Asian Americans and fiction. Should western fiction include more Asian cultures? Would Western cultures accept?

Question by Lauren: Asian Americans and fiction. Should western fiction include more Asian cultures? Would Western cultures accept?
This might sound like a silly question at first, but I’m being honest. I listen to music and watch shows that are from Asia. But, Asian American music or shows are almost nonexistent in America. And if your non Asian, it’s hard to appreciate these cultures without Americans in general feeling like Asian-related things are “foreign” or “strange”.

I am writing a book with a Korean American as the lead, and it is not a stereotypical plot line. I feel like Americans need more Asian fiction, but there is a problem with publishing companies. They are not looking for these types of books due to their opinion that American audiences cannot relate to Asian Americans.
(Take a look at articles about the “whitewashing” of 21 and Avatar: The Last Airbender. There are many. And one of my favorite Asian American actors, Dante Basco, has written about this, as well.)

What is your take on Asian Americans in the fiction world?
Should we only read Asian-related fiction from Asia (like manga, anime…etc), or should America begin writing fiction with non Caucasians as the main characters more often?
Can a book like this work now, or should it wait until Asians have more opportunities in the entertainment industry?

Best answer:

Answer by onelove
You know how long it took to get a disney movie with a non-Caucasian princess. A while. But I see what you mean, I love Asian culture, I was even born in the Philippines. I watch movies like The Debut which is about a Filipino family making it in America and I love Kung fu movies. Shoalin vs. Wu Tang, awesome. But I think Americans need to expand their knowledge and learn about other cultures. I don’t see it as foreign at all.

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