An Educator's Reflection on Negative Stereotypes of East Asians in Western Literature, Film and Social Media

Many Taiwanese University students are avid consumers of Western culture. Negative portrayals of East Asians are prevalent within Western literature, film, T.V. music, and social-networking media. These stereotypes malign Asian women, Asian men and Asia as a cultural concept. These tropes include the feminization of Asian males, as well as Geisha girl/China doll and Dragon Lady Stereotypes for Asian women. Many Westerners view the collection of individual East Asian cultures as a unified whole without distinction. This worldview has been labeled ‘Orientalism.’Many of these stereotypes are damaging to University students’ self-esteem and have the potential to have a negative impact on students ’ ability to form a healthy cultural identity. It is the responsibility of educators to help students identify these negative stereotypes and replace them with positive messages which are culturally accurate.