and her talk with Trevor Noah, Wu brings up how this toxic positive representation is quite like the model minority myth, “Asian American community has remained silent because they are so hyper-focused on this idea of positive representation and it is such an illusion”.
Think back now, have you seen any negative news about the Asian American community before Constance Wu’s incident? From the release of Fresh Off the Boat and Crazy Rich Asians, Asian American representation has thrived successfully in the Hollywood spotlight with critically acclaimed performances and authentic storytelling, however, no one ever brings attention the “uncomfortable” subjects. If we want to have an accurate representation of Asian Americans, the first thing as Constance Wu states is, “stand for women too because that’s 50% of that population” and then focused on depicting a “whole, human, flawed” representation”. Hyper focusing on only the positive side of things can indirectly cause younger audiences to condition themselves to become a perfect image as an Asian American. None of this is genuine.
Asian Americans are allowed to speak up about uncomfortable issues. Asian Americans are allowed to speak their truth. Asian Americans are allowed to just simply be human. And that is what Constance Wu has been countlessly arguing for — a genuine representation of Asian Americans specifically women.
But who counts as a genuine figure for Asian American women? Can Constance Wu be an example? Or can someone different like Awkwafina?
The name “Awkwafina” has made numerous headlines after the success of her roles in Ocean’s 8 and Crazy Rich Asians but how does her influential figure within the Asian American community associate with this “toxic” positive representation?
Nora Lum or Awkwafina has made quite a name for herself due to her comedic acts and hilarious personality, however, this is not the genuine version of Lum. After her performances on Crazy Rich Asians and Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens, Lum has been subjected to a much-needed criticism on her character. One of the biggest reasons as to why Awkwafina stands out the most is because of her style that is largely from Black culture and vernacular. Many people have used Black culture and language as a comedic style in which we can see in entrepreneur and chef Eddie Huang and Indonesian rapper Rich Brian. This is a huge case of culture appropriation that impacts both the Asian American and Black community.
Though Awkwafina’s controversy is largely unspoken of within the Asian American community as her success cater towards the mainstream audience is congratulated for “positively” representing Asian Americans especially after her performance on The Farewell. Many Black creators and a small percentage of Asian American activists have called out Awkwafina’s blaccent, however, Lum continues to strive and book roles instead of facing the consequences of her actions.
When comparing Awkwafina and Constance Wu’s importance to the Asian American community, they are both the product of this positive representation, with one facing the consequences while the other does not. As screenwriter William Yu states, “It puzzles me that Awkwafina still has not acknowledged how she has used Black culture to her benefit”, and she still has not to this day. Awkwafina has acknowledge the backlash she has faced but uses her hometown and music taste as a “reasonable” justification for her comedic style; not that she has purposely taken from Black culture to her gain.
Awkwafina’s career continues to grow especially starring in Marvel’s, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, while Constance Wu’s has resume after a hiatus. It is interesting to see how the toxicity of this “model minority” representation has affected two profound actresses in the Asian American community with one being demolished while the other continues to thrive.
The positive representation can be a selfish concept used by minority communities to appeal successful and honorable in the eyes of white audiences. Communities get lost in the genuine connection of their roles and stories, and do not address the much-needed conversations that are deem as untouchable. We need to have these talks, to make mistakes, and be vulnerable. To even hold each prominent figure in our industry accountable for their mistakes and learn on how to be a better role model for the future generation. Constance Wu has led us to this path of authenticity and humanity while Awkwafina has demonstrated an urgent issue that many Asian Americans find themselves in — using Black culture.
Representation should not be a selfish matter where minorities groups are superior to one another but rather a step towards how we as marginalized communities interact.
