I’ve recently started to watch Hawaii 5 0. One reason being I love detective genre type shows e.g. CSI, NCIS, Criminal Intent – I’ll watch them all. But the interesting thing I’ve found with Hawaii 5-0 is of course the two Korean American actors Daniel Dae Kim and Grace Park.
I don’t know about you but I’ve always felt drawn to watching Asians on ‘western’ TV. I mean I notice when there’s an Asian in the ads and I always find myself going for the asians in reality TV shows e.g. Thanh Bui (Aussie Idol), Adam Liaw and Poh Ling Yeow (Masterchef), Vanessa Sew Hoy (SYTYCD).
In the U.S there’s people like Masi Oka (Heroes, Hawaii 5-0), B.D Wong (Law and Order) hmm..who else is there? KevJumba and his dad (Amazing Race)…
I guess its cause it just feels great knowing that there are more asians making it on TV which is great as there doesn’t seem to be a proportionate amount of them compared to the Asians who call Australian home. Good to have some positive representation:)
The second reason is because its great to be able to look up to them as a role model. Growing up their weren’t many people I could identify with on TV. No-one who really looked like me, talked, ate, laughed and jokes like the ones I did. The closest I could get was watching TVB dramas that my parents rented. But then I didn’t fully understand Hong Kong humour and lifestyle either.
Recently I’ve been praying for someone I can look up to spiritually. Of course, there are many gifted and godly men out there who I’ve learnt a lot from (some who are Asian, some who aren’t), and there are many beautiful, godly women out there too. But there does seem to be a shortage of Asian Australian christian women leaders to follow as role models.
I recently took a look at what’s happening in America with asian christian women leaders. I also had a read of a book called ‘More than Serving Tea’ written by a group of Asian and Pacific Islander American Christian women (leaders). The book can be found here. There are similarities, but also many differences – quite interesting and I wonder whether we’ll be like that in years to come…
The reality is that the ones who are around are SO crazily busy and faithfully serving their church and husbands that they wouldn’t have the energy and time to look after women outside their ‘assigned flock’.
Thankfully we have Jesus who we can ultimately model against and follow. At the same time I guess its a challenge for us (and myself) can we be the models for the generation below us? Who do you look up to and identify with?
Grace Lung 