Sociology

Cross-racial relationships always stand as the main theme of Asian-American cultural products. The fusion of two cultures produces entirely distinct characteristics, as well as breaks racial stereotypes. Within the most globalized society ever in human history, keeping individuals cultures or identities is almost impossible and meaningless. Needless to say, each individuals heritage and traditional culture should be respected and preserved by others. Moreover, isolated behaviors such as having certain stereotypes or biases toward other cultures should be eliminated in todays globalized society. In North America, a place where there is ample diversity of ethnic groups to even allow for a recognition or realization of distinct cultures, minorities still have a dilemma between cultural identity and cultural racism. While the United States of America would perhaps pride itself with this united cultural diversity term melting-pot, but then hidden racism and inequality still exist beneath its surface. Jessica Yus film Ping Pong Playa and Adrian Tomines graphic novel Shortcomings exhibit a culture gap shrinkage concerning Asian-Americans.
       
Ping Pong Playa, a film directed by Jessica Yu, is a recent film about Asian-Americans that breaks cultural stereotypes about Asians or the Chinese. The films hero, Christopher Wang, portrayed as C-Dub, is a local California guy who wants to be a basketball player like Yao. He is truly inspired by an African-American culture that even his manner of talking and pronunciation personify African-Americans. His character is that of a positive person who neither critics other cultures nor prepares for the future. His brothers character in the film, however, represents a typical Chinese man but C-Dubs character stands in stark contrast as a stereotypical Asian-American. Even the films portrayal of his relationship with his father is extremely atypical, when viewed against traditional Chinese culture. On a different note, C-Dubs bestfriend in the film, JP Money, is an African-American who intends to learn the Chinese language and grasp Chinese culture. It is, therefore, cinematically reasonable too that JP Money influences C-Dubs personality or style which embodies an African-American person. Both C-Dub and JP Money represent a departure from stereotypes associated with their respective racial groups. For instance, it is unusual for an African-American to attend classes in a Chinese Community Center, as well as for a Chinese guy to mimic an African-American lifestyle. C-Dub and JP Moneys special friendship, therefore, is a metaphorical depiction of cross-racial relationships. This particular cross-racial friendship suggests a new future for Americas invisible social issues.