Old Hollywood can still affect how Asian Americans are perceived

Blake Edwards, famous for writing, directing and producing slapstick comedy films like “The Pink Panther,” received an honorary Academy Award in 2004 for extraordinary distinction in lifetime achievement. Presenting the award was actor Jim Carrey, who began his speech speaking in an exaggerated fake Indian accent: “Birdie nom nom, birdie nom nom, howdy part-n-er, howdy part-n-er.” He was mimicking Hrundi V. Bakshi, a bumbling Indian immigrant (played by Peter Sellers in brownface) from Edwards’ 1968 film...