An insensitive Instagram post by series star Kevin Kreider is just the tip of the iceberg.
People often watch reality shows to turn off their brains me included.
Hate crimes against Asian Americanshave spikedsince the outbreak of COVID-19 in the United States.
Courtesy of Netflix © 2021
Anti-Asian hate crimes jumped 1,900 percent in New York City in 2020,according to one report.
Kreider also began the post, which he later deleted, “Don’t take yourself so seriously.”
In response to Kreider’s post, writer Phillipe Thao tweeted, “Bling Empire was a mistake.
Netflix
), and partly because I thought it was aCrazy Rich Asiansrip-off, based onNetflix’s own marketing.
The truth of it was messier.
(Only in L.A. can a handsome model be considered the Joe Schmoe of his friend group.)
Netflix
So it was somewhat surprising to see Kreider respond to a national crisis in such a crass manner.
Upon further reflection, though, it made sense.
Revolutionary thought, I know.
It only excels at the former, however, and minimizes the latter two in the process.
When the show strives to humanize its stars, it also flattens their cultures.
Really, in acity of nearly 1.6 million that’s 7.8 percent Asian?
In Asian American culture, it’s often valued to put your head down and work hard.
Don’t make waves.
Swallow your pain.”
Due to these stereotypes and pressures, many Asian Americansdon’t even know our own historyin this country.
Neither of us had learned more than two or three of these events in high school or college.
Is this a win?
And is it a win when one of its cast members goes on to actively spread ignorance?
Even so, theBling Empirecast is not the central issue.
I don’t doubt they’re living their truths and they really are that rich.
To paraphraseMiranda Priestly: “Another reality show about rich Asians?
We have voices, and many of usarepolitically active.
You just wouldn’t know it from most textbooks, or TV and movies.
Recently, both Netflix and Bravo released statements condemning anti-Asian hate crimes.
“We stand united against racism, hatred, and violence.
While it was nice to see these companies acknowledge the national crisis, their statements fell flat.
A representative for Bravo declined to comment on the situation.
We need help and have, in fact, been begging for it these past few months.
Begging for people to care about us and see us as human beings.
And to Netflix and other Hollywood power players do better.
It is not enough to do the minimum while also being part of the problem.
