Asian American Auto/Biographies and Kelly Loves Tony

As it says in the reading Asian American Auto/Biographies: The Gendered Limits of Consumer Citizenship in import Subculture, by Rodriguez and Gonzalez, the car is pretty much a sacred cow of America. Importation and exportation of automobiles has been a massive industry for many years. Cars are a focus of many personal goals and can largely influence one’s socio-economic identity. Although cars are constantly evolving and newer designs are constantly produced, there are some stereotypes that never change. Based on the model, the year, and manufacturing nation, people have a tendency to judge one another by type of car they drive. This is especially significant in men. This in turn can create a struggle that many Asian American men must deal with. Due to socio-economical stereotyping, Asian American men are often pressured to meet these views and feel compelled to obtain this form of identity. Although cars are used to help signify this view, this cultural and social oppression can force individuals often obscure priorities. For me personally, I have never been attracted to muscle cars, which are often associated with masculinity. However, there is still a desire to obtain something that displays worth despite my personal resistance to such stereotypes.

                In the most recent viewing of Kelly Loves Tony, more complications occur. It is apparent that Kelly is not happy with living with Tony. However, Tony seems set on fulfilling the cultural tradition where the wife come to live with the husband’s family. Tony fails to see the position this puts on Kelly and how she wishes to deviate from many of the traditions their families have. What may have once been a tradition of quite submission is being challenged by Kelly’s discomfort.