Nicole Johnson
Bio
There is nothing on this earth quite like writing. If you can think it, you can write it. Limitations don’t exist. I’ve been fortunate enough to turn writing into a career as a beauty editor after earning my English degree.
Stories (5/0)
Swiping Right and Dating White
I’m not ashamed to admit that I find my relationships on apps. As someone who grew up with a computer mouse in my hand, technology is comforting to me. It’s relatively predictable. Interacting with a screen is often easier than interacting with other humans face to face...because people are unpredictable. However, they seem to become a bit more predictable behind a screen. I have never met a love interest organically out in the real world. The couple times I’ve found love, I’ve found it by swiping. It works for me. Besides, swiping can add a fun element to an otherwise awkward or slow process, especially if you’re honest with yourself about how much you value physical attractiveness in a relationship. But although apps make the prospect easier and more fun on the surface for some, it’s not always a pleasant experience for others. In general, women of color face more safety concerns, passive discrimination, fetishism, and sexual racism on dating apps and in interracial relationships than White users. In her research article titled “‘It’s not something I can shake’: The Effect of Racial Stereotypes, Beauty Standards, and Sexual Racism on Interracial Attraction,” Molly Silvestrini explains that in conducting her study, she found that “racial stereotypes, media representations of beauty, and sexual racism significantly influence interracial attraction, damage the self-esteem and self-worth of students of color, and contribute to racist and harmful ideologies in this community” (308). Unfortunately, I can speak to this phenomenon with my own experiences.
By Nicole Johnsonabout a year ago in Humans
Dear Designers of Women’s Pants
As a woman, there are countless issues at which I could be pissed off. Some of the things that irk me, I share with tons of women all over the world. Serious issues, such as domestic and sexual violence, equal pay and reproductive rights, have a permanent place high on my list of concerns.
By Nicole Johnsonabout a year ago in Viva
Vessel
Discoveries from An old vessel resurfaced. The past has returned.
By Nicole Johnsonabout a year ago in Poets
