Like the majority of Chinese, be it from native China or as part of the Chinese diaspora, many of them are at university and academically successful, as well as bright. They study hard and work to their strengths; however the truth is most of these students who are successful in their studies opt to study non-arts and humanities related subjects such as law, business, IT.
As for myself, I was an exception to this: I am British born, I am Chinese and yet I left school with no qualifications. When I left school at 16, 10 years ago I had no idea what route I wanted to take. Art was one option but because I didn’t do too well in that subject at GCSE level, that had put me off.
I experimented with a few college courses from 16 but it wasn’t until I was 21 that I enrolled on an access Communications and Media Studies programme at college in 2002. It lasted for a year which I passed and went straight into higher education. Unfortunately, I wasn’t happy with my course and after one year transferred to Thames Valley University to study a BA joint honours in Media Arts and New Media Journalism.
My parents weren’t entirely happy with the fact I was still at university at 23 and that I chose to study media, but I went ahead with it regardless. Having previously studied an access course in Media Studies, often helped as I was familiar with some of the ideas and themes which were covered in the Media Arts course. I was the only Chinese student on the course, although there was a Japanese student named Yoko who studied the same subject as me and we were the only two East Asian-based students in the entire degree programme.
People have different reasons for choosing their degree: mine were: a) I was interesting in film, television, music and to some extent print media such as newspapers and magazines; b) I wanted to work in the media and c) it appealed to me the idea of discussing the issues and themes within media and art from a theoretical, historical, cultural and sociological standpoint. I was interested in applying my knowledge to it, as well as bring into it my own personal experiences.
I didn’t choose it because it was much easier to study; rather I opted for it because it was linked to my career aspirations in working in the media. and just as importantly to experience that Chinese students are interested, able and motivated in studying hard, regardless of whether that subject is in media studies, business, law, cultural studies or whatever.
Being Chinese and studying media, it struck me the fact that the Chinese out of all the ethnic minority groups in Britain are seriously under-represented and ‘invisible’ within the British media, despite the fact that we are one of the largest Chinese communities in the world. In the west, there are television programmes featuring black, white and Asian people constantly - and yet the Chinese seem to be ignored, as if it to imply we are virtually non-existent. The last Chinese person I saw on television was on East Enders a few days ago, but she is probably a minor character.
Whether or not matters of this nature are going to be resolved by having more Chinese people employed within the entertainment and media sectors, the sad truth is that in the 21st century, the issue of race relations in relation to Chinese representations, on and off screen is a sad indictment of how little progress the media in Britain have made in addressing this problem.
Unless things change radically for the better, then I’m sorry but the British Chinese community will continuously vent their anger, frustration and disapproval at every given attempt that passes by them against the likes of the BBC and rightly so.
And why couldn’t a recent BBC documentary entitled ‘Chinese in Britain’ which was broadcasted on Radio 4, be shown on television? How typical though - it’s good that this was discussed but why on earth wasn’t this made into an actual documentary, so that the rest of the nation could see for themselves the importance and significance of Chinese Brits alongside the other ethnic groups in contemporary British society?
The American’s have a well-known face in Lucy Liu to represent Chinese Americans in the media and entertainment industries, whilst here in good ol’ Blighty who do we have that is the equivalent to her? Yep, no one. People would say Scottish born actress Katie Leung - but she is only 20 and has so far relatively less experience on screen, having starred in one major film: Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire (although she will appear in the fourth instalment of the franchise ‘The order of the Phoenix’, which will be out in cinemas later on this year).
The British media, particularly in the television sector, have been very poor when it comes to the lack of coverage given to Chinese Brits and when Chinese characters are shown on screen, those depictions tend to be stereotypical, derogatory and largely inaccurate.
I mean of course we exist and it’s important that the Chinese community get as much media attention as possible, so that it widens participation, but positive and fair representations of Chinese people in the media are crucial and the only way forward. That way, it helps promote awareness and diversity throughout and within our multicultural society and for young British born Chinese folk to be more consciously aware by learning more about their ethnic roots and cultural identity.
What I will say though to Chinese students, who are considering a career in the media and want to undertake a media studies related course is to go for it. For as long as you are passionate, enthusiastic and persistent about media, grasp the theory and concepts and are willing to succeed to get to your dream career goal, you will eventually succeed. Don’t let those who say otherwise impact upon your decision to do so.
Wai Ching Liu
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