Goonies and Stereotypes

The 1980’s movie The Goonies presents itself as a cultural artifact in today’s pop culture.  If you have not seen The Goonies then you missed out on a great film.  The movie features a gang of friends, “the Goonies”, looking for long lost treasure.

                The movie creates a certain "Asian" stereotype supported by the character Richard Wang, played by actor Jonathan Ke Quan.  Richard is the only Asian in the film.  Aside from being the only Asian he is also the only “non-white” character, bringing emphasis to his diversity among the other kids.

                Specific stereotypes circulate around those who appear Asian.  These traits often include being extremely smart, nerdiness, cleverness, cunning, sly, slightly odd or out of place, strict parents, socially awkward, asexual (males) and speaking broken or heavily accented English.

                In The Goonies Richard Wang embodies many of these assumed traits.   Before Richard gets a chance develop as a character the audience learns of his nickname.  Richard “Data” Wang.  The nickname “Data” primes the viewers to think of math and science related subjects.  Richard can be envisioned as the human calculator.   The assumption that the sole Asian character is smart has already been planted.  Playing into the genius role even more, “Data” invents numerous gadgets and contraptions that allow the Goonies to navigate their way out of sticky situations.  The collection of devices includes “pinchers of peril”, “punch out”, “octo-blaster”, “slick shoes” and “bully blinders”.   All of these gizmos are hidden underneath the long trench coat Richard wears throughout the movie.  The stealthily concealed gadgets give “Data” the cunningness that many Asian characters are expected to portray.  “Data’s” slyness comes in handy, abrupting the villains going after the Goonies never know what’s going to abrupt them next.  The audience cannot predict when “Data” will come in with the clutch to help out his friends.  Michael Omi would support these scenes with the statement that “Asians are seen as sneaky and cunning.” 

 

                Omi’s quote “Asians are usually cast as the role of sidekick or kung fu master” depicts Richard.  His inventions are a way for him to be the sidekick, helping out the leaders when they run into trouble.  They also label him as role of a type of kung fu master.  Richards’s role in the film involves mostly his inventions and how the bog down the bad guys in the nick of time.  This mimics the kung fu master defeating the criminals.

                A second stereotype supported by the character “Data” comprises of the broken and heavily accented English.  “Data” English contains a heavy accent and the words are broken up.  His sentences do not flow the way the other character’s do.  Richard’s friends even have a difficult time understanding what he is trying to say.  Richard must repeat what he is attempting to express numerous times before one of the friends finally grasps it.  This is considered humorous especially in the scenes when “Data” tries to warn the gang that the villains are coming.  The stereotype of the poor English encourages laughter at those trying to learn the English language.

                “Asians are seen as asexual” cast the final stereotype represented through Richard.  Richard is the only boy in the film who does not express at least a little interest in the older girls.  The other guys flirt and show off trying to impress the ladies while Richard is too into his gadgets to pay the girls any attention.  The “white” boys repetitively attempt to romantically interest the girls even after constant denial.

                The stereotype of the Asian male becomes apparent in many cultural artifacts.  The portrayal created must be looked at carefully, as with all racial stereotypes.

Au Naturel

Au naturel, a cliché said quite frequently.  To be “natural” is something that people strive for in many aspects of their life.  Act natural, look natural, and eat natural food are just a few examples.  In “all natural” pop chips the motto is “Think popped! Never fried. Never baked.”  Pop Chips is broadcasting its naturally good flavor that is produced in a healthier way. 

 

Featured in the ad is pop start Katy Perry.  Katy Perry is known as a model who promotes being you.  She is a model especially to those who are afraid to be different.  Katy encourages her fans to be who they want to be, to not hold back, to be bold and have fun, all while staying true to yourself.  She is also known for her D size boobs, which according to her are all natural as well.

In the Pop Chips ad, Katy is holding two bags of the chips over each of her breasts.  Her usually protuberant cleavage is completely concealed in a conservative dress.  This is down playing her boobs and playing up the bag of chips which are “taking the place” of her boobs.  The chips are replacing Katy’s breasts because the marketers are displaying that there product is natural just like Katy.

Across the top of the advertisement is the slogan “Nothing fake about ‘em.”  This can be related to both the chips and Katy’s body.  Under the eye-catching slogan is a quote from Katy: “I’m not into phonies.  Good thing there’s nothing fake or phony in Pop Chips.  They only taste like they’re bad for you.”  Her quote insinuates that she feels like she is doing something naughty even though she is not.  This goes right along with Katy’s persona.  She has kissed a girl and she liked it, even though she is heterosexual.  Katy has tip-toed the boundary of what is appropriate for a girl to do.  Compared to current rappers, Katy Perry’s song lyrics are innocuous but she is a hot topic in the media while the lyrics in rap songs not given a second glance.  Aside from her lyrics, Katy’s outlandish costumes are always something of discussion.  On various occasions she has donned blue hair and crystal eyelashes.  Her music video performances showcase her female assets quite often, for example shooting both whipped cream and fireworks out of her breasts. Katy’s spunky personality and boldness (which is only rivaled by the color of her lipstick) is what makes Katy, Katy.

   According to Holly Devour in Gender Blending woman are expected to look aesthetically pleasing, Katy is usually smiling and not portrayed as serious or stern.  Katy shows “greater exposure if the bare skin, and an emphasis on sexual characteristics.” She plays up her femininity by flaunting cleavage and wearing extreme pinup shorts.  However Katy does not hold back on masculine traits.  She is bold and outspoken.  Katy contradicts the feminine dress with her masculine confidence and speech patterns. Katy Perry is the perfect example of blurring gender lines.   Katy tells her fans to stand up for themselves, that they are fireworks and to show the world what they are worth.  This is not the submissiveness and passivity that women are expected to portray.  Katy Perry is a model with desirable confidence.  That confidence gives her the ability to be herself, to act natural.  Like the Pop Chips, Katy is a natural at being her natural self.