We should support Asian representation in media

The argument

Mulan should be welcomed as it is probably the only time that many children of Asian descent will see someone who looks like them on-screen whilst simultaneously shattering stereotypes of the submissive Asian woman. This is paramount as it is a continuation of the trend of having Asian representation be central in mainstream pop culture which has been spearheaded by the likes of Mindy Kaling and other producers and shows which have only gained prevalence in the last 5 or so years. Showing support for Mulan is a huge stride towards normalising positive Asian female representation in pop culture and turning the tides of historical white-washing and typecasting of Asian characters as seen in the 90s all the way to the early and mid-00s. The movie also comes on the backs of social media campaigns such as #MakeMulanRight which gained prominence on Twitter after the announcement of a Mulan remake by Disney - it is vital that minorities reap the fruits of their campaigns.

Premises

Counter-arguments

The Mulan remake is not a shining example of Asian representation. The movie still falls short of addressing the pressing issue of White individuals saturating movies' decision making. Although the cast is all Asian, the talent behind the camera is still overwhelmingly White despite the pressure from social media, signalling that the inclusivity of the movie is more akin to tokenism. Additionally, there actually was a well-made 2009 live-action film version of the Chinese legend already in existence called Mulan: Rise of a Warrior which was created by an all-Chinese team, lending more cultural authenticity and depth to their rendition of Mulan's story.

Rejecting the premises

[Rejecting P1] Representation is treated as settled by casting. The premise's own terms invite the harder question — whether a film written and directed largely by people outside the community depicted delivers what it depicts — which is the counter's objection and is not answered by the presence of an Asian cast. The claim that the film shatters a stereotype is also asserted about a release whose reception among the audiences named was mixed. [Rejecting P2] The reward argument assumes a ticket sale is read as approval of the right thing. A studio counting receipts learns that the property sells, not which of its choices the audience endorsed, so the premise cannot separate support for representation from support for a remake. It also leaves out everything else attached to this release — where parts of it were filmed and whom the credits thank, and the lead actor's public comments — which is what made the boycott a question about more than representation. [Rejecting C] The conclusion presents watching as the way to support the goal, when the premises establish only that the goal is worth supporting. Other films with Asian creative leadership, including the 2009 production the counter names, would serve the same end — a comparison the argument never makes.

Framing

Asian representation has historically been scant and Disney's live-action Mulan helps reverse that.