Yellow Fever

Vivian Vo

Working on this project, I realized I never really allowed myself to look at the stereotypes people gave me. It made me feel vulnerable and that made me uncomfortable. For my concept, I have the trope that Vietnamese women are docile, feminine, and give into the idea of “Asian Persuasion.” On the other side, I have myself in my regular clothes with my headphones. There are many times when I felt I wasn’t “seen” by my own family. They share the idea that a Vietnamese girl my age should be more feminine and ready to serve my future husband. I’d like to be seen as my own person that has the right to my own mind and body. I want to look the way I want without any cultural biases constraining me to be a certain way. I shouldn’t have to present myself in any way for anyone, but myself.