These days, the discussion about "squinting" has caused a lot of controversy.
First of all, the three squirrel models "squinting" makeup was accused of being insulted, and then some netizens pulled out the Mercedes-Benz advertising model "squinting makeup", before which there was also the strange makeup in the works of photographer Chen Man...
These incidents occurred at different times and of different natures, but they were all put in a pot and fried a dish called "Insulting Hua". The main feature of this dish is the Chinese who "always have their eyes not open".
Three squirrel propaganda posters spark controversy. Image source: Network
One
Some people say that "squinting" is a personal aesthetic problem, and Westerners may think that "squinting" is good-looking, and there is no need to go online.
That's a big fallacy.
The so-called "squinting eyes" is not a natural eye shape, but a man-made makeup - pulling the model's already small eyes back from the corner of the eye, resulting in a more slender visual sense. To say that the natural small eyes, that is given by the father and mother, and the insult is not insulted; but if you don't care about the eye shape, all dressed up as "squinting eyes", the special cultural meaning behind this, you have to ponder.
Similar makeup can be traced back to the image of "Fu Manchu" in early Western films: small eyes, thief slipping, plus two beards, full of villains. In later comics, the small eye image of "Fu Manchu" is exaggerated and becomes "squinting". This is the stereotype of the Orientals in Western society, with a strong sense of racial discrimination and cultural superiority.
Cover of the "Fu Manchu" series of novels (Source: Internet)
Some time ago, some foreigners on foreign social networks deliberately hung their fingers from the corners of their eyes and squeezed out the appearance of "squinting eyes", which was reprimanded by many Asian netizens. At the World Women's Volleyball League in June this year, a Serbian player made a corner of his eye move against the Oriental player, and was fined by the International Volleyball Federation on the grounds that this action had constituted racial discrimination against Asians.
It can be seen that "squinting eyes" is a symbol of racial discrimination like "watermelon and fried chicken for black people".
Some merchants, whether intentional or unintentional, advertise with "squinting" makeup, and it is no wonder that netizens will not appreciate it, and even think of insulting China. These merchants were scolded and not wronged.
Two
Some people say that "squinting" is not often featured on international runways and fashion magazines? This is the "high-end face" of the fashion industry, and the merchant uses "squinting" to advertise, which is in line with international standards.
This involves the issue of aesthetic discourse.
Aesthetics seem to be a personal matter, but in fact, there is a strong sociality behind it. What eye shape is good, there are different standards in different groups of people and communities. However, in modern times, Westerners have fabricated stereotypes such as "Fu Manchu" and "Su Xi Huang" to maliciously vilify the Orientals, and forcibly conveyed racially discriminatory aesthetic tastes to the Eastern world.
In the past few decades, "foreign standards" have first run rampant in China's consumer market, and from time to time you can see shops hanging foreign signs and using foreigners to support the scene, which is called "foreign gas". Because most of the modern art genres originate from the West, fashion trends are almost all defined by them, and the so-called "high-end face" of the fashion circle (squinting eyes + thick lips + freckles + high cheekbones) is typical. Westerners push such models, and over time they equate "squinting" with "oriental beauty". The "high nose and deep eyes" faces of Westerners have become synonymous with "fashion beauty".
Westerners relied on the "beauty" set by a strong culture, and for a time it became popular in both the East and the West.
Uncle Dao remembers a Chinese writer in the 1990s who said, "A (Western) little boy on TV jumped out and laughed, it was really heavenly laughter." With a smile, the peacock opened the screen, and the whole thing opened. It sounds funny now, but it also shows the deep influence of the aesthetic concept of "beauty in the West" at that time.
Over the years, Westerners who have mastered the right to speak in culture have continuously strengthened and consolidated the aesthetic prejudices set for Orientals through various channels such as film and television, commerce, and fashion. Some merchants and artists take the initiative to choose "squinting" makeup, which seems to be in line with international fashion, but in fact caters to the cultural prejudices of the West.
In the World Women's Volleyball League, Serbian players made a corner of their eyes. Image source: Network
Three
Why does Uncle Dao insist that the "squinting eyes" style is ill-intentioned and harbors evil intentions? For example:
Eyes into the sand, if it is a friend said, the eyes are so small, can you still lose your eyes? You don't feel insulted because everyone is good friends and knows they're joking. And if someone who has always looked down on you and is prone to tripping you up says so, you must have a strong antipathy: What is the joke? You just don't have a good heart!
Don't blame Chinese netizens for being too glassy, it is really impossible for us to accept the "oriental beauty" that the West has forced over, not to mention that there is racial discrimination and cultural prejudice behind it that has lasted for more than a hundred years.
Especially today, when the country's power is rising and national rejuvenation is accelerating, Chinese businesses and artists are even less likely to cater to aesthetics that are obviously discriminatory. China has thousands of years of profound cultural heritage, and oriental aesthetics have a unique charm. In recent years, the national tide of goods and national style cultural creation in the Chinese market has become a common practice, which is the return of oriental beauty and a manifestation of the Chinese society's increasing confidence in its own culture.
Because, The beauty of China is defined by Chinese.
Wen/Tian won the three foxes
Edit/Dot Cang