Speaking at EPA Today on APA Stereotypes and Media

flyer from the EPA...although the pictures didn't come out here...

EPA 2012 Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Event

Asian Pacific Americans, Stereotypes, and the Media -from Dragon Lady to Jeremy Lin

By

Frances Kai-Hwa Wang

Local writer and activist Frances Kai-Hwa Wang will discuss current issues about Asian
Pacific Americans in the media, share fun Asian Pacific American responses, and show ways to
deconstruct media and other stereotypes.

Stereotypes of Asian Pacific Americans in the media, from Mickey Rooney in Breakfast at
Tiffany’s to Ashton Kutcher’s recent Popchips commercial, affect how Asian Pacific Americans
are seen in the real world. Over the years, Asian Pacific Americans have been portrayed by
Caucasian actors in yellow and brown face, have been relegated to stereotyped roles, and have
been recast as Caucasian characters. Recent controversies include Avatar Last Airbender, Akira,
Prince of Persia, Flowers of War, and Hunger Games. Equal and fair media representation is
important for both fair treatment in real life and for employment equity. Asian Pacific American
new media and youtube are creating new opportunities for Asian Pacific Americans. The power
of Jeremy Lin’s story is that he was overlooked because of stereotypes, but then completely
shattered them (?) on live television.

Mrs. Wang is a second-generation Chinese American from California who now divides her
time between Michigan and the Big Island of Hawaii. She is a contributor for New America
Media Ethnoblog, Chicagoistheworld.org, PacificCitizen.org, and InCultureParent.com. She
team-teaches a course at the University of Michigan and University of Michigan Dearborn
on Asian Pacific American History and the Law. She is a popular speaker on Asian Pacific
American and multicultural issues. Check out her Web site at franceskaihwawang.com, her blog
at franceskaihwawang.blogspot.com, and she can be reached at fkwang888 AT gmail DOT com.

Wednesday, May 16, 2012
12:00 noon -1:00 pm

Office Building Lobby Conference Rooms C126 & C127