There's a sensitive subject when it comes to Asians. Ever since Hollywood promoted the image of the good Asian "Charlie Chan," many have felt ambivalence about just what good this can do for our stereotype. Mr. Chan's benevolence, honesty, and acumen is invaluable; on the other hand, subservience can present significant barriers. In "American Asians Face Career Disadvantages," Deborah Woo concluded: "survey data have indicated a strong perception among Asian American professionals that they are frequently passed over for promotion by those with less education, training, and years of experience" (www.modelminority.com).

            Tackling the glass-ceiling myth takes on new meanings among Asian-American stand-up comedians today. The inveterate Margaret Cho's wacky humor is mandatory therapy; recommended watching to expand one's concepts of what Asians really can accomplish under pressure. When traditional cultural expectations do oneself harm, when rather than speak up, one finds himself left holding the hat, there must be better ways. Or, as Margaret Cho deals it to her ex-lover: Eat Shit and Die!

            As of 2010, Cho still makes Amerasian Ms. Kate Rigg's routines seem a bit rigmarole; however mass audiences love Rigg's antics anyway. Click this later sample of "In Your Face." Comedians seem to flourish regionally, such as Suzanne Park (Seattle). Others reach critical acclaim by reinterpreting history, such as Byron Yee does in "Paper Son." There are ways to revisit painful topics even when it is only after a generation later as a performing artist. Another upcoming Asian-American comedy troupe is Mahatma Moses, composed of "an Indian, a Jew, and an Indian Jew." At their website (http://tour.mahatma-moses.com/) they give a humorous explanation about their genesis.

            Maybe someday, decades from now perhaps, the state of affairs will evolve to the point where race will no longer be a card held or used by one party against another. Humor is vital for allowing us to forget about rigidities which keep people in their place. It helps create the context for tolerance and understanding--after all, we all err.

            In the old days, the traditional view was to "eat bitterness" and suffer in silence. Today, Asian-Americans help broaden the shared horizons for many hopeful comedians.

Photo of Margaret Cho credit NNDB (http://www.nndb.com/people/694/000022628/)

---Written by C.H. Wong 

Selected Resources:

APICC, http://tinyurl.com/6aabxz3

Byron Yee, http://www.paperson.com/

Charlie Chan, Wikipedia

Deborah Woo, "American Asians Face Career Disadvantages," www.modelminority.com

Don Chao, "Baby Envy" http://youtu.be/9LDHaYkgKTI

Edwin Li, http://www.funnyordie.com/topic/asian-american-comedian

Kate Rigg, http://youtu.be/CcefVC6tMAY 

Mahatma Moses Comedy Tour, http://tour.mahatma-moses.com/

Margaret Cho, http://www.margaretcho.com/content/category/multimedia/