Megan Markle Calls Out Popular Movies and TV Shows for Negative Asian Stereotypes

Former actress and Duchess of Sussex, Megan Markle, has recently called out several popular movies and TV shows for their portrayal of women of Asian descent.

In a new episode of her podcast, she discussed the negative stereotypes presented in films such as Austin Powers: Goldmember and Kill Bill, as well as the TV series How I Met Your Mother, and the controversial psychologist Jordan Peterson.

Markle specifically criticized the two 20-year-old films for their depiction of Japanese women Fook Mi and Fook Yu, played by Diane Mizota and Karian Inaba respectively.

Their characters were criticized for s**ually tokenizing Asian women.

She also took issue with Quentin Tarantino's 2003 blockbuster Kill Bill, which saw Lucy Liu portray the violent Yakuza leader O-Ren Ishii, a character that was described as a stereotypical dragon lady who uses her sexuality as a powerful tool of manipulation but often is emotionally and s**ually cold and threatens masculinity.

However, some critics accused Markle of hypocrisy for ranting against so-called characters of Asian women as over-sexualized or aggressive in Tarantino movies.

They pointed out that she played an over-sexualized and aggressive woman lawyer in Suits and promoted the series, despite its similar problematic portrayal of women.

Others defended the movies, arguing that all characters in Kill Bill were exaggerated, as is normal for Tarantino, and that hyper-sexualization is at the core of Austin Powers' surreal comedy.

They also accused Markle of cultural appropriation and using the issue of negative stereotypes to add American Asians to her fanbase.

Despite the backlash, Markle's concerns about the negative portrayal of Asian women in popular media are not unfounded.

The Dragon Lady stereotype, which depicts Asian women as exotic, seductive, and manipulative, has been prevalent in Western media for over a century and has contributed to the marginalization and objectification of Asian women.

Markle's podcast episode on the topic featured journalist Lisa Ling and comedian Margaret Cho, who shared their own experiences with the stereotype and discussed its harmful effects on Asian women's self-esteem and mental health.

They also called for more diverse and nuanced representation of Asian women in media and for creators to be more mindful of the impact their work can have on marginalized communities.

Markle's advocacy for social justice issues has been a recurring theme in her public life, from her time as an actress and philanthropist to her role as a member of the British royal family and now as a podcaster and activist.

Her podcast series, Archewell Audio, which she co-hosts with her husband Prince Harry, has tackled a range of topics, from mental health and racial justice to gender equality and climate change.

While some may criticize Markle's outspokenness and activism, her efforts to raise awareness of important social issues and amplify marginalized voices are commendable.

As society continues to grapple with issues of representation, diversity, and inclusion, it is crucial that we listen to and learn from those who have been historically marginalized and ensure that their stories are told with nuance, sensitivity, and respect.