Asian Women: More Than “Meek Prey”
What comes to mind when people hear the term “Asian women”? Terms such as “yellow fever”, timid, shy, and “Asian baby girl” are some demeaning terminology used to describe Asian women. It is common for Asian women to experience situations of harassment and lewd behavior for their ethnic background. A form of sexist racism is the issue of Asian women being portrayed as the “prey” that men “hunt” after for their sexual fantasy. Commonly seen in Asian dramas, women are portrayed as a damsel in distress who is bound to run into trouble, in which she is unable to get herself out of. Usually the protagonist who is a woman is placed in an unrealistic predicament only seen in movies where she is kidnapped. Usually she is an important person to the male protagonist her “savior”, and love interest. The idea that women are too weak, get kidnapped, can’t defend themselves and need to be rescued by a man is the stereotype that portrays that women have lack self defense skills. In short, a degrading stereotype that wrongfully portrays Asian American women would be that; they are unable to defend themselves. Therefore fall prey to being viewed as hyper sexual objects men fantasize about. In Asian dramas, the typical archetype is that there are two protagonists, male and female, who lead different lives, in which their lives converge, leading them to fall in love against any and all adversities they face in their impending paths. The female character is depicted as being an “average” not quite beautiful school girl or working woman who goes day by day living a normal life. The male protagonist is illustrated to be young, rich, handsome, successful, and a player who refused to be placed into an arranged marriage by his parents. These portrayals of women are interpreted into how women are negatively viewed in the entertainment industry, which sends a negative message to young boys and girls on how men and women are based upon fallacies.
The ideal image of women of color being “exotic” sends the message across to women that men only find interest in them, because they are a different ethnicity. Therefore, it might be assumed they are only attracted toward Asian women, due to the fact that men like the idea of being in a relationship with an Asian woman. Men confuse liking women for their background, instead of being attracted to the women herself. Similarly, caucasian males target Asian women as their “type” which shows men are only interested because Asian women are different, not because they have genuine feelings for her. The word exotic has a negative connotation and demeaning image among minority women. In this case Asian women, who similar to many other women get catcalled and sexually harassed, due to their physical appearance.
In my personal experience, I am in constant scrutiny by my relatives who have sexist views toward me, because I am a woman. Common remarks are “ you are a girl, you are not strong”, “you need to learn how to be a housewife in order to find a good husband”, and “you are a girl, leave the “manly” work to the men”. The idea women are weaklings who should rely on the strength and income of men is steeped in centuries of misogynistic, egotistical views of men who labeled women as “servants” and “baby machines”. This degrading perspective against women needs to be improved, before it continues to further negatively influence the younger generations to come. A woman can be strong, beautiful, and independent without the assistance of a man.
