A look behind a popular trend and stereotype dominating the social media scene
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photography/ Maggie Dong and Josie Cruz
typical day for an ABG consists of a morning, afternoon, and evening boba run, shopping for the latest trends at the mall, an expensive dinner with her friends, and a long Uber ride downtown to a rave. After her fun, she’ll Uber back home and collapse in bed, exhausted. his is not the first time she will forget to remove her heavy makeup and iconic false lashes.
If this scenario seems offensive and cliché, that's because it is. There is an abundance of stereotypes that attempts to itemize and restrict the rich diversity of Asian cultures. The term Asian Baby Girl, or ABG, is one of the newer ones.
design/ Josie Cruz
ABGs are colloquially known as female Asian “gangsters,” perhaps because their style and image are notably intimidating in other people’s eyes. ABGs characteristically apply heavy makeup, including false eyelashes, and frequently attend social events. They are known to wear thin clothing that is revealing. Many have an affinity for e pensive brands. Some even have tattoos, as the term “gangster” might imply. Sofia Ilagan, a 20-year-old sociology major at the University of Florida, e panded on the definition. “I think some of the negative connotations that come up with being an ABG is that people think they’re slutty, attention seekers, and hoes,” she said. These harmful stereotypes may have been born from the idea that many ABGs attend parties and raves.
24 | fall 2020
by Alexandra Giang
Behind The Fake Lashes
the abg lifestyle is just another side of asian culture – Sofia Ilagan, 20