It's been 50 years since Bruce Lee's death, and his daughter says many parts of his legacy remain misunderstood. “He represented Asian joy, you know, because he was very proud to be Chinese, and he was very proud of what he could do,' Shannon Lee said.
July 20, 2023, 12:00 PM UTCHalf a century after his death, Bruce Lee remains a symbol of physical strength and masculinity for the Asian community and an icon of cinema in the 20th century. But his daughter says there’s more to his legacy that deserves to be acknowledged.
Bruce Lee, who died in Hong Kong at age 32, has largely been credited with popularizing martial arts in the West, introducing the art form to new cultures and across color lines, as well as bringing it to the big screen in films like “Enter the Dragon.”But for the Asian American community, he was seen as a resistance hero, challenging stubborn stereotypes around Asian men, who were often portrayed as weak, emasculated and deferential.
“His portrayal of my father was this masculine fighter guy. ‘So he must have been an a–hole. And he must have been arrogant. He must not have been sort of a vulnerable human being,’” Lee said of Tarantino. “Honestly, he didn’t believe in competition. … He didn’t believe it was a good model for personal excellence and personal growth, because you’re always pitting yourself against someone else.
“I go back to my father’s quote: ‘Under the sun and the heavens, there’s one family. There’s one human family,’” Shannon Lee said.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
'God of martial arts': Bruce Lee's legacy endures 50 years onBruce Lee is one of the first Asian men to achieve Hollywood superstardom as his followers continue to harbour the kung fu star’s legacy on the 50th anniversary of his untimely death
Read more »
Fifty years after Bruce Lee’s death, this man keeps his promiseJeff Chinn, a retired postman in San Francisco, keeps the memory of Bruce Lee alive 50 years after his tragic death on July 20, 1973
Read more »
Asian American advocates slam DeSantis for land law that they say 'will legalize Asian hate'Under the law, SB 264, those who aren’t U.S. citizens or permanent residents whose “domicile,” or permanent home, is in China are banned from purchasing property in the state.
Read more »
Boyd Holbrook and Michael Shannon Bond Over Their Kentucky RootsYears ago, BoydHolbrook met the now Oscar-nominated actor MichaelShannon during a chance encounter in Lexington, Kentucky. Below, they reunite to discuss fatherhood, actors’ egos, and Mads Mikkelsen.
Read more »
Bruce Davidson photographed the most important moments of the 20th centuryFrom the rise of teen culture to the Civil Rights Movement, the legend has shot it all – inspiring Larry Clark and Nan Goldin in the process.
Read more »