Since the very beginning of the school year, my mind has been consumed with the fall musical production of Miss Saigon. I find it deeply disturbing that even with its history of controversy, our school has decided to ignore the problematic features (such as racism and sexism) and go on with this show. As an Asian woman, I am appalled by the choices made by our school’s theater community. I am aware that the decisions regarding the musical production were not intentionally made to hurt anyone. I am also aware that there are some members of the Murrow Community that would argue that it is “just a musical.” This matter is more than just that to me. It is much more important than this single musical. This is about doing the right thing and speaking up for my community because no one else will advocate for us.
Miss Saigon is a prime example of the fetishization of Asian culture as it is filtered through American lenses. First, I would like to point out that the person who created the musical is a white man. Secondly, Miss Saigon portrays Asian women as submissive and docile, waiting to be rescued by a white savior. The female lead, Kim, is only made interesting because of her relationship with the male lead, a white American soldier. In the play, she kills herself after he leaves her. It is so frustrating growing up without any Asian female characters to relate to, but it is even more frustrating when young Asian girls are taught through media that the only thing interesting about them is their relation to the white men of the world.
Like other glimpses of Asian culture provided by American media, this musical does not accurately represent any aspect of the Asian community. In fact, these inaccuracies further racism and misconceptions whilst encouraging the fetishization of Asian Women. The only image of Asian women in this production is one of a prostitute. This tactic leads people to believe that the main role Vietnamese women played during the time of the Vietnam war was the role of “entertaining” white soldiers. This stereotype of Asian women as objects of entertainment persists because of works like Miss Saigon. It is not singled out as a problem either, but rather celebrated as a cultural phenomenon called “yellow fever”. Asian women are made to believe that it is in fact a compliment. That it is a good thing that all these white American men are infatuated with our exoticness. Fetishization is dehumanizing. It strips individuality and leaves behind only assumptions made by racial stereotypes. This tradition of fitting Asian women to accommodate a tragic American fetish needs to end. It is developmentally abusive. It is a silent killer. Many people, in my community included, are oblivious to the poison they are fed through American cultural filtering.
This musical is also racist in its portrayals of the Vietnamese men in comparison to the white men. The Asian men are emasculated to further glorify the white soldiers. They are painted as undesirable and weak. This characterization of Asian men still exists as a stereotype in American culture. Asian masculinity is often not regarded pop culture. Racism in this country has been and will continuously be a hot topic in this country until we are able to sever the tradition of silence and compliance. It is important that we educate our Murrow community about sexism and racism rather than support it.
Although there are some truthful aspects to the musical, it is clouded by stereotypes, racism, sexism, human trafficking, and chauvinism. I am aware that there are dark parts of history that must be told but this play is not the way to do so. This play is insulting and hurtful. It is a trend in American culture to ignore racism because a movie, symbol, or musical is considered a tradition.
Equally as disturbing as the musical’s contents, the casting decisions are also racially problematic. I understand that the theater program only has so many Asian actors and actresses. The cast cannot consist of racially accurate actors and actresses, so the show will have to “make do” with who they have. It is historically exploitative to have white actors roles of “otherness”. Minstrel shows in American history were aimed to make fun of black people. The idea of casting non Asian people to play Asian people is no different to the idea of casting an all white cast in blackface to play black roles. It is obscenely offensive and culturally insensitive. We are not a costume. Some of my fellow students have pointed out to me that they have made similar casting decisions previously for The Mikado. “If it wasn’t a problem then, why is it a problem now?” they asked. In fact, it was a problem then but people just chose to ignore it. Previous acts of racism do not justify future acts of racism.
I have also been asked why didn’t I audition for the play if I am so opposed to a white person playing an Asian role. I am aware that anyone can audition for school musicals. Even if theater was my craft, I would be disheartened if I had to work so hard only to find out the only roles I can aspire to be are disgusting portrayals of my people and Asian culture. I asked to be removed from the set construction class because of this production. I also refused to submit a flyer design as an assignment for my senior portfolio class.
Madame Butterfly, Miss Saigon, Memoirs of a Geisha, The Mikado -the cycles of abuse of Asian culture needs to come to an end. These plays are antiquated and offensive. I hope that in the future there will be more careful considerations before deciding on what is and isn’t appropriate in regards to the different Murrow communities. I love my Murrow community and am glad to have such a great Asian population at school. It is even more incredible the amount of support that has come from outside the Asian community and the support from the community of feminists and social justice advocates (both students and educators). I ask you to please keep us safe and exercise your role as our principal and make sure that incidents like this don’t go unnoticed.
jacobvanloon
jbbartram-illu
stormborns
annaxmalina
2087
pixelskylines
kaledo-art
ellievsbear
