Twitter can spread awareness faster than you think.
Freelance writer Suey Park created the hashtag #NotYourAsianSidekick to raise awareness about Asian-American Feminism. Overnight, the hashtag spread all throughout Twitter and became a trending topic instantly, including the above photo with Asian women supporting the cause.
According to BuzzFeed, users talked about their issues with Asian stereotypes and how they would like to see more representation of Asian Americans in the government and the media.
Be warned. Tomorrow morning we will be have a convo about Asian American Feminism with hashtag #NotYourAsianSidekick. Spread the word!!!!!!!
— Suey Park (@suey_park) December 15, 2013
3) In AAPI spaces, women have to be SMART and PRETTY to be heard. We are objectified by Asian men and White men. #NotYourAsianSidekick
In just hours, the hashtag gained popularity and topics ranged from its initial intent on Asian Feminism, to stereotypes that Asian men and women face everyday. Users talked about marriage stereotypes, economical assumptions and sexism:
I once told off a white classmate in high school that Asian people are no longer referred to as “oriental.” #NotYourAsianSidekick
— Jazzy Crayon (@jazzycrayon) December 16, 2013
the clothes I wear to weddings aren’t for you to wear on halloween #NotYourAsianSidekick
— Samia, The Bagel (@SamiaTheBagel) December 16, 2013
High grades earned by Asian-Am students seen as “normal” rather than result of hard work #NotYourAsianSidekick http://t.co/qBrxiexdWx
— YingYing Shang (@yingyingsmiles) December 15, 2013
Celebrities like singer Jhene Aiko and actress Reagan Gomez also tweeted their support:
— Jhené Chilombo (@JheneAiko) December 16, 2013
I could RT tweets from @suey_park ‘s #NotYourAsianSidekick all day. Amazing how we (POC) really do experience the same things. SMH
— Reagan Gomez (@ReaganGomez) December 15, 2013
Park told Buzzfeed that the hashtag was created to show how much Asian feminists aren’t allowed to speak their minds.
My dear friends and I have had growing critiques of how patriarchy in Asian American spaces hurts, while white feminism leaves much to be desired, so we created this space instead. We talked about queerness, disability, immigration, multiracial/biracial issues, compulsory coalitions, challenging anti-blackness, mental health, body image, and all things feminism. It was all of the things we were told to never talk about.”
She also cracked a few jokes about the popularity of the hashtag.
I would also like to publicly apologize for causing a huge distraction during finals. Tell your teachers you just aren’t the model minority.
— Suey Park (@suey_park) December 16, 2013
With Park and Beyonce helping to change the vision of feminism, we hope many follow suit and continue to fight stereotypes against feminism and women of color.
SOURCE: Jezebel | PHOTO CREDIT: Tumblr
