B is for: Ugly Betty and the Bebot Song*

Ok, so this is not a connection that I would normally have thought of.

• B is for: Ugly Betty the joy of my life (well in tv land, considering most tv is completely terrible)

• and the other B - being the infamous and what I like to term affectionately as "the Bebot incident"

I was catching up on Ugly Betty (if you know what happens don't tell me! I'm 3 episodes behind) and I was watching the episode after the Christmas episode (where she has to choose between Henry or Walter). The designer's name is "Oshi" and he is holding a fan and wearing something that I can't figure out is Japanese or Korean pantsuit. And it's not that I haven't noticed certain say cultural representations that are problematic and often stereotypical as the media normally portrays, but this scene really struck a chord with me. Oshi enters and then "Bebot" by the Black Eyed Peas actually starts playing. Not that I support or condone use of this song (oh long story if you don't know), but the way it was used was so odd.

Oshi and "Asianess"

Oshi is represented as Japanese by name, perhaps Korean by dress, and then the song "Bebot" is used. And not only that but the song actually goes until you can hear the word "Filipino" sung by Apl de Ap. Let us assume Oshi is Japanese for purposes of discussion. His characteristics are portrayed as clean and having a love of the minimal. And permit me to go a little off on a little tangent, but his style of dress and goatee actually are reminiscent of Samurai martial arts films in the 60s/70s. He also has a translator. And his translator has an accent.

Yes, I suppose it is important to consider that Oshi is supposed to be from Japan and thus accounts for the need for a translator. But isn't is it important to note that most portrayals of Asian/ Asian-Americans are Asians. And not only that, but most representations are of Japanese or even East Asian descent. So while yes, it is interesting and somewhat impressive that there is a song about Filipinos playing on one of my favorite shows - the context is ridiculously disturbing, jarring even. And they kept replaying it the entire show. We take privilege and cultural representations for granted so much that when something actually bothers me - then there must be something wrong.

Lumping Asians Together

I really think this is another instance of "Asians" being overused as a general term in society. Which I think is interesting if you think of all the Asian parodies and trouble that the model minority myth has been getting lately. Articles for example: the UCLA satire, NY times on Berkeley articles "Little Asia on the Hill"(posted below) , and most recently the Princeton joke issue here and here. Is it a growing trend? A re-emerging trend? Tigers of Asia. Fears of Japanese technological prowess. I am not sure. But there is the idea of Asians as threats and as "taking away" jobs and security from Americans (Americans = white of course since most "Asians" are just foreigners anyway). Or even Asians becoming the new dominant category, the new "whites" as it were.

I feel that one of the main problems is the idea of lumping all Asians together. Sure, the Asian American movement did help. A pan-ethnic identity was useful. But now that pan-ethnic identity is being used against Asians. And that is not acceptable. Especially when "Asian" is broken down into the many different cultures and ethnicities of Asia. Filipinos are definitely not Japanese.

The end...or the Beginning

I don't even feel I have hit the tip of the iceberg in this blog. This idea of "Asianess" and especially how it is portrayed not just in the media, but also in educational systems is multi-layered and problematic. And I don't know how to express all of this. Not only that, but there is also differences between portrayal of men and women, young and old, sexuality or lack of, etc. The Bebot song itself has many complex layers of understanding, but when used in this way- its completely ridiculous and just highlights the ridiculous representation of "Asians" in the media.

Questions left (some rhetorical, some with answers yet to be unveiled):

Why do I feel that Asians are scapegoats? Or portrayed as "Uncle Toms" (ascribing to dominant white culture that makes Asians seem as if they were white). Can Asians become white? (Never). Why do we even use the term "Asian"? Because long ago some European philosopher/scientist thought the world was divided into races like white, black, brown, yellow, and red? Is the term "Asian" good or bad? Why are all these articles seemingly coming out at the same time or am I just noticing them now? Why is it ok to make fun of Asians? How come as many times as Asians complain about Asian representation - they always come back. And finally, I wonder what it would be like to live in a non-raced society? Where race actually didn't matter instead of people saying it doesnt? Divide and conquer - thanks.

I feel like I am hitting my head against a brick wall when I make complaints like these. This is so frustrating.


* Ha! I didn't realize Gladys had blogged about this before. I'm sure you should read her article for much more succinct, less ranty, and clear ideas about this particular episode than I have contributed. Haha. Well at least people other than myself are noticing it.

P.S. Don't you love that picture? Yes, it is an ACTUAL HALLOWEEN costume. But for purposes of comparison, let's just say whatever you felt when you saw that picture is probably the same way I felt when I heard Bebot on Ugly Betty.