Asian Enough? | David Huynh | TEDxVermilionStreet

Asian-American actor, David Huynh, is working to bring awareness to the lack of Asian representation and visibility in film and theater.
David Huynh is a NYC-based actor and model. He was last seen at the Houston Shakespeare Festival as Claudio in Much Ado About Nothing and the Dauphin in Henry V. Other productions include: Cymbeline (New Orleans Shakespeare Festival), Hamlet (Oregon Shakespeare Festival). NY Theater: Romeo and Juliet. In the fall, he will be returning to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival for their tour. He has appeared in promotional materials across a range of industries, the most recent being the advertising campaign for the Royal Shakespeare Company’s collaboration with the Shanghai Dramatic Arts Centre. He has received a Master’s Degree in Acting from the University of Houston. See more at www.david-huynh.... He thanks Katie and Maggie for their continual love and support.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx

[@jerryk7616]

When will Hollywood recognize that Asians can not only play an Asian, but, can also play "people" too.

[@TheVickikelly]

Jerry K amen to that!

[@wanglee21]

Sadly they will never understand that. Its also part due to Chinese governments not wanting Asian representation in Western society. If you do some research you will find out China will fund into Western agencies to disassociate Asians from being part of Western entertainment and society. It goes both ways from the White and Asian governments that keep Asian at bay.

[@w2385-i2s]

@@wanglee21 You sound like a nut. Other countries does not run Hollywood.

[@wanglee21]

@@w2385-i2s Just because you don't understand what goes on in the back of the surface of business... do your research bro. Even when I clearly said prior to do your research, you failed. lol Who's the nut now? Also your failing to even conclude from the exact statement its from both directions.

[@officialarchiemo]

When will asians realize they dont have to audition or take a role they dont want to portray

[@ZOA360]

David should become a director, then he can choose who to cast in movies ~

[@davidleehuynh1108]

Know anyone hiring?

[@KDD8]

AHHHHH david replied hahahaha great job david

[@bryanhiebert1941]

bunch of Asian guys and some white girls

[@WingChunBoyz]

Wong Fu Productions.

[@RaymondHng]

Casting decisions in big budget films are usually made by casting directors, producers, and executive producers. Theatrical film distribution decisions are usually made by film distribution companies.

[@wh906]

The music industry doesn't want promote or push asian singers/ artists in the west. Even with a lot of Filipino's doing well in reality tv singing contests. All shocking

[@tobyyu7712]

His voice is nice lol...

[@fronkoshen9784]

Sounds kinda like Carlton from fresh prince.

[@harbinger9072]

The voice is nice. Like peanut butter and chocolate.

[@EricLinHsu]

Asian Americans like you are paving the way for our stories to be heard. Thanks for sharing on the #Tedx stage

[@nwu655]

Eric Lin Hsu +

[@theyellowsparks]

I never know what to say to people who tell me "your english is so good"! Thanks for this, gonna steal your line "thanks, yours too"

[@harbinger9072]

Well doesn't that tell you something, though? English is a European language. How inviting a people. Now you can be just as much an native English speaker by default as an Englishman or woman! think of that! unprecedented. Instead you see it with chip on your shoulder. Shame.

[@yuehuaxie8564]

Would you tell a Caucasian person that lives in the US, "Wow, your English is so good!"?

[@harbinger9072]

+Yuehua Xie Wait? Is English a Caucasian language? Hmmm....

[@yuehuaxie8564]

It originated in England/UK. Go figure.

[@harbinger9072]

Is that an Asian place? You might say, yes, right? See. There's usually two ways to see something. You can think in a negative way or a positive way. The positive way is to say: "what an interesting period of history and cultural phenomenon that you don't need to be English or even Caucasian to be a native English Indo-European speaker." Or you can be negative and say: "I'm not an Indo-European ethnic group or for that matter an English person - therefor some of them don't think I speak their language as naturally. I also wear their clothes, too. Do they think I am less likely to wear this European clothing then them? Or to drive a German created automobile? or medicine? Etc?" Hmmmm......

[@taurahelms3068]

I think this is one of the best TEDx Talks I have seen so far. I just started watching. I am not Asian but it is noticeable that non-Asians are cast in Asian roles all of the time. Anna May Wong is said to be one of the first to speak out against the practice. These days there is no reason not to have a main character be Asian in any Hollywood show or major motion picture.

[@howellwong11]

Remember Sidney Toller as Charlie Chan?

[@simonsays5094]

It's a shame America doesn't want to hear or admit this is true. I wish this video had a higher view count but the truth is America doesn't want to or care to hear about this. But thank you so much for making your voice heard

[@tsheringpalden6512]

Omg, your voice is so attractive.

[@davidhuynh7555]

Hi David Huynh from another David Huynh

[@stormycliffs]

Huy Ah Yu Hao Yu Binh Wei tu Long Wen Shao Wi catch up Soon

[@missliz20vn68]

Haha DM Liz Huynh here :)

[@hank4920]

DM = FU

[@hoowang9962]

LMAOOO

[@MaiNguyen-vq5oj]

Hello Huynh =))

[@williamchin5904]

As a Chinese Canadian, I am so proud of you assertively speaking out to make society aware that "Asians" are human with our own hopes and dreams. We are not commodities meant to be traded in industry transactions for the purpose of perpetuating misconceptions of our actual cultures. We need to campaign to educate society about each of our individual East Asian cultures. Thank you so much and God Speed. -W.C.

[@Officiallytommytime]

100% on point! The media is the most powerful Influence on our society. By excluding Asian actors from complex and romantic roles, we will continue to be “othered”.

[@tkone2005]

Hollywood won't change unless the ticket buyers make them change with ticket sales!

[@davidleehuynh1108]

Slowly, but surely, we'll get there :) www.moviefone.com/2016/10/13/mulan-remake-will-not-be-whitewashed-chinese-love-interest/

[@政斌-x8k]

Dont buy la lol

[@panitaphongasavithas3172]

I would like to hear your thoughts on the changes they made with Mulan. Also, the casting of all Asia-Asian Cast. BTW, really love what you said!

[@nikmuhamadizzat9903]

@Chinese Gods chosen people Jesus Christ is Shang Di its jews the one that make that

[@iwillsuebtsforhurtingmyhea5818]

Who else is Vietnamese-American??

[@kssgpv]

army!

[@ntxawmlee268]

I will sue BTS For hurting my hearteu 24/7 AMRYY!! 😍 😍 😂

[@theyellowninja2559]

I know I'm a little late but meeee

[@thuyenpham7780]

Me

[@roypetitfils]

SUPERB...David, thank you for sharing your journey and challenging us all, brother! Outstanding message!

[@michaelchen6191]

As an asian male first generation that is aware of this problem I would like to thank you for taking the road less traveled. I could not do what you do, (i went into health care) but benefit from your efforts to make asian males mainstream. Its inspiring. Many thanks.

[@irememberla6460]

Thanks for representing!

[@arwenxu]

When Hollywood needs an Asian actor/actress, they are more prone to take one that is already famous in for example China, so that the star could help attract Chinese audience and increase sales in China. This actually makes the situation worse for Chinese-American actor/actresses.

[@chadthefratboi1334]

arwenxu why is it worse

[@DP-yn3jf]

@@chadthefratboi1334 this person just explained why

[@wutianzhou9531]

@@DP-yn3jf it's a marketing strategy. No ones gonna watch with a no name being a lead role in a movie so they gotta make money off of it.

[@DP-yn3jf]

@@wutianzhou9531 exactly so it makes it worse for the Asian Americans

[@bunnysuitgaming]

Do I need to take acting lessons to have a strong presence like David?

[@RaymondHng]

Or public speaking lessons.

[@dragonboy718]

THIS IS SO TRUE...AND MORE TRUE FOR ASIAN MEN THAN WOMEN

[@xandercorp6175]

Not really. Asian men have fewer and less attractive roles where we are considered to fit, while Asian women have quite a fer stereotypical roles and a lot more pressure to fit those roles to their detriment.

[@freyrofyonder7357]

Uh no-

[@ananthmadan3611]

Why is it that these messages aren't getting out?

[@tiengngocnguyen5370]

அனந்த் மதன் i

[@lenathanks2618]

His voice is just wonderful! Love hearing about this topic.

[@chenluli3341]

He's charming!

[@justineplemons7585]

I could listen to him read a phonebook....

[@quidam50]

Myyyy brother! So proud of you man!!!!!

[@victorias.6270]

This is my theater teacher’s college friend, he showed us this in school, I found it very interesting.

[@Networkprofessor]

Awesome!

[@uyen.danggg]

Tony Wan n

[@ChimenExpress]

He has a great theatre voice.

[@waritolfactive]

This is so painfully true It hurts

[@icytadbull]

I like the way he speaks, no fillers and no notes, well channelled

[@kimthuy4437]

I like your voice and your face loll :P

[@hangtrinh1025]

Thank you David Huynh! Keep up the great work - from a fellow Vietnamese

[@reinuta]

his voice is honey

[@youngfadula]

Well said

[@michaelarchbold2129]

I don't have a problem with white actors playing Asian roles, but in exchange Asian actors should be able to be cast in "Caucasian" roles just as fluidly. I feel like Hollywood isn't as open to the latter case as to the former case.

[@freedomofspeech75]

Since 1975 until now , 2017 . Vietnamese American could not come up with any film that telling the truth about How they got here ! All Hollywood movies about VN war that I watched , they are all American's Versions. Most of them came from a reporters that were sitting on the coffee table in front of their hotels and trying to collect the news . Hoping that David Huynh and younger generation can bring some truthful stories about VN war in film for the world to know. Thanks in advance.

[@marienguyen88]

I hope anh Huynh can make it happens soon. Communist will burst into tears for annoying. Heheh. Even American social media didn’t reflect the truth. Some details do not as true as what I heard from my old villagers. They just told a haft of the truth. A half loaf of bread is bread. A half of the truth is nor the truth.

[@Hillary_Official_1]

I am Chinese Canadian 🇨🇳🇨🇦

[@NguyenDuyKhanh-cr8lb]

my husband

[@manhtoanho7838]

Thank you for delivering such a great talk !

[@nc_evin6891]

He's really handsome

[@howellwong11]

As a mixed 91 year old Chinese/Japanese/Hawaiian, I never encountered any outward display of racial discrimination. I was an electronic engineer and it was how good at your job are you that was important. I had white coworkers laid off during downturns, but not me.

[@PaddyPowerofficial]

At long last great topic we need more azn male leads in romcoms and romantic movies

[@davidhuynh_]

Great Ted Talk. Guys got a good name 10/10

[@yellostallion]

You are bringing back Bruce Lee's struggles in the 60s.

[@kay8x]

Well he needs to speak more Vietnamese to be more Asian which hes tryin to present for

[@Moviepreviewer92]

Hay

[@tj3070]

leave christianity!!!

[@michaellewis7710]

see, now here is a hot asian

[@eagleone0one]

This was a thought-provoking and very enjoyable discussion.

[@sndybui6307]

I guess he comes from Vietnam . He looks like Vietnamese people very much .

[@leelinh6135]

Real B-Baek yes that's right ! He was a Vietnamese but now he has a new nationality-Canadian.

[@LeeShin127]

I guess you didn't watch the video

[@sndybui6307]

I see his name and hear his voice , so I think he is Vietnamese 😂

[@Predestinated1]

very important speech!

[@hoanghoangnganngan]

vietnamese? anyone?

[@harperguo379]

5:26 *COUGH* avatar the last airbender movie *COUGH*

[@Hienussy]

alot of people mistake me as hispanic and it makes me feel really uncomfortable because they never ask me about where im from.

[@vovantoanquoc]

He's so handsome omg. I am South Vietnamese btw.

[@franklin7243]

I'm Veitnamese like him and I'm always called Chinese

[@felixmartinez1848]

in New Mexico it is worse

[@vansuahchan2113]

His voice is hot🦋

[@EvanNDoan-ry8vf]

David can we write a movie together haha

[@EvanNDoan-ry8vf]

nice. thanks so much.. for this

[@tamurasola]

Thank you to tell the world (I do hope there can be more views than 65000)

[@RaymondHng]

Over 144,000 as of June 2021.

[@lilapham9827]

eyyyyyy i'm vietnamese to!

[@dtmorris6157]

Thank you bro.

[@tnn1261]

Great job, well done

[@danwilson12]

To be fair I'm an Asian I think Tilda Swinton got the role because Mainland PRC China had issues with characters Tibetan origins a nation which they are overtaking and refusing to recognize

[@phuonguyen8783]

Nicely done ☺️

[@Dashomin]

....I cried

[@ashnahkhalidkhan2244]

Not all "aromantic nerds", you say? I'd kill for one Asian guy to come up and say he loves me when he really, really did have the chance to.

[@ntkdevelopment1]

No English make moo mooney!!! That is perfect English!

[@lazylearnerrr]

Why is it only eng sub. WE NEED MORE SUBS FOR MORE PEOPLE TO SEE THIS

[@missliz20vn68]

Thanks David, for validating our experiences - one of the most insidious pains of this generation which eats at us and to some extend reduce a lot of us from blossoming into our full capacity. Once we understand and recognise many of the reasons/contributing factors we can take steps to mend/actively move forward. Great 🎁 presentation.

[@mingyan1026]

We asians american must come together as once to fight rasical in an american, westner an indeology when wheels is making noise we must oil these wheels .

[@Hector-ze7ed]

This is very well said and put together. As a non-Asian, I felt related to as a human. This was not a rant, this was an education and connection opportunity. Thanks for sharing.

[@megandaily1586]

ooh this was a good one! and I love him ending with Y'all, Houston, stand UP!

[@billeelee6850]

I am Asian American and I wish there were more Asian American actors and actress we need representation the African Americans have got it its time for Asians !

[@smarterexfly9099]

doing acting role can fix your mistake when you are on camera

[@caniborrowsomecash2073]

nice work..ill keep this in mind when i see Asains on the screen. .. definately should start you own movie and pioneer the shit out of it

[@chancemholton6611]

I am an American....no...your an asian American

[@thainguyen2007]

I am Vietnamese, so proud of you, my bro

[@EtamirTheDemiDeer]

The look on his face in the thumbnail broke my heart

[@tweety6863]

back in the day, there was just white...then black came into the picture; I'm optimistic that it'll be the same for yellow, you just have to be diligent in breaking down this whitewashing barrier.

[@Livinglarge2theend]

They couldn't use a Tibetan actor/Character in the Doctor Strange movie because of the Chinese Censorship. How does anyone else not know that?

[@afrochadwithabiggestbbc6491]

How about they use asian person who looks similar to Tibetians?

[@dotdotdotdotdotdotdottod]

untill america lets us through we have to only look to korea for help(although now where competing against westerners coming and taking our opurtinitys eventhough the asian trainees whos been trainning for years are now starting to be put behind to make room for westerners...all because the music needs to break the american market-_-)

[@dotdotdotdotdotdotdottod]

Andrew Zeng all white person

[@Hienussy]

vietnamese-american too

[@viktorbastionpahn3510]

vietnamese

[@oxiary]

Ouch.

[@albertnguyen1324]

You no vietnamese, you english gooddddd

[@gillowens24]

This so interested I love History .

[@radrainbow101]

I hope I am not contributing to the problem with this question, I am just genuinely curious. I wonder why it is okay for an Asian to play a White role but wrong the other way around?

[@clarissagafoor5222]

Myra Vu because there aren't enough parts written for Asians. and because the really great roles are colour blind. some huge theater companies in the UK are using actors, any actors, come what may. and it works.

[@radrainbow101]

Thank you! I see, great acting roles don't need to have a color, that's awesome

[@radrainbow101]

Melissa Ong At 8:25 he said he was casted as an English Aristocratic Playboy and I assumed that role was a white person

[@annamong4593]

Some characters have distinct backgrounds regarding their birthplace, primary language, religion, uniform, culture etc. What he's trying to say that there is a lack of inclusion for Asian actors/actresses in general to be given the opportunity to play these roles. It's okay for POC to play White roles and the other way round. It's not something uncalled of. The setting where the film is recorded, budget, media coverage etc, does have some influence over who is cast. However, it's kinda disheartening to see producers using white casts and incorporating makeup and special effects to make them look more of a certain identity when they could've just hired someone of that profile. This can be misleading and thus enforcing stereotypes. Idk. I think the main message from the TEDtalk was that asian actors/actresses are often not looked beyond their race, disregarding their skills and capability to tackle different roles.

[@harbinger9072]

Here's my thing: China is the biggest market for movies on Earth. India is second. But China is for American movies even. Ok? Do you understand? American major motion pictures are already tailored towards an Asian [Chinese] audience. So....

[@lindaclandes6940]

I wasn't sure of what to make of the "Asian lady" on Avenue Q. A little awkward but easy to laugh off? Dehumanizing sounds a little strong, but it works. In a too deeply embedded way so it's not obvious.

[@nhandam80]

David, remember Bruce Lee. After all the disappointment with the Green Hornet. He became a director himself. Look at BET (Black Entertainment Television). Asians should have EAT (Entertaining Asian Television).

[@xandercorp6175]

But not as a dead end, and not a permanent splitting. It should only grow talent and wield pressure to include, not paint themselves into a corner.

[@UU-on1zy]

ai đó, làm ơn vietsub cái vid này giúp e vs ạ. Tks

[@trangve]

Anh ấy nói về vấn đề người diễn viên châu Á ở Mỹ bị dập khuôn vào những vai diễn nhất định, trong khi có nhiều nhân vật trong phim là người châu Á nhưng diễn viên lại là người da trắng hoá trang giả làm châu Á. Anh ấy mong muốn dần dần Hollywood sẽ đón nhận người Mỹ gốc Á hơn để họ có cơ hội được hoà nhập chứ không bị tách biệt như những con người không thuộc về cộng đồng đấy. Và hơn hết là sự mong muốn được xã hội Mỹ đón nhận như một công dân Mỹ chứ không phải là người nhập cư (vì anh ấy và nhiều người châu Á khác sinh ra ở Mỹ nhưng người da trắng họ vẫn cứ cho rằng anh ấy đến từ đất nước khác và còn khen anh í rằng "Bạn nói tiếng Anh rất tốt" - đại ý là anh ấy cảm thấy như người ta không công nhận mình là người Mỹ) Chịu khó học tiếng Anh đi, anh í nói dễ nghe mà.

[@trangve]

1. Mình nói là "chịu khó" chứ mình không nói là "chịu dễ" học tiếng anh, nên câu "làm như dễ lắm bà nội" của bạn là hoàn toàn chẳng liên quan đến ý mình nói ở đây 2. Giàu hay nghèo cũng chẳng liên quan đến việc học tốt tiếng anh hay không, minh chứng là vẫn có những bạn gia đình không khá giả nhưng vẫn học tốt tiếng anh, thậm chí còn được học bổng toàn phần tại các trường danh tiếng. 3. Kết luận: nếu lúc nào cũng chỉ đổ lỗi cho hoàn cảnh thì không thể nào mà khá lên được. Vậy nên chúc bạn luôn luôn nỗ lực và thành công dù bất kể hoành cảnh bạn như thế nào!

[@UU-on1zy]

là sao ak.

[@UU-on1zy]

== i got it. So, can you let me know where you were from =]]

[@Rohit-jv7nl]

"i have pictures with my family" "lol whitewashed" what

[@palau23321]

If you are reading this, please consider my words. The Lord Jesus Christ will one day return. It would seem that the hour is short, and it is His will that none should perish. Repent from your sin and accept The Lord Jesus Christ into your heart, for all who call upon the name of The Lord shall be saved. Believe in Him and confess His name aloud to others; grow close to Him. Accept the free gift of salvation that He gave us. Praise be to The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit. Amen.

[@Chiko-sc1gz]

So are you chinese or japanese

[@MedalionDS9]

You were expected to speak in a voice not your own... you mean... acting?

[@goblins194]

Again, another first world problem, which we made up to worry about. We all came from Africa, man. No matter what we do, at the end we are still one race: Human. That's it.

[@gillowens24]

He talk very fast

[@magnoliale5861]

I totally understand your point of view base on your experiences. However as a fan of HIMYM I have to say your example regarding the show was quite irrelevant. That particular scene you chose to capture and present was not a product of white washing, it genuinely served the comedy aspect of that particular story (episode) metaphorical and literally. To be honest I think that episode wouldn't be as authentic and original HIMYM material if they had cast Asian for those scenes. It was just not fair mentioning a misleading example just to strengthen your point.

[@gillowens24]

Any one think he talks very fast ?