Yellow Face

Marcus receives rave reviews for his performance in The King and I. DHH’s father praises Marcus for his statements in the press about being treated based on who he is and not how he looks. DHH tells his father that he had written those lines for him to say in Face Value and that Marcus is not even Asian. HYH thinks Marcus’s desire to be Asian makes his statement even more poignant and relatable since HYH often wishes to be like Gary Cooper and Clark Gable. DHH calls Marcus a “white imposter” who is exploiting the hard work of Asian American activists. He references his hunger strike as a student protester where he and his colleagues still ate and fasted in shifts.

In April 1996, the Asian American Artists Association gives DHH the “Visionary Warrior Award.” To DHH’s surprise, Marcus joins him at the press conference as the recipient of the “Most Promising Newcomer Warrior” award. Marcus represents himself as an artist of color and tells the reporters that he feels it is his responsibility to create positive images of his community and promote cultural authenticity.