︎So, You Got A White Boyfriend, Eh?
Type: Zine
Media: Digital Collage
Edition: 30 pages, 30 copies
Type: Zine
Media: Digital Collage
Edition: 30 pages, 30 copies
Race relations
So You Got A White Boyfriend, Eh? is a limited-run black and white zine exploring people’s reactions upon seeing and knowing about my interracial long-term long distance romantic relationship with a white man. I am a female person of color from the Philippines, while my partner is born and raised in Canada. We met in Manila and have been together for three years.
The photos in the zine were taken from our various trips together around the Philippines and Southeast Asia juxtaposed with actual comments and incidents we’ve encountered throughout our relationship. I also included snippets of the story behind the photo along with some personal commentary.
Interracial relationships are becoming more and more common in the Philippines, even becoming desirable, and acceptance has been good thanks to high-profile interracial marriages of popular celebrities. Despite this, some people think that being in an interracial relationship means it’s up for speculation and comments. These comments are insidious and inescapable, coming from everyone, from friends, family, and even strangers.
Exploring power dynamics
The intersectionality of race and power dynamics are often present in the interactions included in the zine. It was always assumed that my white partner has more money and therefore the upperhand in the relationship. My intentions for being with him was always in question, and some even assumed it was a ploy to gain Canadian citizenship. It was also always incorrectly assumed that we would eventually have children, with his Caucasian features highlighted as desirable for the baby to have, instead of my Asian ones.
At the end of the day, our relationship is just like any other. We never invited and anticipated commentary about our future plans, intimate life, or status.
