Tyra challenges some talk show guests and hints at the fact that some Asians develop self-hate in the face of racism in American society while growing up, and do things to feel accepted later in life. I feel like in some ways, Tyra Banks addresses certain Asian American issues than most Asian American icons do. I believe a small minority of Asian Americans these days have self-hate, inferiority complex, and a desire to look, act, and date only White.

Tyra on Asian eyelid surgery and self hate
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOcSJSJWD60

Tyra on only dating White and self hate
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmK1T23p1Xw

CNN clip talking about Asian eyelid surgery and white-centric beauty
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWOUyFOYR2E&NR=1

A few things that entered my mind:

-Certainly this phenomenon probably implies more Western media brainwashing than it does White worship. However, White worship is linked in the case of eye enlarging surgery because the standard of beauty perpetuated by global media is still Caucasian.  Yes some people get bigger boobs or fuller lips, which reflect a desire to look like what is shown in mass media, but you can’t say with a straight face that Asian eye enlarging surgery, the #1 surgery in Asia, is a desire to look more beautiful according to Asian standards. 400 years ago double eyelids weren’t as hot as they are today, there was nothing wrong with single eyelids a long time ago.

-Malcolm X, in his autobiography, reflects on how he used to painfully alter his hair, out of a sense of inferiority at that time for his Black self/appearance, which is related to what a small minority of Asian Americans and Asians do nowadays with their eyes or hair.

-Tyra Banks readily admitted in one of those clips that she has to conform to Caucasian standards of hair/eyes/etc in order to be successful in this country, I think it’s a testament to her that she is not only aware of this but can admit it to millions, and it is sad that minorities have to do this (conform to White beauty standards). I have much more respect for Tyra than I do for certain Asians who won’t even admit to it when it’s obvious, just like the person interviewed in the clip who used a completely transparently fake/lame reason and can’t overcome her own self deception.



10 Comments

I’ve seen this a lot among the NYC professional Asian community. Though I can’t characterize a number, I believe the percentage to be sizable.

The Asian girl looked prettier before the surgery. She couldn’t really argue back. Her eyes looked fine, in fact she looked younger before.

She lives in CA too. I thought the Asian presences was strong there or at least there was a community there where she could relate/mingle with.

Gays are facing racism? As if they didn’t get enough trouble from everyone.

A few of my older cousins are this way. I think it would be easier if parents were more interactive with their kids on their culture.

I can’t wait for the day when white people want to be Asian. lol

She seems ditzy. =\

Panda hugger? People come up with the weirdest names.

I think that Asian people tendto be more obsessed with status, branding, prestige, social value… look at the higher-than-common obsession over what college you went to, your car, your handbag, etc…

Well White males are constantly branded as the best (while marginalizing Asian males), so it makes sense to me that status-seeking Asian girls and gay Asian guys will see a White dude as some sort of step up the social ladder.

I think Asian people just need more screen time for starters.