“Isn’t it weird when everyone looks the same?
If we clean ourselves up too much,
What happens to our individuality?
…
If you keep yourself just the way you are
You’ll be cuter than anyone!
…
Small eyes, short nose, uncinched waist, thick legs—
Nice body!
Small eyes, short nose, uncinched waist, thick legs—
Alright!
It’s Neokawaii!
Change the world!
Let it be! Nice complex!
Small eyes, short nose, uncinched waist, thick legs—
Nice body!
Small eyes, short nose, uncinched waist, thick legs—
Alright! “
CHAI is a four-member all-female band from Nagoya, Aichi, Japan. In N.E.O, they encourage women to accept their body and redefine cuteness (kawaii) into “neo-kawaii.” CHAI also questions how beauty standard erases individuality. Their music resonates with Rachel Kuo’s reflection on solidarity and stereotypes of Asian women being submissive and hyperfeminine. Although East Asian women struggle with a different beauty standard from Black women, for example, many Asian women are expected to stay thin and pale, both groups face internalized sexism from their communities. Therefore, intersectional feminism could address the solidarity in building women’s confidence, while contextualizing different forms of oppression.
What an interesting comment Sherrie! When I read this, I immediately thought of Mulan when the girls are meeting their match-maker, and they have to conform to ancient China’s definitions of beauty. Although that was such a long time ago, it is scary how some of those same qualities define what beauty is in Asia today. It is so interesting how in Mulan, she goes outside of the society norms of what women should think, do, or even say and comes out a hero; however, still in today’s world that is still looked down upon. I agree that intersectional feminism should begin to address the solidarity in building women’s confidence, while contextualizing different forms of oppression, but maybe also work on eradication of the stereotypes that break down women’c confidence, while diversifying the definitions of beauty.
Thanks for including this comment and song, Sherrie. I enjoyed the song you chose because of its close relation to topics about Asian American femininity and its futuristic sound qualities. In particular, the lyrics of “N.E.O.” implicate beauty standards that enforce “sameness.” Aren’t similar body shapes, skin tones, and faces so boring, CHAI seems to ask? Indeed, the beauty of humanity can often be found in diversity. CHAI ends “N.E.O.” with “Small eyes, Flat nose, No Shape, Fat Legs / Still a nice body,” thus politicizing their piece. The traditional standards of beauty cannot account for the diversity of beauty, and CHAI implicitly asks the viewer to consider a new cute, or a neo-kawaii.