The Fetishization of East Asians: Yellow Fever

We’re simplified as exotic, quiet, submissive, obedient or even just an object. Neglecting our feelings because we’re Asian. Neglecting our feelings because you claim that we’re just a prize or something aesthetic that can easily be tossed when done using. Neglecting our true selves because we’re not a person in your eyes. We’re confused. Are you getting close to us because we’re Asian or is it because of who we actually are?

Originating in the 18th and 19th century, East Asian women have been subjected to fetishization from men because of their race. Fetishization can be defined or thought of as the act of making someone an object of sexual desire based on some aspect of their identity. The fetishization for East and Southeast Asian women can be also known as the “yellow fever.” Even though the title “yellow fever” was brought up during the late 1980s, fetishization for East Asian women has been around for centuries.

History

This began when Euro-Americans were crazy for Chinoiserie, a style of ornamentation that was characterized by the imitation or evocation of Chinese intricate patterns and use of motifs by the Euro-Americans. Hence, East Asians, specifically, females, were often objectified as ornaments. Furthermore, the idea of geishas (a Japanese hostess trained to entertain men with conversation, dance, and song) created the stereotype of East Asian females to be submissive and quiet. This stereotype continues to live on today, creating disturbances in the lives of many females.

Dangers shown in History

In history, many southeast Asian countries have an extensive history of colonization, violence, and imperialism from Western countries like the Vietnam War, Indochina Conflict, and Philippine-American War, etc. During this time, women were raped, sexually assaulted, and impregnated by white soldiers. Next, even before the US had passed the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, a measure taken to ban Chinese immigrants from becoming US citizens, the Page Act of 1875 was passed. This act prohibited the recruitment of laborers from “China, Japan or any Oriental country” because of the fear the US had on prostitution in the country. Even if the Asian women were not prostitutes, the US did not happen to care because their overall view of East Asian females was that they were sexual objects.

Dangers Today

Many would complain how most of the deadly events in regards to fetishization towards East Asian women occured a long time ago, yet these years haven’t gone by peacefully for many. In 2018, there were deadly spa shootings in Atlanta, killing eight victims in which six were of Asian descent. The motive behind the murderer, Robert Aaron Long was that he had a “sex addiction” and that the spas were a “temptation he wanted to eliminate.” Long’s “temptation” shows the longstanding stereotypes not just of the businesses, but also the Asian American women who have been exoticized and fetishized as sexual partners. His reasoning should be noted for its racism, misogyny and racial fetishization that society has been too comfortable with.

Effects on East Asians Today

The effects of yellow fever today are rampant and heavy for East and Southeast Asian women. Many of them have to be conscious and doubtful everywhere they go, whether or not they should date someone because they can’t tell whether or not men are attracted to them for them or if it’s for their race. Many also go through the crisis of “loss of identity.” Many feel depersonalized due to their race because it makes them feel like they're not an individual, but rather an object that can easily be replaced by someone who has a similar physical appearance to them.

Stop fetishizing East and Southeast Asians, they’re tired. We’re tired.