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BuzzFeed is Paving the Way for Asian-American Representation

BuzzFeed is known for its quirky videos and wacky quizzes; however, it has also recently become known for its inclusion. BuzzFeed has gone from two to 22 Asian-American staff members in a single year. To some, this may not seem like that big of a deal. But for the Asian community, this is revolutionary.

Unfortunately, we are used to being underrepresented. Every Asian that ever gets any screen time is simply cast as an extra or background character: the piano prodigy, the math whiz or the chess team captain. Thanks to BuzzFeed, Asian-American characters are finally coming to life.

In a recent Buzzfeed YouTube video, the Asian-American BuzzFeed staff united and re-created an iconic cover of VanityFair Magazine. The cast and crew (photographers, makeup artists, and hair stylists) were made entirely of Asian-Americans. The models included Ashly Perez (arguably one of the most iconic “BuzzFeeder’s” ) Justin Tan, Safiya Nygaard and Michelle Khare, all of which have helped to promote awareness about the lack of Asian-American representation there is in the media.

“Teenagers constantly look to the media for inspiration and consolidation; however, there are very few Asians in film or literature with whom we can associate with.”

Much to mainstream media’s surprise, Asians don’t just have to be doctors or engineers, they can be video producers and journalists. This is the type of exposure that needs to be reiterated to every generation of Asian-American’s to follow. As an Asian-American myself, seeing a photo shoot of entirely Asian models, infused me with a sense of confidence. Growing up, rarely did I see Asian actors or models in entertainment. Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior and Mulan were the closest things I ever got to “representation.”

Asian actors still only compile 1% of Hollywood’s leading roles, but platforms like BuzzFeed inspire hope that our culture is moving in the right direction.

Read the full BuzzFeed Article here: https://www.buzzfeed.com/kanediep/asian-americans-recreate-iconic-hollywood-magazine-cover-pho?utm_term=.cd2lqDNpp#.ynQoO2kyy

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