Lotus Blossom or Dragon Lady

In class we’ve been discussing the overarching views of African American Women as portrayed by the media. Words like “Wild,” “Untamed,” and “Object” are frequently used to describe the African American women that we see on billboards, in commercials, and on television. To expand on this stereotyping of minority women, scholars have found that Asian American women also suffer from reoccurring generalizations. In the media, Asian American women must fit two differing roles: “Lotus Blossom” and “Dragon Lady”.

“Lotus Blossom” is the perfect Asian American partner, the ideal object of the white-man’s affection. She is quiet, demure, submissive and very agreeable. Her exotic looks provide her with a sense of primitive innocence, and it is the man’s duty to teach her how to think, act, and behave. I’m sure we all remember that clip in “Memoirs of a Geisha,” where one graceful glance from a pair of almond-shaped eyes should be enough to knock a man off his bike.

“Dragon Lady,” on the other hand, is defined by her power. An interesting character, Dragon Lady is characterized by both her hyper-sexual air, and her asexual tendencies. She is fearsome, strong, yet always alone. In this case, her exotic looks provide a sense of ultimate-sexuality, which Dragon Lady will use, to attempt to dominate over the white male (she has no emotions, and this is ultimately her downfall). She is often the villain, perhaps the one who captured innocent Lotus Blossom, and the white man must be careful not to be blinded by her sexuality. When I think of Dragon Lady, I think of Lucy Liu in Kill Bill.

Many modern television shows claim to be diverse, adhering to a projected level of political-correctness. However, Lotus Blossom and Dragon Lady inevitably emerge. Sandra Oh’s character in Grey’s Anatomy is a perfect modern day Dragon Lady, fearful, exotic, asexual, and devoid of emotions which constantly limits her to “side-kick” to main character Meredith Grey. Glee, holds an interesting character, where the only female asian Tina has the appearance of Dragon Lady, yet is internally a Lotus Blossom with her inability to speak and submissiveness to the club (there is never an instance where she is the center of controversy). Even looking at media representations, figure skater Kim Yu-Na was featured as a very Lotus-Blossom-like athlete. Submissive to her coaches, innocent by her lack of opinion on any topic outside the field of ice skating (she is rarely quoted saying anything other than the pressures of her sport), and demure glances and smiles broadcasted by the Media. 

It seems that in the media, being a woman is second-class and being a minority is ostracism. However, being both meaning limiting yourself to the most narrow categorization presented by the Media.