RAB Source Entry#2 — Sangay

PART1 MLA CITATION

Dewan, Shaila. “How Has Racism and Sexism Intertwine to Torment Asian-American Women” New York Times, 18 Mar. 2021. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/18/us/racism-sexism-atlanta-spa-shooting.html

MAIN IDEA: Racism and sexism intertwined to torment Asian American women.

SUPPORTING DETAIL1: The attacks on Asian women are caused by racially motivated, sexually motivated or both.

SUPPORTING DETAIL3: Poverty and war gave rise to a prostitute industry that provided compounding stereotypes of Asian women.

SUPPORTING DETAIL2: Federal data suggest victims of most violent hate crimes are men but according to a  group called Stop AAPI Hate, In 2020 and 2021, more than two-thirds of the reports came from women. 

PART 2 SUMMARY:

In her article “How Racism and Sexism Intertwine to Torment Asian-American Women,” New York Times journalist Shaila Dewan believes that the attacks on Asian women is caused by racially or sexually motivated. She studies examples of past attacks against Asian women to make her point. For example, the gunman who fatally shot six Asian women in Atlantic spa, said that his actions were caused by sexual addictions, not racially motivated. She also mentions that history of poverty and war gave rise to prostitute industry that provided compounding stereotypes of Asian women. Moreover, for decades, Asian-American women have been stereotyped as sexually submissive and portrayed in popular culture as exotic. Federal data suggest victims of most violent hate crimes are men. However, a recent analysis by a group called Stop AAPI Hate said, in 2020 and 2021, more than two-thirds of the reports came from women. Hate crimes against Asian women are undercounted. One of the reason is that, those with a sexual dimension tend to be classified as sex offender, erasing the racial aspect.

PART 3A REFLECTION:

Asian American women are more affected by COVID-19’s anti-Asian rhetoric. Dewan states, attacks against against Asian women had to be racially or sexually motivated, or both. I agree with her because this isn’t just racial issues that create such crimes, but a continuing oppression of women. As an Asian and woman myself, I can relate to this crime. One time I was walking in the Elmhurst area a man walked past me on the side walk and leaned in and whispered in my ear, “massage-massage.” The fetishization of Asian women dates back into history. I don’t consider fetishizing Asian women as a compliment but an excuse for mistreating them. Therefore, It is directly linked to sexual violence against Asian women. After reading her article, I learned that In the wake of the pandemic, anti-Asian rhetoric has surged. Asian women are at greater risk due to Covid19 and the history of stigmatization of Asian women.

PART 3B RHETORICAL/GENRE ANALYSIS:

Shaila Dewan publishes her article in The New York Times, which has remained in business over 170 years and has won countless awards for its journalism. The overall tone of this article is frustration, and her points are clearly stated. The purpose of her writing is to educate people that Asian American women are at more risk of attacks, their attacks data are undercounted, and there were many Asian American women died of sexual violence which was also racialized. The author of this article is a national reporter and editor covering criminal justice issues, including persecution and incarceration. Her audience is everyone.  The occasion of this article is increasing attacks happening against Asian women at present.

PART 4 NOTABLE QUOTABLE:

“I think the origin of these massage parlors can be traced back to Korean War brides and military wives,” [Dr. Park] (Dewan Para 25)

The fetishization of Asian women was reinforced in popular culture, most notably with the lines spoken by a sex worker in a scene in “Full Metal Jacket,” a Vietnam War movie, as two soldiers try to bargain down her price: “Me so horny. Me love you long time.” [Dr. Park] (Dewan Para 29)

“A few words pack an entire history into a sentence,” [Dr. Park] (Dewan Para 31)