Asian American Representation - Tumblr Posts

Congratulations to Steven Yeun who made history as the first Asian American actor nominated for a Best Leading Actor at the Oscars!

Big Hero 6 and Whiteness - A Followup

This Monday, I had the great privilege of meeting Hank Driskill, the technical director of Big Hero 6. He was warm, funny, and compassionate, and I am not at all surprised that he took part in the movie's creative process. Despite his presentation at Berkeley being focused on the technical aspects of the movie, he was still well-versed in the story, being a major contributor to the world itself.

I felt unwell that day, and I originally planned to sleep in and sleep early. But knowing that a creative giant for my favorite Disney movie was here at my school did nothing to quell my nerves, so I asked for and followed my friend's advice: "Do what you love for your body will follow." My body followed.

I couldn't bring myself to miss the opportunity to ask questions about Big Hero 6. So many had been tugging at the back of my mind: Why was the wormhole flat? How do Wasabi's laser weapons work? How is Aunt Cass related to Hiro and Tadashi? Are the Hamadas really half white, and, if so, why?

I was scared of asking the last one the most. Not only would I risk looking like a radically extreme social justice worker in front of one of my heroes (excuse the pun), but the possibility of leaving a bad impression on the industry that I would like to work in felt very real. Big Hero 6 was the reason I changed from an astrophysics to a film major. How ironic would it be if it were also the reason I'd be barred from working at Disney someday?

Okay, so I was being a worrywart, but give me some credit that I raised my shaking hand anyway! It's not an easy question to ask! So despite how terribly inarticulate I was, I was surprised that he understood what I was saying, and, moreover, sympathized with me. Although his response verified what I had feared – that Hiro and Tadashi were half-white – he put them at ease as soon as he confirmed them.

There was nothing malicious about these changes, and they actually came quite late in the movie-making process. In fact, the Hamada brothers did start off as being full Asian, but they were only changed at Ryan Potter and Daniel Henney's request. When I cited the family photo behind Hiro in the "low battery" scene as evidence of the Hamada's full Asian heritage, he confirmed that the picture was a portrait of Tadashi and his parents, and that the reason they both appeared Asian had to do with how the scenes had already been rendered. He explained that Disney made a point not mention their ethnicities anywhere in the film because they were not significant in defining the characters with regards to the story. What defined the characters of Big Hero 6 was their love for science, technology, and, most importantly, each other – and these themes were at the core of what comprised the story's heart. Because of this, it didn't seem like a big deal to honor Ryan and Daniel's request. I can respect these sentiments – they are far more conciliatory than the idea that Disney purposefully white-washed Hiro and Tadashi to appeal to a wider demographic.

I have yet to see an American animated film to feature a fully Asian protagonist, so, naturally, I was disappointed with the answer. Although I have nothing against biracials, it would be nice to have a protagonist that didn't seem to use his white heritage to affirm his Americaness or the worth of his identity. Nonetheless, I was comforted by Hank's following explanation: the Hamada brothers can be fully Asian if I want them to be.

Because Aunt Cass' relation to the Hamadas are not explained, because their ethnicities are not mentioned in the film, and because Hiro and Tadashi were originally conceived as Asian American characters, Disney intentionally left it to us to fill in the holes. If somehow that allows me to feel more represented, then there is nothing wrong with me choosing how to see them. Just as Ryan Potter and Daniel Henney wish to see Hiro and Tadashi in their images, so can I. There is absolutely nothing that stops me from doing so, and there is nothing that stops you from doing so either. So if you felt upset that Hiro and Tadashi were "white-washed," you can rest at ease knowing that they weren't meant to be and that they don't have to be. It's up to you to decide what they are. If you're happier respecting Ryan and Daniel’s request, or if you’re happier following your own whims, it's a win-win for Asian American representation either way.