I would just waltz into the discussion and share a little of my knowledge. Instead, I learned in a two-hour discussion equivalent to many years' worth of revelations. Having hardly ever been attracted to men in general, this discovery baffles me and requires another entire article for exploration. Second of all, the discussion strengthened my understanding that within the gay world, sexual attraction does not necessarily indicate tolerance. Like discriminating against a person based on the color of skin, exoticism sees only color and culture instead of individuality and personal truth.
Exoticism perpetuates racial stereotypes and draws a lock box around the person.
It is a concept that rides on the other side of exoticism and carries a heavy dosage of internalized racism. I am guilty of internalized racism. I have been guilty of feeling grateful when someone displays interest in my skin color. I have been guilty of wanting white so that I could be white. My friend Prateek from Trikone-Tejas taught me something very amazing.