Why is East Asia better than India?

Asia. It's known for its large population, beautiful architecture, and birthplace of many faiths. It's also become a huge aesthetic on social media. When people think of Asia they think of Cherry Blossom trees, kimonos, k-pop idols, k-dramas, anime, manga, pretty women, cosplay culture, maid cafes, femboys, hot Senpai's and bipolar Tsunderes. These aspects of Asia can be found in places like China, Japan, and South Korea. If you've noticed, these are all East Asian countries that make up only 22.6% of Asia's square miles. If you go North, you'll find Russia and if you head West you'll be in the Middle East with places like Iran and Pakistan. You might even think of the Philippines or Maldives when you think of Asia because it's become such a tourist vacation spot. But when people think of Asia, even other Asians, a lot of the time they don't consider India to make that list.

East Asia is pretty, aesthetic, where pretty women and romantic men live. It's a place that's magical and where you can get the best Instagram pictures.

What do you think of when someone mentions India? Probably thats it's dirty, the people are ugly, and the land is poor. Indian men are "unattractive" and Indian women are "a joke." You might think of the viral memes on Tiktok of Indian accents and people mocking it. You might here the extremely racist sound that plays every time an Indian person appears.

India isn't dirty, it varies by region just like any other place. It's the same with poverty. New York is dirty, full of trash, and has giant sewer rats walking around but people still glamorize it. India is also a third world country, not like the United States. This happened as a result of colonization from the British empire. The belief that Indian people are ugly is so deep rooted that people were surprised Lara Raj is as pretty as she is. Saying that someone is "pretty for an Indian" is not the compliment you think it is. India is home to the beautiful, snowy Himalayas. I've never heard anyone say that those mountains are ugly. Celebrations such as Diwali, a beautiful festival of lights and intricate floor patterns, are common in India. Though henna is used in a variety of cultures, its natural dye has become another trend on social media with its origin not recognized. Bangles are also a common accessory in India that has become a trend. Holistic health practices such as yoga and meditation have existed in India for centuries. Dupattas are being used for decorations and accessories, even renamed as a Scandinavian scarf. People like the culture, not the people.

My main question is: Why do people hate India?

The answer: Proximity to whiteness.

The effects of colonization still impact us today and are deep-rooted in many minorities. Through branding, campaigns, and control of the media, we have been shaped to view Eurocentric features as attractive and Ethnic features as ugly. People who have small noses, lighter eye colors, straighter hair types, and lighter skin colors are often viewed as more attractive than people would the opposite of these characteristics.

What's crazy is that most Eurocentric beauty standards are based on pedophilia. Think about it. Women who are shorter, petite, have less body hair, dress in pretty pink feminine dresses, and are polite and obedient are often seem as extremely attractive. These characteristics are similar to those in children. So, the same standards that most women of various ethnic groups compare themselves to are those of a child. Gross.

In the Black community, colorism is a deep rooted tactic to make those in the community hate themselves and crave Whiteness. It's been embedded into Western culture to see people who are "closer" to Whiteness as more attractive. Asian people have long been oppressed in the United States. During WWII, Japanese Americans and other Asian communities were incarcerated and forced into internment camps with terrible conditions. Xenophobia was at an all time high. Many Japanese women were made into "war brides" under the 1945 War Brides Act, and depicted as submissive, sexual outlets for soldiers. Chinese women who were poor immigrants often had to participate in sex work to make ends meet. Several books such as Madame Chrysanthemum and Madam Butterfly were written by White men and painted Asian women as sexual objects. Since then, mainstream porn has sexualized Asian women. Anime and manga helped encourage this with their sexualization of women.

This sexualization didn't just hurt East Asian women, but painted South Asian women as unattractive. In the United States, White women started to use skin lightening products to achieve the beauty standard of women in Europe. During the Jim Crow era, skin lightening products were targeted towards Black women. Soon, even Bollywood spread this message. Directors sometimes refused to cast darker actresses as leads in films. Movies depicted darker people as ugly. Even some Indian people refuse to date other Indian people because of the colorist mindset.

Colorism doesn't just affect women, but also men. Men are brainwashed into not wanting to marry people of their race. Indian men are constantly taught that they are unattractive, stinky, and not worthy.

Glorifying East Asia but demonizing South Asia is not okay. It is rooted in colorism, racism, self-hatred, and colonization. So next time you think about India, consider this essay.