“Not Your Fetish” Journaling Questions

Have you ever called someone, or been called, “exotic?

Anti-Women of Color Stereotypes in Media and Art. Name an unlucky seven examples in opera, dance, film, TV, and other media that you think need re-working. Here’s one from the high arts: Madame Butterfly. Go.

How do you distinguish between genuine appreciation and fetishization when it comes to race, culture, or ethnicity—in yourself and others?

Have you ever witnessed or experienced tokenism or exoticization in your social or professional circles? What impact did it have?

In what ways do media, advertising, or pop culture reinforce stereotypes of women of color as “exotic,” hypersexual, or submissive? What messages have you internalized from these portrayals?

How does colonial history continue to shape attitudes about desirability, worth, and relationships between people of different races or backgrounds today?

Reflect on the legacy of figures like Sarah Baartman. What emotions arise when thinking about her life and objectification? How does her story connect to modern conversations on race and sexuality?

Have you ever participated in, benefited from, or remained silent about environments where people of color were collected, displayed, or commodified? What held you back from speaking or acting differently?

Consider the duality described—being both attracted to and repulsed by differences. How does this tension show up in your life or in society at large?

How would you define the difference between sexual and non-sexual fetishization? In what ways can non-sexual fascination with “the other” still be harmful?

How does fetishization affect mental health outcomes for people of color, and what steps can allies take to mitigate harm?

What is your reaction to learning about the complicity of artists (like Paul Gauguin) or historical figures in perpetuating racialized sexual fantasies? How does this change your view of their work or legacy?

How do dating apps and social media either challenge or reinforce racial hierarchies and fetishization in relationships? Have you noticed patterns of exclusion or exoticizing in digital spaces you frequent?

What specific actions can you take this week to challenge everyday examples of objectification, bias, or stereotype—either in yourself or your community?