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why you shouldn't be doing ahegao if you're not asian:
a key point in understanding why this isn't ethical for non-asians (especially white people) to do is acknowledging that there are stereotypes specific to the sexuality of women of color, which constantly disempower us.
a key point in understanding why this isn't ethical for non-asians (especially white people) to do is acknowledging that there are stereotypes specific to the sexuality of women of color, which constantly disempower us.
examples are the "angry black woman", the "fiery and sexual latina", the "asian dragon lady". and the "submissive asian slut". these stereotypes prevent us WOC from being taken seriously and from claiming sexual autonomy.
kindly note that there aren't any stereotypes reserved for white women that are as widely used and are as harmful as the ones for WOC. sexist issues often intersect with racial issues, with WOC and LGBTQ+ POC enduring the worst of it.
ahegao represents the worst aspects of the "submissive asian slut" stereotype. while it's often argued that it's merely an unbecoming, funny o-face that anyone in the throes of pleasure can pull, we have to remember the context it's most often used in:
it's most often performed by underage (or at the very least infantilistic) female characters in hentai manga, who are overwhelmed by pleasure without their consent.
it is an extreme version of the "submissive slut" ideal thrust upon asian women: that we are timid, shy, childlike, and innocent... but with a hidden appetite for sexual pleasure that can be coaxed out of us with aggressive sexual advances.
you can see how subscription to this ideal devalues the consent and agency of asian women.
and it's not just present in manga and japanese culture. female submissiveness and conservatism is demanded across many asian cultures, especially those that have been colonized or influenced by western countries.
here in the philippines (a former spanish and american colony), the "dalagang filipina" ideal is defined as:
submissive, shy, polite, (often) mestiza, hyperfeminine, and in denial of her desire for male attention.
submissive, shy, polite, (often) mestiza, hyperfeminine, and in denial of her desire for male attention.
she's "pakipot"; she says no but her heart says otherwise. you can wear her down and "earn her consent" with aggressive courtship ("ligaw") that often leans toward assault.
this stereotype is real enough to be recognized and lampooned in the novel "noli me tangere" in 1887, where it's brought to life to comedic and tragic effect by the maria clara character.
it's still real enough to be referenced in the dating / courtship / "ligaw" memes i see.
it's still real enough to be referenced in the dating / courtship / "ligaw" memes i see.
like all social constructs, ahegao and the larger "submissive and exotic asian slut" stereotype is made in service of the sexist, racist status quo.
and like other social constructs, it can be reclaimed ONLY BY THE PEOPLE IT HAS SUPPRESSED.
and like other social constructs, it can be reclaimed ONLY BY THE PEOPLE IT HAS SUPPRESSED.
same way that only black people can use the n-word. all other non-black people ESPECIALLY WHITE PEOPLE cannot use it, because our forefathers have all used such derogatory nomenclature to subjugate black folk. we cannot continue the subjugation. the slur is not ours to reclaim.
the ethics of asian women doing ahegao and reclaiming a trope rooted in rape is debatable. it can be argued that doing so reinforces a stereotype that harms all women and victims of rape, regardless of race
however, non-asian women doing ahegao is definitely not ethical.
non-asians, especially white people, have the privilege of making content centered on the trope for a short while, without having to feel its oppressiveness when they relax their face and take off their costume
non-asians, especially white people, have the privilege of making content centered on the trope for a short while, without having to feel its oppressiveness when they relax their face and take off their costume
it upsets me when non-asian models capitalize on ahegao and cherrypick from other minorities' cultures without having their agency be questioned.
while i, an asian woman, have to contend with the condescension the "submissive asian slut" stereotype has wrought upon my daily life
while i, an asian woman, have to contend with the condescension the "submissive asian slut" stereotype has wrought upon my daily life
tag ko ba si pokeprincess CHAROT
