RE: SEVEN THINGS I HATE ABOUT Images designed by Freepik.
A few years ago, Lali Ha, a Binghamton student, published an article in Asian Outlook entitled: “Seven Things I Hate About Asians.” Though we love amplifying voices across the spectrum of opinions, we felt a need to publish a response. Unfortunately, we only had room to respond to a few of the items she listed. Below, you will find some of Lali’s original points followed by our responses to each. You can find the rest of the original article in Vol. XX, Issue 3. Enjoy!
1. >>Slutty Asian girls. THIS REFERS TO THE GIRLS WITH BAD EYE MAKE-UP (USUALLY BLACK EYE LINER), COLORED CONTACTS, BOOBS POPPING OUT OF THEIR TURTLENECKS, SHORT MINIS (THEY CAN’T HANDLE ‘EM ), AND STRIPPER HEELS. They usually come with a full range of personalities from ghetto to white- washed. I find that most ugly girls with hot bodies are victims of this category because they show too much skin. I hate that it’s usually the really fugly ones who try too hard to look hot. Is it because they can’t get any attention from wasted frat guys unless they show a little preview of what they can offer in bed? There is no need to validate yourself by showing a lot of skin. It stereotypes Asian girls as sex objects. At Asian Night, I saw a slim girl who had the body of a model (I don’t have a problem admitting when someone has good looks). How- ever, she was more orange than an oompa loompa, and quite frankly, her face looked like a car crash. I could tell she was trying so hard to look like an import model. She dressed up like she just came back from a low-budget hip-hop video shoot -- only she looked like an over-cooked turkey leg. . .or a discolored cadaver. I still can’t tell. To those in this category, I am advising you girls to stop wearing clear (stripper) heels, and to get a good old-fashioned Asian ass beating by your mamas.
they just think it’s *gasp* fun. With that said… are there some, even many, girls who engage in promiscuity because of mild-severe mental issues? Sure. But assuming that to be the default reasoning is damaging to the view of the female… far more damaging than any mini skirt will ever be. As a rule of thumb, one should not describe a girl as a “discolored cadaver” when attempting to empower their demographic.
RE: Umm… how do boobs pop out of turtlenecks? Or maybe that was the point of the joke… anyway, back to the reply. You mention many “slutty asian girls” being victims of such categorization. A categorization which you, ironically, have thrust upon them. While women ARE without a doubt subject to overt sexualization in modern western society, American society in particular, the more damaging stereotype is that of the slut. If a female wishes to signal her sexuality, so be it. Even MORE damaging than both the sexualized stereotype and slut stereotype is that of the victim. Assuming that any girl flaunting her looks is a result of some psychological flaw or sexual insecurity is not okay. Generally speaking, these girls are CHOOSING to dress the way they want to. Perhaps it improves their confidence, perhaps
RE: Change is scary. Being different is scary. Branching out to radically foreign populations is scary. Today, the championing of diversity has lead to much criticism of caucasian communities being too uniform in racial makeup and thought. However, these harsh criticisms seem to forget the fact that evolution favors those who stick to tribes, literal tribes, of like-minded individuals who will watch each other’s backs. Of course, present day offers a much different context, one that demands a human population that reaches across the aisle and considers other points of view, despite the difficulty and discomfort in doing so. Still, to trivialize the bravery required to take that initial step to the outside, inherently labelling oneself an outsider, is to discourage the act entirely. As for the bit about assimilating
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2. >>FOBs. I’m not talking about the ones who’ve just made it to the U.S. to pursue their Masters or PhD degrees. This category is for you guys and gals who have been living in America, or were born and raised here and still, by choice, refuse to adapt to American culture. Well, it is tricky to define American culture since it is a melting pot of various cultures. However, I’m talking about the ones who have been living here for at least eight years, refuse to learn or speak English, and only hang out with people of their heritage. This category also includes the ones who avoid speaking to non-Asians. Don’t get me wrong, being proud of your cultures is a beautiful thing but if your requirement for being friends is an Asian last name, it has got to go. This “problem” is most blatantly seen in the Korean population.
