GWSS Spring 2008 Section B

"Most of the time these other Grace Lees were only faintly remembered. They were "good girls" obedient, smart, and throughly dull. The more I heard about these other Grace Lees, the more I became convinced that "Grace Lee" signified a boring, conservative hyper-achiever, confirming already existing stereotypes of Asian Americans. I secretly feared that my name alone lumped me together with people I felt I had nothing in common with, or worse, with people who made me look bad! Was I just as boring and fishy as those other Grace Lees?" (The Grace Lee Project)

The "Grace Lee Project" was an interesting reflection of the Asian-American society, as well as the Asian-American woman. Being Asian though not being Korean, I felt a sort of affinity towards this documentary as I could relate to many of the themes. Asian-Americans are often viewed as being overachievers because they try to be overachievers. If they are not smart and talented at every musical instrument starting with A to Z, their family will look down at them and pressure them. Asian-Americans often have to work twice as hard as their Western Counterparts because Asians in America often do not get much respect. In order to get the respect they want and deserve, they have to work and show people how capable they are. Asian-Americans are often insecure and need people to tell them over and over that they are smart. They should not have to be like this.

This movie was exceptionally enlightening as it showed us how people do not have to abide by stereotypes in order to be happy as the happiest Asian-American was the ones who did what they wanted to do whether it was drawing weird pictures, playing musical instruments, or practicing their religion of choice. I think that this movie was more about being Asian-American rather than focusing on the feminism aspect of the movie. The stereotypes regarding being Asian-American can apply to both male and female Asian-Americans and as a result, I am not really sure as to how this particular movie was relevant to this class. However, it was a really nice movie, a good wholesome documentary that far exceeded the Angela Shelton documentary in both the creative and professional manners of the movie.

張惠妹