Representation of American Culture on Television

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Critical Analysis: Fresh Off the Boat
There are various aspects of the American culture. One such aspect that stands out is diversity and how the country has come to embrace diversity. People from all over the world have found a home and as well as opportunities to advance their lives in the U.S. Diversity continues to be the country’s stronghold. One good example is Steve Jobs whose father was a Syrian refugee. Jobs is one of the celebrated people in America because of the innovations he spearheaded. However, his innovations would not have been possible if America’s culture of embracing diversity was not in existent. In the U.S., there is no such thing as a “typical American” because a significant percentage of people who call themselves American have their roots from different parts of the world. However, people talk about diversity without appreciating the difficulties that come with acculturation. This article will use a television series dubbed Fresh Off the Boat to help showcase the above. In the series, diversity is celebrated but the series also showcases the difficulties of acculturation as the cast members seek for common ground in defining who they are. With a close inspection of episode 13 of season one of the series, this article seeks showcase how a mother eventually comes to make peace with her family’s and her new Asian-American identity.
The series premiered in 2015 on ABC and since then, it has gained a large following because of the approach it takes on certain issues. The first thing one has to notice is the fact that it is the second sitcom with Asian-American cast members. This is something worth mentioning as it shows how far America has come with regards to the issue of diversity and equal opportunities. Looking at the series’ narrative one cannot fail to find it interesting. The series revolves around a Taiwanese family and it is set in the 90s. The family moves from Chinatown and into Florida. This part of the country does not have a large Asian population and it becomes difficult for the family to acculturate into the new ways of life. Louis is working hard to attain the American Dream as his son is trying to fit in everywhere. In episode 13 of season 1, Jessica, the wife to Louis, appears conflicted after their friends make a statement about their ethnicity. “You know, sometimes I forget you guys are Chinese.” This statement guides the plot of the episode as Jessica works hard to make the family feel Chinese again. “While the perceived benefits assimilating into white culture are displayed extensively throughout the show (social acceptance, business success, and less judgment received from white neighbors) the Huangs have to constantly battle within themselves to determine their identity in a rapidly globalizing world today” (Howard). Jessica is greatly conflicted but eventually comes to terms with the fact that they can no longer be fully Asian.
The episode is also dependent on humor to pass on its message to its audience. In one instance, as Jessica battles within herself whether her family is Chinese or not and the fear of her children forgetting where they came from, two of her sons...