Two years ago, Saturday Night Live added Bowen Yang as his first cast member of East Asian descent. The comedian has been a vital and hilarious part of the show ever since, but in this week’s Weekend Update, he demonstrated why it’s really important that he’s there.
“Across the country, demonstrations are being held to condemn the rise in anti-Asian hate crimes,” Colin Jost told viewers. “Here to share resources on how you can help is Asian cast member Bowen Yang.”
When those words appeared below him on the screen, Yang asked, “Is this my official title, Asian cast member?” When Jost reminded him that this is the presentation he asked for, Yang joked: “Yes, I set your ass up, it feels good.”
“So, things for Asians in this country have been really discouraging for the past two weeks … and all previous weeks, since forever,” added Yang. “But there is a lot of work to be done and I found some posts online with action items that everyone can do to help.” With that, he shared very specific memes like “Six ways to check on your AAPI friends and tell them they’re so hot” and “Call your senators and demand that they know about Sailor Moon’s lesbian characters!”
“What can I say to help how insanely bad things are? If someone’s personality is ‘punching an Asian grandmother’, it is not a dialogue. I have an Asian grandmother, you want to punch her. There is no common ground, Mom. “
Yang’s main message to those watching was “do more”. If you are placing an order in Chinese restaurants, he said, “let me know when you feed your white children chicken legs.”
“You cried for Minari? ”He continued. “Congratulations. I was crying so hard for Steven Yeun. Do more. And why are you telling me you tipped your manicure well? Let me know when you get on your knees and rub your feet while she looks at yours phone. Do more! “
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 me. GoFundMe for Xiao Zhen Xie, the grandmother who fought against her attacker, raised $ 900,000, which she immediately returned to the community. That’s where we are as Asians, now come and meet us there. “
Sharing a joy in Mandarin which means “fueling,” Yang said, “I don’t know what it is useful to say to everyone, but that’s what I say to myself. Stock up. Do more. It is the year of the metal ox, which basically means a car. So, everybody come in, fasten your seat belts, it’s not time to pee. We ride at dawn, grannies! “
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