Asian-American Media Watchdog Kulture Aims to Abolish Asian Stereotypes in Entertainment

HOLLYWOOD, Calif., Sept. 28, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Asian-Americans have been unfairly maligned by Hollywood over the years and the trend shows no sign of abating. Kulture monitors the entertainment media for offensive representations of Asian-Americans and documents stereotypes and denigration of Asians in movies and television. The site is easy to navigate, categorizing offenses by media outlet, by type of offense, such as "Reinforces Stereotypes," and by media type, such as TV commercials. Visitors to the site can also submit their own witnessed offenses through the "Report an Offense" feature.

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Kulture is the only website that maintains a database of media offenses against Asian-Americans. They pull the curtain back on Hollywood's subtle racism and feature write ups that explore the offensive themes and tropes that are used to belittle Asian men and sexualize Asian women. In addition to providing the information on the offense, Kulture also analyzes the situation and provides explanation as to why it is considered offensive. Popular shows featured on the site include: "2 Broke Girls," "Royal Pains," "Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." and "The Mindy Project." The offenses range from "Depicting Asians as Perpetual Immigrants" to "Asians as a Subordinate." Every media offense, once added to the 'Kulture Offense Database,' stays forever. It serves as a repository and reference for the Asian-American community to know which TV shows, which directors, and which companies stereotype and demean Asian cultures.

According to Kulture, the Asian-American community doesn't yet have full awareness of how depictions in the entertainment media disadvantage them in real life. As an example, Hollywood representations of Asians as timid translate into real-world stereotypes whereby whites refuse to see Asians as leaders.  Asians are often unable to fundamentally change attitudes towards them, which are stubbornly reinforced by Hollywood. In other cases, Asians have a general awareness, but there is no common understanding as to why exactly certain Hollywood depictions are offensive; this forms a shaky basis from which to advocate change. Kulture addresses this by unpacking TV and movie scenes in detail and explaining the offensive nature of them.

Asian-Americans account for approximately 5.6% of the United States population, roughly 18.2 million people. According to student surveys conducted by the University of Michigan, Asian-Americans, when asked, could not name more than a few Asian actors, and the ones they could name were often portrayed in negative terms. Women are often sexualized while men are cast as villains or uncultured characters. 

"Many Asians know TV shows represent them in a bad light. But they may think they're alone in that view," says Kulture's Founder Tim Gupta. "Kulture spotlights how Hollywood mocks and excludes Asian men while fetishizing Asian women. Kulture helps Asians and those concerned about media racism stay abreast of how Asians are depicted, and we will eventually serve as a platform for them to take action against Hollywood offenders." To view the list of media offenses, visit www.kulturemedia.org.

About Kulture Media

Kulture is a media watchdog on behalf of Asian-Americans. This site is our way of showing Hollywood and the media that we are watching, that we will be highlighting their offenses to the community. Kulture's goal is to combat media oppression of Asian-Americans wherever it may be seen and create an environment where Asian-Americans are seen in a fair light. For more information, visit www.kulturemedia.org

Media Contact: Sara Gardner, 1-888-317-4687 ext. 702, Email

SOURCE Kulture Media