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| (source: Grinder 2012) |
This week we discussed the flows of Globalisation and I have chosen to discuss an effect of the increased Physical Flows of Globalisation. Physical flows are described as "the movement of people across national boundaries" (Srivastava et. al. 2012). In Australia immigration (legal or otherwise), isn't always met with delight. But I will focus on the racism found within the Gay community.
The title phrase, or some variation, is a common sight amongst profiles in gay dating or hook up applications and websites. Examples include Grindr, Jack'D, and ManHunt. GAM stands for gay asian men, as opposed to GWM or gay white men. For enlightening examples of this racism, refer to the image posted above and to Douchebags of Grindr.
Gilbert Caluya discusses this “sexual racism” (2006: 2). His introductory paragraphs relate the disdain GWM often display towards GAM (ibid.: 1). But then, perhaps, there is more to this than the evil (gay) hegemony oppressing the minorities. Perhaps this is a paradigm of preference, my community tends towards labeling people according to whom they’re attracted. A rice queen is a GWM who’s attracted to asians. A potato queen is a GAM attracted to caucasians. Someone who is ‘mashed potato” is a GWM who’s only attracted to caucasians. Finally someone who is ‘sticky rice’ is a GAM attracted to asians.
Pessimistically we could view these labels and examples as not just racism but a form of xenophobia; we could also choose to view these positively, as simple examples of preference; a preference no more insidious than me liking Hainanese Chicken Rice over Lasagna. Personally, I believe the pendulum is near the centre, but on xenophobia's side.
Reference List
Calyua, G (2006), ‘The (Gay) Scene of Racism, Face, Shame and Gay Asian Males', Australian Critical Race and Whiteness Studies Association, Vol. 2, No. 2, <http://www.acrawsa.org.au/files/ejournalfiles/80GilbertCaluya.pdf>
Grindr (2012), Punami, Grindr conversation image via WhatsApp, accessed 3 March, Grindr
Srivastava, S., Warren, B. & Moore, C. (2012), Topic 1. Introduction: The Flows of Globalisation, accessed 8 August 2012 <https://d2l.deakin.edu.au/d2l/lms/content/viewer/main_frame.d2l?tId=1586861&ou=31220>
Controversial issue to tackle Lincoln. I like how you defined which group of people you were talking about (racism within the gay community) as oppose to just talking generally as this means you are less likely to encounter generalizations about globalisation. It’s quite sad that despite the global village that we have moved towards everybody still identifies themselves by race even within different communities ie not just gay but gay and asian(GAM), and how sometimes we feel hatred towards people who differ to us even if they fit into a group that you also do that already has to deal with hate and ignorance.
ReplyDeleteIt was an engaging and interesting blog and a very controversial topic that you handled perfectly however i found it only just scrapped the surface of the topic of globalization. In future it might be more valuable to relate the blog more directly to the topic of globalization, in saying this i understand the word limit here would of constricted your ability to cover all aspects and i believe this would become a very interesting essay and is such a unique topic that would very much differentiate you from the rest of us ALC215ers
ReplyDeleteThis was a really interesting read on a topic that never would have crossed my mind. Your ability to link this topic to scholarly research is great and the photo really puts its all into perspective. Your opening suggests that the article would discuss physical flows across national boundaries, and while I can see how you were trying to take that approach to the topic- you didn't quite link your subject matter back to global flows strongly enough for the connection to shine through. I'd tighten up the emphasis on immigration as the source of this prevalence on multi-cultural communities a-bit more.
ReplyDeleteThis blog post is definitely different to every other that I've read purely based on the fact that you re-directed the topic on an issue that is practically unspoken of or even one that people don't even know exist. When I read this, i could tell that you were frustrated- the combination of your tone and the way you discussed things went well hand in hand. In saying that despite your blog being an interesting read I didn't really feel the theme of globalisation run through by the end of it I forgot about your opening statement and solely remembered the topic of gay segmentation. Overall good read
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comments everyone! Loving the advice ^_^
ReplyDeleteThis is a fantastic introduction to Globalisation. Your blog focuses on a single but deep and relevant component of Globalisation and you discussed it with easy and such an informative fashion. Through your blog I was introduced to some concepts I was not aware of before and I enjoyed your pendulum metaphor immensely. I agree labels can be negative and positive, and that sometimes swing between but some language is inherently xenophobic.
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