100 Objects #10: Nunchaku
Summary
Hosted by Roman Mars and featuring historian Jeff Chang, this episode explores how nunchucks evolved from ancient weapons into symbols of Asian American resistance. It traces Bruce Lee’s journey from marginalized actor to cultural icon, highlighting how his films inspired a pan-ethnic identity during the 1960s and 70s. The story connects martial arts cinema to broader civil rights movements, illustrating how nunchucks became emblems of empowerment for marginalized communities before facing government bans.
Topics discussed
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Introduction: The Nunchucks and Bruce Lee
Bruce Lee's Early Life and Immigration
Jeet Kune Do and the 1964 Long Beach Exhibition
Discovering Nunchucks and Early Hollywood Auditions
The Green Hornet and Orientalist Stereotypes
Sponsors: Article, Squarespace, Quince, and AT&T
The Asian American Political Alliance and Identity
Bruce Lee's Rise in Hong Kong Cinema
Exploitation Films and Third World Culture
Enter the Dragon and the Nunchuck Ban
Bruce Lee's Legacy and Untimely Death
Modern Representation and Credits
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