Complacency undermines support for Asian artists

Audience members clap slowly, unable to hide their surprise as seven Korean stars whisk past toward the stage. What has the world come to? Powerless, they watch in shock as these Asians seem to swoop down and snatch a shining trophy out of the hands of American singers more deserving of the award.

Against nominees Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez, Ariana Grande and Shawn Mendes, Korean pop group Bangtan Boys (BTS) won Billboard’s Top Social Artist award in Las Vegas in May, thanks to over 300 million votes from enthusiastic fans.

Some people weren’t enthusiastic about the group’s victory, to say the least. Tweets about this apparent injustice soon littered the internet, with one user writing, “How did these Asians wearing makeup beat ACTUAL FAMOUS PEOPLE?”

Of course, having millions of international fans, topping Billboard’s Social 50 chart for 46 weeks and appearing in Forbes and Time magazine, among other recognitions, is insufficient for them to be considered “actual famous people.”

Although these aggrieved users may have meant that BTS isn’t famous in America, it brings to light the assumption that Asians in the entertainment industry aren’t and can’t be famous.

This is obviously false, but it suggests people are still uncomfortable when they see Asian artists being recognized in America.

If we do not continue speaking up for representation, we risk supporting what remains silently accepted: Asian Americans are never romantic leads, never main characters and never anything more than another one of Hollywood’s disregarded groups. They are sidekicks in movies, they serve minor roles or roles fraught with stereotypes and they supposedly rarely rise to national or global fame.

That isn’t to say there haven’t been major steps forward in just these few years. One success is ABC sitcom “Fresh off the Boat,” the first TV show in 20 years to feature a mostly Asian American cast.

New York Times best selling novel “Crazy Rich Asians” by Kevin Kwan has also finished filming a movie version that stars a completely Asian cast in June.

More recently, in July, hip hop and R&B artist Jay Park became the first Asian American to sign with Jay-Z’s entertainment company “Roc Nation.”

These are clearly victories for Asian American artists, but it is important to keep in mind that this is only the beginning.

We cannot be complacent. We cannot feel as if “Fresh off the Boat” and the few Asian American artists covered in the news are “enough.” Instead, we must continue pushing forward because only then will it no longer seem a novelty for Asians and Asian American artists to receive awards and be recognized for their achievements.

Silence is dangerous. Accepting that Asian Americans have already made their full mark on music, films and shows will inhibit what is yet to come. Complacency restrains possibilities and encourages people to sit back and relax without considering who is on (or off) screen or who is (not) behind a voice.

Korean-American actor Edward Hong says there is still a long way to go, telling Los Angeles Times, “The Chinese actors say: ‘We are just flower vases. We don’t speak; we just stand there and look pretty.’”

It is time to smash flower vase roles. It is time to step up to the microphone and into the spotlight.

Like anyone else, Asian artists dedicate themselves to their work, and their triumphs are worthy of acknowledgement and celebration.

When we stop acknowledging problems and victories alike, we erode the significance of past accomplishments. We solidify opinions about Asians based on the way they are often portrayed, impeding efforts to break free from preconceived beliefs now and in the future.

Complacency threatens to perpetuate the belief that Asians have no place in American entertainment.

We must continue to honor their talents and achievements in order to ensure that one day, people will not find it surprising that Asians artists can be “actual famous people.”