I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again—the manosphere, especially figures like Andrew Tate, isn’t built for Asian men. These so-called “male empowerment” spaces still reinforce a social hierarchy where white men sit at the top, while Asian men (or as they call us “ricecel” and “currycel”) remain at the bottom. So when I hear an Asian (American) guy say he wishes dating, women, and society could go back to the “good old days” when “men were men and women were women,” I can’t help but shake my head.
Let’s get real for a second: back in those “good old days,” you as an Asian man wouldn’t have had it any better. You would’ve been legally barred from marrying whomever you wanted because of anti-miscegenation laws. Marry a white woman? She could lose her American citizenship because of you. Not to mention, there was a good chance you’d be harassed, imprisoned, or even lynched—just like the Watsonville Riots of 1930 when 500 white “alpha males” murdered Filipino farmworkers for daring to dance with white women.
So, the next time your Asian brother is knee-deep in Red Pill or Black Pill ideology, watching Andrew Tate clips, give him a respectful—but firm—reality check: those “good old days” weren’t good for us. They were built on a white patriarchal system that still kept Asian men at the bottom.
What Is A “Ricecel” and a “Currycel”?
The manosphere preys on men’s insecurities and promises empowerment, but what it really delivers is bitterness and toxicity. For Asian men, it’s even more dangerous because these communities thrive on the same racial hierarchies that have historically kept us down. Terms like “ricecel” and “currycel” are used to mock us, reinforcing the stereotype that Asian men are inherently undesirable.
So, let’s break this down:
- “Ricecel”: A combination of “rice” (referring to East Asian men) and “incel” (involuntary celibate), implying that Asian men are unattractive and doomed to fail in romantic pursuits.
- “Currycel”: A similar slur targeting South Asian men, pushing the same dehumanizing idea that they’re romantically undesirable because of their race.
These terms aren’t just insults—they’re rooted in racism and sexism. They perpetuate the harmful idea that Asian men are emasculated, unattractive, and less valuable because of our perceived lack of success with women. But here’s the kicker: our worth isn’t defined by whether or not we “get the girl.”
The dangers of these terms go beyond individual self-esteem. Racism can have significant negative impacts on mental health, particularly in minority groups like Asian men. The dehumanization that comes from terms like “ricecel” and “currycel” reinforces systemic oppression and deepens feelings of inadequacy, leading to higher rates of anxiety, depression, and social isolation in our community.
But this isn’t just about race. Misogyny plays a central role in the manosphere, particularly in communities like the Red Pill and Black Pill. These communities are fueled by toxic masculinity and deeply ingrained gender stereotypes that reduce women to mere objects of conquest. The men who embrace this ideology believe their lack of success with women isn’t due to personal failings or social pressures but is the result of women being inherently manipulative and shallow.
The Manosphere’s Racism and Toxic Impact on Asian Men
What’s even more insidious is that these terms are often thrown around in white supremacist spaces or communities like WMAF (White Males Asian Females). They thrive on the idea that white men are superior to Asian men when it comes to romantic success, and they’re not shy about letting us know it.
There are even Asian women who align with these ideals, using terms like “ricecel” to further devalue Asian men. It’s all part of a broader system designed to keep us at the bottom, reinforcing the same white male-dominated hierarchy that’s always been in place.
It’s worth noting that the rise of alt-right and far-right ideologies has coincided with the rise of these online manosphere communities. White supremacists actively recruit disillusioned men of all races by playing on their frustrations and feelings of emasculation, particularly Asian men who already face unique challenges in Western dating markets. This exploitation only serves to reinforce the notion that Asian men are inherently inferior, as they are pitted against the unattainable ideals of white masculinity.
How Red Pill and Black Pill Communities Exploit Asian Men
Let’s talk about the Red Pill and Black Pill communities for a moment. These groups claim to offer the “truth” about women, relationships, and society—but their ideologies are fundamentally flawed and deeply harmful. The Red Pill teaches traditional gender roles, misogyny, and racism under the guise of self-improvement. The Black Pill takes it even further, preaching nihilism and hopelessness, especially to men who are already feeling isolated or marginalized.
For Asian men, these spaces are particularly harmful. Instead of empowering us, they trap us in a cycle of bitterness, reinforcing harmful stereotypes that we’re emasculated and undesirable. And worst of all, they push the idea that our worth as men is solely based on our success with women—a toxic mindset that does nothing but hold us back.
More than that, their imagined perfect society is still setup as a pyramid scheme where non-white men like us “ricecel” and “currycel” are at the bottom. While they, the white “alpha” male, is at the top of the social pyramid.
Stereotypes can significantly affect self-esteem, especially for minority groups like Asian men. These harmful stereotypes—whether they suggest that Asian men are inferior, unattractive or “emasculated”—can severely limit our potential to build healthy relationships. The more these stereotypes are perpetuated in communities like the manosphere, the more difficult it becomes for Asian men to break free from the cycle of negativity.
The Black Pill community, in particular, has gained a reputation for being one of the most toxic spaces on the internet. It’s built on the idea that men are victims of an unjust society and that nothing can be done to change their circumstances. For Asian men, this can be especially damaging because it preys on existing feelings of helplessness, making it even harder to escape the trap of toxic masculinity.
The Long-Term Mental Health Impact
The negative effects of these communities go far beyond romantic frustrations. They can have serious long-term consequences for mental health. The psychological toll of internalizing toxic masculinity—constant anger, isolation, and an inability to form genuine emotional connections can lead to serious mental health issues, including depression and suicidal ideation.
The dehumanization that Asian men face in these communities is a significant contributor to these issues. Being reduced to terms like “ricecel” or “currycel” strips us of our individuality and reinforces the harmful belief that our worth is tied to external validation from women or society. This mindset doesn’t just harm our self-esteem—it can have a profound impact on our mental health and overall well-being.
Breaking Free from Toxic Ideologies In The Manosphere
It’s time for Asian men to wake up and reject these harmful ideologies. Terms like “ricecel” and “currycel” aren’t just racist—they’re part of a larger culture that dehumanizes us by tying our worth to our romantic success. But we’re worth so much more than that.
We need to redefine masculinity for ourselves—one that’s based on self-respect, personal growth, and cultural pride. This isn’t about dominating women or being “alpha.” It’s about becoming the best version of ourselves, inside and out.
By rejecting the toxic ideals of the Red Pill and Black Pill communities, we can begin to build a healthier, more positive model of masculinity—one that allows us to thrive as individuals and in our relationships. It starts with breaking free from the cycle of negativity and embracing a mindset focused on growth, self-respect, and connection.
Steps Toward Positive Growth
- Focus on Self-Improvement: Invest in yourself—physically, mentally, and emotionally. Build your confidence through fitness, mindfulness, and self-care, not through dominance or control. Studies have shown that improving mental and physical well-being can lead to better self-esteem and healthier relationships.
- Leave Toxic Communities Behind: Stop engaging in Red Pill and Black Pill forums that only feed negativity and bitterness. Find healthier communities that promote positive masculinity and self-growth. Look for spaces that encourage you to develop your self-worth in ways that aren’t tied to external validation.
- Challenge Racism and Misogyny: Speak out against the use of racist terms like “ricecel” and “currycel.” Refuse to let these slurs define you or any other Asian man. Instead, challenge these harmful narratives and work to build spaces where Asian men are valued for who we are as individuals, not just for how successful we are in dating.
- Adopt a Growth Mindset: Stop seeing the world as a zero-sum game where you’re always competing for women’s attention. Focus on building genuine connections, both personally and romantically, by improving yourself and embracing your worth. The growth mindset encourages you to see challenges as opportunities for personal development, rather than obstacles that define your limitations. This approach can be transformative, not only for your relationships but also for your mental health and self-confidence.
Building a Better Future for Asian Men
The manosphere, with all its talk of “alpha males” and “red pills,” isn’t the answer for us Asian men. We are not meant to be their “ricecel” and “currycel” at the bottom of the imaginary utopia of social totem pole. It’s a toxic trap that keeps us looking backward instead of forward, and it reinforces the very stereotypes and power structures that have held us down for too long. But here’s the truth: we don’t need to follow their rules. We don’t need to play their game. We can forge our own path—a path rooted in self-respect, personal growth, and real confidence.
Rejecting the toxic ideologies of the Red Pill and Black Pill communities doesn’t mean giving up—it means taking control of your narrative, becoming the leader of your own life, and building a future where Asian men are valued for who we are, not just for our perceived romantic success. We deserve better than to be trapped in bitterness and frustration. By embracing healthier models of masculinity, rooted in personal growth and self-respect, we can break free from these limiting beliefs and unlock our full potential.
So, let’s start rejecting these harmful ideologies and work toward something better. Let’s build a future where Asian men are valued for who we are, not just for how successful we are in dating. It’s time to take control of our own narratives, embrace our individual worth, and become the leaders of our own lives.
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