When it comes to Asian toxic masculinity, Simu Liu has spoken out against Asian diaspora men who assault Asian diaspora women. However, due to his frequent references to Asian men’s emasculation, the Shang-Chi star has been criticised and called out by Asian Americans in the past.
Many Asian males say that they are not desirable because of preconceptions. Still, they disregard the hypersexualisation of and violence against Asian women while deplorably asserting that Asian women have more privilege than Asian men. As a result, Asian women are subjected to misogynistic harassment and assault by men.
As a child, the actor’s self-esteem was impacted by preconceptions about Asian men, and he made it plain that he doesn’t endorse the behaviour of some Asian American males.
Many Asian men criticise Asian women by saying things like, “Well, you’ve got all these privileges as an Asian woman,” because Asian women are considered more desirable and higher on the social hierarchy.
“It’s depressing to hear of all the fights in the community. However, it’s clear that Asian men and Asian women both suffer from the same dilemma, namely, that a largely white gaze has defined our experiences.”
Afterwards, Simu was asked if the debate had changed the way he views and talks about Asian masculinity in general. “My response needs to be nuanced,’ he said. “Somehow, I doubt that we’re consciously praising toxic masculinity at its most archetypal core by over-correcting our emasculation.”
“Rather than using masculinity to describe all the flaws in traditional masculinity, I hope that as Asian men begin to talk about masculinity, they can redefine what the word means. Because Asian American masculinity is relatively new, why use it to describe all of the flaws in traditional masculinity?”
“How about we define masculinity in a way that is body-positive for all sorts and inclusive of gender norms and sexual preferences as well as body-positive for all types of men?”
“Then why not talk about respecting women, encouraging our Asian American sisters, and being a greater ally to all minorities, as well as celebrating male fragility and being able to share sentiments with your male friends and circle members? Why not bring them up as well?
“If it’s just about abs and being buff and shredded and trying to out-man the men, then that’s not a conversation I want to be involved in.” However, there is a new Shang-Chi movie out in the UK and the US.
