Food for Thought: Family

{"nodes":[{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"foo","nodes":[{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"Dear Asian Youth, ","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}}],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"3jeon","nodes":[],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"ak227","nodes":[{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"One of the perks of being Chinese (for me, anyway), has always been the food. Whether it was a long day of school or a day of gaming with friends, my parents would always see to one thing: that I was fed... or that I was about to be. I still remember the homely smell of congee in the morning (otherwise known in Cantonese as ","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"juk","decorations":[{"type":"ITALIC","italicData":true},{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"). My mother would always ask me if I wanted ","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"yau ja gwai ","decorations":[{"type":"ITALIC","italicData":true},{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"(fried dough) with it, and I wouldn’t miss a beat when I replied with an enthusiastic “of course!” ","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}}],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"5tk4b","nodes":[],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"1e2ej","nodes":[{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"Come to think of it, food has always been something that binds me to my family and close friends. It is a way to connect with the people I care about the most in my life. It is the basis for planned food tours that take me and my parents all the way to Paris and the ","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"jung","decorations":[{"type":"ITALIC","italicData":true},{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":" (glutinous rice wrapped in bamboo leaves) that I fail to parcel nicely that demolishes the boredom we feel during a trapped house blizzard situation. Whenever my closest friends took a break from their weekend alcohol binges, we would always end up in an Italian restaurant that quickly became our favourite lunch spot. We would laugh and cry in the same corner of the place for multiple years, and they would later make up some of my fondest memories that I took with me to university. ","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"Guansheng Ma","decorations":[{"type":"LINK","linkData":{"link":{"url":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352618115000657","target":"BLANK"}}},{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"textColor0"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":" ","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"textColor0"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"(Professor of Nutrition and the Chief of the Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene at Peking University) once wrote that food “not only expresses but also establishes the relationship between people and their environment as well as between people and what they believe.” It perfectly expresses the idea behind the power of food and its role in Chinese culture. ","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}}],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"61aos","nodes":[],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"dd8s5","nodes":[{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"Although I now recognise the value of food and what it symbolises, there was a point in my life where I didn’t. Over the years, I considered myself lucky due to my relationship with my family; in comparison to a lot of other Chinese (and east Asian) families, we regularly expressed our love and appreciation for each other through words. I never had to read between the lines when it came to affection growing up; however, I was well aware of the issues that my own cousins were dealing with when it came to feeling loved and worthy enough for their own parents. It was with time that my cousins and other Chinese friends realised that the way their parents showed love was through food. It was the packed lunches that were normally filled with rice and ","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"sung","decorations":[{"type":"ITALIC","italicData":true},{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":" (side dishes to accompany rice), the daily “have you eaten yet?” after school, the adamant dismissal of my cousins whenever they offered to help wrap dumplings, and of course the classic medicinal soups (","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"tong","decorations":[{"type":"ITALIC","italicData":true},{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":") boiling over the stove for hours on end whenever they felt sick. The saying “the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach” seems to be something that extends beyond gender in Chinese culture. It applies to all human beings as far as our parents were concerned. Putting aside the fact that I have always had parents who explicitly state their pride and affection towards me, I feel the most comfort when a piping hot bowl of ","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"Ho","decorations":[{"type":"ITALIC","italicData":true},{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":" ","decorations":[]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"fan","decorations":[{"type":"ITALIC","italicData":true},{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":" (rice noodles) is in front of me. Going to university made me long for that comfort, and I missed my mother's cooking. In retrospect, when I would tell her that I was missing her food, I think what I really meant was that I was missing her love.","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}}],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"2mcfb","nodes":[],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"6fmar","nodes":[{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"Along with communicating love between families and close friends, food is also symbolic. It has superstitious and mythic ties in Chinese culture. Although these beliefs may not be fully believed now, the tradition and history behind certain foods live on. An example of this is during mid-autumn festival, the only time of the year where we eat mooncakes (round pastries which are filled with thick paste and different flavours). According to ","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"China Highlights","decorations":[{"type":"LINK","linkData":{"link":{"url":"https://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/chinese-food/chinese-food-symbolism.htm","target":"BLANK"}}},{"type":"ITALIC","italicData":true},{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"textColor0"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":", “mooncakes mean family unity as they're round, like the harvest moon.\" Through this reasoning, even the foods that are presented and traditionally eaten in Chinese culture are to do with unity and the family. The essence of these family holidays are to spend time together through eating. As for the history of the mid autumn festival, like many stories in folklore, it has many variations. According to ","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"Vetter","decorations":[{"type":"LINK","linkData":{"link":{"url":"https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/amp.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/2165247/what-mid-autumn-festival-all-about-chinese-legends-lanterns","target":"BLANK"}}},{"type":"ITALIC","italicData":true},{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"textColor0"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":", the story is about an archer named Hou Yi who saves Earth from a drought by shooting down nine suns. For this, he is gifted by the emperor of heaven an elixir of immortality which he plans to give to himself and his wife, Chang’e. However, Hou Yi’s apprentice, Feng Meng, comes to his home to steal the elixir which Chang’e hastily drinks by herself when she realizes this. It is said that she ascended to heaven and has settled on the moon, which is now her home. Over time Hou Yi, who is still mortal, misses his wife and starts leaving fruits and desserts for her outside every night. This is where the tradition comes from to eat moon cakes, as it is believed that Chang’e loved them and Hou Yi would leave them out for her. The moon in its orbit is at its closest during the mid autumn festival, so people are encouraged to gaze at it in hopes to see Chang’e in her beauty, longing for her husband. The idea of longing is a theme in the story of Hou Yi and Chang’e, which is arguably again, reinforcing the idea of the significance of unity. Hou Yi shows his love for Chang’e when they can no longer see each other through food as well, which displays the connotations around food and how deeply ingrained they are in Chinese culture. ","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}}],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"eu1k7","nodes":[],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"54cmr","nodes":[{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"Food is also centered around philosophy. Confucianism is deeply rooted in Chinese culture, and believed by many to be the absolute core of how the culture surrounding lifestyle and family works. I believe that naturally, this broadens itself to food. The concept of togetherness is one in which Confucius placed emphasis on, the philosopher himself had created rules that refined Chinese cuisine due to its simple, however straightforward recommendations. According to","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":" ","decorations":[]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"Confucius Was A Foodie","decorations":[{"type":"LINK","linkData":{"link":{"url":"https://confuciuswasafoodie.com/confucius/","target":"BLANK"}}},{"type":"ITALIC","italicData":true},{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"textColor0"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":", “Confucian philosophy strongly believes that food and friends are inseparable parts of life. A life without food and friends is considered as incomplete and improper”. Furthermore, Taoist philosophy also believes in the notion of balance through yin and yang. This connects to Chinese cuisine due to how so much of the lifestyle revolves around balance in all aspects of day to day living. In terms of food, yin and yang is explained by ","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"Matson","decorations":[{"type":"LINK","linkData":{"link":{"url":"https://www.yumofchina.com/chinese-food-culture/","target":"BLANK"}}},{"type":"ITALIC","italicData":true},{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"textColor0"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":": “Yang food is spicy, sweet and pungent with a warm appearance while the yin food is salty and bitter with a high level of moisture… Frying and roasting are yang while boiling and steaming are yin”. Given the importance of balance being so focal in Chinese culture, it makes sense that cuisine culture is also an important factor of the society and daily lives of Chinese people. ","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}}],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"f4hck","nodes":[],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"466rj","nodes":[{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"Despite Chinese cuisine culture being so influenced by these factors, the most significant one to me is my personal experiences with food surrounding my family and friends. Regardless of the history and philosophy behind the cuisine, it is a large part of my culture that I grew up with and will continue to enjoy for the rest of my life. Although being a “minority” has its positives and negatives, food has always been something that I have been proud of when it comes to my own culture. It gave me comfort and a way to make friends growing up, especially with the people around me who weren’t a minority themselves. Growing up, although I wasn’t a ‘majority’ and felt different from others in this sense, I had been able to connect with them all due to the medium which is food. This brought me some solace in the most transformative years in my life and for that, I am grateful and proud. ","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}}],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"8tsmi","nodes":[],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"3v487","nodes":[{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"- Cathay Lau","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}}],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"6bsg9","nodes":[],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"ddmnv","nodes":[],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"889fc","nodes":[{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"Sources: 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","decorations":[]}}],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"eeofh","nodes":[],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"fltoi","nodes":[{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"Cover Image Source: Wes Radez, chineseamericanfamily.com","decorations":[]}}],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}}],"metadata":{"version":1,"createdTimestamp":"2022-08-03T16:22:15.942Z","updatedTimestamp":"2022-08-03T16:22:15.942Z","id":"1ddf7ba3-5a98-4376-9bf4-365de7508c05"}} Freedom to Dresswix:image://v1/a3d0c0_ba7477943fe6444bb1f810e0ba58a98b~mv2.jpg/a3d0c0_ba7477943fe6444bb1f810e0ba58a98b~mv2.jpg#originWidth=700&originHeight=450625b8e4453c6392428a8b7cce6b75778-25a1-4be1-b1a1-58460cf70486an article by Eva Zhong{"nodes":[{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"foo","nodes":[{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"Dear Asian Youth,","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}}],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"d6r85","nodes":[],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"c357c","nodes":[{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"I sped into the elevator, almost late to running an errand.","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}}],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"btf79","nodes":[],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"79uf0","nodes":[{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"Let me tell you something, the elevator in my building is so aged that it takes an excruciating 40 seconds to go down only 17 floors. So you can probably visualize my exasperated sigh when the elevator came to a halt at the 11th floor. A delicate old granny entered through the doors, trembling a little as she walked in. I immediately felt ashamed about my previous reaction and hastily moved aside to give her some space. The granny looked up at my face, her gaze travelled down my torso, past my legs, and landed on my tattered white sneakers. When her eyes met mine once again, I politely smiled and nodded. She did not. Instead, she let out that stereotypical Asian granny mouth ‘tsk’ (you all know what I’m talking about don’t even). She shook her head and her eyebrows contracted. I felt a little uneasy and looked away awkwardly. I wish things would’ve ended there, but it didn’t. She opened her mouth to speak to me.","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}}],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"2mpqv","nodes":[],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"1r4am","nodes":[{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"“你看起来像个学生。” ","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"(You look like a student.)","decorations":[{"type":"ITALIC","italicData":true},{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}}],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"9cfm3","nodes":[{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"I thought she was probably just confused as to why I’m not in school right now (for the record, international school breaks differ from the ones in Chinese public schools).","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}}],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"at5ei","nodes":[{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"“嗯我是个学生，但是我的学校现在放暑假了。”","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"(Oh, yeah I am. But my school is on summer break right now.)","decorations":[{"type":"ITALIC","italicData":true},{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}}],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"9qfpp","nodes":[{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"“但是你为什么不把*没听清楚*遮住啊？”","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"(Yes but why aren’t your *inaudible* covered)?","decorations":[{"type":"ITALIC","italicData":true},{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}}],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"94jsv","nodes":[{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"My first instinct was to reach for my face. My fingertips traced the rim of my surgical mask. ","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}}],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"74i1e","nodes":[{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"“您能不能再说一遍？我没听清楚。”","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":" (Pardon me? I couldn’t quite hear you.)","decorations":[{"type":"ITALIC","italicData":true},{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}}],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"6l7sf","nodes":[{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"“我是说你为什么光着腿？”","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"(I mean, why are you showing your bare legs?)","decorations":[{"type":"ITALIC","italicData":true},{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}}],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"sndq","nodes":[{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"“呃……我的腿……” ","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"(Oh… My legs…)","decorations":[{"type":"ITALIC","italicData":true},{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}}],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"bqavv","nodes":[{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"“哎呦喂，现在的年轻人啊……”","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"(Aiyo, teenagers these days…)","decorations":[{"type":"ITALIC","italicData":true},{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}}],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"b0jce","nodes":[],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"5m256","nodes":[{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"I was completely taken aback. I looked down at my outfit. A black t-shirt with some jean shorts. Nothing out of the ordinary. Plus, it was the middle of summer, and 37 degrees celsius in Shenzhen is no joke. The granny shook her head slowly and pursed her lips, dissatisfaction written all over her face. I wanted to retaliate or say something in response. But I couldn’t. I didn’t know what to say. We stood in silence. After a bit more awkward standing around, the doors finally opened on the first floor. I walked out briskly, feeling angry, bewildered, and annoyed all at the same time. My outfit looked fine. I don’t get it.","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}}],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"16vad","nodes":[],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"c1ptv","nodes":[{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"In China, women are traditionally taught to be conservative about showing their bodies and to practice modesty. In some ancient dynasties, if a man so much as saw a part of a woman other than her face, neck, hands, or feet, he had to marry her (yes, very extreme I agree). Thankfully, society has progressed dramatically and these ancient traditions are no longer practiced, but these norms and ideologies still play a rather significant role in modern Chinese culture. For that granny in particular, I can guess that she lived most of her life under a completely different social setting. Back in the 1900s, women's clothing still emphasized modesty above all. It is rare that you will find any photo from that time period of a woman showing large parts of her bare skin. To this day, numerous Chinese individuals still hold the belief that women are only decent and respectable if their clothes are not too revealing. Nonetheless, as international fashion and culture began entering China, many began advocating for women’s freedom to dress without external judgement or bias. ","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}}],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"6c3qb","nodes":[{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"\n","decorations":[]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"Back in August of 2019, an article titled ","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"祝中国女孩早日拥有穿衣自由 (“","decorations":[{"type":"ITALIC","italicData":true},{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"A Wish For Chinese Girls To Have The Freedom to Dress As Soon As Possible”","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":") ","decorations":[{"type":"ITALIC","italicData":true},{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"was published on a public WeChat account (WeChat is a popular social media app in China). In the article, the author discusses her experiences of being humiliated for wearing clothes such as bikinis, tight tank tops, and off-the-shoulder shirts. She said that people often scrutinized her outfits, and speculated negative aspects of her personality based on her style - slutty, unclean, asking for it. Furthermore, she includes various examples of trending search terms of female Chinese celebrities being criticized for wearing too-revealing outfits at airports. The author’s anger and frustration is evident. She calls on society to allow women the freedom to wear any clothes they enjoy without being humiliated or condemned by the public. She emphasizes that a girl’s choice of clothing is not a valid way to assess who she is internally. The author’s opinions were powerful and inspiring, resonating with many young girls who were exploring their fashion identities. ","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}}],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"642vb","nodes":[],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"b7m9t","nodes":[{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"However this article, meant to raise awareness and empower women, faced more backlash and controversy than support. Many internet users were quick to bash her opinions, and some even took the time to write long paragraphs of rebuttals in the comment section. ","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}}],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"eh4i2","nodes":[],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"8hcip","nodes":[{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"Most people who disagreed with this idea of “freedom to dress” held similar beliefs as follows:","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}}],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"ORDERED_LIST","id":"s283vrcgltzlpv520093","nodes":[{"type":"LIST_ITEM","id":"cze6krcgltzlpv520087","nodes":[{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"5l8pe","nodes":[{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"Chinese girls already have the freedom to dress because no one is physically restricting them from wearing what they want (there is no official law or regulation)!","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}}],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}}]},{"type":"LIST_ITEM","id":"oi6y3rcgltzlpv520089","nodes":[{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"95mi6","nodes":[{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"Wearing revealing clothes is synonymous with public indecency!","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}}],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}}]},{"type":"LIST_ITEM","id":"xgw6ircgltzlpv520091","nodes":[{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"arfp2","nodes":[{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"Double standards! What about men’s freedom to dress? This is sexist and exclusive!","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}}],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}}]}],"orderedListData":{"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"bc56t","nodes":[],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"8mqb9","nodes":[{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"Though these opposing voices do not seem entirely false at first glance, they do not address the core of the issue at all. Furthermore, it is unsurprising to me that most of the people writing these counter-arguments are individuals not directly affected by the problem. First of all, it is true that there are no regulations stopping women from wearing whatever they want. However, this freedom is stripped away from us by the public, who deems clothing to be a representation of a woman’s decency. Secondly, wearing revealing clothes does not equal public indecency. Of course no one is openly promoting for girls to run naked down public sidewalks. Showing one’s shoulders or simply a midriff does not come close to public indecency. Third, I will admit that some men are also restricted by masculine stereotypes that prohibit them from wearing certain clothing pieces. This is also a problem that warrants much attention. However, advocating for women should not and never will take away from the struggles of men. Diverting the attention and labelling any sort of advocacy as “exclusive” does not help the situation in the slightest. Furthermore, it is important to acknowledge that many Asian countries have patriarchal societal ideas, which places men’s value and status above that of women. As a result, women face higher probabilities of discrimination and scrutiny from when it comes to their freedom of expression.","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}}],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"fa8ah","nodes":[],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"a4cr7","nodes":[{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"Many people seem to overlook the core of the issue: judging others simply based on how they dress. The main message here is that girls and women should be able to express themselves through their clothes and not have to be criticized by society for their choices. Furthermore, clothing should be detached from a person’s morality or honor. It is essential to remember that clothing can represent a person’s creative identity or aesthetic standards, but it definitely does not define a person’s worth or respectability. We need to leave behind these outdated mindsets and empower women to dress the way they want.","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}}],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"4ctg8","nodes":[],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"4l2k3","nodes":[{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"In China, though the controversy of “the freedom to dress” is ongoing, I can see the country slowly progressing and transitioning. It is important that everyone feels empowered to dress the way they love. What you choose to wear should never be an excuse for shameful criticism. Remember that the type, length, or design of the fabric on your body has nothing to do with anybody but you. ","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}}],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"6ig6i","nodes":[],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"5jdjt","nodes":[{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"- Eva Zhong","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}}],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"35ijb","nodes":[],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"62eod","nodes":[{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"Cover photo source: Nancy Duong ","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"https://www.nancyduong.com/fashion/","decorations":[{"type":"LINK","linkData":{"link":{"url":"https://www.nancyduong.com/fashion/","target":"BLANK"}}}]}}],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}}],"metadata":{"version":1,"createdTimestamp":"2022-08-03T16:22:15.985Z","updatedTimestamp":"2022-08-03T16:22:15.985Z","id":"a112163f-6435-4cbd-8e2c-a5a6fb25a073"}} Girlbossismwix:image://v1/a3d0c0_92cc51b380a84cddb2331862cb94cb28~mv2.jpeg/a3d0c0_92cc51b380a84cddb2331862cb94cb28~mv2.jpeg#originWidth=1200&originHeight=1200625b8e4453c6392428a8b7cc0506331d-0b14-4f08-bdbc-5a1561897f48an article by Tia Nguyen{"nodes":[{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"foo","nodes":[{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"Dear Asian Youth,","decorations":[]}}],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO","lineHeight":"2"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"21p6r","nodes":[],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO","lineHeight":"2"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"9jeio","nodes":[{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"While social media can be a great asset to social progress, as demonstrated by a certain organization you are reading this from, it can also take us back quite a few steps. This is attributed to algorithms, group polarization, and confirmation bias. Even if we think we are on the “right” (but left) side of the internet, questionable rhetoric for social change still exists in the name of activism. ","decorations":[]}}],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO","lineHeight":"2"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"8of3i","nodes":[],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO","lineHeight":"2"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"8sqnb","nodes":[{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"One of the most prominent examples I have seen of this is the “girls support girls,” white, Liberal feminism. It’s always girlboss CEOs, women war criminals. She got a seat at the table! But why is the table not bigger? Why does the table exist in the first place? Girl boss-feminism (girl-bos-sis-m) is an extremely harmful movement to the young, impressionable members of our society who tend to follow ideologies blindly without their own critical thinking. The main critique of girlbossism is that this “positivity” fails to deconstruct and disassemble the white-centered patriarchal structures ingrained into society but instead perpetuate them. ","decorations":[]}}],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO","lineHeight":"2"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"1gv9m","nodes":[],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO","lineHeight":"2"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"bf5um","nodes":[{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"For instance, sex positivity is one of the biggest focuses. We need to end the outdated practices of slut shaming, stigmitizing sex for women, and criminalizing sex workers; however, the amount of girls being groomed by the internet into creating OnlyFans accounts as soon as they reach the legal age is a cause for concern. Even more concerning is the men buying this content. Rapper and influencer Danielle Bregoli, most commonly known by her stage name Bhad Bhabie, made an OnlyFans just two weeks after her eighteenth birthday and made $1,030,703.43 in","decorations":[]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":" six hours","decorations":[{"type":"ITALIC","italicData":true}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":". Why are men so eager to consume pedophiliac content? Beauty standards for women and how we are portrayed in the media are directly correlated to pedophilia. Women are expected to be hairless, wrinkle free, petite, etc.--like children. By encouraging this “sex positivity” without demolishing the patriarchy, the notion of girl-boss feminism contintues to harm women. ","decorations":[]}}],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO","lineHeight":"2"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"fesg8","nodes":[],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO","lineHeight":"2"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"9tunf","nodes":[{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"Girlbossism does not seek liberation and is instead the reactionary byproduct of existing patriarchal values. It centers around male opinions. Women are considered promiscuous and airheads, so we will be bimbos for our enjoyment! Women are drama filled and hate each other, so it’s girls support girls! Women are expected to look a certain way, so it’s pretty b**ches do this, and we are all hot! A quick glance and these statements seem fine and encouraging. On the surface, they aren’t inherently bad. However, it does not take into consideration that men do not care that you do it in the name of feminism, it still plays into the male gaze and fantasy of women being promiscuous, dumb, sexual objects. There’s nothing wrong with being a bimbo; it just isn’t liberating. It fails to consider why the patriarchy perpetuates this stereotype or seeks to eradicate the dehumanization of women. ","decorations":[]}}],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO","lineHeight":"2"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"b3nqr","nodes":[],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO","lineHeight":"2"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"a8vnt","nodes":[{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"Additionally, supporting girls tends to be an excuse for critiquing other women. For example, white Liberals tend to praise Vice President Kamala Harris. It is great progress that a woman of color made it into the position, but V.P. Harris has a history of being “Top Cop” in a justice system built to oppress people of color. Quite frankly, not all women can be trusted. Many of the women who consider themselves allies date racist, homophobic, transphobic, and misogynistic men, priding themselves on being able to change them or even have racist girl friends. Women of color cannot just switch off being a woman of color when they want to, but white feminists cherry pick when to be an “ally,” often regarding their own self image over human rights. Because the patriarchy is still intact, there are unfortunately a lot of women with internalized misogyny. In fact, many sex traffickers are women, deliberately sent out to prey on other women. Women are trying to trust and help out each other, only for some to prioritize male profit, especially considering Black women are the most targeted victims of sex trafficking. ","decorations":[]}}],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO","lineHeight":"2"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"6onhi","nodes":[],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO","lineHeight":"2"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"dackm","nodes":[{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"Lastly, it turns beauty into a competition that women of color cannot ever win. Who do we see at the faces of activism? Conventionally attractive white women. They do not acknowledge their pretty privilege which is fueled by Eurocentric beauty standards, which is inherently rooted in white supremacy. Women’s self worth from a beauty standpoint is derived from how desirable they are to men. Thus, whatever beauty standard is trending feeds back into the male gaze. As women try to mimic and follow beauty trends instead of accepting themselves, the standard for men still remains low while they profit off our insecurities. When white women start to “decide” that ethnic features are beautiful, they disregard the years of trauma and struggle with self acceptance that women of color face. It doesn’t create more diversity in the media, but it is even weaponized against women of color who get accused of trying to look too hard like “Kylie Jenner,” who bought her big lips, thick brows, and curvaceous features. Girlbossism does not care that men will consistently pick white women over women of color because it does not include us. In fact, this overemphasis of specific ethnic features breeds fetishization that harm women of color rather than bringing self love. Overall, girlbossism ignores that there should not be such a large emphasis on physical beauty regardless because only men and corporations benefit from it. As a result, it only pits women against each other, rather than focusing on the real sources of the issue. ","decorations":[]}}],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO","lineHeight":"2"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"1tgur","nodes":[],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO","lineHeight":"2"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"1idrf","nodes":[{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"It’s easy to blindly agree with “progressive ideology,” but it is just as easy to miss the entire point of feminism and dismantling the patriarchy. Best put by TikTok influencer Serena Shahidi, or glamdemon2004, girlbossism was “never about liberating or protecting women, it’s always about their egos.” ","decorations":[]}}],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO","lineHeight":"2"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"40br4","nodes":[],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO","lineHeight":"2"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"8lcv6","nodes":[{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"- Tia Nguyen","decorations":[]}}],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO","lineHeight":"2"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"82htq","nodes":[],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO","lineHeight":"2"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"8ckh0","nodes":[{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"Cover Photo Source: Refinery29","decorations":[]}}],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO","lineHeight":"2"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"cubpf","nodes":[],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO","lineHeight":"2"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"8va6m","nodes":[],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO","lineHeight":"2"},"indentation":0}}],"metadata":{"version":1,"createdTimestamp":"2022-08-03T16:22:16.051Z","updatedTimestamp":"2022-08-03T16:22:16.051Z","id":"07d64add-c3f6-4541-b04e-2d8f247cb005"}} Hands Off My Qipao, Ao Dai, and Sariwix:image://v1/a3d0c0_f5e8d8d2736d45d2ada0753da7a4cf61~mv2.jpg/a3d0c0_f5e8d8d2736d45d2ada0753da7a4cf61~mv2.jpg#originWidth=900&originHeight=600625b8e4453c6392428a8b7cce6b75778-25a1-4be1-b1a1-58460cf70486an article by Sunna Mai{"nodes":[{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"foo","nodes":[{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"Dear Asian Youth,","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}}],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"3tp02","nodes":[],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"32n21","nodes":[{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"\t","decorations":[]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"As someone who likes to spend a lot of their time online shopping, I've noticed a trend among popular brands such as Fashion Nova, Pretty Little Thing, and Missguided: traditional Asian clothing being sold as “oriental” and “exotic” pieces. I’m not talking about the traditional, elegant, silk attire commonly worn during celebrations or holidays. I’m talking about the sexy, cheap, curve-hugging alternatives that rip off centuries of history and disrespect our Eastern culture. ","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"Cultural appropriation","decorations":[{"type":"LINK","linkData":{"link":{"url":"https://www.lexico.com/definition/cultural_appropriation","target":"BLANK"}}},{"type":"UNDERLINE","underlineData":true},{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#1155cc"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":" is defined as the “unacknowledged or inappropriate adoption of the customs, practices, ideas, etc. of one people by members of another and typically more dominant people or society,” and this is exactly what these clothing companies are doing: inappropriately using our culture for their own gain and aesthetic.","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}}],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"3isvl","nodes":[],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"IMAGE","id":"6jr61","nodes":[],"imageData":{"containerData":{"width":{"custom":"403"},"alignment":"CENTER","textWrap":true},"image":{"src":{"id":"a3d0c0_dbdacade83a94ca780ad9f51cfc481cf~mv2.png"},"width":1904,"height":1136}}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"d2o4v","nodes":[],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"btotc","nodes":[{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"\t","decorations":[]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"Qipaos, ao dais, kimonos, hanboks, saris, and other traditional Asian garments were not designed to be worn as a sexy outfit for a girls night out. Rather, each garment carries its own rich story that dates back centuries. Being Vietnamese, I’ve only known to wear ao dais during celebrations such as weddings or Lunar New Year. To me, it is symbolic of my culture and connects me to my Vietnamese roots. The ao dai has gone through multiple evolutions since its first prominent appearance in the 18th century under the Nguyen Dynasty. Its most drastic and modern change came about during the era of French colonization when designers started to combine Western beauty influences with the traditional tunic style dress—creating the simple, form-fitting silhouette we see today. Symbolically, the ao dai represents femininity, elegance, and celebrates Vietnamese pride. So, when I see non-Vietnamese people like Kacey Musgraves, the famous country singer, strutting around a stage wearing my country’s national dress ","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"without","decorations":[{"type":"ITALIC","italicData":true},{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":" pants and not \nunderstanding the history and significance behind it, I can’t help but feel uncomfortable and offended. She even wore a maang tikka, or chuti, which is a traditional Indian headpiece that represents the third eye in the Hindu religion. It carries its own religious and cultural significance that has no relevance to ","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}}],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"1k9ik","nodes":[{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"Vietnamese culture. Her mixing of cultural pieces obviously demonstrates her lack of cultural awareness and the fact that she is cherry-picking aspects of Asian culture purely for the aesthetic. If you are going to wear another ","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}}],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"1aqai","nodes":[{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"nation’s national dress, the ","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"least","decorations":[{"type":"ITALIC","italicData":true},{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":" you could do is wear it properly and not sexualize it to fit your own agenda.","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}}],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"8ak4b","nodes":[],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"3b3g2","nodes":[{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"\t","decorations":[]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"The Kardashians are perhaps the first people that come to my mind when talking about cultural appropriation. In 2019, Kim Kardashian announced her shapewear line which she named Kimono. These were branded as bodysuits, underwear, and bras meant to accentuate a woman’s curves and bore no resemblance to the Japanese kimonos. While Kardashian may not have intentionally named her brand Kimono to dishonor the garment, her poor choice of branding left people feeling disrespected and stripped of their cultural identity. In Japan, kimonos are typically reserved for special occasions such as wedding ceremonies, tea ceremonies, and visiting temples and shrines. With many layers and styles, even small details such as ","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"color, sleeve length, and style of pattern","decorations":[{"type":"LINK","linkData":{"link":{"url":"https://www.wendywutours.co.uk/blog/japan/history-significance-of-the-japanese-kimono/","target":"BLANK"}}},{"type":"UNDERLINE","underlineData":true},{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#1155cc"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":" can indicate a person’s age, status, and what occasion they are attending. A traditional garment carrying over 1,000 years of history and is symbolic of Japanese culture was now also associated with an underwear brand. Though Kardashian ultimately decided to change her brand name to Skims after public backlash, her rap with cultural appropriation did not stop there.","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}}],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"cv72r","nodes":[],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"d5ba","nodes":[{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"\t","decorations":[]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"Aside from appropriating Asian culture, Kardashian has also managed to steal aspects from the Black community. On ","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"multiple","decorations":[{"type":"ITALIC","italicData":true},{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":" occasions, Kardashian can be seen wearing Fulani braids in her hair on social media and red carpets. One Instagram post, however, stuck out the most to me. In the picture, she is wearing a head full of Fulani braids with beads, and in her caption, she called them “Bo Derek Braids.” Keep in mind that Bo Derek is a caucasian actress who wore this style of braids in 1979 for one of her movies. Kardashian totally disregards the cultural meaning and significance behind Fulani braids by crediting Derek for the hairstyle when it really originated in African culture. For years, Fulani braids and natural hairstyles have been deemed “ghetto” or “unprofessional,” and Black women are continually told by society that they have to straighten their hair in order to fit into the eurocentric beauty standards. ","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}}],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"5c8ki","nodes":[],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"6avop","nodes":[{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"\t","decorations":[]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"I’ve seen the argument that “if non-Black people are not allowed to wear Fulani braids, Black people are not allowed to straighten their hair.” First of all, straight hair is a ","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"characteristic","decorations":[{"type":"ITALIC","italicData":true},{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":". Straight, curly, brown, blonde, thick, and thin hair are all characteristics that no culture can claim. Whereas Fulani braids are a hair ","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"style","decorations":[{"type":"ITALIC","italicData":true},{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":" originating from the Fulani people in West Africa. For many African tribes, braids are an indicating factor of age, wealth, marital status, and power. In addition, hairstyles such as the Fulani braids have close ties to the slave trade. Before boarding African women onto slave ships, traffickers would ","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"shave their heads","decorations":[{"type":"LINK","linkData":{"link":{"url":"https://www.essence.com/hair/respect-our-roots-brief-history-our-braids-cultural-appropriation/","target":"BLANK"}}},{"type":"UNDERLINE","underlineData":true},{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#1155cc"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":" as a form of inhumane treatment and as a way to strip away their identity. Second of all, many Black women are pressured into straightening their hair in order to assimilate into Western beauty standards. Believe it or not, there are ","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"workplaces that discriminate against","decorations":[{"type":"LINK","linkData":{"link":{"url":"https://daily.jstor.org/how-natural-black-hair-at-work-became-a-civil-rights-issue/","target":"BLANK"}}},{"type":"UNDERLINE","underlineData":true},{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#1155cc"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":" Black women who choose to wear their natural hair or any hairstyle that is deemed “unruly.” Because of this, some Black women are forced to comply with regulations placed on their hair or face the risk of losing their jobs.","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}}],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"9ld3n","nodes":[],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"2i0pj","nodes":[{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"\t","decorations":[]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"As a member of the BIPOC community, I believe that it is important to actively call-out individuals that are exploiting our culture as we are more than a trend. Bigger influencers, such as Kacey Musgraves and Kim Kardashian, are among many that catapult trends into pop culture for their millions of fans to follow. So when marginalized groups see aspects of their culture as the next “innovative” fashion craze, it invalidates the culture as a whole. Why is it that when ethnic people want to express themselves through their culture, they are mocked, shamed, and made to feel alienated? But when non-POC wear the same cultural pieces, it’s considered hip and trendy. In many cases, cultural appropriation can occur due to the lack of education and awareness of how offensive the action may be. It is crucial that we continue to confront those who may be unknowingly committing acts of cultural appropriation to prevent it from occurring in the future. ","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}}],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"c33ns","nodes":[],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"7vf5h","nodes":[{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"\t","decorations":[]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"From personal experience, I know that it is frustrating to see someone be praised for wearing something that would be deemed as “outlandish” or “eccentric” on you. Growing up, I’ve always felt the need to look the least “Asian” as I could. I never wore my ao dai out in public, and if I did have to wear it to an event, there was always a looming fear of judgement from strangers passing by. Although I am now proud of my Vietnamese heritage and have come to love wearing my ao dai, it still rubs me the wrong way when I see non-Vietnamese influencers donning ao dais on red carpets and social media. Cultural theft completely erases the significance of the victim’s identity and disregards the complex history behind each aspect of their culture. Pop culture seems to always favor the “exotic” look on people who lack the “exotic” culture themselves. With that being said, my culture is not a trend. It is not an aesthetic. Learn to appreciate other cultures rather than ripping them apart and cherry-picking desirable aspects to fit your eurocentric beauty standards.","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}}],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"9t7os","nodes":[],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"bq7cc","nodes":[{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"- Sunna Mai","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}}],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"73rpa","nodes":[],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"96m1","nodes":[],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"7st80","nodes":[],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}}],"metadata":{"version":1,"createdTimestamp":"2022-08-03T16:22:16.149Z","updatedTimestamp":"2022-08-03T16:22:16.149Z","id":"7ec765fb-5404-4dc4-8766-8e965724a625"}} History Behind Racial Slurs: the N-Wordwix:image://v1/a3d0c0_09c2d881d4164c58b3238d9f40c572f7~mv2.png/a3d0c0_09c2d881d4164c58b3238d9f40c572f7~mv2.png#originWidth=1000&originHeight=496625b8e4453c6392428a8b7cce6b75778-25a1-4be1-b1a1-58460cf70486an article by Josephine Chou and Eva Zhong{"nodes":[{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"foo","nodes":[{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"Note: we do not intend to speak for the Black community. Rather, we seek to educate fellow Asians on the history behind the n-word and why non-Black individuals should not use the term. We are still teenagers and learning every day, so please let us know if our information is incorrect!","decorations":[{"type":"ITALIC","italicData":true}]}}],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"choq3","nodes":[],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"4roo7","nodes":[{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"Dear Asian Youth,","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}}],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"2e9dq","nodes":[],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"10kp","nodes":[{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":" As I sat waiting for the lady at the front desk to call me up for driving test, I heard an Asian teenager use the n-word. ","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"Did I hear that right?","decorations":[{"type":"ITALIC","italicData":true},{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":" ","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"Quite frankly, I was shocked. ","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#fff8db","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"I never spoke the word, let alone listened to songs with the word in its lyrics. So when I heard the racial slur slip out of that boy's mouth ever so casually, I was reminded of just how many people are oblivious to the history behind the n-word. It's simple, really: if you're not Black, don't use the n-word. ","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}}],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"9f2bv","nodes":[],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"d9mii","nodes":[{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":" Known as a prominent racial pejorative in the 21st century, the n-word originated from the Spanish word ","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"negro","decorations":[{"type":"ITALIC","italicData":true},{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":", a descendent of the Latin word ","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"niger","decorations":[{"type":"ITALIC","italicData":true},{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":", both of which mean “Black.” Its derogatory usage rose from the Jim Crow era when African Americans were discriminated against and persecuted by white countrymen. Even further back in history was the Civil War, when American soldiers fought on their own soil against their own people to abolish the institution of slavery. ","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"African Americans served vital roles on both sides: they worked as nurses, spies, cooks, blacksmiths. Southern general Robert E. Lee wrote, “The chief source of information to the enemy is through our negroes.\" While they readily joined and fought bravely with their white counterparts ","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#fff8db","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"on Union","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":" and","decorations":[{"type":"ITALIC","italicData":true},{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":" Confederate lines,","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":" the end of war only resulted in continued hostility toward Black people. Although more Blacks became free men in Northern states, they were still seen as nothing close to equals. ","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#fff8db","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"Even today, Black people are held to preconceived notions of being \"thuggish\" and \"uneducated\". Despite pernicious effects, the n-word continues to be carelessly tossed around in non-Black communities, furthering racism and undermining centuries of hardship.","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}}],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"rcbf","nodes":[],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"9u5gd","nodes":[{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":" As hip-hop is becoming increasingly popular in mainstream media, t","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"he n-word has made frequent appearances in the lyrics of many well-known songs. ","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#fff8db","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"Black artists such as Kendrick Lamar, Childish Gambino, and XXXtentacion have chosen to incorporate the term into their music. Their music has topped international charts, streamed by millions of all races and ethnicities. As we are not members of the Black community, we do not have the right to determine whether or not Black artists should include the n-word in their art, as it is a large part of their ancestral history. However, what should be noted is that the prevalence of the n-word in pop culture has normalized the use of the term. Music does not have a set audience, meaning all types of people are exposed to songs that include the n-word. People may settle into the mindset that if the term is included in music, it is not as severe or impactful. Even so, according to ","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"The","decorations":[{"type":"ITALIC","italicData":true},{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":" ","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"Chronicle","decorations":[{"type":"ITALIC","italicData":true},{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":" writer, Victoria Priester, “This word wasn’t used to antagonize, belittle and demean people who look like you for centuries, so it isn’t your choice to decide when enough time has passed for it to be okay to use again”. ","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"“It's just a song lyric” and “I didn't mean it like that” are not valid excuses for using a racial slur. In fact,","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#fff8db","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":" many Black artists have expressed that they are vehemently opposed to the idea of non-Black people using the n-word. A white female fan, for instance, went on stage and rapped along to Kendrick Lamar's “m.A.A.d city” during a music festival. When the fan repeatedly sang the n-word, Lamar was reportedly extremely angry and asked the fan to be removed from the stage. Even though it may be a part of lyrics, it doesn’t automatically give non-Black people the right to use it. ","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}}],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"1hniq","nodes":[],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"cc2vm","nodes":[{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":" Although I cannot speak for and do not intend to speak for the Black community, I want to use this platform to call out those who defend themselves by saying, “ I wasn’t trying to be offensive, it was just a joke!” No matter what your intention is, the word still holds great impact. When it comes to racial slurs like the n-word, the interpretation is far more important than the intent. It’s simple. You do not need to be subscribed to some racist doctrine to say something with racist implications. The blood-and-sweat-soaked history behind the n-word is not something to be taken lightly. This slur is not only reflective of slavery, but also shoulders the history of discrimination and prejudicial behavior against Black people. It ","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"has been used for decades by non-Black people as an oppressive term to dehumanize the Black community.","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#fff8db","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":" As outsiders, it is not up to us to dictate how this term is used or how it circulates within conversation. By using this racial slur, there is an assertion of authority — an authority we are not entitled to. ","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}}],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"3apbv","nodes":[],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"1malr","nodes":[{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":" Mitigating the use of such a damaging slur comes in several steps. First, educate yourself. Make sure you know the underlying meaning of the n-word and why it is so offensive. In doing so, you will begin to understand the systemic racism the Black community has endured. Second, share your knowledge with non-Black friends, parents, and relatives. Hold conversations with them so they acknowledge that the creation of the n-word is a product of racism. Finally, call people out. When you hear peers misusing the word, speak up. By calling someone out, you are holding them accountable. Though you may hurt feelings and create discomfort, that is a small price to pay compared to the grand scheme of things. ","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}}],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"3cs3q","nodes":[],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"5a71a","nodes":[{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":" Upon noticing my frustration at deaths caused by police brutality, my mom asked to have a chat with me. From why #BlackLivesMatter is a legitimate movement to the murders of Amaud Arbury, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, and and countless more, I explained the centurities of hatred toward the Black community. ","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}}],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"cj8bm","nodes":[],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"79n8d","nodes":[{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"\t","decorations":[]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"Out of the blue, she said, “To be honest, when I see Black people sometimes, I get scared of them.” My first instinct was to call her a racist. How could she, after hearing my reasons for allyship, tell me she sees an entire group of people through racist lenses? ","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}}],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"a6dmi","nodes":[],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"2iovm","nodes":[{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"\t","decorations":[]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"“","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#fff8db","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"Their lack of education makes them more dangerous,","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"”","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#fff8db","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":" she stated. ","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}}],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"7racn","nodes":[],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"8un7h","nodes":[{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"\tI was baffled. ","decorations":[]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"“What? This is about the oppression Black people have endured since slavery. I will never have to worry about being pulled over and losing my life for my skin color. And the stereotype that African Americans are less educated effectively undermines their capabilities and who they are as a person. Not to mention, the existing education gap between Black and white communities stem from redlining. Even in the Civil Rights Movement era, Blacks were denied various opportunities.” ","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}}],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"p0rd","nodes":[],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"30mbs","nodes":[{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"\t","decorations":[]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"She looked at me after I shared my thoughts and asked to see articles and videos covering police brutality. “Thank you for sharing your views. I will look more into what is happening,” she later said. ","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}}],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"5s638","nodes":[],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"avd9p","nodes":[{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":" You see, though it may be uncomfortable to discuss #BlackLivesMatter with your loved ones, even one conversation can change their viewpoint.","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}}],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"fnjca","nodes":[],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"7uv12","nodes":[{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":" Black people ","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"need","decorations":[{"type":"ITALIC","italicData":true},{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}},{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":" to feel safe in America. As we learn to love ourselves and our skin color, we must fulfill our duty and stand in solidarity with our Black brothers and sisters. We need to stand with them so that blatant racism is not normalized. The first step is to completely remove the n-word from our tongues. When you begin to respect Black people and their history, you will earn their respect as well.","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}}],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"7dt5n","nodes":[],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"b571l","nodes":[{"type":"TEXT","id":","nodes":[],"textData":{"text":"- Josephine and Eva ","decorations":[{"type":"COLOR","colorData":{"background":"#NaNNaNNaN","foreground":"#000000"}}]}}],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}},{"type":"PARAGRAPH","id":"8n14g","nodes":[],"paragraphData":{"textStyle":{"textAlignment":"AUTO"},"indentation":0}}],"metadata":{"version":1,"createdTimestamp":"2022-08-03T16:22:16.263Z","updatedTimestamp":"2022-08-03T16:22:16.263Z","id":"2562a9ac-b772-4451-a39e-0c3016b0e06e"}}