Asian Fetish (I just recently found out) is an inclination of a Caucasian or white person to be attracted to Asians.

While, on the other hand, Yellow Fever is the opposite. It is used to describe Asians with dating preferences, which involve white people or Caucasians.

The reason why I wanted to talk about this is because of an article I just read, Love vs. Asian Fetish by Jenny Parker, who I think happens to be an Asian married to a Caucasian.

Her thoughts are mainly on primarily why she disagrees on the use of these terms to simply classify interracial couples and would recommend the use of the term “preference” instead.

However, if we look more closely at the topic, and I believe I’ve already mentioned this before, it’s not all about the skin colour nor the race. Individuals should start to see beyond that. Please. Each person is entitled to “preferences” but I hope I won’t hear you say, “I don’t want to date her cuz she’s Asian.” Ack. We all know what to call these sort of people.

There are a lot of different races living in the same city or country, sharing the same education and culture. Personalities may be different due to traditions, family upbringing and social environment BUT isn’t it true that that’s how people differ? Personality and character? It’s not due to the colour of the skin or the race. We all know that meeting another person of the same race can present a difference, which you will have to relate to. So, that’s basically the same situation. Uh, right?

I guess it’s a different matter if there’s a language barrier and the two of you live different countries. We can say that there’s a HUGE difference. However, it’s not that impossible to bridge me thinks.

Bottomline, whatever preference you may have in a person you would want to date, it’s better to stick with formulating a list of ideal qualities of that person rather than focusing on their race or colour. Somewhat like the 8 qualities of an ideal guy did last year. Some of my friends, like Aileen, Jayvee and Rico, made a list of their own.

Perhaps you can do the same, huh? I reckon that’ll be more constructive than labeling romances as Asian Fetishes or Yellow Fevers.

Recommended Reads:

Thoughts on Interracial Dating
Something New

Post from: Blisstree

On Asian Fetish and Yellow Fever

Here’s a sneak peek on the blurb found on the DVD cover.

“Kenya McQueen (Sanaa Lathan) thought she had it all: a successful career, good friends and family. There was just one thing she didn’t have under control: her love life. All that changes when she meets sexy, free-spirited Brian Kelly (Simon Baker). But when her ideal man (Blair Underwood) arrives on the scene, Kenya must decide between the relationship everyone expects and the romance no one expected.”

And grabbing an excerpt from a movie review –

It’s an intriguing exploration into race relations in today’s society. The film shows what is, essentially, reverse racism where black people initially look down upon a white man. You don’t see the tables turned like that very often, so it not only made it more interesting but it helped give a little bit better perspective of what it’s like to be subject to racism. You see the white love interest, Brian, feeling out of place at a black party. You see Kenya lose interest in him simply because he’s white. You see her embarrassed to be seen with him. It’s a whole different twist on romance relationships. That’s another point that should be emphasized – this is a romance movie. Kenya finds herself torn between a man she loves and the man of her dreams. Seeing her reevaluate her “list” for a perfect man is an interesting transition for her character and I’m sure it resonates with single men and women. The film solidly explores both race and romance. — Scott Chitwood, ComingSoon.net

I reckon this made me really want to see the movie. One cool thing I found out that’s included in the DVD is the special feature, “The Do’s and Don’ts of Dating”. Hmmm. I wonder what kind of tips I can get from there.

Post from: Blisstree

Something New

Perhaps I did not grow up in a country that suffers from an issue such as this one so I cannot fully comprehend the consequences of such an act. However, I am aware of what really separates races. Uh, skin colour. Call me naive or foolish but that’s all that I can see. One can argue that there are differences in culture and upbringing, which happens to be true, by the way, but these things can be learned and un-learned thus not really an obstacle but merely an excuse.

It’s just the society who adds pressure to this kind of a relationship. People can be cruel sometimes. But if a relationship that came about an interracial dating doesn’t work out, neither can blame it on skin colour. That’s immature, don’t you think? Interracial partners will suffer the same kind of problems like everyone else.

One other thing that is good to note, if we continue in our quest to globalise, then it cannot be helped if all races will mingle on a regular basis. By just being online, we open ourselves up to the idea that we will meet someone outside our race and at the same time we are effected by all the different influences that’s found in news, books, movies and music.

How do I know these? Well, I’m currently living in a country that’s not my own. I can say that I’m learning a different culture from what I’ve known almost all my life. Apart from that, my country is somewhat heavily influenced by the western culture. But if you want to summarize the kind of culture I grew up in, it’s a mixture of conservative, Spanish-influence and American-influence. And I’ve dated a few guys who are from different cultures [American, Filipino, British-Irish]. Plus I know people who are enjoying successful interracial relationships and marriages.

I’d like to think that I have an open mind and I’m not ruled by my own biases, which I know I’m not. Hehehe.

Bottomline. I reckon everyone’s the same. It’s just the personalities that differ. The differences we may face if we consider dating someone from another race are the same ones we would face if we date someone from our own. I guess it will be left to the individual which will weigh more, society’s norm or real love.

Read the article.

Post from: Blisstree

Thoughts on Interracial Dating