Willie Nelson Doing Martial Artsqwillie Nelson Doing Martial Arts
The world knows his name, but non many people know his story. ESPN's exceptional documentary, Be Water, shows how much Bruce Lee struggled as an Asian American in Hollywood and the many opportunities he lost due to racism. Withal, his appetite to rise to a higher place was stronger than his fearfulness.
Despite frequently experiencing rejection and racism, Bruce Lee dramatically changed the pic industry, using martial arts and his inclusive attitude. He was the underdog who became a cultural hero and left a long-lasting legacy. This is how Bruce Lee fought racism while becoming a martial arts icon.
Bruce Lee Kicked Stereotypes to the Curb
Bruce Lee never felt aback of existence Asian; he was incredibly proud of information technology. That's one reason why he refused to play outrageous stereotypes of Asian Americans on Tv and in films. For a long time, Asian Americans have been portrayed equally the villain, servant or buck-toothed loser. (We're looking at y'all, Breakfast at Tiffany's and Xvi Candles.)
This put Lee in a tough spot in Hollywood. Still, he got the part as Kato, the handsome sidekick in The Light-green Hornet Tv show. In that location were no prejudiced images of Asian Americans for him to portray, but he experienced other problems. For instance, he had very few lines, and the studio paid him unfairly — more than ii times less than everyone else. While the show's star, Van Williams, received $ii,000 per episode, Lee only got $400 an episode.
He Welcomed Anybody to His School During the Time of Segregation
In the 1960s, U.S. lodge was segregated, and many businesses and facilities discriminated against people based on race, except for i place: Lee's martial arts studio. He opened his school to everyone, no matter their race, gender or age. In fact, his start student was a Black man named Jesse Glover.
The martial arts master also shared his Chinese civilization with megastars, from basketball role player and activist Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to actress and style model Sharon Tate. "I am a human being that never follows these formulas of the fear-mongers. And then, no matter if your color is black or white, red or blue, I can withal brand friends with yous without any bulwark," explained Lee.
He Lost Atomic number 82 Roles but Didn't Give Up
Also dismantling prejudiced stereotypes, Lee also had another struggle to overcome: landing a lead role as an Asian-American actor. He actually proposed his ain TV serial called The Warrior, only the studio didn't cast him because of his ethnicity and went for a caucasian role player instead.
Lee finally got his chance in Hong Kong, where he obtained his kickoff major part in The Big Boss (1971) and some other in Fist of Fury (1972). The "No Dogs and Chinese Allowed" prune from Fist of Fury is considered Lee's most compelling scene in the film; in it, his character destroys a racist sign and beats anyone who dares to demean him.
He Married His Married woman Earlier Interracial Marriage Was Fully Legal in the U.S.
Linda Lee Cadwell was i of Lee'southward students before becoming his wife. At the beginning of their affair, Cadwell kept their dearest a underground from her family because they were against interracial relationships. All the same, they constitute out later Cadwell and Lee applied for a marriage certificate.
The press published the couple's news, emphasizing that it was still against the police force in multiple states. Cadwell's parents tried to convince the ii to interruption up, only Cadwell and Lee refused to do it. Cadwell'southward parents grew fond of Lee every bit they got to know him. The couple's family also grew when Cadwell gave nascency to their children, Brandon and Shannon.
Lee Became His Ain Boss to Attain Superstardom
In America, Lee was tired of proving his worth as an actor. Racism consistently prevented him from achieving higher levels of fame. He moved to Hong Kong to write his own films and open a product company, but most importantly to send a message: Asian Americans can play atomic number 82 roles in major films and change the amusement industry.
Lee did exactly what he said he would do. He wrote, co-produced, directed and starred in Hong Kong's The Way of the Dragon (1972), which coincidentally propelled Chuck Norris' acting career. The martial arts film was also produced past Lee'due south very own company, Concord Product Inc. This was the first time the world saw that Lee was a man of many talents — and it wasn't going to be the last time, either.
He Gave Hollywood a 2d Chance and Wowed Everyone
Lee'due south repeated success in Hong Kong grabbed the attention of a powerful studio across the earth, Hollywood'southward Warner Brothers. Concord Production Inc. teamed up with Warner Brothers to produce Enter the Dragon (1973), which featured an Asian-American lead: Lee. However, working with Warner Brothers wasn't easy. Co-ordinate to Lee's daughter, Shannon, her father had to push for many of the pic'south key scenes.
In the stop, Lee's battle was worth it. Enter the Dragon earned a whopping $ane billion (adjusted for aggrandizement) worldwide, sparking a surge of mainstream interest in martial arts. In 2004, the Library of Congress preserved the pic in the United States National Picture show Registry, calling it "culturally, historically or aesthetically pregnant."
Lee showed that Asian Americans can exist strong, sexy and heroic. Not only did he destroy ancient stereotypes, just Lee also influenced a martial arts motility. He changed the mode people chronicle to activeness films by using martial arts, showing them that a hero doesn't demand guns or gadgets to fight crime and injustice; all they need is themselves.
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