I have 2 topics that I’m thinking about
- Islamophobia – Did 9/11 create a new form of discrimination?
For this topic I’m planning on researching media/communication culture change and how this form of discrimination became prevalent in other countries around the world surrounding the 9/11 incident.
- South Asian beauty standards post colonization.
I’m not sure about this topic but it’s something I am interested in researching, how beauty standards changed post colonization. I know that in South Asia “looking white” is the ideal beauty standard, so I was wondering if colonization have anything to do with that.
Great ideas, they both would make great research question, but if you chose to tackle the 1st one maybe word the question differently, because the question you wrote has a definite answer, which is yes, 9/11 100% created a new form of discrimination (at least in my opinion). And the second one sounds really interesting!
So I’m actually a bit bummed out that you can’t work on both questions, since both are highly unique and nonetheless would make for interesting reads. However, I am personally drawn to the second question, and feel as if you’ll be able to convey a myriad of new ideas and concepts to an audience. With this in mind, I’m immediately connected to an article I read on how family members in Brazil, a highly diverse, post-colonized nation, idealize “white” features in children. Thinking about this article, you might be able to find examples of “white-idealization” in other diverse, post-colonial regions in the world, thus expanding on the truth that you speak in regards to South Asia.
Furthermore, and much like in Michelle Alexander’s “The New Jim Crow” that we read last week, it’s interesting to think about how white elites work to stay in power after giving up on colonization or after incorporating former slaves/marginalized communities into the framework of society. In America, this looks like the rebranding of overt racism as a more subtle, systemic, and institutionalized form of the societal cancer. However, in other parts of the world, this might look like something as simple as the way in which we subconsciously create racial hierarchies, such as preferring “white” feature’s as opposed to colored “features” within a diverse society.
I think you have some great prompts to work with, and I can’t wait to see more!
I think both of your topics are award winners as they crack into some biases that aren’t talked about. The media does play a huge role in the portrayal of almost everything we view so you can look at specific media posts that aim to relay certain messages.
This idea of Islamophobia is the one that stuck my eye as it is so relevant in our day and age. The 21st century seems to be cursed with a racial lens that causes people to see color rather than character. Stereotypes have been assigned to almost every thing that is unique about a person and seems to take away from their ability to embrace that gem. Peoples views seem to have suppressed peoples expression and islamophobia is a prime example of this. This topic is headed in an amazing direction.
I really like both of your topics. You’ll definitely have a lot to talk about for both. Personally, I feel like your first topic is a really good one to research about because of all the hate crimes happening in the world, and not only to Muslims but other ethnic groups of people. As Aaron mentioned, it is relevant right now. You can also mention what happened in France recently.
I personally love the focus on “in South Asia “looking white” is the ideal beauty standard,”and what role colonization has to play in it. At the moment there is the highest numbers of double eyelid surgeries and skin whitening product sales and establishing westernization/colonizations impact on the neglect of natural beauty standards in those countries has a concrete “starting” point which you can look at. It’s definitely broad enough where you can tie in media influence and cultural shifts!
THE SECOND TOPIC!!! I love it so much. I feel like people wanting to match up with euro-centric ideals of beauty is such a big problem in today’s society, especially with social media portraying the “perfect body type” and “perfect nose”.
In regards to your first topic choice on Islamophobia, I suggest looking into the statistics of hate crimes in the United States after 9/11. It would be interesting to compare this to the number of hate crimes prior to 9/11 and those that occur today. I never considered how this form of discrimination became prevalent in other countries. I look forward to reading about it if you choose this topic.