Structural Racism

Like in Mississippi Masala, Sa-I-Gu’s main conflict is between Asians and blacks, and both movies reveal a pattern in race relations within the United States, one that is restrictive and detrimental to the concept of American identity, whether that is Asian American, African American, Caucasian, or any other American identity. This pattern which I am referring to is the persisting race dichotomy between black and white in the United States. The reasons why enmity still exists between the two groups are various; of course, there is preexisting tension from American history, but one reason mentioned in the movie is socioeconomic difference. Blacks, who are often poorer, are looked down upon by wealthier whites when they commit crimes, and blacks show disdain towards whites for their culture of oppression and their idea of superiority. The relationship between the white community and the black community has an extremely large influence on Asian American identity because often, Asian Americans are forced to “choose” a side.

In Sa-I-Gu for example, I felt that the actions of the African American rioters was them venting out their anger at Asians in proxy for the injustices that felt white society had inflicted on them in the Rodney King case, because they perceived the actions of Asians as similar to those of whites. In many ways, this is true; many Asians tend to look down on blacks as undisciplined and dangerous, but I personally feel that this is more a result of the ethnocentricity of Asian cultures sometimes. After all, China is called “Middle Country” in Chinese for a reason. Regardless of whatever reason, the actions on April the 29th only served to push Asian Americans closer to the “white” side of the racial divide. Many of the woman shopkeepers commented on the fact that they no longer trusted African Americans and that the government should have taken more action to keep African Americans under control.

I feel that this documentary framed Asian Americans justly in portraying them as victims of an entrenched system of racial stereotyping and discrimination, because the existing status of race in the United States is a great barrier to the ability of all groups to move forward. However, I also think that the documentary raised the issue of racial prejudices which Asians might have, but did not discuss it much in any way. While it can be generally accepted that the shopkeepers did not deserve what the rioters did to their properties and livelihoods, it can also be said that the air of disdain (not handing change directly into the hands or not smiling) with which the Korean shopkeepers used in dealing with black customers was also unwarranted. Ultimately, I think things have changed for the better today, as I would not expect a race riot to break out anywhere in the United States right now (though I could be totally mistaken). However, I do believe that prejudices still exist, for reasons that are often archaic and unwarranted, especially when speaking about the prejudices that some Asians have. For that reason, there is still a ways to go.

Narrative Masala

Mississippi Masala was an interesting movie in the context of our class because we often discuss Asian Americans and their relationships with white America, whereas this movie concentrated on the interaction between Asian Americans and African Americans. The relationship between these two groups is very complex, as can be seen in the movie. For example, the figure who closest adheres to the image of the model minority in his work ethic, composure, and drive to succeed is actually Demetrius, who is black and not Asian, providing evidence contrary to the common stereotype. Despite his success, not many people in the movie acknowledge Demetrius' hard work. Admittedly, being a carpet cleaner is not too glamorous a job, but it is still admirable that Demetrius is running his own business. In spite of his success, Demetrius doesn't seem to receive the proper amount of respect in the movie, whether it be from Meena's Indian family, the white loan officer in the bank, or even his own fellow African Americans. I think this irony (and inequity) is best commented on when Demetrius confronts Jay, saying that Jay shouldn't think (in a white manner) that he is better than Demetrius because of race when Jay and his family are not so different from Demetrius, save for a few shades of skin color difference.

I found this extremely interesting because Jay is not American, but Ugandan, yet the issues of racial division and perhaps superiority still make their ways into his actions. I thought that it would have made more sense that Jay feel more affinity to African Americans, seeing as how African people are who he grew up around. Additionally, I think minorities in the United States at least on a loose level, form solidarity due to a sense of common oppression from whites. On the other hand, Asians like Jay were kicked out of Uganda precisely because they were perceived as closed off and well off elitists by the black African majority, and in the United States, Asians are placed on a different tier of minority than blacks as well.

Ultimately, from a media point of view, the portrayal of Indians in this movie includes many Indian and Asian American stereotypes, including the ownership of motels, the closed traditions and community, the concern with money, and the sense of superiority and sacredness that the family seemed to show with regards to their traditions. At the same time, Meena's family's journey is also unique because they are not simply Indian Americans or Asian Americans, and as such, their narratives cannot be easily placed into those categories. Throughout the movie, there was no one way to term Meena's nationality/origin, masala being the best characterization of her identity. In this sense, I think this movie shows the complexities of identity well, showing viewers that there could be more to an individual than can be gleaned from a limiting categorical term like Asian American or Indian American.