Jungle Asian
A term used to describe Southeast Asians, most often in a derogatory manner. Though some may also use it in a positive or playful way, especially Southeast Asians themselves who may attempt to reclaim the term.
"Jungle Asian" references how the entirety of Southeast Asia lies within the tropics and there are abundant rainforests in the region. The use of the word "jungle" draws from European colonial imagery of an untamed and primitive natural environment, far from the presence of order and civilization. In the United States, the word "jungle" is also often used negatively to describe African Americans.
"Jungle Asian" originated among Vietnamese Americans in the 1990s as a slur to describe Cambodian Americans. The Cambodian Americans were viewed by the Vietnamese Americans as a "less civilized" population with a darker skin complexion than the Vietnamese on average. "Jungle Asian" was later adopted by Korean Americans and used against all Southeast Asian people, including the Vietnamese.
Korean Americans also created the counterpart term, "Fancy Asians", which they originally used to positively describe themselves. However, "Fancy Asians" eventually came to be used to describe East Asians as a whole. East Asians generally have lighter skin complexions than Southeast Asians, and are stereotyped to be wealthier and a "model minority" in the Western world. All of which may cause people to view East Asians more favorably than Southeast Asians.
"Jungle Asian" references how the entirety of Southeast Asia lies within the tropics and there are abundant rainforests in the region. The use of the word "jungle" draws from European colonial imagery of an untamed and primitive natural environment, far from the presence of order and civilization. In the United States, the word "jungle" is also often used negatively to describe African Americans.
"Jungle Asian" originated among Vietnamese Americans in the 1990s as a slur to describe Cambodian Americans. The Cambodian Americans were viewed by the Vietnamese Americans as a "less civilized" population with a darker skin complexion than the Vietnamese on average. "Jungle Asian" was later adopted by Korean Americans and used against all Southeast Asian people, including the Vietnamese.
Korean Americans also created the counterpart term, "Fancy Asians", which they originally used to positively describe themselves. However, "Fancy Asians" eventually came to be used to describe East Asians as a whole. East Asians generally have lighter skin complexions than Southeast Asians, and are stereotyped to be wealthier and a "model minority" in the Western world. All of which may cause people to view East Asians more favorably than Southeast Asians.
A notable and early recorded instance of "Jungle Asian" being used was in 2005 when Korean American comedian, Bobby Lee, called Vietnamese people "Jungle Asians" and "animals". The term was later popularized again in 2016 by mixed Chinese American and Vietnamese American comedian, Ali Wong in her TV special, "Baby Cobra". Wong called herself "half Fancy Asian" and "half Jungle Asian".
Jungle Asian by goyangi-gurl May 7, 2023
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