MTV's 'Decoded': The weird history of Asian sex stereotypes

MTV's Franchesca Ramsey examines the root of Asian stereotypes.

IT'S ALL about sex and power.

The stereotypes that haunt Asian/American men and women is  getting talked about outside of our community and it's about time.

Franchesca Ramsey is the host of MTV's weekly video series, "Decoded," where she tackles race, taboos and pop culture. This week, in her typical fashion, she didn't hold back in addressing stereotypes about Asian men and women. 

"If you take a look at popular culture there's a pretty strange divide between Asian women and Asian men. Asian women are adored and fetishized by men of many ethnicities, while Asian men are rarely seen as sex symbols of any kind. Why? Well these stereotypes don't come from nowhere, they actually evolved from a long and twisted history of war, trade, and persecution of American citizens," reads the program notes. 

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Asian/Americans are familiar with the topic but for non-Asians, it may be news to them. It's not a case of airing our dirty laundry, it's a case of airing the dirty laundry of the people who prefer to perpetuate the stereotypes. That's what Ramsey and MTV hope to do by shedding light on why these images exist.

We know that any discussion of these stereotypes is more complex than a 6-minute episode can expect to show - but for those coming late to the conversation, it's a good primer.

MTV doesn't have the influence that it used to have when it was first introduced but the network has a young audience with median age of 21 years and around 87 percent of MTV viewers are in the 18-49 demographic - in other words, people who will be running the country the rest of this century. 

The network has been discussing the issue of race to this age group for the last few years in formats that get people to thinking about it, and for a great number of people, (especially Euro/Americans) race is not something they usually think about.

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Last year MTV produced the documentary "White People" confronting young people about race. MTV's effort to tackle one of this country's most divisive issues such as "White People" and "Decoded" may not change the world, but it might get a few people to think about topics that people of color think about every day. Getting people to see the world from a new perspective encourages empathy and understanding.  

"Here's the thing: Institutionalized racism fuels America, oftentimes in ways that you might not even realize. And because we live in a world that continues to reinforce outdated and harmful sexual stereotypes, it's no wonder that some people start to believe them," Ramsey said in conclusion.

The world is not going to change by legislation or some cataclysmic event that turns everything upside down. The way this country changes its attitudes on race is one mind at a time.

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For more news about Asian/Americans & Pacific Islanders, read AsAm News.

Is The Bachelorette going to be an Asian/American?

Is Caila Quinn the next Bachelorette?

THE PROSPECT that a Filipina/American could be the next season's Bachelorette fills me with mixed feelings - anticipation and dread.

It has not been officially confirmed yet, but numerous sources and tabloids say that Caila Quinn will get another chance at finding love. She was among the final three women in the latest iteration of The Bachelor but was ultimately rejected by bachelor Ben Higgins in the Feb. 29 episode.

Despite her third place finish, she reportedly won the right for a second chance  by starring in the upcoming season of The Bachelorette. Us Weekly reported that the 24-year-old was being followed by cameras around her hometown of Hudson, Ohio while filming her introductory clip for the next season of The Bachelorette. 

I admit, I'm not a fan of The Bachelor/Bachelorette franchise, but I'm aware of its immense popularity of those seeking their Prince Charming or Cinderella. Different strokes for different folks.

Having a woman of color be the central star in this franchise is a first. After 12 years on the air, many critics have written about the franchise’s dismal casting record of just one non-white person in its combined title roles.

An unnamed source at ABC told various publications: "They feel like she's the whole package and that both men and women really like her and want to see her as the Bachelorette. We only saw a bit of who she really is on The Bachelor. She's quite dynamic and funny, not to mention incredibly smart and beautiful. The network feels like she has a huge future and they want to nurture her career as a TV personality."

Will the batch of bachelors from which Quinn will choose include a few Asian/American males  (which could help counter the asexual Asian male stereotype) or other minority contestants? That would add another interesting factor she would have to consider when choosing her Mr. Right. There are plenty of Asian male hunks who would love to be on the show but they would have to be able to withstand the pressure of "representing. The question Quinn would have to ask herself, like other Asian women, is: Can she overcome that Asian male trope to see the romantic side of the potential bachelor.

Having an Asian/American woman in the titular role, however, opens the door wide for more diverse casting to include other men of color, too. Numerous studies have shown that Asian women are viewed favorably by men of other races. 

Caila Quinn

On the other hand, there is a danger of reinvigorating that old strain of "yellow fever." Among the contestants - most of whom will likely be Euro/Americans based on previous castings - will almost certainly be a few who harbor that fetish for exotic "Oriental" women. It would be terrible for the show to cater to that stereotype attractive to too  many men.

Quinn is from Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts but she recently moved to Akron, Ohio from Boston for her father’s work. According to OKHereIsTheSituation, Caila’s father, Chris, is of German/Irish/Swiss descent. He was born in Brazil and raised in Mexico. Her Filipino half comes from her mother, Rosanna,who immigrated as a young child with her family to the Ohio suburb of Warrensville Heights from the Philippines.

In addition to being a contestant on The Bachelor, Caila is also a model, having previously won an Asian Fashion Supermodel Competition in Boston back in 2011, as well as being actively involved in the Philippine Society at Boston College. Her bio lists software sales rep as an occupation.

Her possible selection is in keeping with the diversity profile that ABC is supposed to be pursuing after the selection of Channing Dungey, the network's first African/American programming chief. The network is also home to two sitcoms featuring Asian/American families, Fresh Off The Boat and Dr. Ken as well as Blackish, Empire with African American principals.

The filming of Caila in her hometown could be a ruse by the producers to get the rumor mills churning; or it could be location shooting for another show. The release signed by her friends didn't specify which TV show they would be on. Since US magazine came out with their scoop, a few other tabloids have tried to douse water on the rumors with articles on other contestatants. We'll find out next Monday, March 14.

The Bachelorette for next season will be announced during the live portion of The Bachelor finale next Monday, March 14, 8 p.m. on ABC.

Caila seems to have recovered from her traumatic rejection. On the reunion show last Monday (March 7), she was asked if she would do The Bachelorette and she said: “Because I fell in love before, I could see myself falling in love again,” she explained. “Yes, I would consider it, but I definitely need to take a breather for myself and just take some me-time.”

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For more news about Asian/Americans and Pacific Islanders, read AsAm News.