The racialization of Native Americans have permeated throughout the American school system and the media, confining and limiting their roles as the “savage other”. In conjunction with this racialization, Asian Americans have also faced a myriad of controlling images which eradicate complex Asian cultures. Throughout Yen Le Espiritu’s article, “Ideological Racism and Cultural Resistance”, she describes the complete alienation of Asian Americans in the dominant White culture. Through controlling images like “Yellow Peril” and the “Dragon Lady”, Asian Americans are desexualized and are therefore put through a generalized “one-dimensional caricature” Similarly, Rayna Green discusses the detrimental effects of the sexualized “Princess” and “savage”
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Rayna Green asserts that these controlling images of a “savage” and sexualized woman are set forth by the dominant group in order to enforce the unequal hierarchical structure. She exclaims, “The Indian woman is between a rock and a hard place [...] her image is freighted with such ambivalence that she has little room to move [...] they are both tied to definition by relationships with white men” (Green 164). Akin to the binary thinking idea, the white man's image is amplified, while the Native American woman and man’s image are neutralized and confined to being the “other”. The Native American woman’s role is only defined through the “Squaw” and “Princess” image, which are expected to be sexual servants and helpful to White men. Through the prominent images of Sacagawea, Pocahontas, and Squanto, the objectification to serve and maintain White men are normalized and recognized. This highlights the ways in which these controlling images permeate throughout the media, and are maintained through other Native Americans. Moreover, Native American women were expected to object her own “savage” traditions in order to fulfill her lust with the White man. Thus, the controlling images of the savage and sexualized are maintained in order to maintain and justify white male …show more content…
Espiritu defines the depictions of promiscuity and untrustworthiness as a way of halting any chance of economic mobility of Asian American women, therefore supporting the white man’s hierarchical structure. She states, “As the racialized exotic ‘others’ Asian American women do not fit the white-constructed notions of the feminine [...] providing a major weapon for those supporting prohibition of Asian immigration” (Espiritu 11). Through the image of the “Lotus Blossom” and “Dragon Lady” women were defined to be super feminine and “exotic”, constantly featuring a delicate or nubile appearance. Through these images, one can see the complete generalization of an entire range of complex women. The generalization ultimately justifies white male dominance, as they continue to define themselves as the ideal
Rayna Green asserts that these controlling images of a “savage” and sexualized woman are set forth by the dominant group in order to enforce the unequal hierarchical structure. She exclaims, “The Indian woman is between a rock and a hard place [...] her image is freighted with such ambivalence that she has little room to move [...] they are both tied to definition by relationships with white men” (Green 164). Akin to the binary thinking idea, the white man's image is amplified, while the Native American woman and man’s image are neutralized and confined to being the “other”. The Native American woman’s role is only defined through the “Squaw” and “Princess” image, which are expected to be sexual servants and helpful to White men. Through the prominent images of Sacagawea, Pocahontas, and Squanto, the objectification to serve and maintain White men are normalized and recognized. This highlights the ways in which these controlling images permeate throughout the media, and are maintained through other Native Americans. Moreover, Native American women were expected to object her own “savage” traditions in order to fulfill her lust with the White man. Thus, the controlling images of the savage and sexualized are maintained in order to maintain and justify white male …show more content…
Espiritu defines the depictions of promiscuity and untrustworthiness as a way of halting any chance of economic mobility of Asian American women, therefore supporting the white man’s hierarchical structure. She states, “As the racialized exotic ‘others’ Asian American women do not fit the white-constructed notions of the feminine [...] providing a major weapon for those supporting prohibition of Asian immigration” (Espiritu 11). Through the image of the “Lotus Blossom” and “Dragon Lady” women were defined to be super feminine and “exotic”, constantly featuring a delicate or nubile appearance. Through these images, one can see the complete generalization of an entire range of complex women. The generalization ultimately justifies white male dominance, as they continue to define themselves as the ideal