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Karate Kid Sociology

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“It is not power that corrupts but fear. […] The fear of losing power corrupts those who wield it”, says Aung San Suu Kyi on his notions of power, fear and corruption. In accordance to the quote, corruption is constituted from men’s desire to attain his influence, and fear of its demise. Through entertainment media, the United States, which also fears losing power, establishes apprehension on other nations and cultures, thus upholds its dominant status corruptly and tyrannically. The movie The Karate Kid, for instance, portrays racial integration, but it depoliticizes the act of stereotyping and emphasizes Western desire to dominate Asia culturally and socially.
The movie The Karate Kid portrays racial integration by showing the social relationships …show more content…

Having won Mei Ying’s feelings, Dre interprets the predominance of Western romanticism in global culture. While Dre helps Mei Ying to be more knowledgeable in the westward culture and gives sentiments to her musical performance, she supports him throughout his course of studying Kung-fu. Their love story mirrors a typical western fairy tale, in which prince charming gives meaning princess beauty’s life and they remain happily ever after. Although Dre is bullied and suffers inequality throughout the movie, he wins the fight gloriously in the end. His championship proves that Western people are always of greater strength, and China is incomparable to the potentials of the States, or even a portion of it portrayed by Dre. Mr. Han, for instance, is amazed by the Dre’s strong will to win, and how he incorporates his learning to grow stronger as a whole. The standing ovation by the audience, who mostly are Chinese, indicates that America’s ultimate goal is to attain victory, receive admiration and respect. The fact that Dre beats Chang to the floor signifies the ambition that America will outgrow and defeat Asian societies. The movie is used as a means of entertainment media to intimidate and create apprehension on other nations, and affirm the superior status of ours. Ultimately, Mei Ying, Mr. Han and Chang are the representations of how Asians should give into the prominence of Western culture and

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