Two years ago, Saturday night live added Bowen Yang as his first distribution member of East Asian descent. The comedian has been a vital and hilarious part of the show since then, but in this week’s “Weekend Update,” he demonstrated why it really matters that he’s there.
“Rallies are being held across the country to condemn the rise in anti-Asian hate crimes,” Colin Jost told viewers. “Here, to share resources on how you can help, he’s a member of the Asian cast Bowen Yang.”
As those words appeared beneath him on the screen, Yang asked, “Is this my official title, a member of the Asian cast?” When Jost reminded him that this was the introduction he had asked for, Yang joked, “Yeah, I put your ass on it, it feels good.”
“So things for Asians in this country have been really bleak in the last two weeks … and in all the weeks before, forever,” Yang added. “But there’s still a lot of work to be done and I’ve found a few online posts with action elements that everyone can help.” With this, he shared very specific memes, such as “Six ways to check your AAPI friends and tell them they’re so hot” and “Call your senators and ask them to know about the lesbian characters in Sailor Moon ! ”
“What can I say to help how bad things are? If one’s personality is “the fist of an Asian grandmother,” it is not a dialogue. I have an Asian grandmother, you want to punch her. There is no common ground, mother. ”
Yang’s main message to anyone watching him was “do more.” If you order from Chinese restaurants, he said, “let me know when you feed your white children chicken legs.”
“It simply came to our notice then Threat? He continued. “Congratulations. I was crying with pleasure for Steven Yeun. Do more. And why are you telling me you did your manicure well? Tell me when you get on your knees and rub your feet while she looks at your phone. Do more a lot!”
Later, Yang explained, “I’m just a comedian. I don’t have the answers. But I’m not just looking for them online, I’m looking around. GoFundMe for Xiao Zhen Xie, the grandmother who fought his attacker, raised $ 900,000, which he immediately gave back to the community. There we are like Asians, now come and meet us there. ”
Sharing a Mandarin joy that means “feed yourself,” Yang said, “I don’t know what’s useful to tell everyone, but that’s what I’m telling myself. Feed yourself. Do more. It is the year of the metal ox, which basically means a car. So everyone, come in, shut up, there’s no break. We’re going at dawn, Grandpa! ”
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