As an Asian male, being perceived as masculine is challenging. Up until I was old enough to cut it off, I had a rat's tail - you know, one of those thin plaits of hair on the back of my head. On one occasion the school principal, who looked like Dave Bautista in an Argyle sweater, yanked it and told me I looked like a girl. In high school, that challenge was upped when my best friend spread the rumour that I had a small penis, claiming he had seen it at the school urinals. I've never really told anyone this but I never used those urinals again after that. I always chose the cubicles instead, because I was embarrassed and ashamed, and a locked door was at least something I could control.
On the flip side of the Asian stereotype spectrum, I'm reminded of the Asian male role-models I had growing up. Bruce Lee was a little before my time, but I do remember when Jackie Chan was the coolest action hero out there - far more sophisticated than his contemporaries, like Vin Diesel or Bruce Willis. Famous for doing his own stunts on movie sets, who could possibly say Jackie Chan was a representation of Asian emasculation? He wasn't. But part of his appeal was also a part of why I never identified with him. He was an Asian martial artist, just like Jet Li was an Asian martial artist, just like Bruce Lee was an Asian martial artist. There's always been this dissonance between the aspirations of young Asian boys like me, whose 'Arts' were less 'Martial' and more 'Creative Writing'.
There's always been this dissonance between the aspirations of young Asian boys like me, whose 'Arts' were less 'Martial' and more 'Creative Writing'.
This week, Marvel Studios will release ; their first MCU film to introduce a leading superhero of Asian ethnicity. When I first heard the news that there was finally going to be an Asian Avenger, I should've been overwhelmed with pride. But my reaction was mainly...nonplussed. The irony that Disney, a company which , wants to propagate the empowerment of Asian people by bringing in their first Asian MCU hero, was not lost on me. This is the same film franchise that was . And coming off the colossal success of Marvel's other culturally grounded superhero film, Black Panther, I couldn't quite see the move as a push for diversity, as much as a desire to capitalise on the commercial benefits a push like this can rake in. Saying that, Marvel films are hugely important to Asian communities with .
But unless I could do a spinning crane kick, what was there for me to identify with? And when I look at the character of Shang-Chi, who's described in the film's synopsis as a "Martial Arts Master", doesn't this feel just like the perpetuation of yet another Asian stereotype?
Despite Shang-Chi's reliance on martial arts as its backdrop, the film promotes a lot of positive aspects for the Asian community to get behind. Its predominantly Asian cast continues the watershed that films like Parasite, Crazy Rich Asians and Minari started. The image of an Avenger that looks like me and my friends, alongside hyper masculine figures like Black Panther and Captain America is also extremely empowering. And as I watched the many trailer and teasers that have been released in the lead up to the film's premiere, the way the characters pronounce 'Shang-Chi', as "Shong-shee", which reminded me of my grandparents' accents, was oddly a really exciting detail to hear.
Writer Alan Fang as a child Source: Supplied
Shang-Chi may not be doing much to challenge the Asian martial artist stereotype, but what it does seem to be doing is using the classic aspects of Hong Kong cinema to contradict the perceived stereotype that Asian men are less masculine that the muscle-bound MCU figures dominating today's pop culture.
Incidents of with . At a time when , the subversion of the stereotype that we are 'weak' is probably the most important thing to do at this moment.
Of course, one film alone cannot stop all Asian hate. Despite Black Panther’s , we are still witnessing . Issues of racism facing Black communities will continue to exist, as will issues of racism against Asian communities exist after the release of Shang-Chi, including racial stereotypes that continually challenge young people of colour around the world.
While Shang-Chi may not look to subvert all Asian stereotypes, it's using its powers for good, not evil, and there are worse ways for Disney to spend its money.
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is scheduled for release in Australian cinemas on September 2.
This article has been published in partnership with Sweatshop: Western Sydney Literacy Movement.
