Kids and Culture: Asian Representation in Wisconsin Media

by Harsimar Kang, Contributing Author

Image Source: PBS Wisconsin

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In our final installment of the “Kids and Culture” series, let’s explore Asian representation present through media, both in Wisconsin and nationally. When it comes to children’s media and representation of racial and ethnic identity, by now you may have realized that PBS Wisconsin is typically the go-to source. PBS Wisconsin provides access to documentaries like “Asian Americans” that teens and adults may enjoy, discussing the historical challenges that Asians have faced in America that now alter the current landscape, and they also have a “AANHPI” section of their Diverse Voices site, with many further videos of everyday Asian heritages and traditions. But there is still a dearth of media specific to the Asian experience in Wisconsin itself. There are articles published that discuss children’s shows with Asian-American and Pacific Island heritage and culture, such as Mira, Royal Detective on Disney Junior and Mighty Little Bheem on Netflix. YouTube also hosts a variety of educational shows for children. While many are geared towards a specific language, others, such as Woori Show, incorporate Korean language as well as aspects of Korean culture to teach more about the rich heritage of the country. 

It’s not to say that there aren’t people studying Asians and their necessity for further screen representation. At UW-Madison, Dr. Lori Lopez has hosted sessions aptly titled “Studying Asian-Americans and Media in Wisconsin.” The state government is also mandating the incorporation of more Asian history in the classroom. This past Spring, Governor Evers signed a bill that added Hmong and Asian history and culture to the curriculum with the addition of Act 266. This is one small step to allow children to be seen through textbooks and lessons, allowing for a safer space for youth to share stories of themselves and their families in class. 

We have discussed the concerns with isolation and poor self-identity that may occur with poor screen representation in previous articles. This is expected to lead to poor mental health outcomes, such as high rates of depression and anxiety, among minority youth. An interesting aspect of the Asian-American experience is the perpetuation of the model minority myth and the idea that Asian youth are not subject to these same poor outcomes. In fact, some studies even purport that Asians in Wisconsin perform better than all other racial and ethnic groups in mental health outcomes. However, there are many counter-arguments discussing how this data may be flawed. The 2023 Center for Disease Control’s Youth Risk Behavior Survey demonstrated that, in Wisconsin, 9.3% of Asian-identifying youth seriously considered attempting suicide, 7.9% made a suicide plan, and 1.9% actually attempted suicide. There are no data points for mental health conditions such as anxiety or depression, nor information on questions that ask about bullying or discrimination due to race/ethnicity. 

While Asian Americans in Wisconsin only make up 3% of the population, the population size has actually increased by 82% since 2000! In particular, many refugees of Hmong descent have made Wisconsin their home over the years. While incorporation of more Asian-American stories in classrooms is a great start for kids to feel represented in the lessons they learn, there is still a long way to go for appropriate representation on screen. A 2022 study discussed that only 1.8% of all movies released that year centered on Asian stories. This indicates a significant need for more Asian media, especially given the high rates of suicidal ideation for Asian youth both in Wisconsin and across the nation. There are also limited Asian-specific mental health resources available for youth, but Prevent Suicide Wisconsin has a great list of links for mental health providers, community organizations and outreach groups. 

Beyond screens, this is a great time to emphasize ways that children can experience aspects of cultures from a variety of Asian countries outside of screens. Madison hosted a “Very Asian Restaurant Week” this year (with hopes of being a yearly occurrence) that highlighted many Asian cuisines and restaurants that kids could enjoy, as food is one of the easiest (and yummiest) ways to get glimpses of other cultures. Many museums have informative and educational displays for older children and adolescents, such as the “Asia” exhibit in the Milwaukee Public Museum or the “From Laos to America” Museum in Wausau. In the latter museum, they contain the largest collection of Lao and Hmong cultural artifacts in the country, discussing aspects of the southeast Asian refugee experience. The AAPI Coalition of Wisconsin also frequently posts opportunities on Facebook of Asian authors and influencers giving talks in the Wisconsin area, which provides another avenue to build community. 

Let us know if you have checked out any of these shows or hit up Madison for their Very Asian Restaurant Week!

References:

1. Asian American History in Wisconsin Schools | Strang Law LLC. (2024, November 15). School & Public Records Law; Strang Law LLC. https://www.stranglawllc.com/blog/governor-evers-signs-bill-requiring-k-12-wisconsin-schools-teach-asian-american-history

   
   

2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 1991-2023 High School Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data. Available at http://yrbs-explorer.services.cdc.gov/. Accessed on November 26, 2024.

   
   

3. Cheung, W. (2021, April 6). Rebuilding the Asian American story for next-gen kids. Kidscreen; Brunico Communications Ltd. https://kidscreen.com/2021/04/06/rebuilding-the-asian-american-story-for-next-gen-kids/

   
   

4. Khang, T. (2021, November 19). Beyond the Model Minority Myth: The harmful outcomes of Asian monolithic grouping | Madison365. Madison365; Madison365. https://madison365.com/beyond-the-model-minority-myth-the-harmful-outcomes-of-asian-monolithic-grouping/

   
   

5. Lai, L. (2023, May 30). There Still Aren’t Enough Authentic Asian Characters in Kids’ Media. Common Sense Media. https://www.commonsensemedia.org/kids-action/articles/there-still-arent-enough-authentic-asian-characters-in-kids-media

   
   

6. Yam, K. (2024, February 28). Wisconsin could become next state to mandate Asian American history in schools. NBC News; NBC News. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/wisconsin-asian-american-history-schools-rcna140937