The Asian American Community and Internet Social Media

Abstract

This study focuses on how the East Asian American community is actively changing, resisting, and challenging the practices of mainstream media representation and identity in a complex internet social media environment and culture. Through the collaborative and engaging community-based, internet social media produced media, the storytelling initiatives of the East Asian American community facilitate new critical media literacy and membership. This research focuses on YouTube and blogs, specifically, Wong Fu Productions, ISAtv, and author and founder Phil Yu's Angry Asian Man blog. The analysis shows how East Asian American use internet social media projects to create alternative forms of racial identity expression that are more inclusive and participatory.