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On an Asian Doctor Strange
Sunday, May 2nd, 2021 08:50 pmI’m watching-not-paying-attention to the whitewashing shitshow that’s the Doctor Strange movie on our DVR (did I mention that we moved? Mom bought a house and I'm happy for her!) and…
When the movie first came out, I absolutely agreed with takes that said it would’ve been best for Doctor Strange to be played by an Asian actor (who was also actually attractive and pleasant to look at.) And absolute common sense for the Ancient One to be played by a Asian woman, for goodness’ sake (I think someone said specifically Tibetan for her, too?).
But even more than the basic representation of seeing an actual Asian man perform mystical Asian magic…Doctor Strange, at least presented in the movie, is initially such a colossally egotistical, selfish, conspicuously consuming, unappreciative (especially to Dr. Palmer) and cruel asshole.
Dear god in heaven, the man openly picks and chooses surgical cases based on whether or not he perceives them to be useful to his record/image/reputation, etc. One particular case he responds to with, “…So could 50 other neurosurgeons [do that].” I was thinking to myself: but if it’s apparently so easy or at least so commonplace in the field of neurosurgery, then that patient would’ve been in excellent care under his well-experienced hands.
But he didn’t want to take care of that patient who needs help because it’s not unique enough to further his goals.
The man is cruel.
It’s…such a predictable, tiresome thing to see a white man be like that.
But…to have seen an Asian man be like that? An Asian man who, especially if he’s a doctor, is often stereotyped as meek; unassuming; non-masculine [by Western standards]; a doormat; and the Model Minority who’s happy to take on any kind of work to satisfy the voyeuristic gaze of white supremacy?
There’s a lot of good words on how representation of people of color can often be only one- or two-dimensional and rarely allows for flaws. This in turn dehumanizes real-life people of color in that it doesn’t allow us the full gamut of human emotion, expression, and personality-which can and does involve being mean, nasty, ugly, cruel, etc.
So good gracious, an Asian man being allowed to act so monstrous while then going on a journey of growth and healing (in a land where the people look like him!!) to become better than that…that would’ve been epic.
That would’ve been refreshing.
When the movie first came out, I absolutely agreed with takes that said it would’ve been best for Doctor Strange to be played by an Asian actor (who was also actually attractive and pleasant to look at.) And absolute common sense for the Ancient One to be played by a Asian woman, for goodness’ sake (I think someone said specifically Tibetan for her, too?).
But even more than the basic representation of seeing an actual Asian man perform mystical Asian magic…Doctor Strange, at least presented in the movie, is initially such a colossally egotistical, selfish, conspicuously consuming, unappreciative (especially to Dr. Palmer) and cruel asshole.
Dear god in heaven, the man openly picks and chooses surgical cases based on whether or not he perceives them to be useful to his record/image/reputation, etc. One particular case he responds to with, “…So could 50 other neurosurgeons [do that].” I was thinking to myself: but if it’s apparently so easy or at least so commonplace in the field of neurosurgery, then that patient would’ve been in excellent care under his well-experienced hands.
But he didn’t want to take care of that patient who needs help because it’s not unique enough to further his goals.
The man is cruel.
It’s…such a predictable, tiresome thing to see a white man be like that.
But…to have seen an Asian man be like that? An Asian man who, especially if he’s a doctor, is often stereotyped as meek; unassuming; non-masculine [by Western standards]; a doormat; and the Model Minority who’s happy to take on any kind of work to satisfy the voyeuristic gaze of white supremacy?
There’s a lot of good words on how representation of people of color can often be only one- or two-dimensional and rarely allows for flaws. This in turn dehumanizes real-life people of color in that it doesn’t allow us the full gamut of human emotion, expression, and personality-which can and does involve being mean, nasty, ugly, cruel, etc.
So good gracious, an Asian man being allowed to act so monstrous while then going on a journey of growth and healing (in a land where the people look like him!!) to become better than that…that would’ve been epic.
That would’ve been refreshing.
