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It's no secret that Randy Jackson's America's
Best Dance Crew is one of the hottest shows on television
and has put MTV back on the map. The show has consistently
garnered high ratings with its great beats and astounding
dancers. Recently the Californian dance crew, Quest Crew,
was declared this season's winner. Though the show is no
stranger to talented Asian American dancers such as those
that were in previous crews that won the championship – the
Jabbawockeez and Super Cr3w, this is the first time that an
all Asian American crew has won the show.
The American society has been changing since
I was kid. As an Asian American child, I had dreamed of
pursuing an acting career or something of the sort in show
business, yet I never really saw an Asian face on the
screen. I never heard about any issues with Asian Americans
like me being talked about anywhere in the media. Kids would
just look at Asian Americans as nothing more than just
brainy kids who – according to their minds – knew how to
kung fu. Not seeing Asian Americans in any part of the media
and being cast into these stereotypes made me think at one
point that perhaps, that's just the way things are. Now,
Asian Americans are becoming more present in different forms
in the media, from a news reporter to a well-known dancer.
Even though this show is a dance competition
is has had an effect on society. It has exposed the rest of
American youth to Asian Americans, many of whom have never
seen one in that capacity in their lives. The stereotype of
Asian Americans as only the type of people who would only be
fit to participate in the business and medical world is
beginning to see its cracks.
The show has also shown America some common issues that
Asian Americans face such as the disapproval that is common
amongst Asian parents about their child pursuing a career in
the arts. The members of Quest Crew admitted to facing
opposition from their parents about pursuing a career in
dance and that they can relate to other Asian Americans who
want to take that path as well. Having won this
championship, they have proven that they do have what it
takes to make it. This show has helped inspire Asian
Americans to pursue a career in the arts as opposed to the
traditional path of law or of a field in the sciences.
As time passes by, it gives me more hope that
the transition of America to view Asian Americans as a more
integral part of society will come about and more quickly.
It also gives me hope that the voice of Asian Americans will
become more present in show business and that many Asian
Americans do not have to think that pursuing something other
than law and sciences are just impossible. With great media
exposure, I think I can see a great future for Asian
Americans.
Quest Crew Official Site:
http://www.questcrew.com/
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