WORD NERDS: this is NOT your nanay's blog

Respect. I've tried to talk to some folks about how irked I get when I see commercials or adamant advertising about the new Kung Fu Panda film. Some get it, some don't. 

"Most Kung Fu movies were exploitation films - sensationalist, violent, sexy, and often cheaply made abroad... Often in kung fu movies, white characters were constructed as villainous and racist, and audiences were encouraged to empathize with Asian heroes as they karate-chopped and kicked the (white) bad guys." - Harry M. Benshoff and Sean Griffin, America On Film: Representing Race, Class, Gender and Sexuality at the Movies

The gong sounds, the martial arts, the fact that the main character is a humanized panda who is a "dragon warrior," the sidekicks who can side kick and come prepared to fight shouting their "hi-yas" - it's all beyond the reinforcing of stereotypical figures. Historically, American films have found a way to simplify, reduce and reinforce Asian culture in America. Kung Fu Panda is no different.

Let me break it down:

Populations of the panda bear have been found in few mountain ranges that are located in China, the dragon remains as the national animal/symbol of China and the gong is used to commence religious ceremonies or official processions and the language of a people has been butchered into a two-syllable exclamation for an upcoming attack. How did these symbols, full of meaning, of culture, of value, of life become reduced to mere entertainment at the expense of a people so much more worthy and complex? Kung Fu is a martial art that demands discipline and time and does not only consist of swift movements that parallel the ground. Realistically, individuals can practice kung fu in places other than a competitive setting - it requires hard work and develops skills for a sharp mind. It is not your next blockbuster hit. Not your child's next favorite movie. Not your next excuse for a family outing, not your chance to take an adventure into a world influenced by the Orient. Not your chance to see cute, fuzzy pandas in action. 

Not only am I disgusted at the fact that an animal has been humanized and animated to play a role that only re-creates the Charlie Chan or Bruce Lee stereotype, I am even more grossed out by the bamboo-like font on all of the movie posters and merchandise, more spiteful at the pose upon the panda in the pictures and angry at the depiction of his slanted, wide eyes. I can't stand the racism that is inherently attached to this film and the perpetration led by those who see it as an attempt to bridge Asian culture (when the movie-makers are really perpetrating what's really Chinese culture) with America. This film is more about American's discomfort with accepting Asian Americans on film than it is about a fucking panda bear that seeks to showcase their athletic skills. No wonder Jack Black and Dustin Hoffman, do the voiceovers - they probably couldn't find any Asian American actors or actresses to demote themselves (thank goodness! That shit is racist!)

What's worse, Panda from Kung Fu Panda is a fucking character for comic relief. He is not taken seriously by of the "supporting roles" or characters and have to prove himself to be "worthy." Wow, America. You done done it again.

I can't stand it. I can't stand for it. I will not stand in line for it.