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The Asian Pacific American Toy Ethnicity Guide

I have received e-mails from some parents who talked with me about the importance of finding Asian Pacific American toys for their kids. As there are so few APA images out there...so few role models...kids start losing their connection to their roots. Some have asked me if I knew of the ethnicities of some of the toys. Asian Pacific Americans, in and of themselves, are such a diverse group. So, I thought that might be an interesting project to figure out what toy represents what ethnicity. I read boxes and packaging, explored the Internet, did research on actors for whom toys are based and have come up with this list that divides toys by ethnic origins.

This was actually an interesting project because I didn't realize how many toys were had specific ethnicity. Yes, there are an overwhelming number of toys that really have no specific identity outside of being Asian Pacific American, but I also saw several specific ethnicities from Chinese to Thai and Filipino to Indian.

This project also lets you see where work is needed. The majority of the toys that had a specific ethnic identity represented either a stereotype (such as South Asians being either sinister types or mystics), a military individual or event (such as most of the Vietnamese toys being various Vietnamese soldiers), a celebrity (such as Chan Ho Park) or some kind of collectors series (such as Barbie's Dolls of the World collection). Very few ensemble collections went further to identify a figure or doll with a specific ethnicity to enrich the character. Julie Woo from Puzzle Place, Claudia Kishi from Baby Sitters Club and the Power Rangers are a few examples. But even then, these represent fictional characters in the media.

Perhaps the reason for many toys adopting a general Asian Pacific American identity is because a general Asian Pacific American identity is growing in the U.S. Another reason is that toy companies rarely like to spend the money on new molds if they don't have to. A good example of this is Mattel's not creating an Asian mold for its "President 2000" Barbie line. Whatever the case, it needs work.

Here is a list of major ethnicities that I was able to find:

Also, since there is a growing Hapa identity (short for the Hawaiian phrase "hapa haole" meaning "half white/foreigner," but generally used to describe someone who is part Asian or Pacific Islander), I found it equally important to list those toys that represent characters, actors or other celebrities that are Hapa.

Actually, I was pleasantly surprised to see how large this category was. This is mainly in part to the several HAPA celebrities after whom toys are based. Keanu Reeves, The Rock and Paul Kariya are all good examples. But there are others who aren't representative of celebrities. Kea, the rag doll, is part several Asian ethnicities. Tunnel Rat from G.I. Joe is a mix of Trinidadian Chinese as well as others. Green Arrow's 1/2 Caucasian, 1/2 African-American and 1/2 Korean-American. Anyway, check out who is Hapa:

Finally, there were some toys that weren't really Asian Pacific American...many of which were not even human...but, were undeniably influenced by Asian or Pacific Islander identity and/or culture. Ming the Merciless is perhaps the best example of this. He is from the planet Mongo, but yet...you can't help but think of him as Asian. I have created two categories for these kinds of toys:



Asian Pacific American (no specific ethnicity)

Chinese-American or Chinese

Japanese-American or Japanese

Filipina/o-American or Filipina/o

Korean-American or Korean

Indian-American or Indian

Other South Asian-American or South-Asian

Thai-American or Thai

Vietnamese-American or Vietnamese

Other Southeast Asian-American or Southeast Asian

Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander

HAPA

Asian influenced aliens, gods, demons or other creatures

Asian influenced scenario figures

The Asian Pacific American Toy Chest Characters

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