AMBW? Ring a bell, no worries. It’s something like a phenomenon that was just brought to my attention. A term used to describe relationships consisting of Asian men (AM) and Black women (BW).

So, one day I’m walking down the street, on my way to a presentation discussing race relations between African Americans, “Hispanics”, and Asians. Ironic. Then, low and behold, I see the cover of the latest issue of Asian Week. The title reads, “Black-Asian Love” written in bold pink letters hovering above a huge picture of what appears to be a “BLAsian” couple.

Now, the thing that initially catches my eye is how staged the picture looks. Check it out; they have on matching wife beaters for Pete’s sake. But beyond the picture, there is an article on a book written by Sam Cacas entitled “BLAsian Exchanges” which explores an AMBW relationship.

Cacas says in the Asian Week article, “The image of Black women and Asian men needs to be broadened beyond their archetypal racial uniforms of accepting notions of white beauty.” I’m down with anyone challenging Eurocentric standards of beauty. I have sustained a 15 yearlong crush on Dante Basco ever since he played Rufio in the movie “Hook”. This BW thinks he’s one hot AM.
—Jazmyne Young