The Making of the American “Oriental”

The use of hateful slurs — and the empowerment that can come from their reclamation — has been a subject of debate for generations of marginalized people. 


This week, I spoke with Professor Amy Sueyoshi, historian of race and sexuality and the author of Discriminating Sex: White Leisure and the Making of the American “Oriental,” about the history of the term “oriental” and the complexity of the gender stereotypes that underlie it.

Video Interview

Audio-Only Version

The Book

Don't forget to support Professor Sueyoshi's work by picking up a copy of her book, Discriminating Sex: White Leisure and the Making of the American “Oriental”!

Next Week's Reading

Readings for next week's lesson with Sherronda J. Brown are available here.