How Michael Jai White changed the narrative
The incredible journey of Michael Jai Whie
Bruce Lee, Chuck Norris, Steven Seagal. What do these names all have in common? They have all been successful film stars in the world of martial arts. And, like most who dominate that particular industry - they are not African American either. Generally speaking, these roles are filled by Asian and Caucasian actors, despite many African American MMA champions, such as Jon Jones, Daniel Cormier, and various others. So why is this? These stereotypes date back years and play into the cliche that African Americans don't train in traditional martial arts, instead they stick with boxing. Of course, this is a dated idea - but it still goes on in the modern-day film industry.
However, there is one exception. Step forward Michael Jai White. Born in 1967, Jai White has starred in the likes of Tyson, The Commando, and Arrow. Not only this, but he has also trained in martial arts since his childhood, and holds black belts in Karate and Taekwondo. With this said, he's not just an actor, but a genuine martial artist too. Physically just looking at his body, you can also tell that he's in great shape and looks after his body. Some have gone on to describe him as 'The ultimate celebrity martial artist' which says a lot about his status within the industry.
Because of this, it's fair to say that Jai White has shown the way for young, African Americans that you too can succeed in unusual industries and be the force of positive change for good. Perhaps the biggest indicator of his success is his longevity. JaiWhite's first movie was in 1989, and has done many since. In fact, in 2021 alone, he did 4 movies and has even been involved in music videos and video games too.
"From the dojo to the big screen, he's a living example of someone pursuing their dreams and getting the success to show for it."
This isn't to take away from the likes of Bruce Lee or Chuck Norris either. However, it is important to celebrate these roles in a diverse way. Undoubtedly, there is a mountain of evidence supporting JaiWhite's ability, with the likes of Joe Rogan speaking highly and praising the superstar.With this in mind, it's nice to see Michael Jai White getting the credit he deserves. From the dojo to the big screen, he's a living example of someone pursuing their dreams and getting the success to show for it. This gives hope for anyone wanting to do something a bit different in life. Because of this, we can only applaud Jai White and his courage to enter an industry as an outsider...and conquer it at the same time.
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