TW: fetishization, sex work, and the military. The Brown Girls' Journal condemns the horrific shootings that occurred recently in Atlanta, GA. We extend our solidarity to the families of those whose lives were taken, as well as to the Asian American community in Atlanta at large. We recorded this episode before the shooting, but are aware of how these topics have concretely manifested in light of the event.
It's our third episode, and we're leaving no stone unturned with this one! We tackle the fetishization of Asia on all levels: people, culture, and place. First, we discuss stereotypes that arise surrounding Asian American people and their bodies, and a little bit about how those have come to influence our own experiences in the dating sphere. Next, we unpack the age old debate of cultural appropriation versus appreciation (versus obsession), and where those lines blur. Last, we chat about two movies, The Darjeeling Limited, and Eat Pray Love, which both play into the trope of white people visiting Eastern countries to "find themself," and the damaging exoticization this can lead to.
Resources mentioned:
- Article on Yoga: https://www.yogajournal.com/lifestyle/travel/yoga-colonialism-and-india/
- "Eating the Other" by Bell Hooks: https://genius.com/Bell-hooks-eating-the-other-desire-and-resistance-annotated
The Brown Girls’ Journal is a bi-weekly podcast where two long-distance best friends turn their entries into conversations. This podcast was written and produced by Rodlyn Mae Banting and Anuska Dhar. Audio edited by Anuska Dhar and marketing done by Rodlyn Mae Banting. Our logo was illustrated by Molly Caroline Designs, and all music is courtesy of Epidemic Sound. You can get to know us a little better on Instagram and Twitter (@brwngrlsjournal), where we’ll be sharing fun behind the scenes and continuing the discussion.
Happy listening!
Rodlyn: Twitter @fmnstmelodrama
Anuska: Insta / Twitter / YouTube @anuskadhar