"Saturday Night Live"/NBC
- Comedian Bowen Yang on this week's "SNL" spoke out on the rise of anti-Asian violence in America.
- Yang's "Weekend Update" segment parodied online allyship of the Asian American community.
- He urged people to support their communities beyond the internet.
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Comedian Bowen Yang joined "Saturday Night Live" for a "Weekend Update" segment condemning anti-Asian violence.
"Things for Asians in this country have been bleak for the past two weeks – and all the weeks before that since forever. There's a lot of work to do," Yang told host Colin Jost.
"What could I say to help how insanely bad things are? If someone's personality is 'punch an Asian grandma,' it's not a dialogue," Yang said. "I have an Asian grandma. You want to punch her? There ain't no common ground, mama."
"I see my friends donating, and I tell them that's great, but I also tell them 'do more,'" Yang said. "OK, you're ordering from Chinese restaurants? Great. Do more. Let me know when you feed your white kids chicken feet."
"And why are you telling you tipped your manicurist well? Let me know when you get on your knees and scrub your feet while she looks at your phone. Do more," Yang said.
The comedian also spoke about infographics that have circulated online in support of Asian American organizations to point out that while the resources are helpful, there's more that people can be doing to make an impact. Yang parodied the posts, offering some of his own: "Amplify these Asian voices who want more Paneras in North Brooklyn," and "Six ways to check in on your AAPI friends and tell them they're so hot."
"Look, I can't address any of this without bringing up class or gender or imperialism," Yang continued. "I don't even want to be doing this 'Update' piece. I wanted to do my character 'gay Passover bunny,' but it was too smart for the show."
Yang continued the skit, urging people to support their communities beyond the internet.
"I'm just a comedian," Yang said. "I don't have the answers, but I'm not just looking for them online."
Yang then shared a Mandarin cheer, which he said means "fuel up."
"I don't know what's helpful to say to everyone, but that's what I say to myself. Fuel up. Do more," he said.
Watch Yang's full "Weekend Update" sketch here.