Part 1: Labels by paragraph

1. This paragraph gives historical context on the origin of Chinese stereotypes. Legal actions were taken against Chinese Americans by the American government to discourage employment which resulted in attribution to negative personality types such as “revengeful, sinister, and wicked”.
2. This paragraph connects the historical relevance of the previous paragraph to today. Although the social circumstances of that time are no longer relevant, American media depicts Chinese people as extremely hardworking individuals who lack originality, skills, and personality.
3. This paragraph builds off on the previous paragraphs and raises the idea that these stereotypes don’t just impact the image of Chinese people but also worsens inequality faced by Chinese artists in the industry.
4. This paragraph introduces an example of stereotypes in American media, Crazy Rich Asians. The movie overshadows Asian identity with the stereotype of favoring materialistic success overvalues.
5. This paragraph furthers the ideas of inaccurate representation by giving specific examples from the movie.
6. The author connects the evidence in the previous paragraph to the first two paragraphs and talks about how this leads to the idea that Asians and Americans cannot coexist.
7. The author connects the stereotypes and trouble assimilating with personal experience about being discriminated against by friends as an Asian American.
8. Chau connects everything he has brought up so far with a statement by Larry Tung, a specialist in Asian Media. This gives a professional point of view and adds to the authenticity of the argument.
9. Chau brings up another example from American Media, Fresh Off the Boat. The show was originally supposed to be based on the authentic experience of an Asian American, Eddie Huang. However, the show was filled with Asian stereotypes to appeal to the Caucasian audience.
10. Chau delves deeper into how the show started off as a book that told the real-life experience of Huang as an Asian American. However, it was changed significantly to appeal to the audience destroying the image of Asian Americans once again.
11. Chau uses specific examples from the show to prove how a show that had the potential of being empowering for Asian Americans was converted into a disappointing show that only appealed to a certain audience.
12. Chau presents the counter-argument which states that an all Asian cast should be considered sufficient representation.
13. Chau rebuttals the argument claiming that all Asian casts are pointless if the content furthers the stereotypes that lead to discrimination and prejudice against Asian Americans.

Part 2: Summary of Chau based on labeling

In “One Step Towards Equality, Two Steps Back for Asian Americans” Tristen Chau argues that Asian Americans have been misrepresented in the American Media to suit the comfort of Caucasian Americans. Chau begins her argument by talking about how the early Chinese Americans were restricted by the American government because Americans saw them as a threat to their employment. This resulted in the formation of a negative image of Asians in the media. The effects of this can be seen in American Media today. Chau’s first example is the movie Crazy Rich Asian. Chau uses specific examples from the movie to argue that the movie only portrays the wrong stereotypes that Americans enjoy watching. The movie shows that Asians prefer materialistic success over good character. The movie also touches upon the idea that Americans and Asians cannot coexist. Chau then uses a statement by Larry Tang an expert in Asian Media to give authenticity to the claim that Asian Media today misrepresents Asian identity. Chau then uses the show Fresh Off the Boat as an example showing how attempts at accurate representation are usurped and conformed to the stereotypes enjoyed by the Caucasian viewers. Chau refutes the argument that all Asian casts are adequate representations in American Media. Chau says that this representation is pointless if the content provokes discrimination against Asian Americans.

Part 3: Analysis of Chau based on the lens of Organization

The way Chau organized the piece played a significant role in the flow of the text. Chau started with historical context to help the reader understand the roots of the issue. Chau then used specific examples to prove that Asian Americans are misrepresented in American Media. Chau then connects with the reader by using a personal anecdote. This helps connect the historical relevance to current affairs and even the direct impact they had on the author. Another organization piece that I thought was important was the rebuttal at the end. Chau showed both sides of the argument showcasing the author’s level of expertise on the topic. Using the counter-argument showed that Chau was not ignorant of the other argument but willing to understand and refute it. The organizational techniques used by Chau helped the reader thoroughly understand the argument.