Controversy over 'slanted eyes' shows China's boycott of insulting symbols

By John Lee

(ECNS) -- An advertisement featuring a model with small, narrow eyes has triggered a heated debate on China's social media platform Weibo. Critics say it portrays the derogatory Chinese stereotype of "slanted eyes."

The "slanted eyes" stereotype has long been used by Western racists to insult Chinese people. Many Chinese images in early American movies and cartoons usually have "slanted eyes," such as Fu Manchu, a typical super villain used to insult China. The image shows Western prejudice and discrimination against Chinese and is undoubtedly offensive and derogatory.

Therefore, Chinese netizens did not overreact or act too sensitively. They have to fight back to defend their national image and dignity against insults and discrimination. They have to guard against the infiltration of this discriminatory aesthetic and resist deliberate "uglification."

Big eyes, small eyes, high-bridged noses, comely eyebrows...Over 1.4 billion Chinese look different and we acknowledge different types of beauty. What Chinese people care about is not appearance, but whether they are respected, so they refuse to accept the distorted "Oriental beauty" that caters to Western stereotypes about Chinese and other Asian people.

Therefore, inspiration and ideas, in whatever form, should respect Chinese people's feelings and cultural background. Behavior "uglifying" or humiliating Chinese will surely be boycotted.