“Alien encounters: Popular Culture in Asian America” by Robyn Rodriguez and
Vernadette Gonzalez
This article examines the exhibition of Asian American men's’ masculinity
through the subculture of street racing. The identity of masculinity is forged
through the altering of cars to be faster and have cool features like loud stereo
systems. In our present society, I have seen how what brand and model car a
person has affects on how others perceive that person’s status financially. The
more expensive the car is, the higher the status the owner of the car has
according to others from their observations. The subculture of rice rockets was
something I saw my cousins participate in when I was younger. At the time, my
cousin Sherman owned a sleek red car and always played music extremely
loudly while driving. The article also explains how the American auto
industry blamed for Asian auto industry for their lack of profit and called anyone
who bought a car from the Asian auto industry a traitor. This situation portrays
the stereotype of the yellow peril where Asians are overtaking the industry and
this is not good for America. Though the subculture of rice rocket promotes the
masculinity of Asian American men whereas the Western society typically
perceives them as weak, the subculture of rice rocket aids in the perception of
sexualizing Asian American women. In this subculture, the “trophy” girl is one
way Asian American women are sexualized. This subculture reinforces the
stereotype of Asian American women being exotic. When women participate
in the racing of the rice rocket subculture, it isn’t seen as the women being
independent by as women trying to be like men.
loudly while driving. The article also explains how the American auto
industry blamed for Asian auto industry for their lack of profit and called anyone
who bought a car from the Asian auto industry a traitor. This situation portrays
the stereotype of the yellow peril where Asians are overtaking the industry and
this is not good for America. Though the subculture of rice rocket promotes the
masculinity of Asian American men whereas the Western society typically
perceives them as weak, the subculture of rice rocket aids in the perception of
sexualizing Asian American women. In this subculture, the “trophy” girl is one
way Asian American women are sexualized. This subculture reinforces the
stereotype of Asian American women being exotic. When women participate
in the racing of the rice rocket subculture, it isn’t seen as the women being
independent by as women trying to be like men.
Kelly Loves Tony Film
The second half of this film portrays more female agency from Kelly. Tony
believe in the stay at home mother construct whereas Kelly disagrees,
understands her responsibilities, and still wants to receive a college education to
pursue a career. The film shows that Kelly and Tony argue more and are
growing distant from each other. Tony believes all he needs to do is make
money to provide for his family but his family members and friends help him
realize he needs to help Kelly with the baby more. Kelly is showing the
American ideal of independence and does not want to assimilate to the female
norms and standards of her culture. This situation shows the difficulty and stress
between ethnic identity and individual identity. Kelly seems to show the concept
of code-switching where she is displaying the female norms of her culture when
she is with her and Tony’s family while when she is by herself, she switches into
her independent mindset.
growing distant from each other. Tony believes all he needs to do is make
money to provide for his family but his family members and friends help him
realize he needs to help Kelly with the baby more. Kelly is showing the
American ideal of independence and does not want to assimilate to the female
norms and standards of her culture. This situation shows the difficulty and stress
between ethnic identity and individual identity. Kelly seems to show the concept
of code-switching where she is displaying the female norms of her culture when
she is with her and Tony’s family while when she is by herself, she switches into
her independent mindset.
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