The Fetishisation of POC

By: Akon Angara

In order to properly dismantle racism, we must realise that direct racism is not the only form of racism. In only acknowledging blatant acts of bigotry as racism, other racist acts often go undetected. One of these undetected acts is the fetishisation of POC.

The fetishisation of POC is not a new phenomenon, it is one that has been around for centuries. In the past, people have labeled POC as ‘exotic’ or ‘hypersexual’. What seems to be a compliment, or simply a preference is secretly racist, and reinforces harmful stereotypes.

Racial fetishisation refers to having a sexual preference for a specific race or ethnicity. Fixating on one’s race and making it their entire identity is extremely harmful. Saying that latina women are “exotic”, describing a black man as a “BBC,” or assuming asian women are “submissive” are all examples of racial fetishisation. Reducing POC to stereotypes, connecting compliments to the skin tone and sexualising them is not a compliment, nor will it ever be.

Fetishisation can even happen within racial groups. People claiming that those with lighter skin, eurocentric features and loose curl patterns are all examples of fetishisation. Colourism, featurism, and texturism are all issues within communities that can contribute to fetishisation. These issues must be addressed and resolved. Fetishisation can happen, even if the person fetishising is the same race.

Black dark skin men are also seen as hypersexual, masculine and aggressive. On the other hand, Asian men are desexualised, and are often seen as feminine and weak. These two stereotypes are both harmful, and can lead to misconceptions. Grouping minorities together with prejudiced beliefs about them is extremely racist and problematic.

Women of colour are also constantly sexualised, especially in the media. Labelling them as

hypersexual and exotic is extremely dehumanising, reducing them to nothing but an object. Misogyny also plays a part in the hypersexualisation and fetishisation of women of colour.

For example, the shooting in Atlanta in early March of this year, killing six Asian women. The shooter was motivated by sexual addiction and racism, and is only one example of the fetishisation of Asian women, leaving them vulnerable to sexual and physical violence. The objectification of WOC can have detrimental and horrific effects, with each racial group facing specific experiences tied to their race and gender.

Fetishisation in itself is a form of racism, and it is extremely dehumanising. People often hide this racist intent by claiming that it’s a preference, or that everyone has a type. But is it really just a preference? When you are reduced to your race, an uncontrollable factor, and are sexualised because of it, is it really just a preference? Or is it something deeper?

Being called exotic or being sexualised as a black woman is tiring. It’s enough dealing with racism, but being told that the sexualisation and fetishisation of my race should be a compliment makes it even worse. I feel objectified. I feel as though I am only seen as my race, reduced to the set of stereotypes created for black women. Being called these stereotypes my entire life, and being expected to respond to them in a positive or appreciative manner is horrible.

The story of fetishisation is targeted toward all POC, however we are fetishised in different ways. The fact that these experiences are not unique makes it so much worse. We should never be reduced to our race or ethnicity, or sexualised because of it.

‘Yellow fever’, loving ‘exotic’ women, liking ‘BBC’, is not just a preference. It is sexualisation. It is dehumanisation. It is racism. And we must treat it as such. Although it’s difficult to call out these behaviours, or even recognise them, it is crucial in the fight to

dismantle racism. Fetishisation is not appreciation.

Cover Photo:

SOURCES

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