This presentation aims to foster a deeper understanding of the social problematic of ‘racialised misogyny’, particularly when it comes to women of East and South East Asian heritage. We will examine its roots in colonialism and imperialism, cover the concept of orientalism, and look at modern-day examples of where these issues occur in the media around us, including rehashed stereotypes in film, tv and advertising, as well as ‘yellow fever’ and the realm of dating apps. We will aim to connect the dots between problematic representation of ESEA women’s bodies and temperaments, and real-life, often violent consequences. Finally, we’ll take a moment to celebrate some of the women-led solidarity movements that have sprung up in recent years, and what we can all do to challenge the system.

Women at Imperial Week is an annual event that takes place around International Women’s Day (8 March). Over the course of a week we celebrate female staff and students at Imperial, past and present, and raise awareness of the support available in College for women.

Presenters:

Mai-Anh Peterson

Mai-Anh is a British Vietnamese, Hong-Kong-born Londoner-turned Edinburgher, currently living in Senegal. She is a co-founder of besea.n and a globalisation/localisation specialist. She has written for publications such as gal-dem, Bad Activist Collective and Shado magazine, as well as guesting on BBC Woman’s Hour, covering topics of advocacy, anti-racism and ESEA community building. In her spare time, she enjoys butchering the Vietnamese language (‘learning’), devouring #ESEAreads and sampling different #ESEAEats. You can find her on Instagram @maianhpeterson or on Twitter @mapeterson8.

King-Wey Hii-Ko

King-Wey is a British born, Chinese Malaysian Londoner who is passionate about fighting racial and gender based oppression, with a particular interest in how transformational justice can help us make the world a more empathetic place. Like her fellow besea.n-ers, she is committed to creating a safe and joyful environment, in which the ESEA community can thrive. She is also a member of the community group, ESEA Sisters.

Outside of community organising, King-Wey works as a florist and has her own business creating floral designs for events, shoots and installations. Her other activities include eating, cooking, sneaking in naps, (whilst) cuddling her dog Maggie, staying up till ungodly hours for no apparent reason, and pretending to be an extrovert when she’s really an introvert.