It took a while, but it's finally here!

[cashew]

An Asian American who wasn't impressed by Shang-Chi.

(〒▽〒)

For nearly two weeks, I was sitting around wondering if I and one other reddit user were the only ones who saw Shang-Chi for what it was: a repackaging of Asian (specifically Chinese) stereotypes that is more palatable to White people without being blatantly racist. I believe the best description was Shang-Chi strikes [him] as an 'improved congee', aka an Asian thing that's been Westernized to appeal to xenophobic Americans.

And lo!

If “Shang-Chi” breaks any ground, though, it won’t be for the quality and nuance of how it represents Asians or Asian Americans, but for the simple fact of that representation. The movie is an Orientalist fantasia that presents the same old tropes in slightly updated, somewhat self-aware, very expensive packaging. — Washington Post

I was told by a friend to be patient, as the negative reviews will come as more people watch the movie and make their voices heard, but I still couldn't help but feel like I was in some topsy-turvey world where the stereotypes were being heralded as revolutionary, progressive, and limit-breaking. Glad to see that I've got at least one more person in my corner.

Not gonna lie, it feels good to see my perspective validated in a major newspaper.

Also, very glad to see Morris correctly identified as 帝江 (dijiang) instead of 混沌 (hundun), because Americans are fucking confused. 混沌 has a face, it has ears that can't hear and eyes that don't see. Also, it has four legs instead of six. Gah. It was bothering me so much that people kept calling Morris a 混沌, because it's the wrong creature FFS!

/rant

Also, word to the following:

It’s not enough for me. I’m sorry. I’m not grateful for Shang Chi, because I’m not grateful for scraps from the table anymore.

I want a seat at the table.

I want the table.

I wish more Asian Americans aren't so quick to swallow Hollywood BS and are willing to demand more. They ought to demand more. America doesn't deserve a pat on the back for giving away table scraps. You don't get to feel progressive just because you cast actors of Chinese descent as Chinese characters in a movie. That's not enough.