The history of colonization and western dominance brings presence to the notion of whiteness and this in turn affects Asian women globally. The notions of whiteness bring upon the oppressions of class and racism which affects the lives of Asian women. Whiteness is seen as a social construction in the lens of looking at light skin cosmetic products which is reinforced through advertisements and television. Looking at interracial marriages between Asian women and white males from the United States show how whiteness can affect the lives of these women by erasing away their own culture. In this essay, I will explore the history of colonialism and western influence which present whiteness, the use of skin lightening methods in Asian cultures and how these affects the lives of different Asian women. Moreover, I will bring evidence from different scholars and my personal experiences to bring light into how whiteness as a social norm from power and privilege, bring intersectional oppressions to Asian women today.
Unwatchability with predictability
Through the history of colonialism from the west, whiteness has become embedded in many structures within entertainment, media, and literature that it becomes unwatchable. In the article “The Unwatchability of Whiteness: A New Imperative of Representation” by J. Miller, Richard Rodrígue and Celine Shimizu, the presence of unwatchability is seen as a challenge to our minds to remain attentive. This challenge is present by viewing the same cliché notions and patterns which are seen as predictable (Miller et al 237). Unwatchability can be viewed through the emotions of embarrassment and abhorrence which then apprehends the viewers to search for something new. The authors explore how this produces a racial critique as it becomes “routine as watching whiteness” as people of colour analyze the representation which turns into an accustomed labour (Miller et al 237). This can be seen whenever I watch romantic Christmas movies on Netflix, where the story line of a girl finding her true love is very predictable. In these movies, I find that people of colour are the supporting characters, while the leads are mainly white.
Interracial marriages between Asian women and white males from the U.S
Moreover, the authors draw on how some are engaged in whiteness in “desirable or circumstantial situations” but they are not absorbed in it to allude their existence and racial critique (Miller et al 239). This can be seen through Asian women who are in interracial marriages with men from the U.S which is explored by Natalie Porter’s article “The Butterfly Dilemma: Asian Women, Whiteness and Heterosexual Relationships,” where she explores 3 therapy cases studies of Asian women. The author draws on the critical whiteness theory which shows how power and privilege located from the western nations are dispersed in whiteness and is diffused globally (Porter 207). This power and privilege is present due to the normalization of the norms of whiteness which is made global. Porter argues on how Asian women who have moved to the U.S experience the “homogenization of their identities as Asian American women” and this shows how power and privilege from the west is integrated into whiteness (Porter 211).
Two of the cases show how the Asian’s women’s cultures were hidden from their children as their children resonated with being white, and their husbands did not recognize the lack of being a bicultural family (Porter 217). One of the Asian women tried to portray an essence of a bicultural family by introducing her culture, but it was not appreciated and taken in. The women were seen to constrict their own identity and self-sacrifice so that the American family values came first as it was seen as a normal way of life. However, the Asian women did not associate themselves with the American life as they viewed American white women to be less family oriented and self-sacrificing which they weren’t (Porter 216). The use of power and privilege is seen to be very problematic as the women’s cultures were not represented and this brings power to the American culture. This in turn affects their lives as one’s culture is not going to be reproduced in the next generation as their children have no knowledge of their heritage.
The use and effects of skin lightening methods in Asian cultures
The effects of whiteness of different Asian women can be explored through skin lightening products which is very popular in the Asian markets. Li et al. article,” Skin Lightening and Beauty in Four Asian Cultures” shows how whiteness is present through the marketplace through the usage of these skin lightning products and having light skin becoming a social norm. By having light skin, it increases one’s beauty and prestige and affects one’s job prospects, martial relations, and income (Li, et al. 444). Since the first dynasty in Korea, the essence of flawless skin has been preferred and the method of applying miansoo lotions and dregs of honey have been used ever since (Li, et al. 444). Whereas in Japan in the Edo period, applying white power was seen as duty for Asian women. In China, having “milk white skin” was seen as beauty and some say that women swallowed pearls in hoping of becoming lighter in skin (Li, et al. 444). Below I have attached a link to a video that advertises for whiteness serum which erases dark spots. In the video the actress Emma Watson who is white reinforces the representation of white being good and the norm of beauty.
Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=22&v=dDjBtRS1TP4
In India, having white skin is seen as an asset and signifies class and caste. When I used to watch Indian drama serials, I recognized that most of the actresses had very light skin and I didn’t see many actresses who had darker skin. Below, I have shown an image that shows two fair actresses associated with being in the top ten beautiful actresses in 2017. On the website, which will be linked below, it shows how majority of the actresses shown are fair which shows how being light skin socially constructs beauty and whiteness. Also, race and class act as intersecting oppressions as having light skin is seen to be more respected. This can be in movies where dark skin people are seen as poor and dirty and light skin people are well educated and cleaner. This social norm is reinforced by Asian women through the usage of skin lightning products, cosmetic surgery and is integrated in mass media and not following this norm leads to a lower social status and self-worth
Link: https://myreviews4you.com/top-10-beautiful-indian-tv-serial-actresses/
The social norm of whiteness has been created through the acts of colonization and western dominance which becomes problematic for the lives of Asian’s women. In regard to the norm of whiteness, I have argued how the use of skin lightning methods reinforce the norm and this creates oppression of race and class which Asian women have to face with the support of my personal recollection and academic scholar. I have also shown how power and privilege come into play through the confinement of Asian women’s identity and how this in turn shows how western influence can deter the representations of their culture for future generations to come.