by Richard Bergeon
A 2005 study, published by the National Asian Pacific American Legal Consortium (NAPALC) with the Asian Law Caucus and the Asian Pacific American Legal Center, confirmed what has been obvious to APAs for a long time - APAs are under-represented as main characters on prime-time television. Even when programs are set in cities with large APA communities (like San Francisco or New York) they are poorly represented.
When they are part of the cast they are four times more likely to have non-romantic or even family member roles. They seldom appear in family situation comedies at all. According to Karen K. Narasaki, NAPALC President, this will contribute to the negative stereotyping of APAs by people who look to the media to formulate their beliefs about groups they don't come into common contact with. This dearth of roles will contribute to APAs continuing to be seen as unloving and unwilling to be good family members. They will be perceived to not share the same dreams or experiences of most Americans.
Among APAs the study found that multiracial APAs faired better than monoracial. Their roles were more prominent. Mono-racial Asians are still largely cast only in Asian-ethnic roles.
© 2005 OCA-Greater Seattle
OCA - GREATER SEATTLE CHAPTER