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- - - - (11/9) 1:28:07, this is another form of exclusion, but not based on geographic properties. Demetrius talks about how everyone has been adopting the white role of mistreating Black Americans and reinforcing the racial structure in the US. In reality he makes a good point by stating they are all minorities in a collective struggle. However, this dialogue points to how all of them are subjected to the same form of exclusion from whites.
        
        Internalized Racism?
    - - This is my attempt to explain the phenomenon of why people may see interracial dating as a problem because it is not "pure". I simply propose that purity itself is not a real concept and can be weaponized by anyone to make them feel superior (1:32:00).
- - - - (9/16) The contemporary view of Asian Americans in film often villainize them and paint them as a threat to White society. This is shown in "The Cheat" and "Toll of the Dragon" via Arakau and Lotus Flower
      - (9/7) "In a quite constant way, Orientalism depends for its strategy on this flexible positional superiority, which puts the Westerner in a whole series of possible relationships with the orient without ever losing him the relative upper hand." - The issue has always been more than just opposing views but rather how the Orient is painted as an inferior collection of ideas. This downplay has solidified the notion that the West is a superior power and that it is an ongoing battle of cultural/racial superiority. Since Said explains that European culture gained its traction by distinguishing itself against the Orient, it has perpetuated the tensions between the two and allowed Orientalism to remain an area of contention rather than seeing them as an equal.
- - - - (9/29) This quote captures the essence of how pivotal the Exclusion Era was. Many of these stigmas and negative perceptions were born out of historical context. Take for example the "model minority" myth which also surfaced as a result of the exclusion era. Only high-skilled labors, diplomats, and students were admitted into the US. From here there has been this ongoing belief that Asian Americans are "intellectually" gifted people, the reality is that this stereotype traces back to the exclusion era.
        
        (10/12) Despite the negative representations of Asian Americans in the film "Better Luck Tomorrow", the film is really about going against the standard. The film treats Asian Americans as people who are not fully accepted into Western culture and roles but rather why the characters need to create a space for themselves. Yes to an extent the film does perpetuate the model minority but the message is about how Asian Americans are free to choose their own identity and not follow the national image that is given to them. This is why they choose to become "gangsters" because they are battling their own morality between academia and exploration of other identities.
        
        (10/12)
        
        (10/12) A majority of the film spends time perpetuating the Model Minority Myth. In the beginning (5:29), Ben was depicted as someone who is academically oriented by studying for SATS and being the smartest in the class. This happens when the film degrades other students to make him look better such as when the guy was cheating off him. At 14:22, the film was also fulfilling the stereotype that Asians are supposed to fill certain societal roles such as becoming a doctor. At 47:43, the student assumes they are in a math club also assuming that Asians are good at math. Additionally, at 6:56, when Virgil says that he saw Stephanie in a porno, this is definitely reinforcing the stereotype that all Asians look the same.
        
        (10/12) Steve is the epitome and embodiment of the model minority because he has everything. He has good grades, wealth, loving parents, and entrance to an ivy league school, but is still not happy or satisfied with himself
        
        (10/12) Later in the film, there are many scenes that are indicative of the guys embracing hypermasculinity. An example is when they get into a fight at the party, they want to be assertive and show who the stronger men are. At 45:23, Ben narrates by saying how he feels the need to grow the groups criminal activity and to become bigger and stronger. It is also apparent that Virgil is showing more signs of hypermasculinity through increased aggression, emotional imbalance, and sexual desire. Virgil also resorts to his gun to compensate for his lack of masculinity. Ben on the other hand, resorts to prostitution for sexual fulfilment. Han is also depicted as someone who has emotional trouble when making decisions such as when he got pressured into joining in on the robbery during planning and when he beat the kid up who snitched on him for the cheat sheets.
        
        (10/12) At 1:15:50 I think Steve says "you're no oriental", implying that this film is not supposed to be about accurate representation of Asian Americans. As a result, this shifts the dynamic of the film because it gives off this message that Asian Americans should not be perceived through the model minority and how everyone is different. It is essentially alluding to how people misperceive Asian Americans and that despite the higher standard that we are held to, not all of us are the same and that we should not be treated as a monolith. Although the direction of the characters are controversial, the message is actually worth a praise since it is going against the stereotype.
- - - - (11/3) Stark difference in how these two films portrayed Asian men. In Gran Torino, the men in the film were depicted as people who need saving whereas Enter The Dragon showed them as physically capable fighters who do not need protecting. However, both films are similar in the sense that Asian men in each film encounter difficulty with controlling emotion.
        
        (10/10)
        
        (10/10) At 31:07, this could be a stretch or a bad take but I see this as an analogy of how senseless it is to pit two insects of the same species against each other. Maybe a call or message to how throughout mankind, humans have fought against each other despite us all being equal and how race is not a real biological concept since there is no evidence that suggest there are genetic variation between races.
        
        (10/10) In the beginning, it is interesting to hear everyone speaking perfect English with no accent. Also introduces the film with multiple people engaging in Kung Fu implying that every Asian knows martial arts. Additionally, Bruce Lee's character while arguably the first ever on film appears to be the icon that Hollywood has strived to create. To elaborate on this, there has been numerous attempts to replicate this archetype such as manifestations through Jackie Chan, Donnie Yen, and Jet Li. All whom on screen perpetuate the stereotype that because they are Asian, they know Kung Fu and must adopt those roles.
        
        (10/10) Evidently, there is a sense of Orientalist portrayal and a bit of Yellow Peril? Based on how they introduced the characters, I can see it as a West versus East scenario. Bruce Lee is introduced through Kung Fu and fighting in traditional clothing while the White man (Roper) is playing golf. There are contrasting differences in the East and West intro. Furthermore, at 32:00 there is an invitation to a fight from Roper. He appears to almost look down on Bruce Lee and treats him as lesser and wants him to prove his worth. There is a blend of hypermasculinity and Yellow Peril here. The way he says "prove it and show me" kind of insinuates that he wants to show how Western fighting is better and Chinese arts are inferior. Moreover, at 38:41 the White man or I think Roper is essentially mocking Chinese culture based on his dialogue. Talks about the colors and styles of the room in an passive-aggressive manner then asks Bruce Lee is the water is drinkable. Then the Black man mocks the food right afterwards. I see this as a representation for the West treating the East as subpar by insulting the culture.
        
        (10/10) At 40:32 they incorporated Sumo Wrestling which is Japanese, falling to the Oriental portrayal. Additionally the way that Bruce Lee's sister dies in the form of seppuko which is also Japanese plays into this oriental depiction. It appears as if they just threw in many elements from different cultures to create the "Asian" theme.
        
        (10/10) 1:01:18 Interesting to see them match up the Asian versus the White man. Coincidental? Also at 1:05:20, Williams says Han is from a comic book. Could this be a Fu Manchu reference? Also the fact that he possesses an iron hand could be considered unnatural. Very similar to "Daughter of the Dragon" on how the Asian man is perceived as a higher power and a threat. As a continuation, at 1:32:58, it also appears as if Han has supernatural abilities being able to swap many weapons at his disposal such as the hand, knives, and claws.
        
        (10/10) A myriad of scenes that sexualizes women and objectifies them. Also portrays them as exotic and pleasurable similar to "My Geisha". This is shown when the Asian women are throwing darts at the fruit with precision (could be dragon lady trope). At 42:49 - 44:32, the women are offered to each man like an assembly line full of toys. Each man was supposed to choose women to their likings. Also cliche how the White man chooses the White woman and her response is "wise decision". Makes me feel as if this was a call to White purity and how choosing another race in this moment would have been insulting to Western values or that he sees her as his equal because she is White. Nonetheless, the women in this scene are treated like playthings.
        
        (10/10) At around 25:50, I actually admire the acknowledgment of diversity in martial arts. It does not belong to a single race or group of people. This is a wholesome tribute in the sense that there are other races participating in martial arts presumably Kung Fu. In a subsequent scene, there is a clear message of racism and police brutality showing how the officers tried to elicit a response from the Black man when he did nothing wrong.
        
        (10/10) Based on many of the shots, clothing, imagery, and music, I really liked how they highlighted this and captured the essence of East Asian culture. For the first time it seems as if Chinese culture is actually the center of attention and not treated as a mere background. Very different from the films previously shown.
      - Diaspora
        
        (11/9) Mississippi Masala is focused on Hindu diaspora in the South and illustrates how romantic desire is pressured by racism and xenophobia but also the elements of exclusion and social strictures. Very similar plot points in comparison to Gran Torino which focuses on Hmong displacement in the US. Both films highlight the troubles of embracing a new identity and conforming to a new landscape as a result of relocating. In each film, the main characters all face different forms of societal pressure such as racism and xenophobia.
    - - (10/28) Emasculation of Thao is persistent throughout the film as well. He is shown as a weak and incompetent person when confronted with Spider and his gang, his inability to talk to Youa, and lack of identity. Walt also adds validity to this claim by insulting him on several occasions and talking about how he is not a man. It was not until Walt began teaching Thao how to become a man by insulting him and teaching him. Again, white savior complex and white masculinity when comparing these two characters.
- - - - Hypersexuality
    - - (10/6) At 58:03, the White woman takes a dig at Suzie Wong because when Suzie says that "she should stay I don't mind", the White woman responds with "I am sure you don't". It relates back to my point on how the West does not respect the East and that the Chinese women in this film are treated as lesser and are seen as inferior. It also sets this idea that Suzie should be grateful for the White woman's presence because why would she respond with such a blunt and blatantly insulting comment? In Layman terms, the White woman sees herself as a privilege to be around adding contribution to the Orientalist debate.