Study Finds Asian Characters on Streamers Less Stereotyped but Often "White-Adjacent" and Lacking Cultural Specificity

Despite progress, study reveals that 82% of Asian characters on streaming platforms are race-agnostic, often emphasizing proximity to whiteness over cultural authenticity; 90% of highlighted characters are light or medium-skinned, and Asian women are predominantly shown in relationships with white men, misrepresenting reality.

• Asian characters on streaming platforms are less stereotyped but are often 'White-Adjacent' and lack cultural specificity, as found in a joint study by USC's Norman Lear Center and Gold House.
• Among 347 characters identified as Asian, 82% were race-agnostic and were majorly in roles emphasizing proximity to whiteness rather than cultural authenticity, augmenting stereotypes around Asian assimilation.
• While historical Asian tropes like the 'perpetual foreigner,' 'lotus blossom,' or 'tragic hero' were not prevalent, the 'model minority' stereotype persisted, with half of the visible Asian characters engaged in intellectual work and only 11% depicted in working-class roles.
• Despite an average of four Asian characters per title, two in three never interacted with another Asian character, and more than half of Asian women characters were shown in relationships with white men, a depiction higher than the likelihood in reality.
• The study calls for a greater cultural specificity in crafting Asian characters and their narratives, moving away from white-centric stories, and increasing Asian representation in decision-making roles in media and entertainment.

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