Access to equal rights has always been controlled by those with wealth and privilege, so it’s ironic that the SFA uses the term “fair” in their title.
History has undeniably been unfair to certain groups, and although affirmative action is not a perfect solution, it was designed to help level the playing field. While many want to believe individual success is purely merit-based, claiming that white success bears no benefit from racial factors is absurd.
Passport Bros often lack awareness of the damage they cause, which can echo neocolonialism — the indirect control of developing countries by colonial nations.
Someone’s subconscious attitudes are not effortlessly eliminated when they enter an interracial relationship, just as having friendships with people of different races doesn't erase biases — especially when the partner or friend is viewed as an exception to their race rather than an individual within a racial group.
The xenophobic and racist nature of this myth remains evidently perpetuated in modern media and public discourse — and it’s not just MSG. Many foods of marginalized cultures are dismissed purely out of unfamiliarity. Such attitudes prove the need for cultural awareness and media literacy.
In ways that teenage me couldn’t have comprehended, I can now articulate why I felt and continue to feel disconnected from Jenny Han’s work as an Asian woman.
The "Oxford study" and its current reference online points to a bigger issue. The history of marginalization against Asians, combined with the stereotypes perpetuated by media and historical legacies of imperialism, illustrates a somber picture of the challenges Asian women face.
LinkedIn mirrors every other social media platform in setting a stage for comparison. Instead of admiring an influencer’s lifestyle on Instagram, I hyperfixate on my peers’ career accomplishments on LinkedIn. I compare myself to them through internship experience and GPA, and pay the price with my peace of mind. My insecurities are amplified — and I feel obligated to keep it to myself.
It is important to note that East Asian culture has not been fully embraced by Western society, with the fetishization of certain aspects posing its own concern. However, Chinese influence tends to be overlooked within the confines of what is considered acceptable. Lack of research into cultural origins exacerbates sentiments of cultural homogeneity and ultimately fuels sinophobia.
