FROM FOB TO FRESH: ASIAN AMERICAN IDENTITY AND MODEL MINORITY DISCOURSE ON FRESH OFF THE BOAT

Abstract

Fresh Off the Boat’s historical significance as the first network primetime show to feature an Asian American family as protagonists automatically comments on racial discourse in America. This study analyzes the first eight episodes of ABC’s Fresh Off the Boat to draw implications regarding Asian American experiences and Asian American role in racial discourse, going beyond a Black/white dichotomy. This study focuses on five aspects of the Asian American stereotype: (1) The American Dream, (2) Achievement Expectation, (3) Assimilation, (4) Family Relations, and (5) Position of Asians in Race Relations. Ultimately, findings show that while Fresh Off the Boat is momentous for Asian and Asian American representation and does succeed in portraying Asians and Asian Americans in a more humanized manner, it still continues to perpetuate white domination and supremacy.