Stereotypes of East Asians in The Western World - Stereotypes of Physical Attributes and Traits

Stereotypes of Physical Attributes and Traits

Darrell Y. Hamamoto argues that a pervasive racialized discourse exists throughout American society, especially as it is reproduced by network television and cinema. Critics argue that physiological caricatures of East Asians found in American media include the epicanthic fold—positively described as "almond-shaped" or negatively as "slant eyes"—and many that are worse, are common in portrayals of the East Asian population, yellow-toned or brown skin referencing colorism, negatively contrasting 'coloured' Asian-Americans against the white Europeans in North America in the late 19th and early 20th centuries; as is a stereotypical hair-type: straight dark (or shiny "blue") hair, commonly in a "bowl cut" hair style (boys) or overgrown bangs (girls). Critics point out that Asians are often stereotyped as having inherent skill in the martial arts, and that Asians are often stereotyped as having poor English language skills. East Asians are also stereotyped as lacking social skills and or antisocial and as overachievers who are passive, submissive, intelligent, industrious, technologically savvy, self-disciplined, self-sufficient, and law-abiding. A 2010 study, found that Asian Americans are most likely to be perceived nerds. This stereotype may be socially damaging due to exclusion.

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