5 Resources for Learning More About the Historical Fetishization of Asian Women
March was a significant month in America for multiple reasons, but among those, we crossed the one-year mark of living through a global pandemic and were unfortunately thrust back into the reality of gun violence and racism in our nation.
The deadly attack that occurred in Atlanta on March 16th has been at the forefront of our minds at My Life My Choice this month. My Life My Choice stands with the Asian American Pacific Islander community, and we want to emphasize how this attack exemplifies a historical fetishization of Asian women in our society and that this was also an act of gender-based violence. Of the eight victims killed, six of those were Asian women and although there have been reports that the shooter was not motivated by race, we know that the shooter identified himself as a sex addict. It has been reported by the police that the shooter's "sex addiction" fueled his violent actions and as a result, we can see how Asian women, and particularly those in the massage services industry, are seen as dispensable objects whose purpose is to satisfy the sexual needs of men.
My Life My Choice believes that gender and racial equality are key factors in helping end the commercial sexual exploitation of youth. The historic fetishization of Asian women has caused significant harm and if we do not acknowledge and learn about the root of the issue, the stereotyping and misogyny will only continue. To learn more about where the fetishization of Asian women stems from and amplify the voices of Asian women, we gathered some resources that provide deeper knowledge for continued learning and action. Check them out here: