#NotYourAsianSidekick kicks off worldwide conversations about racist & sexist Asian stereotypes

[ismnotwasm]

I’ve watched in awe and appreciation for the past week as a Twitter hashtag created by writer and activist Suey Park, “#NotYourAsianSidekick, has achieved the impressive feat of trending on the social network, sparking a global discussion about Asian stereotypes, Asian American identity and especially, the challenges faced by Asian American women.

Park first used the hashtag on Sunday, December 15 to promote a Twitter conversation the next day about how feminism had minimized and marginalized Asian American women. “Be warned,” the tweet announced. “Tomorrow morning we will be have a convo about Asian American Feminism with hashtag #NotYourAsianSidekick. Spread the word!!!!!!!”

The conversation couldn’t wait ’til the next morning. It began right away, and led to a torrent of posts from Asian American women who aired their frustration and anger, inspiring others to add their voices to the chorus.
Writer Kai Ma summed up in an excellent essay on Time.com, “#NotYourAsianSidekick Is Great. Now Can We Get Some Real Social Change?” how the hashtag caught the cultural zeitgeist:

More:

http://www.nikkeiview.com/blog/2013/12/notyourasiansidekick-kicks-off-worldwide-conversations-about-racist-sexist-asian-stereotypes/

[seabeyond]

1. in a bit i am going to read. i am sure many valid and real points. and listening is the first step

i do want to say, i have wanted to hear from the asian community cause i do see the stereotype that are so hurtful. and we have spoken out about them, loudly and consistently when the issues have arisen. i would prefer to merge and embrace, become one, than to create another divide. that is all. because i am all over being one asian womens side. standing beside them as they speak up and out.

[cinnabonbon]

2. This is so important!

Feminism can work against its purpose if we can't see that it intersects with other oppressions, too. It's good that these discussions come up.

Thanks for posting it!

[redqueen]

3. I was really disheartened to see some pushback against this last week.

Some were trying to silence these women, claiming they weren't really victims of bigotry because positive stereotypes.

It was painful to see how betrayed they felt. Bigotry is bigotry.