Producing an Oppositional Gaze: Telling Counter Stories Week 6 Amit and Krysta

Producing an Producing an Oppositional Gaze: Oppositional Gaze:

Telling Counter StoriesTelling Counter Stories

Week 6Week 6

Amit and KrystaAmit and Krysta

Better Luck TomorrowBetter Luck Tomorrow► So what do you think of the movie?So what do you think of the movie?

► How do you believe Asians were represented in this movie?How do you believe Asians were represented in this movie?

► One of the articles from the Better Luck Tommorow collection One of the articles from the Better Luck Tommorow collection discusses an incident at the Sundance film festival where a critic discusses an incident at the Sundance film festival where a critic stood up and stated “stood up and stated “How could you make a movie that was so How could you make a movie that was so denigrating to your race?”. Roger Ebert stood up and defended the denigrating to your race?”. Roger Ebert stood up and defended the film maker by stating “'You wouldn't say that to a white filmmaker”. film maker by stating “'You wouldn't say that to a white filmmaker”.

► Once Ebert loudly came to the flick's defense, people started paying Once Ebert loudly came to the flick's defense, people started paying attention, as he went on to say that Asian-Americans should be free attention, as he went on to say that Asian-Americans should be free to take on any types of roles they choose without fear of to take on any types of roles they choose without fear of misrepresenting the entire community.misrepresenting the entire community.

► This remarks reflect how an action from one member of a ethnic This remarks reflect how an action from one member of a ethnic group represents the entire community, But white individuals are not group represents the entire community, But white individuals are not held to the same scrutiny.. It is a double standard because this has held to the same scrutiny.. It is a double standard because this has never been said about films such as Natural Born Killers or The never been said about films such as Natural Born Killers or The Departed. Departed. Do you believe there is a double standard in our media?Do you believe there is a double standard in our media? How do you believe this comment hinders counter stories when it How do you believe this comment hinders counter stories when it comes to race?comes to race?

Better Luck TomorrowBetter Luck Tomorrow

► Justlin Lin also directed fast and the furious: Tokyo Drift,Justlin Lin also directed fast and the furious: Tokyo Drift,http://http://ca.youtube.com/results?search_queryca.youtube.com/results?search_query==fast+and+furious+tokyo+drift&search_typefast+and+furious+tokyo+drift&search_type

► So what do you think of the representation of Asians in this So what do you think of the representation of Asians in this movie?movie?

► My initial reaction, when I found out that Justin Lin directed My initial reaction, when I found out that Justin Lin directed Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift was that he sold out. But Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift was that he sold out. But when I looked into comments by Justin Lin, I realized what his when I looked into comments by Justin Lin, I realized what his perspective is on representing different ethnicities.perspective is on representing different ethnicities.

Better Luck Tomorrow CollectionBetter Luck Tomorrow Collection► Justin Lin believes “that any time you see three-dimensional Justin Lin believes “that any time you see three-dimensional

portrayals and explore the complexities of human beings, portrayals and explore the complexities of human beings, that's always positive and that's always empowering” that's always positive and that's always empowering”

► Justin Lin states that “We have to redefine a couple terms. Justin Lin states that “We have to redefine a couple terms. First, what "positive" means: it doesn't mean you see only First, what "positive" means: it doesn't mean you see only perfect people on screen, and that leads back into the model perfect people on screen, and that leads back into the model minority myth anyway. Being positive is to have characters minority myth anyway. Being positive is to have characters with flaws, however big or small, fully developed. Cinema is with flaws, however big or small, fully developed. Cinema is behind the times, because when you see a person of color on behind the times, because when you see a person of color on screen, they're there just for that reason. If they're Native screen, they're there just for that reason. If they're Native American, the movie needs some "spiritual" thing; if they're American, the movie needs some "spiritual" thing; if they're Asian American, it needs a tourist. That needs to change. For Asian American, it needs a tourist. That needs to change. For me, it's only negative if the characters are one-dimensional”.me, it's only negative if the characters are one-dimensional”.

► I know we have discussed how certain Asian characters are I know we have discussed how certain Asian characters are represented as overachievers on television shows such as represented as overachievers on television shows such as Grey’s Anatomy. Is this representation of Asians okay as along Grey’s Anatomy. Is this representation of Asians okay as along as they are 3 dimensional characters?as they are 3 dimensional characters?

Terse ConclusionTerse Conclusion

► This collection of reviews and interviews This collection of reviews and interviews gives a sense of the mixed feelings gives a sense of the mixed feelings surrounding the film. It is particularly surrounding the film. It is particularly interesting because it was written, directed, interesting because it was written, directed, and edited by an Asian American (Justin Lin) and edited by an Asian American (Justin Lin) who provides a representation of Asian who provides a representation of Asian Americans. In other weeks we looked at one Americans. In other weeks we looked at one race providing a representation of another race providing a representation of another race (for example, Coppola’s portrayal of race (for example, Coppola’s portrayal of the Japanese); this week, what is interesting the Japanese); this week, what is interesting is how a representation of a racial group by is how a representation of a racial group by a member of that group is analyzed with just a member of that group is analyzed with just as many mixed criticisms and reactions. as many mixed criticisms and reactions.

TakakiTakaki

► Takaki discusses how Asians are labeled as the model minority by media and how this Takaki discusses how Asians are labeled as the model minority by media and how this statement is a myth because it exaggerates the success of Asian Americans. statement is a myth because it exaggerates the success of Asian Americans.

► The myth of the model minorityThe myth of the model minority Takaki discusses how media labeled Asian Americans as the model minority.Takaki discusses how media labeled Asian Americans as the model minority. NBC Nightly News and CBS 60 minutes presented news segments about their success.NBC Nightly News and CBS 60 minutes presented news segments about their success. Mike Wallace asked “Why are Asian Americans doing so exceptionally well in School?” Mike Wallace asked “Why are Asian Americans doing so exceptionally well in School?”

and added that “they must be doing something right. Lets bottle it.and added that “they must be doing something right. Lets bottle it. Print media labeled them as “America’s super Minority”Print media labeled them as “America’s super Minority” Ronald Reagan even provided statistics by stating “that the median incomes of Asian Ronald Reagan even provided statistics by stating “that the median incomes of Asian

and Pacific American families are much higher that total American average”and Pacific American families are much higher that total American average”

Takaki cont…Takaki cont…

► Reagans statements fails to acknowledge several factors such as the factReagans statements fails to acknowledge several factors such as the fact They live in concentrated areas that have higher income but also higher They live in concentrated areas that have higher income but also higher

cost of livingcost of living How Asian American “families” have more persons working per family How Asian American “families” have more persons working per family

than White families than White families

White nuclear families White nuclear families 1.6 persons1.6 persons

Japanese Japanese 2.1 persons2.1 persons

Chinese Chinese 2.0 persons2.0 persons

Philipino Philipino 2.2 persons2.2 persons

KoreanKorean 1.8 persons1.8 persons

Takaki Con’tTakaki Con’t► This article shows how the numbers are skewed and how this label This article shows how the numbers are skewed and how this label

has caused anti-asian sentiment. Takaki discusses how anti-asian has caused anti-asian sentiment. Takaki discusses how anti-asian feelings have resulted in violent behavior. He uses the story of feelings have resulted in violent behavior. He uses the story of Vincent Chin as an example. Two Caucasian autoworkers cursed at Vincent Chin as an example. Two Caucasian autoworkers cursed at Chin and shouted to him that “it is because of you mother fuckers Chin and shouted to him that “it is because of you mother fuckers that we are out of work”. It ended up in a fist fight where Vincent was that we are out of work”. It ended up in a fist fight where Vincent was killed. His death created an outcry from the Asian community and killed. His death created an outcry from the Asian community and they began to speak out.they began to speak out.

► Does media play a part in hate crimes like the murder of Vincent Does media play a part in hate crimes like the murder of Vincent Chin? Was the mind frame of the auto workers who committed the Chin? Was the mind frame of the auto workers who committed the crime shaped by the model minority stereotype?crime shaped by the model minority stereotype?

AnalysisAnalysis

► I really liked this article because I believe Takaki does a good job describing I really liked this article because I believe Takaki does a good job describing the myth of the model minority and its affect on Asians. I wish he did a better the myth of the model minority and its affect on Asians. I wish he did a better job on defining Asian because it seemed like he lumped several ethnicities job on defining Asian because it seemed like he lumped several ethnicities together. I don’t believe you can fit all these individuals under this together. I don’t believe you can fit all these individuals under this representation.representation.

► Takaki discusses how Asian Americans blame the education system for not Takaki discusses how Asian Americans blame the education system for not including their history in the curriculum and for not teaching about U.S. including their history in the curriculum and for not teaching about U.S. society in all of its racial and cultural diversity. In this class we our constantly society in all of its racial and cultural diversity. In this class we our constantly talking about what media needs to do to represent ethnic groups more talking about what media needs to do to represent ethnic groups more accurately, but do you think if we started educating our younger generation accurately, but do you think if we started educating our younger generation about race that this in itself would lead to more accurate representation of about race that this in itself would lead to more accurate representation of ethnic groups? ethnic groups?

► Takaki states “Many feel forced to conform to the model minority mold and Takaki states “Many feel forced to conform to the model minority mold and want more freedom to be their individual selves, to be extravagant” I thought want more freedom to be their individual selves, to be extravagant” I thought this quote relates to Better Luck Tomorrow because it shows that these kids this quote relates to Better Luck Tomorrow because it shows that these kids were bored by their environment and no longer satisfied with simply staying were bored by their environment and no longer satisfied with simply staying ahead of the grading curve, the teenagers throw themselves into increasingly ahead of the grading curve, the teenagers throw themselves into increasingly risky extracurricular activities. risky extracurricular activities.

► Do you believe ethnic individuals feel forced to conform to the model minority Do you believe ethnic individuals feel forced to conform to the model minority stereotypes or other stereotypes that are similar?stereotypes or other stereotypes that are similar?

Terse ConclusionsTerse Conclusions

► This idea of Model Minorities was in every form of This idea of Model Minorities was in every form of media and truly emphasized the success of Asian media and truly emphasized the success of Asian Americans; however there were many negative Americans; however there were many negative impacts that the Model Minority figure had on lives impacts that the Model Minority figure had on lives of Asians in America. The article goes on to discuss of Asians in America. The article goes on to discuss how the Asian Americans lost out on social service how the Asian Americans lost out on social service programs because they were believed to not need programs because they were believed to not need them; they were resented by other minorities and them; they were resented by other minorities and racism in all parts of the country increased. After racism in all parts of the country increased. After reading this article and the tragic death of Vincent reading this article and the tragic death of Vincent Chin I could not believe it, he was killed in 1982 not Chin I could not believe it, he was killed in 1982 not even 30 years ago. It just goes to show how far even 30 years ago. It just goes to show how far behind we really are in movements towards a race-behind we really are in movements towards a race-less society (although this concept itself seems less society (although this concept itself seems impossible). impossible).

What is this ‘black’ in black What is this ‘black’ in black popular culture?popular culture?

Stuart HallStuart Hall

New Cultural Politics of New Cultural Politics of DifferenceDifference

►Emergence of Popular CultureEmergence of Popular Culture Displacement of European models of Displacement of European models of

high culturehigh culture Emergence of the USA as a major powerEmergence of the USA as a major power Decolonization of the Third WorldDecolonization of the Third World

►Shift from High Culture (Europe)Shift from High Culture (Europe) American Mainstream Popular American Mainstream Popular Culture (mass culture)Culture (mass culture)

Popular CulturePopular Culture

► 'In one sense popular culture always 'In one sense popular culture always has its base in the experiences, the has its base in the experiences, the pleasures, the memories, the pleasures, the memories, the traditions of the people' (p.469)traditions of the people' (p.469)

►Everyday experiences of the localEveryday experiences of the local►Shift in the roles of popular culture Shift in the roles of popular culture

within historywithin history

Black Popular CultureBlack Popular Culture

► Hall criticizes the representations of African Hall criticizes the representations of African Americans within black popular culture. He Americans within black popular culture. He believes that more needs to be done in believes that more needs to be done in representing diverse black experience. representing diverse black experience.

► Representing diversity among blacks is Representing diversity among blacks is difficult because “We are always in difficult because “We are always in negotiation, not with a single set of negotiation, not with a single set of oppositions that place us always in the same oppositions that place us always in the same relation to others, but with a series of relation to others, but with a series of different positionalities.different positionalities.

Black Popular Culture cont…Black Popular Culture cont…

► Issac Julien is quoted in Hall’s article:Issac Julien is quoted in Hall’s article:

► ““blackness as a sign is never enough. What does blackness as a sign is never enough. What does that black subject do, how does it act, how does it that black subject do, how does it act, how does it think politically….being black isn’t really good think politically….being black isn’t really good enough for me: I want o know what your cultural enough for me: I want o know what your cultural politics are”politics are”

► We believe that this quote reiterates what Justin We believe that this quote reiterates what Justin Lin stated about Asian representation. The Lin stated about Asian representation. The character needs to be developed and defined and character needs to be developed and defined and these questions raised by Issac Julien does this.these questions raised by Issac Julien does this.

QuestionQuestion

►Since the publication of Hall’s article Since the publication of Hall’s article (1992), Do you believe black popular (1992), Do you believe black popular culture has represented diverse black culture has represented diverse black experiences? experiences?

Terse ConclusionTerse Conclusion

► In Hall’s article, he focuses on the ways in In Hall’s article, he focuses on the ways in which African Americans are routinely which African Americans are routinely represented and stereotyped in the mass represented and stereotyped in the mass media, which is especially evident in media, which is especially evident in most realms of African American popular most realms of African American popular culture. He speaks mainly about cultural culture. He speaks mainly about cultural hegemony as a key element of the hegemony as a key element of the struggle to understand the portrayals of struggle to understand the portrayals of African Americans as a group. African Americans as a group.

The Oppositional Gaze: Black female The Oppositional Gaze: Black female SpectatorsSpectators

► Summary:Summary:

Hooks article on the oppositional gaze critiques the film Hooks article on the oppositional gaze critiques the film industries portrayal of black woman within mainstream industries portrayal of black woman within mainstream cinema. There has been minimal representation of black cinema. There has been minimal representation of black people within the film industry especially in earlier years. people within the film industry especially in earlier years. What was represented were stereotypical portrayals of What was represented were stereotypical portrayals of African Americans. African Americans.

Hooks gives examples of alternative ways of Hooks gives examples of alternative ways of representation from a mainly black female perspective representation from a mainly black female perspective where their ‘gaze’ was seen as resistance to the where their ‘gaze’ was seen as resistance to the mainstream. She also critiques film theory especially mainstream. She also critiques film theory especially feminist film critique on their absence of black women in feminist film critique on their absence of black women in their studies.their studies.


►What is an oppositional gaze?What is an oppositional gaze?

Created by the critical analysis by African Created by the critical analysis by African Americans of dominant media Americans of dominant media

Site of Resistance to dominant ideology and Site of Resistance to dominant ideology and representationsrepresentations

Creation of alternative representationsCreation of alternative representations


► Creation of independent Black cinemaCreation of independent Black cinema► Influential African American writers, Influential African American writers,

producers, directors etc.producers, directors etc. Julie DashJulie Dash

►Illusions, Daughters of the Dust, Rosa Parks Illusions, Daughters of the Dust, Rosa Parks StoryStory

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ssrx26W4LlYhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ssrx26W4LlY

Spike LeeSpike Lee►She’s Gotta Have itShe’s Gotta Have it

Daughters of The DustDaughters of The Dust

► Do you think counter stories such as Do you think counter stories such as Daughters of the Dust are successful at Daughters of the Dust are successful at representing African American women even representing African American women even though they are negatively critiqued?though they are negatively critiqued?


Feminist Film Theory CritiqueFeminist Film Theory Critique

• In no way acknowledges black female spectatorship

• Actively suppresses recognition of race

• Focus on women as only white


► ConclusionConclusionHooks article on the oppositional gaze shows us that the representations of African American’s in cinema do not have to follow a set definition when it comes to representations. It is only through resistance, struggle, reading and looking against the grain that black women have been able to show that they can be complex characters that do not have to follow dominant ideologies in their portrayals within film. This article gives us an insight into oppositional film making where creating an oppositional gaze is necessary to challenge our own portrayals of ethnic groups in cinema.

Terse ConclusionsTerse Conclusions

► ““This article explores the denigration of black This article explores the denigration of black individuals, particularly black women, and their individuals, particularly black women, and their relationship to the "gaze" and the act of relationship to the "gaze" and the act of staring. What I found extremely interesting and staring. What I found extremely interesting and powerful within this article was Hooks' notion powerful within this article was Hooks' notion that "To stare at the television, or mainstream that "To stare at the television, or mainstream movies, to engage its images, was to engage movies, to engage its images, was to engage its negation of black representation" (p. 117), its negation of black representation" (p. 117), and I found it interesting that black people and I found it interesting that black people started to watch television to exercise their started to watch television to exercise their critical spectatorship”. critical spectatorship”.


► Questions:Questions:

1.1. Can you think of any other films that Can you think of any other films that have the perspective of African have the perspective of African American Females?American Females?

2.2. Do you find your self looking at films Do you find your self looking at films critically with an oppositional gaze?critically with an oppositional gaze?

Documents

Producing an Oppositional Gaze: Telling Counter Stories Week 6 Amit and Krysta