By Evelyn Rossi – Staff Reporter 

Every teen has probably come across a video on TikTok where a user claims to be Chinese, or “at a very Chinese time in their life.” But when does a joke become a trend? When does it start to resemble Orientalism? While TikTok trends frame Asian culture as fashionable or entertaining, the “Chinese phase” phenomenon highlights a deeper issue: social media’s tendency to celebrate cultural aesthetics, while overlooking the histories, people, and discrimination behind them. 

The trend seemed to have been in its dying phase, but with the recent Chinese New Year, it has resurfaced, and this time many people have been questioning it. This trend should have never escalated to the point it has – past cultural appreciation.

Many aspects of Chinese culture have been watered down to internet “trends”, like jade jewelry, Chinese New Year Zodiacs, and the infamous “Chinamaxxing.” Unfortunately, the same can be said for many Asian cultures, like Indian, Japanese, and Korean, without acknowledging the trend’s origins in these countries. 

A content creator by the name of Courtney Cook has recently gained attention for her traditional East Asian cuisine, without crediting the history behind some of the foods, which are deeply rooted in the culture. It’s not just her, either; many other creators have even been calling these Asian dishes “Courtney Cook’s soy sauce eggs’” and “Brothy rice.” 

How can the internet appreciate cultures and differences without appropriating them? Many TikTok users have expressed their frustration with the trend, as China and Chinese people in America have been met with racism their whole lives, and now their ethnicity, traditions, and practices that they were made fun of for are now a “meme”/”trend.” 

TikTok user Kathy Pham (@kalinaxkaty) describes how white Americans love Asian food, fashion, and cultural practices, but how the general white audience does not actually see Asian-Americans as equals, as now that culture is just a commodity to them. Pham references the essay “Eating the Other: Desire and Resistance” written by bell hooks, which delves into white supremacy, and seeing the “Other” as a new dish or delight for white people to try, to feast on; to enhance the white palate. 

While many comment sections on TikTok videos discussing this trend seem to disagree, and claim the creator is making a big deal or that it is “not that deep.” These comments seem to ignore the broader historical and social context behind cultural appropriation. 

Appreciation and appropriation may seem similar on the surface, but there is a fine line, and the difference lies in awareness and respect (or lack of). Appropriation, which is what this “trend” has become, strips cultural elements of their meaning and repackages them for entertainment and profit. 

In an age where trends spread across the internet in seconds, it becomes even more important to pause and ask where those trends come from, and who they affect. Cultural exchange can be enriching, but only when it is rooted in understanding rather than consumption.