Explorations in Ethnic Studies
Orginal Publication Date
1994
Journal Title
Explorations in Ethnic Studies
Volume
17
Issue
ees/vol17/iss1
First Page
[89]
Last Page
101
Abstract
Hollywood films play a significant role in constructing and reinforcing inter-ethnic tensions through negative representations of Asian Americans and African Americans. While white males are most often depicted as smart and romantically desirable, thereby reinforcing an ideology of white male dominance, Asian Americans and Blacks are typically diminished to demeaning and secondary status. Thi[this] article explores these racist steretotypes [stereotypes] in director Michael Cimino's 19985[1985] film Year of the Dragon (as well as a number of other Hollywood films), arguing that such race and gender-specific imagery is functional; for while it promotes race/gender stereotypes, it also serves to rationalize white dominance as necessary to sustain the status-quo.
Rights
Copyright, ©EES, The National Association for Ethnic Studies, 1994