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***Since we're discussing sterotyping and Asian fetishes, im reposting this old post***
Over the summer, while flipping through old copies of the AM New York daily newspaper, I quickly noticed a trend that shocked me. Every day, this newspaper, (which claims a circulation of over a million readers) runs an entire advertising section that is composed of sexist ads that objectify and erotize Asian women while playing on old stereotypes. Such stereotypes paint Asian women as “submissive” or “easy”, especially toward Western Men. These ads, poorly disguised in a section called “Looking and Feeling Good” advertise for massage parlor services. While I personally have no objection to the people that provide this service to make a living, the portrayal and terminology in these ads made me wonder what their purpose really was. “Take a short trip to Asia” one proclaimed. Another one promised “Asian bodywork” with “attentive Asian staff”. Nearly all of them featured a smiling Asian woman, often skimpily dressed and in a seductive pose. Nearly all try to imply that there is an erotic nature to their services. Massage parlors already have a seedy reputation for prostitution and human trafficking, yet, despite this history, that major newspaper has no problem in running these misogynist and exploitive ads.
I was outraged, but it gets much worse. After complaining about it, I was told to look at the advertising sections in the “Village Voice” newspaper. What I saw actually made me physically sick to my stomach. My senses were assaulted by five, full color pages of ads for not only massages, but also “escort services” and various other services that I was not aware were legal in this state. About half of these ads referred to Asian woman and sold their “services” in a manner befitting livestock.
These ads aren’t selling massage services, its selling the masseuses. But, when I told people about these ads, they themselves were surprised. Although many of them read that newspaper, they often gloss over those ads or don’t notice them at all. What does this mean? Are we are so used to stereotypes that demean women that we don’t even notice anymore? We should not even pretend that there isn't a problem, a quick search will reveal small cities all over the US dealing with tens of these "massage" parlors. The police raid them, shut it down and we may never know what happens to the workers as many were likely undocumented and sold into slavery by snakeheads.
Furthermore, the problem not only exists in advertising, but also in mass media. Asian woman in a leading role? Forget it. Asian woman as a sultry sex toy? No problem. In one particular episode of “Lost” which guest starred Bai Ling as a sultry Thai tattoo artist, she had approximately 3 minutes (I counted) of screen time before she was in bed with the one of the main characters from the series. I feel it necessary to mention that her swimsuit (which she wore for most of her 3 minutes) pretty much consisted of two strips of cloth and some strings.
These sorts of roles are typical in American movies and television and show a trend which shows no signs of stopping. I don’t wish to place the blame on actresses (with one or two noteable exceptions) that take these roles for the hundreds of years of discrimination and misperceptions. The media however, plays a major role in perpetuating these stereotypes. Ignorance perpetuates all stereotypes, and it is important that the API community rails against these negative portrayals and reinforcement of stereotypes. For the time being, let us push for greater scrutiny of massage services in our communities. Maybe then this issue will have a "happy ending".
Want a sampling of some of the crap that runs in the Village Voice? Look no further than their own website for a small sampling. (NSFW!)
edit: Does anyone know if its legal to scan that section and post it on this site? Souds like I might be breaking a copyright law or smthg if i do....
either way...NYC readers can find a copy on pretty much every corner in Manhattan so go have a look.
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I don't know why you're soooo surprised. Americans are just naive and unaware of the world they live in.
The reason being, I think that americans are used to being sheltered. No matter what you do, there will always be prostitution. It's the oldest job in the world.
I'm not surprised by prostitution.
I'm surprised that its marketed in major metropolitan newspapers. Did you even read this post?
I did read this post. I'm sorry I couldn't finish my comment, I was running low on battery. You can go to just about any city around the world, big or small, pick up a newspaper and it's right there. Sometimes more bluntly than others, but it really should not be of any surprise that the same thing happens in NYC.
I would've thought that strip clubs would've been more the place. That's how it is in Canada. But where I'm from (Spain) they anounce it with no discretion at all! As a matter of fact, if you're driving by and you see a buisiness labeled "club" and it has colorful flashy lights, it's a burdel.
What I was trying to get at with americans being sheltered is that we're rarely told the whole story about how things really are because it's considered taboo. Even though I'm from Spain I was born and raised in the US. The version of American History, for example, that I was taught was the more patriotic and heroic version. When I moved to Spain I learned the nature of American politics and it's history from a totally different perspective. Now you might say "they probably hate us anyways". Think about Thanks giving, we all celebrate it and it's a great time for family to get together, etc. But the truth is, Thanksgiving isn't about "thanks" or "giving".Try looking up the history of Thanksgiving and the pilgrims and you'll know what I'm talking about.
Think of all the censoring on TV. The "family friendly" shows. There's too much fear of hurting people's fealings.
How many people do you know have a substantial portion of there friends outside of there age group, gender, sexual orientation, race, culture or of different social upbringings? Or would be willing to go out of there way to meet and befriend such people just to get to know them? I don't just mean that one gay friend you might have, or if you do live in NYC you're more likely to have foreign friends, but in general.
I find in my travels, for the most part, Americans are not nearly as open minded as other societies in many aspects and it's because of this that I believe that when you are more open minded you come to realize that all those things that are taboo and are considered distant to you are much closer to you than you really think.
That's why, if you've been sheltered from it, you're surprised to see what's always been there.
When was the last time you spoke of or overheard speak of prostitution and it's availability in a social gathering? Or at the dinner table with your familly? Not just that, but spoken about it bluntly?
If we don't speek out about things that are taboo we are limiting ourselves to allow the media shape and mold our society and how we see things. You're absolutely right about how the media portrays woman, not just asians. But at the same time, if anyone openly considers seeking prostitution they're consiered shovenistic. Now if you agree that prostituion has been around throughout history than there has to be more to it than just that. Where ever ther's a demand there will be a suply. There will always be lonley and/or promiscuous people. It's part of what makes us human beings. And if you think that there will ever be an end to it, than I'm sorry to say, you're pretty naive.
On the other countries such as The Netherlands where prostition is, not only legalized, but recognized officially as a job with full benefits, woman get much more respect in what they do and nobody is forcing them to do it or is alowed to get commision for what they do. Just food for thought.
Anyways, I'll finish my rant by saying that these are all just my views and opinions. But, have you tried to look for or considered male prostitution? It's out there just as well, just gotta dig deeper, probably under the cover of some other kind of advertisement.
i don' believed in those sterotypes about asian women in mass media,asian women are not sex objects,they're human beings.
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