When “Crazy Rich Asians” came out in 2018, it lit the world on fire. Not only was it uproariously funny — it hit the nail on the head when it came to showcasing some of the most well-known themes in Asian cultures. It also did more than its fair share of damage in terms of stereotypes, once more reinforcing the idea that Asians that have “made it” focus almost exclusively on financial and material success as a measure of wellness.
As a second-generation Asian American, this stereotype is a massive burden. Full disclosure: I’m a huge fan of the book and film, and I believe the story would still be entertaining without an all-Asian cast. Movies are powerful for storytelling, but they can also perpetuate stereotypes for Asian Americans who remain largely unseen in film and television.
Historically, Asians have been poorly represented in Hollywood, so people who have little exposure to Asian culture may believe it to be true. The last time there was this much buzz for an all-Asian cast was some 25 years ago with The Joy Luck Club, a story about four Chinese-American women and their mothers born in feudal China. Seeing people like you on the big screen for the first time was truly monumental. Representation matters.
The release of “Crazy Rich Asians” is a major victory for Asians and Asian Americans, yet there’s still a wealth of personalities and diversity among everyday Asians that a single film cannot capture. But I’m hoping this is the beginning of greater representation and inclusion of Asian Americans.
The Unforeseen Results
Early Asian American immigrants may have what might seem like an unhealthy fascination with money, yet it was never out of greed or materialism. It was simply the best, and perhaps only path open to us. Money talks, if you will, and using it as a tool to better your family’s circumstances wasn’t about climbing the social ladder so much as it was about survival. Ensuring your kids had the best education possible meant sending them to the most expensive school you could afford.
The tireless efforts of countless immigrants like my parents to build a better life for their families often succeeded. The next generation of Asian Americans was often much better off than their parents, and that’s how the problems started. A racist stereotype began to form that everyone from this new generation came from means.
This couldn’t be further from the truth. The gap between the rich and poor is growing in Asian American communities, and it gets wider every day. Still, it’s immediately assumed that if you are Asian you have money. The fact that sometimes this was true made things worse, even if it came from the back-breaking labor of your family.
“Crazy Rich Asians” represents the peak of this stereotype. Its wild popularity reinforces the idea that all Asians are materialistic and strive to earn social capital that way. It’s easy to confuse materialism with overall well-being, but there’s more to life and wellness than throwing money around.
Living in a Material World
There’s a false narrative that money equals happiness. Equating material wealth to mental and emotional wellness has become ingrained in our global culture to the point that it’s unavoidable.
Real talk: yes, you’re always going to need money. The way you spend it, however, is what’s important. Upwards of essentials, there’s lots of wiggle room. Take a page from my family and the countless people that came before me, tirelessly working to benefit my future: money talks in that it gets your kids into places where you might not have ever been able to go. But material wealth alone won’t lead to happiness.
Invest your money in the future well-being of you and your family. Enjoying experiences over material wealth will leave you with a story to tell even after the moment passes. The memories will last longer than fancy toys, something you can’t put a price on.
Onward and Upward
Before “Crazy Rich Asians” only transnational immigrant narratives were being told — second, third, and fourth-generation stories were rare. The success of “Crazy Rich Asians” has sparked a movement in Hollywood, paving the way for more diverse storytelling about Asian Americans with different perspectives and ethnic backgrounds.
It’s a big step, and hopefully, one that can lead to more inclusive films in the future. Asians and Asian Americans are not as homogenous as the media portrays us. No one is. And someday, one day, people will see that we all have stories shaped by more than just race and ethnicity.
