When we talk about Asian eyes, we talk about slantedness, roundness, smooth monolids and deep eyelid folds. But what were also talking about is Westernization, beauty standards and self-acceptance.

To talk about Asian eyes is to have a unique lexicon. There are clinical terms like the epicanthal folds. There are secret tools and routines like eyelid tape. And there are hushed ways to talk about permanent changes like getting your eyelid surgery.

For Asians and Asian-Americans, eyes are the literal portal through which we perceive beauty standards and theyre often the physical feature we use to measure ourselves against these benchmarks.

In America, theres a history of Asian eyes, racism and disenfranchisement. Propaganda signs at the time of Japanese-American imprisonment during World War II or when the Chinese Exclusion Act was in force during the 19th and 20th centuries depicted characters with hyperbolized slanted eyes to dehumanize Asians. And these stereotypes persist today .

Asian-Americans who spoke to HuffPost expressed everything from dissatisfaction to ultimate acceptance of their eyes and appearance. Their feelings about Asian eyes were fraught with centuries-old, cross-continental beliefs about attractiveness. They described a confluence of factors informing how they see their eyes including a history of war, Westernization, an unforgiving media and unattainable beauty standards.

Below, hear from 13 Asian-American men and women about slants, folds, taunts and self-acceptance.

These interviews have been edited and condensed for clarity.

Cindy, 38, Korean-American, from Illinois