From Aaren Alvaro: Why do you think that some Asian Americans consider light complexion as a factor of superiority?
From RM: How is education important to the Korean merchant, and what are things that Youn Jae Kim is trying to do to help the Korean merchant?
From Aileen: Pages 137-141. Do you think that discrimination has changed? What are those changes?
From Jose: Pages 137-141. Why is there a lot of racial discrimination back then? What factors add up to the current discrimination in society?
Generally, Asian Americans who were born in America want to be tan like most American women. But, Asian Americans from Asia prefer the lighter skin complexion because that's their standard of beauty and status. Darker skin people were seen as poorer people who worked in the fields. Whereas, the lighter skin people were seen as higher status who didn't have to work outside in the sun. Hence, lighter skin complexion is preferred.
ReplyDeleteRE Aaren Alvaro: I don't think the majority of Asian Americans desire to be light but the actualy opposite. Usually kids of Asian descent who are born in America tend to want to be tan because of the standards of beauty in America, but in Asia itself it is there where many people believe that being light skinned is beautiful. I'm not sure exactly why this is other than that this is what they believe but it could also be tied to lwo income workers who have to work in the fields and tend to be significantly more dark skinned and therefore dark skinned was seen was tied with poor people and people of low income.
ReplyDeleteRE Aileen: I feel like there is discrimination still but its just done a lot more discreetly and implicitly. The discrimination that goes on in the present day is not of the degree of ferocity than it was decades ago but everyone is always thinking about it and has their own preceptions about each race and those thoughts in itself can lead to discrimination. There are also invisible forms of discrimination that come on the forms of privileges. Discrimination has changed, and has changed for the better but it still is an issue in today's times.
There was and still is a lot of racial discrimination for many reasons. One reason is that most people have a sense of nationalism. They also need scapegoats for whenever there is a problem within society. These people tend to blame other people for those problems. Another reason is the hardships one group of people put on other people. Imperialism and colonization are factors that contribute to racism and discrimination.
ReplyDeleteThe reason that the majority of Asians think that light skin is superior to tanned or dark skin is because back in the ancient days there was somewhat of a hierarchy. The people of royalty and nobles lived in palaces and grand house and worked in offices and at desks. They stayed inside most of the time versus outdoors and if they were outdoors then they had UV protection such as an umbrella. For the poor people, they worked all day in the fields and the sun hit their faces and darkened their skin. This is why Asians thought that having a darker complexion is a sign of being low class and unintelligent.
ReplyDeleteBut by now everyone knows i LOVE being tan ;)
Asian Americans prefer to be lighter skinned because it is easier for them to fit in. The less they stood out, the less they get picked on everywhere. I believe that discrimination has changed but it has not gone away. There are still some people that are racist against another group of people.
ReplyDeleteWhite skin doesn't necessarily only apply to Asians, too such as people would powered themselves up in Europe as a sign of wealth and mask how dirty they were from not having a regular way to bathe themselves. I also see white skin as a sign of beauty such as kabuki or chinese opera make up. Being dark just has a sense of feeling dirty.
ReplyDeleteQ#1: Having white skin may be because they want to look more american. Most whites have fairly light skin and an asian american might be considered superior just because of how light their skin is.
ReplyDeleteQ#3: Discrimination has changed a bit over the years. Discrimination is still alive in america today, but i dont think it is as high as it used to be back then.
1st quote. I think its because Americans are white and when people hear the word American they think of White people. Therefore, some asians that are living in america thinks that white is a symbol of superiority. Which is stupid as hell since you cant be superior than others just because of your skin color.
ReplyDeleteI think generally our culture embraces darker, tanned skin tones. However, if light complexion refers to Caucasians, then I feel some Asian-Americans may want to be light skinned because from a sociology standpoint, our nation caters to white people more so than minorities.
ReplyDeleteI don't think discrimination has changed all that much. Although it has become less socially-acceptable to declare your dislike for a certain race or propagate stereotypes, I don't think that implies a complete lack of these sentiments. Honestly, looking at the media today, I feel like discrimination and prejudice is alive and well, albeit more discreet. Those people who retain these feelings instead opt to use "codewords" that while on the surface seem acceptable, bely certain racial animosities.
ReplyDeleteFor example, a couple months back the big headline of the day concerned the proposed construction of a mosque/cultural center near Ground Zero in NYC. Those who were against it claimed that it would embolden "terrorists' and out of respect for those lost on the Sept. 11 attacks, it should not be built.
Honestly, anyone with half a brain could read the subtext: These opponents truly believe that the majority of Muslims have a deep hatred for the U.S. and wish to cause Americans harm. Disregarding the fact that out constitution clearly calls for the free expression of religion, they view Muslims as innately foreign and un-American, with no place in our society. While claiming to uphold the values of our country, they refuse to accept and stand up for the rights of their fellow Muslim-Americans. So while they cannot freely state their racial animosities out of fear of being branded "racist," they cling to the word "terrorist," a common enemy that obviously no one would support.
Light complexion was seen as superior because during those times, most people had to spend most of their time outside farming to survive. If you had wealth, then you didn't have to work outside in the fields.
ReplyDeleteFrom my understanding, the reason that Asian Americans prefer people with light skin is because it is a sign of wealth and superiority. People with dark skin tend to be people who have to work out in the fields in the sun for long hours. I don't think people back then, and some nowadays, realize that dark skin can be genetic, so it's not entirely their fault.
ReplyDelete