ESPN has had to provide new entertainment as many sports leagues have been absent during the coronavirus pandemic. The 30 for 30 series has stepped up on Sunday nights to provide sports fans with some great behind-the-scenes content.
It started with “The Last Dance” that previewed Jordan’s 1998 Bulls team that won their 6th title. It allowed the opportunity for young basketball fans to see what the competitive Michael Jordan was like in his prime.
Next was “Lance.” Lance Armstrong has one of the most compelling stories in all of sports. From his years of dominance, to his performance-enhancing drug usage, to the large impact he had on the cancer community, Lance’s story is certainly worth telling.
ESPN is now continuing its different series with a new look at Bruce Lee. The Chinese martial arts icon changed the culture in America for good.
“Be Water”
Bruce Lee was an 18-year-old immigrant who came to the US with a dream, as many people have, but not many Asians made it in Hollywood at the time. Lee was the son of a Chinese Opera star and had a troubling childhood in Hong Kong. He taught kung fu in Seattle before making his way to Hollywood to fulfill his dreams.
He was able to overcome countless prejudice challenges and become the first Asian action star in Hollywood. There are a number of movies from “Kill Bill” to “Kung Fu Panda” that use his cultural influence. As more Asian immigrants have made their way to the United States, there have become fans that have admired him for more than just movies. He was an icon of the Asian culture.
Marcos Chin is one famous Asian success that looked up to Bruce Lee growing up. He is an award-winning illustrator that also migrated from Asia.
“I’ve been watching Bruce Lee movies since I was a kid. Growing up in Canada, there were no Asian faces on TV. I used to watch ‘The Green Hornet.’ Lee’s character, Kato, didn’t have many lines, but it was nice to see a Chinese, English-speaking character on a North American TV channel,” Chin said.
There have been different well-known actors and athletes that have given a specific race a voice — kids of the same descent look up to this person as the one who made it. For many Asian-Americans, this was Bruce Lee. He was the first Asian man to break a barrier that existed in Hollywood.
Illustrator Nien-Ken Alec Lu discussed the impact that Lee had on him when he was young.
“Before Bruce Lee, Asians were portrayed by Caucasian people in Hollywood. He was one of the first to be himself. As an immigrant to the US from Taiwan, my experience was a struggle — how to integrate myself as an illustrator, how to be seen in a different culture, how to connect with people socially,” he said.
ESPN will be broadcasting this 30 for 30 this Sunday, June 7th at 9pm. This will continue their newest series that have been released every Sunday night.
