#exoticizing

[mysticdragon3md3]

Bomboclaat wallahi by Etymology Nerd

[askdeannababoutracism]

My son is 13 and white. He refers to himself and his white friends as being "so white" all the time, in that they can't dance well or rap, and other stereotypical black activities. This strikes me as being racist--exoticizing and fetishizing black people for their supposed innate gifts, etc. He goes to a school that's populated mostly by people of color, so it's possible he's hearing this from his POC schoolmates. But still, his comments make me uncomfortable. Thoughts?

Ooooo this is a good one. Good looking out for your son!

I’m glad you clarified what you think is racist about it, that it’s fetishizing other races/ethnicities. It feels that way to me, too. But this can go either way, you know? It’s also good that your son acknowledges and celebrates differences and isn’t going down the colorblind path. 

This may be similar to uses of the N word. Black folks are welcome to have all kinds of discussions about its uses and appropriateness without white people’s judgement and input. And, because power structures and history work the way they do, white people can still never use it ever. It might be good to discuss the power/history factor with your son, and see what he says. Let us know how it goes!

[stuffmomnevertoldyou]

The Madame Butterfly Effect: Tracing the History of a Fetish

At its core, to fetishize something—or someone—is to objectify it to the point that it becomes divorced from the person herself. And it’s easy to see how the fetishization of Asian women developed...

must-read Bitch analysis on fetishizing East Asian women that we source in today’s podcast.

[stuffmomnevertoldyou]

The Asian Fetish

The fetishization of East Asian women, derisively referred to as "yellow fever," is as old as the Silk Road. Cristen and Caroline unpack the history and Hollywood perpetuation of stereotyping Asian women as either submissive lotus flowers or cunning dragon ladies, defined only by their exoticism and sexuality.

let’s bust some stereotypes, shall we?

[stuffmomnevertoldyou]

this week on the podcast we’re smashing “exotic” stereotypes and girlcrushing on Anna May Wong, pictured above.

[indians4socialchange]

Hindu Tattoos: Commodification through Cultural Appropriation http://indians4socialchange.com/hindu-tattoos-commodification-through-cultural-appropriation/

[thecarelesscolorofseafoam]

We all need to take time out of our schedule and thank Toto for 'blessing the rains down in Africa'. 

#totostfu

#tototakeaseat

[becomingwave]