Glenn Rhee: Asian-American TV Hero
Nov 5, 2016 13:09:12 GMT -5
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Post by Sexual Chocolate on Nov 5, 2016 13:09:12 GMT -5
NBC News
Essay: I'll Find You, Glenn Rhee: A Eulogy for My Asian-American TV Hero
The mere existence of Glenn Rhee was revolutionary. Here was a bright, young Asian-American male character on a mainstream American television program who served a greater purpose than just existing solely to be a sidekick or a punch line to a second-rate joke. He was a loyal friend, a fearless leader, and a loving husband. The complexities behind the portrayal of Glenn elevated his character above Long Duk Dong, Leslie Chow, and Han Lee. He was fully-fleshed and multi-faceted. He had different shades, wrinkles, and nuances, resembling more a relatable human being rather than a cartoonish caricature.
As a young filmmaker, I am thankful for Glenn Rhee and Steven Yeun. I didn't grow up seeing very many faces or hearing many stories that looked like mine in American movies or television. To have had the pleasure of witnessing this character's thoughtful journey and evolution from a naive errand runner to powerful defender was more than just entertaining, it was transformative.
There's a moment in season three that I will never forget. After Glenn was captured and badly beaten by The Governor's men, they released a walker into the room to finish him off. Not only did he resourcefully vanquish the walker with a broken chair arm, but afterwards he let out this enormous roar. There he stood, covered in blood, with this battle cry that shook my television set and my senses. It was one of the powerful images of an Asian-American male I had ever seen.
In a time when Asian Americans are fighting harder than ever for media visibility and being more vocal about creating quality roles for actors, losing one that helped pave the way for the rest of the community in such a relentlessly vicious manner was absolutely devastating. Glenn Rhee broke and rewrote all of the rules for what an Asian-American character could or couldn't do. He was a desirable romantic interest, a charismatic action hero, and a believable everyman all rolled into one. His influence was far and wide, and he left an important legacy for Asian Americans.
Link
Essay: I'll Find You, Glenn Rhee: A Eulogy for My Asian-American TV Hero
The mere existence of Glenn Rhee was revolutionary. Here was a bright, young Asian-American male character on a mainstream American television program who served a greater purpose than just existing solely to be a sidekick or a punch line to a second-rate joke. He was a loyal friend, a fearless leader, and a loving husband. The complexities behind the portrayal of Glenn elevated his character above Long Duk Dong, Leslie Chow, and Han Lee. He was fully-fleshed and multi-faceted. He had different shades, wrinkles, and nuances, resembling more a relatable human being rather than a cartoonish caricature.
As a young filmmaker, I am thankful for Glenn Rhee and Steven Yeun. I didn't grow up seeing very many faces or hearing many stories that looked like mine in American movies or television. To have had the pleasure of witnessing this character's thoughtful journey and evolution from a naive errand runner to powerful defender was more than just entertaining, it was transformative.
There's a moment in season three that I will never forget. After Glenn was captured and badly beaten by The Governor's men, they released a walker into the room to finish him off. Not only did he resourcefully vanquish the walker with a broken chair arm, but afterwards he let out this enormous roar. There he stood, covered in blood, with this battle cry that shook my television set and my senses. It was one of the powerful images of an Asian-American male I had ever seen.
In a time when Asian Americans are fighting harder than ever for media visibility and being more vocal about creating quality roles for actors, losing one that helped pave the way for the rest of the community in such a relentlessly vicious manner was absolutely devastating. Glenn Rhee broke and rewrote all of the rules for what an Asian-American character could or couldn't do. He was a desirable romantic interest, a charismatic action hero, and a believable everyman all rolled into one. His influence was far and wide, and he left an important legacy for Asian Americans.
Link