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Sinophobia to Aesthetic: My Complicated Hope
Written by Jodie Li Growing up, I always stood my ground, proud to be Asian, proud to be Chinese. Even in elementary school, a time when many Asian American kids felt embarrassed by their lunches, their backgrounds, or their features, I had a strong joy associated with my background. I thank my parents for that. They filled my childhood with stories, traditions, and explanations of all the amazing things about my Chinese heritage. They planted a pride in me that no one or any comment could make me feel ashamed. That pride followed me through middle school, through high school, and even in a time where people were scared to…
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The ABG: A Label Built On Struggle
Written by Paulina Tep When you hear the term “ABG,” you think of the Asian Baby Girl: she’s got bleached hair, wears heavy lashes, is obsessed with raves, and is a certified bobaholic. The ABG is the antithesis of Western society’s expectations of women: bold and sexy, not passive and dainty. While this is the widely accepted definition of an ABG, I have noticed a shift in how it is presented in recent years. Several other youth subcultures of the past decades have transitioned into a social media “aesthetic,” including the ABG. The ABG style is about visuals now and not culture. My observation is that while the standard ABG…
