“Do you wanna be white?” (“ElishaCoy”). This slogan, belonging to the Korean skincare company ElishaCoy, advertises the skin-brightening qualities of the cosmetic BB cream. Young women, and men alike, are often pressured to conform to societal expectations due to strict standards on physical appearances. Would one lacking a bright, pearly complexion be considered “ugly” in the eyes of the Asian society? Beauty for the vain in Asia is primarily characterized by “white skin,” a narrowed attitude that weighs upon some people’s minds. “Whiteness”, the concept of unblemished and milky skin, is a key component that dictates the beauty standards of most East Asian countries. These strict ideals in appearance may develop not only issues concerning
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Racism, especially anti-black sentiment, has been a consistent and prevalent concern in China, according to Barry Sautman’s Anti-Black Racism in Post-Mao China essay. The issue of cross-pollination of cultures and races dates back to the early twentieth century. However, in the 1980s, African students severely faced the effects of China’s racial hostility. With an interest in studying abroad in China, over a hundred African students participated in exchange programs with Chinese universities. Soon after, the African students demanded to be deported back to their country with the “rise of antagonism toward Africans by Chinese students” (Sautman 414). The students felt unprotected and unappreciated in China; they were constantly assaulted by bricks and bottles thrown by fellow Chinese students and faced verbal abuse of racial insults. Like the African students, the colored man in the advertisement is not treated with respect as the Chinese woman shoves him in an aggressive manner. The development of this racial tension reveals a sense of condescension and how the Chinese company disregards the idea of respect towards nonwhite races. Africans were often described as “black devils,” a pollutant to society, and uncivilized people compared to the Chinese population (Sautman 415). According to Sautman, the situation in China was an “apartheid in disguise” (422). In the 1920s, an anthropologist commented on the peasant-like intellect of blacks, stating their lack of intelligence stems from their small brain. Further dislike for the nonwhite population is apparent in the Chinese name for Africa, “feizhou.” The term and the homophone for Africa is interpreted as “evil continent” (Sautman 421). On the other hand, the term for America – “meiguo” – is translated as “beautiful country” (Sautman 421). Racial stereotypes have formed even into the linguistic aspects of
Racism, especially anti-black sentiment, has been a consistent and prevalent concern in China, according to Barry Sautman’s Anti-Black Racism in Post-Mao China essay. The issue of cross-pollination of cultures and races dates back to the early twentieth century. However, in the 1980s, African students severely faced the effects of China’s racial hostility. With an interest in studying abroad in China, over a hundred African students participated in exchange programs with Chinese universities. Soon after, the African students demanded to be deported back to their country with the “rise of antagonism toward Africans by Chinese students” (Sautman 414). The students felt unprotected and unappreciated in China; they were constantly assaulted by bricks and bottles thrown by fellow Chinese students and faced verbal abuse of racial insults. Like the African students, the colored man in the advertisement is not treated with respect as the Chinese woman shoves him in an aggressive manner. The development of this racial tension reveals a sense of condescension and how the Chinese company disregards the idea of respect towards nonwhite races. Africans were often described as “black devils,” a pollutant to society, and uncivilized people compared to the Chinese population (Sautman 415). According to Sautman, the situation in China was an “apartheid in disguise” (422). In the 1920s, an anthropologist commented on the peasant-like intellect of blacks, stating their lack of intelligence stems from their small brain. Further dislike for the nonwhite population is apparent in the Chinese name for Africa, “feizhou.” The term and the homophone for Africa is interpreted as “evil continent” (Sautman 421). On the other hand, the term for America – “meiguo” – is translated as “beautiful country” (Sautman 421). Racial stereotypes have formed even into the linguistic aspects of