Asian American's in entertainment... Are they even there?

Asian Americans struggled to earn their place in this country. Tears were shed, people were separated, and things would never be the same for them. However, through those years, they continued to remain strong and eventually, they were given a place in society. Asians were finally accepted into America. However, there’s more behind what is actually true.

Asian Americans are a part of the United States, but that’s the entirety of the matter. They are still seen as a lower class of people when compared to other ethnicities. A good example of this is in the entertainment industry. This place is bustling with people from all different backgrounds. However, Asians are the minority in this business. There are very few who stand out and for those who do, they’re nothing when compared to the big names like Tom Cruise and Meryl Streep.

White actors are so dominant in this field that it’s almost lying to say that this field of business is equal. When we think of Asian American actors, who can we think of? It’s actually pretty difficult to come up with an answer to that question. Asian American actors are there, but they don’t get the parts like other ethnicities get.

White actors like Tom Cruise and Meryl Streep are iconic. They've played major roles that everyone can easily remember. Black actors like Will Smith and Zoe Saldana have also made their mark in the business. Even the Hispanic and Latin American community have Jennifer Lopez and George Lopez to fill in the spotlight. But what about Asian Americans?

We could say Bruce Lee and Lucy Liu, but those don’t stand out to us when compared to the other roles. Occasionally, Asian American actors are given their chance to shine, but it definitely seems as if things are still unequal.

Name a white actor/actress that played an important role that had nothing to do with their race. Name a black actor/actress that played an important role that had nothing to do with their race. Name a Hispanic or Latin American actor/actress that played an important role that had nothing to do with their race. Now, name an Asian American actor/actress that played an important role that had nothing to do with their race. That last question will definitely stump some people.

They’re given typical roles that have to do with Asian culture while Tom Cruise and Will Smith are given roles that people will remember because they were awesome. Why aren’t Asian Americans given that opportunity? This country isn’t racist anymore so things should be more equal. Yes, it is said that America is no longer racist, but there are hints here and there that indicate that white supremacy is still a thing that lurks in this country.