Leading the lackadaisical schedule associated with grad students has prompted me to form a love-hate relationship with daytime TV. Between flamboyant Court TV judges, All My Children, and frothy episodes of Tyra, I think its safe to say I'm heavier on the hate.
But I can't think of the last thing that's made my blood simmer the way this morning's segment on The Today Show did--Kathy Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb's overly simplified and borderline insulting simulated tour across a bizarre interpretation of "Asia."* The women, outfitted in a garish combo of silk kimonos and questionably angled bindis, enlightened their viewers on quintessential "Asian" experiences, complete with a sloppy origami lesson, a food sampling that frenetically spanned the continent (bibimbop, biryani, and bubble tea) and a makeshift petting zoo featuring a who's-who of Asian animals including a 47-year-old Macac and a Bactrian Camel. All topped with a whirlwind bhangra tutorial--insert the obligatory, "balle balle" here--from Masala Bhangra guru, Sarina Jain. Bite-sized culture nuggets, reducing age-old traditions to snappy, 30-second television spots. Excuse my lack of eloquence. But what the hell?
Though I'm no certified expert, I can certainly claim that the more mainstream American media finds it acceptable to present viewers with this weird and dare I say, Orientalist-inspired agglomeration that is "Asia", the more we are misinforming our audiences. And though I'm slightly embarrassed to quote the title of an existing Facebook group to bolster my point, here goes: "There's More Than One Country in Asia, People!" (yes, I'm a member). Japan is not China. And neither is Taiwan. But how are we to drive home this point if the all-encompassing, "Asian" umbrella is conveniently flapped open when any of these distinct nations becomes a topic of conversation?
Thoughts?
*Tomorrow on Today? South America!
