Falling in Love with an Image

In the “Yellow Fever” reading by Eng, there were many ideas mentioned that I could identify with. Eng discusses this “Yellow Fever” she had started noticing in older males who seemed really attracted to her. As a teenager, this artificially boosted her confidence but she soon described this attraction as pure “Yellow Fever,” where males who tended to have a thing for Asian females have this perception of what the woman is supposed to act and be like. The males see the non-transcendent physical symbols and assume that the female will fit all the desired qualities they perceive with an Asian female. Although this is appalling, I have noticed similar behavior in my male friends.

First, one of my ex-boyfriends would always introduce me to his friends and family, and shortly after the introduction would insert a comment that I was Polish. His dad’s side of the family was Polish so when he introduced me in this manner to his family I was not too concerned. But unfortunately, the introduction did not stop there. I noticed he would often insert the fact that I was Polish to everyone he introduced me to and it started getting really annoying. I did not think it was appropriate that these strangers have this pre-conceived image of me before they knew my individual personality. When I finally spoke to him about this he was confused on why I was offended. He proceeded to comment that his older brother once dated an older Polish woman and had always advised him to marry a “Polack” because he could be assured he would be taken care of. This comment offended me tremendously because I did not consider myself a “traditional” Polish woman who was only going to clean and cook for their significant other. When I explained to him I had dreams to go to Law School and that I was not going to be whom he thought I was he got very angry that I was accusing him of believing all these stereotypes about Polish women.

Needless to say, our relationship did not pursue for much longer. I still believe he had these stereotypes instilled into his head, however I am no longer so sure it was necessarily his fault. After learning about co-opting and the impact media plays on the beliefs of individuals, I believe that might have had a large contribution to his perception. I know Polish people, women especially, are always perceived by the media as being the typical housewife. When the image of cooking and cleaning is co-opted, it condenses our culture, restricts other real aspects of our culture and ultimately gives a false image.

I often notice similar behavior from my guy friends who perceive certain sorority girls a certain way. Although these perceptions are passed off by word of mouth and rumors, it is still bothersome that they generalize large groups into one stereotype. It’s weird because I did not realize how judgmental I was until this class. I often find myself pre-disposing people I meet to a certain image and I have been trying to be more cautious of it. No one appreciated being identified as a generalization.